Sunday Reflection: Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1^st Reading: Rev 12:1-6a, 10ab
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 45:10, 11, 12, 16
2^nd Reading: 1 Cor 15:20-27
Gospel: Lk. 1:39-58

This Sunday we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This Solemnity invites us to see the fulfillment of God’s plan for humanity with the Blessed Virgin as the first to receive it after the Lord Jesus ascended. Mary is taken into heaven, body and soul, which will also be the same for us when in the end of time.

The 1^st Reading we have today gives us a glimpse on the reality of Mary’s presence in Heaven. She is not just there, she is a sign for all who look on her. She is queen clothed with the sun, with moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Jesus, being the King, takes His Mother to His Kingdom and reigns with Him as the Queen-Mother. So, our Psalm this day reveals to us, “The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.” Mary’s presence in heaven gives hope to us, that when we are faithful to our vocation in this world we will be there also.

St. Paul in our 2^nd Reading reveals us the plan of God for each of us who belong to Christ. He says “For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power.” St. Paul tells us that God has planned that through Christ we will have eternal life with Him. Mary, being the foremost disciple of Jesus and His Mother, ought to be the first to receive this privilege. Mary’s life was centered in Christ, so to the end of her earthly sojourn, Christ takes her to Himself and brought her to her rightful place, with Him in heaven.

The Gospel, though not explicitly saying that Mary was taken to heaven, (there is none in the Scriptures at all) reveals to us who Mary is. She is the humble handmaid of God, but she is also the “Blessed among women…” that Elizabeth reveals to us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth further says, “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” The faith of the Blessed Mother and her fidelity to her vocation made her and example for us. In all of these words of Elizabeth, the Blessed Mother responded, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.” Here we can see that Mary’s greatness is God’s greatness. She puts everything to God’s hands and God has made her the model of true discipleship. May we, then, find in Mary the model of our following of Christ and our Mother ever with us. She is the Queen-Mother that assists us in our needs and difficulties. She is assumed to Heaven as the sign of our future life with Christ.