The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary

Thanks to all who joined us over the past six weeks for our Summer Lecture Series! The new school year has started, and we’ll soon resume our usual full schedule of Wednesday evening faith formation classes, with RCIA (which will now be called “OCIA” — the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults), confirmation preparation, and Youth Ministry. We are in need of adult volunteers right now especially for Youth Ministry, so if you or someone you know would be willing to spend a few hours each week sharing the Faith with our high school students, please come see me! 

In the reading cycle for Sunday Masses this month, we’re making our way through chapter 6 of John’s Gospel, the “Bread of Life Discourse,” on the Holy Eucharist. In the midst of this, we celebrate this Thursday the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is a major feast for us and a Holy Day of Obligation. At first glance, we might think of this as an interruption or a distraction, but I propose that there is a Eucharistic connection to this feast in particular, and to Marian devotion in general. 

The first readings at both the vigil Mass (1 Chronicles 15-16) and the Mass during the day (Revelation 11-12) point to Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant. Whereas the Ark in the time of Moses held a golden pot containing manna from the desert (as well as Aaron’s rod that budded and the tablets of the covenant), Mary was privileged to bear Christ Himself in her womb. If we are able to receive the Body of Christ today, it is because she first said Yes to God’s plan. 

Mary always points us to her Son, Jesus. By her example as first and best disciple, she teaches us how to follow Jesus in faith. And she prays for us to protect us from harm and lead us to her Son because she loves us and wants us to get to Heaven. May Mary intercede for us now, to strengthen our faith and deepen our love and devotion to our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. See y’all Thursday (or Wednesday night).