The Word: "Mary has been taken up into heaven; the host of angels rejoices."
Mystery of the day: Luminous
Celebration of the day: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This feast was celebrated in the liturgy of the Eastern World from the sixth century and, in , from the seventh century. On November 1, 1950 Pope Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption. He solemnly proclaimed that the belief whereby the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the close of her earthly career, was taken up body and soul, into the glory of heaven, really forms part of the deposit of faith, received from the apostles. This feast confirms us in the theological virtue of hope whereby we seek our sanctification and that of the others in the midst of our ordinary duties. At the same time we are encouraged to look at our goal in heaven.
Table of the Word: I R.: Revelation11:19;12:1-6.10
Resp. Psalm: Psalm 45
2 R.: I Corinthians 15:20-26
Verse before the Gospel: Mary has been taken up into heaven; the host of angels rejoices.
Gospel: Luke 1:39-56
Inspiration: Beloved in Christ happy solemnity to you. Today, we joyfully in the same spirit with the Universal Church celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of our Lady. A unique celebration which called to mind the taking up of the body and soul of our Lady to Heaven. The term "Assumption" refers to the taking up of the Virgin Mary, body and soul, into heavenly glory (not explicitly mentioned in Scripture, but affirmed by Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions). This unique event in the Church's history is different from Ascension which is specifically refers to Jesus Christ's departure from earth, bodily rising into heaven, and taking His seat at the right hand of God (cf. Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:9-11)
However, in Christ Ascension:
- It marks the end of Jesus' earthly ministry and the beginning of His heavenly reign
- it emphasizes Jesus' divinity, power, and glory
While Assumption:
- Celebrates Mary's perfect cooperation with God's plan, her sinless life, and her role as Mother of God
- Emphasizes Mary's unique role, her closeness to God, and her intercession for humanity.
In our reflection today, we will focus attention exclusively on the theology behind this celebration, spiritual impulses as well as its symbolism in our salvation history.
Today's solemnity highlited:
Mary's dignity and glory: That is her unique role as the Mother of God and her perfect cooperation with God's plan, leading to her bodily assumption into heaven.
Faith and hope: The event inspires us to live with faith and hope, knowing that our ultimate goal is to join Mary and the saints in eternal life with God.
Purity and sinlessness: Mary's sinless life and assumption into heaven serve as a model for us to strive for purity and holiness in our own lives. Other outstanding features of this celebration are: her intercession and motherly love and care; it gives us Heavenly orientation, highlighted our Lady's role in the salvation history of man; it serves as an invitation to deepened devotion to her and it foreshadows eschatological implication.
Beloved in Christ Jesus, as we celebrate this unique event, let us reflect on the spiritual significance of it, which has an eschatological dimension. That is, our departure from this ephemeral world to the world beyond where we will see Jesus as truly is.
Every now and then we ought to be ready, by making sincere effort as children of Mother Mary to imitate her heroic virtues of humility, obedience, abandonment to God's will, compassion etc.
It is only in doing this that we will certainly be on the road to holiness.
Finally, as the first reading puts before us the powerful intercession of Our Mother Mary who conquered dragon thatbwanted to devour the baby (cf. Revelation11:19;12:1-6.10) let us keep her in mind always by seeking for her intercession, then we will never go disappointed. Peace be with you!
Let us pray
Almighty ever-living God, who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of your Son, body and soul into heavenly glory, grant, we pray, that, always attentive to the things that are above, we may merit to be sharers of her glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
© The ARCHIVE 15082024
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