20th Sunday of Ordinary Time - The Assumption of Mary

The Assumption of Mary (Lk 1: 39-56)

Introduction

- Once a teacher asked in the class “what do you mean by the assumption of Mary?” A student answered “we assume that Mary went to heaven with body and soul.”

- It is not a mere “assume” but a fact that was declared by the church. The declaration was made by Pope Pius XII on November 1^st 1950. The declaration was “We pronounce, declare and define it to be Divine Revealed Dogma that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary having completed her course of her earthly life was assumed body and soul in to Heavenly Glory”.

- It was not something that was invented on that year but the belief of many centuries. There is evidence that from the 5^th century onwards some of the orthodox churches celebrated Mary’s assumption.

- Let us be proud about our Mother Mamma Mary and ask her intercession

- On this feast day let us reflect two important qualities of our Mother

1. Mary was Active and Courageous Woman

§ We often think Mary as passive and silent women. But Mary was not so.

§ She was an active and courageous women as we see in the Gospel

· Asking Angel questions – who are you? What is the sign? If I see an angel when I am alone I would died of heart attack. The disciples had a similar experience when they were in a boat and Jesus was coming to them by the sea. They (around 12 of them) cried out that they are seeing a ghost. But Mary courageously faced the Angel.

· Saying yes to the angel by fully understanding the risk of bearing a child without a husband in that Jewish society. (which can cause her stone to death)

· Going to meet Elizabeth though she was pregnant and the way was not smooth and there could have attack from the robbers.

· Standing at the foot of the Cross on Calvary, looking at her son dying on the cross.

§ From where Mary got this courage?

· The purity of heart gave her courage.

· When we sin we lose the purity of heart.

· For example the first parents, Adam and eve were walking with God at the beginning but lost the courage when they sinned. They were afraid to appear in front of God.

2. She was woman with clear decision

§ Clarity of thought and decision is the key to success as per the management studies.

§ Her clear decision was “a total yes” to the will of God.

§ As the song “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back”. But we turn back when we encounter the difficulties of life and go astray from Him.

§ But Mary never turned back from her decision and always said “yes” to God’s Will.

Let us reflect;

- How courageous are we? The courage comes from the purity of heart. If we have an impure heart, wash it through the sacrament of reconciliation.

- How clear are we in our decision to follow Jesus and say “yes” to the Divine Will? Whatever be the circumstances let us be clear in our decision “Let Thy will be done”.