Blessed Art Thou
Mary’s assumption, and what’s in store for us in this life and in the next
Reflecting on Mary especially on this Solemnity of her Assumption, we would be amiss if we were to neglect the other key aspects of Mary which constitute the central dogmas concerning her — her Immaculate Conception, her divine motherhood, and her perpetual virginity.
It is through understanding these dogmas as defined by the Church that we are able to better embrace the dogma of the Assumption of Mary.
Scriptures, though spoke little of Mary as compared to the others, is still rich with insights on her being a mother, a queen, and a servant of God.
This is probably the reason why when we look into the Gospel, we are brought into the account of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. It’s important to note some key events in this entire episode. For one, we recall that Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, is already of age, so to conceive a son who will eventually serve as the precursor to Christ is, in itself, already a miracle. Yet, as soon as Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby leapt in her womb, and, prompted by the Spirit, cried out in praise and humility. Did Elizabeth know of what happened to Mary? We don’t know. What is clear, though, is that Elizabeth allowed the Spirit to move in her, so as to be able to utter those words of veneration to Mary.
Mary, meanwhile, clearly embracing with humility her role as vessel and mother of the son of God, uttered perhaps the most famous canticles in Scripture. Does Mary have a full grasp of her role, in the salvific vision of God, and in the entire human history? Perhaps not. But there is one thing that is clear with her from the get-go: she acted in faith.
Her act of faith and obedience never wavered as she lived the rest of her years on earth. With St. Joseph, both stayed true to their role and mission as parents of Christ on earth, an act of faith, indeed. We also saw this during the finding of Jesus in the temple, when she “kept all these things, pondering on them in her heart.” The hardest was perhaps during the time of Christ’s suffering and eventual death on the cross. She was there, stood by till the end, even as her son breathed his last. She kept her faith, holding on in faith and continually forged on with the mission entrusted to her.
We could even dare say that she continued by being a mother to the disciples who went in hiding, afraid of the events that would transpire next. When Christ resurrected and ascended into heaven, it is believed she continued on as mother to the disciples. She continued what her Son started, along with the disciples. She exemplified that perfect discipleship to Jesus, a tough act to follow given our imperfect and frail nature as human beings, but it is also a proof that we can strive for that which is expected of us.
It is also the reason why on her last breath, and given as well of her exemption from the effects of the Fall brought about by the first sin of man, she perhaps did not experience the kind of “death” that we may be accustomed to hearing, but that of simply being brought to heaven by our Lord, both body and soul. The book of Revelation, in fact, gives us a good look of Mary’s majesty and glory, both as mother and queen, for being faithful to the salvific plan of God all through her life.
You’d probably be saying, “But that’s Mary! What about us?”
More than looking at Mary’s assumption as a tough act to follow (because, let’s be honest, we will never be like Mary). We ought to look at it as a preview of how God would also want us to share in his glory. True, this life may be full of sufferings and challenges, but God, the just god, the loving God, the merciful God, truly looks to having us share in his eternal glory, especially at the end of our lives.
Mary may have had her fair share of struggles as a human being, but her perseverance and faith brought her to sharing in the glory of her Son in heaven. We are called to the same vision of glory, and it is through the same perseverance, faith, hope, and love that we can truly attain the same glory God wants us to attain.
Ave Maria!
