A riot of praise for Christ and his mother!, Mary: Day 279

A riot of praise for Christ and his mother!

St. John of Damascus imagines that at Mary’s departure to heaven, a great choir of saints and angels shook both heaven and earth with their praise.

At Mary’s departure to heaven, the Apostles—eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word—were there, duly ministering to our Lord’s mother, and drawing from her a rich inheritance and a full measure of praise. For how could anyone doubt that she is the source of blessing and the fountain of all good? Their followers and successors also were there, joining in their ministry and in their praise.

A chosen band of spirits from the heavenly Jerusalem were there as well. Not only did the angelic choirs attend. For it was fitting as well that the foremost men and prophets of the Old Testament, who had foretold that she would give birth to the Word of God within time, should be there as an honor guard. Oth- ers had obeyed the King heartily under the old law, so that they had stood with honor beside him. Now they had the right to serve as a bodyguard to his mother according to the flesh, the truly blessed and blissful one, surpassing all genera- tions and all creation. All those who are bright and shining in spirit were with her, with spiritual eyes fixed upon her in reverence, and fear, and pure desire.

From all these we hear divine and inspired words, and spiritual canticles appropriate to the parting hour. On this occasion it was fitting to praise the Lord’s boundless goodness, his immeasurable greatness, his omnipotence, his generosity surpassing all measure in his dealings with us, the overflowing riches of his mercy, the abyss of his tenderness. They praised him for putting aside his greatness to descend to our littleness, with the cooperation of the Father and the Holy Spirit. Then followed a riot of praise! It was not that each was seeking to outdo the other, for that would have displayed vanity and been far from pleasing to God. Rather, they wanted to leave nothing undone for the glory of God and the honor of the Mother of God. —St. John of Damascus, Second Homily on the Dormition

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

If saints and angels celebrated Mary’s assumption, shouldn’t I also celebrate the occasion with great joy, knowing that my mother now reigns in heaven as queen?

CLOSING PRAYER

From the prayer “Hail, O Queen of Heaven”: Rejoice, O glorious Virgin, lovely beyond all others; farewell, most beautiful maiden, and pray for us to Christ!

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