Apocalypse 11:19; 12:1-6, 10 / 1 Cor 15:20-26 / Luke 1:39-56
Catholics have a unique and amazing devotion, and that is the devotion to Mary.
That devotion is expressed in praying the Rosary, going for Novena sessions on Saturdays (although it is now online), as well as other forms of Marian devotion.
But the devotion, or veneration, is more than just spiritual. It is also a personal devotion and a personal relationship with Mary.
No doubt, for those who do not understand the Catholic devotion and veneration of Mary, they may say that Catholics seem to worship Mary.
And to make matters rather confusing, we say, as a manner of speech, that we pray to Mary.
And the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a big feast such that it is a day of obligation, and since this year it is on a Sunday, the feast replaces the usual Sunday in Ordinary Time.
All this seem to make Mary like on par with Jesus in status, and at times even more popular than Jesus.
But the Church has emphasized over and over again, that any veneration or devotion to Mary must lead us to Jesus, and such veneration and devotion are highly encouraged.
In other words, it is through Mary to Jesus. This is not something that is devised by the Church. It is actually the intention of God Himself.
One of the titles of Mary is “Mother of God”, and also “Mother of the Church”.
We can find the origins of this title in the gospel, when Elizabeth, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, blessed Mary and called her “the mother of my Lord”.
The word “Lord” is synonymous with the word “God”. So, Mary is truly the Mother of God.
And before Jesus died on the Cross, He turned to Mary His mother and said, “Woman, this is your son”. And then to the beloved disciple, He said, “This is your mother”.
These two instances tell us that Jesus wants us to honour Mary as our mother, just as He did.
So, we turn to Mary and offer her flowers and we pray the Rosary and we ask her to pray for us, as we offer her our needs and our petitions.
And indeed, the power of Mary's intercession is truly amazing as we hear testimony after testimony of how the prayers of people were answered through the intercession of Mary.
More than just praying the Rosary and asking Mary to pray for us, we also must look to her as a model of faith.
When we look to her and learn from her, then our devotion to her would make sense and would also help to clear the confusion.
Mary is a disciple of love, and in the gospel, we heard how she literally carried God's love to Elizabeth in her time of need.
And like Mary our mother, we are to be disciples of love.
And the word love can be an acronym for our spiritual life.
“L” is for listening. Mary listened to God's Word at the Annunciation and said “Yes” to God.
May we also listen and let God's Word be made flesh in us.
“O” is for obedience. Mary obeyed the promptings of the Holy Spirit and she set out at once to visit Elizabeth.
May we be humble and follow the directions of our elders and superiors for our good and for the good of others.
“V” is for victory. Mary overcame her difficulties with God's grace. May we follow Christ our Victorious King by carrying our cross and to gain eternal life.
And finally, “E” is for encouragement. Mary's presence was an encouragement as well as an enlightenment for Elizabeth.
May we too support each other in word and in action, so that where two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus, He will be there to bless and to strengthen us.
So, let us like Mary, be a disciple of love, a disciple who will listen to God and obey with humility.
Let us believe that through the agony of the Cross, we will gain victory for life, and that we will be a channel of encouragement to strengthen others in faith and hope.
May our devotion to Mary, and the celebration of the Feast of the Assumption, form us to be disciples of God's love for others.