Mary’s Assumption is hope for today’s society, says Pope

Asia News ^ | August 16, 2006 | Benedict XVI

[ELS]

16 August, 2006
VATICAN
Mary’s Assumption is hope for today’s society, says Pope Today’s world denies God His place or despairs in death. Only God’s love can quench the thirst for happiness and give value to the mystery of human frailty and death. The Pontiff remembers Frère Roger of Taizé, killed a year ago.
Castel Gandolfo (AsiaNews) – Today’s general audience was a bit special. Contrary to the usual practice, it was held in the courtyard of the Pontiff’s summer residence rather than St Peter’s Square. And instead of continuing his meditations on the Apostles, the Pope spoke again of the Assumption of the Virgin, the Christian festivity that was celebrated yesterday in memory of the "glorification" of Mary, the mother of Jesus, including her corporeal glorification.

For the Holy father, more and more today’s society must be aware of this feast day, "so felt by the Christian people" as a "luminous sign of hope". "Today," he explained, "there are those who live as if they were never to die or as if all should end with death. Some act as if humankind was master of its own destiny, as if God did not exist, going so far as to deny Him any place in our world. The great advances in science and technology, which have much improved humanity’s conditions, leave unanswered the innermost questions of the human soul. Only by opening up to the mystery of God, which is Love, can our heart’s thirst for truth and happiness be quenched. Only a point of view based on eternity can give historical events, especially the mystery of human frailty, suffering and death, real value".

The sign of Mary’s Assumption plays fundamental role in Christians’ journey and mission. "By contemplating Mary in her celestial glory," the Pontiff said in conclusion, "we understand that the earth is not our final homeland, that if we live constantly focused on that which is eternal, we can share one day that same glory. For this reason, despite our many daily challenges, we must not lose our serenity and peace. The luminous sign of the Assumption of our Lady in the heavens glows brighter than the sad shadows cast by sorrow and violence. We are certain that from high above Mary follows our steps with sweet trepidation. She brightens our life in its dark and stormy hours and reassures us with her maternal hand. Conscious of this, we continue confident along our path shaped by our Christian commitment wherever Providence takes us".

At the end of the audience after the multilingual greetings, Benedict XVI evoked Frère Roger, founder of the Taizé community, who a year ago was mortally struck by the hand of a deranged soul during the evening prayers.

"His witness to the Christian faith and ecumenical dialogue," the Pope said, "was a precious lesson to entire generations of young people. Let us call on our Lord that the sacrifice of his life may contribute to consolidating the commitment to peace and solidarity of those who care for humanity’s future."

(Photo CPP) See also: 08/15/2006 VATICAN - Pope: to Mary, Queen of peace, I entrust anxieties of ...

[jo kus]

From article: Pontiff remembers Frère Roger of Taizé, killed a year ago.

How did he die? I love Taize music!

Regards

[Carolina]

He was stabbed by a deranged woman during evening prayer service.

[MHGinTN]

I think the thief on the cross next to Jesus (the one who asked 'Remember me when you come into your kingdom'), to whom Jesus promised 'Today thou shalt be with me in Paradise', would qualify as the first Christian into Paradise with Christ. But to Heaven, well, there were forty days Jesus stayed around the Earth after His resurrection and prior to His ascension. One would be hard pressed to offer proof of whom may or may not have died 'in Christ' during that period prior to and at His ascension.

[ELS]

From the transcript in reply #17: "Brother Roger Schutz, founder of Taizé, murdered on Aug. 16 of last year during evening prayer."

[murphE]

Are you saying she died without ever sinning?

Yes.

[murphE]

"The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory." (Munificentissimus Deus).

The infallible definition does not specify that Our Lady died.

[RobbyS]

For me the Assumption points up the Resurrection and most poignantly the evil of death, when body and soul are torn apart, and the longing of the saints in heaven for reunion with the flesh, when they shall be made whole. There seems to be at work today a facile platonism, which treats the body as a shell, something to be got ride of. It could be that the pain of leaving it is greater than any bodily torments we suffer.

[RobbyS]

Maybe Marty was "in heaven" from the moment of her conception, or on an earth that she perceived very differently than most of us do.

[murphE]

But wasn't Mary still alive when Stephen was martered? Would that not make him the first Christian in heaven?

Our Lady is the first to be in heaven in both body and soul. Because Our Lady was prevented from ever receiving the stain of original sin by a unique grace and committed no personal sin her body would not suffer corruption. The rest of the souls in heaven will not be united to their bodies (which will be glorified) until final judgment on the last day.

[murphE]

ping to 29

[livius]

A wonderful observation. Yet another aspect of the Assumption I had never thought of before. Thanks.

[livius]

That's a beautiful story. Many former Protestants have trouble understanding Our Lady when they become Catholic or Orthodox, but I have often seen them have some experience that suddenly makes them understand - and then they become the most devoted of all!

[Kolokotronis]

"The infallible definition does not specify that Our Lady died."

