Death cannot claim Mary as its prey, Mary: Day 263

Last updated on: April 9, 2016 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Death cannot claim Mary as its prey, Mary: Day 263 2016-03-29T11:30:19-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Death cannot claim Mary as its prey

St. John of Damascus explains why death could not hold Mary in the grave.

Long ago the Lord God banished from the Garden of Eden our first parents after their disobedience. They had dulled the eyes of their heart through their sin, and weakened their mind’s discernment, and fallen into deathlike apa- thy. But now, won’t paradise receive her who broke the bondage of all passion, sowed the seed of obedience to God and the Father, and was the beginning of life to the whole human race? Won’t heaven open its gates to Mary with rejoicing?

Yes, indeed! Eve listened to the serpent, followed his suggestion, and was caught by the lure of false and deceptive pleasure. She was condemned to pain and sorrow, and to bear children in suffering. With Adam, she received the sen- tence of death and was placed in the recesses of the realm of the dead. But how can death claim as its prey this truly blessed one? Mary listened to God’s word in humility and was filled with the Spirit. She conceived the Father’s gift through the words of the archangel. Without concupiscence or the cooperation of man, she bore the divine Word, who fills all things, bringing him forth without the pains of childbirth, being wholly united to God.

How could the realm of the dead open its gates to her? How could corrup- tion touch her life-giving body? These are things quite foreign to the soul and body of the Mother of God. Instead, death trembled before her. In approaching her Son, death had learned from experience with his sufferings, and it had grown wiser. The gloomy descent to hell was not for her, but rather a joyous, easy, and sweet passage to heaven. —St. John of Damascus, Second Homily on the Dormition

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

“In approaching her Son, death had learned from experience with his suffer- ings, and it had grown wiser.” These words call to mind the title of John Donne’s poem “Death, Be Not Proud.” What is it about Christ’s death and resurrection that changed forever the meaning, and the status, of death?

CLOSING PRAYER

Almighty and eternal God, you assumed into heaven, body and soul, the immaculate Virgin Mary, mother of your Son. Grant, through her intercession, that we may always long for you and one day be brought to the glory of the resurrection with her.

__________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Paul Thigpen and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.

Previous Post

April 8, 2016

Mary’s death was unlike any other, Mary: Day 262

Next Post

April 10, 2016 In the Assumption, Jesus honored his mother, Mary: Day 264

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz