Assumption Readings

Romans 12:9-15 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;

love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name. And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree; he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”

Mary lived her whole life magnifying God, focused not on her own glory or interest, but living entirely for God. In her death, God glorifies Mary, and yet even in that moment Mary is glorifying God. Mary shows us that the promise of God-to raise us from the dead and to crown the faithful in glory is true as He fulfills those promises for her. In praising Mary we are praising God’s ability to work great things through weakness. Mary is a symbol of God’s great power working through weakness, littleness, and simplicity. Mary’s dormition and assumption are examples of God conquering through weakness,for nothing is as weak as death, and nothing is as powerful as God.

Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
O Christ our God,
grant us a feast of blessings and a day of happiness,
when we shall joyfully celebrate the assumption
of your Mother in heaven.
Burning with the desire to rejoice one day with her,
may we praise you as do the angels, prophets, apostles,
martyrs and all the saints, for ever. Amen.