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Nineteenth Sunday of the Year
11 August 2007
Praised be Jesus Christ! Now and forever!
Dear Friends in Christ,
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated on 15 August, teaches us that the love of God perfects even our human bodies. In the glory of Heaven we will not be disembodied spirits like the angels; we will be fully human, which means that we will share the glory of God in real, human bodies transfigured into a glorious form we cannot now imagine.
The privilege given to Mary of being taken directly into God’s presence at the end of her life on earth (a privilege shared by Enoch and Elijah in the Old Covenant) is a token and pledge of the destiny of all who are configured to Christ. Every special grace given to Mary is given by her Son, for the sake of her Son, and because of the merits of her Son, and the grace of the Assumption is no exception. On this great solemnity each year the Church gives thanks for the favor of God shown to our mother in the order of grace, and the celebration of the Assumption should embolden us to strive for purity of body and soul even now as a consequence of sharing in the death and Resurrection of Christ through our baptism.
The Mother of God is venerated all over the world under many titles and images; here at St. Mary’s Church we give her special reverence as Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The love of the Son of God for His mother should lead us all to tender, filial devotion to her. At the same time, the faith of Mary in her divine Son should lead us all to the radical obedience of faith she practiced throughout her life. As she said to the steward at the wedding feast of Cana, Mary says to us today, speaking of Christ her Son: “Do whatever He tells you.”
Father Newman
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.