The Assumption of the Blessed Mary

On Thursday, August 15th, the church has always held to the belief that Mary was assumed, body and soul, into a heavenly state, even though the belief was not declared as dogmatic until 1950.  The early church had a robust tradition of revering relics from the saints of the day, and their complete lack of relics from the Mother of Jesus was seen as evidence of this Marian belief.  The celebration of the event as a feast dates back to the fourth century in the East and the seventh century in the West.

Since Mary was untouched by the stain of sin, she was unable to experience the “wages of sin,” which is death.  But her Assumption also says something about humanity as well.  Sin only has power over us if we allow it.  Mary was freed from this power in her Immaculate Conception, and when she responded “yes” to God.  We were freed from that power when Jesus died and rose, conquering death.  Now, we must respond “yes” to claim the victory that was already won for us.  On this feast, we should not only celebrate the great works God has done for us through Our Lady, but also celebrate the truth that we have the opportunity to one day spend eternity with her and her Son, Jesus.

Fr. Chester