Mary, Our Example - Reflection Feast of the Assumption

(Readings)

Your popularity does not make a difference. It’s really not impressive how many friends you have on Facebook. Because no matter how big and important they think they are, most of the people in the world are really just poor and unknown, even when they think they have money, fame, and position.

But even poor and unknown, we have greatness in us. That greatness is following our Lord Jesus Christ with all that we are.

Each is called differently,

In those differences we can find greatness. We carry Christ to the world in our own way. We are messengers and symbols of God’s covenant in Jesus Christ by who we are and how we are in this world.

In that we become quiet and soft spoken heroes that walk the path of Jesus’ example with those we meet. Our lives should be a l like the S on Superman’s chest.

How is that for an image?

Quiet and soft spoken super heroes found in the poor and unknown like a young girl so many years ago.

Today Pope Francis said, the Virgin Mary is a symbol of how God often works though the poor and unknown to carry out His plan for redemption.

She was the first to carry Jesus to the world. Mary gave all she was, “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.”

She was the new Ark of the Covenant. She was His mother and His disciple. Mary was the first to preach the good news when she proclaim at the wedding at Cana – Do what he says.

Mary said yes, became the Mother of God, and loved Jesus following him even to the cross. She was the example of discipleship. She walked the path of Jesus’ life.

There is very little else written about her; except, she was in the upper room when He appeared after His resurrection. The Holy Spirit would have always been with her, but, nothing more written on her life, her ministry, or her witness after the Acts of the Apostles.

The Catholic Church teaches in the Catechism that Mary was taken to heaven when her earthly life was finished. The Church does not declare whether Mary died and then was assumed into heaven or whether she was assumed before she died. It leaves open both possibilities.

And, since Mary is associated with all the mysteries of Jesus’ life, the Holy Spirit has led the Church to believe in Mary’s share in his glorification.

God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.

All those who fear the infallibility of the Pope, relax, there are only two infallible teachings. Both are about Mary: her Immaculate Conception and her bodily Assumption into heaven. These are teachings that have been recognized and celebrated since the early days of the church

We celebrate the Assumption of Mary: the completion of God's work in her,

As Catholics, we are to believe in the real, physical elevation of her sinless soul and incorrupt body into Heaven.

In Mary’s life, we can find the promise of our human greatness. By the Power of the Holy Spirit, we can be like Mary, love Jesus, speak the Gospel, and follow Him to the cross.

If we do this, through our Baptism, the promise of the greatness of eternal life is ours to seek. They are borne in with gladness and joy that enter the palace of the king.

God is loyal and merciful. He carries out his plan of salvation with the little ones, the poor, the unknown, and with those who have faith in Him, who trust his Word, like Mary.

Yall be good, yall be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love, like Mary. Amen.