The Assumption of Mary into Heaven

Mary, the Immaculate was brought to this earth by God, the Almighty and she was taken into Heaven by God. Why Mary? How is she different from other women or mothers? Let us reflect and meditate upon this Heavenly Mother!

Mary is already mentioned by the great Prophet Isaiah who lived and preached at the time of ca738 BC.

“Look, the young woman is with child, and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” (Is 7: 14)

It is the evidence that God had in His mind centuries before to make Mary to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. What a privilege that Mary had! Among many other women in the Scripture, Mary is exceptionally considered as the worthiest of all, the woman who would understand God’s will. She had the outstanding capacity to ponder everything silently in her heart. This is something very difficult for the women of this world! She lived the ‘YES’ that she uttered on the day of Annunciation till the end. God need not send the angel again to remind her of her responsibility or to guide her, for she lived her life with prudence and fulfilled God’s plan with the utmost perfection. Unlike many women, Mary was wise, a woman of few words.

We find in the Bible, the rare occasions when Mary has spoken something:

• “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Lk 1: 38)
• “My soul magnifies the Lord……….” (Lk 1, 46 – 55)
• “They have no wine.” (Jn 2: 3)
• “Do whatever he tells you.” (Jn 2: 5)

Her acceptance to the will of God tells us that she was humble, even though she was honoured as ‘full of grace’. Ever since she said ‘YES’, she lived her commitment to the full. Neither the glorious deeds of Jesus nor his suffering and death made her to step back from her promise. Mary’s ‘YES’ was forever a firm, unshakable ‘YES’.

As a woman and a mother, Mary had concern for others. At the wedding of Cana, she noticed that the host was going out of wine, which could bring them shame. What a keen observation! What a sensitive woman! Yet, she did not demand or command Jesus to get the wine. She just brought it to his notice. She was probably sure that Jesus would obey her request. So she asked the servants to do whatever Jesus would tell them to do. A modest, understanding mother indeed!

We, as Christians and all the more as religious are expected to imitate these qualities of Mary; to accept the Will of God in our lives and to say a firm ‘YES’ and to live that ‘YES’ in all circumstances – in times of success and failures, joys and sorrows. We see around us many things happening, people suffering due to lack of food, clothes, shelter, health, social justice etc. We need to be sensitive to our neighbours and help them in all the possible ways we can. At the same time, we need to submit ourselves ultimately to the will of God, for He knows everything and He has a definite plan for every man and every event.

Mary did not speak or do anything great. But she lived greatly with serenity and humility. Therefore, God has taken her to Heaven. Let us make some efforts to follow this way of Mary in our following of Jesus!

Sr. Shobha