AUGUST 15..... REFLECTION

 15 AUGUST 2019: ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY

Focus: Assumption of Mary is not a mere dogmatic assumption to assume, but a living journey to resume

1.     Blessed Mother Mary is assumed to heaven, body and soul, in her entirety of the person. God did not want that sacred body to decay, that which was the abode and gave physical life to His Incarnate Son. Therefore, in His gracious will and pleasure He privileged Mary to be taken to heaven, with an uncorrupted body along with her incorruptible soul.

2.     There is nothing illogical about this. For, if sin imposed death and decay on the human body, Mary who was preserved sinless with Immaculate Conception, can be very well free from such imposition. In her assumption, we see the whole dynamics of salvation and a great project of the fullness of Glory itself.

3.     There are four essential components: Liberation, Restoration, Communion, and Perfection. Mary was totally liberated from her earthly limitations, restored to her original divine dignity, eternally united with the heavenly God, and enjoys the perfection of bliss and glory.

4.     We too are destined for the same glory, even though we may consign our body to the earth. To attain this destiny, we too must constantly liberate ourselves from our earthly bondages, regain our divine dignity and image, unite ourselves with God in intimacy and surrender, and thus mature and perfect ourselves in sanctity and charity.

5.       For us Indians,Today  we celebrate two great mothers, for the same reason, that is, their freedom. Mother India’s freedom, as she was released from the foreign bondage and gained her independence; Mother Mary’s freedom, as she was released from her earthly bondage and was assumed to heaven.

6.     But this is hard-earned freedom. It involved a life-long struggle of immeasurable sacrifice and dedication. It called for an undaunted journey of courage, patience, hope, and perseverance. It is a marvellous story of combating evil and regaining the original dignity and honour.

7.      The celebration of the freedom of these two mothers on the same day, can be a significant pointer to us that we are citizens of two worlds – the secular and the spiritual. Our nation is our motherland and heaven is our homeland. Thus our duty is twofold: towards our country, as united, responsible, law-abiding, honest and committed Indian sisters and brothers; and duty towards heaven, as united, faithful and committed God’s children.

8.      This freedom that is attained is not a finished product. It is an ongoing task and should be a living experience. Therefore, we are called to constantly free ourselves from all the clutches of sin and evil, meaning all that binds us, enslaves us, reduces our human dignity, diminishes the value and quality of life and all that hinders a harmonious and happy human family.

9.      Freedom is not our destiny nor is it our goal. It is our process, our means, it is our way, which should lead us to more and more good – a good heart of faith and charity; a good life of virtue and value; a good family, loving and supportive; a good society, just and peaceful. God and heavens is our destiny and goal.

Direction: So long as we are imprisoned in the cell of our body, we cannot enjoy the free spell of the soul. Let us then extricate ourselves.