A great sign appeared in heaven, Mary: Day 287

A great sign appeared in heaven, Mary: Day 287 May 3, 2016

year_with_mary_john_eudesA great sign appeared in heaven

St. John Eudes explains the symbolism in the Book of Revelation’s vision of Mary in heaven.

“A great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (see Rv 12:1). What is this great sign? Who is this miraculous woman? . . . The woman is Mary, the queen among women, the Sovereign of angels and men. . . .

Mary appears in heaven because she comes from heaven, because she is heaven’s masterpiece, the Empress of Heaven, its joy and its glory, in whom everything is heavenly. Even when her body dwelt on earth, her thoughts and affections were all rapt in heaven. She is clothed with the eternal Sun of the Godhead and with all the perfections of the divine Essence, which surround, fill, and penetrate her to such an extent that she has become transformed, as it were, into the power, goodness, and holiness of God. She has the moon under her feet to show that the entire world is beneath her. None is above her, save only God, and she holds absolute sway over all created things. She is crowned with twelve stars that represent the virtues which shine so brightly in her soul. The mysteries of her life are as many stars more luminous by far than the brightest lights of the sky. The privileges and prerogatives God has granted to her, the least of which is greater than anything shining in the firmament of heaven, as well as the glory of the saints of paradise and of earth, are her crown and her glory. . . .

But why does the Holy [Spirit] call Mary “a great sign”? It is simply to tell us that everything in her is wonderful, and that the marvels that fill her being should be proclaimed to the entire world, so that she may become an object of admiration for the inhabitants of heaven as well as for mankind on earth, and so that she may be the sweet delight of angels and men. —St. John Eudes, The Admirable Heart of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

This passage from Revelation represents the last reference to Our Lady in the Bible. Many works of art portray her as St. John described her here, with the sun, moon, and stars—and also with the serpent crushed beneath her heel. How does such art tie together the last scriptural reference to Mary with the first, in Genesis?

CLOSING PRAYER

From a prayer of Venerable Pope Pius XII: O gracious Queen, O resplendent vision of paradise, dispel from our minds the darkness of error by the light of faith!
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