Handmaid of the Lord

THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY

My lover speaks; he says to me, Arise, my beloved,
my beautiful one, and come! For see, the winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
Songs 2, 10-11

“Behold, from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed;
for the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.”
Luke 1, 48-49

“Heaven and earth shall pass away,
but my words shall not pass away.”
Matthew 24, 35

Understanding the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary within the Christian faith requires focusing on her divine Son and his Gospel message. Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh, represents the fullness of what God has revealed through sacred Scripture and Tradition regarding his will and saving actions. His teachings and actions embody profound truths about divinity and humanity. By engaging with his words and observing his acts of love and compassion, believers can gain a deeper understanding of both Jesus and his message.

The accomplishments of our Lord and Savior, both in our present context and for the future, illustrate the inherent goodness and righteousness of His teachings. It is essential to note that Jesus would not contradict Himself by neglecting any of His own principles, which are rooted in His divine connection to the Father. He exemplifies a consistent standard of behavior, ensuring that He practices what He teaches and expects from us in similar situations. Jesus has declared Himself to be “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). By reflecting on the divine nature of Jesus, whom we come to know through His teachings and actions in His sacred humanity, we can gain a deeper understanding of the profound honor and love He bestowed upon His mother, all while fulfilling the will of His heavenly Father.

“For this, I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth
listens to my voice.”
John 18, 37

When examining the notion that “actions speak louder than words,” we can gain a unique perspective on the divinity of Jesus. While his miraculous actions during his public ministry demonstrated his compassion for the needy and affirmed the truth of his teachings, his words often carried greater significance because of his divine nature. It’s important to note that Jesus was not condemned to death for performing miracles; instead, he faced death for blasphemy as charged by the Sanhedrin. His fate was sealed when he responded to Chief Priest Caiaphas, stating, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mt 26:64). This declaration highlighted his claim of equality with God, which the scribes and Pharisees dismissed, attributing his miraculous deeds to the influence of the Devil, as noted in Matthew 12:22-37.

Jesus’ assertion of his authority to forgive sins is a significant element in the narrative of his life, as it suggests his divinity and ultimately contributed to his arrest and conviction. This claim was particularly offensive to the Jewish elders, who held the belief that only God could forgive sins. Their indignation stemmed from Jesus’ positioning himself as equal to YHWH, which they saw as a direct challenge to their beliefs. Even in the face of a miraculous healing of a paralytic, as recounted in Mark 2:1-12, these leaders remained largely indifferent. The scribes and Pharisees, characterized by their strict adherence to religious laws and their pride, were resistant to accepting Jesus’ teachings and were not favorably impressed by his words, as noted in Psalm 69:8-9. Consequently, Jesus condemned them for what he termed the unpardonable sin, as outlined in John 9:35-41.

You stretch out your hand and save me,
your hand will do all things for me.
Your love, O Lord, is eternal.
Discard not the work of your hands.
Psalm 138, 7-8

“Even if you do not believe me, believe the works,
so that you may realize and understand that the Father
is in me and I am in the Father.”
John 10, 38

Jesus taught his disciples that his primary mission was to fulfill his Father’s will rather than his own personal desires (Jn 6:38). Through his obedience to God and his willingness to endure suffering, Jesus achieved perfection and was appointed by God as our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, which is fundamental to our salvation (Heb 5:8-9). If Jesus had disobeyed any of God’s commandments or failed to harmonize his human will with the divine will, the scribes and Pharisees could have justifiably accused him of performing miracles by the power of the Devil. Such accusations would have undermined his teachings and cast him as a hypocrite. However, his acts of healing the sick on the Sabbath were in accordance with the true spirit of the law, demonstrating alignment with God’s commandments despite the beliefs of some religious leaders of the time.

The Gospels reveal that the Son of Man exhibited remarkable moral courage by humbling himself to fulfill the will of the Father, as evidenced by pivotal moments in his ministry (Mt 3:17; Lk 22:42). Throughout his life, God’s will was paramount to Jesus, particularly when he confronted challenges that would typically push any human to act on instinct or self-preservation. In the Garden of Gethsemane, this struggle is vividly illustrated; despite his profound anguish and the weight of humanity’s sins bearing down on him, Jesus ultimately chose to align his human will with that of his Father, demonstrating ultimate obedience (Mt 26:38-39; 27:40-44). His profound suffering during these moments—marked by his earnest prayers and emotional distress—revealed the depth of his commitment to God’s plan.

