OMELIE / Omelie EN

15 ago 2025

15/08/2025 - Assumption of Mary into Heaven

15/08/2025 - Assumption of Mary into Heaven

First reading Rev 11:19; 12:1-6,10 from Psalm 44 Second reading 1 Cor 15:20-26 Gospel Lk 1:39-56

The mystery we contemplate today is joyful, beautiful, and full of hope, because it keeps our eyes fixed on heaven, where we see the fulfilment of God's promises. We ask ourselves: why then does the Word dwell on the dramatic image of the dragon persecuting the woman and her child, even before he is born? Yes, we are journeying towards a bright and glorious goal, but on this journey we encounter difficulties and dangers, obstacles that would prevent us with all their might from reaching our destination. We will not delude ourselves; we will be realistic, just as Jesus said: be as simple as doves, but as prudent as serpents! We have been preceded on our journey, and all the stages are marked out.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, has travelled the path that the Church is travelling with her and behind her. Mary's fidelity to the Word of God and her loving obedience to the Father's plans were accompanied by the cross of Jesus, her Son. Before the woman who gives birth to her son stands a red dragon, a colour that makes it more threatening, with its frightening heads and its tail that can only bring harm and death. Precisely because Mary gives birth to the Son, Man-God, her enemy stands before her, and so every time the Church wants to give the world a taste of Jesus' presence, it is attacked by the violence of the evil one.

Today we are living this mystery, but we are living it together with the Woman who does not allow herself to be overcome by fear: she remains obedient to God and seeks refuge in the desert, retreating to a place where she cannot be bought by anyone and where no one can prevent her from continuing to be a mother. The Church too, aided by the many saints whom God raises up in her, does not give in to fear in times of persecution, but continues to look to her Lord in an even more intimate and precise way.

Mary is an elected member of the Church and its figurehead. Mary and the Church share the same fate. The Church is proud to have such a confident, humble and holy mother, faithful even in persecution: it takes example and encouragement from her.

In her song of praise to God, which is presented to us today in the Gospel, Mary shows her awareness that living close to God leads us to be at odds with the world. In the world there are the powerful, the proud, the rich who are greedy at the cost of being unjust: Mary knows this, but she is not scandalised by their behaviour. She sees that above them there is the love of God, who intervenes in favour of the humble, the poor, the oppressed. She is happy to share her life with these people abandoned to God's mercy and faithfulness. She is happy to be at the service of God, who wants to manifest his presence as Father and friend of men to the world. In her canticle, she tells us of her profound joy at the being of God, a God who is saviour, who has become her son.

In Mary's heart there is nothing but love for God, a love that is manifested in proclaiming his greatness and in being content with him. Mary rejoices because God exists and because He is as He is. Mary sees God's love for suffering men, a love that is not generic but personal. She herself knows that she is loved by Him and considered, not because she is great and famous, but because she is humble and placed in silent and hidden service.

With her canticle, Mary accompanies us in the difficulties that faith and fidelity to the Lord encounter. Sustained by Mary's certainties, we continue to serve Jesus, to love him, to follow him, even when we see all the deceptions of the red dragon and when some of his claws cause us suffering. We will recite Mary's canticle to support our brothers and sisters who, whether in their families, at work, or even in their leisure time, must struggle not to let their faith and love for Jesus be torn away from them. When their faith and love for Jesus are undermined, their communion as brothers and sisters is also undermined, and their joy and ours is undermined. We will look to Mary, who, already in glory above all the saints, sees us and invites us to continue with perseverance the journey we began with our baptism.

Mary, you await us beyond the persecutions you endured and pray to your Son to forgive us and clothe us in his humility. You will intercede so that we may become his witnesses with joy in our hearts and exultation in our spirits. Grant that together with you we may give him all honour and glory!