SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION

August 15, 2025 Solemnity of thr Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Luke 1:39–56 In today’s gospel, Mary calls herself “the lowly servant” in her Magnificat. She knew she was an ordinary young woman from a small village, unnoticed by the powerful, unknown beyond her town. Yet in God’s plan, her humility became the very reason she was chosen to bear the Savior. Mary’s greatness was not in human achievement but in her total openness to God’s will—her fiat, her “yes” to His word. She recognized that every honor she received came from Him who “has looked upon His handmaid’s lowliness” and “has done great things” for her. The Solemnity of the Assumption is the crowning moment of this divine reversal. The lowly maiden of Nazareth, who once traveled in haste to serve her cousin Elizabeth, is now taken body and soul into the glory of heaven. The one who chose to be last is now lifted to the highest place. This is the Gospel truth embodied in Mary’s life: God exalts the humble, raises the poor, and brings the faithful into His eternal joy. For us, the Assumption is both comfort and challenge. Comfort, because Mary’s glory is a promise of what God desires for each of us—a share in the resurrection and life of heaven. Challenge, because the path to that glory is the way of humility, service, and trust. If we, like Mary, let our lives magnify the Lord rather than ourselves, we too will be lifted up in God’s time, to the place He has prepared for those who love Him. The Assumption reminds us that true greatness begins in lowliness and ends in eternal glory. Blessings Fr. Jhack