THE ASSUMPTION: THE HOPE OF MARY IS OUR HOPE: CATHOLIC SUNDAY SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS: SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, CYCLE B, 2021

THE ASSUMPTION: THE HOPE OF MARY IS OUR HOPE

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a celebration of hope. A celebration of hope that God rewards his faithful servants who cooperate with him to fulfil the salvific plan of salvation. This is the reward of Mary for her faithfulness to the will of God.

Hence, God will not let her experience the fate of mortality but immortality. This is the celebration of the Solemnity of Assumption of Mary to heaven body and soul after her mortal life on earth was due. The Assumption of Mary is dogma in the Catholic Church. It teaches us how the Virgin Mary, having completed her earthly stay, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.

Like the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary is not explicitly stated in the Holy Bible. The teaching that at the end of her earthly course, Mary was assumed into heavenly glory, body and soul was dogmatically promulgated on 1 November 1950 by Pius XII in 1950 in Munificentissimus Deus.

Munificentissimus Deus in Latin means The most bountiful God. It is the name of an apostolic constitution written by Pope Pius XII. It defines ex-cathedra as the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this Papal document, Munificentimus Deus, Pope Pius XII gives four reasons for our belief in the Dogma of Assumption of Mary.

1. The uninterrupted tradition about death and the Assumption of Mary starting from the first century.

2. The belief expressed in all the ancient liturgies of the early Christian Church.

3. The negative evidence — the absence and veneration of a tomb of Mary while most of the apostles have their tombs.

4. The possibility of bodily ascension in the Old Testament without corruption of the body, in the cases of Enoch (Genesis 5:24), perhaps Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5), and especially Elijah (II Kgs 2:1).5)warranted this teaching.

With the Assumption of Mary, the Holy Mother Church and her faithful believe that Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ, died. And her body was assumed into Heaven to be reunited with her soul. Instead of going through the natural process of physical decay upon death.

Finally, it is our hope in the bodily Assumption of Mary into Heaven that will make our belief in our own resurrection stronger. And even render it more effective. This is the theological focus of the feast of Assumption of Mary. It is a feast of hope in immortality, resurrection, and the dignity of the human race with a hope of redemption or salvation.

OUR THEME

The readings all point out to us the place of Mary in the divine plan of God. They demonstrated to us also her role in the salvation of mankind. It is undoubtedly the glorious place assigned to Mary by God in the salvific plan for our redemption through her Son: Jesus Christ.

Interestingly, God is the only one who has a special place of honour and glory for Mary above all heavenly and earthly beings. The biblical authors, the early Christian communities, and even biblical characters of her time know and have an esteemable place for her too. 

There is no complication about the role of Mary in our salvation history. She is the chosen daughter of God, the Father, the Virgin Mother of God, the Son Jesus Christ, and immaculate spouse of God the Holy Spirit. A singular honour and privilege of grace bestowed on her since all ages.

One thing is clear from the readings of this Solemnity about the honour, homage, and respect we give to Mary as the Blessed. The Most Trinity does have the highest place of glory for Mary at all times. The reverence and honour we give to Mary is just a speck of the glory compared to the place God had prepared for her. Since the beginning of time and for all ages.

Therefore, we honour Mary, venerate her, express our love for her and never worship her. We are only partakers in this great honour, grace and privilege God himself has given her forever.

 FIRST READING: REVELATION 11:19; 12:1-6, 10

The book of Revelation is one of the most rarely read books of the Bible in our liturgical celebrations. It is a complex book with unclear images, symbols and languages hard to understand. Yet, it is a rich book that offers hope and consolation to the persecuted early Christians.

Metaphorically, the woman and the dragon depicted the persecuted Christian Church. However, the image of the woman also includes the Assumption of our Lady.

THIS IS THE TIMELINE OR CONTEXT OF THE FIRST READING OF TODAY

•  There were mysterious and fearful signs in Heaven and on earth but all in the presence of Almighty God.

• First, a woman appeared clothed with the sun. She has the moon under her feet and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She is adorned with the three capital sources of light to the earth, the sun, the moon and the stars.

• She was pregnant with a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron and was in the pang of childbearing. The consequence of all women is due to the sin of Adam and Eve.

