The assumption of the Blessed Virgin: The Lord did Great things in Her life

Friday August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the BVM

1st Reading Revelation 11:19a, 12:1-6a,10ab

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 45:10,11,12,16 [R. 10b]

2nd reading 1 Corinthians 15:20-27

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

Brethren, today, we are introduced to a theo-drama that opened up the door to salvation of the human kind in God’s plan. Why do I call it a theo-drama? It was a God initiated plan that began many years before the actual birth of our lord Jesus Christ. it is a dramatic moment where Mary’s life, Faith,and relationship with God reaches their climax.

Yesterday night, I found myself embroiled in a discussion of how wrong Martin Luther was when he mislead people on the subject of salvation. He said, that it was by faith alone and from the story of assumption of Mary in to heaven and our readings today, we are on the contrary opinion that is the opinion of the church.

In our first reading we hear about the opening of the ark of covenant. We all know the understanding of the ark of covenant in the ancient Israel and the significance it held. It symbolized the presence of God and covenant with humanity. In it is renewed connection of God with his people on earth.

We are told of the woman giving birth to a child and there is a beast waiting to take the child away after it is born. The child is set to rule the earth with an iron rod. The woman is clothed with sun and with moon under her feet, and her head had a crown of 12 stars. Mary who gave birth to Jesus Christ , through whom we were all saved is her self the path of salvation.

In Revelation 12:10ab John writes, “then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming: Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of Our God and the authority of his Christ have come.”

The verse offers a pivotal relationship of God and his people , the significance of Jesus Christ and his Mother for the ultimate triumph over the evil. That verse takes us to the second readings where we heard St. Paul tell the church of Corinth about the God’s plan. He tells them that death is because we are descendants of one man, Adam, and resurrection is because of Jesus Christ who died because he was born of Man and resurrected because he was also son of God.

St. Paul reminds us that in Adam we all die like Christ did, and so in Christ all will be made to live like the blessed virgin Mary whom we heard in the first reading.

Pope Pius XII defined the Dogma of the Assumption of Mary through Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus on the feast of all saints day November 1 1950. after carefully studying the scriptural foundations on the the reunion of intimate union of Mary to Jesus Christ and sharing his lot, the long standing tradition and liturgical practices in the church and the outcome of the consensus with the college of Bishops, the pope decreed that Mary’s body was assumed into heaven, preserved from corruption and she shares the heavenly glory in body and soul after completing her earthly life.

What we understand is that all born in the lineage of Adam die except the two mentioned cases of Enoch and prophet Elijah who was taken to heaven in chariot. At the end of her earthly life, the blessed Virgin Mary was assumed into heaven and that explains why st. John was given the vision of a woman clothed in sun with head crown of 12 stars and moon under her feet.

In the beginning I reflected that God had a plan for his people and that plan was to reconcile his creation back to His fold. In the Gospel reading we hear the Blessed Virgin Mary’s acceptance of the Angel’s message that demonstrates her faith and obedience . her encounter with Elizabeth demonstrates how significant her pregnancy was and the ultimate role of Jesus Christ in the Judean messianic zeal of the 1st century. 

We hear about the magnificat sung by Mary to express praise and worship, highlighting God’s mercy, justice and faithfulness. The song showcases her humility, faith and understanding of God’s plan of salvation.

The Assumption of Mary showcases God’s initiative in salvation history, highlighting Mary’s faith, obedience and devotion. Its a dynamic interplay between Divine Grace and human cooperation hence opening the doors for christian hope and faith.

Assumption of Mary is a door to understanding of the 5 eschatological truths that the Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth to judge the living and the dead, all people will be raised from the dead to face judgement,god will judge all people based on their actions and faith, those who worthy will be experiencing eternal joy, peace and worship and God will create a new heaven and new earth devoid of suffering.

Lets be worthy of the promises of Christ and continue to ask for constant intercession o of the blessed virgin Mary as we celebrate the solemnity of the assumption into Heaven of the Blessed virgin Mary.

Let us pray, Most glorious Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, you were assumed body and soul into heavenly glory, where you are crowned Queen of all Creation. Intercede for us with your son, Jesus Christ and pray that we may be made worthy of His promises. May your assumption into heaven be a source of hope and inspiration for us, and may we follow your example of faith, love and devotion to God. Amen.