Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Luke 1: 39-56
August 15, 2025 | Friday

Today’s Gospel

Mary then set out for a town in the hill country of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, giving a loud cry, said, “You are most blessed among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you, who believed that the Lord’s word would come true!”

And Mary said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God, my savior!

He has looked upon his servant, in her lowliness, and people, forever, will call me blessed.

The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is his Name!

From age to age, his mercy extends to those who live in his presence.

He has acted with power and done wonders, and scattered the proud with their plans.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and lifted up those who are downtrodden.

He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.

He held out his hand to Israel, his servant, for he remembered his mercy, even as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”

Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned home.

Today’s Reflection

We know that the book of Revelation is replete with symbolism. The vision presented with the “Woman giving birth and the Dragon” struggling against one another. The context is the struggle of the Church against the Roman Empire with its demand for the emperor to worship as a god. Despite the threat, Christians were willing to die for the faith. And the subsequent texts reassure the faithful of the final victory. For Christians, the symbolism “the Woman” becomes the “earthly Mother of the Saviour,” who became, in tradition as, the “great sign from heaven,” “Mother of the Church,” who will “triumph over evil.” The assurance of the victory of Mary and her children keeps alive the hope of the infant church.

The Assumption of Mary must be put into proper perspective. Mary is the firstborn from the dead after her Son. Mary, after her Son, is the first because she is part of His body, the Church; Her perfection is won by her Son and also for all of us. The Church’s pronouncement on the Assumption of Mary is a fitting regard for the Blessed Virgin Mary, the first disciple. It asserts that she is the first to share the saving value of Christ’s activities. There    are        many       commentaries and Reflection on today’s Gospel, the “Magnificat” of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The most important about today’s celebration is her “joy and thanksgiving for God’s gift” to her. Her first concern when visiting her elderly relative, Elizabeth, is to share or proclaim God’s goodness not only to herself but also to the people of Israel. In order also to share that God has visited His people, God’s faithfulness to His promises. For a simple peasant girl, though she belongs to the lineage of David, it is wonderful and overwhelming for Her to be the recipient of that message. However, she received the message of the Angel in faith. It is not about Mary but about God’s goodness and care that we celebrate. This loving and caring God is the most resounding theme of the whole Scriptures and separates us from the rest.

/Vulnerasti, 2025