“Today we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary was taken body and soul into heaven. But this feast is not only about Mary. It is also about us. Mary has arrived where we hope one day to arrive.

Our readings give us three simple invitations.

LOOK UP — We are made for heaven.

In Revelation, we see the beautiful image of “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”

Mary in glory reminds us: this world is not our final home.

Sometimes we become too attached to possessions, achievements, titles, and recognition. But one day, we leave everything behind.

Saint Paul tells us that Christ has conquered death. Because Jesus rose from the dead, death is no longer the end.

So when life becomes difficult, look up.

When someone you love dies, look up.

When your body grows weak, look up.

When you feel discouraged, look up.

Heaven is our destination.

STEP OUT — Serve while you are here.

The Gospel tells us that after Mary received the news that she would become the Mother of Jesus, she “set out and traveled to the hill country in haste.” She went to Elizabeth.

Mary had received an extraordinary blessing, but she did not sit down and enjoy it by herself. She went out to serve.

This teaches us something very practical: if we want to reach heaven, we must learn to serve while we are on earth.

You do not need to do extraordinary things.

Visit someone who is lonely.

Care for an elderly parent.

Help a neighbor.

Listen to your children.

Forgive someone who hurt you.

The road to heaven often passes through the home of someone who needs us.

If we want to follow Mary to heaven, let us first follow her to Elizabeth’s house.

MAGNIFY GOD — Let your life point to Him.

When Elizabeth praised Mary, Mary did not keep the attention for herself. She said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.”

That is Mary. She never says, “Look at me.” Her whole life says, “Look at God.”

That should also be true of us.

When you forgive, you show people something about God.

When you remain kind even when others are unkind, you show God.

When you remain honest even when cheating is easier, you show God.

Our lives should make people say: “If this is what faith can do to a person, then God must truly be good.”

A Glimpse of Heaven

Let me end with a story.

A little boy was walking one evening with his father. He kept looking at the beautiful stars.

After a while he asked, “Papa, is heaven up there?”

His father smiled and said, “Yes, heaven is our home with God.”

The boy became quiet. Then they saw an elderly woman struggling to carry her bags. The father stopped, took some of the bags, and helped her home.

As they continued walking, the boy looked at his father and said: “Papa, I think heaven is not only something we look up to. Maybe heaven begins when we help someone along the way.”

Final Words

That is what Mary teaches us today.

LOOK UP — heaven is our destination.
STEP OUT — serve people along the way.
MAGNIFY GOD — let your life lead others to Him.

May Mary, who has gone before us, help us live well here on earth so that one day we may join her in heaven.”