Dormition B.V.M.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is the highest exemplar of the Christian faith, for she was an utterly small, insignificant peasant girl from a despised people of Israel. One the nation was great, but no more. Now it had become a virtual laughing-stock of washed-up people far removed from the glory they once had in the great days of Solomon. Why would anyone cleave to this faith? A waste of time, a vanity, a wind. But she believed still, and she became the Mother of God. For God exalts the lowly and abases the mighty. So she exulted, knowing now in a way she could not deny that she carried and contained within the tiny space of her virginal womb the Son of God whom heaven and earth cannot contain. Indeed he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. So take heart when you are brought low, when disappointment or pain or grief or sorrow or any other trouble threatens to consume you, in knowing this, that he regards them of low degree. And like her, you cannot deny this either, for we are persuaded that Christ himself became utterly low, crucified, dead, and buried, but rose again the third day and ascended into heaven, and all he ever said is utterly true, including these words: this is my body. So in your lowliness receive him by kneeling here and opening your mouth to receive him on your tongue and exult and rejoice with Blessed Mary. Sermon for the Dormition BVM.