What could we possibly have in common with Mary, the Mother of God?

  On August 15, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commemorating her being raised, body and soul, into heaven. 

   Over the centuries, we have revered Mary (and that deep respect and honor is certainly merited) to a point where many of us forget that she is (was) a flesh and blood human, just like us.

   Mary knew what it was like to feel joy, share in laughter, love with abandon. She got sick with the best of us; she mourned the deaths of family and friends. Mary suffered uncertainty, doubt, fear and anxiety.

She lost her beloved husband, Joseph, and then watched as her only son, Jesus, was tortured and then put to an ignoble death on a cross.

   When Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 12:49-53), Elizabeth notes that God had “disposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places,” speaking, of course, of Mary.

   Mary wasn’t a queen or an empress living a perfect life in a palace, surrounded by servants, riches and opulent luxury. Mary might not have lived in dire poverty, but, like most of us, she wasn’t deemed as rich in material belongings. Her husband worked hard as a carpenter; Mary worked just as hard beside him tending their home and raising Jesus.

   Mary was rich in all the things that mattered 

   Mary’s unshakable faith made her remarkable, and her heart was filled to overflowing with love – of God, family and others. Even though life handed her some very human rough times, her faith in God never wavered.

   Mary was a simple girl from an insignificant part of the world, at a rather unimportant point in history, when God chose to be the mother of His son. Of course, God raised her body and soul to greater glory in heaven.

   On this celebration of Mary’s assumption into heaven, let’s continue to revere Mary in her glory, but let’s also honor her in her humanity. 

   As awesome as the Mother of God is, we shouldn’t forget that she’s also one of us. Mary serves as an example to us all that with God, all things are possible. 

   Her trust in the Lord never wavered; we can only try our hardest to do the same. 

By Debbie Bosak