Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary August 15

Lectio

    Luke 1:39–56

Meditatio

“And Mary said.…”

    With the quick steps of youth, Mary approaches the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah. I picture a plain, mud-brick wall with a doorway in the middle. The door is open because it’s daytime. As Mary approaches, clucking chickens scatter. She enters, stepping into a dirt-floored courtyard that has rooms on three sides. When she calls out the traditional greeting, Zechariah, who has been dozing against the shaded wall, straightens up, startled. And Elizabeth emerges from the storeroom, her face alight with joy.

    What Luke relates next is very interesting. He tells us that as Elizabeth began to utter those well-known prophetic words, “Blessed are you,” she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Farther on, Luke will tell us that both Simeon and Anna were filled with the Spirit on the day of Jesus’ presentation. However, when Mary breaks into her Magnificat, Luke simply states: “And Mary said.…”

This was pointed out to me years ago, and I still marvel at it. The Spirit, who, like the wind, usually “blows where it wills” (see Jn 3:8), was inspiring Mary all the time, so Luke does not state: “And, filled with the Holy Spirit, Mary said.…”

    Hers was a special grace, of course. We could never hope to attain a union with the Holy Spirit as close as Mary’s. Yet each of us can grow in holiness. Through Mary’s intercession, let us ask the Spirit for an increase of faith, hope, love, and the gifts that will make us receptive to his inspirations. We can ask for the graces we need in order to correct what we know needs correction. And, because we never know ourselves fully, we can also ask for those unknown graces by which God wants to realize the dream he has for us.

Oratio

    Mary, Mother of Jesus and my mother, obtain for me a strong devotion to the Holy Spirit. Intercede for me with the Spirit, that I may develop a firmer faith, a brighter hope, a more ardent love for God and others. Ask the Spirit to make me more sensitive—more receptive—to the light and strength he wants to give me day by day. I know I need these graces (name them), and I also ask for the graces the Spirit is ready to give that I’m unaware of needing. I want to be a better witness to Jesus, your Son and my Brother. Amen.

Contemplatio

    Hail, Mary.…

__

ORDINARY GRACE Weeks 18–34: Daily Gospel Reflections (By the Daughters of St. Paul)