Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Scripture Readings (Mass During the Day)
Today we celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Mary. The readings refer to Mary’s role in salvation history through her “yes” to God. One sentence in particular caught my attention while reflecting on today’s readings. “The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God.” Why would God provide a place in the desert for this “woman” who had just given birth to a son who “was destined to rule all the nations”? Is there something about a desert that reveals God’s presence in our lives? In this time of tribulation and turbulence, could God be leading us into the desert to draw us into a deeper relationship of love and trust?
When I think of God and His revelation in the desert, the story of the Israelites comes to mind. God leads the people away from the Egyptians and into the desert. It is during this time of wandering that God draws the Israelites closer. God provides food and protection, and despite the rejection and complaints of the Israelites, God continues to call them His “chosen.”
Jesus is called to the desert before He begins his ministry. It is during this time that Jesus is tested, but through His prayer and trust in the Father, Jesus emerges from His desert experience convinced of the Father’s love for Him, and His mission to share His“Good News” with the world.
In the gospel reading today, Mary travels to see Elizabeth her cousin who is pregnant with John the Baptist. It is here that Mary proclaims the Magnificat- where she praises God and rejoices in HIs mercy and blessings. Mary recalls how God has remembered the “promise he made to our fathers.” Mary reflects back on how God’s Hand has led the Israelites through the desert and throughout the ages towards this promise of salvation. Her remembrance of the desert experience allows Mary to recognize God’s deep love, and she can therefore step forward in trust to say “yes” to God’s plans for her.
Why is the desert a place that God might use for His beloved? Although I have never lived or stayed in the desert for an extended time, the times that I have visited a desert area revealed expansive areas with minimal vegetation and a sense of isolation with no people or civilization for as far as you can see. To live in a desert you would be unable to survive unless you had someone to provide for your needs. When God leads people into the desert, He removes many of the outside distractions of the world, and reminds His beloved that God alone can and will provide. The beloved learns to trust and believe in God’s deep love and mercy in the midst of the desert emptiness. When you cannot rely on yourself or any other person except God, then you can humbly turn to God and trust in His goodness.
As I reflect on the recent times, in many ways it feels like God has been leading many of us into a desert. Whether it is sickness, job uncertainty, societal unrest, isolation, depression or fear of violence, there is so much around us in our world that makes us feel out of control. Could God be calling us to the desert to remind us that He alone provides all that we need? Is God trying to remove many of the distractions and our own self-inflated ego that tells us that we can do this on our own? Can we be like Mary and reflect on these desert experiences and recognize God’s abundant mercy and love? Once we realize our complete reliance on God, can we join Mary in her praise and “proclaim the greatness of the Lord,” and then head out into the world to share this good news?
Loving Father, Jesus shows us how you call us to be Your beloved. Send down Your Spirit so as we are called into the desert we will be able to trust and believe in your deep love for us. Emboldened by your love, may we say “yes” to you just as Mary did, so our lives may bring Christ to the world. We pray this through Christ our LORD.
AMEN.
Marylynn Herchline