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15th August  

Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady and Independence Day of our Country

READ:  Rev 11: 19-12:6, 10; 1 Cor 15: 20-27; Lk 1: 39-56;

REFLECT: God sets us free...

Dear friends today we have dual celebration; one is of mother earth that is Independence Day of our nation and the other is of mother church that is the solemnity of the Assumption of our Lady. The dual celebration calls us for raising our hearts and minds to God in gratitude and joy for uplifting us from various forms of harms and dangers, granting us the freedom to celebrate the independence day of our country and as well as making us all understand that Just as Mary is raised above from earth to heaven, so also we would be raised from earth to heaven by the grace of God. Therefore, based on the liturgy of the word, I would like to share with you three points of reflection.

1.     God sets us free

We all like to be free in life especially free from evil, haunting memories of life or miserable conditions of life. Because freedom from things that cause pain and worries give us satisfaction, contentment and above all makes us feel we are free. However, in the process experiencing freedom from evil, it’s God who gives us a way out.  The first reading presents to us the second part of John’s vision… a pregnant woman clothed with the sun, she is at the pangs of giving birth to a child, the dragon is waiting to devour the new born child, the woman flees to the wilderness a place prepared by God as the child is caught up by God to his throne. The angel fights with the dragon, rejoices over the defeat and proclaims salvation, the power and kingdom of God has come upon. 

The vision of the first reading is a mere depiction of the great victory that was won over by the angel of God against the devil. We all of us experience warfare in life. It could be spiritual, emotional, physical, economical or social or psychological warfare. It is at the time of warfare in life that we tend to give up life so easily or lightly. Remember Just as God has prepared a place for the woman to flee, so also has prepared each one of us a place to flee. Probably the place could be God’s heart or good people’s heart. If we could take shelter in his heart the warfare of life could be welfare to oneself and others.  So let us take shelter in the hearts of our God.

2.     Jesus has set us free:

Jesus has set us free from the uncertainties of life that there is life after death. The life after death would be a renewed life in the Lord. That’s what we hear from the second reading that Jesus is the first who has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. In Adam all experienced death but in Jesus Christ we are all made alive. Jesus becomes the pioneer to show us the experience of resurrection from the dead. Because God raised Jesus from death, we are certain that we shall also be raised from death like Jesus and death can no more have power over us. So Jesus’ resurrection guarantees our resurrection too.

For all of us as born human beings, we have fear of death. Whenever we hear or see someone dying, the next thought would be who is next or when would be mine? But Jesus sets us free from such anxieties and worries of human life, giving us all a hope of new life and making us all strong to face death. For us Christians, death is not just an end rather another movement towards new life in the Lord. So let us be courageous and be confident enough to face the uncertainties of life. For whatever it may be, Jesus will set us free.

3.     Mary – the first one to be set free

Mary our dear mother was set free from all the bondages and boundaries. Because, she was to bring forth a savior into the world. Because she bore Christ in her womb, Mary is blessed and the blessedness of life was a gift of God to Mother Mary. In today’s Gospel we hear the words of blessings from the mouth of Elizabeth to Mary… “Blessed are you among women… Blessed is the fruit of your womb… blessed is she who believed what was spoken by the Lord would be fulfilled”…. After the words of blessings and unspeakable joy from the mouth of Elizabeth, we hear the song of Magnificat from Mother Mary. The song of magnificat is a song of praise and glory to God for all the mighty and magnificent things God has done to Mary. In fact, the song of Mary implies that she is blessed because of God’s blessings, without his blessings she can never be called as blessed. All that Mother Mary is because of God’s mercy, God’s greatness, God’s richness and God’s remembrance.

Today we need to realize if we are all blessed in the sight of God or everyone, it is not because of our merit but the merit of divine blessings and undivided love of God over us. Blessing of God makes us great, rich and successful in all that we do. So let us acknowledge like Mary, the Goodness of God and good things that God has done to us, enjoy the gift of freedom responsibly and joyfully by the blessings of God. Mother Mary had a freedom to blessed or otherwise… Mother Mary had the freedom to go and help Elizabeth her cousin or otherwise. Even in this free choice, Mother Mary chooses what can go well with her by the plan of God.

Therefore, the double celebration of the day gives us a reminder to the freedom of life we live. Yes, everyone is free but when we choose the freedom of life according to the plan of God, we are set free from all bondages and boundaries. As citizens of the mother earth we are free to do what we like, but if we act according to the plan of God, the mother earth will be set free from all its bondages. As Christians and children of God we are free to be what we like but if we do what pleases the Lord according to his plan, we shall be set free from all bondages of life.  Like Mother Mary who was set free from all sins and stains, harms and dangers, let us also set ourselves free by adhering to the plan of God. May God set our country and church free from all evil and peril. 

As Pope Francis very beautifully said, “It is Mary's humility that attracted God’s gaze to her. God does not exalt us because of our gifts, our wealth or great skills, but because of humility. God loves humility. God lifts up the one who lowers him or herself, the one who serves.” Yes, let us with humility humble ourselves, so that we be raised above as God's children and favoured one always. Let us set free ourselves from the vices of pride and arrogance and clothe ourselves in the virtue of humility and gentleness, purity and faithfulness like Mary. 

RESPOND:

What is our attitude towards freedom that we obtained by Christ?

What is the attitude towards the freedom that our freedom fighters and national leaders sought after for our country?

Is freedom meant to be free totally or does it mean doing it freely, knowingly, willingly and joyfully without watering down the purpose and the gift of life received from God?

Let our freedom of life be based on the plan of God. Let us know the truth –GOD, He will set us free from every bondages and boundaries that hamper our growth.

“We have the freedom to do good or evil. But to choose evil is not to use but to abuse our freedom. Let us renounce this unhappy freedom. Let us subject our free will forever to divine love. Let us become slaves of love in which slaves are happier that the kings.” (St. Francis De Sales, TLG, Book XII, Ch. 10)

Happy Feast and Happy Independence Day.

God bless us all. Live Jesus!