THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY
We
celebrate today the Assumption of Mary into heaven. She does not
receive anything more than we all hope to receive — she just gets it as
soon as she dies — while we have to be purified in purgatory as we await
the Second Coming of Jesus for the fullness of our redemption. This
privilege given to Mary is because she is conceived without sin in order
to prepare a holy womb for the birth of the Son of God. Any privilege
or blessing that Mary receives is focused not upon her but on her Son,
Jesus. It is also as a result of His holiness and a fruit of His
passion, death and resurrection.
As we reflect upon this gift bestowed on Mary, let us look at her
response to the angel’s request that she become the Mother of our Lord.
She surrenders everything to the will of God and opens her heart to
whatever may be His plan for her life. It was not easy for her, as we
see her about to give birth and being rejected in all the places she and
Joseph went to. How much harder it must have been to stand by and watch
her Son die on the cross, yet this is the calling she embraced with
full faith.
We also must surrender to God’s will if we want to achieve the same
great faith that Mary had. This challenge will occupy us for the rest of
our lives as we grow as disciples of Jesus and do our best to proclaim
God’s Kingdom at every opportunity we get.
Let us all pray that we will be faithful to this calling just as Mary
was faithful to hers. Then we, too, will eventually receive the gift of
the assumption of our bodies as we are made one with God, Mary and all
the saints in heaven. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL
REFLECTION QUESTION: Have you made a firm commitment to God to follow Him with all your heart, mind and soul?
Jesus,
help me to keep my mind and heart open to Your will in my life. I want
to do what You want me to do so that my salvation will be assured.
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