Moreover, Jesus’ agonizing sacrifice on the Cross served not only as a testament to his unwavering resolve to adhere to the Father’s will but also confirmed the beauty of his obedience in the face of unimaginable pain and rejection (Heb 4:15). This act of surrender showcased the divine unity between the Father and the Son, affirming Jesus’ role as the perfect, sinless sacrifice for humanity. His steadfastness in upholding the Father’s commandments despite suffering becomes a powerful source of hope and inspiration for believers, underscoring the essence of faith and the call to prioritize divine guidance in every aspect of life.

The question of Jesus’ consistency and fidelity to his teachings is significant, particularly in light of his relationship with his mother, Mary. It is essential to recognize that, as our intercessor in Heaven, Jesus is believed to continue fulfilling the will of the Father. If we accept Jesus’ teachings about his mission and his alignment with divine law, then we must consider the implications of his mother’s fate.

According to the Divine moral precepts of the Mosaic Law, it would be unexpected for Jesus, who performed numerous miracles and emphasized the importance of honoring one’s parents, to allow Mary’s body and soul to remain unaccounted for after her death. If her remains were to be found in a decayed state, it could raise serious doubts about both the authenticity of Jesus’ claims regarding resurrection and his commitment to the moral precepts of the Law. Therefore, understanding Mary’s fate is crucial to comprehending the full scope of Jesus’ mission and the foundations of Christian belief.

Arise, Lord, come to your resting place,
you and your majestic ark.
Psalm 132, 8

Christians who accept the belief that Jesus Christ is consubstantially one with the Father in His divinity are encouraged to do so with a thoughtful consideration of their faith. This acknowledgment also highlights the importance of honoring one’s mother, as prescribed by the Divine precept. In understanding faith and knowledge of God, which are essential for unity with Him, Christians must recognize that Jesus is bound by His divine nature to uphold His own teachings. It is necessary to remember that Jesus honors the woman predestined by the Father to be His mother, from whom He received His sacred body and precious blood through the power of the Holy Spirit. This act is central to the themes of forgiveness of sins and the redemption of humanity, as highlighted in Galatians 4:4.

The belief that Jesus Christ is both fully human and fully divine is a fundamental aspect of Christian theology. According to this understanding, He received His physical body from His mother, which is part of the hypostatic union—the theological term that describes the joining of His divine and human natures in one person. This body suffered, as prophesied in Isaiah 53:5, which states that He was “bruised for our iniquities.” Additionally, His blood, which combined with His mother Mary’s blood during gestation, is referenced in Matthew 26:28 as being “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Furthermore, early Christian writers such as St. Ignatius of Antioch referred to Jesus as “one Physician both of Mary and of God,” highlighting the unique relationship between His divinity and humanity. This distinction highlights the extraordinary status of Mary, the mother of the Son of God, in the economy of salvation.

Jesus can’t break any of His commandments, as He never commanded Himself to disobey them. However, since he has commanded us to follow them, Jesus himself must hold the moral precepts of the Law to be worth following, primarily as they originate from him in his oneness with the Father, whose moral attributes he possesses in their essential oneness. Our Lord refused to break the First Commandment when he rejected Satan’s proposal to worship him in exchange for dominion over all the earthly kingdoms. Sacred Scripture reveals our Lord’s response to the Devil: “Be gone, Satan! The Lord your God shall you worship, and him alone shall you serve” (Mt 4:10; Lk 4:8). Jesus would have offended his heavenly Father and thereby renounced his own oneness with Him had he succumbed to the Devil’s tempting offer. In other words, he would have broken his own commandment and denied himself the worship owed to him by Satan. Indeed, Jesus would have disposed of his sovereign dignity as “Lord of all” (Acts 10:36).

Jesus, known as God’s Divine Word or Logos, represents the visible manifestation of the unseen God. In the same way that our spoken words convey our thoughts and intentions, Jesus serves as the tangible reflection of the Father’s spoken Word. Jesus makes the Father’s desires and commands visible through His life and teachings. Jesus works in perfect unity with the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One of the key commandments He gave us is to honor our parents, underscoring the importance of familial relationships and respect.

