St. Mary, Mother of Our Lord

August 15, 2026. Today's Reading: Luke 1:(39-45) 46-55Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 5:1-25; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13“Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:45)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lutherans honor Mary—not because she rules in heaven or manages our prayers—but because of what God did through her. Jesus’ humanity is real—He took flesh from Mary. Second, all but two recorded humans die. If Mary had been taken bodily, assumed into heaven, Scripture would clearly say that — as it does about Enoch in Genesis 5:24 and Elijah in 2 Kings 2:11. Scripture is silent on what happened with Mary later in her life; what we do know is that the Bible never implies that Mary was sinless or deserving of our worship. Instead, Holy Scripture presents her as a faithful servant, uniquely chosen, and consistently points to God’s saving work in Christ.We honor Mary because she herself said, and Scripture records, “All generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48). She’s the Mother of our Lord, the one who heard the word of God from Gabriel and believed it. We honor Mary because God honored her—but we do so in the way she teaches us: not by magnifying her, but by magnifying the Lord.God chose an ordinary, humble woman to bear His Son. Jesus grew like we do, lived in the world we live in, suffered in all the ways we do, was tempted as we are, yet without sin, and He did so as a man. This perfect and sinless body He offered on the cross for our salvation. This is the “great thing” God did to Mary—and the great thing He did to and for us. Mary’s greatness is not in or of herself. Her greatness is that she received everything from her Savior. She says she’s “lowly,” not special or powerful, and so, her humility is part of the miracle. (Luke 1:29)This is our story. God has done great things to and for us. In Baptism, He claimed us as His children. In the Lord’s Supper, He feeds us with His Body and Blood, giving forgiveness, life, and salvation. He puts Himself into us—just as He once put Himself into Mary (Luke 1:35). Our response, like Mary’s, is awe: “He has done great things to me.” (v.49)We rejoice with Mary—not in Mary. We rejoice in the Lord who became flesh for us, who poured out His blood to forgive us, who keeps His promises, and who loves us by His death that gives us life.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.We pray: Almighty God, You chose the Virgin Mary to be the mother of Your only Son. Grant that we, who are redeemed by His blood, may share with her in the glory of Your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.Rev. Adam DeGroot, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, NM.