The Assumption

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Revelation 11:19, 12:1-6, 10; Psalm 45; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26; Luke 1:39-56

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death…”

How do we know…what is the sure sign that death is being destroyed?

Is it not birth?

Wherever and whenever we experience new life coming forth, death is being destroyed. The woman clothed with galaxies gives birth. From that moment, the death-dealing dragon that has been waiting to devour her new life vanishes from sight.

The biblical passages present us with three women at different stages of pregnancy. Mary has just conceived, Elizabeth is at the end of her second trimester and the woman clothed with suns, moons, and stars gives birth. The entire breath of pregnancy is a sure sign that death, our death, is being destroyed before our eyes.

A fourth pregnancy binds these together. It is Jesus, who “when he was in the flesh, offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears…” [Roman 5:7] as he gave birth to the Church from his side in blood and water, in Baptism and Eucharist [See John Chrysostomos]. Sure signs of new life and eternity.

Why is this woman clothed with galaxies of suns, moons and stars? Paul reminds us that as the woman wails aloud in pain while giving birth so “all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves…we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption…” [Romans 8:22-23]

Christ, creation and ourselves participate and are taken up in this destructive blow against death. Christ’s Resurrection is Mary’s Assumption…is our assumption “so that God may be all in all” [1 Corinthians 15:28].

Where might you see and experience new life being birthed today?