The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is about the human heart that symbolizes the power of life, the centre of passion, and the source of love and commitment.

In today's Gospel, we are reminded that being someone's Mother is always filled with mystery, misunderstanding, hurt and sorrow. Mary and Joseph were frightened when they couldn't find Jesus. When they finally found Him after a three-day search, Jesus' response was not particularly satisfying.

The Gospel only comments, "His mother kept all these things in her heart." That was the first of many occasions when Mary was confused and frightened by the actions of Jesus.

Yet, as Mary lives out her life, we witness the pure love of a Mother for her Son, but even more importantly, the love of the perfect follower of Jesus. Her unconditional love of God opens her to the request that she be the Mother of God's Son.

It is her total love of Jesus that supports her through the heart-wrenching experience of watching her Son rejected, brutalised, condemned and killed.

Her undying love of those Jesus loved makes her the central support of the early Christian community and all those who desire to follow Jesus.