Today we celebrate the feast of Mary’s Assumption into heaven. The gospel tells us of how she rushed to her cousin Elizabeth’s side to aide her in her pregnancy even though she herself was pregnant with the Lord.
The homilist reminds us that she is the only one to be given the honour of having body and soul assumed into heaven at the end of her life.
Even though her words were featured only four times in the bible, she was a powerful role model for us to imitate. In her visit to her cousin, she glorified God and gave us the magnificat which read :
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”
Also, at the annunciation, she tells the angel ““Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
And this is why she has the special honour, not because she simply was the Mother of Christ. But more importantly, because she said “Yes” to God’s will.
And thus, she also points the way for us to follow her Son, Jesus Christ. For at the wedding at Cana, she prophetically said “Do whatever he tells you to do.”
So let us imitate Mary in our lives to listen for our Lord Jesus, and to do His will.
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