Assumption

Mary said, “For (God) has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48).

            Some time ago, I was talking with a man who had expressed a desire to become a Roman Catholic. One area of concern for him was the Church's teachings about Mary. "I come from an Evangelical Protestant background", he said, "where my personal relationship with Jesus is the basis of my faith. In addition, everything I believe is found in the Bible. Many Catholics I know spend a lot of time talking about Mary and some of what they say, like the Assumption of Mary, cannot be found in the Bible”. The observations this man shared with me are similar to the ones I have heard from many Catholics and non-Catholics alike. They reveal the importance of properly explaining our Church’s teachings about Mary, like the Assumption.

            Luke’s account of Mary’s reaction (called the Magnificat) to Elizabeth’s revelation of the former’s role in God’s saving plan for humanity provide some insights into the Church’s Marian doctrines.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament the vindication of the righteous took place both before and after death. The Jews who remained faithful to the Covenant were vindicated by their return to Jerusalem after their exile in Babylon. Those killed by the Greeks because of their fidelity to the Jewish Law during the Maccabean persecutions were rewarded by God following their deaths. At the end of time, the Book of Daniel recorded the righteous were raised to eternal life while the unrighteous were condemned to shame and everlasting contempt. There were also certain righteous individuals like Enoch and Elijah who ascended directly into heaven. Clearly, the righteous were vindicated in ordinary and extraordinary ways both before and after death.

            Within the Magnificat are details which help complete the picture of Mary’s unique role in God’s plan for the salvation of humanity. Earlier in the Annunciation Story, the angel Gabriel called Mary “favoured one” (sometimes translated “full of grace”). As the one who was to carry Jesus in her womb for nine months, Mary was intended to be a perfect vessel who would prevent any contact between sin and her son. It is from this Scriptural passage the teaching that Mary was preserved from any corruption caused by Original Sin at her Conception (called the Immaculate Conception) is derived. Since death was a consequence of Original Sin, Mary’s life would end (she was human and not divine) but not with a death like other sinful individuals, which would include bodily decay, but direct entry into heaven similar to that of Enoch and Elijah found in the Scriptures. It was the result of her righteousness. In the text, Mary recognizes this special status was because God “looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant”. It was not something she deserved or earned but a grace. The faithful would recognize this favour for “all generations” (it has been taught by the Church since earliest times). Mary’s role in God’s plan was not only to be the mother of Jesus but also the model for disciples who sought to serve God in any capacity.

            For Catholics and non-Catholics alike, it is essential to understand how the Dogma of the Assumption of Mary helps to build a stronger personal relationship with Jesus. When she agreed to carry Christ in her womb, Mary likely had no idea how events would unfold. How would her family, friends and Joseph react? How would her child be “Son of the Most High” as revealed by the angel Gabriel or “my Lord” as Elizabeth stated? What would happen after he grew up? There is no indication she had answers to any of these questions. During Christ’s earthly mission, Mary likely worried about her son and according to John’s Gospel, she was present at his first miracle at Cana and his crucifixion. She was also present in the early Church after his resurrection. Since Mary was fully human, she had no special powers. Mary simply trusted in God, offered all she had to him and remained committed to her son and his mission throughout her life. The result of her righteousness was direct entry into eternal life. Although the faithful, unlike Mary, are born with Original Sin, they can use her as a model for developing a deeper personal relationship with Jesus by trusting in him, offering all they have to him and remaining committed to him and his mission on earth. Their entry into eternal life may not be direct, as was the case with Mary, but their final destination is the same. In addition, the special grace granted Mary shows how highly God regards the human condition. Belief in the Assumption of Mary is thus a central part of our Catholic tradition.

August 15, 2020