My favorite scene from the Passion of the Christ

As usual, I arrived at Mass this morning my normal groggy self, still not even sure what day it was. The opening hymn, “Immaculate Mary,” stirred me from my slumber. It was not until I saw the priest’s vestments that I realized I did it again.

“How could I forget? Today is the feast of the Visitation!!!”

“Oh, Mother! Forgive me! You know I think about you all the time.”

And she reminds me, “Dear son, don’t worry. That’s what mothers are for. I’m here to remind you.”

Today’s reflection brought to mind the Gospel passage that best reflects this side of Mary, the Mother of Memory:

“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

Mary’s memory is the memory of Christ. So, when we think of Mary, we always think of Jesus. The Church devotes the month of May to Mary, because we need a mother to remind us that there are more important things in life than, perhaps, the things we are doing right now.

Let’s pause for a moment and ponder things in our hearts, with Mary.

Mary in the House of Her Cousin Elizabeth (Br Luis de Avila, LC)