Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”
Overview
The feast of the Assumption endows Mary, mother of our Lord, with crowns, glory, deference and distinction. The feast of the Dormition, however, reveals that true glory of God is revealed when all earthly power, might and splendour are given up.
Galatians 4:4-7 reminds us of our true identity as children of God. This is the true ground of our being: anything we have become by privilege of birth or human achievement is nothing compared to this deeper identity in which God is born anew in us.
Luke 1:46-55, The Magnificat, the great and glorious hymn of the kingdom of God where power and might and status and outward trappings of success mean nothing; where the lowly are raised, the hungry fed, the oppressed set free. This is the true birth-right of the children of God.
Readings
FIRST READING
Galatians 4:4-7
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
GOSPEL
Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
