Daily Reflection Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Every week I sit in the same place in church, front pew left side. In the summer it is for self-preservation. The church is so cold but, in the front, the air conditioning vent is so high up that it blows right over me. But the real reason is because I am sitting under the stained-glass window where two women are greeting each other with great joy.  After receiving the Eucharist, I go back and gaze at the window with thanksgiving. If it was not for this young mother, where would we be?

If you close your eyes and think of the blessed mother, who do you see? Is she young or older, dressed simply or in regal clothing, maybe she has a golden crown. Let me introduce you to a different Mary.

My image of Mary is the young woman in the stained-glass window. She is simply dressed and expecting a child. While she may look like any other young mother to be she is not. She is special. She has found favor with God. God did not pick a rich queen he picked a poor girl. A girl who would feel the movement of the Holy Spirt in her life and responded. In choosing her, God showed a preference for the poor and the little ones. Mary is humble and kind. She is the first disciple, the mother of Jesus and the mother of the church.

In the Magnificat, which is sometimes referred to as the prayer of the poor we hear Mary’s response to God. She proclaims God’s greatness and reminds us of how He looks with favor on the lowly. How He will fill the hungry with good things and cast down the mighty. She then reminds us of God’s promise of mercy. The Magnificat is how Jesus lived his life on this earth. Always caring for the poor and less fortunate. He was forgiving and compassionate. He was always reminding us to care for the poor.

In a world that has great divides between the rich and the poor. A world where there is food insecurity, a world that is lacking compassion, be the difference. Take some time today to pray the Magnificat. Let Mary’s prayer enter your heart and move you to care for the poor and less fortunate in your community. You can be the reason that someone proclaims the greatness of God because of what you have done for them.