Daily Readings, August 15, 2012, Vigil Mass

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 621

The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of God.  On this day, we anticipate her Assumption into heaven on Aug. 15.

This Mass is celebrated on Aug 14 between 3 and 10pm.

Reading 1 1 Sm 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2

David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring the ark of the LORDto the place which he had prepared for it.David also called together the sons of Aaron and the Levites.

David announced to all Israel that the Ark of the Covenant would be brought to Jerusalem.

The Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders with poles,as Moses had ordained according to the word of the LORD.

The priestly class, the Levites, carried the Ark with poles on their shoulders according to the instructions God gave Moses.

David commanded the chiefs of the Levitesto appoint their kinsmen as chanters,to play on musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals,to make a loud sound of rejoicing.

David commanded the Priests to sing and rejoice as they carried the Ark.

They brought in the ark of God and set it within the tentwhich David had pitched for it.Then they offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings to God.When David had finished offering up the burnt offerings and peace offerings,he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

When they arrived at their destination, the Priests placed the Ark where King David had prepared.  Then they made sacrifices to God and King David blessed the people of Judah in the name of God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 132:6-7, 9-10, 13-14

Response. (8) Lord, go up to the place of your rest, you and the ark of your holiness.

Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
Let us enter his dwelling,
let us worship at his footstool.

R. Lord, go up to the place of your rest, you and the ark of your holiness.

May your priests be clothed with justice;
let your faithful ones shout merrily for joy.
For the sake of David your servant,
reject not the plea of your anointed.

R. Lord, go up to the place of your rest, you and the ark of your holiness.

For the LORD has chosen Zion;
he prefers her for her dwelling.
"Zion is my resting place forever;
in her will I dwell, for I prefer her."

R. Lord, go up to the place of your rest, you and the ark of your holiness.

It is a beautiful mystery with which the Protestants wrestle more than anyone.  Why did God prefer Mary to any other woman?  As for me, it has to do with the mystery of "predestination".  Mary was predestinated to be the Mother of God.  Therefore God prepared her for that duty from the moment she was conceived.

And then, after He ascended into heaven, He wanted to bring her to Himself.

Reading 2 

1 Cor 15:54b-57

Brothers and sisters:When that which is mortal clothes itself with immortality,then the word that is written shall come about:
Death is swallowed up in victory.Where, O death, is your victory?Where, O death, is your sting?

St. Paul is talking to the brothers and sisters of Corinth.  He is explaining what will happen when those who die in a state of righteousness will be exchange their mortal bodies for their spiritual bodies.

The sting of death is sin,

Personally speaking, I would say this the other way around.  The sting of sin is death.  In other words, when you are stung by mortal sin, your soul dies.  But perhaps what he means is that one who is stung by sin is dead?

and the power of sin is the law.

 I would also say this the other way around.  The power of the law is over sin.  In other words, the law reveals that which is sin.  In other words, the law would not exist except to reveal the sin:

Romans 3:20
King James Version (KJV)
²⁰ Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

But thanks be to God who gives us the victorythrough our Lord Jesus Christ.

But Jesus Christ gave us the victory of sin.  Thanks be to God!

Gospel Lk 11:27-28

While Jesus was speaking,a woman from the crowd called out and said to him,"Blessed is the womb that carried youand the breasts at which you nursed."He replied,"Rather, blessed are thosewho hear the word of God and observe it."

For some strange reason, many Protestants interpret this as a rebuke of Mary.  They never consider that if this is Jesus rebuking Mary, then He is contradicting His Father who sent an Angel to declare that Mary is blessed among all women.

On the contrary, Jesus is here confirming Mary's blessedness because she is the one who did the will of God perfectly.

Sincerely,

De Maria