Lourdes

In today's readings we discover that the wisdom of Solomon was not used well. Rather then remain faithful to God he ventured out and became attached to other gods, "his heart was not entirely with the Lord."

In the gospel we discover the power of the intercession of a mother as the Syrophoenician woman seeks and begs Jesus to cure her daughter.

Both of these realities relate to the feast we celebrate as we commemorate the apparition of the Blessed Mother to St. Bernadette in Lourdes.

We discover to things as we ponder Our Lady of Lourdes.

1)The Blessed Virgin Mary reveals herself in Lourdes as the Immaculate Conception, the one who is conceived without sin. In the Blessed Mother we meet the only creature who never offended God, for she alone fulfilled the first commandment-adore God only and love him perfectly. This is why she is considered the seat of wisdom.

Unlike Solomon, her wisdom does not stray.

2) We see in the apparition the continued support of the Blessed Mother for her children. She seeks continually to win for us the favors and gifts we need as we journey on our pilgrimage of life. We always have the intercession of a Mother at our side.

St. John Vianney teaches that the apparition of Mary is like a beam of sun on a foggy day. Mary only desires to see us happy. If Hell could repent, the intercession of the Blessed Mother would obtain its pardon.

May we follow Mary's lead and allow her to guide us in the way of love perfected as we seek to devote ourselves to God alone.

One hail Mary day shall gain for us a deeper insight into the life of grace.