Her assumption into heaven

Today, August 15, 2022, is the day every year we celebrate our Mother Mary was taken–body and soul–into heaven.

As His mother, she shared in the glories and sorrows of her Son’s life on earth; so she is also involved in God’s plan of salvation in heaven for us poor sinners in the “valley of tears.”

Next to her Son, she is proof that we also, will be raised up into heavenly glory when Christ comes to collect us on the Last Day, if we are still living on earth on the Day of the Final Judgement (CCC 966).

Otherwise, we will be reunited with our bodies on the Last Day (CCC 997). Whether we reside in heaven, purgatory, or hell at the end of time, we will have bodies again. Where we reside will determine either the glory or the grotesque makeup of our otherworldly bodies.

All about Our Mother

But today, it’s not about us. It’s all about our Mother. She is sinless, without spot or blemish, without tendency towards sin (like we have) (CCC 491-493). She is the instrument God chose to bring Jesus into the world, and is still the means God chooses to draw us to her Beloved Son.

She is our Shining Star, Beacon of Hope, and Mystical Rose, who prays for and intervenes on behalf of us, her children, for the glory of God (CCC 502).

Just as she did for her Son, she pours herself out for us in an act of compassion and love.

As His first disciple, she prompted Him to begin His public ministry on earth (see John 2:3). So she also prompts and encourages each one of us, as we attempt to follow her beloved Jesus.

So, let us honor her today in some way: by praying the Rosary, reading Scripture about her, or putting flowers next to a statue/picture of her.

After all, Jesus gave her to us–the crowning jewel of all God’s creatures.

Happy Feast of the Assumption!

(Source: The Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC] on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, see http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/966.htm.)