Body and Soul

Today we celebrate not only a great feast in honor of our Blessed Mother, but a promise and a future that awaits all of those who hope in God.  This hope and this future Mary has already experienced in her glorious Assumption into heaven, body and soul.

She is not the first to experience this great gift as there is Scriptural evidence that Enoch “walked with God and then God took him and he was no more.” (Gn. 5:21-24)  It is also possible that Moses was also taken body and soul into heaven, Elijah was taken up in a fiery chariot (2 Kings 2:11), and when Jesus’ sacrifice was finished, “the graves were opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.” (c.f. Mt. 27:51-53)  There is no Scriptural proof of Mary being assumed into heaven, but there are writings from the Church fathers that attest to this, and logic would dictate and actually be very convincing that Jesus who raised some of the patriarchs would also do the same for his own mother, who shared with him even in his very suffering, “and a sword shall pierce your own heart.” (Lk. 2:35)  So, yes, Jesus gave her this gift, to experience heaven in body and soul, a gift for the Theotokos (the God-bearer).

We honor this most holy of women, who is “the fairest honor of our race.”  As Catholics we know Mary’s place in our church and in our lives, a great mother to us indeed.  But, we do not only celebrate her assumption, but also and eventually ours.  Where Mary is, she too wants us to be, like Jesus promises in the Gospel of John, “Where I am I also wish you to be and I will come back and take you to myself.” (c.f. Jn. chapter 14) 

I would like to believe that Mary prays for us to one day be with her in heaven and to also be there whole and completely, both body and soul.  Reflect on that, that we will be made whole and perfect, no more pain, sorrow, growing old, or being bored, or tired, but always vigorous, happy, and content in the presence of the Lord and all his angels and saints. 

The Assumption only has meaning for us if we desire the same, it cannot just be what was done for someone else, yes, we do give honor and remember Mary, but to truly honor her is to do like she did, follow her Son in every way, fully, completely, and without reservation.  Great rewards are only given to those who give great effort that is why Mary is blessed with the greatest gifts.  So, “Let us strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts,” (1 Cor. 12:31), so that the Assumption or its end result will also be ours.  Our holy mother Mary was given this gift and as a good mother she also wants to share it with us.  God bless you and may Mary, Queen of heaven, pray for us, Amen!

FJ