The Assumption

Growing up in my neighborhood basketball was the sport that brought you respect or shame. 202 or 303 basketball games were highly competitive. The best athletes and the most skilled were respected and honored around the neighborhood. Fortunately for me, one of my best friends was that type of athlete. His skill brought a lot of respect to me and my other friends. We trusted his skills and talent so much to the point that whenever he played on our team we would shout we've won! victory Is ours! 

The Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is a feast full of joy.  The Assumption of the holy virgin Mary speaks to us of the Victory that we already share in the resurrection and Ascension of Christ himself.

  The body of the holy virgin Mary is taken to heaven to be conformed and glorified with Christ himself.  The glorification of the mortal body of the Blessed Virgin Mary tells us about what we can expect from our bodies and our life in the resurrection of the dead. Victory is hours. 

Today's readings point to how the Blessed Virgin Mary came to deserve the glorification of her body and her life.  This was not only through her Immaculate conception in the womb of Saint Ann but through the our Lady's love for the word of God.

 This poetry of Mary -the Magnificat- is completely original;  yet, at the same time, it is a "fabric" made entirely of Old Testament "threads," made from the word of God.  It can be seen that Mary, so to speak, "felt like she was in her house" in the word of God, she lived by the word of God, she was penetrated by the word of God.  Indeed, she spoke with the words of God, she thought with the words of God;  her thoughts were the thoughts of God;  her words were the words of God.  She was penetrated by the divine light;  that's why she was so splendid, so good;  that is why she radiated love and kindness.  Mary lived by the word of God;  she was steeped in the word of God.

 Or as the fathers of the church say, especially Saint Augustine, before the holy virgin conceived Jesus in her womb, she had already conceived him in her heart through the word of the Torah, the word of God.

 By being immersed in the word of God, by being so familiar with the word of God, she also received the inner light of wisdom.  As Pope Benedict the XVI said on Mary's Assumption, Who thinks with God, thinks well;  and whoever speaks with God, speaks well, has valid judgment criteria for all things in the world, becomes wise, prudent and, at the same time, good;  he also becomes strong and courageous, with the strength of God, who resists evil and promotes good in the world.

The song of Mary, The magnificat, Although a few in the Gospel, have caused commotion around the world. As reacent as 1980 the song of The magnificat, their words and their prophetic power were banned in countries like El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras during the civil wars. The prophetic words were too much to take, the words of  praise of a young Palestinian Jewish girl were two subversive for those in power to the point that the public or private recitation of The magnificat was banned.

 For us believers who continue to seek to live in the word of God and be immersed in it, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is our hope and our strength. 

 saying that we believe in the Assumption of the Virgin Mary has consequences.  Believing in the Assumption of the Virgin Mary has practical consequences. 

We too like the blessed Virgin Mary are called to be rooted in the word of God. We are rooted in the word of God through the reading and study of the Bible, in the celebration of the Eucharist and in everyday sharing in community. Being rooted in the word of God does not necessarily only mean the accumulation of knowledge. In other words we don't seek the word of God for information rather we want to be steeped in the word of God for transformation. 

That transformation is to make us men and women who trust fully in God's fidelity. That transformation is to make us men and women disciples who have the conviction that victory is ours! 

 By contemplating Mary in heavenly glory, we understand that the earth is not the definitive homeland for us either, and that if we live with our gaze fixed on eternal goods we will one day share in this same glory and the earth will become more beautiful.

 Consequently, we must not lose our serenity and peace even amid the thousands of daily difficulties, in the midst of illness, calamity, persecution and even death. The luminous sign of Our Lady taken up into Heaven shines out even more brightly when sad shadows of suffering and violence seem to loom on the horizon. It will shine so bright because it is our conviction that evil will not prevail because through Jesus Christ And his immaculate Mother assumed into heaven Victory is ours!