August 15, 2011
1st READING
The ark of the covenant contained the tablets of stone from Mt. Sinai, the manna and Aaron’s rod that blossomed. It was carried through the wilderness and later placed in the holy of holies in the Temple in Jerusalem. Two angels with outstretched wings covered the top of the ark. The Virgin Mary is the new ark of the covenant as she carried in her womb the Son of God and brings the gift of salvation to the new people of God.

Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10
19 God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. 12: 1 A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems. 4 Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne. 6 The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed One.”

P S A L M

Psalms 45:10, 11, 12, 16
R: The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
9 [10] The queen takes her place at your right hand in gold of Ophir. (R) 10 [11] Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear, forget your people and your father’s house. (R) 11 [12] So shall the king desire your beauty; for he is your lord. (R) 15 [16] They are borne in with gladness and joy; they enter the palace of the king. (R)

2nd READING

The first fruits are the fruits that ripen before the main crop. Jesus is the first to rise from the dead and the Virgin Mary, being without sin, is the first fruit of His resurrection. Hence, the church has always believed that Mary was taken body and soul up to heaven at the moment of her death. In the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we see a foretaste of what we and our children will experience when Jesus comes again in glory.

1 Corinthians 15:20-27
20 Brothers and sisters: Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, 23 but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; 24 then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death, 27 for “he subjected everything under his feet.”

G O S P E L

The image of Mary going up to a town in Judah and being greeted with great joy by her cousin Elizabeth harps back to the story in the book of Samuel, where King David accompanied the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. With the coming of the ark, God’s presence comes to His people. With the coming of Mary, God visited Elizabeth, and the child in her womb is filled with the Holy Spirit and leaps for joy.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
Mary is taken up to heaven; a chorus of angels exults.
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 1:39-56
39 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” 46 And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; 47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior. 48 For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. 49 The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. 51 He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. 52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. 53 The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, 55 according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” 56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

my reflections
think: Jesus is the first to rise from the dead and the Virgin Mary, being without sin, is the first fruit of His resurrection.
God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Sirach 26-30