Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Revelation 19a.12:1-6a.10ab; I Corinthians 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56)

Biblical scholar Fr. Raymond E. Brown, being concerned about ecumenical relations, tried to reassure his Protestant colleagues that Catholic traditions are not as unbiblical as detractors claim.  Regarding Catholic teachings about Mary, he pointed out that what the Church professes of Mary, she generally envisions for all Christians.  With this perspective we can say that although extraordinary, the dogma of Mary’s Assumption - body and soul - into heaven is essentially what most Christians believe is the ultimate destiny of all faithful followers of Christ.  The reading from First Corinthians hints at a progression.  It states that Christ was raised as the first fruits of redemption, then those who belong to Christ. The dogma of the Assumption interjects Mary in the “proper order” to which St. Paul alludes.  She, the Church has declared, is raised after her son by reason of her exceptional life of grace and before all others.

The doctrine of the immortal soul has clouded appreciation of the resurrection of the body which we believe awaits us.  Although the soul or life’s breath somehow has existence outside the body, it originates with the body and depends on the body for development.  The body is not just a container for the soul as a pitcher for water so that any body might contain my soul as any pitcher can contain the same water. No, the body interacts with the soul such that it helps shape who I am.  My height, weight, health, etc. contribute to how my soul sees, judges, and lives.  When I die, my soul will yearn until the end of time for reunification with my body.  The doctrine of the Assumption reassures us that this is bound to happen. 

Monday, August 15, 2011

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Revelation 19a.12:1-6a.10ab; I Corinthians 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56)

Biblical scholar Fr. Raymond E. Brown, being concerned about ecumenical relations, tried to reassure his Protestant colleagues that Catholic traditions are not as unbiblical as detractors claim. Regarding Catholic teachings about Mary, he pointed out that what the Church professes of Mary, she generally envisions for all Christians. With this perspective we can say that although extraordinary, the dogma of Mary’s Assumption - body and soul - into heaven is essentially the destiny of all the faithful at the end of time. The reading from First Corinthians hints at a progression. It states that Christ was raised as the first fruits of redemption. The “proper order” to which St. Paul alludes then may be interpreted as Mary, the mother of Christ, being raised after him and before all others.

The doctrine of the immortal soul has clouded appreciation of the resurrection of the body which we believe awaits us. Although the soul or life’s breath somehow has existence outside the body, it originates with the body and depends on the body for development. The body is not just a container for the soul as a pitcher for water so that any body might contain my soul. No, my soul needs my body to be who it is. When I die, my body will yearn until the end of time for reunification with my body. The doctrine of the Assumption reassures us that this is bound to happen.

Homilette for Friday, August 15, 2008

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(I Corinthians 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56)

The biblical scholar Fr. Raymond E. Brown was concerned about ecumenical relations until his untimely death ten years ago. He used to reassure Protestants that what the Catholic Church claims about Mary is usually what is envisioned for all Christians. For example, the Church’s doctrine that Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven is essentially no different from the destiny of all the faithful at the end of time. The reading from First Corinthians hints at this. Christ was raised as the first fruits of God’s redemption. Catholics see the “proper order” that St. Paul alludes to here as having Mary, the mother of Christ, raised after him but before others.

The glorious destiny of our bodies gives added reason for us to treat them well. St. Paul in the same letter to the Corinthians presents the primary reason. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we are not to profane them by lewd conduct. Nor should we abuse them with excessive food and drink. While we’re at it, we might also say that respect for our bodies includes frequent exercise, sufficient rest, and a balanced diet.

Psychologists have noted how having overweight friends induces many people to pile on the pounds. Of course, the resolution of this problem is not cutting ties with fat people but modeling for them healthy eating habits. One more thing: since we tend to emulate our friends, we might make special friends with Mary. Just following her in today’s gospel is an inspiration. She quickly goes to visit her relative Elizabeth when she hears of the latter’s unexpected pregnancy. She praises God for all the good that happens to her. And she announces the good news of salvation. Could we imagine a better person to have as a friend?