HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. (1)

HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

THEME: The glorification in body and soul of Virgin Mary Mother of God.

BY: Justin Utazi. C (Rev Fr)

Introduction: sing………. Ave Ave Ave Maria

The solemnity of the Assumption of the BVM is celebrated on every August 15. Today, the Church wants to let us know that Mary can never be deprived of sharing in the glory of Jesus her son in heaven. The high respect and honour we give to Mary still remains “Hyperdulia”, and to other saints “Dulia” while that of God is “Latria”. Today, Mary is seated at the right hand side of God in glory as the mother of God and queen of all saints. That is the heightened degree of Dulia (veneration).
They are not equal with God but God has granted Mary the privilege and what becomes the first accusation here? Other churches would often accuse us of idolatry whenever we venerate and pray through the saints and Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM). They claim ignorance of the difference between prayer and worship. Absolutely they are not the same. Catholics pray through the saints ie asking the saint’s intercession (to pray for us) like how we ask a friend to pray for us (1Tim.2:1). But in worship, we adore God and only him can we worship just as in Eucharistic celebration.

ORIGINAL TRACE AND DEFINITION OF THE DOGMA
In all, we underscore today that God has given Mary a privilege and she made use of this spiritual opportunity while on earth and today in heaven. On a day like this we cannot neglect the fact that the Assumption of BVM is a dogma of the Church which Pope JohnPaul II noted as first evidenced in “Transitus Mariae” Latin name for the Cross Over of Mary. It is an apocryphal account that dates back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries. But what is popular and widespread today is the 14th century declaration of Apostolic Constitution by Pope Pius XII in 1st Nov.1950 called Munificentissimus Deus.

Here, we find the perfect guide to the definition of the dogma (Assumption of BVM). It is nothing but the glorification in body and soul of Mary Virgin Mother of God, on her departure from this earth, without pronouncing itself on the fact of the death of Mary. Some who argued that Mary died before being assumed are called mortalists while those who do not favour this argument are called immortalists. However, what is necessary today is that “in the mystery of Assumption, Mary brought back the harmony between heaven and earth, theology and history, myth and reality, divine person and human persons and every conflict is pacified, every chain is broken, the price for eternal salvation is paid because in Mary as in Jesus Christ her son, the Almighty God has become all in all things (1Cor.15:28)” (Cf: www. Alphonsus Liguori, Assumption feast).

MARY’S PRIVILEGE AND A REVIEW OF OUR REWARD SYSTEMS
What has happened today is simply the destiny of every Christian. That we have Mary, the mother of God glorified in heaven could be likened as we have our own represented in the Aso rock. Before one ascends there, he/she must be qualified, connected, motivated, supported and most importantly privileged. What happened to Mary was not ordinary right from her inception into the world. She was born of flesh like every other human being in the family of Joachim and Ann after series of barrenness.

However, God preserved her from original sin and she walked that path till the Angel Gabriel proclaimed the incarnation drama when Joseph had already planned marriage engagement. The summary is that God destined that she becomes the mother of Jesus Christ who is God. And that she would even be pierced by a sword because of this child for the rising and falling of many in Israel. Mary pondered all these in her heart (Lk 2:19). She followed up the will of God even through the road of the cross to Calvary. A caring woman who made use of this privilege cannot go unrewarded. Her Immaculate Conception (Ineffabilis Deus, Pope Pius IX in Dec.8, 1854) begot Assumption. This is why “Mary’s death knew no bitterness because she was not attached to the world, had certainty of salvation and had no sin to remorse. Oh mother, so sweet and so dear, who died detached from the world and in the most perfect peace, come on, to the certainty of eternal glory” (Cf: Alphonsus Liguori in Glories of Mary).

The reason why Christ instituted the Church in the world and taught us how to pray the Lord’s Prayer, was to establish God’s kingdom on earth. We say often “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mtt.6:10). That is to say that the glories in heaven can be established on earth. Mary has been greatly rewarded with God’s glory, and so we need to make the world a better place with our reward systems.

WHAT IS YOUR REWARD SYSTEM?
Basically, we can reward by monetary reward systems, non-monetary reward systems and employee assistance/recognition programs. Reward system is a conscious awareness of importance of reinforcement or appraisal for a good deed.

Educationists and psychologists (B.F Skinner) teach that when a child answers well in the class you give him/her a prize either by clapping or material gifts. We need to pause and ponder the reward system in our society today beginning with our families, businesses and organizations. We are often quick to forget the efforts of those working for us or helping us. And at the very instance of one’s mistake, the mouth gossips and punishes he/she that has been there for you. A quick condemnation of one’s behavior could be disappointing. This embarrassing situation is often noticed among our leaders and public figures. They will be there serving us and at the slightest mistake, we turn against them. It could also be the other way, where authorities turn against employees.

Furthermore, education system has not been rewarded by the government. We are yet to have perfect reward or remuneration system in the polity. How much are primary school teachers paid? This is the elementary formation of every child which matters before higher institution. Ok, what of the offers to the best graduating students in our universities compared to BBNaija show reward package? Instead of being rewarded with good job employment, he/she is left to his/her fate. And then our parents’ attitude in promoting learning cannot be over under-rated.

In our families, we have people who help us. How many times have we appreciated him/her? You make out time for outings, and you decide to carry only your own children. You can even extend the purchase of fine clothes to him/her. They deserve love too and reward. In our business area, many have the boyi’s who serve them on contractual basis. Why is it the case that as the time of settlement is approaching, you begin to change language or even accuse him/her of stealing?
What about our many husbands who maltreat their women? You do not have respect for your wife and for you women should not have any say. Autocracy is too dangerous when exercised upon your wife. It may lead to high blood pressure (BP) and eventual death. See how Mary saved and recover what Eve damaged.

CONCLUSION
Mary was able to attain this glorified state because she was not attached to the things of the world. The material goods around you if shared, puts smile on the face of your neighbor and then make you detached like Mary. The first reading Rev.12 points Mary as the woman clothed with the sun and matched on the moon. Alphonsus Liguori says here that “the moon signifies the goods of this world which like her, are uncertain and changeable. Mary never had these goods in her heart but always despised them and trampled them under her feet”.

Let us never forget the magnificat of Mary whenever grace acts upon us. She cried out with song of praise and joy in the gospel “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaid. For behold, henceforth all generation shall call me blessed; for he that is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name……..And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation and spoken to our father Abraham and his sons forever, Amen. Imitate Mary when God remembers you. Trust your devotion to Mary as she is already in heaven interceding for all sinners. Amen.

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