FROM THE PARISH PRIEST
 

Mary, Full of Grace
by Fr. Romey Rosco

        We can say that the month of August is devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mother of God.  The first two weeks are a time of fasting in preparation for the Feast of her Falling Asleep (Aug. 15).

        Scripture tells us that at the time of His death on the Cross, Our Lord instructed St. John the Apostle to care for His Blessed Mother as if he were her own loving son, and from then on John took her into his home (at Ephesus) where she lived until her falling asleep.  (It is important to note that if Mary had had other children, as some insist, then why would Jesus have entrusted her to the care of this apostle?)

        When her death appeared imminent, the other apostles and disciples gathered to be with her.  The icon depicting her repose shows Christ standing in the center of the group.  In front of Him lies her lifeless body, and in His Holy Arms He holds her precious soul, and she appears to be completely at peace.

        In every Divine Liturgy, as we pray for "a Christian ending to our lives, painless, blameless and peaceful," remember the blessed example of the Mother of God.  Her gentle "falling asleep" came at the end of an honorable life of complete obedience and devotion to her Son (the Son of God).

        As the Church, members of the "Body of Christ," we can truly call her our Mother, as we honor and follow her precious example.

From The Weekly Bulletin, Vol. XXXII No. 32, 14 August 2005
Sts. Peter & Paul Romanian Orthodox Church, Dearborn Heights MI

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