＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab

  Then the sanctuary of God

In the heav­ens was opened, and the Ark of the Covenant of God could be seen inside the sanctuary.   A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.   She was pregnant and cried out in pain, looking to her time of delivery.

 Then another sign appeared: a huge, red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and wearing seven crowns on its heads.   It had just swept along a third of the stars of heaven with its tail, throwing them down to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour the child as soon as it was born.  

 She gave birth to a male child, the one who is to rule all the nations with an iron scepter; then her child was seized and taken up to God and to his throne  while the woman fled to the desert where God had prepared a place for her; there she would be looked after for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

  Then I heard a loud voice from heaven: Now has salvation come, with the power and the kingdom of our God, and the rule of his anointed. For our brothers’ accuser has been cast out, who accused them night and day, before God.

 

Ps 45:10, 11, 12, 16

The queen takes her place at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

 1 Corinthians 15:20-27

 But no, Christ has been raised from the dead and he comes before all those who have fallen asleep.   A human being brought death; a human being also brings resurrection of the dead.   All die for being Adam’s, and in Christ all will receive life.   However, each one in his own time: first Christ, then Christ’s people, when he comes.

 Then the end will come, when Christ delivers the kingdom to God the Father, after having de­stroyed every rule, authority and power.  For he must reign and put all enemies under his feet.  The last enemy to be destroyed will be death.   As Scripture says: God has subjected everything under his feet.

When we say that everything is put under his feet, we exclude, of course, the Father who subjects everything to him.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊     

Luke 1:39-56

 Mary then set out for a town in the Hills of Judah.   She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.   When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit, and   giving a loud cry, said, “You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

  How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me?  The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy.   Blessed are you who be­lieved that the Lord’s word would come true!”

 And Mary said:    “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,  my spirit exults in God my savior!   He has looked upon his servant in her lowliness,    and people forever will call me blessed.

 The Mighty One has done great things for me,    Holy is his Name!  From age to age his mercy extends     to those who live in his presence.  He has acted with power and done wonders,    and scattered the proud with their plans.

  He has put down the mighty from their thrones    and lifted up those who are downtrodden.  He has filled the hungry with good things    but has sent the rich away empty. 

 He held out his hand to Israel, his servant,  for he remembered his mercy,  even as he promised our fathers,    Abraham and his descendants forever.”  Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home.

 

 Gospel Reflection：

Read: Mary without regard for herself goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Their meeting is joyful. Elizabeth is filled with happiness as she acknowledges her privilege of being visited by the mother of her Lord.

As a matter of fact, the baby inside her womb leaped for joy at this meeting. Then Mary sings her song of praise and thanksgiving to God who was gracious to her, a lowly servant.

Reflect: We celebrate today one of the Marian dogmas defined by the church as infallible teaching.

Therefore, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary both body and soul is a defined teaching of the church. And it is not difficult to believe that the Blessed Virgin received this gift from God.

After all, she bore in her womb the Son of God. When Elizabeth and the baby in her womb meet the pregnant Mary, both rejoice at the blessed encounter. Specifically, Elizabeth asks how come that the mother of her Lord will come to her.

In this, Elizabeth specifically acknowledges the privilege of Mary. And Mary did not shy from the acknowledgment of her cousin. In her song of praise and thanksgiving, she reiterated her singular privilege but clearly states that all these things happened because God has done all these great things for her.

God's suffuses her being with all things from God. No wonder Earth could not hold her body. It was assumed through the power of God because she was, is and still is, a willing vessel of God.

Respond: the Blessed Virgin is our singular boost to heaven. She showed us what is in store for those who are faithful servants of God. Perhaps we can honor her today in any way we can. A prayer, visitation to her shrine or acts of mercy to honor her are all fine.