A Moment with Mary

Aug 15 - Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven The Holy Ark Enters the Temple of God Today, the Holy Ark, inhabited by the living God, who conceived within herself her Creator, rests in the Lord's temple not made by man. (...)  Today, the Immaculate Virgin, who was undefiled by any earthly passion, but who, according to the divine plan did not return to dust, is placed, as a living heaven, in the heavenly dwellings. (...)  Eve, who gave her assent to the serpent's suggestions, is condemned to the pangs of childbirth and death. Her body was deposed into the earth's womb.  But this truly blessed Virgin, who always gave heed to God's word, who conceived by the Holy Spirit and who, to the wholly spiritual salutation of the Archangel, without sensual pleasure and without union of the flesh, became the Mother of the Son of God; she who gave birth to Him painlessly, she who was consecrated wholly to God: how could death have devoured her? How could hell have received her? How could corruption have invaded that body that was the temple of Life?  For her, the way to heaven was prepared, straight, levelled and easy. If Christ, who is the Truth and the Life said, "Where I am, there too will my servant be," how could his Mother, with stronger reason, not be with him?   Sermon of Saint John Damascene (Or. 2, 2)

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen. From http://www.mariedenazareth.com/1.0.html?&L=1

Posted via email from deaconjohn's posterous