The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August Fifteenth

(From: "Divine Intimacy" by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.)

Presence of God - O most Blessed Virgin Mary, assumed into heaven, I beg
you to purify my senses so that I may begin to enjoy God even while I am on
earth.

Meditation

1. The Blessed Virgin Mary, whom we contemplate today assumed body and soul
into heaven, reminds us very definitely that our permanent abode is not on
earth but in heaven where she, with her divine Son, has preceded us in all
the fulness of her human nature. This is the dominant thought in today's
liturgy. "O Almighty and everlasting God, who hast taken up body and soul
into heavenly glory the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Thy Son: grant,
we beseech Thee, that, ever intent upon heavenly things, we may be worthy
to be partakers of her glory" (Collect).

The Feast of the Assumption is a strong appeal to us to live "ever intent
upon heavenly things," and not allow ourselves to be carried away by the
vicissitudes and seductions of the world. Not only was our soul created for
heaven, but also our body, which, after the resurrection, will be welcomed
into our heavenly home and admitted to a participation in the glory of the
spirit. Today we contemplate in Mary, our Mother, this total glorification
of our humanity. That which has been wholly realized in her, will be
realized for us, as well as for all the saints, only at the end of time.
This privilege was very fitting for her, the all-pure, the all-holy one,
whose body was never touched by even the faintest shadow of sin, but was
always the temple of the Holy Spirit, and became the immaculate tabernacle
of the Son of God. It is a reminder to us to ennoble our whole life, not
only that of the spirit, but also that of the senses, elevating it to the
heights of the celestial life which awaits us. "O Mother of God and of
men," exclaims Pius XII in his beautiful prayer for the Assumption, "we beg
you to purify our senses, so that we may begin to enjoy God here on earth
and Him alone, in the beauty of creatures."

2. Mary's Assumption shows us the route we must follow in our spiritual
ascent : detachment from the earth, flight toward God, and union with God.

Our Lady was assumed body and soul into heaven because she was Immaculate;
she was all-pure -- free not only from every shadow of sin, but even from
the slightest attachment to the things of earth, so that she "never had the
form of any creature imprinted in her soul, nor was moved by such, but was
invariably guided by the Holy Spirit" (J.C. AS III, 2,10).

The first requirement for attaining God is this total purity, the fruit of
total detachment. The Blessed Virgin, who lived her earthly life in
absolute detachment from every created thing, teaches us not to allow
ourselves to be captivated by the fascination of creatures, but to live
among them, occupying ourselves with them with much charity, but without
ever letting our heart become attached to them, without ever seeking our
satisfaction in them.

In her Assumption Mary speaks to us of flight toward heaven, toward God. It
is not enough to purify our heart from sin and all attachment to creatures,
we must at the same time direct it toward God, tending toward Him with all
our strength. The Church has us pray in today's Mass, "O Lord, through the
intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was assumed into heaven, may
our hearts, enkindled by the fire of Thy love, continually aspire toward
Thee" (Secret). Our earthly life has value for eternal life insofar as it
is a flight toward God, a continual seeking after Him, a continual
adherence to His grace. When this flight fails, the supernatural value of
our existence lessens.

Mary has been taken up to heaven because she is the Mother of God. This is
the greatest of her privileges, the root of all the others and the reason
for them; it speaks to us, in a very special way, of intimate union with
God, as the fact of her Assumption speaks to us of the beatific union of
heaven. Mary herself stretches out her maternal hand to guide us to the
attainment of this high ideal. If we keep our eyes fixed on her, we shall
advance more easily; she will be our guide, our strength, and our
consolation in every trial and difficulty.

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"Divine Intimacy" by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.