Daily Gospel Reflection for August 15, 2023: Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Fr. Edward Looney

Today's Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

The Gospel for the Feast of the Assumption does not tell us about Mary’s assumption. Since it is an event not in the Gospels, the best Gospel in the post-conciliar church is that of the Visitation. Before 1962, it was Jesus’s visiting Mary and Martha, and Mary choosing the better part. Both the current and old Gospel have something in common, that of hospitality. Elizabeth and Zechariah welcomed Mary into their home. Mary goes as an act of hospitality to care for the aged Elizabeth during the last months of her pregnancy and to welcome John the Baptist when he is born.

The Assumption is a feast of hospitality and one of welcome for Mary into the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus brings Mary body and soul into heaven. After the Ascension, Jesus was with His mother every time she received the holy Eucharist. But now, as she is reunited with Him, Jesus welcomes her to heaven and crowns her Queen of Heaven and Earth. Mary would have been welcomed into paradise by her spouse, St. Joseph, and her parents, Joachim and Anne. I can only imagine the angels greeted Mary with the angelic salutation of Ave Maria, chanting and singing praises of God that now the Queen of Angels was among them.

The Magnificat of Our Lady is contained in this weekend’s Gospel: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” As Mary enters Heaven, truly she proclaims God’s greatness and rejoices, because she has arrived at the final destination. In that prayer, Mary also says, all generations will call her blessed. And indeed, we have through the Hail Mary. As we repeat those words so often, when our life comes to a close here on earth, may our mother be there to welcome us and advocate for us when we go before Jesus, our merciful judge.

Ponder:

How do you envision the entry of Mary into heaven?

Pray:

Mary, my mother, please pray for me as I journey through this life, so that I may rejoice with You in the kingdom of heaven and worship your Son with the angels and saints.

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As Mary enters Heaven, truly she proclaims God’s greatness and rejoices, because she has arrived at the final destination. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Fr. Edward Looney

Fr. Edward Looney is a priest of the Diocese of Green Bay, President of the Mariological Society of America, author of several books, and host of the podcast How They Love Mary.