from victim to victor
"God Who is mighty has done great things for me, holy is His name." —Luke 1:49
In much of the Western world, this date is associated with victory, the end of World War II. In Catholic liturgical tradition, today's celebration of Mary being taken to heaven is associated with the ultimate victory, Jesus' victory over death and our victory over death through faith in Jesus. United with Jesus, the Church is "a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars" (Rv 12:1). In Jesus, the Church has total victory over Satan, the "huge dragon" (Rv 12:3), and Mary and all those living their Baptisms share in this victory. Today's celebration of Mary's assumption into heaven proclaims the total victory of Jesus. "He has shown might with His arm; He has confused the proud in their inmost thoughts. He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places" (Lk 1:51-52).
Today, on this holy day, the Lord wants to transform you from victim to victor. Today, you can be free from the sins, bitterness, resentments, unforgiveness, self-hatred, and compulsions which have victimized you. Today, in Jesus, you can win victories you had never thought you would win. Mary, assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Prayer: Father, make me the conqueror of the world (1 Jn 5:5).
Promise: "Christ must reign until God has put all enemies under His feet." —1 Cor 15:25
Praise: "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: 'Now have salvation and power come, the reign of our God and the authority of His Anointed One' " (Rv 12:10).
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape The Assumption of Mary on audio AV 81-1 or video V-81.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard L. Klug, February 27, 2003
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 3, 2003