To Mirror Mary’s Longing (Bede)

Series: Trinitytide

August 15, 2018
Fr. Vaughn Treco

180815 - Homily - To Mirror Mary’s Longing (Bede)

Episode Notes

Homily - To Mirror Mary’s Longing (Bede)

On this day the Church celebrates, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. In this homily I offer to you the words of Saint Alphonsus de Liguori for your contemplation.

HOW PRECIOUS was the [the glorious sleep] of Mary! [She who longed for nothing other than he, her Lord and God!]

”Blessed are ... those happy souls who pass into eternity already detached, and, so to say, dead to all affection for terrestrial things; and who, like Saint Francis of Assisi, found in God alone all their happiness, and with him could say, ‘My God and my all.’ 

ALL HER THOUGHTS, DESIRES, AND AFFECTIONS were of and for God alone; she never uttered a word, made a movement, cast a glance, or breathed, but for God and His glory; and never departed a step or detached herself for a single moment from the Divine love. Ah, how did all the lovely virtues she had practised during life surround her blessed bed in the happy hour of her [passing]! 

[THE] CERTAINTY OF ETERNAL SALVATION renders [passing from this life] sweet. [For the Saints it is] a short [passage] to an eternal life. 

‘O, how is it, sir, that you announce to me such welcome news, and demand no fee?’ ... 

[WHAT] JOY MUST THE DIVINE MOTHER have felt in receiving the news [of the] approaching [of her passing]...

AND WELL DID SHE HERSELF KNOW that her heart was continually burning with Divine love; ... 

‘Mary, by a singular privilege granted to no other Saint, loved, and was always actually loving God, in every moment of her life, with such ardour, that ...it required a continued miracle to preserve her life in the midst of such flames...

AS DIVINE LOVE GAVE HER LIFE, so did it cause her [passing]; ...

[After the Death, Resurrection and Ascension of her Divine Son, the Blessed Virgin Mary] willingly remained on earth, knowing that such was the will of God, for the good of the Church; but she could not but feel the pain of being far from the presence and sight of her beloved Son, who had ascended to heaven. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” said the Redeemer. 

SINCE MARY LOVED no other good than Jesus, He being in heaven, all her desires were in heaven...

HER SCHOOL WAS ETERNITY for she was always detached and free from temporal possessions. 

HER TEACHER WAS DIVINE TRUTH; for her whole life was guided by this alone. 

HER BOOK WAS THE PURITY of her own conscience, in which she always found occasion to rejoice in the Lord. 

HER MIRROR WAS THE DIVINITY; for she never admitted any representations into her soul but such as were transformed into and clothed with God, that so she might always conform herself to His will. 

HER ORNAMENT WAS DEVOTION for she attended solely to her interior sanctification, and was always ready to fulfil the Divine commands. 

HER REPOSE WAS UNION WITH GOD; for He alone was her treasure and the resting-place of her heart.’ 

[THUS MARY SANG] ”Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest?” Who will give me wings like a dove, that I may fly to my God, and there find my repose?” 

Wherefore being unwilling to defer any longer the so-much-desired consolation of His beloved, behold, He graciously hears her desire, and calls her to His kingdom...

[And so our Holy Mother says to us:]

‘My beloved children, through love for you and to help you my Son left me on this earth. The holy Faith is now spread throughout the world, already the fruit of the Divine seed is grown up; hence my Lord, seeing that my assistance on earth is no longer necessary, and compassionating my grief in being separated from Him, has graciously listened to my desire, to quit this life and to go and see Him in heaven.

NEVER FORGET ME!

In all thy wants call me to thy aid; for I will never forget thee... 

BEHOLD, JESUS IS NOW COME to take His Mother to the kingdom of the blessed...

‘O, Mother, thou already goest to heaven; thou leavest us; give us thy last blessing, and never forget us miserable creatures.’ 

[SO MARY SAYS], 

‘Adieu, my children; I bless you; fear not, I will never forget you.’ 

I bless thee. I leave thee my blessing. Remain in peace...’


DEAREST FRIENDS:

On this Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary...

Let us renew our resolve, to know, love and serve, her Divine Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in this life...

AS SHE KNEW, LOVED AND SERVED HIM in this life, and now enjoys the bliss of his presence in heaven forever!

LET US FOLLOW AFTER HER...And entrust ourselves to her motherly love and care!

O Blessed Virgin, Mother of the Redeemer; You who longed for your Divine Son: Pray for us!

O Lord Jesus Christ, Divine Son of the Blessed Virgin; You who drew near to welcome your holy Mother: Have mercy on us!


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