Homily for the Assumption of Mary

 


ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY


Being “full of grace” (Lk. 1:28) and “Immaculately Conceived” (CCC 490-493), we can describe the Virgin Mary as a unique Biblical figure. She possesses a unique status and this will lead her to experience a rather unique destiny. She fulfills her original role by serving as the Mother of Christ. However, from the cross Jesus will endow her with a new role: she goes from Mother of Christ to being Mother of those who belong to Christ (John 19:26-27). 


In order to embrace this new role, she will need a new vantage point. The privilege of belonging to Christ will be extended to the entire worldwide population. We are talking about a church that is in the process of becoming truly Catholic---or “universal.”  If Motherly oversight is going to be  provided for such a diverse membership, then Mary will have to be “assumed” so that she can observe from a perspective that goes beyond the earthly perspective. Therefore we celebrate what is referred to as the mystery of her Assumption into Heaven (CCC 964-970). 


She makes her initial contribution while being deployed “in the field.”  She’s here among us, as a humble Jewish peasant girl, trying to process all that is being asked of her. She faithfully carries out all that is being called for at the earthly level. And yet, she will have the opportunity to make additional contributions. After her Son has ascended into Heaven, she will also be taken up so that she can act as our Spiritual Mother, as our Patroness, as our Supreme Prayer Partner. She is no longer in the field; now she has been elevated to a new position. 


By way of illustration, consider the case of John Elway. His initial contribution can be traced to his time on the field, winning games and even Super Bowls for the Denver Broncos. Eventually he retires and moves on to a management position—Vice President of Football Operations. He is still contributing to the success of the franchise, but in a new way. As a quarterback he helps his team to win two Super Bowls (1997-98). As Vice President of Operations and as General Manager, he will help his team to win a third Super Bowl, in the year 2015. He is no longer “In the field” or even “on the field.” Nevertheless, he does his part. 


Likewise, Mary does her part. She is committed to doing her part. She expresses her undivided commitment to the Angel Gabriel: I am the Handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38). She is Handmaid, both when she is striving in the field, and when she is looking down from above. In other words, she dedicates herself to being Mother of Christ, and now she is dedicating herself to being Mother of those who belong to Christ. If you belong to Christ, you get both a Savior—and a Mother as well. 


[Note: CCC = Catechism of the Catholic Church] 

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