In the Spirit of the Vigil of the Assumption
As we prepare to celebrate the glorious Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, today’s liturgy calls us to reflect on the intimate connection between Mary and the wisdom of God, as expressed in Ecclesiasticus 24:23-31 and Luke 11:27-28. These passages draw our attention to Mary’s unique role in salvation history and the true blessedness that comes from hearing and keeping the word of God.
Ecclesiasticus 24:23-31: Wisdom’s Dwelling in Mary
In Ecclesiasticus 24, Wisdom speaks of her dwelling among men, finding her resting place in Israel, specifically within the confines of the Holy City. The Church has long interpreted these verses as a foreshadowing of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the seat of divine Wisdom, who bore the Incarnate Word in her womb. The Church Fathers, particularly St. Augustine, often expounded on Mary as the “Seat of Wisdom,” a title that highlights her profound connection to divine Wisdom. St. Augustine sees in Mary the perfect embodiment of the Church: “In this Mother of God is the sanctuary of the true temple, the Ark of the Covenant, the Seat of Wisdom” (Sermon 123).
The passage from Ecclesiasticus further describes Wisdom as flowing like a river from the heights, symbolizing the abundance of grace that flows through Mary to all of humanity. St. Bernard of Clairvaux beautifully captures this imagery, calling Mary the “Aqueduct of Grace,” through whom all blessings flow from God to mankind. Mary’s Assumption, then, can be seen as the culmination of this divine plan, where she is taken up into the fullness of that grace, becoming for us a sign of the ultimate destiny that awaits all who are faithful.
Luke 11:27-28: True Blessedness in Obedience
In the Gospel of Luke, we find a woman in the crowd exclaiming, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” Jesus responds, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” This response might seem to diminish the honor given to Mary, but in fact, it elevates her blessedness. St. John Chrysostom interprets this passage not as a correction but as an affirmation of Mary’s supreme blessedness. He writes, “Christ did not say this to shame His Mother, but to show that she is to be more honored for her faith and obedience than for being His Mother” (Homily on Matthew 44).
Mary’s greatness lies not only in her divine maternity but also, and more fundamentally, in her perfect obedience to God’s will. From her Fiat at the Annunciation to her silent presence at the foot of the Cross, Mary exemplifies the true disciple who hears the word of God and keeps it. St. Augustine also comments on this passage, stating that Mary “first conceived Christ in her heart by faith before she conceived Him in her womb” (Sermon 215). Her physical motherhood is indeed a source of great honor, but it is her spiritual motherhood, her unwavering faith and obedience, that makes her truly blessed.
The Vigil of the Assumption: A Call to Imitate Mary
As we stand on the threshold of the Assumption, these readings invite us to contemplate Mary’s role in salvation and her example of perfect discipleship. The Assumption is not merely a celebration of Mary’s unique privilege; it is also a call for us to follow her example. Just as Mary was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory, we are called to set our hearts on the things above, to hear the word of God and keep it, so that we too may one day share in that glory.
The Church Fathers, with their profound insights into the Scriptures, continually remind us that devotion to Mary is always Christocentric. As St. Irenaeus wrote, “The glory of Mary is a reflection of the glory of her Son.” Thus, in honoring Mary, especially as we prepare for her Assumption, we honor Christ, who is Wisdom incarnate, and we seek to align our lives with the divine wisdom that Mary so perfectly embodied.
May this Vigil of the Assumption deepen our love for the Blessed Virgin and inspire us to greater fidelity to God’s word, so that, like Mary, we may be blessed by hearing and keeping the word of God.
This reflection on today’s readings in light of the approaching Feast of the Assumption invites us to draw closer to Mary as the model of perfect discipleship and to seek her intercession as we journey toward our heavenly homeland.