“Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting.”
(I Corinthians 15:54b-55)
August 12, 2025
Hello Everyone –
On Friday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is to be observed as a holy day of obligation. While we customarily use the term “assumption” to grapple theologically with Mary’s departure from this earthly plane, it has also been referred to as the “falling asleep” (natale or dormitio) of Mary since being preserved from original sin death was unable to touch her. This is a beautiful image to ponder as we honor Mary Immaculate.
On a regular basis, we have the blessing of encountering the Mother of God in the countless depictions of her:
- perhaps the flawless representations of her in the Christmas creche
- the exquisite visions seen at Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe, Champion …
- some other-worldly icons of her holding the Christ Child, etc.
She is depicted as radiantly beautiful and grace-filled, which she is! But at times she can be seen as remote or removed from us. There can be a tendency at times to look at Mary — the saints as well — and the lives they lived — and erase their humanity — to see only their place now in glory — placed at a distance from us. And in turn it then becomes easy for us to forget what they went through in their daily living.
But for the evangelist Luke, Mary is a real woman who pays a heavy price for her “yes” to God. Through his gospel, we are made aware of some of those moments such as the tension around her pregnancy — a dangerous trip to Bethlehem — the reality of giving birth in a less-than-ideal setting — the desperate escape to Egypt — finally culminating in the helplessness of watching her innocent Son die. And undoubtedly, there were many other moments that were not recorded.
Clearly, Mary is not the quiet bystander she at times is portrayed or seems to be. She is a real woman who knew well the joys and struggles of parenthood, of poverty, of life at its messiest. And lest we forget — she is the one who crushes the head of the serpent. Recall how she is preyed upon by the “dragon” in the Book of Revelation.
Mary is the new Eve!!
In the feast of the Assumption, Luke portrays Mary in a role we might easily overlook — or ever imagine for her. For him, Mary is the first preacher of the gospel message.
The words she says to Elizabeth — the prophetic canticle we call the Magnificat — is the first proclamation of the Gospel. It is anything but a pious ode. A truly prophetic voice, it is a cutting-edge declaration of faithful conviction in the living, creative presence of almighty God.
Mary understands and declares what God will do in Jesus Christ. She knows that in the promise she has received from God history is about to be turned upside down. Furthermore, she knows that she is — herself — the first example of humanity restored to its first innocence. Mary is the lowly one whom God has lifted up. She is the loving daughter on whom God has looked with favor. Mary embodies the good news she proclaims — the Gospel of forgiveness — compassion — humble service to others — and ultimately resurrection itself.
Thus, Mary is our model for living out the gospel call. She provides a pattern to guide our day-to-day routines. As Luke’s gospel recounts, when Mary hears that Elizabeth is pregnant, she does not turn to her own concerns and needs. Rather, she asks what she might do for her cousin, and she responds by acting in love and travels in haste to be with Elizabeth.
May we have the courage to make Mary’s song our own!
As I do for you, please pray for me,
Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob
Archbishop of Milwaukee
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