First Reading Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a,10ab
The sign of God's salvation will be a woman clothed with the sun.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 45:10-12,16
The queen takes her place next to God.
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Christ has redeemed Adam's sin.
Gospel Reading
Luke 1:39-56
Mary greets Elizabeth and sings God's praise.
Today's feast celebrates Mary's Assumption into heaven. It is one of three feasts of Mary that are Holy Days of Obligation for Catholics in the United States. January 1 is the feast of Mary, the Mother of God, and December 8 is the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven has long been held as an important Catholic belief. The belief was not defined as dogma, however, until 1950 by Pope Pius XII. The dogma teaches that Mary, who was without sin, was taken, body and soul, into the glory of heaven.
The Gospel for this holy day recalls Mary's actions after the announcement of Jesus' birth by the Angel Gabriel. Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth who is also with child. Elizabeth greets Mary with full recognition of the roles they and their unborn children will play in God's plan for salvation. Mary responds to Elizabeth's greeting with her song of praise, the Magnificat. Both women recall and echo God's history of showing favor upon the people of Israel. Mary's Magnificat, in particular, echoes the song of praise offered by Hannah, the mother of Samuel.
The Gospel for this day reminds us that Mary's Assumption into heaven is best understood with regard for the full spectrum of Catholic beliefs about the person of Christ and the person of Mary. Only Mary, who was born without stain of original sin—the Immaculate Conception—could give birth to Christ, who is fully God and fully human. This is called the Immaculate Conception. Because of Mary's role in God's plan of salvation, she does not suffer from the effects of sin, which are death and decay. Mary is the first to receive the fullness of the redemption that her son has won for all of humanity. The Church, therefore, recognizes Mary as the sign of the salvation promised to all.
Today's Gospel highlights Mary's faith. Mary's faith enabled her to recognize the work of God in her people's history and in her own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to all. Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative in God's plan of salvation.
November 5 - Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time : Beware of pride!
October 29 - Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time : To love as Jesus loves
October 22 – Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Caesar Vs. God
October 15 - Twenty eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time: When God calls don’t give excuses
October 8 - Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: God's Patience versus Our accountability
October 1 – Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Deeds and not only words
September 24 – Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Gods Generosity
September 17 - Twenty fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time : The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 10: Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: restoration of the erring brother or sister
September 3 – Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time : Lose yourself
August 27 -Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time : Who is Jesus for me?
August 20 – Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Outrageous Grace
August 13 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Fixing our eyes on Jesus
August 6 - Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Transfiguration
July 30 – Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time : There's no way to measure what Jesus is worth
July 23 – Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time : God gives many chances
July 16 - Fifteenth Sunday of the Ordinary Time: God’s Word
July 9 – Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Being gentle
June 18 - Corpus Christi - The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ
June 11 - Trinity Sunday : God's Love overflows
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