Gospel: August 15, 2025
August 15, 2025 (Friday)
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Psalter: Proper / (White)
Ps 45:10, 11, 12, 16
The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
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. There were flashes of lightning, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm. A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of 12 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 10 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 1,260 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.
Gospel: Luke 1:39-56
Mary then set out for a town in the hill country 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 the 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 to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.” Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned home.
Reflection:
“Saying to God’s will.”
“You are most blessed among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” Today we celebrate the Assumption of Our Lady, the fitting end to the earthly life of Mary as the one who is most blessed for all generations. As Mother of the Word Incarnate, God would not allow corruption to touch her in death, and so she was taken, body and soul, to heaven at once, to share in God’s glory for all eternity. Mary’s constant yes to God allowed him work “great things” in her and through her.
Now, she shares fully in the victory of her Son over death and enters the glory of heaven. The Assumption of Our Lady is a feast of hope, since Mary is our model, our mother and our intercessor as, in our faltering way, we seek to make the same journey of saying yes to God’s will, to reach the glory of heaven through the cross of Jesus Christ. Where she has gone, we hope to follow. Mary our Mother, assumed into heaven, pray for us, support us and guide us on our pilgrim way. Hail Mary, full of grace…
