Assumption 2019
Stretch out your frying pan:

Two men went fishing.ÊÊÊÊ One man was an experienced fisherman; the other wasn't.ÊÊÊÊ Every time the experienced fisherman caught a big fish, he put it in his ice chest to keep it fresh.ÊÊÊÊ Whenever the inexperienced fisherman caught a big fish, he threw it back.ÊÊÊ The experienced fisherman watched this go on all day and finally got tired of seeing this man waste good fish.ÊÊÊÊ "Why do you keep throwing back all the big fish you catch?" he asked.ÊÊÊÊ The inexperienced fisherman replied, "I only have a small frying pan." 

Sometimes, like that fisherman, we throw back the big plans, big dreams, big ideas, and big opportunities that God sends us, because ourÊFaith is too small.Ê 

We laugh at that fisherman who didn't figure out that all he needed was a bigger frying pan; yet how ready are we to increase the size of ourÊFaith? God has big hopes for us - Assumption-sized hopes.ÊÊÊÊ Seeing how His hopes for the Blessed Virgin Mary were so wonderfully fulfilled should help increase our Faith.ÊÊÊ It should stretch out our frying pan.ÊÊÊÊ 

As the angel Gabriel said to Mary long before her glorious Assumption, "nothing is impossible to God" (Lk 1:37). [Frying pan story adapted from Hot Illustrations, copyright 2001, Youth Specialties, Inc.] (E- Priest).

Body, soul or both:
TodayÕs feast also shows us that God values our bodies. They are not only important to Him Ð they are sacred! There are two extremes of thought in regard to our bodies. One considers the body as our number one treasure. Ads and commercials usually feature people with exceptional looks. To be successful, accepted, and loved, they tell us, depends upon how we look. We are to watch our weight, keep in shape, and smell just right. If we donÕt pamper our bodies and treat them royally, weÕll be social, business, and sexual flops. Nobody will want us around. 

As for the importance of our soul and our spiritual life? Forget it! They consider such things nonexistent and absurd. The other extreme of thought about the body is to look upon it as merely a machine for us to operate in this world. Its value is only its usefulness. To enhance it with cosmetics and perfume, to dress it up and make it look attractive, to diet, exercise, and look at it in the mirror - all that is not only a waste of time, but sinful. 

The soul and its spiritual condition are all that is important for us. We are to think of our body only when necessity requires. 

But God is telling us on this feast of the Assumption that to Him, both are important - our body and our soul. They are both to be valued, and they are to be given the attention and honor due them. (Fr. Jack Dorsel)

Several years ago, at Christmas, I was walking downtown, late for an appointment. I rushed past a small group of young teenagers who were singing carols on the sidewalk. I should have kept running, but for some reason I stopped for just a moment. It was then that I noticed these teenagers all had some developmental disability. One young lady with Down's Syndrome had the job of playing the triangle. Whenever the director pointed to her, her face would light up, she would smile from ear to ear, and give her triangle such a whack. I was riveted by her. She became my priest. 

As my eyes teared up something inside me leapt for joy. I noticed the stressed out leaders of business and government around me who had also been captivated by this moment, dabbing their eyes. What was happening? Something deep inside, something planted by God, was touched as they sang, ?the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.? That holy thing God had started leaped up to our hearts and everyone of us wanted to join that group of singers saying, "I have disabilities, too. 

My spirit and heart have been disabled by cynicism, hurt, and anger. I would love to have your innocence and purity leap out of me as it does your little choir." Somehow at Christmas, it is easier to pay attention to the holiness of God within us.