Solemnity of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (15^th August, 2021) on the Gospel and the Solemnity

Rev 11:19. 12:1-6.10;

Ps 44:10-12. 16. (R. v.10);

1Cor 15:20-27;

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.

We remember the words of Jesus, “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). Saint Paul wrote that “the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Rom 8:21). This liberty does not exclude freedom from corruption, cf. Acts 2:27. 13:37.

We experience often ‘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. There is an Igbo adage, ohu fụrụ ka eji mbazụ eli ibe ya matakwa na ọ bụ otu mbazụ ahụ na-eche ya simply means that every slave must remember that he/she will be buried the same way slaves are buried. If we do the will of God, certainly we will be with Jesus in the paradise. 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 must continue to proclaim God’s goodness and faithfulness to all in action following the example of Mary who visited Elizabeth in today’s gospel. Take this gospel today to as many as possible by visiting them.

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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