I am the type that likes to have every detail of a vacation in order before I leave. To me it is important to have knowledge of where you are going in order that you may have enough time to complete everything that you want to do while you are away. There are many of us who plan things out in such a manner and yet when it pertains to the reality of our salvation we never think of where it is that we are headed.
Our celebration of this Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven is a celebration of where we are headed in this life if we chose to remain close to Christ. We are headed towards Heaven where we will be held in communion with God for all eternity. There is no greater home then this and yet we so quickly forget where it is that we are headed and thus the path that we must take to get there.
Let our mind be taken to events of the Annunciation. It was here that the angel Gabriel came to Mary and revealed a great truth which had been so since her conception: “Hail, full of grace.” In this statement that the angel Gabriel proclaims so much about Mary and her role in the course of salvation history. Here he states that Mary, of all creatures, had been perfectly filled with God’s grace to the point that it was overflowing. Seeing that she was filled to this point of perfection she knew not sin, but rather was the one chosen to be the Godbearer who would bring forth the Savior of this World through her womb.
Throughout the course of her earthly life she kept her sight set firmly upon Heaven and the life which was to come. She did not recluse into her self, but rather continued to ourpour herself for her Son. When the completion of her life on this earth came she did not know sin. Therefore, God in His Divine Presence welcomed her Body and Soul into Heavenly glory. Where she has gone before we now dare to follow after.
In the words of Saint John Damascene: “It was fitting that she who in childbirth preserved intact her virginity should preserve without corruption her body after the conclusion of her earthly life. It was fitting that she who bore in her womb the creator become a babe should dwell in the divine mansion. It was fitting that the spouse of God be taken to the heavenly home. It was fitting that she who witnessed her Son on the cross, suffering in her heart then the pain she was spared in childbirth, should contemplate him seated at the right hand of the Father, It was fitting that the Mother of God come to possess what belongs to her Son and that she be honored as Mother and Servant of God by all creatures.”
All of this was most fitting for the most blessed Virgin Mary. This goal of Heaven is also most fitting for each of us and yet do we truly strive to follow where she leads? Let us follow after her preparing the way for the Lord’s coming in our life in the we may be found prepared for that unknown hour when we are called home to God.
Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
