August 15, 2011
SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab . 1 Cor 15:20-27
Lk 1, 39-56
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Sometime in my teenage life, I asked my priest-friend, “Fads, ano ba ang reality ng Assumption?” I asked so, because even though I believed that Mary assumed to Heaven, I am still searching for its realization, how did it happen.
My priest-friend answered, “Kahit na ang mga dalubhasa ng Simbahan, hindi alam kung paano nga ba nangyari ito. May nagsasabing nakatulog si Maria, at sa pagkakatulog niyang yun, siya ay ginising ng mga Anghel at dinala sa Langit. May iba namang nagsasabi na si Maria ay namatay talaga ng pagkatanda, pero pagkatapos siyang ilibing, dun siya dinala sa Langit.”
Through that, I came to know of the two theories behind Mary’s death: there is the theory of the Dormition (for the Orthodox), and the Theory of Assumption (for us Catholics).
In the Dormition, it is said that Mary really died and on this death, She assumed to heaven on her soul on the moment of her death, followed by her body on the third day.
However, we Catholics believe that Mary, on the completion of her days, assumed to Heaven body and soul, in one complete being. We are split into two upon the question of whether or not Mary died. Some believe on it, others do not.
Whatever the theories may say, one thing is important. Mary was taken to Heaven, and there she is now with her Son, guiding each and everyone of us on our journey here on Earth. Mary was a very humble servant of God. She followed His will, and for this, to her was given the most important grace: the grace of incorruption, and being glorified with her Son.
Same thing goes to those who follow God’s Divine Will no matter what. When we complete our days, just as God promised through Jesus’ sacrifice, we shall also experience the grace of resurrection. We shall also be glorified on the way as Mary did.
Yes. We shall suffer a great deal here on Earth. These are God’s test for all to see whether or not we follow God’s Will. We must persevere. We must continue living and doing good. Huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa sa buhay na meron tayo. Kasama natin ang Panginoon sa bawat sandali. He never abandons us, he just wants to see who are really worthy of his graces and mercy. We pray that one day, like Mary, we can also sing the praises of God there in the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Actually, hindi na rin kasi kailangang hintayin ang kamatayan natin. As St. Therese said, Let us spend heaven doing good upon Earth. We continue living and doing His Will here, by serving others and loving our Neighbor. We could be God’s perfect representative on Earth though our deeds. Being Christians, this is our challenge: Heaven is our goal; Earth is our training ground.
I believe that Mary died naturally, and after her death, she was taken to Heaven. This is on the fact that just as Christ experienced death for him to be glorified, it is the same for his Mother, and on a broader view, for all of us. We shall die here on Earth, yet we shall one day be glorified just as Jesus and Mary did.
And so we give honor to Mary:
Ave, Regina Caelorum,
Ave, Domina Angelorum:
Salve, radix, salve, porta
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:
Gaude, Virgo gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa,
Vale, o valde decora,
Et pro nobis Christum exora.
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