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Thursday, August 15, 1996

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Assumption of Mary


Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10
Psalm 45
1 Corinthians 15:20-26
Luke 1:39-56

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jesus is god

"They are borne in with gladness and joy; they enter the palace of the king." —Psalm 45:16

Mary was assumed into heaven because she was immaculately conceived. She was immaculately conceived because she was the mother of God. Thus, Mary's special graces indicate that Jesus, her Son, is God. In other words, this feast day, as well as other Marian feasts, are primarily about Jesus and secondarily about Mary. Elizabeth, Mary's kinswoman, expressed this well when she exclaimed: "But who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Lk 1:43) She called the Baby in Mary's womb "Lord," that is, she called Jesus "God."

Today, on this special feast day, Mary is visiting us as she visited Elizabeth. Mary is a walking tabernacle. She brings Jesus to us, or, more precisely, she brings us to Jesus. The purpose of this holy day is not so much to praise Mary as to praise Jesus with Mary by proclaiming the greatness of the Lord and finding joy in God our Savior (Lk 1:46-47). Mary's purpose in mothering us is to call us to do whatever Jesus tells us (Jn 2:5). She is happiest when we worship and live for Jesus alone.

Prayer:  "Mary, assumed into heaven, pray for us who have recourse to thee."

Promise:  "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: 'Now have salvation and power come, the reign of our God and the authority of His Anointed One.' " —Rv 12:10

Praise:  Praise Jesus, Son of man, Son of Mary, and Son of God! Praise Jesus, Lord and God!

Reference:  (For related teaching, order our leaflet, Mother Mary.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert J. Buschmiller, January 29, 1996


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 5, 1996