15 August, 2023 | Feast of the Assumption of our Lady | Independence Day for India

Gospel LK 1:39-56 

 

Get to know the history and doctrine of Mary

Gospel Text:

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,  and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!  And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  And blessed is she who believed that there would be  fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

    For behold, from now on 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 for those who fear him

    from generation to generation.

 He has shown strength with his arm;

    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

    and exalted those of humble estate;

 he has filled the hungry with good things,

    and the rich he has sent away empty.

 He has helped his servant Israel,

    in remembrance of his mercy,

 as he spoke to our fathers,

    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Reflections:

Today we celebrate the solemnity of the feast of the Assumption of Mary into heaven.  Dogma teaches that though she was human like us, she was given special grace to bear the Son of God and by this virtue the privilege of being assumed into heaven body and soul.  It gives us the message of hope that we also can be with Jesus, when our time comes. Mary continues her mission by caring for us through her inspirations and protection. We thank God for he, specially on this day when India celebrates freedom from physical colonization from another nation.  Let us pray that the people are also freed from the slavery of unjust politics, fear and poverty. May the feast of Assumption of Mary bring us closer to God through the intercession of Mary. 

Activity: 

Pray the Rosary in loving devotion to Mary.