Apocalypse 11:19; 12:1-6, 10 / 1 Cor 15:20-26 / Luke 1:39-56
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a great feast in the church.
It is a Solemnity, and also a day of obligation, equivalent to that of the Sunday Mass.
To some people, it may seem to be an occasion that is glorifying Mary.
But for us who understand the meaning of this feast, we will know this:
Any honour, or veneration, or devotion to Mary must point to and lead us to Jesus Christ.
So, the Assumption of Mary would make us recall the Ascension of Jesus into heaven.
Jesus ascended into heaven and opened the gates of salvation, and Mary is the first receive the fullness of salvation.
But Mary's entry into heaven does not mean that her mission is over.
She still shares in the saving mission of Jesus in heaven.
There she prays for us as the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church.
Having faced the challenges and difficulties of life, especially in being faithful to God’s will on earth, Mary will pray for us as she knows that we would need God’s help in our journey of life and overcome the struggles and troubles of life.
Mary would also know that the evil one would tempt us to stray away from God and from heaven, but just as a mother would protect her children, Mary will also be with us to keep us close to Jesus and guide us to heaven.
Let us keep our devotion to Mary, and pray to her, that one day we will join her in heaven, and there together with her, we will praise and glorify God forever.