Reflections on the Glorious Mysteries -Part 4

Reflections on the Glorious Mysteries – Part 4

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

Up until now, we have examined eighteen of the twenty mysteries of the Rosary which have scriptural passages. This final article examines the Assumption of our Blessed Mother into heaven, alive body and soul and her Crowning as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Let’s examine the two explanations of the Assumption. After 72 years of life on earth, Mary, missing her divine son’s physical presence, desired to be with her son. Instead of calling the process her death, Mary fell asleep. This is considered her dormition which is the usual preaching on her feast day of August 15. However, another theory exists backed by scriptural verses. These scriptural verses exist to illustrate that certain human beings did not die. One verse is Genesis 5:24 where “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.”

Another verse is 2 Kings 2:11 where “Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.” Always remember that Mary was conceived without original sin. The death penalty attributed to original sin does not apply to Mary. Her Assumption, body and soul, into heaven would be the highest honor given to a human being who gave physical birth to Jesus Christ and is considered “full of grace” by the angel Gabriel and “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb” by her cousin Elizabeth. These are the biblical verses that suggest Mary’s Assumption. Proof of Mary’s Assumption and Crowning exist in the Book of Revelation, chapter 12 verses 1-5. This is the sign of a woman giving birth to a male child who would rule the entire earth with an iron scepter. I believe that Pope Pius XII declared the Assumption of Mary as a doctrine of the Catholic Church based on those biblical verses and Apostolic Tradition.

Some people may ask how Catholics can believe in the Coronation of Mary. I merely point people to the same verses in the Book of Revelations where Mary wears a crown of twelve stars. Mary is the new ark of the new covenant. Jesus is the new covenant. The physical blood in the body of Jesus came from Mary. The spear that pierced the physical heart of Jesus also pierced the heart of Mary spiritually. Jesus and Mary are so intertwined in His life, death, and resurrection that Apostolic Tradition makes the best forceful argument that Mary is assumed to be in heaven, body and soul. Jesus and Mary are forever linked together through all eternity. How could God ever let the body of his human mother go into corruption after her work on earth was complete? We still see the manifestations of Mary in this present age. Fatima, Portugal and Akita, Japan come very easily to mind.

That just shows us that a mother’s work is never done, but, she was not just his earthly mother. She considers herself his servant (the handmaid of the Lord). This is why the Rosary is such a powerful prayer. We relive the life of Jesus and Mary each time the Rosary is prayed. We also honor the Father, the Holy Spirit, and Saint Joseph in their roles for the salvation of humankind.

Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe. Deo Gratias. Gloria Tibi Domini. Praise be to God. See you in Paradise.