To Know Your Faith

August 15, 2010

Luke 1:39-56

Today is Assumption Sunday. What we celebrate today is our Holy Mother's sweet slumber. I found a good read in the Catholic Encyclopedia. Quoting from there, it said:

"according to Benedict XIV (De Festis B.V.M., I, viii, 18) [the assumption of Mary] is a probable opinion, which to deny were impious and blasphemous."

And what we have for our Gospel reading is the account of the visitation. We see Mary visiting her cousin, Elizabeth, who was pregnant in her old age. We see how Elizabeth acknowledges Mary's blessedness for being chosen to be the mother of Jesus, our Lord. And we hear Mary's beautiful reply--what we call the magnificat.

The magnificat. What does it tell us? For me, it reflects Mary's faith and how she takes it seriously. It begins with praise:

"My soul praises the Lord, and my Spirit rejoices with God my Savior."

Then she recognizes how all mankind will call her blessed, so she returns glory to God:

"Holy is His name."

And then, at the last part, she speaks of God's ways, revealing how much she knew of her faith:

" His mercy extends to those who fear Him,

from generation to generation...

He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts...

But has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty."

Like Mary, do you know these ways of God? Imitate Mary who loved God and trusted Him completely. Like her, know His ways--read the Bible.