Taken from: http://sistersihmofwichita.org/devotion-to-the-immaculate-heart-of-mary
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“The perfect correspondence of [Mary’s] will to the will of God has given the world a heart most pleasing to God and therefore a model for every Christian.” – Fr. Robert J. Fox
“The perfect correspondence of [Mary’s] will to the will of God has given the world a heart most pleasing to God and therefore a model for every Christian.” – Fr. Robert J. Fox
Biblically, the heart of a person symbolizes the total person, the soul, the intellect, the memory, the core of the being, the life force, the interior life, as well as the material and corporal heart. The spiritual heart is believed to contain the memory, intelligence, will and spirit. Scripture tells us that “From the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Mt. 12:34, Lk. 6:45) and “A clean heart create for me, O God: renew in me a steadfast spirit.” (Ps. 51:12)
In Scripture we read of God’s promise to give His people “a new heart and a new spirit…” (Ez. 11:19) “A clean heart…” (Ps. 51:12) “A heart that is constant and pure…” In many ways Mary is that new heart and new spirit, the only clean heart that is constant and pure, for her heart alone of all mankind is immaculate. For from the first moment of her existence, Mary’s heart cleaved unto God alone. Her heart was at peace for it rested in God. He is her all in all and because of this, her love remains pure and undefiled.
The Gospel of Luke tells us that Mary is “full of grace”. It would be impossible for Mary to be full of grace if there were anything not of God in her heart. Thus we find testimony to the purity found in the Heart of Mary, what we call her Immaculate Heart. Later in Luke we learn of the sword that will pierce the Heart of Mary so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. This gives us insight into Mary’s share in the sufferings that bring about redemption.
The heart is commonly used to express how a person loves. Mary’s love for the Triune God is so pure and intense that it bursts from her heart in a continual flame of charity. We are also recipients of this tremendous love of Our Lady.
Adorning Mary’s Heart are roses which symbolize her virtues, which she possesses in all their perfection. She is Mother most Pure, completely obedient to the Father, and Our Lady of Humility. In Mary’s Heart we have a perfect model to follow, a sure guide in the way of holiness, and a subject for which to praise God, for in His goodness he has given us a Mother whose love and beauty carries us to a greater love and worship of our Lord.
Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, pray for us!
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