Lk 1:39-56
39Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, 42cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.45Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
46And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;/ 47my spirit rejoices in God my savior./ 48For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness;/ behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed./ 49The Mighty One has done great things for me,/ and holy is his name./ 50His mercy is from age to age/ to those who fear him./51He has shown might with his arm,/ dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart./ 52He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones/ but lifted up the lowly./ 53The hungry he has filled with good things;/ the rich he has sent away empty./ 54He has helped Israel his servant,/ remembering his mercy,/ 55according to his promise to our fathers,/ to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”/ 56Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
Reflection:
Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. The dogma of Mary’s assumption into heaven declares three things.
First, God loves Mary. He has looked upon her lowliness and done great things for her. God must love her so much as to bring her body and soul to his kingdom.
Second, we love Mary and believe she is with the Father and her Son. All ages have called her blessed.
Third, Mary truly loves the Father. Her soul proclaims the Lord’s greatness and rejoices in God. With such love at work, the assumption is the most natural thing.
The assumption is also about us. As the preface of this solemnity proclaims, “The virgin Mother of God was taken up into heaven to be the beginning and the pattern of the Church in its perfection.”
Call or visit a loved one who is far away or whom you have not seen in a long time.