The Holy Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Every Catholic man can grow in happiness by building the Virtue of Piety so he can honor and seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and by pursuing the Virtue of Obedience so he can turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary for help in all things.
Liturgy
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – August 14 – Vigil – Lk 11:27-28
Commentary
After Jesus firmly rebukes some who ridiculously accused Him of working with Satan, a woman from the crowd loudly exclaims, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!” This spontaneous cry reflects the overwhelming wisdom, power and handsome attractiveness of Christ Jesus, the King of the Universe. Embedded in the cry of glory in response to Jesus is the woman’s great respect for the mother who bore, nurtured and raised Christ.
Jesus emphatically responds: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” As the Gospels record elsewhere (Lk 8:20-21), Jesus uses mysterious references to His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, which might initially appear demeaning, but actually reflect His great love and esteem of His mother. Here, Jesus does not directly acknowledge the Blessedness of the Virgin but points the crowd to the fact that they will become blessed by hearing and doing God’s will. Perhaps Jesus is veiling the modesty and anonymity of His Blessed Mother, which the “Handmaid of God” would have certainly preferred, and may also be protecting her from idolization, exploitation, or attack. Jesus certainly learned how to revere and protect the Blessed Virgin Mary from His earthly father, St. Joseph. While mysterious, Jesus exalts the Blessed Virgin Mary, for she, without sin, perfectly hears and does God’s will in becoming Jesus’ mother and by raising Him with St. Joseph. The Holy Catholic Church recognizes Jesus’ response as high praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been believed and celebrated since the earliest days of the Church and was formally declared an infallible dogma by Pope Pius XII in 1950, which recognizes that after her life on earth was fulfilled, the Blessed Virgin Mary was “taken up body and soul into heavenly glory” (CCC 966, 974, 2177, 2853). The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holy day of obligation which reminds Catholics of Mary’s unique participation in her Son’s Resurrection and of the hopeful anticipation of the resurrection of all the Catholic faithful.
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Be awed by the powerful, masculine and attractive Charisma of Jesus, the Lion of Judah and manly warrior King, who humbles men and causes women to cry out with joy in His presence.
Honor and seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Realize: After her glorious Assumption, the Blessed Virgin Mary was crowned as the “Queen of Heaven” (CCC 966) and never ceases to intercede for the souls of men to her Son, especially every Catholic man who honors her and seeks her help.
Believe: Reflect upon the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary (CCC 1014, 1053, 2618).
Pray: Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray that I grow in the Virtue of Piety (a part of Justice) so I honor your Assumption, I venerate you through Marian devotions, and I seek your intercession, saying, “pray for us now and at the hour of our death.”
Seek Mary’s help to grow in obedience
Realize: Because the Immaculate Conception was born without sin (CCC 490-493, 2853), the Blessed Virgin Mary is the only human who has ever perfectly heard and obediently done God’s will.
Believe: Reflect upon the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Perfect Obedience (CCC 144, 148-149, 490, 494, 2617).
Pray: Blessed Virgin Mary, pray that I grow in the Virtue of Obedience (a part of Justice) so I turn from my selfish desire, I seek to imitate your perfect obedience, and continually offer my own little fiat (“yes”) to God’s will in all things.