Most of us have had to move on with our lives without some of the people that we love. Our faith tells us that it is only a temporary separation, but while we are going through it, it can feel like anything but temporary. Someone understands what we are going through - Mary, the mother of Jesus. When Mary stood with the apostles and watched Jesus ascend into the clouds and disappear, part of her probably wanted to go with him, but she couldn't. His earthly mission had come to an end, but hers had not. Like any human mother, I'm sure Mary would have preferred to leave this world before her son, but she learned to trust that God has a reason for doing things the way He does.
There is not a lot of information about the life of Mary after Jesus's ascension. She received the holy spirit with the apostles at Pentecost before they went out into the world to spread the gospel. I heard somewhere that she went with them and helped to teach others about Jesus. That really excited me because it meant that she had a taste of what it was like to be a modern woman, finding purpose outside the home. Documentaries say that St. John took care of her as if she were his own mother, as he promised Jesus he would. When there was an uptick in Christian persecution, St. John escaped with Mary to a place that is now modern Turkey. The house in Turkey that was Mary's home is now visited by both Christians and Muslims. Sources describe her working in the home again, but having a parade of curious people going in and out of the house, asking her about Jesus. Mary is reported to have lived approximately 25 to 30 years after Jesus ascended into heaven, all that time missing him, wishing that she could see him again. Then, finally....
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Assumption - the day that Mary entered heaven. The church believes that Mary was sinless, and that because of her extraordinary goodness, she was able to rise bodily into heaven. There she was reunited with Jesus, and crowned Queen of heaven and earth.
"Rejoice, Oh, highly favored daughter!" (Luke 1:28). What does that say about God's values? Mary was an ordinary adolescent girl from a poor family, living in a society where woman had little worth and recognition. By today's standards, Mary was not even fully grown when the angel appeared to her, asking if she would bear the Christ child. God could have forced that on her, but He chose instead to get her consent. "I am the handmaiden of the Lord," She said, "Let it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38).
Queen of heaven and earth! What did she do to receive such an honor? She did nothing extraordinary. Her life was filled with the ordinary, every day tasks of traditional women - cooking, cleaning, sewing and caring for children. The significant thing was that she performed them with love, patience, humility and steadfastness. Her deep compassion for others was apparent at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1), when she felt bad for the people who ran out of wine. Another side of Mary also came out in that story - her strength and determination. She quickly took action, asking Jesus to help the family involved. Even after getting some resistance from him, Mary would not give up. Ignoring the fact that he had never actually said "Yes, I will help", Mary turns to the servants and asks them to do whatever Jesus tells them. Mary was very assertive in that story. She would not take "No" for an answer. What a powerful advocate we have when we ask for her intercession!
The Assumption brings hope for all of us. If we follow Mary's example of doing ordinary things with extraordinary love and an openness to God's will, we will one day share her joy. Life on earth can be difficult, but if we can maintain our patience and respond to it with compassion, something much better lies ahead. "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4).
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