Fr Peter Writes: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

It was Pope Francis, early in his Pontificate, who pointed out that we should always remember that St Luke, in his Gospel, tells us that Mary, “…went as quickly as she could…” to the help of her cousin Elizabeth. It is with that urgency, he went on to say, that Mary comes to each of us when we call on her. I never cease to marvel that we know so little of the words of Mary from the writings of the apostles, and yet, she holds such an enormous place In our Faith. Again and again, down the history of the Church, she is portrayed as a great mediator for humanity. Her words are always simple: “Do whatever he tells you…”, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” Above all, for me, she sits with us and offers to take us to her son when we lack the courage to go ourselves.
Today we see clearly that the urgency of Mary’s journey to Elizabeth is reflected in the actions of God Himself; for our Father moved “as quickly as He could” to bring her to heaven.