August 15: Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary By Rev. Fr. Peter Iwuala

We commemorate the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Assumption into Heaven today, August 15, which is also known as the Fourth Glorious Mystery of the Rosary. We come into a significant puzzle on the solemnity that the Church has thought about for decades. Mary was born without sin, and she continued to be sinless throughout the remainder of her life. It was therefore appropriate that she should continue to be physically unimpaired at her death. God “assumed” her body and spirit into heaven rather than abandoning her pristine body in a tomb. This is an article of faith that Pope Pius XII formally declared to be dogma in 1950. Indeed, we can now joyfully address the Lord with the phrase “The Queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.”

According to the Book of Revelation, there will be a “woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” We can read this vision in the context of today’s feast as a metaphorical representation of Mary being raised into the glories of heaven. The devil, her adversary, is a “huge red dragon,” dangerous and powerful, but he is powerless to harm her. Her destination is “a place that has been set aside by God.” The woman is surrounded by the sun, moon, and stars, which are symbols of her celestial splendor. The mention of the sun reminds us of the narrative of Jesus’ brightness from the feast of the transfiguration nine days prior: “His face shone like the sun.”

The “feats of glory” never cease to serve as a reminder that God’s purpose is for each of us to radiate with his glory — the brightness that now fills Mary, our mother, as it shines from the face of Jesus Christ. The second reading for today sheds some light on how everyone of Christ’s followers will share in his glory. But everyone will be given new life in Christ, but in their rightful place. Everyone who is a follower of Christ will be given new life in him. Mary is the first after Christ to share in the glory of a raised body because she is the first to “belong to Christ.” However, Mary is not the only one when St. Paul states that “All who belong to him” shall share his glory. This celebration glorifies Mary while also serving as a gentle reminder that we were all created in the appropriate sequence for eternal glory. Mary’s Assumption is more than just an emotional tribute to our mother. It is a cause for celebration and a potent impetus for us to press on with her intercession despite life’s challenges.

The Visitation is a particular Rosary mystery that is mentioned in today’s Gospel, and in light of today’s feast, we can reflect on it with fresh understanding. Our contemplation of Mary’s words to Elizabeth is enriched by the fact that we can today say with more assurance than our forebears that Mary was received into heaven. Always remember that as we meditate on a passage in our hearts, our understanding of the Scriptures’ meaning deepens. Our transformation is evidence of the word’s power active within us; this is glory. When Mary adds, “The Almighty has done great things for me,” she is undoubtedly thinking about being named the Mother of God. However, it additionally refers to her being taken to heaven, which is undoubtedly a “great thing”! She appears not to be talking to herself when she says, “He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly,” but rather she is delighting in the realization of a spiritual principle about how God operates. He prefers the weak. According to Matthew 18:3, only little ones are allowed in the Kingdom of Heaven. Given Mary’s presumption, this is also made much more obvious; she is the “lowly one” who has now been promoted to the highest position. Furthermore, Mary makes a prophetic allusion to her own experience of being taken into the promised land of heaven when she sings about God keeping his promises to Abraham and his descendants forever.

Similarly to how Jesus humbled himself and was elevated, or “caught up to God and his throne,” we now witness Mary, his closest disciple and lowly handmaid, being elevated and carried into heaven. Let’s learn from Mary the path of humility as we joyfully celebrate her beautiful assumption and be included among the lowly who shall be exalted. Let us anticipate the day when we will share in the Lord’s splendor with hope.

Contemplative inquiries:

How do I seek for eternal life while celebrating the splendor God gave to Mary and to me? How can I feel the word’s authority change my life into glory? How do I request Mary’s mighty intercession in the face of life’s challenges?

Mary, help me as I bring Jesus to others and travel the path to glory. Amen.

Have a blessed day everyone. Peace be with you!

Fr. Peter Iwuala is based in USA