Fr Matthew Reese

Dear Friends in Christ, 

Yesterday, August 15th, was—as the Prayerbook lists it—“The Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ.” But along with a great many other Anglicans around the Communion, we keep this feast on Sunday in recognition of the special place that Mary, the Theotokos or “God-Bearer,” has in the life of the Church. 

In the Roman Church, this is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—reflecting a doctrine that Mary, rather than dying a natural death, was literally assumed up into heaven. In the Eastern Church it is the Feast of the Dormition—that is, that Mary has fallen asleep in the Lord. 

The Anglican Churches tend not to make a pronouncement on these doctrines either way. Instead, we use this as an opportunity to reflect deeply on the Incarnation of Our Lord. In saying yes to God’s call, in not only trusting, but in exulting in the enormity of God’s power and goodness, Mary fundamentally altered the course of human history. 

In bringing the Son of God into the world, in nurturing him, teaching him, presenting him at the Temple, following him in his ministry, and standing at the foot of the Cross, Mary not only bore witness to God’s power, she gave to God His humanity. Jesus takes his human nature—he takes on our human nature—through Mary his mother.  

And it is only through taking on our humanity, through living and suffering among us, and through dying His death on a cross that Jesus could overcome death itself for all mankind—“now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.” (1 Corinthians 15:20) 

Thanks be to God, as the Angelus prayer concludes, that “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) 

Thanks be to God that Mary said yes to God’s call, and brought that Word into the world in our nature. 

Yours, faithfully,

—Fr Matthew