The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a feast celebrated in the Catholic Church that honors Mary, the mother of Jesus, being ‘assumed’ into heaven. While it is similar to Jesus’s Ascension, celebrated 40 days after his Resurrection, it is distinct. The readings for the day call us to deepen our understanding of what it means to serve God.

Thus, it is not surprising that this daily reflection, or Angelus, from Pope Francis for the Feast of the Assumption[1], highlights service and praise as central to a life that lives to glorify God. He explains that when we “stoop” to serve others, we rise together: “It is love that elevates life.” Even if it is hard, even if the cost is high, true service moves us toward heaven. However, he continues that praise, too, moves us closer to heaven. In essence, they go hand-in-hand. “How good it is to live in gratitude and blessing instead of regrets and complaints, to lift up our gaze instead of having a long face!”

Consider this invitation to reflect adapted from the closing remarks of Pope Francis’s offering:

· Do I complete my work and daily tasks with a spirit of service, or with selfishness?

· Do I devote myself to someone freely, without seeking immediate advantages? In short, do I make service the “springboard” of my life?

· How do I let my service lead me to a life of praise?

[1] https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2023/documents/20230815-angelus.html