Where the Truth lies

 

    This lovely and straightforward recording of the Introit for the great feast of Mary's Assumption body and soul into heaven got me  to thinking about our lives here in what we really should describe as a "vale of tears". When it comes to living life fully, when it comes to finding happiness in life: Where does the truth lie? Which way to the light?

Introit (Apoc. 12:1)

    A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon was under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.

(Ps 97:1) Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wondrous deeds.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

    A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon was under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.

    In every age, place and time the wise, the seekers and countless from among God's little ones have been drawn to the radiance of that "great sign which appeared in heaven". Whether our artistic portrayal is that of Our Lady of Guadalupe or of a beautiful Immaculate Conception, there she is: clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and crowned with twelve stars! Could there be an image at once more sublime and more reassuring?

    By saying that, I am posing a challenge to all those people who can't imagine striving for glory. I am calling out those people in and outside the Church, who don't see the sufficiency of that image of Mary the Mother of God raised up body and soul to her place beside her Son at the Father's right hand.

    The Feast of the Assumption should help us cast the Church in its proper framework in terms of our destiny. We are called to greater than this world and its best but always passing structures could possibly offer to us.

    Pray with me for all those who would settle for anything less than the consolation which is ours in the great sign given to us for our hope! Pray for an end to the shortsightedness which casts our trajectory in life in terms of career based "accomplishments" or some sort of institutional model of promotion!

    "Almighty, everlasting God, Who took up, body and soul, the immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Son, into heavenly glory, grant, we beseech You, that, always devoting ourselves to heavenly things, we may be found worthy to share in her glory."

PROPERANTES ADVENTUM DIEI DEI