St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the 17th century French Visitation sister and mystic, along with St. John Eudes, St. Gertrude, and others, is associated with the Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. St. Margaret Mary says of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, that she is the mirror of the Sacred Heart. Her love is a reflection, an image of Christ’s Heart.
Any authentic teaching about Mary will make clear that God is always the source of life. Mary is His humble handmaid, chosen from all mankind, to participate in a most extraordinary way in the mystery of the Incarnation. From Heaven she continues, through her maternal prayers, to bring the world to her Son.
Jesus’ Sacred Heart is the sign of His most fervent love for Man. The Lord alone, and His love, is the cause of redemption. But Mary’s heart is a wonderful image of how, in response to God’s love, human beings must be likenesses of Christ.
In the writings of St. Louis de Montfort, Mary is the moon and Christ is the sun. The moon does not have its own light, but in the midst of the darkest night, it catches and reflects the light of the sun which is hidden. By the steady light of the moon we can walk and carry on our work.
Mary is called the “Morning Star.” Like the planet Venus that seems to shine and twinkle before sunrise though having no light of its own, Mary’s prayers guide us on a path to Christ.
The Sacred Scripture illustrates how a mother full of love is also an image of God’s caring love. “Can a woman forget her infant, so as not to have pity on the son of her womb? And even if she should forget, yet I will not forget you” (Is 49:15). A faith-filled mother will share her faith in God with her children. So also in Mary, whom the Angel Gabriel called "full of grace,” our trust in God is strengthened by the example of her fidelity to God’s will.
When Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth (Lk 1:39-56) she carries Jesus the Redeemer in her womb. Elizabeth, despite her advanced age, bears John the Baptist. Their encounter explodes in Mary’s proclamation and song of praise, “Magnificat anima mea Dominum!” “My soul magnifies the Lord!” Humble Mary, full of joy and praise, knows that she is no source of grace or life. Rather, because of what God had done for His lowly handmaid, she “magnifies,” that is, she makes clear and large, the saving power of the Lord. He who is mighty has done great things for us; Holy is His name. Mary’s holiness and our holiness is a share in the holiness of God. Who is holy? Only God alone (Mk 10:18), but He grants us a share in His life.
If the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a reflection – as in a mirror – of the burning, loving Heart of Jesus, then we also, when we live in sanctifying grace, can be reflections of God’s love. Our Lord tells the Apostles, “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34-35; Jn 15:12).
St. Paul teaches, “We are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor 5:12). What does the ambassador carry? He does not bring his own message; he does not act on his own authority. He brings the message, faithfully safeguarded and communicated, from the King; from the one who alone holds the power of office. Like Mary, we bring not our own message, but Christ’s truth, His love.
Mary Immaculate; Mary, mother of the Savior, derives all her holiness from God. No human being has ever been, nor will be, so pure, so humble, so faithful as to carry Christ as she did. With clarity she reflects the light of Jesus Christ and the radiance of His Most Sacred Heart.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
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Hymn - Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All
Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all!
How can I love Thee as I ought?
And how revere this wondrous gift,
So far surpassing hope or thought?
Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore!
Oh, make us love Thee more and more.
Oh, make us love Thee more and more.
Had I but Mary's sinless heart
With which to love Thee, dearest King,
Oh, with what ever fervent praise,
Thy goodness, Jesus, would I sing!
Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore!
Oh, make us love Thee more and more.
Oh, make us love Thee more and more.
