Friday 15^th August – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reflection: Psalm 45: 10-12, 16

THE BEAUTY THE KING DESIRES

Dressing up to look good is praise worthy and there is much sense in the saying: “You will be addressed the way you dress”. So, let us all make efforts to look nice and good always; albeit not at the expense of decency! Perhaps my words should have been more directed at the male folks as the females generally tend to pay greater attention to their appearance. Ask an average bride, the desire to remain charming and attractive to her husband will rank high on her priority scale.

However, do you know that we are all brides? Yes, you, male and female, young and old! We are the bride of Christ. If the scripture likens the Church to be Jesus’ bride (Ephesians 5: 22-27; Revelation 21: 1-5) and our catechism teaches that you and I constitute the Church (CCC 752, 808), it follows that we are the bride of Christ. Hence, as the bride of Christ, should we not seek to know and do what will keep us forever attractive and charming to our spouse and king – Christ Jesus?

Out of his great love for us, he gave himself up on the cross; nothing but total obedience and self giving on our part can be good enough in response to this love. This, our Blessed Mother, Mary clearly demonstrated in her fiat: “Let it be to me according to your word!” when it was most confusing and disgraceful humanly speaking (Luke 1: 26 -39). And for this great act of obedience we continue to honour her especially on this feast of her assumption.

Mary continually speaks to us Christ’s disciples today as she did to the servants at the wedding at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). This is the beauty which Christ our King desires of us His children. This is the beauty so apparent in our Mother Mary and draws us to honour her.

PRAYER: I seek to obey you my God; I seek to obey you my love, through thick and thin may my heart be irrevocably committed to you`. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 967 – By her complete adherence to the Father’s will, to his Son’s redemptive work, and to every prompting of the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary is the Church’s model of faith and charity. Thus she is a “pre-eminent and…wholly unique member of the Church”; indeed, she is the exemplary realisation” (typus) of the Church.

HIDE A TREASURE: “But this is the man to whom I will look, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word” Isaiah 66:2 RSV-CE

Readings for today: Apocalypse 11: 19, 12: 1-6, 10; Psalm 45: 10-12, 16; 1 Corinthians 15: 20-26; Luke 1: 39-56