Clergy Notes — Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 13, 2023

This week’s Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary sees the completion of the work of God’s grace in the life of Mary of Nazareth, and holds before us the vision of what that grace will complete in our lives too. Mary has lived a life of faithful obedience, openness to God, saying yes, not only to the angel at the Annunciation, but day by day: in her life with Joseph, in her bringing up the infant Jesus, in her following his mission, in her standing at the foot of the cross with St John, in her waiting in prayer in the upper room with the apostles for the coming of Holy Spirit. A yes that demands great cost, the sword which pierced her heart, but a yes to which God responds with his own Yes: at her death Mary enters the fullness of resurrection life.

St Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1, ‘In Jesus Christ every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen’, to the glory of God.’ Let us pray for grace, that, like Mary, we may say yes to God day by day, that we may be bearers of God’s love in our daily living, and that we may be ready for God’s Yes to us, to share fully in the resurrection life, here and hereafter.

Sing the chiefest joy of Mary
when on earth her work was done
and the Lord of all creation
brought her to his heavenly home:
Virgin Mother, Mary blessed,
raised on high and crowned with grace,
may thy Son, the world’s redeemer,
grant us all to see his face.

George Timms (1910-1997) NEH185

Every blessing,
Fr Kevin

Download the Liturgy at Home booklet for Sunday, August 13, 2023