16 August (Feast of the Assumption)

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.
A great red 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;
nd 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)

We have a longer passage today as we need more of the details to make sense of the account – although, like much of the Book of the Apocalypse, there are layers of meaning, some of which have been lost to us. At one level, the writer may be using the Woman to represent Israel, from whom would be born the Messiah, the one who would come to rule the nations. At another, and in keeping with today’s feast of the Assumption, she could represent Mary, of whom was born the Christ, the Messiah. Mary’s role in the story of salvation was pivotal and she is greatly honoured, particularly within the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. They hold that God honoured the body that had contained his Son, taking it directly to heaven following her death – or dormition. 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 as hope 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.