The Feast of the Assumption

(Plain Text Version)

On August 15, the Church celebrates the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.  At the end of her life, she entered Heaven with body and soul united.  We look forward to entering Heaven in the same way at the end of time.

Here are a few points from a homily by Pope Francis:

Struggle

The passage from Revelation presents the struggle between the woman and the dragon.  The figure of the woman, representing the Church, is on the one hand, glorious and triumphant and yet, on the other, struggling against difficulties.

All of us, the disciples of Jesus, face this struggle.  Mary does not leave us alone: the Mother of Christ and of the Church is always with us.  She walks with us always; she is with us.  Mary has already entered into heavenly glory, but she accompanies us in our fight against the forces of evil.  Prayer with Mary, especially the Rosary, sustains us in this battle.

Resurrection

The second reading speaks to us of resurrection. The Apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, insists that being Christian means believing that Christ is truly risen from the dead. Our whole faith is based upon this fundamental truth which is not an idea but an event. Mary was fully united to her Son in his death, and so she was given the gift of resurrection. Christ is the first fruits from the dead and Mary is the first of the redeemed, the first of “those who are in Christ”. She is our eldest sister, who has already arrived in heaven.

Hope

The Gospel suggests to us the third word: hope. We heard the Song of Mary, the Magnificat: it is the song of hope, it is the song of the People of God walking through history. Mary says: “My soul glorifies the Lord” – today, the Church too sings this in every part of the world, especially where persecution is taking place.  For us Christians, wherever the Cross is, there is hope, always.  That is why I like to say: do not allow yourselves to be robbed of hope.  Hope is a gift from God which carries us forward with our eyes fixed on heaven.  

The Readings for the Solemnity of the Assumption

First Reading: A vision of a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.  A huge red dragon attempts to devour her child (Revelation 11:19, 12:1-10).

Second Reading: Christ will raise us from the dead (1 Corinthians 15: 20-27).

Gospel:  Mary praises God for the redemption of the human race (Luke 1: 39-56).