Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lectionary: 622

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,

with the moon under her feet,

and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.

The Christian Church was born during a particularly traumatic moment of Jewish history. They had already suffered the destruction of Jerusalem twice, and the diaspora (dispersal) throughout the world. In 70ad Jerusalem was again visited by an army; this time, the Romans who leveled it again. Herod's temple is today nothing but a "wailing wall." Jews from India to Spain were shocked and saddened to learn of the catastrophe.

Meanwhile, a new kind of Jewish literature emerged, known as apocalyptic. It has been described as pessimistic as it spoke of an "end time" of widespread destruction and devastation. This genre had its roots in the colorful, cryptic writings of the Hebrew prophets from Amos onward. Prominent among the "signs" of doom were angels, omens in the sky, secret writings, virgins giving birth and catastrophes including earthquake, disease, famine and war.

Christian literature accepted the style of Jewish apocalyptic but changed it radically. Our apocalyptic is hopeful. The pregnant virgin may wail aloud in pain as she labors to give birth but her son will  rule all the nations with an iron rod. She may have to flee from the devouring dragon but she will find refuge in the wilderness where she has a place prepared by God.

The signs are ominous like the cross, which initially appears dreadful but is revealed as saving, liberating and joyous.

This Holy Spirit has inspired this apocalyptic tradition throughout our history. Especially during times of upheaval, when the future is uncertain and people suffer deep anxiety, we discover the reassuring presence of Mary. She appeared at Guadalupe as the Aztec empire collapsed and the Spanish empire supplanted it. Resembling a pregnant, mestizo girl she reassured the distressed natives that the Lord of Heaven heard their cry, even when the Spanish kings did not.

She has appeared in many places ever since, always with a word of reassurance. She speaks the word she heard from the Angel, "Do not be afraid." She adds her own words, "Do whatever he tells you." She might even chide us on occasion, "Am I not here, who am your mother?"

This "solemnity of the Assumption" refreshes us with the promise of eternal life. We who are baptized into Jesus are one in the Body of Christ with Mary and all the saints. As she has been assumed into heaven, so we shall follow.

Often, when someone very dear has died the bereaved wish they could go with them. Remaining in this world, we would readily depart to be with our loved ones. "A piece of me is here; the better part has gone."

We feel that same grief, hope and confidence in Mary's Assumption. Death cannot separate us from the Lord, his Mother or his Church. The times are troubled. After the optimism of the post-war years when new technologies and international accord promised prosperity even to the poorest nations, we realize that the good times have been unequally divided. The bright future has already passed. Billionaires decide our future, manipulating our options, preferences, desires, choices and votes.

But hope will not leave us disappointed because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.

In Revelation 12 we have seen the Blessed Virgin Mary delivered into the desert where she had a place prepared by God. If our bodies are still in this troubled world, our hearts are with her.