Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.
Mary lived the course of her earthly life in faithful service to God. She never desired to be exalted, but to do all things for His greater glory. At the Annunciation she received the great gift of God made Flesh in her womb. She accepted this gift from God with a true spirit of humility.
Throughout the course of her earthly life she remained obedient to God. She constantly allowed God to be the one who would direct her life and thus she was found constantly listening to Him in a spirit of prayer. She was present at the cross and had to watch her Son suffer for the sins of the world. Her life was always a reflection of Him and thus all those who practice devotion to her are drawn closer into union with Him.
She is taken up to Heaven because she has lived her life on this earth in accord with God’s will. She was taken up because the stain of sin was not found on her soul and she never gave into Satan’s grasp. She was the one who stood upon the cursed serpent as the effects that it brought into the world through Adam and Eve were undone.
This day is truly a celebration for each of us that we may take up devotion to her and to dare to go where she has now gone before. As she humbly came to exclaim in the Magnificat, “All generations shall call me blessed, because he who is mighty has done great things in me.” May our life be a reflection of living for God through Mary. In such a way we will be welcomed into Paradise.
