Today, the church celebrates the solemnity of the assumption of the blessed virgin Mary. In this celebration, we are made to understand that the Blessed Virgin Mary never experienced the corruption of the body but was taken up body and soul by her son to heaven.
We may want to know why Mary was taken up to heaven. To this, I would like to make a quote from St. John Damascene. He says; “…It was right that she who had kept her virginity unimpaired through the process of giving birth should have kept her body without decay through death. It was right that she who had given her Creator, as a child, a place at her breast, should be given a place in the dwelling place of her God. It was right that the bride espoused by the Father should dwell in the heavenly bridal chamber. It was right that she who had gazed on her Son on the cross, her heart pierced at that moment by the sword of sorrow that she had escaped at his birth, should now gaze on him seated with his Father. It was right that the Mother of God should possess what belongs to her Son and to be honoured by every creature as the God’s Mother and handmaid….” This is found in the Apostolic Constitution of Pope Pius XII on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the office of the readings of today.
However, it is not enough to talk about this celebration without pointing out its relevance in our christian living especially in a decaying world where the lose of the value of doing the will of God is on a rapid decline.
This solemnity is a celebration of an icon of holiness and of one who carried out the will of God perfectly in our corrupt world and a celebration of a model for all christian faithful.
The Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived without sin to be able to carry out her task of bearing the Son of God without sin, and in the midst of the corruption of the world, she lived her life in a state of total purity even after she had carried out her duty of bearing the Son of God and when it was her time to depart from the earth, she was taken body and soul into heaven where she dwells eternally interceding for all who call upon her for assistance.
This celebration helps us to understand that living a life of holiness and doing the will of God is achievable even in the midst of the corruption of the world, and any doctrines or teachings that support profanity and the unattainability of human holiness is false. Also, it shows us that it pays good to do the will of God, for anyone who does the will of the Father is rewarded with eternal life.
Therefore, Mary becomes for us a perfect example for every Christian to emulate in our path to doing the will of God.
May God give us the grace to do his will as we struggle on our journey through the face of the earth and amidst its corruption. Amen!
Peace be with you
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