Mary is today a sign of consolation and hope,

The Assumption looks to eternity that we, too, will follow Our Lady when our life is ended.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab

 

Ps 45:10, 11, 12, 16

The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

 

  ＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

1 Corinthians 15:20-27

 But no,

Christ has been raised from the dead and he comes before all those who have fallen asleep.  A human being brought death; a human being also brings resurrection of the dead.  All die for being Adam’s, and in Christ all will receive life.   However, each one in his own time: first Christ, then Christ’s people, when he comes.

Then the end will come, when Christ delivers the kingdom to God the Father, after having de­stroyed every rule, authority and power.   For he must reign and put all enemies under his feet.  The last enemy to be destroyed will be death.  As Scripture says: God has subjected everything under his feet. We exclude, of course, the Father, who subjects everything to him.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊   

Luke 1:39-56

Mary then set out for a town in the Hills of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit, and giving a loud cry, said, “You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy.  Blessed are you who be­lieved that the Lord’s word would come true!”

And Mary said: 

      “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,  my spirit exults in God my savior!  He has looked upon his servant in her lowliness, and people forever will call me blessed.

     The Mighty One has done great things for me,  Holy is his Name! From age to age his mercy extends to those who live in his presence. He has acted with power and done wonders, and scattered the proud with their plans.  He has put down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up those who are downtrodden.

He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He held out his hand to Israel, his servant, for he remembered his mercy, even as he promised our fathers,  Abraham and his descendants forever.” Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Dream It Like Mary

If the Assumption of Mary is an assurance of the destiny that awaits us if we choose well, the Magnificat of Mary is a celebration of what God can do in our earthly lives.

The Magnificat proclaims a new world order where the people on the margins will be at the center and there will be a new way of being. It is a powerful dream that challenges powers that be.

 

His confirms how the earthly powers trembled before this hymn: In 1805, the British East India Company banned its recitation in Kolkata. In the 1970s., the Argentinian military junta banned it when mothers of the “disappeared” citizens used it to call for nonviolent resistance. In the 1980s the Government of Guatemala banned its public recitation.

The Magnificat is Mary boldly proclaiming God’s dream. We shall fearlessly realize her dream for the world so as to share in her destiny in heaven.