The Assumption of Mary into Heaven

I Reading: Apocalypse 11,19;12,1-6.10: Christ triumphs over the power of evil and is a sign of hope for all people.

II Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26: All people will be brought to new life in Christ.

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56: The power of God shines through the humility and steadfast faithfulness of Mary.

The meaning of today’s feast is to share God’s divine life and we become the children of God. The first parents Adam and Eve lost the divine life by committing the sin of disobedience to God; as a result, God promised to redeem the fallen human race by His beloved Son Jesus Christ through the mother of God, Mary our heavenly mother.

The taking up of Mary, body and soul to heaven, was the crowning gift of God bestowed on the Mother of His Son. There are three privileges granted by God and Mary received the favour as the Mother of the redeemer.

1. The first, that of her immaculate conception.

We all are born deprived of the Life in the Spirit; divine life is granted to us only on receiving Baptism; whereas Mary had the privilege to have the divine life from the beginning of her conception.

2. The second privilege is that of her sinlessness.

God granted Mary for being Mother of the sinless One, that is Jesus.

3. The third privilege or gift of Jesus to his Mother was her Assumption, her being taken up to  heaven, body and soul, the moment she died.

If we die in God’s friendship, our soul will share God’s life and joy after death; our body however will turn to dust in the tomb and share God’s life only after its final resurrection.

Why should God have acted with Mary so exceptionally?

Because of her total faithfulness throughout life and total obedience to the will of God. Thus God granted her the divine life and joy and finally she was taken into heaven with her body and soul for being the Mother of the redeemer.

Elizabeth’s Supernatural Proclamation: A Very Unusual Testimony

In this passage God sees to it that a supernatural confession is proclaimed by Elizabeth. This is the very first testimony ever given by human lips about Jesus. The Baby conceived in Mary was of critical importance. Why? Because the Baby was: Jesus, the Son of the Most High, the Son of David, the Ruler over the house of Jacob forever, the Ruler whose kingdom will never end, the One born of the Holy Spirit and Son of God Himself.

1. Mary visited Elizabeth (v.39-42)

a. went in a hurry

b. went to the town of Juda

c. entered Elizabeth’s home and greeted her

d. was welcomed by Elizabeth’s proclamation

          1) heard Mary’s greeting

          2) felt the baby leap

          3) was instantly filled with the Spirit

          4) spoke loudly

2. She proclaimed a uniqueness about Mary and her child (v.42)

3. She proclaimed the child to be her Lord (v.43-44)

a. the great confession

b. the clear sign

4. she proclaimed that Mary’s faith would receive the promise (v.45)

Thought: We must believe the Word of God sent to us as Mary and Elizabeth did.

Luke 1:46-56: Mary’s role in the economy of salvation: union with God in Jesus Christ

Mary’s Magnificent Song About God:

God’s Glorious Mercy and Deliverance, Lk 1:46-56

Mary’s song is known as the Magnificat. It has come similarity to the Song of Hannah (1Sam 2:1-10).  However, there is a striking difference between the two songs. Hannah proclaimed  a triumph over her enemies; Mary proclaimed God and His glorious mercy to man. Mary was proclaiming the salvation of God, a salvation wrought through the promised Messiah, her Saviour. She predicted that the Saviour would be welcomed by those who reverenced Him (v.50); but He would be rejected by the proud, the powerful and the rich (v.51-53).

1. God was the subject of her song (v.46)

2. God was her Saviour (v.47-48)

a. had considered her low estate

b. causes her to be remembered

3. God was to be proclaimed (v.49-50)

a. His power

b. His holiness

c. His mercy

4. God had reversed the order of things on earth (v.51-53)

a. had scattered the proud

b. had dethroned the mighty and exacted the humble

c. he filled the hungry and emptied the rich

5. God had helped His people (v.54-55)

a. Remembered His mercy

b. remembered the promise to send the Messiah

6. conclusion: Mary visited Elizabeth for about three months (v.56)

 

Thought: Mary was an ordinary woman, the least was chosen and greatly blessed by God, yet she did not slip into the sin of pride, nor did she think that she was a favourite of God. We must learn to live praising God more and more when God blesses us always.

Thought: The believer is to love God first and foremost then his/her family or friends.

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