Assumption 2015

Introduction: 

Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption.  When the course of her earthly life has been completed, the Blessed Virgin Mary was assumed into heaven body and soul, like her son, Jesus.  Although this doctrine was held by the Early Church, it was officially proclaimed in 1950 by Pope Pius XII.  It came at a much needed time because the world has gone through two world wars, the Holocaust, and also the beginning of the Cold War.  The World had many reasons to lose hope.  But through Mary’s Assumption into heaven, body and soul, the world was given something to hope for.

When we honor the Blessed Mother and pray the Rosary, these are holy and divine words.  For instance, when we pray: Hail Mary full of Grace the Lord is with thee.  This is a greeting from the angel Gabriel.  

But Gabriel is not an ordinary angel.  Gabriel is an Archangel.  In other words, he is above a group of Angels.  An archangel is like a Bishop who has been given authority over his priests, deacons and laity in his diocese that he is assigned.  

It is also believed that St. Gabriel, being an Archangel, can mean that he has authority and command over an army of angels serving under him.  An Army of Angels is called Hosts.  At the Holy Mass, we glorify the Lord using the Sanctus prayer: Holy Holy Holy, Lord God of HOSTS.  A host is an army of angels.  St. Gabriel has an army of angels.  

With this great authority, St Gabriel would bow down to no one, except to God.  Why?  Because he is an Archangel, a commander of a large Host, an army of angels serving him.  So other than God, St Gabriel does not bow down to any human person.  

However, sent by God, St Gabriel delivers an important message to Our Lady.  It is here that Gabriel makes an exception.  Because he will bow down towards Our Lady with this divine greeting: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee."

When we say the Hail Mary prayer, these are holy words.  These are divine words to Our Lady from St. Gabriel.  It was an honor for the Archangel Gabriel to deliver this important message from God.  

Certainly the message is just as important as the person delivering the message.  If God sent an ordinary angel, the message may not be as significant.  No, God sent an Archangel.  

St. Gabriel humbly bows towards this perfect creature.  This knowledge can help us when we pray the "Hail Mary" prayer, repeating the words of St. Gabriel, honoring the Blessed Mother with a divine greeting.  

Similar to St. Gabriel is another Archangel named St. Michael.  St Michael is also an Archangel, therefore he is also commander of a HOST, a large army of angels.  

St Louis de Monfort once described Archangel Michael in an insightful way.  He loves to be sent by the Blessed Mother.  He loves to carry out tasks or go on assignment for her.  In other words, he loves to run errands for the Blessed Mother.  

When the Holy Mother sends St Michael for a special task, it is done with great joy and utmost care.  

Mother, if you want me to wash dishes, I will do it for you.  Mother if you want me to take out the trash, I will do it for you.  If you want me to protect a soul, I will do it immediately.  

Whatever she wants, St. Michael will do it with honor. 

The angels and the Archangels are all at her beck and call. 

The moment the Angel Gabriel visited the blessed Mother and announces the good news, everything pauses.  Why?  

Because all of creation, covenant people and all nations wait anxiously to see how she will respond.  The Salvation of the world depended upon her answer.  

How will Our Lady respond to the Angelic greeting?  How will she react to this news?  Will she embrace this huge challenge?  Will she accept this invitation willingly?  Will she refuse, thereby altering the course of salvation.  Will she give other reasons so as to avoid this big responsibility.  Will she postpone her decision to give her some time to pray about it?  

But her response is with purity of heart.  "how can this be, because I do not know man."  The Heavenly Father must have smiled when he heard that response.  The Lord could not have chosen someone more pure of heart.  

Her second response is with profound humility.  "Behold, I am a handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to Thy word."  Her "fiat" is not just any 'yes'.  Her willingness gave glory to Almighty God.  I am a servant of the Lord.  I will abide to whatever God wants of me.  

May this mysteries help us to value the divine words of "Hail Mary" prayer.  May it find a significant place in our heart if it has not already.  Today on this Solemnity of Assumption, let us honor the one, innocent and pure of heart, honored and loved by the Archangels.  

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee.  Blessed art thou among 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.