On this Feast of the Assumption of Mary let us focus on hope. Mary hoped perfectly. She trusted that good would always come from the will of God. Mary hoped as she bore a son not of her husband, fled to Egypt as Herod sought to kill her son, and heard the words of Simeon that her heart would be pierced. Mary hoped when Joseph died and when Jesus left her house to begin his work. Mary hoped when Jesus was rejected by the people, tortured, and put to death. And Mary’s hope came to fruition – Jesus rose from the dead and opened the gates of heaven for us all. For her hope, Mary was preserved from death and corruption and was assumed body and soul into heaven.
Challenge
Let us seek to hope more deeply. We can start by affirming the truth that God loves us personally and perfectly and created us to live in eternal joy with him. Heaven is ours unless we reject it. Next, let us acknowledge our blessings with gratitude. Then let us resolve to accept suffering that comes our way and “offer it up” as prayer for others (especially the poor souls in purgatory). Lastly, let us decide to be hopeful, even if we don’t feel hopeful – “Jesus, I trust in you!”
Go Deeper