12:1 Now a great sign was seen in heaven — a woman clothed with the sun, under her feet the moon, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and about to give birth, and she screamed in the agony of labor.
3 Another sign was seen in heaven there was a great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven royal crowns. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of heaven and threw them down to the earth. It stood in front of the woman about to give birth, so that it might devour the child the moment it was born.
5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, the one who will rule all the nations with a staff of iron.[Revelation 12:5 Psalm 2:9] But her child was snatched up to God and his throne; 6 and she fled into the desert, where she has a place prepared by God so that she can be taken care of for 1,260 days.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying,
“Now have come God’s victory, power and kingship,
and the authority of his Messiah;
because the Accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them day and night before God,
has been thrown out!
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity)… a woman clothed with the sun. (Revelation 12:1)
Imagine how close the relationship is between Mary and her Son. To prepare her for her role as Mother of God, God freed her from the stain of original sin at her conception and laid on her heart an unswerving desire to love him and his people. Faithful to the end, Mary was even given a special participation in Jesus’ resurrection when, at the close of her life, she was assumed body and soul into heaven.
Her earthly life may have come to a close, but Mary continues to be the greatest example of the Christian life. Just as she took part in Jesus’ struggle with Satan, so she now shares in his triumph over the devil and death itself. Mary is the first Christian to experience what is destined for all Christians: the privilege of standing as a new creation before the throne of God and sharing fully in his divine life.
Mary’s place in heaven is a sign of hope to all of us who await our share in the resurrection. We, too, will reign with Christ. We, too, will gaze upon the beauty of God and the majesty of our Savior. We, too, will be surrounded by the heavenly host in all their glory and majesty. We’ll even outshine the angels because of our union with Christ!
Today, as you aim for the goal that Mary has already attained, try your best to live the kind of life she lived. Washed clean in the waters of Baptism, you can reject sin and every temptation the devil throws at you. Filled with the same Spirit that overshadowed Mary, you can embrace the Holy Spirit and find the grace you need to live by faith. Encouraged by Mary’s assumption, you can keep your heart fixed on loving and serving Jesus as you await his glorious return.
So let’s all imitate Mary. Let’s magnify the Lord and say yes to whatever he asks us to do.
“Lord Jesus, I pray for everyone who doesn’t yet hope for the resurrection. May each person come to know that you want all of us to live with you forever.” Amen!
1 Corinthians 15:20 But the fact is that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have died. 21 For since death came through a man, also the resurrection of the dead has come through a man. 22 For just as in connection with Adam all die, so in connection with the Messiah all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: the Messiah is the firstfruits; then those who belong to the Messiah, at the time of his coming; 24 then the culmination, when he hands over the Kingdom to God the Father, after having put an end to every rulership, yes, to every authority and power. 25 For he has to rule until he puts all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be done away with will be death, 27 for “He put everything in subjection under his feet.”[1 Corinthians 15:27 Psalm 8:7(6)] But when it says that “everything” has been subjected, obviously the word does not include God, who is himself the one subjecting everything to the Messiah.
Psalm 45:10 (9) Daughters of kings are among your favorites;
at your right stands the queen in gold from Ofir.
11 (10) Listen, daughter! Think, pay attention!
Forget your own people and your father’s house,
12 (11) and the king will desire your beauty;
for he is your lord, so honor him.
16 (15) They will be led in with gladness and joy,
they will enter the king’s palace.
Luke 1:39 Without delay, Miryam set out and hurried to the town in the hill country of Y’hudah 40 where Z’kharyah lived, entered his house and greeted Elisheva. 41 When Elisheva heard Miryam’s greeting, the baby in her womb stirred. Elisheva was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh 42 and spoke up in a loud voice,
“How blessed are you among women!
And how blessed is the child in your womb!
43 “But who am I, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! 45 Indeed you are blessed, because you have trusted that the promise Adonai has made to you will be fulfilled.”
46 Then Miryam said,
“My soul magnifies Adonai;
47 and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior,
48 who has taken notice of his servant-girl
in her humble position.[Luke 1:48 1 Samuel 1:11; 2:1]
For — imagine it! — from now on, all generations will call me blessed!
49 “The Mighty One has done great things for me!
Indeed, his name is holy; 50 and in every generation
he has mercy on those who fear him.[Luke 1:50 Psalms 103:17; 111:9]
51 “He has performed mighty deeds with his arm,
routed the secretly proud,
52 brought down rulers from their thrones,
raised up the humble,
53 filled the hungry with good things,
but sent the rich away empty.
54 “He has taken the part of his servant Isra’el,
mindful of the mercy
55 which he promised to our fathers,
to Avraham and his seed forever.”
56 Miryam stayed with Elisheva for about three months and then returned home.
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