Celebrating the Feast of the Assumption – 15 August 2017

n our scientific era where galaxies are available to be viewed at the click of a button, the Assumption of Mary, more than ever before, speaks to the heart of faith. Whether Mary was assumed into Heaven from Jerusalem or from Ephesus, as many believe, is immaterial.  Instead, Mary’s assumption reminds us that we too are glory bound – we too will be filled with the fullness of God.

Belief in Mary’s bodily assumption, tradition holds, goes back to apostolic times and the Feast of the Assumption was celebrated universally by the sixth century. The earliest printed reference to the belief that Mary’s body was assumed into Heaven dates from the fourth century, in a document entitled ‘The Falling Asleep of the Holy Mother of God.’ The document is written in the voice of the Apostle John and recounts the death, laying in the tomb, and assumption of the Blessed Virgin. In 1950 Pope Pius XII declared that ‘it is a dogma of the Church that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory’.

Mary’s earthly life necessitated many journeys, but it was the inner journey, guided by her listening heart that led her to her final journey and destiny.

Mary can be such a model and from her we can learn so much.
Do we listen to the voice of God?  How do we respond?

May the Feast of the Assumption 2017 bring us into the intangible, invisible space where we can listen, hear, and respond.

Click on the ARROW to listen to the Hymn: “AS  MARY DID”

As Mary Did  
Music and Lyrics by Michael Herry fms

Refrain:
To follow Christ as Mary did, this now the pearl we seek together,
You call us forth to be your people, your living Word made flesh today.

    1.  May the blessing of Mary’s unwavering faith be upon us.
May her spirit of prayer live in our hearts and lives.                  (Refrain)

2.  May the blessing of Mary’s loving service be upon us.
May her spirit of praise be on our lips and in our hearts.       (Refrain)

3. May the blessing of Mary’s union with Jesus be upon us.
May her courage and patience find a home in our lives.             (Refrain)

4. May the blessing of Mary’s mercy and justice be upon us.
May we work with her spirit to heal our broken world.                (Refrain)

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Reflection by Sr Joan Walker ssjg (RIP)

Image: The Virgin Mary in prayer, by Sassoferrato, 17th century. Used with permission