It is 19th August 2018. We celebrate the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother declaring that Mother Mary was assumed into Heaven in her body and soul. This indeed the Deposit of faith received from the Apostles. The readings are from Rev 11:19; 12:1-6.10; the second reading is from 1 Cor 15:20-26; and the Gospel from Lk 1:39-56. The Catechism teaches us in No. 966: “The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians.” The first reading explains how She gave birth to God’s Son and protected Him from the dragon and the enemies of the Christ. God could not allow the body and soul of Mary to be corrupt at all just because she bore the Only Son of the Father. After the birth of the child, the Heavens cried out in joy: “Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed One.” (Rev.12:10). Mary enjoyed the singular privilege to give birth to Christ without any shadow of sin including the Original Sin. Since Mother Mary so generously and willingly participated and responded to the plan of God, She was spared from the effects of sin, death and decay. She enjoyed the first fruits of the redemption Jesus brought through His Passion, Death and Resurrection. The responsorial Psalm sings, “The queen stand at your right hand, arrayed in gold.” (Ps.45:10). In the second reading, St. Paul teaches us that Jesus is the first fruit of redemption. It is through His resurrection, and ascension, and again Jesus being the Son of God is now in God and with God. Our Mother Mary too enjoys the glory of the resurrection and ascension through the Assumption. Now she is with God for sure. The Church does not assume anything here rather it defines and declares without a tint of doubt. Mother Mary is in God’s abode and near God. She is not only glorified in God but also shares in the life of God. Even though the Assumption is not found in the Scripture explicitly yet there are many implicit texts that suggest Mary shares perfectly in the victory of Christ over sin and death. She is not just mother to Jesus and showed her maternal affiliation to Her Son Jesus, and She is the Queen at the service of Her Son. She is not a goddess we worship rather she deserves our full honour and respect. St. Augustine exclaimed, “Before She conceived Jesus in her womb, She conceived Jesus in Her heart.” The Gospel describes the motherhood of Mary was a singular privilege God offered to Her. Her Song of gratitude proves us that God did not forget His lowly one and made the Mother of God for her openness, cooperation and unquestionable participation in the plan of salvation offered by God. She is the New Arc of the Covenant that carried and protected the tender, and vulnerable little one of God. The Church proclaims her rightly as the co-redemptrix because of her association with Her Son in His redemption. All those who believe in Jesus will also enjoy like that of Mary our Mother. She is with us in journey towards God and eternal happiness. With her we too can sing today, “He that is mighty has done great things for me and holy is his name” (Luke 1:49). May God continue to bless us through the powerful intercession of our Beloved Mother Mary. May you have a good day.