There is little in a mother’s heart that does not involve her children.  This is not to say we let go of the women we used to be, but   rather that we become something more: more loving, more giving, more contemplative, more anxious.  Our children’s lives are proof of a mother’s heart existing in two places:  one nestled within our chests; the other within our arms.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary

We know from Luke’s gospel that Mary pondered many things in her heart.  Of course she would, as I’m convinced Jesus was a poppy (a brilliant, unusual child, wise beyond his years). We get a glimpse of this when he’s lost in the temple at 12.  Mary and Joseph scour Jerusalem for three days.  When they finally find him, he’s keeping pace with and challenging the elders of the temple. Jesus’s response to Mary when she questions his action is nothing short of remarkable:

Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?

I would have been a basket case – an annoyed one at that. But Mary doesn’t falter. She doesn’t worry, not when he begins his earthly ministry. Not when he heads to the desert for 40 days. Not when he dies a horrible death on the cross.

She doesn’t worry. She only trusts, and ponders these things in her immaculate heart.

Family activities

• Bake a heart shaped cake
• Frame a print of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
• Make a list of ways you can trust God more deeply

Family prayer

Blseed Mother, your Immaculate Heart trusted that all would be well. Pray for us, that our faith in your son might increase. Amen

This post is part of the 31 Days of Devotion to Our Blessed Mother.  To see the rest of the series, click here.