Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast has been traced back as far as the third century according to some historians. After profound reflection on this essential teaching of the Church that Mary was assumed, both her corporal body and soul, into heaven, this dogma was defined in the Papal declaration called “Munificentissimus Deus” which means “The most bountiful God,” announced by Pope Pius XII as divinely revealed dogma on November 1, 1950.
St. John, the Apostle, wrote the book of Revelation. However, in this particular chapter 11:19, the early Christians onward took this passage, “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars,” which was often quoted and influenced their Christian consciousness is that the Blessed Mother Mary made history as part of the mystery of the Incarnation. She continues to this day to inspire and to aspire the richness of her glory with God.
Our second reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians deals with the resurrection, both Christ’s resurrection and our own. Paul was reacting to their doubts of the resurrection about which he worked hard because he was confronted with Jewish concepts about the Old Testament abode of the dead, that they called “Sheol” which means “grave.” The Old Testament never uses the word resurrection but has several allusions to resurrection. They had no understanding in their belief system until it progressed in the direction of resurrection as we can read in Isaiah 26:19, “Your dead shall live. My dead bodies shall arise,” and more passages in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, some Jews denied any possibility of resurrection or life after death like the Sadducees, while other Jews did believe in the resurrection of the dead like the Pharisees. St. Paul wants the Corinthian Christians to know that belief in the resurrection, both Christ’s resurrection and the general resurrection of believers in the last days is foundational to the Christian faith. When Paul says that the resurrected Christ is “the first fruits of those who are asleep,” he is telling us that Christ’s resurrection is just the beginning. His resurrection indicates the abundance of resurrections yet to come, that is, the resurrection of all those who have faith in Christ, our Lord.
Today, I am not trying to equate resurrection with the Assumption of the Blessed Mother Virgin Mary. Mary’s “Assumption” into heaven is the unprecedented privilege given to Mary being the chosen vessel of the Incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. According to St. Augustine, “the Virgin Mary who did not have original sin, fell asleep in the Lord, died, and was raised body and soul into Heaven by God.”
Brothers and Sisters, this is not only a dogma to be blindly accepted, but we must comprehend well the merits of this teaching:
Frist, it is an assurance that being a Catholic, Mary who is fully human is able to reach the pinnacle of holiness and grace by experiencing God’s promise of her final destiny. God has won, for God possesses strength stronger than death. Mary was taken up body and soul into heaven; there is even room in God for the body. Heaven is no longer far and unknown to us. We have a mother in Heaven. It gives me great joy to share in the inheritance for those who are faithful and obedient to follow God’s will.
Second, many of us are influenced by secularism, and we tend to view our existence as independent from God. Our tendency is to ignore God’s role and to see ourselves as self-actualizing individuals and not placing God at the center of our existence and the universe. We become self-inflated and, sadly, tempted to put down those who are less successful.
According to II Vatican Council, “Mary shines forth on earth as a sign of certain hope and comfort to the Pilgrim people of God.” We are pilgrims here on earth; thus, this Assumption of Mary points us to eternity as the ultimate meaning and horizon of our existence.
Third, this feast of the Assumption of Mary is the source of encouragement. God made the perfect abode for His Son in Mary’s heart. It is a very beautifully accepted truth that both humanity and divinity are completely at home with Mary. Thus, relationship is a great encouragement to all of us, like the love between Jesus and His mother, Mary. Jesus wanted His mother to be with Him in Heaven without passing thru corruption and decay. It is only fitting to know the inseparable life for both of them in all eternity. Mary has been called “Blessed from all generations because her soul magnifies the Lord.”
Mary is always available to us. We can ask her for the grace to help us overcome our temptations. She knows God’s plans and she can help us in discerning His plans for us. She will assist us on our journey toward heaven. She witnesses to the future that is open to every human to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light (Col 1:12).
Mary was conceived without sin and prays for those who have recourse to you.
Fr. Arlon, osa
