Reflection for Thursday August 15 Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 1:39-56

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  

For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”  

And Mary said: “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. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.  

He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”  

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

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Reflection:

A rich and generous woman always gave to anyone in need, whether or not they asked for help. A close friend, amazed by her generosity, asked, 'Why are you so generous? Don’t you keep something for yourself?' The generous woman replied, 'I am not a permanent dweller in this world. Sooner or later, I will be leaving, and my acts of generosity are my way of preparing for my journey to heaven, where I will permanently dwell with my God.

Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This dogma was defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1 1950. It states that the immaculate Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, after completing her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.”  

The solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin reminds all of us of what awaits us when our time to depart this world comes. We are also destined for heaven someday but we are still presently in a journey. Therefore we are called to do good and to touch lives.

In the gospel, the Blessed Mother went to visit her cousin Elizabeth for she knew that her cousin was in need of her help. It was an unexpected visit from the Blessed Mother which her cousin Elizabeth deeply appreciated. They shared lots of stories about themselves. They strengthened each other’s morale, love and bond. Thus, the Blessed Mother stayed with her cousin until she gave birth.  

After Elizabeth gave birth, Mary went home happy and fulfilled for she has done something worthy and important in the life of her cousin Elizabeth.  When we do something worthy and important towards others we would also feel that happiness and fulfillment. – Marino J. Dasmarinas