Let's go back to the first century to find our orientation. Two important developments occurred in the communities of the Jesus Movement. First, we separated from our mother religion, Judaism. Jews usually had a rapprochement with the Roman Government allowing them the practice of their religion and, in turn, to function as responsible citizens. Once Christians were distinct, we no longer had the protection of being Jewish and we were heretics to those holding to the Roman religious tradition. We stood out like a sore thumb, and persecutions followed. Second, Jesus didn't return as expected, in the form of the historical rabbi (though he was back in the poor, suffering, and oppressed), and that meant that the oral stories about him and other persons began to be written down and circulated. As the time passed, many, many Christians books circulated around the churches, with various texts being used in congregations. These were not the Bible; there would be no Bible until 397 A.D. when our bishops, under pressure to produce a Christian holy book to complement the Old Testament, decided on the contents for a New Testament. It was a tough process. The book of Revelation was approved by one vote, when Augustine broke a tie. There was no sense that they were producing a book to replace the Tradition, but rather the Bishops based their choices on the texts' faithfulness to the Catholic Faith coming down from the Apostles. The Bible came from the Church, not the Church from the Bible.
Some early traditions, like the Assumption of Mary, do not appear inside the collection of books selected by the bishops. And, the Assumption simply reflects the Church's belief that, from the last moment of her life, Mary was reunited with her son in heaven. Nevertheless, in the Episcopal Church we say that Scripture contains "all things necessary for salvation;" and there is no problem with that. But, if this teaching is not essential to salvation, then why do we have a celebration named the Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin, commonly called the Assumption? Let me suggest two important reasons.
The first reason is the ancient belief that Mary is a heavenly prayer partner for those who call on her. Saint Paul reminds us that, because of what Jesus has done, death no longer has any dominion over us. We can pray for and with the Saints in heaven, and vice-versa. I am delighted to say that that truth is being recognized at long last by Protestants. I belong to an international prayer fellowship called the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We have members who are Protestant, Roman, and Anglican. And we all say the real rosary, not one of the knock-offs. And the Evangelical Christian scholar Tim Perry now clearly states that it is o.k. to have Mary as a prayer partner. Moreover, the rather prominent conservative evangelist Scott McKnight proudly celebrates an "Honor Mary Day" every year, not so unlike what we are doing.
Why he does that is the second reason for our Marian celebration, namely, that Mary is the model disciple. Just look at her life. Her "yes" to being the Theotokos, (God-bearer, Mother of God) made our salvation possible and reflects her profound trust and surrender to God's will in trying, confusing circumstances. Her Magnificat, sung during the visit to Elizabeth [Luke 1: 46-56], is a radical call for building the Kingdom of God, and reflects every single disciple's obligation to promote social justice. In considering predictions about her son, she is a model of prayer and meditation. As religion teacher and mentor for her Son, Mary is a model of openness to learning and sharing of faith. When Mary said at Cana, "Do what he tells you," she pointed us to stay focused on Christ. As a minister, along with other women, in Jesus' ministry, Mary shows us disciple-grade devotion. In her moments at the Cross, she demonstrates deep faith and perseverance, when our Lord places her under St. John's care. And when she goes with him to Ephesus to serve fellow-Christians there, Mary is a model of service to the Church. And in her assumption, she is our model of hope in eternal life. So, what is missing here? Nothing. We have much to learn and celebrate from this Feast.
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