On this feast of the Assumption of Mary, Christians celebrate the Blessed Mother’s full assumption into heaven. The Gospel reading for Mass today comes from Luke and contains Mary’s Magnificat. This great song of praise reminds us that Mary was no shrinking violet. By her great yes to God, Mary became the pioneer and protector of our faith, of our people and of our salvation. Her words continue to ring in my ears:
“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,
and 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 knew that our God was a God of justice. She knew that God had dignified her and all of God’s people and that God would defeat the evil that works against the human race. Check out below Archbishop Wilton Gregory’s powerful adapted prayer of the Magnificat at a recent labor rally. And below that, check out the David Haas musical rendition of the Magnificat.
Happy Feast!
Millennial 