August 15, 2021; The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings: Rv. 11:19; 12:1-6, 10; 1 Cor.15:20-27; Lk. 1:39-56

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle Rules the World

1.     The theme of our reflection today is from a poem written by William Ross Wallace: ‘The Hand that Rocks the Cradle is the Hand that Rules the world.’ In this poem, Wallace extols the role of women. The last two stanzas read: “Woman, how divine your mission, here upon our natal sod; keep, O keep the young heart open, always to the breath of God! All true trophies of the ages are from mother love impearled; For the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. Blessings on the hand of Women! Fathers, sons and daughters cry, and the sacred song is mingled with the worship of the sky – Mingled where no tempest darkens, Rainbows evermore are curled! For the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” It does not matter in the least, the heights that men attain in the world today, they all went through the cradle hand of mothers. Popes, bishops, priests, prime ministers, presidents and governors, men both low and high, women, boys and girls were all given birth to by mothers. There has never been a day that passes without these men and women telling stories about the influence of their mothers in their lives. It was not different with Jesus, the Son of God and the Second person of the Blessed Trinity, He too was given birth to by the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. Today we celebrate her assumption into heaven.

2.     The solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven was defined by Pope Pius Xll on November 1, 1950. This definition made it clear that Our mother Mary enjoys, to the fullest extent possible, eternal life with her son, a goal that all of us hope to attain eventually. The Blessed Virgin, from conception in the womb of her mother, was preserved from the stain of original sin. Hence, Mary like her son, was born immaculate. She lived a life of devotion to God and was faithful from birth to death. She said ‘Yes’ to the angel and became the mother of God. Christ was at the center of her life. She was committed to her son from his birth to his death on the cross. Therefore, Mary, who was devoted and committed to her son would not be ignored on earth by him. She was taken up to heaven to be with her son.

3.     Mary was not only faithful and committed to her Son but to all creatures of God as well. She was the first disciple of Jesus and the first to point the way to her Son. When the couple at the wedding at Cana ran out of wine, Mary noticed and told Jesus about it right-a-way. She then said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” (Jn. 2:5). Mary was a good and God-fearing woman who loved people and would do anything to ease their pains and sufferings. Our gospel reading describes Mary’s willingness to put her comfort last for the needs of others. She went in haste to visit her elderly cousin, who was pregnant to render her the necessary assistance she needed. Though she had just received a news of great importance, the concern of Elizabeth was uppermost in her mind. She stayed there with her for three months before returning to her home.

4.     Our Blessed mother was devoted and present to her husband, Joseph, despite carrying, in her womb, the savior of the world. She traveled with him to Bethlehem to be counted, enduring the pain of childbirth in a hostile environment. She was patient and understanding in her poverty when she gave birth to her son in the manager. So skillful was she in invention that she quickly provided a crib from the trough meant to feed the animals for her son. She was obedient and humble when she took her baby and traveled the tedious and treacherous journey to Egypt to protect her son from death in the hands of bloodthirsty Herod. No word of complaint came forth from her mouth as she brought the child Jesus back to Nazareth after the death of Herod. Mary was not spared the pain and agony of seeing her son being paraded with a cross on his shoulders along the streets of Jerusalem like a criminal. She watched in horror as they killed him on the cross.  And with a mother’s love, she took the body of her son from the cross in her arms. She was there to see him being laid to rest in the tomb.

5.     It was not surprising that centuries before the Church pronounced and defined the doctrine of the Assumption, people down through the ages had observed that like, Enoch and Elijah before her, Mary was taken body and soul to heaven. God would not allow her body to see corruption as we read in Psalm 16:10. “For you will not abandon me to the grave, nor let your faithful servant see corruption.”

6.     Today’s solemnity is a celebration of hope for mankind. It reminds us that God does not expect us to do extraordinary things on earth to get to heaven, but to do the ordinary things extraordinarily well. It teaches us that living a saintly life is possible for everyone; that we are not called to do great things, but to be faithful, humble, helpful, prayerful, and committed to our set goals in life. Mary is a model to all the hands that have rocked the cradles of this world. Yes, their task may be hard and unrewarding here below, but the reward will be great in the hereafter. For all generations has truly called Mary blessed, because he who is mighty has done great things for her, and holy is his name indeed. For the hand that rocks the cradle does not only rule this world, but it will also enjoy a life of peace with God in heaven. Like Mary our mother, we must be devoted to God and love God’s creatures. We pray that Mary, our mother may intercede for us today as we celebrate her life in heaven so that one day, we too may behold the face of God with her in heaven. Amen.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP