Feast of the Assumption of Mary, Mother of Jesus, Mother of God. It is important for us to remember that we give Mary special honor within the Church because she is the model of discipleship for us. What she did, we should do.
Mary trusted in God’s word. Mary was a simple, peasant teenager when she heard the voice of God speak to her in prayer. Mary wrestled with what God asked of her, but ultimately placed all of her trust in God. As a result, she changed the course of human history as she became the mother of Jesus, the Mother of God. As disciples of Christ, we must be persons of prayer who listen to the voice of God. We can wrestle with what God asks of us but ultimately we should be able to place all of our trust in God as Mary did. Remember that Jesus told us in the Gospels that all who hear the Word of God and do it are mother, and brother, and sister to him.
Mary was faithful to God through suffering. Mary’s life was not easy. No mother wants to see her son become the object of intense hatred, ridicule and abuse. No mother wants to see her son arrested, tortured, and executed. But Mary was faithful to God, faithful to her Son, through all that she suffered. Her faith was vindicated with the resurrection of her Son and with her own assumption into heaven. When life is difficult for us, we must remember the example of Mary and pray that she will help us persevere in faith through all of our suffering.
Mary was a woman of prayer. It was in prayer that Mary first heard the voice of God speak to her. Mary surely had to have been a woman of prayer to sustain her faith through all that she suffered. We can say this because the last time that we see Mary in the Gospels she is at prayer with the other disciples on the Feast of Pentecost. Only a woman of prayer could have lived a life of such deep fidelity, tremendous love, and generosity. If we are to be true disciples of Christ, we must seek Mary’s help to be the persons of prayer that we are called to be.
Pray today to Mary and ask for her help to become better disciples of her Son.