Mary was assumed
into heaven.
It’s one of the
more difficult teachings for converts to grasp. But there are ways to approach
the Assumption so that non-Catholics may come to believe.
In 1995, I wrote
an article for Protestant newspapers called “Trends in Christian Fiction” which
considered the possibility that a Christian fiction book might hit the New York
Times Bestseller List. I traveled to key Protestant publishers – Tyndale,
Crossway, Moody, Victor and Bethany House – to interview editors. The
publishers handed me galleys, and they all believed their books had that
crossover appeal. Only one actually did. Left Behind was on the
publishing turnpike back then, and it was among the galleys I brought home with
me after that Chicago-Minneapolis trip. Tyndale released the book within six
months of my visit, and the book (and subsequent series) was a huge success.
Nicholas Cage and
Lea Thompson star in a screen adaptation of that book. The movie opens October
3, 2014. So the Left Behind craze continues.
I have one
question.
And it isn’t about
whether or not the idea of Rapture is biblical. My question has nothing
to do with Christians disappearing when Christ returns. I’m not going to take
the time to explain why Catholic teaching on eschatological things is solid and
Left Behind theology is Hollywood science fiction.
No. I’m pondering
something else.
Why is it so easy
for people to believe that Jesus Christ will return and “rapture” those who
love Him, leaving behind the rest of the world, but those same people find it
impossible to believe that Jesus Christ came for His mother and assumed her,
body and soul, into heaven?
Why is that harder
to believe?
When I ponder the
glorious Assumption of Mary into Heaven, I have to smile. It fits. It makes
sense. A perfect and loving son would do that if he could. A divine Son
did do it because He could.
Jesus Christ
looked upon His mother, and Love broke through the veil.
Jesus, the perfect
Son of God, would not let His mother’s body know corruption. Not this mother
who was so carefully created – so immaculately formed.
In May, I traveled
to the Holy Land. We visited many places, but one place that stands out in my
mind is Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion.
Let me take you
there for just a moment. Step with me into the Tomb of King David. Let’s pray
there, together. Let’s think of David’s descendent, the Christ, who was given
an eternal throne.
Now, let me lead
you just a few steps from the place where David is buried. There, you will find
the doors to Dormition Abbey. According to tradition, Mary fell asleep and was
assumed into heaven here.
There is a place
in Ephesus that also makes this claim, but many Catholic sources say Mount Zion
is more likely. And I agree.
The one who is Daughter
Zion and mother of David’s eternal heir should end her earthly life here –
and be visited by the Lord who lovingly laid claim to His mother – right here.
Come to me, my
beloved mother. Come and see the place I have prepared.
With angelic
shouts and trumpet blast, she was raised and crowned Queen. Earth was silent.
But heaven erupted with great jubilation.
Why is it so easy
to imagine a silly story about Jesus coming to Earth and Christians across the
world disappearing? Airplanes crashing as pilots disappear into thin air. Cars
crashing as drivers disappear. Students leaving behind open books and laptops? Why
is that easier to imagine, but Mary’s Assumption seems far-fetched?
I stood in the
crypt of Dormition Abbey. I thought of King David’s bones which were just a few
steps away. And yet, in this crypt, there are no bones. Mary is not
here. And nobody has claimed to have Mary’s remains. Why? Because there are no
remains.
In fact, the
disagreement about a possible site for the Assumption exists because there are no
bones to settle the matter. The dueling claim underscores the reality of
the Assumption. She is not here – or there!
Yes, Jesus Christ
will return again. And He will raise the living and the dead. It won’t follow
the plotline of a Hollywood thriller. But there is precedent for our rising to
meet the Lord. Although Mary’s Assumption is unique, the One who assumed His
own mother will return – for us. The dead in Christ will be raised to new life.
But the unfaithful won’t be left behind – although they probably will wish they
had been left. Earth is preferable to eternal separation from God. The Bible tells
us we will be divided—the faithful going one way, the unfaithful another.
Leave the Left
Behind hoopla in Hollywood.
Turn your eyes to
the Holy Land, or Ephesus, or even toward heaven.. And celebrate the Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary. What Jesus did for Mary – in a unique and special
way – gives us hope that one day Christ will return. So let’s model our lives
after the Blessed Mother – remaining faithful until the end.