Dear brothers and sisters, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).
The Church teaches that “when the course of her earthly life was finished, Immaculate Virgin Mary was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death” (CCC 966). This dogmatic teaching of the Church was defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950, in the apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus.
The Solemnity of Assumption is one of the “Glories of Mary,” as St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote in his discourses that explain the feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to him, “God, wishing Mary in all things to be like to Jesus, required, as the Son had died, that the mother should also die; and because he wishes to give to the just an example of the blessed death prepared for them, he decreed that the virgin should die, but by a sweet and happy death” (Glories of Mary, Discourse VII). This honor bestowed to Mary does not set her apart from ordinary people like us. Instead, it is participation in the resurrection of her Son, Jesus Christ, and an anticipation of our resurrection as Christians and Children of God.
The Extolled Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Solemnity of Assumption could be viewed from the perspective of extolling the Blessed Mother’s virtues and blessedness. The Gospel reading narrates the story of the visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth, the Visitation Mystery. In this visit, one can feel and discern Blessed Virgin Mary’s simplicity, kindness, humility, and generosity toward Elizabeth, her cousin. Even though she received the message of being the mother of the savior, she was not prideful. Elizabeth exclaimed, how does this happen to me, that that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Blessed Virgin Mary manifested her faith in God and gave her fiat that shows unqualified obedience to God’s will. Elizabeth acclaimed Mary for her unique manifestation of faith in God and obedience to God’s will. She said, “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Lk. 1:45). We are called to imitate Mary in her faith, docility to the will of God, her simplicity, and humility. We are called to follow in her footsteps to be kind to people, especially those in need of help, and be generous even with our time. These virtues, when cultivated, can grant us blessings and make us blessed.
We Shall Share in Mary’s Glory
One of the significances of the Solemnity of Assumption is that Mary participates in Jesus Christ her Son’s resurrection, through it. This makes us anticipate our resurrection as Christians (CCC 966), and together with Blessed Virgin Mary, share the glory of the resurrection of Christ in the Kingdom of heaven. Jesus is the conqueror of sin and death. He would destroy death which came through man, Adam. St. Paul tells us in the second reading, “for just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life” (1 Cor. 15:22). Jesus Christ is the resurrection of the dead, and we shall share in the resurrection because we belong to Him through our adoption and profession of faith.
Always remember that Jesus loves you!
[Readings: Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab, 1 Cor 15:20-27, Lk 1:39-56]
I learn to Love the MOTHER OF GOD THE SON later in my life. As a child, I was more interested in CHRIST especially praying to HIM looking at HIS SUFFERING in the garden before HE was betrayed by Judas. I went to a Catholic School and as also in wonder of anther picture in the classrooms I was in. it was a picture of black men handing on a cross. the nun told me that they were from Africa and they died for Christ and not become converts to the Islam believe. She also told me that Africa was the place were Christianity toke root and will be the ones who will help to keep it strong in my future. we would give our pennies to their missionaries there. But as I got older, the rosary devotion got stronger. and I always wonder why people do not listen to Mary and her requests like the ones asked in Fatima. that was never done as was asked. But as I got older, I say the human race as blind deaf and dumb on the most part and in order to awaken them, they need to be forced many times. sad. thank you Padre for all your works and words and may GOD keep you on the straight and narrow road HOME and may you bring many lost and confused souls with you.
Hello Susan,
Thank you for reading and for sharing this wonderful piece. I am glad you developed a relationship with our Mother Mary. May she continues to intercede for us in our spiritual journey, Amen. God bless you.