'Mary assumed into Heaven points out to us the final destination of our earthly pilgrimage.' Sunday Reflections, The Assumption
Assumption of the VirginThe Solemnity of the Assumption
This takes the place of the Mass for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Vigil Mass
This Mass is used on the evening of 14 August, either before or after First Vespers (Evening Prayer) of the Solemnity. It fulfils our Sunday obligation.
Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)
This page gives the readings for both the Vigil Mass and the Sunday Mass.
Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)
Gospel Luke 11:27-28 (English Standard Version Anglicised: India)
As Jesus said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Mass celebrated on Sunday
Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)
This page gives the readings for both the Vigil Mass and the Sunday Mass.
Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)
Gospel Luke 1:39-56 (English Standard Version Anglicised: India)
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
And Mary said
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring for ever.”
And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
The Assumption is a feast that celebrates what we profess in the Nicene Creed, I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. In the Apostles' Creed we pray, I believe in . . . the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen. We rejoice in the fact that what we hope for at the end of time, the resurrection of our bodies in glory, has already happened to Mary.
It is very striking that the gospels for the Vigil Mass - Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed! – and for the Mass on the 15th are about the beginning of life, not the end of life. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. (Luke 1:41-44, ESVUK).
Continue at Bangor to Bobbio.
Comments
Post a Comment