Some time ago a person was troubled that he might love Mary, the mother of Jesus, too much. The counsel was given him that he can't love Mary any more than her Son does! Today the Church celebrates the fact that, at the moment of her death, Mary was assumed into Heaven. Her body had carried the Savior of the world in the flesh, and so she was preserved from the corruption of the tomb.

Jesus ascended into Heaven by His own power and authority; Mary was assumed into Heaven only by Her Son's grace and power. She was, after all, His first and best disciple. She loved Him longer than anyone else; she knew that He is the Messiah, the Redeemer, the Christ of God before anyone else; she taught Him to pray when He was young; she followed Him in His public ministry; she stood by Him on the way of the Cross. However, when someone suggested to Jesus that Mary was especially blessed, His response was direct: "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and follow it." He knew that His mother had heard the word of God and unhesitatingly followed it, and wished the same for all. May we, in the image of Mary, be true disciples of the Lord, so that we might also taste His victory over death as did Mary at the moment of her assumption. Happy feast day to all Believers, who will follow Jesus and His mother into the glories of Heaven.

August 15, 2013
Msgr. William J. King