The Immaculate Heart of Mary: Pondering These Things in Our Hearts

Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and that means that today we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This is a special day for Relevant Radio®, as we have placed our apostolate under the protection and care of the Immaculate Heart. In fact, while we broadcast as Relevant Radio, our apostolate is officially Immaculate Heart Media, dedicated to bringing Christ to the world, as modeled by our Blessed Mother.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary is common among Catholics. In fact, many Catholic families have images of the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart displayed prominently in their home. But where did this devotion come from? And why does it resonate with so many Catholics?

Steve Ray, an apologist and Catholic convert, joined The Drew Mariani Show™ to explain the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the biblical roots of this feast day.

Steve explained that, as a Protestant before his conversion, he looked on things like devotion to the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart as man-made beliefs. He thought Catholics were eschewing the truths found in Scripture in favor of made-up inventions and superstitions. However, he pointed out that after understanding the origins of these devotions he was able to understand Scripture in a whole new way.

“I look back at the Scriptures, and it says that for many things during Mary’s life it says that she pondered these things in her heart,” Steve said. “And when she’d hear things about Jesus, like when the shepherd’s came and said they got this message from the angels, Mary pondered these things in her heart. And when they went back after Jesus talked with the teachers in the Temple, Mary pondered these things in her heart.”

“What that means is she’s meditating upon it,” he continued. “Mary didn’t know everything. She wasn’t omnipotent, and omnipresent, and omniscient like God is. She was a girl, and she pondered, thinking, and trying to process all of these things. And I think that’s what we do as Catholics. We follow Mary’s example. We also meditate on the Scripture. We meditate about Jesus and all that applies to Him.”

Steve explained that, as someone with a Protestant background that emphasized Scripture, the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary has been a beautiful way to remember that as disciples we are called to ponder, to ruminate, and to meditate on the Word of God throughout our lives, just as Mary did. And rather than being in opposition to Scripture, it allows for more understanding of Scripture and a deepening of our relationship with Christ.

In pondering as Mary pondered, Steve said, “As we do that we understand these great devotions and mysteries. That’s how the Church develops them. They’re not invented, they are true, biblical, Gospel entities. Things that are there, and we meditate upon them, and we get these wonderful devotions.”

“Over 2,000 years just look at the riches we have as Catholics,” he pointed out. “And the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are two of those that have been developed because we the Church are like Mary, and we ponder these things in our heart.”

Listen to the full conversation with Steve Ray below:

The Drew Mariani Show airs weekdays from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Eastern/noon – 3:00 p.m. Pacific on Relevant Radio® and the Relevant Radio App.

Stephanie Foley serves as a Digital Media Producer at Relevant Radio®. She is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she studied journalism, and she has worked in Catholic radio for 12 years. Stephanie is a wife, a mother of three boys, and in her free time she enjoys reading, running, and really good coffee. You can find more of Stephanie’s writing at relevantradio.com and on the free Relevant Radio mobile app.