Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: August 15, 2025

Date: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture Text:  Revelation 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10AB

God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,and on its heads were seven diadems. Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth. She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne. The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed One.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading from the Revelation of John tells of the coming of a savior. The woman symbolizes Israel, the people of God, to whom the Savior was born. The dragon symbolizes the evil in the world.  We know the Savior to be Christ who was born of Mary, a daughter of Israel. Indeed, He is the anointed one.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I believe to my core in Jesus Christ as Son of God who died and rose from the dead? Do I give to him power and authority over my life?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, we lift our minds and hearts and spirits to You this day in praise. All that we are and all that we have of goodness and light flow from You and from your love for us. From our very beginnings, You have provided for us and for our lives. We give thanks especially for the gift of your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, whom You sent to live among us as our human brother in all ways except sin and to redeem us through His selfless sacrifice. Send your Spirit to stir within us this day, to increase our faith, to expand our hope, and to deepen our love for You. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.