The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, August 15, 2004
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10
Psalm 45:10-12, 16
1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Luke 1:39-56

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Today’s Gospel is the beautiful Magnificat. In it we have the most extensive recorded words of the Holy Mother of God. On this Feast of the Assumption we recall how greatly Mary was favored by the Lord, and how we long in our own flesh to become evermore pleasing ourselves to Him.

By using Mary’s prayer as a guide for our own prayer, we will be embracing a formula that has some of the essential elements for prayer and spiritual growth. Mary publicly “proclaims the greatness of the Lord” and acknowledges God’s sovereignty. In the same prayer she declares her own lowliness and God’s immense favor toward her. To praise God for his greatness and recognize Him for all we know Him to be and in contrast to see our selves as we are, is the essence of humility.

On this solemn feast, let us pray the Magnificat twice. First let us do it in an effort to picture Jesus’ mother Mary as she prayed it. Then let us do it again picturing it as our own prayer knowing that God hears our lowly prayer, raises us to untold heights and remembers us beyond the limits of natural time. Some day then may we too may be raised into heaven and behold The Almighty who has done good things for us.

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

posted by joachim at 4:19 AM