Moreover, His role transcends that of a mere messenger; He embodies God’s mind, will, and purpose. The Holy Spirit operates through Jesus, further deepening the relationship among the three persons of the Trinity. A significant aspect of Jesus’ honor towards His mother, Mary, is reflected in the belief that she was assumed body and soul into Heaven. This belief underscores her unique role as the mother of Jesus and a vital figure in the narrative of salvation, demonstrating the reverence and honor she should be accorded. This understanding invites us to appreciate both the divine and human elements of Jesus’ mission and the sacredness of familial relationships in the context of faith.

The Catholic belief regarding Jesus emphasizes the importance of honoring his mother by adhering to his divine word and commandments. For Christians, Jesus’ obedience to these commandments is foundational to understanding His divinity; if He did not follow His own teachings, it would call His nature as God into question. As the incarnation of God made flesh, Jesus is seen as acting in alignment with the moral attributes of his divine essence, which is united with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, his adherence to the Father’s commands is critical for maintaining the credibility of his claims about his relationship with the Father, providing a strong basis for Christian belief.

In considering the significance of familial relationships and the moral expectations surrounding them, we can reflect on a hypothetical scenario where a mother accidentally falls into a pit of dirt. This situation underscores the importance of the Fourth Commandment, which emphasizes honoring one’s parents. It can be argued that in such circumstances, it would be an act of love and respect to assist her. Refusing to provide help in this instance might be viewed as a violation of this commandment, potentially leading to moral condemnation for indifference toward a parent’s well-being. Additionally, one can draw parallels to Jesus’ teachings on respecting one’s parents. If Jesus were present in a similar situation, it is reasonable to believe that He would extend His compassion and assistance to His mother. This perspective reinforces the view that the fundamental principles of respect, love, and dignity toward one’s mother remain constant, whether on earth or in a divine realm.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a significant dogma in Catholicism, which asserts that Mary was taken up into heaven, body and soul, at the end of her earthly life. This belief reflects the view that those who do not accept this dogma may lack a complete understanding of God’s nature and the identity of Jesus. The essence of faith, a theological virtue, involves believing in what is good and righteous, revealing God’s love through the Holy Spirit. Faith encompasses believing in the unseen (what should be rather than what is perceived) and extends beyond personal desires or interpretations of reality.

From a theological perspective, it is posited that there is no reason for Jesus to deny his mother the honor of her Assumption, allowing them to be united in both body and soul. According to Catholic doctrine, Mary was preserved from original sin and personal sin, as reflected in Luke 1:28, highlighting her unique role in salvation history. The Assumption is viewed as a natural consequence of her Immaculate Conception, when she was granted a singular grace from God, freeing her from the law of sin and the corruption of death, as mentioned in Romans 5:12, 18. Genesis 3:15 further supports the narrative of Mary’s purity and her standing in opposition to evil, describing her as being in total enmity with the serpent.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
and my soul shall be joyful in my God:
for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation:
and with the robe of justice he hath covered me,
as a bridegroom decked with a crown,
and as a bride adorned with her jewels.
Isaiah 61, 10

“Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets.
I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”
Matthew 5, 17

From the moment of the Annunciation, Jesus has had an eternal and perfect love for His mother, Mary. This love transcends all human understanding and is far greater than any love one might feel for one’s own mother. The relationship between Jesus and Mary is distinctive, as He embodies both a divine and human nature. If we could bring our mothers back to life, many of us would likely choose to do so, reflecting our immeasurable love for them. In a similar vein, Jesus, with His divine power, would have the capacity to do the same for Mary, highlighting the profound nature of His love for her. It is essential to recognize that Jesus’ love for His mother far exceeds human love, underscoring the unique bond within the Holy Family. Thus, it is crucial to understand that our love for our mothers, while significant, cannot compare to the love Jesus has for His blessed mother, Mary.

The relationship between Jesus Christ and His mother, Mary, is a profound aspect of Christian theology. It is challenging to understand how Christ, who embodies His own teachings on Earth and Heaven, would impose the consequences of Adam and Eve’s actions upon Mary. In Genesis 3:16-19, God declares the punishments for disobedience, which include severe pain in childbearing and a return to dust. However, Genesis 3:15 emphasizes a distinction between the serpent and the woman, suggesting a protective role for Mary.

