Monday, August 12, 2019

Catholic 750 : The ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY INTO HEAVEN – 15TH AUGUST 2019

Homily The ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY INTO HEAVEN – 15TH AUGUST 2019


THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6. 10
Psalm: Ps 44:10-12. 16. "The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold."
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26
Gospel Acclamation:
Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

Image Credit:  By Isogood_patrick.  Licensed by Shutterstock. photo ID: 333247343
ROME, ITALY, JUNE 13, 2015 : interiors and architectural details of Trinita dei Monti church, june 13, 2015 in Rome, Italy –

+++Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for The ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY INTO HEAVEN – 15TH AUGUST  by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/feast-of-the-assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-2019-faith-hope-and-love-ep-172/s-Pd75R  (EPISODE: 172)
+++++
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 15 August. Solemnity
This feast originated in Jerusalem before the fifth century as the "Falling-Asleep of the Mother of God." It was adopted in Rome in the mid-seventh century and was renamed the "Assumption" in the next century. It celebrates Mary's passing over, body and soul, from this world into the glory of her risen Son.
+++
On this wonderful feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I think of some wonderful quotes from saintly people throughout the church's history. And most recently, Pope Francis writes:  

"Mary first conceived Jesus in faith and then in the flesh, when she said "yes" to the message that God gave her through the angel. What does this mean? It means that God did not want to become a man by bypassing our freedom; he wanted to pass through Mary's free assent, through her "yes." He asked her: "Are you prepared to do this?" And she replied: "Yes." But what took place most singularly in the Virgin Mary also takes place within us, spiritually, when we receive the word of God with a good and sincere heart and put it into practice. It is as if God takes flesh within us; he comes to dwell in us, for he dwells in all who love him and keep his word. It is not easy to understand this, but really, it is easy to feel it in our heart."   —Pope Francis, October 12, 2013

"Christ's resurrection and Ascension is the first-fruits and foretaste of the destiny of all who trust in his promises"  Where Mary went, we hope to follow too, at the Resurrection.
St Augustine says: "Before conceiving the Lord in her body she had already conceived him in her soul". She had made room for the Lord in her soul and thus really became the true Temple where God made himself incarnate, where he became present on this earth. Thus, being God's dwelling place on earth, in her the eternal dwelling place has already been prepared; -  it has already been prepared forever. And this constitutes the whole content of the Dogma of the Assumption of Mary, body and soul, into heavenly glory, expressed here in these words. Mary is "blessed" because – totally, in body and soul and forever she became the Lord's dwelling place. ......, Mary does not merely invite our admiration and veneration, but she guides us, shows us the way of life, shows us how we can become blessed, how to find the path of happiness." (
St Augustine)

Or another wonderful quote from the East, from Saint John Damascene:......
"It was fitting that she, who had kept her virginity in childbirth should keep her own body free from all corruption even after death. It was fitting that she, who had carried the Creator as a child at her breast, should dwell in the divine tabernacles…it was fitting that God's Mother should possess what belongs to her Son and that she should be honored by every creature as the Mother and the Handmaid of God."  – [St. John Damascene (East)]

And this wonderful quote from Saint Gregory of Tours. I had never heard this before but it is BEAUTIFUL ! ;
"When finally the Blessed Virgin had fulfilled the course of this life, and was now to be called out of this world, all the apostles were gathered together from each region to her house…and behold the Lord Jesus came with his angels and, receiving her soul…at the break of day the apostles lifted the body with the couch and laid it in the sepulcher, and they guarded it awaiting the coming of the Lord. And behold the Lord again stood by them, and commanded that the holy body be taken up and borne on a cloud into paradise, where now, reunited with (her) soul…" – [St. Gregory of Tours (West)]

Isn't that wonderful! 

Finally,  a quote from Pope Benedict XVI:
"By looking at Mary's Assumption into Heaven we understand better that even though our daily life may be marked by trials and difficulties, it flows like a river to the divine ocean, to the fullness of joy and peace. We understand that our death is not the end but rather the entrance into life that knows no death. Our setting on the horizon of this world is our rising at the dawn of the new world, the dawn of the eternal day."  POPE BENEDICT XVI
;;;;;;;
Together… we (a community of disciples, following Christ, under the patronage of Mary, who was assumed into Heaven body and soul…..// standing within the catholic tradition // celebrate our unity today…..

In so many ways, Mary is a wonderful inspiration for us…. It is very good that we take an example from Mary as the most excellent disciple and follower of Jesus….and his good news….
We only need to think of the different ways Mary inspires us as a follower of Christ: ….

· Mary is a woman of Faith…… she said "YES" to what God was doing in her life, even though the future was filled with confusion and fear….

 It does inspire us in our own lives… when we experience confusion, lack of certainty. When things are not going the way we planned…… it does not mean we have no direction…. If we hold on and hold firm to our beliefs and vision… and fundamental trust in each other and in God…. Then we can weather the storms.. and even be prepared to go with where some unexpected turns might take us, as long as we maintain our values and our hope….

· Mary is a woman of graciousness and concern for the needs of others…. it was Mary who pointed out to Jesus the wine had run out at the wedding at Cana, to prevent the bride and groom embarrassment…

o We can be inspired by Mary to have a real love for others, a concern for their feelings. Looking out for people and their needs, so that if there is anyone embarrassed, anyone vulnerable, anyone struggling, AND we do use every opportunity to support them, respect them, reinforce and even do anything in our power to head-off anything that might not respect the dignity, confidence and basic respect…. and love that people deserve….

· Mary is an example of wisdom and learning…. through the many confusing things that happened in her life, she pondered and treasured the events in her heart… and kept faith…

o We too then can be inspired to be open-minded and open-hearted…. When new ways of looking at things come along… when the unexpected comes along, we are willing to consider their meaning for us… and open to adjusting our expectations in light of new experiences. We can be inspired by a person like Mary never to say, now I have found my comfort zone… so I will only do things this way… (and I don't like being stretched so I won't go that way……) and I will only respond to people if they do things that way and not any other way……

· Mary is an example of a woman of power and strength….and with a thirst and hunger for justice and right… Mary's song of praise when she met Elizabeth is the song just like from the lips of the Old Testament prophets… who are pointing out God's passion of the poor and the lowly.. and those wrongly treated…. Mary is exalting and rejoicing in the fact that the poor are being lifted up.. while the powerful and ruthless get thrown down from their proud positions…..

o So we can be inspired in our lives to rejoice and be very passionate about all people being treated with equal dignity.,.. and we too can jump for joy when things happen that are right and just and fair … when we see wrongs being put right… and we too can speak up when something is not right… and work together to find solutions where there are obvious injustices…… Mary certainly did….

· Mary is a model of not only motherhood… but also of discipleship……. Mary is shown in the scriptures as being someone who joined Jesus in his travels and was one of his followers… not just one of his family members… Mary was not put off when Jesus said "who are my mother and brothers … they are anyone who listens to my word and follows it…. so we see Mary, rather than being deeply offended… goes "right.. then I shall be your disciple AS  your family……" Mary was with the disciples when the Spirit descended upon them at Pentecost…….
o Mary's way of following Jesus was well ahead of her time…. It is an inspiration for us celebrating the many different ways we can be disciple….. the many different paths… We too can refuse to say – there is only one way of doing things… and everyone has to do it that way…… we can be respectful of tradition, but open to exploring the new variety and diversity even within the traditions….

finally… Mary is the hope of all Jesus' followers.. all believers… and by that, I mean that Mary's assumption body and soul into heaven is what Jesus promises will be the future of all who follow Jesus and believe in him….. we will one day be in heaven with Jesus and be united body and soul with God….. Mary because of her faithfulness was granted this grace immediately at the end of her life…. so that we may hope in Jesus promises for us too……

Mary is not mentioned many times in the scriptures……However……although not much has been told in the scriptures about Mary… what has been said…. says it all……… and makes Mary an excellent and inspiring model of discipleship……..

+++++
References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit:  By Isogood_patrick.  Licensed by Shutterstock. photo ID: 333247343
ROME, ITALY, JUNE 13, 2015: interiors and architectural details of Trinita Dei Monti church, June 13, 2015, in Rome, Italy –
+++
Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: 
paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead: 
https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address:
paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love,  A time of Christian worship and reflection"  - Led by Rev Paul W. Kelly
Texts used in this programme are for the purposes of worship and prayer for listeners wherever you are.
Prayers and chants are taken from the English Translation of the Roman Missal, edition three, © 2010, The International commission on English in the liturgy.
Scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version: © 1989,  by the national council of Churches of Christ, USA. , //adaptations to conform with Catholic liturgical norms, © 2009, by the same.
 [{selected psalms } - ***Psalm verses are (also) taken from "The Psalms: A New Translation" ©1963, The Grail (England), published by Collins.. **]
Prayers of the Faithful are adapted from Robert Borg's 1993 book " Together we pray". Published in Sydney Australia By  E.J. Dwyer. (out of print).
{ "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -published 2011,  Composed and Sung by Jeffrey M. Ostrowski 
Featuring the….Gloria, The Creed, The Kyrie, The Mass parts, Psalms:  
http://www.ccwatershed.org/chabanel/  ]]] ] COPYRIGHT @ 2018 CORPUS CHRISTI WATERSHED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  www.ccwatershed.org/vatican/Ralph_Sherwin_Videos/  

"Faith, Hope and Love" theme Hymn:   Words, based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, set to original music © 1996 by Paul W. Kelly.

For more details please visit http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au/
Contact us at
paulwkelly68@gmail.com
Production by Kelly Enterprises Resources. 

May God bless and keep you.

The ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY INTO HEAVEN
– 15TH AUGUST 2019

(EPISODE:172)

The Lord be with you.
+++++++++++++

My brothers and sisters, trusting in Gods mercy and love let us call to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of peace. Lord have mercy// 

You are Son of God and the Son of Mary. Christ have mercy//

You are Word made flesh, the splendour of the Father. Lord have mercy.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PREFACE:  THE GLORY OF MARY ASSUMED INTO HEAVEN

EUCH PRAYER  ii

Communion side.  pwk: 
RH
++++

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.



No comments: