Chapter 12: The Assumption

The Last Chapter!

The story of the Bavarian peasant woman who lost her only beloved son in war and then adopted a little black boy really resonated with me.  Houselander notes the neighbors were amazed and one commented, 'I never would have thought that you would put another boy in your son's place" (Reed of God, pg. 182).  


"'I have not,' she answered, simply: 'There is only one boy, Jesus Christ'"  (Reed of God, pg. 182)


After adopting Abigail so quickly after losing Caeden Michael, I understand this statement.  I'm sure it resonates with many who have lost a child due to miscarriage, death, rebellion, or failed adoption.  It is not that a child is ever replaced, it's that we see Jesus in every child, and in loving our child, we are loving Jesus.  


From the time I could talk, I remember hearing and knowing that Jesus is in my heart- and other people's hearts!  If we love others, we are loving Jesus.  But never has the reality of Christ's presence been so clear to me as when I care for my daughter.  I literally imagine that I am holding the Christ-child.  I am feeding Jesus.  I am lulling Him to sleep.  I change His diaper.  I soothe His cries.  It is so real to me, that I have to be careful not to say this to just anyone!  


In our Christmas cards, I am writing, "After four long years of Advent, we are rejoicing in our beautiful child!"  I almost finished the phrase, "our Christ child!"  


But I didn't want people to think I thought we literally adopted Jesus.  Since 95% of my Christmas card recipients have not read The Reed of God, I changed the phrase to "Our beautiful child!"  (As opposed to "beautiful daughter!")  


It is interesting that Our Lady lost her son, and gained a son in the same day.  


"Perhaps Our Lord took so young an apostle as John into His motley little company in order that he should be still a boy when he took Our Lady home.  Perhaps, too, His very special love for John may have had something to do with the future, in which Christ foresaw John giving His Mother no time to grieve"  (Reed of God, pg. 183)


In fact, it is wonderful to think of her still caring for her son in motherly ways through the apostle John.  When at last she died, the Lord took her, body and soul, into Heaven, lest the body that carried Christ, be corrupted by decay.


I was puzzled and saddened by Houselander's statement, "No wonder that the most astonishing sermons are preached about Our Lady's Assumption" (Reed of God, pg. 184).  I have never heard a sermon that was astonishing on this subject!  In our well-intentioned quest to not offend our Protestant brothers and sisters, have our priests lost the ability or desire to preach a dazzling sermon on Mary's Assumption into Heaven?  




Which brings me full circle...


I began this study in an attempt to better understand devotions to Our Lady.  I explained initially that while I certainly accepted all of the Church's teachings on Mary and honored her, I didn't understand why I should foster a relationship with her, when I could go straight to her son.  


But this book has helped me to better understand that through contemplating Our Lady- whether it is her being, her fiat, her visitation, her losing the Christ Child, or her assumption, I am better understanding Jesus.  As our marriage verse proclaims, Mary MAGNIFIES Christ. Seeing Mary in her humanity helps me understand Jesus in His humanity and divinity.  


My husband lost his mother ten years ago.  I never had the chance to know her.  This has been a real loss to my sister-in-law and me.  Mama Lee could have told us so many stories about my husband- she could have provided insight into his character and personality.  She could teach me to love her son better and more completely.


The same is true for Mary and her son.  She provides insight.  She teaches.  She demonstrates.  


Because of Mama Lee, I have J.  And I love her madly for it.  


Because of Mary, we have Jesus Christ.  And I love her madly for it.  




Thank you, Leslie, for the gift of this book.  Thank you to all the participants.  Any time you pick up the book, please share your reflection on the chapters.  It gets emailed to anyone who has commented previously, and we all benefit from your thoughts!


Dedicated to Our Blessed Mother,