DOCTRINE OUTLINECATECHISM THEMES
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
CENTRAL IDEA
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IS THE NEW ARK OF THE COVENANT
By Kevin Aldrich
Overview of
Doctrinal Homily
Outlines
Kevin Aldrich
Written as an aid for homilists and a resource for the faithful, this doctrinal homily outline (1) provides insights into the Lectionary readings, (2) explicates a doctrine of Catholic Faith or morals from them, and (3) shows specific ways lay persons can live these truths.
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First Reading
- The Ark of the New Covenant is the Blessed Virgin Mary, beautiful and pure, preserved from Original Sin and filled with graces by God’s own design, inside whose womb dwelt our Law, Jesus Christ. She is placed in the heart of Christian devotion and honored with hyperdulia, the highest honor a creature can receive.
Responsorial Psalm
- This psalm reflects the surpassing moral goodness of the Blessed Virgin. This moral goodness is depicted as ideal physical beauty.
- Mary is depicted as a beautifully arrayed bride. In Catholic piety she is called Spouse of the Holy Spirit.
Second Reading
- Christ is the first to rise from the dead and the rest of us will arise in “proper order” at his second coming. St. Paul is speaking of the resurrection of the body in glory.
- In Mary’s case, the proper order for her was her Assumption into heaven, body and soul, since she never sinned and so it was not fitting for her body to undergo corruption.
Gospel
- For 2000 years, Christians have agreed with and echoed the Blessed Virgin Mary’s words, “From this day, all generations will call me blessed.”
- In her, God’s promise to Abraham is fulfilled. God had said to Abraham, “by your descendants shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves” (Gn 22:18). Now, the great descendant of Abraham has come into the world to redeem it, Jesus Christ. And this happened because the Blessed Virgin Mary said “yes” to God.
DOCTRINE
THE ASSUMPTION
“The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians” (CCC 966).
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN
The King of Heaven listens to the petitions of his Queen Mother.
God wants to associate human beings in his work to save and sanctify human beings. Mary is the greatest example of this collaboration. Then come the saints. God wants us to participate in this work as well.
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Catechism Themes
“The following paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church resonate with the biblical readings for this Sunday. They were chosen either because they cite or allude to the specific readings, or because they treat topics found in the readings.” —Homiletic Directory
AUGUST 2021
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 1341-1344: “Do this in memory of me”
CCC 1384-1390: take and eat: Communion
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 1402-1405: the Eucharist, pledge of future glory
CCC 2828-2837: the Eucharist is our daily bread
CCC 1336: scandal
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 796: the Church as the Bride of Christ
CCC 1061-1065: God’s utter fidelity and love
CCC 1612-1617, 2360-2365: marriage in the Lord
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 577-582: Christ and the Law
CCC 1961-1974: the Old Law and the Gospel
SEPTEMBER 2021
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 1503-1505: Christ the Physician
CCC 1151-1152: signs used by Christ; sacramental signs
CCC 270-271: the mercy of God
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 713-716: the path of the Messiah traced out in the “Servant Songs”
CCC 440, 571-572, 601: Jesus suffered and died for our salvation
CCC 618: our participation in Christ’s sacrifice
CCC 2044-2046: good works manifest faith
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 539, 565, 600-605, 713: Christ, obedient Servant of God
CCC 786: to serve is to reign
CCC 1547, 1551: priestly ministry as service
CCC 2538-2540: the sin of envy
CCC 2302-2306: safeguarding peace
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 821, 1126, 1636: ecumenical dialogue
CCC 2445-2446, 2536, 2544-2547: the danger of immoderate riches
CCC 1852: jealousy
OCTOBER 2021
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 1602-1617, 1643-1651, 2331-2336: conjugal fidelity
CCC 2331-2336: divorce
CCC 1832: fidelity, a fruit of Spirit
CCC 2044, 2147, 2156, 2223, 2787: the fidelity of the baptized
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 101-104: Christ, unique Word of Scripture
CCC 131-133: Scripture in life of the Church
CCC 2653-2654: Scripture as a fountain of prayer
CCC 1723, 2536, 2444-2447: poverty of heart
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 599-609: Christ’s redemptive death in the plan of salvation
CCC 520: Christ’s self-emptying as an example for us to imitate
CCC 467, 540, 1137: Christ the High Priest
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 547-550: Jesus performed messianic signs
CCC 1814-1816: faith, a gift of God
CCC 2734-2737: filial confidence in prayer
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 2083: commandments as a call for a response of love
CCC 2052, 2093-2094: the first commandment
CCC 1539-1547: holy orders in the economy of salvation
NOVEMBER 2021
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 519-521: Christ gave his life for us
CCC 2544-2547: poverty of heart
CCC 1434, 1438, 1753, 1969, 2447: almsgiving
CCC 2581-2584: Elijah and conversion of heart
CCC 1021-1022: the particular judgment
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 1038-1050: the Last Judgment; hope of a new heaven and a new earth
CCC 613-614, 1365-1367: Christ’s one perfect sacrifice and the Eucharist
Solemnity of Christ the King: Christ the origin and goal of history
CCC 440, 446-451, 668-672, 783, 786, 908, 2105, 2628: Christ as Lord and King
CCC 678-679, 1001, 1038-1041: Christ as Judge
CCC 2816-2821: “Thy Kingdom Come”
