God gave a miraculous gift to the person He loves above all
Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary [Mass During the Day] (August 15, 2018): RV 11:19, 12:1-6,10; PS 45 19,11,16; 1 COR 15:20-27; LK 1:39-56
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
On this holyday celebrating the Assumption of Mary into heaven, we recognize in a special way the deep, intimate love Almighty God has for her.
While the idea of the Assumption has been referenced since the early centuries of the Church, it was only officially recognized in 1950. Pope Pius XII declared that “the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin-Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” How perfectly appropriate that the woman, who bore the Son of God and her own son, and whose flesh gave Him flesh should be spared the natural decay of mortals.
In today’s Gospel we hear the words St. Elizabeth, who was pregnant with St. John the Baptist, spoke to Mary. “At the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Luke 1:44-45). John was chosen by the Eternal Father to announce the coming of Jesus the Messiah and prepare His way. Elizabeth recognized the wondrous activity of the Holy Spirit within her – and the extraordinary faith of Mary. The gift of the body and soul of the Virgin Mary going directly to heaven also speaks to her uniqueness in the history of salvation. More than that, it points to the resurrection of the dead – all God’s children – at the end of the world. God’s gift to His Blessed Mother not only inspires us with faith and love, but also with hope in eternal life.