Indeed it does not, but Holy Tradition says she did die as is demonstrated by this Icon, called "The Falling Asleep". The small figure held by Christ represents the soul of the Most Holy Theotokos. The Church has expressed the Faith of the Fathers well in the reading and prayers for the August 15th Feast:

Apolytikion in the First Tone

In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from death by your intercessions.

Kontakion in the Second Tone

Neither the grave nor death could contain the Theotokos, the unshakable hope, ever vigilant in intercession and protection. As Mother of life, He who dwelt in the ever-virginal womb transposed her to life.

Synaxarion:

Concerning the Dormition of the Theotokos, this is what the Church has received from ancient times from the tradition of the Fathers. When the time drew nigh that our Savior was well-pleased to take His Mother to Himself, He declared unto her through an Angel that three days hence, He would translate her from this temporal life to eternity and bliss. On hearing this, she went up with haste to the Mount of Olives, where she prayed continuously. Giving thanks to God, she returned to her house and prepared whatever was necessary for her burial. While these things were taking place, clouds caught up the Apostles from the ends of the earth, where each one happened to be preaching, and brought them at once to the house of the Mother of God, who informed them of the cause of their sudden gathering. As a mother, she consoled them in their affliction as was meet, and then raised her hands to Heaven and prayed for the peace of the world. She blessed the Apostles, and, reclining upon her bed with seemliness, gave up her all-holy spirit into the hands of her Son and God. With reverence and many lights, and chanting burial hymns, the Apostles took up that God-receiving body and brought it to the sepulchre, while the Angels from Heaven chanted with them, and sent forth her who is higher than the Cherubim. But one Jew, moved by malice, audaciously stretched forth his hand upon the bed and immediately received from divine judgment the wages of his audacity. Those daring hands were severed by an invisible blow. But when he repented and asked forgiveness, his hands were restored. When they had reached the place called Gethsemane, they buried there with honor the all-immaculate body of the Theotokos, which was the source of Life. But on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, and raised up the artos (bread) in Jesus' Name, as was their custom, the Theotokos appeared in the air, saying "Rejoice" to them. From this they learned concerning the bodily translation of the Theotokos into the Heavens. These things has the Church received from the traditions of the Fathers, who have composed many hymns out of reverence, to the glory of the Mother of our God.

[livius]

The story at the end of this account is very ancient and is still preserved in, of all places, Spain, where it is performed in the town of Elche (near Valencia) on the Feast of the Assumption every year. It is the only surviving medieval Mystery play and is performed in the Cathedral. Much much of it and its music was rewritten in the 18th century, but the story is the same. The entire performance is done by the townspeople, and it is a matter of great pride for the men to be part of this performance, from generation to generation.

The part of the Virgin is sung by a boy, of course, and there is a particularly beautiful song as the Virgin is preparing to die. Then all of the Apostles start coming into the church - there is the miracle with the conversion of the Jewish spectator - and Our Lady even delays her Assumption so that St. Thomas, the Apostle who had gone furthest afield (to India), can return in time to see her! Finally, Our Lady is lifted up to Heaven (the dome of the Cathedral) in a piece of stage machinery built in the 18th century while the Apostles sing a very beautiful song. After this, the fireworks begin and go on for hours outside the Cathedral.

It is called the Misterio de Elche. Worth seeing if you are ever in Spain at that time of year, although you have to make arrangements well in advance to get in. If you are visiting at another time of year, the town of Elche (also spelled Elx, in Catalan) has a museum dedicated to the play. Spain was very influenced by Byzantine Christianity, btw, because it was evangelized very early.

[Carolina]

K,

One of my favorite artists is Duccio di Buoninsegna who depicted this story in a series of panels making up The Maestà. Here they are:

Parting from the Apostles

Death of the Virgin (notice the Christ holding Mary's soul)

Funeral

Burial

Duccio painted these in the years 1308-1311.

[Kolokotronis]

"If you are visiting at another time of year, the town of Elche (also spelled Elx, in Catalan) has a museum dedicated to the play."

I haven't been to Spain in 25 years...but I love Spain and as a young attorney spent a great deal of time there on business. Every year we say we'll go back, but it always seems we end up somewhere else...usually Greece!:) I would indeed like to see this Mystery Play which sounds like it follows Holy Tradition precisely.

[Kolokotronis]

Thanks so much for posting these. Duccio's opus shows the vitality of the Byzantine style in Italy as late as the 14th century. I've never seen these before and they are quite wonderful.

[Carolina]

Duccio's opus shows the vitality of the Byzantine style...

That's why he's one of my favorites...his use of iconic language. :)

[RobbyS]

Spain was very influenced by Byzantine Christianity, btw, because it was evangelized very early.

By St. Paul himself? But if so, as in the case of Rome. He probably visited an existing church.

[livius]

Probably. Spain was Rome's most important colony, and even aside from influence of the large Roman military presence (where many of the original Spanish Christians came from), it was in contact with the important currents of thought and behavior found in Rome at the time. And then there is the tradition that Santiago (St. James) evangelized Spain, although virtually all scholars discount this. Still, you never know...