The Blessed Virgin Mary: Image of our future glory
august 15, 2025 | feast of the assumption of mary, Year C
Revelation 11: 19a; 12:1-6a, 10 ab; 1Corinthians 15: 20-27; Luke 1:39-56.
We celebrate this Friday, August 15, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As Catholics, we believe that Mary was taken body and soul into heavenly glory. Mary’s body, the woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and whose head was crowned with twelve stars in the Book of Revelation, did not know corruption as she was conceived without original sin. This enabled our Blessed Virgin Mother to be free from the consequences of original sin, which include the corruption of the body after death. The Assumption of Mary holds a profound meaning and purpose for our lives as believers.
In Mary’s Assumption, Christ’s work is fulfilled.
The role of Mary, the new Eve, and the Queen Mother is already highlighted in the beginning of the Bible as she anticipated as the woman who will humiliate and defeat Satan in Genesis 3:15. This is magnified in today’s first reading (Revelation 11) as we see the triumph of the Woman who gave birth to a child in spite of the threat of the red dragon. Salvation and power have now come and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed One is now with us. Whatever Christ achieved through his life, death and resurrection is fulfilled in the Assumption, which is the anticipation of the resurrection of the body of all believers. Our Blessed Mother’s Assumption helps us to believe that we will be raised and glorified in heaven body and soul. No wonder, in 1 Corinthians 15: 20, we read:
“Brothers and sisters, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
Like Mary, we are invited to live a life that honors both body and spirit. Mary’s Assumption gives us hope for a great future.
Mary, our Queen of Heaven
As we celebrate the Assumption, we remember Mary's role as the one who is exalted among women (Luke 1:28, 41) as well as Queen of Heaven (Revelation 12:1-6). We reflect on her unique relationship with Christ and her intercessory power, which is expressed in John 2:5 and John 19:26. Think of that, Jesus gave us his own Mother to be our Mother and Mary’s role is to lead us to Christ.
Mary as an example of all virtues
The Blessed Mother’s life is an inspiration for all believers. From the incarnation to cross as well her entire life, we learn a life of faith, humility, gratitude, and obedience to God's will, culminating in a life of holiness and deeper relationship with God.
O Mary, Queen of heaven, pray for us!
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac.
Living the Gospel: The Eucharist - Gathering for Mass
Coming together as a community of believers helps us to form a family at the heart of our Sunday worship. We gather because we would like to come together as one body, ready to listen and break bread together. This needs to create a sense of friendship and brotherhood. We should always remind ourselves that, the one who has summoned us to the celebration of the Eucharist. Let's become a welcoming community.
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac