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Exploring the Sunday and Holy Day Readings
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My spirit finds joy in God my savior.
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Here is a battle scene so full of dramatic details that we can almost see the forces of good and evil lined up against each other. The forces of good are represented by the pregnant woman who is clothed with the sun, standing on the moon, and wearing a crown of twelve stars. The forces of evil are represented by the gigantic flaming red dragon with its seven heads and ten horns. The Church sees this magnificent woman as Mary. The dragon is an ancient symbol for chaos and evil. When the woman gives birth to her son, the infant is "snatched up to God" before the dragon can devour him. The son is the Messiah who has come to vanquish evil.
The woman too is saved from evil. She is given a special place that God has prepared just for her. On this Feast of the Assumption, we celebrate Mary's ascent, body and soul, into heaven.
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If you were a moviemaker, how would you want to dramatize the battle between good and evil? What details from this imaginative reading from Revelation would you like to draw or dramatize? What does the dragon's goal seem to be? How do we know that the dragon has been defeated? What thoughts or feelings do you have about the woman depicted by Revelation?
When we celebrate Mary's assumption into heaven, we are also rejoicing that we too will one day rise body and soul to eternal life. What are some fitting ways to celebrate this wonderful feast day?
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This reading celebrates Christ's victory over death. Paul points out that through Adam, death came. But through Christ came resurrection from the dead. In turn, Mary and all believers share in the victory of Christ.
At the end time, when all hostile powers have been overcome, Christ will hand over the kingdom to God the Father. Today we rejoice in the special gift of Mary's assumption and in the blessings that await us.
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Why do you think our belief in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is so important? How does Christ's victory over death affect us? How might today's readings make a difference to those who grieving about loved ones who have died?
Mary has already followed her Son into heaven. How do you think Jesus might want us to relate to his mother? Why?
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In the first reading, we pictured Mary clothed with the sun and crowned with the stars. Here we see her as a pregnant young woman visiting her cousin Elizabeth in a small town. However, Elizabeth greets Mary as "the mother of the Lord.” The older woman, who will soon give birth to John the Baptist, recognizes that Mary is "blessed among women."
In her song, which we call the Magnificat, Mary rejoices in God's choosing her to be the mother of the Messiah. She sings of God's might to overthrow the rich and the powerful. She exults in God's mercy which will lift up the poor and the lowly. Mary praises God that people of all generations will call her blessed.
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Recall a time when you shared some wonderful news with a family member or a friend. What difference does sharing good news make? How do you think this meeting between Mary and Elizabeth, which we call the Visitation, affected both of them? What connection does Elizabeth point out between the two unborn sons they are carrying?
Who does Mary's song say will be deposed or brought low? Who will be raised? How do we see God's might and mercy in action today?
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| Proclaiming Faith Activity |
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Living the Sunday and Holy Day Readings
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Look back at the first reading to review how the woman the Church sees as Mary is described. Decide how you will use paints, markers, clay, fabric collage or any other art or craft materials to show how you imagine this woman to look.
If you choose, paint or draw the dragon as the enemy of the woman and her unborn son.
Exhibit and explain your completed project.
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With your partner or group, review Mary's Song, the Magnificat, from today's gospel reading. Choose one of the following ways to live the message of Mary's Song. Or, write another way you will do so.
Together compose a song, poem, or prayer praising God for his blessings on yourselves, your families, your parish. Share your composition with others through the parish web site.
Together decide how you will feed the hungry or show respect for the lowly (the homeless, the aged who live alone, the refugees) in your community. |
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For Bibles and other scripture resources, please see the Sadlier religion catalog.
 www.sadlier.com/main.htm
Copyright © 2003
William H. Sadlier, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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