THE ASSUMPTION OF MARYTHE ASSUMPTION OF MARYAugust 15, 2004August 15, 2004

God's temple God's temple in heaven in heaven was opened.was opened.A great sign A great sign appeared appeared in the sky, in the sky,

God's temple God's temple in heaven in heaven was opened.was opened.A great sign A great sign appeared appeared in the sky, in the sky, a woman a woman

clothed clothed with the sun, with the sun,

with the moon with the moon under her feet, under her feet,

and on her head and on her head a crown of a crown of

twelve stars. twelve stars.

a woman a woman clothed clothed

with the sun, with the sun, with the moon with the moon under her feet, under her feet,

and on her head and on her head a crown of a crown of

twelve stars. twelve stars.

She was with child She was with child and wailed aloud in pain and wailed aloud in pain

as she labored to give birth. as she labored to give birth.

Then another sign appeared in the sky; Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon.it was a huge red dragon.

The dragon stood before the woman The dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child about to give birth, to devour her child

when she gave birth. when she gave birth.

She gave birth She gave birth to a son, to a son, destined to rule destined to rule all the nations all the nations with an iron rod. with an iron rod. Her child was caught up Her child was caught up to God and his throne.to God and his throne.

She gave birth She gave birth to a son, to a son, destined to rule destined to rule all the nations all the nations with an iron rod. with an iron rod. Her child was caught up Her child was caught up to God and his throne.to God and his throne.

The woman The woman herself fled herself fled

into the desert where into the desert where she had she had a place a place

prepared prepared by God.by God.

The woman The woman herself fled herself fled

into the desert where into the desert where she had she had a place a place

prepared prepared by God.by God.

Then I heard Then I heard a loud voice a loud voice in heaven say:in heaven say:

Then I heard Then I heard a loud voice a loud voice in heaven say:in heaven say:

Second ReadingSecond Reading 1 Cor 15:20-26 1 Cor 15:20-26

Christ has been raised Christ has been raised from the dead, from the dead,

the firstfruits the firstfruits of those of those

who have who have fallen asleep. fallen asleep.

For since death For since death came through man, came through man,

the resurrection the resurrection of the dead of the dead came also came also

through man. through man. Christ, the firstfruits; Christ, the firstfruits;

then, those then, those who belong to Him.who belong to Him.

Christ has been raised Christ has been raised from the dead, from the dead,

the firstfruits the firstfruits of those of those

who have who have fallen asleep. fallen asleep.

For since death For since death came through man, came through man,

the resurrection the resurrection of the dead of the dead came also came also

through man. through man. Christ, the firstfruits; Christ, the firstfruits;

then, those then, those who belong to Him.who belong to Him.

Then comes the end:Then comes the end:when he hands over the when he hands over the

Kingdom to his Kingdom to his God and Father,God and Father,

when he has destroyed when he has destroyed every sovereigntyevery sovereignty

and every authority and every authority and power.and power.

Then comes the end:Then comes the end:when he hands over the when he hands over the

Kingdom to his Kingdom to his God and Father,God and Father,

when he has destroyed when he has destroyed every sovereigntyevery sovereignty

and every authority and every authority and power.and power.

He must reign until He must reign until he has put all his enemies he has put all his enemies under his feet.under his feet.The last enemy The last enemy to be destroyed is death,to be destroyed is death,for "he subjected for "he subjected everything under his feet."everything under his feet."

He must reign until He must reign until he has put all his enemies he has put all his enemies under his feet.under his feet.The last enemy The last enemy to be destroyed is death,to be destroyed is death,for "he subjected for "he subjected everything under his feet."everything under his feet."

Mary entered the house Mary entered the house of Zechariah of Zechariah

and greeted Elizabeth. and greeted Elizabeth. The baby leapt in her womb. The baby leapt in her womb.

Elizabeth was filled Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit. with holy spirit.

Mary entered the house Mary entered the house of Zechariah of Zechariah

and greeted Elizabeth. and greeted Elizabeth. The baby leapt in her womb. The baby leapt in her womb.

Elizabeth was filled Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit. with holy spirit.

Gospel Reading: Gospel Reading: Lk 1:39-56Lk 1:39-56

Gospel Reading: Gospel Reading: Lk 1:39-56Lk 1:39-56

Giving Giving a loud cry, a loud cry, said:said:

The moment your greeting sounded The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me in my ears, the baby within me

suddenly leapt for joy. suddenly leapt for joy.

The moment your greeting sounded The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me in my ears, the baby within me

suddenly leapt for joy. suddenly leapt for joy.

Blessed are you who believed that Blessed are you who believed that the Lord's word would come true!the Lord's word would come true!Blessed are you who believed that Blessed are you who believed that the Lord's word would come true!the Lord's word would come true!