THE ASSUMPTION ON MAMA MARIA

 THE FOUR DOGMAS OF MAMA MARIA

As we celebrate the Assumption of Mama Maria, we need to be reminded of the FOUR DOGMAS on MAMA MARIA. Marian dogmas state the personal relationship of Mama Maria with God and her role in human salvation.

The first is the DIVINE MOTHERHOOD. The divine motherhood of Mama Maria was proclaimed at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. Various names are used to describe the role of Mama Maria as mother of Jesus. She is called Mother of God which translates the more accurately stated Greek term Theotokos or Birthgiver of God. The Council of Ephesus holds that the holy virgin is the Mother of God since she begot according to the flesh the Word of God made flesh. This decision was further explained by the Council of Chalcedon (451AD). The dogma of Divine Motherhood becomes an integral part of the Christological dogma. This does not diminish the definitive and binding character of Christological dogma.

The second is PERPETUAL VIRGINITY. The Church professes that Jesus Christ was conceived without human seed by the power of the Holy Spirit only. Vatican II reiterated the teaching about Mama Maria, the Ever-Virgin, by stating that the birth of Christ did not diminish the virginal integrity of Mama Maria but sanctified it. The Catechism of the Catholic Church ponders the deeper meaning of the virgin bride and perpetual virginity (CCC 499-507). It also maintains that Jesus Christ was the only child of Mama Maria. The so-called brothers and sisters are close relations.

The third Marian dogma is IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. It was Pope Pius IX who defined Immaculate Conception as a dogma, in his Apostolic Constitution Ineffabilis Deus (December 8, 1854). It stresses the privilege of Mama Maria, and the dignity and holiness required to become Mother of God. The dogma of the Immaculate Conception states that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege from Almighty God and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, was kept free of every stain of original sin. 

With the above three dogmas and their verifiable teachings, it is truly right and just, vere dignum et iustum est, that the dogma of assumption of Mama Maria be defined and proclaimed.

THE TEACHING OF THE ASSUMPTION ON MAMA MARIA

A distinction needs to be made between Ascension and Assumption. Jesus Christ, Son of God and Risen Lord, ascended into heaven, a sign of divine power. Mama Maria, on the contrary, was elevated or assumed into heaven by the power and grace of God.

This Marian dogma was proclaimed by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950 on his Encyclical Munificentissimus Deus (Most Bountiful God). The dogma states that Mary, Immaculate Mother of God ever Virgin, after finishing the course of her life on earth, was taken up in body and soul to heavenly glory. This definition as well as that of the Immaculate Conception makes not only reference to the universal, certain and firm consent of the Magisterium but makes allusion to the concordant belief of the faithful. The Assumption had been a part of the the spiritual and doctrinal patrimony of the Church for centuries. It had been part of theological reflection but also of the liturgy and was part of the sense of the faithful.

Though this dogma has no direct basis in scripture, it is declared divinely revealed, meaning that it is contained implicitly in divine Revelation, in the Scriptures. It may be understood as the logical conclusion of the vocation of Mama Maria on earth, and the way she lived her life in union with God and her mission. The assumption may be seen as a consequence of Divine Motherhood. Being through, with, and for her Son on earth, it would seem fitting for Mama Maria to be through, with, and for her Son in heaven, too. She was on earth the generous associate of her Son. The Assumption tells us that this association continues in heaven. Mama Maria is indissolubly linked to her Son both on earth and in heaven.

In heaven, the active involvement of Mama Maria in salvation history continues: Taken up to heaven, she did not lay aside her salvific duty... By her maternal love she cares for the brothers and sisters of her Son who still journey on earth (LG). Mama Maria is the eschatological icon of the Church (CCC 972), meaning the Church contemplates in Mama Maria her own (that is, the Churchsown) end of times. Glorified in body and soul, Mama Maria is already in the state that will be ours after the resurrection of the dead. It follows that as disciples of Jesus, we must take him serious.

The definition of the dogma does not say how the transition from the earthly state of Mama Maria to her heavenly state happened. Did Mama Maria die? Was she assumed to heaven without prior separation of soul and body? The question remains open for discussion. However, the opinion that Mama Maria passed through death as her Son did, has the stronger support in tradition. While the Church has no official declaration on whether Mama Maria died before she went to heaven, certain holy people have maintained that she died.

St. John Damascene says to Mama Maria in the 8th century, Thy pure and spotless body was not left in the earth, but the abode of the Queen, of Gods true Mother, was fixed in the heavenly kingdom alone. Saint John Henry Newman expressed similar thoughts on the Assumption of Mary in the 19th century when he said It was becoming, that she [Mama Maria] should be taken up into heaven and not lie in the grave till Christs second coming, who had passed a life of sanctity and of miracle such as hers. If her body was not taken into heaven, where is it? Why are not pilgrimages made to it? Why are not relics producible of her, as of the saints in general? Plainly because that sacred body is in heaven, not on earth.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SOLEMNITY OF ASSUMPTION TO OUR EVERYDAY LIVES?

This solemnity of Assumption helps us to understand that we are as humans. If we want to understand what it means to be human, what is good for us, what we are made for, how we will find happiness, then the only option is to look at Christ. In this solemnity, the Church invites us to contemplate on this mystery of the revelation of Christ. Again, the solemnity shows us that God wills to save the whole man, namely, save his soul and body. The Solemnity manifests and confirms the unity of the human person, and it reminds us that we are called to serve and glorify God with all our being, soul and body. 

The earth is not the definitive homeland for us, and if we live with our gaze fixed on eternal goods we will one day share in this same glory and the earth will become more beautiful. Consequently, we must not lose our serenity and peace even amid the thousands of daily difficulties. Let us forge ahead in our lives under Mary's guidance.

MAY THE INTERCESSION OF MAMA MARIA ASSUMED INTO HEAVEN CONTINUE TO OPEN MORE DOORS OF DIVINE GRACE, DIVINE FAVOUR AND DIVINE BLESSING UPON US, THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD.

© Rev Fr Utazi Prince Marie Benignus