14 August 2022

A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pangs, in the agony of giving birth. Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his  heads. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born. And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne; and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

From Apocalypse 11:19, 12:1-6,10, NRSV

In today’s reading we hear a graphic and highly symbolic description of a woman in childbirth being confronted by a huge dragon ready to pounce on her child as soon as it was born. The child was recued from this fate and taken straight to God where a place of safety had been prepared. One interpretation of this passage regards the woman as Mary, the mother of Jesus who is triumphant over evil. On this the Feast of The Assumption, Mary’s role in the story of salvation is particularly honoured within the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Just as there was a place of safety with God for her son, so there was a place for Mary at the end of her earthly life. It is held that God honoured the body that had carried his Son, taking it directly to heaven following her death. This brings with it the hope that we too will, in due course, be brought body and soul into eternal life.

• • How do you see the role of Mary in the history of the world?
  • What does this teaching about Mary entering heaven, body and soul, offer for you and those you love?

Today could be a good day to pray Mary’s song of praise, the Magnificat.

My soul glorifies the Lord,
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness;
Henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me.
Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age,
on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength
And scatters the proud hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones
And raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things,
Sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant,
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his sons for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.