Reflections on the Assumption of Mary

Mary’s simplicity found extravagance in God’s love.  She was chosen as the mother of God, a destiny that was not simply given but one that she worked for through her life of faithfulness.  She was a strong woman of herself, no titles, no power, no influence – just herself doing ordinary things in extraordinary ways.

Annunciation (Lk. 1: 26ff)
Visitation (Lk 1: 39ff)
Birth of Jesus (Lk 2: 1ff)
Presentation in the Temple (Lk 2: 27ff)

We see the patterns early on – during the Annunciation (Lk. 1: 26ff).  Her Fiat changed the fate of this fallen world.  She gave her submissive ‘Yes’, knowing that what awaits was never crystal clear – we call that faith;  in the Visitation (Lk 1: 39ff), she was there for Elizabeth to help but also to find consolation given her condition, a future mom in her third month; the birth of Jesus (Lk 2: 1ff) in a dismal condition of a child to be born; the Presentation in the Temple (Lk 2: 27ff) where Simeon prophecy of what Jesus would become, foreseeing a sword pierced in her heart; the coming of the Magi and Flight to Egypt (Mt 2:1ff) – an experience of welcoming visit in the middle of Bethlehem and celebration to a troubled escape with fear and confusion; when Jesus lost at the Temple (Lk 2: 41ff) and felt how Jesus expressed his real home was; the wedding at Cana, Galilee (Jn 2: 1ff) where she had a taste of a needed submissiveness to the will of her Son; the station of the cross (Jn 19: 26ff) where, being an apparent widow, was entrusted to a disciple named John.  The virtue that is apparent to these events in her life is faithfulness.

Flight to Egypt (Mt 2:1ff)
Jesus lost at the Temple (Lk 2: 41ff)
Wedding at Cana, Galilee (Jn 2: 1ff)
Station of the Cross (Jn 19: 26ff)

Faithfulness will never go unrewarded.  She may have earned it but it was God’s love and generosity that she was rewarded to assume into heaven, body and soul.  It was a destiny that was waiting to happen given her unequalled trust to the will of the Father.  The power of God worked perfectly in her being as her simplicity paved way to the extravagance of God’s love.

Such is her simple her story, a story that could very well be ours as well that would not need power, titles, wealth, influence not magic.  The key is right deep within our hearts: FAITHFULNESS.  We know already that the grace of God never tires working since this world came to be.  Grace hates vacuum.  What is needed is constant, faithful cooperation.  The perfection of Mary came given her faithfulness.  Our perfection is never an impossible gift if we will thrive and strive to become one.  Mary did.  We can also be one.  Perfection is faithfulness before God’s eyes. (Fr. Benjo Ledesma)

The Assumption of Mary is so inspiring that gives us sparkling hope, that the gift of heaven awaits us all, so near, just within at arm’s length. The key? Faithfulness!

Mary is a simple, innocent person.

Prayer to Mary Assumed into Heaven

Mary, my dear Mother and mighty Queen, take and receive my poor heart with all its freedom and desires, all its love and all the virtues and graces with which it may be adorned. All I am, all I might be, all I have and hold in the order of nature as well as of grace, I have received from God through your loving intercession, my Lady and Queen. Into your sovereign hands I entrust all, that it may be returned to its noble origin.

Mary, Queen of every heart, accept all that I am and find me to you with the bonds of love, that I may be yours forever, and may be able to say in all truth: “I belong to Jesus through Mary.”

My Mother, assumed into Heaven, I love you. Give me a greater love for Jesus and for you.

Mary, assumed into Heaven and Queen of the Universe, ever-Virgin Mother of God, obtain peace and salvation for us through your prayers, for you have given birth to Christ the Lord, the Savior of all mankind.