Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Solemnity
† Tuesday 15th August 2000
[ Holiday of Obligation in England & Wales ]

Theme: Mary, taken in glory to be with Christ.

A reading from the book of Revelation 11 :19; 12 : 1 - 6, 10
The language of the final book of the Bible, being apocalyptic in style makes for difficult reading and is for us harder to understand! The Book of Revelation expresses the idea that God has through Jesus Christ unveiled truths about heaven, and earth, past, present and future. In this reading, the Ark of the Covenant re-appears, specifically through Mary, the People of God, bring forth the Messiah, who being the Christ will be victorious over all evil. So the eternal reign of God begins.

First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians 15 : 20 - 27
The pivotal meaning here, is that the first man Adam, brings death into the world, and Christ, the second Adam brings life through the resurrection. The raising up of Jesus, is the pledge of our own assumption into heaven. Paul looks forward to the second coming of Christ when the Kingdom of god will be fulfilled.

Gospel according to Luke 1 : 39 - 56
Mary’s cousin Elizabeth is also with child, and in this encounter Elizabeth recognises in the Spirit that Mary and her child are blessed. That because she believed in the promises of the Lord God, Mary is especially blessed, she is to be the mother of the Lord. The Song Mary sings, the Magnificat is full of illusions to the Old Testament, and indicates a deep understanding of the significance of this child bearing.
© Peter Harrison 2000