Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Luke 1:39-56
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Mary’s Wisdom
On the feast of the Assumption, 1521, while St Ignatius was recovering from his injury, he beheld a vision of Mary and the Infant Jesus. This apparition changed his life. Because of her life, her challenges and joys, Mary is the prototype of discipleship. Consider:
At the Annunciation, Mary says “yes” to an unexpected pregnancy.
She gives birth to Jesus in a stable.
Fleeing impending harm, the members of the Holy Family become refugees in Egypt.
The frantic searching for a lost Jesus.
The joy of tasting water turned into wine at Cana.
Witnessing the heartbreaking death of her Son on the cross, and the exhilarating experience of His resurrection.
Mary really understands us, our lives, our challenges, our sorrows and joys. This is why St. Ignatius encourages us to converse with her as a source of maternal comfort, understanding, and hope.
What motherly wisdom and consolations will I seek from Mary today?
—Russ Long attends St. Peter Catholic Church, the diocese of Charlotte’s only Jesuit parish. He is active in promoting the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, and participating in the Beyond the Spiritual Exercises program.
Prayer
Mary, my dear heavenly mother, let me sit beside you and share my needs, challenges, and joys. Please, request your Son to grant me the grace to experience the peace that flows from your motherly wisdom, and the assurance that your loving hand always rests upon me. Amen.
—Russ Long