Three Realities that Change Everything: Celebrating the Feast of the Assumption During the Eucharistic Revival
“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.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 974)
Mary in Heaven: Body and Soul
The feast of the Assumption celebrates the “taking up” of Our Lady into heaven’s light and glory. As the catechism above states, Mary’s immaculately united body and soul were assumed. Mary’s body and soul were deemed worthy of eternity with God. Because she needed no further perfecting (that happens when you’re immaculately conceived), she was taken directly into heaven. The reality that Mary, Queen of the Universe and Queen of Heaven reigns body and soul can change our lives. Our Lady, fully human and fully alive, is awaiting our arrival in heaven. She awaits the arrival of our bodies and souls.
Us: Body and Soul
It tends to be easier for us to see how our souls are destined for heaven. The deep, constant restlessness many of us feel shows us that our souls yearn for something more. Death is not the end of our souls. Well, death is not the end of our bodies either. In imitation of Mary, we are destined to live body and soul in heaven. Although we are in need of perfection and integration (of body and soul) before our arrival to heaven, she leads the way and intercedes for us while we’re on the journey. Our bodies are good, too.
Both body and soul are good and worthy of our care, but both are also made to inform each other. Integration is the word that comes to mind. Our bodies inform our souls and our souls inform our bodies. What we do with our bodies impacts our souls and vice versa. You get the picture. This synchronization of our body and soul is the process of integration. We need help along the way though. Real help.
The Eucharist: Body and Soul
Jesus comes to help us, body and soul, in the Eucharist. He remains with us, as He promised through the resurrection. Jesus waits for us to bring our restless, dis-integrated selves to Him to let Him restore them. As we let Him work on us in the silence of Eucharistic adoration, we become more like Our Lady. Our bodies and souls become more and more ready for heaven; more and more integrated.
Jesus in the Eucharist, perfectly united, perfectly Himself, aches for us to bring our restless souls and bodies to Him. He and Our Lady will show us who we are made to be.
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us.
By Morgan Martens