The Assumption of Mary and The Reed of God

The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven where she already shares in the glory of her Son’s Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of His Body. CCC 974

For this great Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I was drawn to reread portions of The Reed of God, by Caryll Houselander. This book has been instrumental in deepening my love for Our Lady. There used to be a stout wall between me and her, constructed of my inability to appreciate her humility and generosity. The Mary I thought I knew was cool and aloof and far too perfect to be appealing.

Houselander, with all the gentleness, acceptance, and humility she ascribes to Mary, took me by the hand and ushered me into the Madonna’s presence. She taught me to see the generosity of Mary in action and in spirit, and was able to show me how to imitate it... more importantly, she inspired me to desire to imitate Our Lady – quite an accomplishment in someone who avoided anything resembling Marian devotion.

The theme of the book is emptiness. Specifically how our emptiness is perfectly and uniquely shaped in each of us to contain God. It also explains beautifully what it means that Christ is in us and works through us, which helped me to better understand the phrases we often hear as Catholics: “Offer it up” “Die to self” and how the concept that everything we do – changing diapers, shuffling papers, plucking chickens -- can be for Christ.

The Reed of God not only teaches, but is also a guide to meditation. It leads the reader to Jesus through Mary, for Mary’s role was to lead humanity to Christ. She is our role model, in every vocation:

“each saint has his special work: one person’s work. But Our Lady had to include in her vocation, in her life’s work, the essential thing that was to be hidden in every other vocation in every life.

She is not only human; she is humanity.

The one thing that she did and does is the one thing that we all have to do, namely to bear Christ into the world.” (p. 18)

In the Assumption, we glimpse the fulfillment of God’s plan: eternal life with Him in heaven. In this , as well as in her life, Mary shows us the way.

The purpose of death is to put an end to the old life, allowing for birth to new life.

This is what really matters most of all to everyone: the power to be made new.

Not simply beginning gain, dragging along with the old scars, the old crippling wounds, the old weakness dragging at the will; limping with the weariness of yesterday, sore with the heartsickness of the last defeat, bitter with the still smarting grievance against one another.

Not that, but real newness, being born again.[...]

To be born again: that is exactly what Christ has promised to us; not only once, but just as often as our inner life grows old and jaded and dies.

But newness, flowering spring, shadowless morning, are not born of what is decaying, corrupt and fetid.

They are born only of virginity, virginity which is newness, virginity complete as fire and water.

(p. 186, 187)

Mary, who was sinless at birth, and remained spotless through life, was spared the (physical) consequences of death by being taken up to heaven, body and soul. We will taste death as she did not, but we too will one day stand before the King, body and soul.

We know that her body was taken to heaven, for God would not let corruption touch the flesh from which Christ’s body was made. (p. 184)

Imagine the rejoicing of angels and saints at the arrival of their mother and Queen among them! Imagine the joy in her mother’s heart at being reunited with her Son, the exultation of a perfectly conformed soul at being in the Presence of her God.

All powerful and ever-living God,

You raised the sinless Virgin Mary,

Mother of Your Son,

Body and soul to the glory of heaven.

May we see heaven as our final goal

And come to share her glory.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

One God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

(Taken from Morning Prayer for August 15)