The Feast of the Assumption witnesses to several important lessons in our faith. For one the Assumption gives us a perspective on death. For the most part, in our Western culture we consider death as a scientific, technological failure. The debates over health care costs, universal health insurance, biological research, even mercy killing, indicate the extent to which we feel justified in defeating the enemy that is death. Our faith tells us that there is no way for a human being to make the transition from the temporal to the timeless but through death. When we celebrate the Assumption we do not experience death as the enemy, instead we experience the very important moment when Mary's transitory human life opened to a timeless, immortal life in heaven.
The Assumption also reminds us that we are created body and soul. Many people today live with the idea that our bodies are all that we are, for these folks "if it feels good do it!" Seek pleasure and avoid pain at all costs. Since these bodies will only last a short time you should take good care of them. Get as much pleasure out of them as you can, before they wear out! There are others, probably many less, who believe that the soul is the seat of the intellect and of our spirituality but it is trapped in the body. The spiritual side of our selves should be educated and developed, the body should be ignored or whipped into shape.
The Feast of the Assumption makes it clear that Mary the Mother of God was not just her body and not just her soul. She was both body and soul. It was in her body that Jesus became flesh, a true human being. It was her beautifully developed soul which allowed her to be so fully open to God's will that the Holy Spirit could create the new life of Christ within her.
This feast reminds us that God loves every part of us ; body and soul. You young people just beginning to discover your bodies, do not be discouraged! Today you may not look like a movie star or be even a fair athlete. Be patient- God isn't through with you yet. Develop your spiritual talents as well. Learn to pray, to worship, to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit, then you will truly be a fully developed person. Young adults, at the height of your physical prime, look beyond just the beauty of the bodies you see. If you are looking for a mate, for someone to spend your life with, be sure you look beyond the outward attraction to the real person within. A great “bod” will only last so long, but a great person stays with you to the end. For the elderly and those who take care of them, remember that if we live long enough, most of us fall apart. However, we remain beautiful to God in ways that never dim!
Whether we are in the best physical condition or the worst, God loves us as his own dear children, created body and soul in his image. On this feast we thank God that what he has already done for Mary he will one day do for all of us!
Several weeks ago we talked about legal documents for heath care. For the catholic perspective on end of life directives, consult the Catholic bishops website at www.usccb.org/bishops/directives.shtml