Today’s Solemnity is a Day of Obligation, as we celebrate the special place that Mary has in the life of the Church. From her Immaculate Conception to her Assumption into Heaven, Mary lived a life of humility and obedience to God. This defines her Blessedness. Her chosen appointment and vocation to be the Mother of Jesus (God) and the Church, gives her a uniqueness which is shared by no other person who has ever lived. At her Annunciation moment, the Virgin Mary was miraculously overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and became pregnant with Jesus, while still remaining a Virgin. Some people confuse this moment at the Annunciation with the different moment of the Immaculate Conception. The Immaculate Conception was when Mary herself, was immaculately conceived in the womb of her mother Anne. She had to be sinless or immaculate from conception, in order to bring forth the Immaculate Incarnate Word made Flesh, made visible in the Person of Jesus. He is the visible image of the invisible God. She is the Church’s outstanding model of Faith and Charity. We do not adore Mary, but practice true devotion to her. As our Mother, she continues to intercede for our needs.
RESURRECTION FOR ALL HUMANITY
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection. This gives us hope, knowing that, if we also live our lives in the spirit of humility and surrender ourselves to God’s Divine Will, then we too, will become blessed on earth and follow Mary up into Heaven, as she followed Jesus. Our life on earth must magnify and project the Lord Ways (Luke 1:39-56), which is to exercise Love and Mercy. God will have Mercy on those who fear Him. That should ignite a spark of fear, knowing that if we do not show mercy to others, then mercy will not be shown to us on the Day of Judgement. The Good News is that if we have exercised merciful love to our enemies and those who challenge us to love and even like them, then we will triumph on our Judgement Day. If we enter through the door of Divine Mercy in Confession now, then we will avoid entering through the door of Divine Justice on Judgement Day. Mary emptied herself in total service to God. Today, we celebrate her reward, her assumption into Heaven, body and soul. To follow Jesus into Heaven, Mary had to take her final breadth to die here on earth, in order to imitate and share New Life with Jesus as Queen of Heaven. God bless, Fr. Brendan.