August 15, 2025
Luke 1: 39-56
Blessed is She Who Believed
Much like human life, growing in Faith is equally Gift and Mystery; each, a long development across the years.
A historical note in the margin of the Lectionary of today’s Feast of Mary’s Assumption caught my attention. The early 3rd and 4th century Christians told the story of Mary’s “being taken up” to God at the end of her life on earth. Celebrated as a Feast Day in the 5th century, it expanded with a vigil and an octave by the 9th. Only a thousand years later, in 1950, was the doctrine of Mary’s Assumption into Heaven dogmatically defined by Pope Pius XII.
What struck me was the millions of our ancestors, who in each of their lifetimes, have continued to grow into this belief simply, open to the presence and action of God in all of life.
As the oldest person of my four generational family, I watch with intrigue as our youngest uncovers each new capability, inconceivable before now, of her tiny, two-year old body and developing brain. Walking, then climbing; listening, mimicking, learning to speak; endlessly attempting more, all the while, growing more secure. How truly amazing is this common, life-long process for becoming a mature human person.
Faith is something like that. The fullest expression is passed on to us, emerging over time by pondering these same Scriptural texts:
Revelations 11 establishes GOD, the CREATOR of all Life, the Victor over death.
Mary, our earthling sister, is recognized as the woman described as a “sign” from God. She, the Mother of Jesus our Risen Lord, proceeds safely in God’s care. Her child, saved by GOD, prepares us for the mysteries of Easter and Ascension….
1 Corinthians identifies Jesus, the Son of God, Risen Lord, Savior and Human in whom birth death and resurrection came….. this same Jesus is declared “first-fruit” of all creation. Hence, we understand he would be followed by the generations of humanity.
Luke 1 recalls Mary who knew, at some deep level of her being, her entire life was in God’s hands. Reassured by the angel of God, she carries the new life of her child with confidence into the world. The elder, Elizabeth, feels great joy, that familiar sign of God’s presence in memorable human events. “Blessed are you,” she says to Mary, for her faith and hope in God’s promises.. Subsequent generations join Mary, affirming and proclaiming the greatness and goodness of God in her life and theirs.
As God’s believing people, we arrive here in our time, knowing more deeply, that we too, will have life after our time on earth. Never able to imagine how, yet we come full of confidence that what was done for Mary, the God Goodness and Life will do also for us.
This is our faith, strong enough to sustain the whole journey – through living, through dying and beyond.
How blessed are we! How blessed are all who have believed this enduring, evolving mystery of Life-ever-lasting.
Luke 1: 39-56
Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”
Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
The Gospel of the Lord
Meet Sister Nancy Rowen, SNDdeN
