Contents
Introduction
According to the liturgical arrangement of the Catholic Church, every August 15 is the feast of the assumption. And what is the feast of assumption non-Catholics might ask? According to the beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox churches, Church of the East, some Lutheran churches and others, the feast or solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the bodily taking up of Mary, the mother of Jesus, into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. In other words, Assumption commemorates the belief that when Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, died, her body was “assumed” into heaven to be reunited with her soul, instead of going through the natural process of physical decay upon death. The church accords this unique honour to the Mother of the Saviour of mankind.
Practicing and serious Catholics will also remember The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is linked with the Assumption of Mary. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the fifth of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. This Mystery comes immediately after the fourth Glorious Mystery. Therefore, the idea that the Mother of Christ was physically crowned as Queen of Heaven after her Assumption is a traditional Catholic belief echoed in the Holy Rosary.
Is there any difference between Ascension and Assumption? Yes! Ascension is the final step in Jesus’ victory over death. With his Ascension, Jesus’ resurrected body enters fully into the glory of heaven, thus fulfilling the promise of the Paschal mystery. On the other hand, and as explained above, Assumption celebrates the day that Mary was raised into heaven without her body facing the decay of death. While Jesus, the Son Ascended, Mary, the Mother, was Assumed. What a wonderful relationship between Mother and Child!
Munificentissimus Deus
On November 1, 1950, invoking his dogmatic authority, Pope Pius XII defined the dogma the Assumption of Mary thus: By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that 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. The name of the Apostolic Constitution with which pope Pius XII promulgated this dogma is Munificentissimus Deus – The most bountiful God. In 1854 Pope Pius IX made an infallible statement with Ineffabilis Deus on theImmaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, which was the foundation of Munificentissimus Deus.
Message
According to the Gospel of Luke chapter one, when the angel visited Mary to inform her of the assignment prepared for her by God, when Mary wondered how she could fulfil such task, the angel went ahead and assured her that God has arranged everything. As a further assurance, the angel informed her that even her relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. Immediately the angel left, Mary took off to visit Elizabeth. The content of that visit is the Gospel reading for this Sunday – Luke 1:39–56.
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to the hill town country of Judah to visit Elizabeth. It was the joy of the information given to her about Elizabeth that made her to make this visit. Elizabeth has been without child, and it has not been easy for her, living in a culture that disregards and disrespects any woman who cannot give birth to a child. We can imagine her condition. But from this terrible situation, God saved her. Yes! God saved her from the embarrassments she has been facing due to her childlessness.
It is good that Elizabeth’s case is taken up on the day we are rejoicing for the assumption of Mary, the Mother of our Saviour. In some sense, the church is focusing particularly on mothers and their families. We should use the occasion of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary to reflect on the gift, role, and importance of mothers in the family, in the church, and in the society. We should also dedicate part of our reflection on the conditions of those mothers and couples who are yet to hear the cry of a baby in their homes. We are happy today because we have been saved from eternal damnation, thanks to God’s intervention in and through Jesus Christ. Thanks also to John the Baptist who prepared the way for Christ. Both Christ and John the Baptist were nurtured by their mothers, Mary and Elizabeth. Naturally, we have not forgotten their fathers – Joseph and Zechariah.
In Igbo land, no matter how much a woman is loved, if she cannot conceive or if she has not yet conceived and given birth to a child, that is a very big minus on the part of that woman. Initially, family members will keep telling her it does not matter. But with time, it will really matter. It will be a serious issue. This has led to many problems. As we rejoice with families, let us pray and ask God to bless those women who are still without children, the same way he blessed Elizabeth, so that her family members, friends and relatives will run to her to congratulate and rejoice with her once they receive the good news that God has intervened in her case.
After the message of the angel to Mary, she replied: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” She surrendered and allowed God to take charge. We pray for mothers to surrender to God and allow God to take charge of those situations that are weighing them down. May God show them the way and the best solution to their cases.
The Assumption of Mary is due to her faith and steadfastness in God. We pray that mothers be steadfast in their roles as mothers so that after their toils, God may reward them abundantly. May they live to enjoy the fruit of their hard-work. May they be blessed by their children. And more importantly, may they enjoy the ever-presence of God both here and hereafter.
Prayer
God our Father, we thank you that you are always right beside us. We praise you, for you never abandon us your sinful children. We pray in the good times and in the bad that your praise would continually be on our lips. Though the earth may shake and the rain may come, we will not be shaken because you are always with us. Remind each member of our family today in a special way that you are always by our side. Bless our families. Restore peace and tranquility in troubled families. Bless and encourage the mothers. Strengthen the fathers. And sustain your children.