Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity
of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (15th August, 2016) on the Gospel
and the Solemnity
Rev 11:19. 12:1-6.10;
Ps 44:10-12. 16. (R. v.10);
1Cor 15:20-26;
Lk 1:39-56.
The Solemnity of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is based
on our belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary “having completed the course of her
earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory”. It is believed in
the Catholic
Church, Eastern
Orthodoxy, Oriental
Orthodoxy, and parts
of Anglicanism. This Solemnity was dogmatically
defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950, in the
apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus.[1]
The Pope writes, “We pronounce, declare and define it to
be a divinely revealed dogma that the immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin
Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and
soul to heavenly glory”.[2]
Topic: Celebrating God’s faithfulness.
In today’s gospel, Mary visited her relative Elizabeth. When
Elizabeth heard her greeting, the child in her womb leaped for joy. Filled with
the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth said to Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and
blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Mary praised God for His goodness and
faithfulness to her and to the entire world.
Jesus said, “If any one serves me, he must follow me; and
where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father
will honour him” (Jn 12:26). Again, “And
when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to
myself, that where I am you may be also” (Jn
14:3). Even in His prayer to the Father He also prayed, “Father, I desire
that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am, to behold
my glory which thou hast given me in thy love for me before the foundation of
the world” (Jn 17:24).
We are used to ‘promise and fail’ especially in the political
circles. Saint Paul quoting Isaiah
chapter 64 verse 3 in his first letter to the Corinthians writes, “What no
eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared
for those who love him” (1Cor 2:9).
We celebrate today not just that the Blessed mother was assumed
body and soul into heaven, but the goodness and faithfulness of God in general.
He fulfils all His promises, cf. Josh
21:45; 2Cor 1:20. Hence we read in The
Sunday missal, “In Mary’s glorious assumption we celebrate the fulfilment
of our Christian destiny, and with her we proclaim the greatness of the Lord.”[3]
We should continue to proclaim God’s goodness and faithfulness to all in action
following the example of Mary who visited Elizabeth in today’s gospel.
Bible Reading: Gen 3:14-19; 1Cor 15:50-58; Rev 12:1-9.13-17.
Thought for today: ...we will all be changed (1Cor 15:51).
Let us pray: May God help us overcome in our battle
against every form of evil – Amen.
Mary assumed into heaven – Pray for
us.
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with others if you consider it worthy.
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[3] The Sunday missal: A new edition
(1995). London: HarperCollinsReligious, p. 952.
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