Feast of the (Assumed) Assumption

     No, I am not dropping heresy on my second post ("Hey heresy, hey heresy").  This was just what I called today's Feast day when I was looking at Catholicism from the outside.  Today's celebration is not actually in the Bible, but is more in line of Church Tradition.  There are many debates and discussion about the life and death of Mary and it's often a contention between demonizations.  My thought is that for as many human remains and relics that churches have collected, all over the world, there is no evidence that Mary's earthly body is still here.  Whether or not she was assumed like Elijah, or taken up after she died, someday I will ask her.  For now, let me talk about some of the ways I have learned to relate to the Blessed Mother and why I don't feel like I am idolizing her in anyway.

    I started studying what the Church said about Mother Mary after I became Catholic.  My thought was that if God wanted me Catholic, then he would reveal what he wanted about His mother.  First, Mary was a young girl who said "yes" when asked to carry and give birth to the Son of God.  She had free will (like all humans) and choose to obey.  I know that I want to say "yes" when God asks me to do something.  This was the first lesson that I was able to relate to regarding Jesus's mother.  

    Next, I realized that one does not "Pray to Mary" as she is not divine.  But as Mary is up in heaven, and is with her son, Catholics ask Mary to bring requests (or intercede for them) to Jesus and she points us to her Son.  A great illustration of this relationship between Mary and Jesus can be found in the second season of "The Chosen."  One of the characters (I won't spoil it), drifts away from Jesus, and the disciples, and tries to go back to his or her's previous lifestyle.  Eventually, friends locate and bring this person back to Jesus.  Along the path, Mother Mary greets her and covers her hair to be presentable for Jesus.  Mary guides this character to her son.  As I watched this scene unfold, I began to understand that Mary wants to lead everyone back to Jesus's loving and forgiving arms.  Let me also say that this story is not in the Bible, but it's a reminder that God is always calling us back to Him, even when we stumble...because everyone stumbles at time.

    There are still a lot of Marian beliefs that I am studying and praying about.  One does not become an instant "Professional Catholic" after joining the Church.  We are on a journey and God wants us all to remain engaged and strive to know more about Him.  If we instantly knew everything about the Mysteries of God, then why would we continue to seek him?