Aug 15 Fri
What is the Assumption of Our Lady?
The Blessed Virgin Mary, beautiful and pure, was preserved from Original Sin and filled with graces by God’s design. Inside her womb, Jesus Christ dwelt. We honor her with the highest honor a creature can receive.
Christ is the first to rise from the dead, and the rest of us will arise in “proper order,” at his second coming.
In Mary’s case, the proper order for her was her Assumption into heaven, body and soul, since she never sinned, and so it was not fitting for her body to undergo corruption.
What is the doctrine of the Assumption we celebrate today?
“The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, 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).
“The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians” (CCC 966).
We properly show this special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary by participating in this liturgical feast, and through the Marian prayers, especially the Rosary.
Why not say the Rosary daily? It can be recited in the family, while walking alone, while driving, before or after daily Mass.
In honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary, we get back from her much more than we give. The reason is that she mediates for us with her Son. The King of Heaven listens to the petitions of his Queen Mother.
To travel faithfully the "sure path" that our Lady has prepared for each of us, we go to her with childlike confidence. We ask, “Set our poor hearts on fire, so that we will love God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit with our whole being;" so that, by God's grace, we will deepen in our loving contemplation of the intimate life of the Most Holy Trinity. Mother, obtain for us the strength we need to follow with docility the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, the sanctifier of our souls.
“Inspire us with a great Love for the Church and the Pope, and make us live in full obedience to all their teachings. And since your prayer is all-powerful in the presence of God, allow us to choose you as special protectress, so that, after having lived a holy life on earth, we may have the joy of praising the Most Blessed Trinity with you forever in heaven. Amen."
Only by offending God do we lose that joy, because sin is the fruit of selfishness, and selfishness is the root of sadness. But neither God nor his Mother can ever forget us. If we repent, if an act of sorrow springs from our heart, if we purify ourselves in the holy sacrament of penance, God comes out to meet us and forgive us. Then there can be no sadness whatsoever.