39 During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
46 And Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; 47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior. 48 For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. 49 The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. 51 He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. 52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. 53 The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, 55 according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
(Luke 1:39-56)
BY ALL AGES, BLESSED
Blessed! Have people described us so? We often hear other people tell us, “Count your blessings.” We are blessed, for God has gifted us with so many things in life.
Blessed! Mary is blessed because she is together with the Lord, more blessed than any other creature because she is in glory, body and soul. Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There is no specific biblical text that describes Mary ascending into heaven.
But the key to this feast is the word that we find several times in today’s gospel: blessed. The gospel reading reminds us of that the Assumption is the logical conclusion of the Mary’s actions and virtues. Elizabeth exclaims that as is the fruit of her womb, Mary is blessed. Prior to this, we read of the greeting of the Angel: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you! That alone made Mary blessed. Then Elizabeth continues, telling Mary: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” We return to the scene of Mary receiving the news from the Angel. She listened; she believed; and she said “Yes” to God’s plan.
Then the gospel celebrates the whole event of the visitation with a hymn put into the lips of Mary: the Magnificat. It sings of the greatness, mercy, and goodness of God. It is a list of reversals—the mighty cast down, the lowly lifted up; the rich ones sent away, the hungry fed. Israel, God’s servant, received help and mercy. In the hymn Mary says “all ages call me blessed.”
This age where we belong continue to call her blessed. It is true that this privilege of Mary’s assumption is a grace specially granted to her. But like her we also receive God’s favor in our lowliness and faith.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. When I read the Magnificat, who are the people who come to my mind? Who are the mighty? Who are the lowly? Do I see God’s hand working in history?
2. “From now on will all ages call me blessed” (Luke 1:48). How do I honor the Blessed Mother?
Lord, may I behold your face one day, when I receive your blessing like your Blessed Mother.
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