Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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.”

I’ve been thinking lately about the power that rested upon Mary after her life-changing encounter with the angel Gabriel.
It must have been amazing.

In today’s gospel, all Mary did was enter the house and say hello and the Spirit fell on Elizabeth with such a force that the baby in her womb started doing cartwheels and she began shouting out the extraordinary revelations she was receiving. It was understanding just Who Mary was carrying in her womb that overwhelmed Elizabeth, a direct revelation from the Spirit who flowed like a river in Mary’s presence. In the charismatic language of today we might say that Mary was one seriously anointed woman. It must have been something just to be near her. Mary, who Luke later points out was present with the disciples at Pentecost, is the woman of the Spirit.

Perhaps that’s why today we celebrate the mysterious Feast of the Assumption. On this day we remember that Mary knows already the fulfilment of the promise that is held out to all those filled with the Spirit of God: the resurrection of our bodies into life in the presence of the Most High. Assumed into the glory of that Presence, Mary is an intercessor for us, powerful in the Spirit, a mother like no other, the dearest of friends.
Don’t hesitate to ask her to pray for your deep need today. She would love to help.