Pointing the Way

08-15-2021Weekly Reflection© J. S. Paluch Company

Today we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The readingsgive us much to ponder as we reflect on Mary, her special place prepared byGod for eternity, and all that resulted from her “yes” to the angel’s messagethat she was to bear the Christ, the anointed one of God. Mary is “blessedamong women,” the vessel for the life and salvation of Christ for all generations. Mary always points us to her son, Jesus. Through her witness, weare inspired to proclaim the greatness of the Lord with our lives. In her Assumption, we are assured that Mary is in the presence of God, pointing theway to all who live as God’s good and holy people in this life while we awaitultimate fulfillment in the next.

Blessed are You

Elizabeth had waited a long time for the child she carried. She was beyondchild-bearing age by the time she conceived the baby who would be knownas John the Baptist. We can only imagine her joy and amazement when thebaby leaped in her womb at Mary’s arrival. Elizabeth was old and Mary young,yet both trusted in the goodness of the Lord; both relied on the Holy Spirit tobe with them in the perplexing, exciting, and anxious time in which they foundthemselves. They show us what it means to put God at the center of our lives.Their story may inspire us to believe that God’s loving mercy awaits in everymoment of our lives. Elizabeth calls Mary and the child in her womb “blessed,” holy. Mary’s holiness is found in her belief in God and her willingness tocarry out God’s plan by carrying the child Jesus in her womb. How are youcalled to holiness? In what ways are you willing to carry out God’s plan?

My Soul Proclaims

Mary’s response to Elizabeth, which we hear in today’s Gospel, is known asthe Magnificat. Mary “magnifies” the greatness of the Lord —through her, wesee God’s mercy clearly. Mary’s canticle is a declaration that God cares forthe lowly and vulnerable, for the humble and hungry. This, Mary says, is theGod for whom the people of Israel had long waited. This is God in whom webelieve. Like Mary, the Almighty hasdone great things for us. As followersof Mary’s son, Jesus Christ, we arecalled to make this merciful, caringGod known to those who are in need.How will you glorify, magnify, the Lordby your life?