Rev 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; 1 Cor 15:20-27; Lk 1:39-56
The popular preacher Ernest Munachi Ezeogu gives an interesting comparison between Adam and Eve on the one hand and Jesus and Mary on the other:
In the old order, the woman (Eve) came from the body of the man (Adam); but in the new order, the man (Jesus) comes from the body of the woman (Mary). In the old order, the woman (Eve) first disobeyed God and led the man (Adam) to do the same; in the new order, the woman (Mary) first said “Yes” to God and taught her son Jesus to do likewise. In the old order, Adam and Eve had a good time together disobeying God; in the new order, Jesus and Mary suffered together doing God’s will. In the old order, Adam and Eve shared immediately in the resulting consequences and punishments of the Fall; in the new order, both Jesus and Mary shared immediately in the resulting consequences and blessings of the Redemption, which is, the fullness of life with God – Jesus through the mystery of the Ascension and Mary through the mystery of the Assumption.
Regarding the mystery of the Assumption, the Church teaches that at the end of her earthly life, the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken up immediately into heaven, body and soul. This was defined as a dogma of faith by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950. A person would likely ask, “How is it possible for a human being to be raised to heaven body and soul? Isn’t it stupid to even think about it?” For those who have no faith, there is no explanation possible; but for those of us who have faith, a little explanation is enough.
Mary has a special place in the eternal plan of God. “The Almighty has done great things for her.” Mary is “blessed among women” because God has chosen her to be the mother of His only Son. Because she is His mother, it is only fitting that Jesus grant her the privilege of not having to await the eternal life He promised all those who love Him. Because Mary is Jesus’ first disciple, it also is fitting that she should be the first to be with Him.
Our belief in the Assumption of the Blessed Mother Mary also is our joy, consolation and encouragement. Where she is now, there we will also go. Mary, the humble servant from Nazareth, was exalted to the throne of heaven because of her obedience and love for God. We, too, strive to remain God’s faithful servants and eagerly wait for the time when God will bring us home to share everlasting joy with Him.
Because the Virgin Mary is now in heaven, we are confident that we have a mother to intercede for us all. A mother loves and cares for her children, kisses the boo-boo and cleans the wound. She cannot make the wound disappear. Only God can forgive sins. But our Mother Mary can lead us to Him. Her desire to help us is the instinct of a mother whose nature is to give life and love.
One fine day, the Lord God went out on patrol of heaven just to make sure that everything was running according to His will. Everything was fine, the hedges trimmed, the grass cut, the fountains clean, the shopping mall neat.
The Lord stopped by to listen to the choir of angels sing and they were in great form. Then, on one side of the street he encountered people who had no business in heaven. Some of them should have been serving a long sentence in purgatory; and others would have made it to heaven only with an extraordinary appeal. So, the Lord confronted Peter about this mess.
“What is going on here? Have you been negligent again with your duties at the gate?”
“No, my Lord, I try to keep watch all the time,” Peter defended himself.
“Then, why are there illegal aliens inside?” asked the Lord.
And Peter said, “I did not let them in. But what can I do. They went to the back door and your Mother opened the kitchen door and allowed them in.”
(The story is from an unknown author)
The popular preacher Ernest Munachi Ezeogu gives an interesting comparison between Adam and Eve on the one hand and Jesus and Mary on the other:
In the old order, the woman (Eve) came from the body of the man (Adam); but in the new order, the man (Jesus) comes from the body of the woman (Mary). In the old order, the woman (Eve) first disobeyed God and led the man (Adam) to do the same; in the new order, the woman (Mary) first said “Yes” to God and taught her son Jesus to do likewise. In the old order, Adam and Eve had a good time together disobeying God; in the new order, Jesus and Mary suffered together doing God’s will. In the old order, Adam and Eve shared immediately in the resulting consequences and punishments of the Fall; in the new order, both Jesus and Mary shared immediately in the resulting consequences and blessings of the Redemption, which is, the fullness of life with God – Jesus through the mystery of the Ascension and Mary through the mystery of the Assumption.
Regarding the mystery of the Assumption, the Church teaches that at the end of her earthly life, the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken up immediately into heaven, body and soul. This was defined as a dogma of faith by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950. A person would likely ask, “How is it possible for a human being to be raised to heaven body and soul? Isn’t it stupid to even think about it?” For those who have no faith, there is no explanation possible; but for those of us who have faith, a little explanation is enough.
Mary has a special place in the eternal plan of God. “The Almighty has done great things for her.” Mary is “blessed among women” because God has chosen her to be the mother of His only Son. Because she is His mother, it is only fitting that Jesus grant her the privilege of not having to await the eternal life He promised all those who love Him. Because Mary is Jesus’ first disciple, it also is fitting that she should be the first to be with Him.
Our belief in the Assumption of the Blessed Mother Mary also is our joy, consolation and encouragement. Where she is now, there we will also go. Mary, the humble servant from Nazareth, was exalted to the throne of heaven because of her obedience and love for God. We, too, strive to remain God’s faithful servants and eagerly wait for the time when God will bring us home to share everlasting joy with Him.
Because the Virgin Mary is now in heaven, we are confident that we have a mother to intercede for us all. A mother loves and cares for her children, kisses the boo-boo and cleans the wound. She cannot make the wound disappear. Only God can forgive sins. But our Mother Mary can lead us to Him. Her desire to help us is the instinct of a mother whose nature is to give life and love.
One fine day, the Lord God went out on patrol of heaven just to make sure that everything was running according to His will. Everything was fine, the hedges trimmed, the grass cut, the fountains clean, the shopping mall neat.
The Lord stopped by to listen to the choir of angels sing and they were in great form. Then, on one side of the street he encountered people who had no business in heaven. Some of them should have been serving a long sentence in purgatory; and others would have made it to heaven only with an extraordinary appeal. So, the Lord confronted Peter about this mess.
“What is going on here? Have you been negligent again with your duties at the gate?”
“No, my Lord, I try to keep watch all the time,” Peter defended himself.
“Then, why are there illegal aliens inside?” asked the Lord.
And Peter said, “I did not let them in. But what can I do. They went to the back door and your Mother opened the kitchen door and allowed them in.”
(The story is from an unknown author)
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