Homily- Solemnity of the Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin Mary: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
v
1 Chr 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2; Ps
132:6-7,9-10,13-14; 1 Cor 15:54b-57; Luke 11:27-28 (Vigil);
v
Rev 11:19a;12:1-6a,10ab; Ps 45:10,11,12,16
v
1 Cor 15:20-27
v
Luke 39-56(Day).
Mary Shares in the Victory of Christ, Over
Death- A Lesson for Us!
Ordinarily each of us would appreciate
compliment, especially when we feel we have done our work, we have “won the
Olympics.” We like to say “thank you” to our friends and neighbors when we
receive gifts. We also feel good when someone acknowledges how
beautiful you are, how handsome you are, how personable and approachable, how
hard working you are, in your different fields and roles. We also like to
aspire, to imitate some “role models” who have succeeded in life. Here we are
on August 15th.
We gather to celebrate Mary the mother of
Jesus today. She is the same Mary of the Fatima apparition who appeared to
those three little shepherds (Lucia, Francesco and Jacinta). She is the same
Mary of Lourdes who appeared to Sister Bernadette of Soubirous, that she was
the Immaculate Conception. (It was such a joy to have made a pilgrimage,
with others in May 2013 to these places). We celebrate her today. We
celebrate her success. Not just her material success, but her spiritual
success, her virtues! We celebrate her achievements, her obedience, humility,
patience, endurance, her hope, Mary’s love and faith! We want to pray for one
another. We want to learn to imitate Mary. We celebrate today, the 4th Glorious
Mysteries!
Of course, this celebration has long been
established in the church! It is part of the deposit of our Christian faith
received from the Apostles. It goes back to the time of Pope XII, who in 1950
declares this essence, dogma of our faith that, Mary, because of all her hard
work, humility, virtues , at the end of her earthly life was lifted up body and
soul into heaven, where Mary lives forever, where Mary shares the victory of
Christ on the cross, his resurrection!
This is the victory, the resurrection that
St. Paul, for instance, talks about in the second reading, 1 Corinthian chapter
15. Death, Paul says, “comes through one man, the resurrection of
the dead came also through one man, (Christ), who “must reign until he has put
all his enemies (the greatest being death) under his feet” (I Cor 15:20-27).
For Paul, when we “mortals”(human beings) are closed to Christ, when we clothe
ourselves, cover ourselves with Christ who is immortal, who is divine, then
death is swallowed up in victory, death is defeated on the Cross as Christ
did! And “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 15: 54b-57).
The foundation of Mary’s success, her
privilege to share in the victory of Christ, addressed by Paul goes back to the
privilege of her immaculate conception and of her role as the mother of Christ
(she bore Christ, the Ark of the Covenant), prophesied by Israel Prophets
(Isaiah 7:14), and fulfilled in the gospel narratives.
In that infancy narrative for instance
(Luke 1-2 and Matthew 1-2) all that Mary said to the Angel was, “behold I am
the handmaid of the Lord be it done to me according to your words.” And Mary
remained so, very humble, docile and opened to the voice of God, throughout
that Christmas stories. Look at her encounter with Elizabeth, her cousin today!
She travels on foot to visit with her, to assist her and to share the Good news
with Elizabeth. Mary does not puff up, because Elizabeth has acknowledged or
affirmed her as the “mother of my Lord.” But as humble soul as she always is,
Mary rather gave glory to God, in the Magnificat (Luke
1:39-56).
For Mary all honor, greatness, power and glory belong to God. How many of us
today are able to say this especially in a world that is driven by power,
control, and the tendencies to dominate and rule over others inappropriately. This
is the basis of her victory. This is the basis of her being lifted up. She
lived for others, Jesus and Joseph. When Jesus “got lost” in the temple, Mary
and Joseph trekked on foot, found and brought Jesus home. Mary is used to
trekking and walking. She trekked to visit with Elizabeth. She trekked from
Nazareth/ Bethlehem, to Egypt, to make sure Christ was saved from the hatred
and onslaught of Herod. This is also what is symbolically presented in the book
revelation today (Rev.11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab). Again, she trekked to the temple.
She trekked and walked to bring Jesus home.
She accompanied Christ his son, stood by
Christ when he was falsely accused. She stood by Christ through his trial. She
was right there on the foot of the Cross. This is what won Mary the victory we
celebrate today. This is what won Mary her assumption, body and soul in to
heaven. Mary would not see the corruption of the tomb. This is what won Mary
the 4th Glorious mysteries!
Many of us, in our various locations,
cultures and continents have had our own trials, worries and difficulties, as
parents, as children, as women, as men (including the ongoing corona virus
pandemic). We have once worried about our children, our friends, our partners,
our seniors, our health. We have once worried about even our jobs. Christ
is constantly watching over us from heaven. And Mary her mother is right
there with him. As we travel this life, let Mary continue to be our
model. She is the one we want to imitate, her love, her humility, her gift of
reaching out to others (Elizabeth), her perseverance, her faith and hope in
eternal life, a share in Christ’s victory over death.
Reflection Questions:
1. In Mary’s story, what have we learned?
2. Do we trust in God’s ability to reverse or restore us good fortunes?
3. In what ways can we say we have lived a life of humility and righteousness?
4. In what ways have we acknowledged and encouraged the role of women in our
communities?
