First Reading: Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Gospel: Luke 1:39-56
Today we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. What do we believe? Mary, the Mother of God is in heaven, body and soul. Mary was conceived without sin and did not sin in her lifetime. Mary’s body did not decay. She went directly from earth to heaven.
The Feast of the Assumption reminds us that Mary is in heaven actively interceding for us in heaven. Just as Mary interceded at the Wedding Feast at Cana for the couple, when the wine ran out. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus to him, “They have no wine.” (Jn2:3) Mary is asking Jesus to help us in whatever our needs may be…My Son, they have no … and we can fill in the blank. Mary is helping us on our journey through life to eternal life.
When Mary was alive on earth, she always pointed to God. Mary knew that all blessings come from God. Think of the Magnificat in the Gospel of Luke. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. (Lk1:47) The mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. (Lk1:49)
Mary trusted in God and knew that only with God’s divine assistance, she could fulfill His plan. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. (Lk1:42) Mary is blessed because she believed in the promises of God. How about us? Do we place our lives in the hands of Jesus Christ with complete trust?
What will be the result if we do? Mary’s Assumption is a reminder to us of our anticipation of our own resurrection. Perhaps someone will say, “How are the dead to be raised up? What kind of body will they have?” (1Cor15:35) Herein we reflect on the mystery of God’s creation, which will provide for us a spiritual body, compatible with the new life after death. The risen body will be changed by the power of God, immortal and free from corruption. Jesus Christ freed us from sin and death. Jesus’s rising from the dead is the cause of our resurrection. While we pray in the Nicene Creed that we look forward to the resurrection of the dead, we live in that anticipation with Mary leading us closer to Jesus. As St. Louis de Montfort wrote that the more we allow Mary to act in our lives, the more Jesus Christ will be glorified. So, with Mary, it’s always and only about Jesus!
May God bless us always!
Deacon Mike