Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
1st READING
Mary is the Mother of the Redeemer who brought salvation to the earth. Let us honor Mary and her role in salvation history. The texts in Revelation are in apocalyptic form of writing and is designed to convey basic truths, which is not easy for a nonbeliever to understand.
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.”
PSALM
Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16
R: The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
10 The queen takes her place at your right hand in gold of Ophir. (R) 11 Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear, forget your people and your father’s house. (R) 12 So shall the king desire your beauty; for he is your lord. (R) 16 They are borne in with gladness and joy; they enter the palace of the king. (R)
2nd READING
The resurrection is an essential aspect of our faith. Without it, Christianity is meaningless. When we talk about Mary being assumed into heaven, we are conveying that the grace which we will wait for until Jesus’ Second Coming has already been fully given to Mary. She was conceived without sin and is the Mother of the Son of God. Her proper place is to be with her Son in heaven from the moment of her death.
1 Corinthians 15:20-27
20 Brothers and sisters: Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits 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.”
GOSPEL
Today’s Gospel is often used to honor Mary in the context of the Liturgy of the Word. It is filled with insights we can meditate on. Take Mary’s selflessness, for example, as seen in her willingness to go and assist her cousin Elizabeth in her pregnancy. Elizabeth is old and need Mary’s help. May we also extend assistance to those in need.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Mary is taken up to heaven; a chorus of angels exults.
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 with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed. 49 The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. 50 He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. 51 He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. 52 He cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has come to help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, 55 the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and to his children forever.” 56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
Reflect: “Whenever we look to Mary, we come to believe once again in the revolutionary nature of love and tenderness.” – Pope Francis
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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 - Job 1-5
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