Feast of the Assumption

We want to honour our parents.  You saw (and hopefully still see) that desire in the eyes of your young children, as they looked to you with such trust, offering the flower, the shell or the picture they drew.  As we grow older, conflicts can arise with our own parents but the deep-seated urge is still there, which is why such conflict is so painful.

Jesus honoured his parents – both God his Father and Mary his human mother.  Even beyond death he honoured her.  This Friday is the Feast of the Assumption in which we recall and celebrate that Mary’s body, after death, was taken to heaven to be with Jesus in his risen and glorious state.  Our heads find it hard to get around the meaning of this Feast but our hearts understand:  Jesus wants to continue to honour his mother, who had shown him such honour here on earth.  This glory that he gives to her is a sign to us of the ultimate glory he wishes to give us.  We are made for glory, we are made to give and receive honour.

Aside from Jesus and Mary, there is no perfect parent-child relationship but the desire for a deep, rich and trusting relationship with our parents remains with us.  Let us pray to Jesus and Mary, that through the maze of life, we may find, in the coming days, ways honour and love our parents. And, if we are parents, may we love our children in a way that draws out their honour.

Loving Father, as we celebrate the honour Jesus gave to Mary his mother, show us how we can celebrate and honour each other within our families.  We ask this in his name, confident that you will hear us.

Sr Kym Harris osb