By: Jessie Bazan

Things are going to be radically different. The lowly lifted up? The rich sent away empty? In today’s Gospel reading for the Solemnity of the Assumption, we’re told of a new way of being. This is life where the hungry are fed and the poor are never left behind. This is life where mercy — not money — sustains. This is reality where social norms are broken and the world is better for it.

This reality is the kingdom of God.

It’s fitting that we learn about this radically different vision from a quite unconventional source. As a young, pregnant woman, Mary probably didn’t scream authority at first glance. She’s delivering the Magnificat while hanging out in the hill country with her cousin, for gosh sakes! Yet, it is Mary who speaks emphatically about the strength of the Lord. It is Mary who humbly shares about her role in salvation history. It is Mary who talks intimately about the mercy and compassion of God, whose strength and loyalty has no match. The visionary is radical. The vision, even more. And that’s good, because there’s still work to be done.

Mary’s insights offer great motivation for us today and every day. How are we promoting justice for all? In what ways do our actions magnify the Lord and further the work of his kingdom? Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

Jessie Bazan is a Master of Divinity candidate at Saint John’s School of Theology-Seminary and serves as the Seeing the Word graduate assistant.

Magnificat, Sally Mae Joseph, Copyright 2002, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission.  All rights reserved.