Today is the Feast of the Assumption. The day we celebrate where Mary is assumed into Heaven body and soul. At 12.25 pm today I had a religious education class. I was struck that over three quarters of the students pleaded with me to go to church at 12.30 pm. The school I teach had not organised mass for students to attend and I had planned other work to do. We walked quickly next door. The church was filled with many older people many seemed retired. Suddenly, the church streamed with many young people moving in. Sitting at the edge of the pew all the way up the column. Many older people moved over to allow the young students to sit down. It was as though the Holy Spirit was pouring out. It felt right to be there even though it was not planned.
Saint Joseph did not plan for Mary to become pregnant in the way she did. I am sure Mary initially did not predict ahead of time God’s plan as she had to “ponder” the angels invitation. We look back and think “it was all God’s plan”. But for those who lived in those moments, the conception and birth of Jesus was messy. Jesus was born in an animal stable. Not in a home. Homeless. King Herod wanted this Messiah dead. Soon Joseph, Mary and Jesus would flee as refugees. Things were rather messy.
If we look at the events of Mary’s life in the scripture, there is a degree of Messiness to them. Running out of wine at the wedding of Cana. Jesus lost in the temple. Mary at the foot of the cross. The apostles locked in the upper room for fear of the Romans. Yet Mary was present in each moment. A calming presence. Somehow the Spirit was with her. Mary chose to get her hands dirty with the difficulties of these moments. Amongst the messiness.
As we today celebrate the Feast of the Assumption Mary calls us to step into the messiness of our lives. It is a false truth to say “it is prim and proper” because this is not in the spirit of the life of Mary. The Feast of the Assumption breaks convention. It moves beyond what is expected. Mary is assumed into Heaven body and soul. If we are to truly understand the assumption, we too must echo Mary’s spirit in our lives today. To step into messiness. When our teenage children rebel and do not want us to be around, do we stay present? When our families not want to pray as a family, do we initiate prayer? When we argue with our spouse or love one, do we forgive? The Feast of the Assumption is not ironing everything out, but rather, getting things wrinkly with God’s spirit.
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