Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today the Church marks the celebration of Mary’s bodily assumption into heaven. Although we understand this as a Marian feast, it speaks in a greater degree about God’s love for us through Jesus and that same loving God’s desire that we be in union with Him. When we look at the two great Marian dogmas, the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption, we see in these two distinct historic events God’s intention for humanity. In this singular event of Mary’s Immaculate Conception, we see God’s original intention for humanity in that all humanity was intended to live outside of sin and its consequences. In Mary’s Assumption, we see how, because of her “yes,” God gives to Mary what God desires for all humanity: eternal life. Thus, today’s feast touches upon the very foundations of salvation history. That history recounts the narrative of God’s act of creation, humanity’s rejection of the invitation to act considering this love God, the continued action of God in the redemptive act of Jesus, and the continuation of this redemption by means of the Holy Spirit working through the Church. Mary both serves as model of Christian choice by her saying “yes” to God at the Incarnation and as example of what will occur for all persons who imitate her yes to God. It therefore no surprise that the Second Vatican Council identifies Mary as “the image and beginning of the Church as it is to be perfected in the world to come” (Lumen Gentium 68).
The feast of the Assumption provides me with a fitting time to retire from these daily reflections. For many years it has been my pleasure writing these brief essays and often receiving very kind and encouraging comments from many readers. Times and obligations change, and adjustments in my responsibilities have created a press on my time. In addition, different voices are always important to hear, and there are lots of young Jesuits out there who no doubt would be anxious to share their thoughts with such a distinguished reading audience. My prayers and best wishes to the readership of Magis, and I still look forward to hearing from the many of you who have written to me with questions and comments.