HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF ASSUMPTION — YEAR B
HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF ASSUMPTION — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: SPIRIT FRIENDS
BY: Fr. Karabari Paul
‘In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, ….greeted Elizabeth.’
Today is the Solemnity of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Assumption of Mary is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church. Pope Pius XII defined it on 1 November 1950 in his apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus as follows: “We proclaim and define it to be a dogma revealed by God that the immaculate Mother of God, Mary ever virgin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven.” On the merit of Jesus Christ, Mary was assumed into heaven body and soul.
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The First Reading (Revelation 11:19a:12:1-6a.10ab) focuses on the conflict between the two elements that make up the dual nature of reality; forces of good and evil. It shows the woman (Mary) defeating the forces of evil. Our interest, however, is the virtue of Mary in the Gospel (Luke 1:39-56) that teaches us about ‘spirit friends’.
Besides being cousins, Mary and Elizabeth were ‘spirit friends’. They didn’t just connect socially. They connected spiritually at a deeper level. That is why Mary ‘hurried’ to see Elizabeth and why she spent three months with her. It’s also why Elizabeth confirmed the miraculous purposes of God that were being fulfilled in Mary’s life and commended her for her obedience.
Sometimes, the people we share our testimonies with are responsible for our problems. There are certain individuals who can not handle the success stories of others. They get sad when others are happy and happy when others are sad. You should share your dreams, visions, success, and joy with people who possess the same vision as you. The Angel had introduced to Mary the condition of Elizabeth; having a similar divine mission with Mary. Mary had no time to contact Joseph to explain things to him. She never went to the mum or any member of the family either. She went in haste to meet with a woman who could understand her.
Unlike some of us, Elizabeth wasn’t angry that Mary was given a better place in the economy of salvation. And I repeat that we are blessed differently. That your younger sister is getting married before you is never a curse, that your younger brother is more blessed than you are doesn’t imply that God hates you. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, honoured her younger cousin Mary.
When God introduces you to someone who has been touched by His Spirit and carries within them a vision that is conceived by the Holy Spirit, reach out to them, treasure them, and build a relationship with them. The connection between these two women didn’t take place because they were part of the same family. The truth is, sometimes, our families are the first to criticise us and the last to understand us. Notice that when Mary greeted Elizabeth, the unborn child within her leapt in her womb. We need friends filled with the same Spirit with us and empowered to do similar things to understand us. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God have mercy, heal our world and land, bless and protect us all through Christ, our Lord Amen. Good morning.
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