Solemnity of the Assumption
Today’s readings:
Revelation 11:19-12:10
Psalm 45:10-16
1 Corinthians 15:20-26
Luke 1:39-56
Our Church is a missionary Church. When she does her basic work of evangelization and mission, then she engages in spiritual warfare, as she assaults the gates of the enemy. The Old Testament tells of a lot of wars, which were actions to take the land for the Lord’s own people and to establish His dominion. Today we are engaged in continuing war, a war for souls and the establishment of God’s reign in the world.
The New Testament also has a lot of talk of war. Paul speaks of God’s work in the world, with the ultimate aim that Christ “hands over the kingdom to his God and Father” (1 Cor 15:24a). When does this happen? It happens “when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power.” (1 Cor 15:24b). This happens when “he has put all his enemies under his feet.” (1 Cor 15:25). This talks of war and ultimate victory over the enemy.
Now, in this Feast of the Assumption, we look to our Blessed Mother Mary. Most normally think of Mary as a quiet, demure, background-type of woman. She is the submissive Queen to the King that is Jesus. She is the “princess arrayed in Ophir’s gold (who) comes to stand at your right hand.” (Ps 45:10b). But in the Kingdom’s engagement in spiritual war, Mary stands not just by the side of Jesus but side by side with Jesus. They are the dynamic duo, the terrific tandem.
Mary was “there” when God pronounced enmity (all-out war) between the serpent and the woman, and between their offsprings. Mary is the woman and her offspring is Jesus. They were destined the crush the head of the serpent. Then again Mary was “there” when “war broke out in heaven” (Rv 12:7a). The huge red dragon’s “tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth.” (Rv 12:4a). Talk about star wars! This was cosmic war, raging in the heavens and on earth. The dragon was set to devour her child but failed. “Michael and his angels battled against the dragon” (Rv 12:7b) and defeated the dragon and its angels.
From Genesis to Revelation, throughout salvation history, Mary is there as a warrior Queen, together with her warrior Son. In her canticle when she was called by God to be the mother of the Savior, she already prophesied about God’s work and her role in it. God is a warrior who “has shown might with his arm” (Lk 1:51a). “He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones” (Lk 1:52a). He is “the Mighty One …. and holy is his name.” (Lk 1:49). He is a holy warrior. And Mary is a holy warrior.
Our King and our Queen lead us on. Arise, holy warriors!
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