Feast of the Assumption 2024


 This is a picture of Mary's House in Ephesus on the western coast of Turkey.  Tradition says this is the place where Mary was assumed into heaven.  I took this picture in April of 2018 when I went on a pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey.  Did you know that a majority of Catholic pilgrimage sites around the world are in honor of our Blessed Mother?

Today we celebrate the glorious Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a day that commemorates the moment when Mary, at the end of her earthly life, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory. 
This feast is not just a celebration of an event in Mary’s life, but a profound reminder of our own destiny, our own pilgrimage towards eternal life with God.
As we reflect on today’s Gospel from Luke, where Mary sets out on a journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth, we see in her actions a model of what it means to be on a pilgrimage. 
Mary's journey to Elizabeth was no ordinary trip—it was a pilgrimage in the truest sense, filled with purpose, faith, and the presence of God. 
After the angel Gabriel announced that Mary would be the Mother of God, her immediate response was not to retreat into solitude, but to embark on a journey—a pilgrimage to the hill country of Judah to visit her cousin Elizabeth. 
This journey was an act of faith and love, a physical manifestation of her deep spiritual commitment. Mary traveled with haste, driven by the desire to share the good news and to serve her cousin.
This journey wasn’t easy. The terrain was rugged, and the distance was considerable. But Mary’s pilgrimage teaches us that true pilgrimage involves stepping out in faith, trusting in God’s plan, and being willing to face the challenges that come our way. 
Every step Mary took was a step of faith, carrying within her the Word made flesh. 
In this, Mary shows us that every Christian is on a pilgrimage—carrying Christ within us and bringing Him to others.
When Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s home, something extraordinary happened. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child in her womb, John the Baptist, leaped for joy. 
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognized the profound mystery within Mary and exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”
This moment of encounter is a beautiful image of what every pilgrimage should lead to—an encounter with Christ and a deep joy that comes from recognizing His presence in our lives. 
Mary’s visit brought joy not only to Elizabeth but also to the unborn John the Baptist. And in response, Mary offers her Magnificat, a hymn of praise that glorifies God for His faithfulness and mercy.
Mary’s pilgrimage to Elizabeth is a reminder that our pilgrimages—whether they are physical journeys to sacred places or spiritual journeys in our daily lives—are meant to lead us to encounters with God and to moments of profound joy. 
We are called, like Mary, to recognize God’s work in our lives and to respond with praise and gratitude.
Today, as we celebrate Mary’s Assumption, we are reminded of the ultimate goal of our pilgrimage: union with God in heaven. 
Mary’s Assumption is the culmination of her earthly pilgrimage, a journey that began with her “yes” to God and continued through every moment of her life. 
Because of her faithful pilgrimage, she was taken up into heaven, body and soul, as a sign of what awaits all of us who follow Christ.
Mary’s Assumption gives us hope. It shows us that our pilgrimage on earth is not in vain. If we, like Mary, remain faithful to God, our journey will lead us to eternal life with Him. 
The Assumption reminds us that heaven is our true home, and that Mary, our Mother, is already there, interceding for us and guiding us on our way.
As we reflect on the life of Mary, let us see in her a model for our own pilgrimage. We, too, are called to carry Christ within us and to bring Him to others. 
We are called to face the challenges of our journey with faith and to trust that God is leading us toward our ultimate destination—union with Him in heaven.
Let us also remember that Mary’s pilgrimage did not end with her Assumption. Even now, she continues to journey with us, interceding for us, and helping us to stay on the path that leads to eternal life. 
As we honor her today, let us ask for her guidance and protection on our pilgrimage of faith, so that one day we, too, may be welcomed into the glory of heaven.
May Mary, our Mother and our guide, pray for us and lead us ever closer to her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.


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