Assumption

Tomorrow we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, a remembrance of the Virgin Mary's entrance into Heaven. I always remember this feast day because it corresponds with the birthday of my younger sister Megan (Happy Birthday Megan!!!).

The Gospel reading for the feast day is the Magnificat. A poem/prayer proclaimed by Mary when she was greeted by her cousin Elizabeth (John the Baptist's mom). This is a rare time in the Gospels where a conversation, especially of a theological nature, between two women is remembered. It is a song of reversal, saying that the proud, the confident, and the powerful will be humbled and the lowly raised up. Reid (1996) writes, "Mary's song ends on the confident note that God has promised mercy not only to our ancestors, but to all of their descendants, women and men of faith (p. 77)."

Some scholars believe that the text of this song/prayer may come from a lullaby sung by Israeli mothers to their children. Not in the sense of social justice brainwashing... but that this song encapsulates a great deal of what the community of lower-class Jews believed about the faithfulness and mercy of their God. It makes sense that God the Father would choose to have his Son born into this community. Thus, it's no secret why Jesus was so radically committed to social justice, his mother had taught him solid values!

Here is the text of the prayer:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.”

Now imagine that you were a powerful and misguided (perhaps flat out corrupt) ruler who had abandoned your commitment to God. Imagine how terrifying it would be to know that the women of your territory had begun to sing this song to their children. You might as well start packing your bags.

This Gospel begs us to ask ourselves some tough questions. Have we forgotten the faithfulness and mercy of God? Are we the voice proclaiming God's goodness to the world? Are we committed to teaching our children sound values?

Happy Assumption! Peace turtles!

Reid, B. E. (1996). Choosing the Better Part?: Women in the Gospel of Luke. Collegeville, MN:Michael Glazier Liturgical Press.