Saints + Scripture: The Assumption of the Virgin Mary

Simplex Complex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

The Popish Plot
"Book Review: How to Pray Like Mary"

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

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

Blessed Virgin Mary, intercede for your children. Teach me to follow the ways of your Son with ever greater devotion, & lead me home to heaven where you reign with your Son in glory.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Mass during the Day
The Book of Revelation, chapter eleven, verse nineteen(a) & chapter twelve, verses one thru six(a) & ten(a/b);
Psalm Forty-five (R/. ten[b/c]), 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: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The dogma of the Assumption of Mary describes the full salvation of this prime disciple of Jesus.

In the Apostles’ Creed, we speak of our hope for “the resurrection of the body.” Mary, assumed body and soul into heaven, has experienced precisely this resurrection and hence becomes a sign of hope for the rest of the human race.

When we speak of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother’s body, we are not envisioning a journey through space, as though Mary moved up into the sky. The “heavens” are a rich and consistent biblical symbol for the transcendent, for a manner of existence that lies beyond our familiar dimensions of space and time.

The Assumption of Mary means that the Blessed Mother was “translated,” in the totality of her being, from this dimensional system to the higher one for which we use the term “heaven.” Mary, who exists now in this other world, is not so much somewhere else as somehow else, and this helps to explain why we can speak of her, especially in her heavenly state, interceding, helping us, and praying for us.

Video reflection by Marc DelMonico, Ph.D. (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Mass Readings—Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Vigil Mass
The First Book of Chronicles, chapter fifteen, verses three, four, fifteen, & sixteen & chapter sixteen, verses one & two;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-two (R/. eight), verses six & seven, eight & nine, & 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.

Scripture Study—Pierced Hands Bible Reading Plan: Day 15
The Book of Genesis, chapter twenty-seven (verses one thru forty-six);
The Book of Genesis, chapter twenty-eight (verses one thru twenty-two);
Psalm Fifteen (verses one thru five);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eight, verses one thru seventeen.

Commentary: Isaac Blesses Jacob (Genesis, 27:1-29), Esau's Lost Blessing (Genesis, 27:30-40), Jacob Escapes Esau's Fury (Genesis, 27:41-28:5), Esau Marries Ishmael's Daughter (Genesis, 28:6-9), & Jacob's Dream at Bethel (Genesis, 28:10-22); Who Shall Abide in God's Sanctuary? (Psalm 15); & Jesus Cleanses a Leper (Matthew, 8:1-4), Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant (Matthew, 8:5-13), & Jesus Heals Many at Peter's House (Matthew, 8:14-17).

Scripture Study—Day 91: Decapitation Rock, Day 13
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter sixteen, verses fifteen thru twenty-two.

Commentary: The Counsel of Ahithophel (2 Samuel, 16:15-22).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Mary assumed into Heaven shows you where love & complete fidelity to Christ on earth lead: To the eternal joy of Heaven."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 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 St. Paul VI (1897-1978, r. 1963-1978; feast: 29 May)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"Don't come to prayer looking for extraordinary experiences. Come to visit your great friend Jesus, always present & waiting for you in the tabernacle. This is the friendship that strengthens us to fulfill our day-to-day ordinary duties with extraordinary love & devotion."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)