15 August 2010
Greeting
Glory and honor to our Risen Lord,
whose victory over death
was shared first by her
who was closest to him,
his Mother, the Virgin Mary.
May her Son, the Lord Jesus, be always with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant (Three Options)
A. Faithful To The Word
We are happy to celebrate today Mary’s Assumption. Here is someone we love very much, someone who lived our everyday life in a way that totally responded to God’s plan. If only we too, like Mary, could recognize in the events and tasks of every day the Word and the call of God! In this Eucharist let us ask Jesus that like Mary we may be close to him and that she may inspire us to be completely open to the Lord.
(or)
B. Mary Victorious With Her Son
On today’s feast of the Assumption we honor Mary not merely for a great privilege. We celebrate God’s victory in her faith, her poverty, and her unassuming service. As she was sure of God’s love, her faith prompted her to accept the unexpected. Humbly and without reservation she served God’s plans. She followed her Son in his life and his passion. This is why she is the first of all believers and the model of what the Church is called to be and what is in store for us. This is why she was the first to share in the total victory of her Son over death and is with him in heaven, body and soul. Let us thank God today for Mary.
(or)
C. Mary’s Song Is Also Ours
Today we rejoice for one of us who has reached her destination. It is Mary’s great feast, the feast of her Easter, Our Lady’s Assumption. On earth she went the way of Jesus, she lived the beatitudes wholeheartedly, and now she shares in Jesus’ glory. The Assumption is for us a sign of hope. It reminds us that we too are called to share with her in Jesus’ victory if we are willing to share with her in the humble faith and service of the poor and the lowly in the kingdom of God. Let us celebrate!
First Reading Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
A reading from the book of Revelation
God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems. Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth. She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne. The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed One.”
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Psalms 45:10, 11, 12, 16
Response: The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
The queen takes her place at your right hand in gold of Ophir.
Response: The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,
forget your people and your father’s house.
Response: The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
So shall the king desire your beauty; for he is your lord.
Response: The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
They are borne in with gladness and joy; they enter the palace of the king.
Response: The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 15:20-27
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians
Brothers and sisters: Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for “he subjected everything under his feet.”
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Luke 1:39-56
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, Lord.
Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 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. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.” Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
