The Solemnity Of The Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary, By Rev. Fr. Lucas Binnah Junior

First Reading: Revelations 11:19a;12:1-6a.10ab/ Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 45:10.11.12.16 (R.10b) Second Reading: I Corinthians 15:20-27/Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

Theme: We are Heaven-Bound

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son … And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified (Rom. 8:29-30).

And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also (Jn. 14:3)

Today, the Catholic world celebrates the triumph of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. It is a solemnity that emphasizes the belief that from the very first moment of her existence, sin had no hold over her; that, always ready to do God’s will as his handmaid, the Blessed Virgin Mary held the most important place in the history of salvation only next to that of her Son, Jesus Christ. It is this triumph, this justification, this glory of Mary which we celebrate today.

Historically speaking, as early as the second and third centuries, there were traces of popular beliefs and sometimes, romanticized depictions of Mary’s Assumption. By the eight century, the tradition of Mary’s Assumption was already proclaimed. St. Germanus of Constantinople (d. 733) wrote that Mary’s virginal body is an altogether holy and chaste dwelling for God and can never know dissolution into dust. A similar statement was highlighted by St. John Damascene in the year 749. Following a long period of growing reflection on Mary’s destiny in the next world, Christians began to believe in the glorious raising of Mary, in body and soul, and the liturgical celebration in the East of her dormition (“falling asleep”) and Assumption.

With this background, Pope Alexander III (1159-1181) declared “Mary conceived without detriment to her virginal modesty, brought forth her Son without pain, passed hence without decay, according to the word of the angel, or rather God speaking by the angel, that she might be shown to be full, not half-full, of grace.” To make the celebration popular in the entire Church, Pope Pius V, in 1568, made the Assumption of Mary a holy day of obligation. However, it was not until 1st November, 1950, when Pope Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption as a doctrine of faith divinely revealed to be believed by all in his Encyclical, Munificentissimus Deus (The Most Bountiful God). He mentioned: “the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory” (Munificentissimus Deus, no. 44). This indicates that heaven is our own home too, the place of our Father, God almighty, from whom we come and to whom we must return in glory.

Although the term Assumption is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, it has foundations in it. We learn in the first reading, that, in spite of the struggle between the forces of good and evil, goodness triumphed over evil, Mary (the woman) over the Dragon (the devil). In view of this, the Responsorial Psalm sings her praise as Queen of heaven and earth: “On your right stands the queen in gold of Ophir” (Ps. 45:10b). This is rightly so because, in Christ Jesus, the first fruit from the dead, all who belong to God shall be made alive and find home with him in heaven as the second reading recounts (cf. I Cor.15:20-23). Therefore, let us rejoice with Mary in her Magnificat (Lk. 1:46-55) as she acknowledges the mighty power and ability of God to choose us, poor and lowly, nobodies and uncountables, mere servants and slaves for his glory and our victory. Thus, we are destined for divine glory, and we must make every effort to reach this goal!

Be that as it may, Mary did not receive blessedness on a silver platter. She learnt how to surrender her own will so that God’s will will be done. She was already engaged to Joseph, but she was ever ready to conceive of the Holy Spirit (cf. Lk. 1:38), a pregnancy that could have ended her life through the death penalty (by stoning). She was humble, obedient and pious. She lived a good and charitable life as seen in her visitation to her cousin, Elizabeth. Her deep faith and lively hope were acknowledged when Elizabeth witnessed: “And blessed is she who believed that there will be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (Lk. 1:45)

Be that as it may, we need to avoid one particular tendency, the attitude of living the future in the present. Today, many people worry needlessly about the future to the extent that they miss organizing the present creatively and productively. Thus, some people do not want to work; they are idle and are unwilling to contribute their quota to the progress of humanity here on earth. Therefore, we need to have a critical look at this phenomenon, repent and resolve it in prayer.

In addition, God wants to draw us to himself so as to crown us with glory, happiness and peace. Like Mary, let us strive to lead a good and holy life which is required for eternal glory and blissful intimacy with God. May Mary our mother, intercede for us, so that, we may imitate her example. On a day like this, Jim Reeves wants us to pause and reflect on the song below:

This world is not my home.

I’m just a-passing through.

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.

The angel beckons me from heaven’s open door

And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore

Oh Lord, you know I have no friend like you.

 If heaven’s not my home, then Lord what will I do?

The angel beckons me from heaven’s open door

And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

May God bless us as we place all our hope in him and strive to reach our homeland, heaven! A blessed Assumption! Remember: #We-Are-Heaven-Bound-For-Heaven-Is-Our-Home#.

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