August 15, 2010
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The “Hail Mary†expresses our Catholic affection and devotion for Mary. Today is the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a fitting occasion to speak of Mary as a disciple, a mother and a woman of hope. Mary is a model of discipleship. A disciple is one who hears the Word of God and keeps it. Mary’s “yes†to the Angel Gabriel was lived out throughout her life. Scripture affirms her fidelity: Annunciation, Visitation, Birth, Presentation, Finding of the Child, Wedding Feast at Cana, Proclamation of the Kingdom, Cross, Ascension and Pentecost. Mary is the Mother of Jesus. I recall seeing a statue of Mary holding the baby Jesus and Mary still seems to be pregnant. The artist is conveying the insight that for Mary “birthing†was not an isolated event but a way of life. Michelangelo embodies the same truth in his carving of the “Pieta†– Mary is in a birthing position at the cross as she holds the lifeless body of her son on her lap. With Mary we are called daily to birth Jesus. Mary is a woman of hope. Mary proclaims the greatness and goodness of the Lord for all generations. Mary becomes our hope because she enjoys, body and soul, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the early Church, the feast of the Assumption was known as the “Dormition†or “Falling Asleep†of Mary. We pray, with Mary, that when we die, we will awaken to see the loving eyes of Christ. “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amenâ€
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