According to Christian belief, both Jesus and Mary were not subject to bodily corruption in the tomb, signifying a unique blessing from God. In Luke 1:42, Mary is described as “most blessed among women,” emphasizing her special status. As long as Jesus retains both His divine and human nature, Mary’s role transcends that of an ordinary mother; she is recognized as the Mother of God incarnate, as supported by various scriptural references (Isa 7:14; Lk 1:35, 43; Jn 1:14). This understanding elevates Mary’s significance well beyond that of being simply the mother of a prominent prophet or teacher.

From the moment of the Annunciation, Jesus has had an eternal and perfect love for His mother, Mary. This love transcends all human understanding and is far greater than any love one might feel for one’s own mother. The relationship between Jesus and Mary is distinctive, as He embodies both a divine and human nature. If we could bring our mothers back to life, many of us would likely choose to do so, reflecting our immeasurable love for them. In a similar vein, Jesus, with His divine power, would have the capacity to do the same for Mary, highlighting the profound nature of His love for her. It is essential to recognize that Jesus’ love for His mother far exceeds human love, underscoring the unique bond within the Holy Family. Thus, it is crucial to understand that our love for our mothers, while significant, cannot compare to the love Jesus has for His blessed mother, Mary.

The relationship between Jesus Christ and His mother, Mary, is a profound aspect of Christian theology. It is challenging to understand how Christ, who embodies His own teachings on Earth and Heaven, would impose the consequences of Adam and Eve’s actions upon Mary. In Genesis 3:16-19, God declares the punishments for disobedience, which include severe pain in childbearing and a return to dust. However, Genesis 3:15 emphasizes a distinction between the serpent and the woman, suggesting a protective role for Mary.

According to Christian belief, both Jesus and Mary were not subject to bodily corruption in the tomb, signifying a unique blessing from God. In Luke 1:42, Mary is described as “most blessed among women,” emphasizing her special status. As long as Jesus retains both His divine and human nature, Mary’s role transcends that of an ordinary mother; she is recognized as the Mother of God incarnate, as supported by various scriptural references (Isa 7:14; Lk 1:35, 43; Jn 1:14). This understanding elevates Mary’s significance well beyond that of being simply the mother of a prominent prophet or teacher.

Mary is regarded as the New Eve, being free from original sin, a belief highlighted in Luke’s Canticle of Praise, also known as the Magnificat (1:46-49), where Mary, in the figure of a redeemed daughter of Zion, expresses her joy in God, her savior. This joy does not stem from a need for salvation like that of all other humans; rather, it is understood that she has been redeemed most perfectly through the doctrine of her Immaculate Conception. According to this belief, Mary was preserved from original sin given the foreseen merits of Christ.

This concept is reinforced by the idea that God has adorned Mary with “the garments of salvation” and covered her with “the robe of justice,” ensuring she remains free from any stain of sin (Isa 61:10). As a result, both Mary and Jesus are considered equally blessed, as neither is subject to the law of sin and death that affects fallen humanity. Jesus is exempt due to his unique union with the Father, while Mary is preserved through divine sanctifying grace, as reflected in Jude 1:24-25.

You are altogether beautiful, my darling;
there is no flaw in you.
Song of Solomon 4, 7

The concept of the corruption of death is understood as a consequence of Adam’s original sin, with repercussions for all his descendants who share in human nature. It is important to note that the guilt associated with Adam’s sin is not inherited or attributed to his descendants on a personal level. Consequently, God’s decision to grant Mary the grace of the Immaculate Conception, which kept her free from bodily corruption after her death, is not seen as unjust. This grace is viewed as a result of her unmerited but unique election to be the Mother of God. God’s actions are considered just in accordance with His divine laws, especially since Mary maintained her innocence, in contrast to Eve, who is traditionally regarded as having fallen from grace. During the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel referred to Mary as “Kecharitomene,” which translates to “perfected in grace with a lasting result” (Lk 1:28), highlighting her exalted status in grace from the moment of her conception in the womb.

