Word to the Wise
Thursday, August 15, 2013 - Aug. 15 - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mass during the Day
[Rev 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; 1 Cor 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56]My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant....
These words begin what is traditionally called "the Magnificat," or the "canticle of Mary." This canticle is celebrated each day in the Liturgy of the Hours ["the office" or "breviary"] by the church every day. In celebrating the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, these opening lines take on additional meaning. At the occasion that the Gospel of Luke uses them, Mary is visiting her cousin Elizabeth and they celebrate the conception of Jesus! Today's feast celebrates Mary's privilege at death - to be taken to heaven without undergoing any judgment or decay. Pope Pius XII declared this privilege to be part of Catholic belief in 1950 after consulting the bishops world-wide and finding this truth to be generally accepted as the tradition of the faith.
The Magnificat reminds us of the privileged role of Mary in Catholic faith and of God's love for her and the rest of the world in sending His Only-begotten Son, to be born of Mary. Today, she reveals in her privilege the goal of all of us in the faith - to be with God forever. All of us hope that our souls can proclaim the greatness of the Lord. AMEN