15 August 2025 - homily for the solemnity of the assumption of Mary - Luke 1:39-56

As we celebrate the Assumption of Mary today as we get close to the end of summer, we may be thinking about the connection between today’s celebration and our own reality as modern disciples of Christ.  Through Mary’s immaculate conception, she was born without original sin.  Although original sin affects us, through our going into the waters of baptism, dying to our old life, and being raised by Christ to new life, we are cleansed of original sin. As Mary brought Christ in the world, we are commissioned to bring Christ into the world each day through our words and our actions as his disciples. And as Mary was assumed into heaven, we place our hope in our faith that one day we will unite in eternal life with God. 

Today, in our Gospel from St Luke, we hear Mary’s magnificat, a song of thanksgiving and praise to God. The magnificat is a song of great humility and holiness as well, as Mary does not look to the great things she has done or will do in the future, but rather she proclaims and rejoices in the greatness of the Lord, of her place as a humble handmaid willing to do God’s will. All of us are called to live like Mary, with the Lord of our lives, praising the gifts we receive from God and the grace of God that is at work in our lives. In the evening prayer in the liturgy of the hours, the faithful unite in praising God in the Magnificat.  

Three of our holy days of obligation are dedicated to Mary: the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on December 8; the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God on January 1; and today’s celebration of Mary’s assumption into heaven. As Catholics, we have Mary as an integral part of our lives of faith. And even though Mary was assumed into heaven body and soul, she is a real presence with us as we live as disciples of Christ each day. Mary unites our prayers with our prayers. She reaches out to us not only as Jesus’ mother, but as our mother and the mother of the Church. 

Let us all honor Mary today by praying together the Hail Mary: “Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”