The East calls Mary's Assumption by a different name: The Dormition. Dormition means, Falling Asleep. Some theologians debate whether Mary actually died, as death is a result of original sin. But Pope John Paul II kind of settled that when he taught us that Mary is not higher than her Son, and Jesus died.
Here, Mary has fallen asleep in death. Her body is resting on a bier or catafalque. The apostles, taking up a lot of room have gathered from near and far to pay their respects. Peter is at the head of the bier with a thurible; Paul is prayerful by Mary's feet.The three men on the right wearing white vestments with crosses are early first century bishops. On the far left are halo-ed angels. We can see their upright traveling staves. Mary's "girl friends" have gathered to mourn and pray - three on the far right and one, talking with an angel, on the far right. Jesus is in the heavenly place holding Mary's "all-luminous soul" depicted as a child in swaddling clothes. The holy city of Jerusalem is spread out behind the scene.
Our Father...
Before the Gospel is proclaimed at the Assumption Day Mass we sing: Assumpta est Maria...Mary is taken up into heaven, the Angels rejoice, and bless God with songs of praise. The ancient Gregorian chant, still sung in some monasteries around the world, is tender and glad.
Hail Mary...
The Eastern Church sings this day: "The grave and death could not retain the Mother of Life, for Her Son has transported her into the life of the future age." The final end of humankind is already realized in Mary - a human being made God. It's called Deification.
Hail Mary...
An extra-biblical text tells us that Mary, wanting to see the apostles before her death, prayed at the Mount of Olives and angels mystically transported the apostles from near and far to her deathbed. Christians live near and far, around the world. Not a few suffer terribly. The countries where the persecution of Christians is most grievous: North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, Pakistan, Eritrea, Libya, Iraq, Yemen, China and Iran.
Hail Mary...
So much loss in our world. And this week, homemade bombs were sent through the mail to high profile people in our nation and then on Saturday, the murdering of Jewish worshippers in a Pittsburg synagogue: the loss of decency, civility, respect, unity and community. The nation is dis-spirited and dismayed. But God is no loser. Mary is taken up out of the world of decay to the promised place of glory and fullness of life.
Hail Mary...
When we were young and little and we knew the grown-ups were going somewhere, we'd sing out, "I want to go too. We dreaded the thought of being left out; left behind. Jesus and Mary have gone to heaven even in their bodies! I want to go too!
Hail Mary...
St. John Damascene addresses the Virgin Mary in a homily for her feast day: "You have penetrated even to the royal throne of your Son himself...a blessing for the world, a sanctification of the universe, refreshment for those who are tired, comfort for the sorrowing, healing for the sick, a port for those in danger, pardon for sinners, soothing balm for the oppressed, quick help for all who pray to you..."
Hail Mary...
But what does Mary do now in her Assumption? She lives her Son's commandment, "Love one another." She patterns the new lifestyle that says we don't have to hate people. We don't have to kill people with weapons - even weapons of words and thoughts. All around the world, people claim to receive messages from Mary. But there's really one message: If you're going to follow my Son, it isn't okay to hate people.
Hail Mary...
Most pictures of the Assumption show Mary zooming off into heavenly space. Lovely, but not especially helpful. Mary's life has ended here and now she enters into God's inner life, which is a life of family. "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." We are baptized for community. And in heaven we will be assumed into that life of relatedness we call Trinity. No more isolation, marginalization - no more being turned away.
Hail Mary...
Some people might say, "I can't pray to Mary." Then we might consider praying with Mary. She prayed in the upper room with the apostles; wouldn't she pray still? And what might that prayer consist of? Praising God, who continually brings life out of seemingly impossible places. Thanking God, whose mercies are eternal despite our awful mistakes, our folly. And that we would be God-Bearers too - keeping Jesus at the center!
Notice at the center of the icon, the body of the Mother of God forms a horizontal line while Christ in the body-halo (called a mandala) forms a vertical line pointing upward. And St. Paul writes: But earnestly desire the higher gifts, and I will show you a still more excellent way. Our life of desires often keeps us earthbound. St. Paul has in mind that we would embrace a higher lifestyle of love - actively wishing the good of the other.
Hail Mary...
Some people might say, "I can't pray to Mary." Then we might consider praying with Mary. She prayed in the upper room with the apostles; wouldn't she pray still? And what might that prayer consist of? Praising God, who continually brings life out of seemingly impossible places. Thanking God, whose mercies are eternal despite our awful mistakes, our folly. And that we would be God-Bearers too - keeping Jesus at the center!
Hail Mary...
Glory be to the Father...
