The Shepherd, August 2006
Depart, O Queen, depart, not as Moses did who went up to die. Die rather that thou mayest ascend. Give up thy soul into the hands of thy Son. Return earth to the earth, it will be no obstacle.
Lift up your eyes, O people of God. See in Sion the Ark of the Lord God of powers, and the Apostles standing by it, burying the life-giving body which received our Lord. Invisible angels are all around in lowly reverence doing homage to the Mother of their Lord. The Lord Himself is there, who is everywhere present, filling all things, the universal Being, not contained by place. He is the Author and Creator of all things. Behold the Virgin, the daughter of Adam and Mother of God! Because of Adam she gives her body to the earth: her soul to her Son above in the heavenly courts.
Let the holy city be sanctified, and rejoice in eternal praise. Let angels precede the divine tabernacle on its passage, and prepare the tomb. Let the radiance of the Spirit adorn it. Let sweet ointment be made ready and poured over the pure and undefiled body. Let a clear stream of grace flow from grace in its Source. Let the earth be sanctified by contact with that body. Let the air rejoice at the Translation. Let gentle breezes waft grace. Let all nature keep the feast of the Mother of God’s Dormition. May youthful bands applaud and eloquent tongues acclaim her, and wise hearts ponder on the wonder, priests hoary with age gather strength at the sight. Let all creation emulate heaven, even so the true measure of rejoicing would not be reached.
Come, let us depart with her. Come, let us descend to that tomb with all our heart’s desire. Let us draw round that most sacred bed and sing the sweet words, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Rejoice, fore-ordained Mother of God. Rejoice, thou chosen one in the design of God from all eternity, most sacred hope of earth, resting-place of Divine fire, holiest delight of the Spirit, fountain of Living Water, paradise of the tree of Life, divine vine-branch, bringing forth soul-sustaining nectar and ambrosia. Full river of spiritual graces, fertile land of the divine pastures, rose of purity, with the sweet fragrance of grace, lily of the royal robe, pure Mother of the Lamb of God Who taketh away the sins of the world, token of our redemption, handmaid and Mother, surpassing angelic powers.”
Come, let us stand round that pure tomb and draw grace to our hearts. Let us raise the ever-virginal body with spiritual arms, and go with her into the grave to die with her. Let us renounce our passions, and live with her in purity, listening to the divine canticles of angels in the heavenly courts. Let us go in adoring, and learn the wondrous mystery by which she is taken to heaven to be with her Son, higher than all the angelic choirs. No one stands between Son and Mother.
This, O Mother of God, is my third sermon on thy departure, in lowly reverence to the Holy Trinity to Whom thou didst minister, the goodness of the Father, the power of the Spirit, receiving the Uncreated Word, the Almighty Wisdom and Power of God. Accept, then, my goodwill, which is greater than my capacity, and give us salvation.
Heal our passions, cure our diseases, help us out of our difficulties, make our lives peaceful, send us the illumination of the Spirit. Inflame us with the desire of thy Son. Render us pleasing to Him, so that we may enjoy happiness with Him, seeing thee resplendent with thy Son’s glory, rejoicing for ever, keeping feast in the Church with those who worthily celebrate Him who worked our salvation through thee, Christ the Son of God, and our God. To Him be glory and majesty, with the uncreated Father and the all-holy and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
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