Saints + Scripture: The Assumption of the Virgin Mary

'Tis the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Madonna-link ūna, Madonna-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

The bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into heaven at the end of her earthly life.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Vigil
The First Book of Chronicles, chapter fifteen, verses three, four, fifteen, & sixteen & chapter sixteen, verses one & two;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-two, verses six & seven, nine & ten, & thirteen & fourteen;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter fifteen, verses fifty-four(b) thru fifty-seven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eleven, verses twenty-seven & twenty-eight.

Mass Readings—Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Day
The Book of Revelation, chapter eleven, verse nineteen(a) & chapter twelve, verses one thru six(a) & ten(a/b);
Psalm Forty-five, verses ten, eleven, twelve, & sixteen;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter fifteen, verses twenty thru twenty-seven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verses thirty-nine thru fifty-six.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, today we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In her great Magnificat, Mary is the new Isaiah and the new Jeremiah and the new Ezekiel, for she announces with greatest clarity and joy the coming of the Messiah.

What was only vaguely foreseen in those great prophetic figures is now in clear focus: “He has shown the strength of his arm; he has scattered the proud in their conceit; he has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.” There is nothing stronger or more beautiful in any of the prophets.

Mary is the true Israel, and she knows what to do and how to do it with enthusiasm. No dawdling, backpedaling, straying, or complaining: she moves, she goes. And she goes upon the heights (the “hill country” that Luke describes), which is exactly where God had always summoned Israel, so that it could be a light to the nations.

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Bible Study—Pauline Epistles
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter two (verses one thru thirty);
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter three (verses one thru twenty-one).

Commentary: III. Instructions for the Community (cont'd): Please for Unity & Humility (2:1-11) & Obedience & Service in the World (2:12-18); IV. Travel Plans of Paul & His Assistants: Timothy & Paul (2:19-24), Epaphroditus (2:25-30), & Concluding Admonitions (3:1); & V. Polemic: Righteousness & the Goal in Christ: Against Legalistic Teachers (3:2-4a), Paul's Autobiography (3:4b-6), Righteousness from God (3:7-11), Forward in Christ (3:12-16), & Wrong Conduct & Our Goal (3:17-21).

Proverb o' the Day (Proverbs, 3:5-6)

Trust in the LORD will all your heart,
on your own intelligence rely not;
In all your ways be mindful of Him,
and He will make straight your paths.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Tarcisius, Martyr (floruit third century), martyred by a pagan mob while defending the Blessed Sacrament: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Altfrid of Hildesheim, Bishop, O.S.B. (died 874, also spelt Alfred), founder of Essen Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Stanislaus Kostka, Religious, S.J. (1550-1568): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Worshipping is stripping ourselves of our idols, even the most hidden ones, & choosing the Lord as the center, as the highway of our lives."
—Pope Francis (born 1936, reigning since 2013)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"O sweetest Star of Heaven! O Virgin, spotless, blest, shining with Jesus's light, guiding to Him my way! Mother! beneath your veil let my tired spirit rest, for this brief passing day!"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"On this feast of the glorious Assumption of Mary we celebrate the glorification of her immaculate soul & of her virginal body, of her perfect conformity to the risen Christ. This is the same glorification & destiny of those whom Christ made His brothers & sisters."
—Pope Bl. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)