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Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Vigil Mass
Lectionary: 621
The Church is celebrating the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and this reading is very appropriate. Why?
This reading is about the Ark of the Old Covenant. Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant. Why?
The Ark of the Old Covenant bore within it the Manna, the bread of heaven, Aaron's rod which signifies his high priesthood and the Ten Commandments which are the Word of God (Heb 9:4). Mary bore in her womb the true Bread of Heaven (John 6:51), the true high priest (Heb 3:1), and the word made flesh (John 1:1).
Reading 11 CHR 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2
David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring the ark of the LORD
to the place which he had prepared for it.
David also called together the sons of Aaron and the Levites.
as Moses had ordained according to the word of the LORD.
to appoint their kinsmen as chanters,
to play on musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals,
to make a loud sound of rejoicing.
which 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.
to the place which he had prepared for it.
David also called together the sons of Aaron and the Levites.
David wants to bring the Ark of the Old Covenant 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.
No one could touch the Ark because God forbade it. So, it had to be carried on poles. Only a person without sin could touch the Ark and not die.David commanded the chiefs of the Levites
to appoint their kinsmen as chanters,
to play on musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals,
to make a loud sound of rejoicing.
And the Ark of the Old Covenant was given a great deal of respect and honor. Because it contained within it, symbols of God. And God made His power felt through the ArkThey brought in the ark of God and set it within the tent
which 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.
And the Ark of the Old Covenant, which only had symbols of God within it was held in very high regard by the people of Israel. Much more we show devotion and respect to the Mother of God who carried, not symbols, but God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity in her womb.
Responsorial PsalmPS 132:6-7, 9-10, 13-14
R. (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.
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.
The Ark of the Old Covenant has gone to heaven. There, we will also find the Ark of the New Covenant, Mary, the Mother of God.
Reading 21 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?
The sting of death is sin,
and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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?
The sting of death is sin,
and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus was the first to be resurrected from the dead and the only one to ascend into heaven. Mary was the first to be assumed into heaven body and soul.
GospelLK 11:27-28
While Jesus was speaking,
a woman from the crowd called out and said to him,
“Blessed is the womb that carried you
and the breasts at which you nursed.”
He replied,
“Rather, blessed are those
who hear the word of God and observe it.”
Mary is blessed in both ways. Mary is the quintessential Christian. She always obeyed God and never committed any sin. Therefore, she heard the Word of God and obeyed it perfectly.
Therefore, she is also blessed to be the Mother of God, God was born of her womb and nursed at her breast.
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