The writings of the early Church Fathers provide insight into Elizabeth’s proclamation, “Most blessed (eulogomene) are you among women and blessed (eulogemenos) is the fruit of your womb” (Lk 1:42). The use of the term “blessed” is notable as it appears in the New Testament only about Jesus (masculine) and Mary (feminine), along with the kingdom of heaven (feminine) (Mk 11:10). In this context, both Mary and Jesus are regarded as equally blessed (eulogeo) in the sight of God, each being set apart from sinful humanity and dedicated to His plan of redemption.

It is appropriate that Mary, who bore the Divine Word in her womb and was preserved from sin by God’s grace, shares in the glory of her Son in anticipation of the resurrection and the redemption of humanity on the Last Day (1 Cor 15:22-23). Moreover, Jesus emphasized the importance of adhering to the Divine Commandments and, through his exemplary humility, demonstrated how we should honor our parents in accordance with God’s goodness and righteousness (Lk 2:51-52).

Then God’s temple in heaven was opened,
and his ark of the covenant could be seen in his temple…
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
Revelation 11, 19 – 12, 1

“Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass
from the law, until all things have taken place.”
Matthew 5, 18

In Matthew 15:4, the text emphasizes the importance of honoring one’s parents, stating that those who disrespect them face severe consequences, including the death penalty. The term “honor,” translated from the Hebrew word “kavodah,” signifies the act of bestowing glory. This word is derived from “kavod,” which means “weight” or “glory.” An example of honoring is evident in the relationship between the Son of God and His mother, in which He bestowed upon her unprecedented glory. This is illustrated by the belief that He took her body and soul into heaven, establishing a unique spiritual and physical presence between them. Such a bond exemplifies a profound and exceptional love.

The belief in the honor and glory of Mary, the blessed mother of Jesus, is deeply rooted in Christian theology. According to this belief, Jesus sanctified Mary’s soul from the moment of its creation, preserving her from original sin. This unique grace ensured that she would be the most fitting mother for Him. The respect and honor Jesus assigns to Mary from the moment of her conception are seen as a divine command, emphasized in the prescriptions given to Moses, which believers are encouraged to follow.

If Jesus were to deny his mother this honor, it could lead to doubts about His word and character. Such an act would imply a dishonoring of Mary, as it would suggest that He would allow her sacred body, intimately connected to His own, to decay in an unmarked tomb. However, the faithful maintain that Jesus would never dishonor His mother. They believe that He is the Word of God made flesh, and this profound connection reinforces the Catholic Christian understanding of Mary’s sanctity and importance in the light of faith.

“It was fitting that she, who had kept her virginity intact in childbirth, should keep her own
body free from all corruption even after death. It was fitting that she, who had carried the
Creator as a child at her breast should dwell in the divine tabernacles. It was fitting that the
spouse, whom the Father had taken to himself, should live in the divine mansions. It was
fitting that she, who had seen her Son upon the cross and who had thereby received into
her heart, the sword of sorrow which she had escaped when giving birth to him, should look
upon him as he sits with the Father, it was fitting that God’s Mother should possess what
belongs to her Son, and that she should be honored by every creature as the Mother and
as the handmaid of God.”
St. John Damascene
Dormition of Mary
[A.D. 697]

The LORD is faithful in all His words
and gracious in all His deeds.
Psalm 145, 13

APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION OF
POPE PIUS XII
MUNIFICENTISSIMUS DEUS
DEFINING THE DOGMA OF THE ASSUMPTION
November 1, 1950

“All these proofs and considerations of the holy Fathers and the theologians are based upon the Sacred Writings as their ultimate foundation. These set the loving Mother of God before our very eyes, as if she were most intimately joined to her divine Son and as always sharing his lot. Consequently, it seems impossible to think of her, the one who conceived Christ, brought him forth, nursed him with her milk, held him in her arms, and clasped him to her breast, as being apart from him in body, even though not in soul, after this earthly life. Since our Redeemer is the Son of Mary, he could not do otherwise, as the perfect observer of God’s law, than to honor, not only his eternal Father, but also his most beloved Mother. And, since it was within his power to grant her this great honor, to preserve her from the corruption of the tomb, we must believe that he really acted in this way.”

AVE MARIA