The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the outcome of the promulgation of the Dogma defined by Pope Pius XII through the Apostolic constitution called ‘Munificentissimus Deus’. This dogma, in a very systematic way upholds the belief that is held throughout 2,000 years of the Church’s tradition. It says that the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken into heaven to the Glory of God with body and soul and she shares in the resurrection of her Son Jesus Christ who is the first one to be raised from the dead. Now she becomes the Hope for all the members of the church for whom she will intercede unceasingly with her Son.
Mary was the active member of the first Christian community. The Acts of the Apostles, which record the events of the infant church, mentions how she gathered the early church around her. “All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers” (Acts 1: 14). Mary in a way had become the mother of the early church which was an extension and the visible sign of the presence of the risen Christ.
Today’s liturgy takes imagery from the book of Revelation and applies it to Mary – “A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Rev. 12:1). We know that this imagery applies to the community of Israel who is faithful to God (now the new community, the church, who is under persecution), the 12 stars represent the total tribes of Israel (now represented by the apostles), the moon under her foot is the representation of a false god who is the devil.
This imagery is very powerful. In the resurrection of Christ, God has brought Jesus into His Supreme Glory. This resurrection of Christ has proclaimed a new hope to all humanity. Now all the evil forces have invested in fighting against this Easter hope because the resurrection of Christ has inflicted a deadly wound on the dragon.
Mary is the most faithful member of the Christian community. She not only gave birth to the Messiah but she is also the best disciple of Christ. She is the constant intercessor and the faithful fellow member of the church who stands by all the faithful in times of their tribulation, struggles and temptations. She protects her people from being pulled down by the tail of the dragon, by his deception and falsehood. Therefore, God willed that such a faithful servant be given the privilege of fully participating in our hope of total resurrection.
What we expect to be given to us at the end of history is given to Mary for her faithfulness and sinlessness within the time. She becomes our surest hope of eternal life.
– Fr Ranjan D’Sa, OCD