Assumption by Murillo. 1670.
Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a Holy Day of Obligation for U.S. Catholics for sure – not sure about non-U.S. Catholics (best to check!). Greg and I will be celebrating by going to Mass tonight. I’m excited.
What are we celebrating today? The fact that Mary was assumed, body and soul into Heaven. It reminds us of our final destination, what God will do for us. It reminds us of life. It reminds us of doing His Will – even when it seems most impossible or something we couldn’t possibly do. We may need to go out of our comfort zone, but if we do His Will how can it end bad? “Let it be done to me according to Thy word!”
How is our relationship with God? With Christ? With the Holy Spirit? His Saints? Each other? What are we looking forward to for eternity – do we even think about eternity? I’ll admit I a lot of times get focused on the fleeting – this life, and forget the ultimate destination. Today’s Solemnity is a good, hit you in the face reminder about the fact that there’s life after death, and a narrow way to follow. We can’t just slack off and think we’re made in the shade, we must always be growing towards God and converting our hard hearts to Him and Him alone. Easier said than done, I’m aware of that.
More on the Assumption:
Catholic Culture’s page
The Assumption of Mary: A Belief Since Apostolic Times
And if you’re an Eastern Christian, the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin. I found this well written post by Alana on the Dormition of the Theotokos (God-bearer). I got a good giggle at this part of the post:
“Fact of the matter is, Christian Tradition universally testifies to the Dormition/Assumption of the Virgin Mary. When the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Catholic Churches are saying the same thing, one can know that this is the teaching of the Church that goes back to the beginning.”
Father in heaven,
all creation rightly gives you praise,
for all life and all holiness come from you.
In the plan of your wisdom
she who bore the Christ in her womb
was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.
May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness
and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen. (source)
