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The Light of the World
that we be made coheirs of the King of Glory Himself and sharers in that same glory.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
August 15, The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle, because He hath done wonderful things” (Introit). The feast
of the Assumption is a great feast of Mary. In the assumption of Mary the Church sees her own
future assumption into heaven, and her heart is filled with joy at the thought.
Although she was conceived without sin and was therefore exempt from punishment and the
consequences of Original Sin, Mary accepted death in imitation of her divine Son. “Amazed
at this wonderful mystery, they could only think that He who had been pleased to take flesh
from the Virgin Mary, to be made man, and to be born, though He was God the Word, and
Lord of glory, who had preserved her virginity without stain after childbirth, should also have
been pleased to honor her pure body after her death, keeping it incorrupt and translating it to
heaven before the general resurrection” (St. John Damascene). A few days after her death the
Lord took up her body and united it to the soul in the glory of heaven. The humble virgin who
asked only to be “the handmaid of the Lord” (Lk 1:38) ascends the glorious throne which her
Son has prepared for her. She is crowned Queen of heaven and earth. Now she is “established
in Sion”; “my power was in Jerusalem, and I took root in an honorable people [the saints and
blessed of heaven] and in the portion of my God, . . . and my abode is in the full assembly of
saints” (Ecclus 24:15 f.). 29
“Mary hath chosen the best part” (Lk 10:42). When Jesus arrived at Bethany, “a certain
woman named Martha received Him into her house; and she had a sister called Mary, who,
sitting also at the Lord’s feet, heard His word” (Lk 10:38 f.). Martha, who was busy serving
her guest, became impatient with Mary, who sat idle at the feet of the Lord. She even displayed
her anger by complaining to the Lord that Mary should help her with the serving.
But Jesus took the part of Mary: “Mary hath chosen the best part.” In Mary of Bethany the
liturgy sees the virgin Mother of God. Her life centers about Christ. She sees Him, hears
Him, and is wholly filled with Him. She lives in His mysteries; she shared in His first public
miracle at Cana ( Jn 2:1 ff.), and she carefully observes each of His words and works. In
spirit and often in body she accompanies Him during the time of His public life, listening
to His doctrine and witnessing His miracles. When all the others leave Him, she remains
with Him in her love. After His Ascension her thoughts follow Him, and she is consumed
by a loving desire to be with Him. She has indeed “chosen the best part,” a life absorbed in
Jesus. She is conscious of Him alone, and all her interest is centered on Him. Now Mary
dwells with Him in heaven. What she had begun on earth, has now been perfected. She is
with Jesus; she shares His glory and power. “Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall
not be taken away from her.”
“Mary hath chosen the best part,” the part of the handmaid, the way of humility, of interior life,
of devotion to God, of subjection to the will of God. “Hearken, O daughter, and see and incline
29
Epistle from the Common of the Blessed Virgin, formerly read on the feast of the
Assumption. The Gospel for this feast formerly was from Luke 10:38–42. – Fr. Malone
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