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Reading 1: Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
Responsorial: Psalm 45:10-12, 16
Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Gospel: Luke 1:39-56
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081521-Day.cfm https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/
Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word!
This weekend marks the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And our readings this weekend celebrate Mary’s excellent example as Jesus’ first disciple. Mary serves as an excellent role model for all of us who struggle with living out our faith as disciples in our everyday lives.
In the Gospel, Elizabeth tells Mary, “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:45)
Gosh, there are so many examples in the world around us where that demonstrate a lack of belief in Jesus’ words. I’m not just talking about the shocking number of Catholics who no longer believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Although that’s a biggie. I’m talking about politics and the pandemic.
If we believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, I think a lot less hot air would be shared in this world! Don’t get me wrong, we should be engaged in what is happening around us. But people talk as if politics is the very heart of their being. My brothers and sisters, Mary reminds us that our hope is not in government. Our hope is in Christ alone. Government is a tool.
Another line that pops out at me from the Gospel is, “Mary set out and travelled to the hill country in haste…” (Luke 1:39).
Now here’s Mary. She’s pregnant but runs off “in haste” to see her cousin. Why “haste?” Why did she leave with such urgency and speed?
While we don’t know the specific reasons – we can only speculate – Mary gives us yet another example about our lives as disciples.
Mary has Jesus within her, yet, Jesus is not a gift exclusively for Mary. Mary carries Jesus with her into the world sharing of herself, and by proxy, sharing Jesus with everyone she encounters, in this case, Elizabeth.
As a Catholic, I have the distinct honor and privilege to receive Jesus in the Eucharist every single day! Yes, the Eucharist should nourish us, but the Eucharist is not meant for our benefit alone. Like Mary, we need to go out into the world and bring the gift of Jesus Christ with us. We should bring Jesus with us everywhere we go in-person and online.
Before I share an article about politics or the pandemic online, as someone who has Jesus within, I should ask myself if my example will draw people to Jesus or away from Jesus. Before I complain about our Church leaders – about the Pope or the Bishop – I should ask myself if my comments will draw people toward Jesus or push them away. Before I viscously ridicule any elected official regardless of their politics, I need to ask myself if my words shine the light of Christ or spread the darkness of doubt.
That is a lot to consider. How can we, following Mary’s example, share Jesus in haste? That leads us to homework! Feeling the presence of Christ within us as we listen to the Word and receive the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions. First, do a self-assessment. Do you believe that the way you’ve discussed politics, the pandemic or even the Church are examples of sharing Jesus with others? Second, as you consider Christ within, what grace should you ask Jesus for to help you?
I think doing our homework will help us live as authentic disciples of Christ Jesus! Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you Father, Son and Holy Spirit. +Amen!
You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!
Image: Public domain. Fra Angelico. Visitation. 1433-1434. JPG.
Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Gadenz, Pablo T. The Gospel of Luke. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2018. Kindle.
2. Montague, George T. SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.
Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Mary’s faith: 148, 273
2. Mary, the New Eve, assumed into heaven: 411, 966-71, 974-5, 2853
3. Promise to Abraham: 422, 706
4. Mary, Mother of God: 495
5. John the Baptist: 523
6. Visitation: 717
7. Mary, eschatological icon of the Church: 773, 829, 967, 972
8. Marian devotion: 971
9. Magnificat and Hail Mary: 2097, 2619, 2622, 2675-77
10. At prayer with Mary: 2673-9
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081521-Day.cfm
Mass during the Day
Lectionary: 622
Reading 1
Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
God’s temple in heaven was opened,
and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.
Then another sign appeared in the sky;
it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,
and on its heads were seven diadems.
Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky
and hurled them down to the earth.
Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth,
to devour her child when she gave birth.
She gave birth to a son, a male child,
destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.
Her child was caught up to God and his throne.
The woman herself fled into the desert
where she had a place prepared by God.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed One.”
Responsorial
Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16
R. (10bc) The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
The queen takes her place at your right hand in gold of Ophir.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,
forget your people and your father’s house.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
So shall the king desire your beauty;
for he is your lord.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
They are borne in with gladness and joy;
they enter the palace of the king.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
Reading 2
1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the firstfruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
then comes the end,
when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father,
when he has destroyed every sovereignty
and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death,
for “he subjected everything under his feet.”
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Mary is taken up to heaven;
a chorus of angels exults.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Luke 1:39-56
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”
And Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.”Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.