An interesting scene I was able to witness today as I went to visit the church of Mary’s Tomb. There was a group of Muslims dressed beautifully who congregated in front of the Church. I thought that they were just taking a break in the shade on their way to Temple Mount where the Dome of the Rock is located (the mosque with the golden roof). However after some explanation given by the leader of the group they all removed their shoes and walked right in to the church. When I got inside, to my surprise I saw them all kneeling in one of the chapels and saying some prayers in Arabic. Later I could see them queuing up to enter the secession where Mary’s Tomb was. I must say they were very prayerful and reverent. They kissed the stone where the Body of Our Lady was placed, they were genuflecting as they were leaving the tomb. But what got my attention was a conversation I overheard. A person in the church asked one of the women if they were Muslims and the answer was Yes. The next question was: “Why are you praying in a Christian church?” The answer was: “Because we respect Mary very much.” I think that it is a good challenge to us how important Mary is. Her life is important but her Assumption into heaven is important as well. It is a promise to all of us that the miracle of the Resurrection that happened in the tomb of Jesus didn't finish there but is extended to all. Mary's Assumption is the continuation of what happened on Easter Sunday. Her empty tomb shows us that Christ's Resurrection works. It will also work in our case when our tombs will be emptied at the end of time to allow us to enter eternity where Mary is right now.
The church of the Tomb of Mary belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church and is located just at the bottom of Mount of the Olives where there was a cemetery in the 1st century CE. The tomb itself resembles the one in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It is a fitting resemblance as Mary already enjoys the privilege of the Resurrection. I find it particularly significant as I grew up in a parish under the title of the Assumption of Our Lady. In my childhood I regularly I was watching the image of Mary being taken up to heaven now I can add another piece to the picture: the place from which she was taken up to heaven. It is a powerful proclamation that Mary’s life isn’t made up but it is grounded in the real place and time.
The church of the Tomb of Mary belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church and is located just at the bottom of Mount of the Olives where there was a cemetery in the 1st century CE. The tomb itself resembles the one in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It is a fitting resemblance as Mary already enjoys the privilege of the Resurrection. I find it particularly significant as I grew up in a parish under the title of the Assumption of Our Lady. In my childhood I regularly I was watching the image of Mary being taken up to heaven now I can add another piece to the picture: the place from which she was taken up to heaven. It is a powerful proclamation that Mary’s life isn’t made up but it is grounded in the real place and time.
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