• Then, there was another appearance in Heaven and this time around a great red dragon. It had seven heads and ten horns and seven diadems on his heads. This dragon was the old serpent called the Devil or Satan, which deceived the whole world. (Rev 12:9)

• He came with destructive, threatening and killing anger which was his nature. He is like the thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy. (John 10:10). He was opposed to everything godly and divine. And his purpose was to thwart the salvific plan of God through his only Begotten Son: Jesus Christ.

• The child was born; Immanuel: God with us. Through the power and almighty intervention of God, the child ascends to his throne in Heaven.

• The woman fled into the wilderness that is a place of trials and temptations. The abode of evil and the devil who torment the world. And even there, God prepared a place for her. Where her image and her name are to be protected and nourished for all eternity.

• Then, the heavenly bodies under the guidance and protection of Archangel Michael and the host of angels fought against the dragon and his agents. A war in which victory was sure on the side of God. And with the defeat of the evil, wicked or diabolic powers, as well as their expulsion from Heaven. They weighed a fiery war against the woman and the rest of her offerings on the earth.

• The dragon went after the woman with every power used the earth, water and probably fire. Yet, through the mighty intervention of God, divine aids were granted to the woman. These were in form the wings given to her to fly away for the persecution of the dragon. The earth equally also came to the rescue of the woman. It opens up to swallow the water vomited by the dragon after her. 

• In the end, with anger, bitterness, and frustration, the devil and his demons went to war against the offerings. Namely, all those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. That is, the true children of God who are also true children of Mary. The Christians who are adoptive brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ through the action of the Holy Spirit.

This passage of the Book of Revelation is the proclamation of the victory of God through the salvation, power, kingdom, and authority of the Messiah: Jesus Christ (Rev. 12:10). 

One thing is fundamental in this Revelation prophecy, God holds and prepares a high place of esteem for Mary and safeguards our salvation through her powerful intervention.

In Psalm 45, the psalmist makes us sing the praise of the queen and daughter who gave us her own will to do that of the Divine king who is not only her spouse but her creator. Hence, there is victory, gladness and joy through her sacrificial act.

SECOND READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-25

St Paul did not only make Christ the first fruits of the resurrection. He also draws a drastic difference between Him and Adam. According to Paul, all had sinned in Adam, all were under the penalty of death.

Then, with the coming of Christ, that chain was broken. Christ was sinless and conquered death. Just as all men sinned in Adam, so all men escape from sin in Christ. And just as all men died in Adam, so all men conquered death in Christ.

Implicitly, the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, shares the fullness of the redemption or salvation won by Christ. Thanks to the cooperation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the birth of Christ with power and authority did not only defeat all the enemies of God: Satan and his angels. That victory brought us deliverance and the Kingdom of God. 

We get two contrasting sets of facts. First, there is Adam–sin–death. Second, there is Christ–goodness–life. We were all involved in the sin of Adam, who was first created and fallen. By the grace and mercy of God, we are all involved in the victory of him who re-created mankind, Jesus Christ. This is the re-echoing underline fact of the first reading from Revelation.

THE GOSPEL: LUKE 1:39-56

During the visitation of Mary to the house of Zachariah to visit her cousin Elizabeth. The Holy Spirit led Elizabeth to declare the praises of God on the Blessed Mother of the Lord. She affirms that Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. In the way, Elizabeth joy, praised the great privilege of having the Blessed Virgin Mary visiting her -why has this happened to me that the Mother of my Lord comes to me?

Mary sang the Magnificat in praise of the God of Israel. A God who has done for Israel and her his lowly handmaid mighty things. This is the gratefulness of Mary -My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

Again, she acknowledged what the Lord has done for her. And how every generation will declare her blessed -he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely from now on, all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me.

Finally, she recognised the mercy, grace and blessing of God over his people. A salvific plan for ages extended from the creation of the world. And also through Abraham and his descendants and now to present time through her Son, Jesus Christ.

Today, Mary, Elizabeth and the unborn John the Baptist combine sincere worship of God with deep joy in the presence of the Trinitarian God: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. An invitation to all Christians to find joy in the presence of God, especially at liturgical encounters and worship.

EIGHT REASONS WHY THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY IS SO IMPORTANT FOR US

• We will share in the resurrection of Christ. Our faith in the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ is the fundamental biblical reason for the Assumption of Mary.

• Our hope is for a physical resurrection. The whole point of the Dogma of the Assumption is the emphasis on the body assumption of Mary into Heaven. This hope of Mary is also our hope of transformation and immortality. The Assumption of Mary reminds us that God salvation is holistic in body, soul, mind and spirit.

• We are heaven-bound, for it is the place for saints. The Assumption of Mary clarifies and confirms that the Heaven of the New Testament is a place where the saints experience the presence of God.

• The final reversal of the Fall of Adam and Eve through Jesus (New Adam) and Mary His Mother (New Eve). The Church teaches that Mary shares in the mission of Christ. The Assumption of Mary to Heaven is the final reversal of the evils of sin and death unleashed by the Fall.

• Man is not meant to be alone. To be human is to live in relation to another. Christ is not a solitary saviour. In His divinity, he enjoys the communion of the Trinity. In His humanity, He reigns from Heaven with his Mother.

• Marian veneration is Christo-centric. Mary is the perfect example of a Christ-follower. She leads, directs and shows us the best way to obey and please her Son: our Lord and Saviour. The Assumption of Mary makes it possible for us to imagine her as being in the fullness of the heavenly presence of Christ.

• Mary is uniquely positioned to help us. The Assumption of Mary ensures that she has none of our human limitations. Hence, in her saintly life, Mary is our most powerful intercessor with God through her Son. She urges us always to do the will of her son-Do whatever He (Jesus) tells you (John 2:5).

• The beauty of Mary is perfected and illuminated. She is decorated with God´s highest honour and glory, exemplifies by the sun, the moon and the stars. The beauty that became espoused to the Holy Spirit lives in her fullness in Heaven, as the vision of Revelation 12 shows us so well. This is one reason that the Church venerates Mary above all other saints.

The Assumption of Mary into heaven body and soul is a feast with many implications for us Christians and our Christian life in general.

The feast is dogma. At the same time, it is also a mystery of faith express to God, who deems Mary fit to bestow the fullness of grace.

It is a feast celebrated in the light of the creation and the Fall of our first parents, only this time it is the reverse of the Fall of Adam and Eve. Mary and her Son, Jesus Christ that overcame the dragon, old serpent, devil, or Satan won victory and glory.  

The feast makes Mary the most favoured creature of God among all existing beings. As she is decorated as the Queen of Heaven and earth. She is also our heavenly Mother and the model of all Christian virtues. A perfect example of the Christian life through submission to God, humility, simplicity, generosity and motherly love.

Essentially, it is through purity of body, soul, virginity, obedience to the will of God along with her spirit sacrifice to give all to God without reservation that God honour with such great privilege.

The Assumption of Mary teaches us the way of faith, prayer, and repentance as the path to victory. It also guarantees Mary intercedes for us, powerfully, as the first of all the saints. Mary, also being the source of grace, help each of us and the Universal Church on pilgrimage in the times of trials.

On this feast of the Assumption of Mary, let us acknowledge that Mary is closer to us than ever. If only we would welcome her, if only we would give her permission to help us to entrust our lives to God the Father, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit. Mary assumed into Heaven, and Mary, the Queen of Heaven and earth and Our Lady Queen of Peace pray for us now and always. Amen

FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS

1. What or where is the place of Mary in our lives? Do we see her as a model of the Christian life? Do we give her the honour and place of glory God gave in our salvation history?
2. What does the feast of the Assumption mean or represent to you? Hope? Courage? Commitment to the Christian life and principles?
3. Do you imitate the virtues of Mary in your life? Or do you just pay lips service to her?Do you stand with
4. Mary and her Son, Jesus Christ, at the moments of difficulties, trials and temptation?

OUR PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, you gave us your greatest treasure, your Blessed Mother to be our Mother too. We pray that may, your Blessed Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary united in your victory in Heaven, shines forth as a sign of sure hope and solace for us, the pilgrim People of God.

Oh Mary, by your Assumption into Heaven, you manifest the fullness of redemption and appear as the spotless image of the Church.    And grant that, we may follow your example on earth by imitating your Son. Hence, we will be able to share his glory with Him for all eternity. Amen