HOMILY OF THE SOLEMNITY OF ASSUMPTION — YEAR B
HOMILY OF THE SOLEMNITY OF ASSUMPTION — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: “MY SOUL GLORIFIES THE LORD…”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
Today’s first reading is replete with OT imageries that point to the woman as the New Eve, and in Catholic tradition, as Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church, the New Israel, irrespective of other exegetical interpretations and outcomes. The sun, moon and twelve stars reminds of the Joseph episode with his parents and brothers, and, of course, the old Israel of God. While not completely equating Joseph in that episode to Jesus, one should not miss the role of God in delivering them from impending danger; Joseph from the treachery of his brothers and adversarial situations and the Child in today’s reading from the vicious and wicked dragon. Mention of the dragon recalls the serpent in the Garden encounter with Eve, waging a war against God and humanity by sowing the seeds of disobedience and rebellion. This time, the evil one could not win the battle against the woman and her child. In the woman’s pain/struggle and victory are reflected the struggles and pains of the Church, the New Israel, against persecution and hardships, and the assurance of victory by God if she remains faithful. That the Child in today’s reading is Jesus is uncontestable, given his portrait and destiny.
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The Assumption celebrates the protection and provision given to Our Lady by God. She shares in her Son’s gift of risen life in a very particular and special way, as evidenced in the second reading. Because she remained faithful to the end in her sanctity, trust, faith, and hope, God united her with her Son and the Heavenly Hosts in her Assumption into Heaven, without allowing our sinful world or corruptibility to lay any claim to her. There, in heaven, together with all her children, she will share in the Father and the Son’s glory. On a day like this, the liturgy celebrates Mary’s faith, humility, grateful heart, chastity, generosity, holiness of life, trust in God and enduring love, and holds them up for us as life-giving virtues to be emulated. They were the characteristics that endeared her to God and through them we live in the hope of sharing in God’s glory in heaven, through the gift of the resurrection to eternal life.
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