From The Desk of Deacon Judy

Saint Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ (August 15)

Our Anglican tradition remembers Mary, the mother of Jesus, on August 15. We honor her willingness to say “yes” to be the God-bearer and her devotion to her son throughout his ministry on earth.

Roman Catholic and Orthodox tradition venerate Mary and call this Assumption Day as their tradition holds that Mary assumed into heaven after her death.

I first learned the word “Assumption” when I was in first grade as my neighbor Sylvia, a Roman Catholic, went to Assumption Elementary School.

There are two conflicting traditions about where Mary died. Some say in Jerusalem; some say in Ephesus. There are shrines honoring her in both locations. I have visited both of them. There is no archeological evidence of her burial location.

The Modern Church of the Dormition on Mount Zion in Jerusalem has a life-size statue of Mary resting on a tomb and is on the site of the earlier Byzantine church of Holy Zion which was destroyed in the 7th century. Dormition means “fell asleep”.

The Church of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus was one of the first churches dedicated to the Mother of Jesus. Ruins remain, but visitors can make a pilgrimage also to Mary’s House on Mount Bulbul (Mount Koressos). Some of my Muslim friends visited Ephesus this summer and lit a candle at Mary’s House.

It is interesting to note that the Quran mentions Mary often, how she miraculously gave birth to Christ. Muslims hold deep reverence and respect for the Mother of Jesus.

Mary’s Magnificat, The Song of Mary, (Luke 1:46-55) forever inspires me:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior: for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.

May we say “yes” to God each day. May our spirits rejoice in God. May we always remember that the Almighty has done great things for us.

God’s Peace,

Judy Q+