Ceiling of the Assumption of Mary in Santa Maria Immacolata a via Veneto, Rome | photo by Livioandronico
A Reading from the Book of Revelation RV 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10AB
God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems. Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth. She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne. The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed One.”
REFLECTION
"God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple."
On August 15 we commemorate the Solemnity of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgen Mary-body and soul —into heaven. Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950, declared it a dogma (core belief of the faith). The Assumption had been deduced and believed as early as the fifth century through apostolic tradition. (1)
In Genesis 3:15, we read, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed.” Mother Mary overcame death as her Son conquered death. She entered, body and soul, into heaven after her death.
The Mother of God could never suffer corruptibility.
As early as two weeks into pregnancy, there is a two way flow of cells and DNA between the fetus and the mother. The fetal male DNA can be found in the brain of the mother throughout her life and perhaps as well in the tissues and blood. (Michrochimerism)(2)
Mother and Son were in perfect union with each other.
Mary was the dwelling place of God. How much she enjoyed and loved Jesus. At the end of her earthly life, she is taken up into heavenly glory. God allowed the preservation of the integrity of her body.
She is the first disciple to taste and see the wedding banquet of heaven and soul. (3) She continues her perfect union and harmony with Jesus. Imagine the joy and excitement when she saw her Son again.
The Mother of God is our mother as well. She mediates on our behalf. Imagine the joy when she sees us. In the simplicity of my childhood, I recited this prayer and I still say it everyday.
The Prayer of St Bernard
The Memorare
Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly onto thee O Virgin of virgins. To thee do I come, to thee do I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O mother of the word Incarnate! despise not my petition but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amén
May my soul, one day, be greeted by my mother Mary and her Son, Jesus, as I accept the wedding invitation of eternal life. Will you say "yes"?
Imagine the love and joy on that day!!
God bless you
(1) In Conversation with God, Volume 7 Part 1, The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(2) http://www.catholicmessenger.net/2019/01/the-eternal-mother-child-connection/
(3) Magnificat, August 2022, Father Richard Veras, In the Sacraments we encounter Christ the Savior, p 196
