Mary, Model of Discipleship
August 10, 2025
“A woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to [Jesus], ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’” – Luke 11:27-28
This Friday, August 15, is our parish patronal feast of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We have invited the priests and parishioners of all the Midland Area Catholic Community to join us as we celebrate our patronal Vigil Mass on Thursday, August 14, at 7:00, followed by an ice cream reception. This is a Holy Day of Obligation, a wonderful opportunity for us to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus and our mother, and to reconsider what it means to be called Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish and how she can inspire us to live our discipleship in a deeper and more vital way both personally and as a parish community.
“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.’” – Luke 1:38
Mary’s core spiritual disposition is always marked by humble receptivity and gratitude, “Let it be done to me.” In a society centered around self aggrandizement, acquisition, consumerism, and hoarding, Mary shows us the way to center our life around to graciously receiving the good gifts of God, stewarding them to fruition, and sharing them generously. Mary received the word of God given to her by the angel Gabriel, she received the Body of Christ in her own body, and she gave birth to Jesus for the benefit of all of creation and each person in it. This is what it means to be “full of Grace.” Receptivity is not passivity. It is an active engagement with God, neighbor, and all of creation in love. We are called to see the world as Mary saw it, abundantly graced, and to steward and share all of God’s good gifts for the benefit of all, thus giving birth to Christ in our homes, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, area, and nation.
“And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!’” – Luke 1:46
Mary lived a life grounded in the praise and worship of God. Her first words upon seeing her kinswoman Elizabeth were words of praise, her Magnificat. At the wedding at Cana, she intercedes to her son Jesus on behalf of the newly married couple. She is in the upper room praying with her son’s disciples when the Holy Spirit was poured out on Pentecost. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that, “The prayers of the Virgin Mary . . . are characterized by the generous offering of her whole being in faith.” (no. 2622) We are also called to be rooted in prayer and worship. This is why Sunday Eucharist is so vitally important for our personal spiritual growth and the common spiritual life of our parish. When worship of God is not central to our spiritual life, we can fall into mere activism, what theologian Romano Guardini called “superficial eventfulness,” which burns us out and does not satisfy our deepest longing for communion with God and neighbor in love.
“Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother . . . and the disciple whom he loved standing near.” – John 19:25-26
At the sight of the greatest tragedy and triumph in the history of the world, the crucifixion of her son, Mary bravely stood at the foot of his cross, offering her heart in union with Jesus’ compassionate offering of himself to reconcile us to one another and to God. Our lives on this earth are often a “vale of tears,” as we pray in the Marian antiphon at the conclusion of the Church’s Night Prayer and of the rosary. We contend every day with the effects of misunderstanding and separation, selfishness and violence, disease and death. We also experience the joy of love and compassion, charity and generosity, solidarity and kinship. Human life consists of daily dyings and risings. We are called to unite our dyings and risings to the Paschal Mystery of Jesus’ cross and resurrection as Mary did, finding the meaning of our sufferings and joys in Jesus’ death and resurrection, making them fruitful: spreading compassion and giving new life.
“[Jesus’] mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.'” – John 2:5
These are Mary’s last recorded words in the Bible. Through them, she points us to her Jesus. Her example will always lead us to deeper faith in and closer discipleship of her son. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The Virgin Mary most perfectly embodies the obedience of faith.” (no. 148) As people of faith and as a community of faith, we are called to listen to the teachings of Jesus and put them into practice in our lives. We are called to have the courage to let the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Christ change and transform us, so that we can be the change and transformation that this world desperately needs. We are called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus, helping others to listen better to the Lord’s call in their lives and inviting them into the communion of eternal life and love which is the Church.
May this week’s patronal feast of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary be an opportunity for each of us personally and also as a parish family to renew our commitment to Christian discipleship, following the example and asking the intercession of Mary our patron, so that we can truly be the Light of Christ in Larkin Town ship and throughout the Midland area community, shining before all so that all can see in our parish a credible witness of Christ fully alive in our midst and give glory to God!