On the Feast of the Assumption of the Body of the Virgin God honors His saints
On the Feast of the Assumption of the Body of the Virgin
God honors His saints
At the departure of the Lady Virgin from our perishable world, the apostles gathered around her, and the Lord Christ came and received her pure soul with great glory. Then Saint Thomas saw her pure body being carried up to heaven amidst the exultation of the angels. Thus the Lord honored the greatest of His saints on earth, and in her He honored all humanity…
History tells us many stories about the Lord honoring His saints at the time of their death.
The Scripture says that poor Lazarus “died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom” (Lk 16:22).
And Saint Anba Anthony saw the soul of Anba Amoun being escorted by the angels with hymns of joy and exultation as they carried it to heaven.
And Saint Anba Karas the Anchorite, at his death, the Prophet David was present and chanted for him on his harp the psalm: “Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you” (Ps 116:7).
And Scripture says of Elijah the Prophet that a chariot of fire carried him up to heaven (2 Kgs 2:11).
And many of the saints used to see comforting visions, and saints would be present at the hour of their departure.
Heaven rejoices when one of the saints completes his time of striving on earth; therefore it celebrates his joining the assembly of the victorious conquerors.
And just as God honors His saints in their lives, He also honors them at the hour of their departure and repose; therefore the Scripture says: “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like his!” (Num 23:10). And the Church celebrates the day of their repose.
And God honors His saints after their departure as well.
He greatly honored the Virgin after her departure, as He permitted miracles to be performed by her hands, and He allowed her to appear on earth, clothed in light, as happened in Zeitoun.
But on earth, the Lord may honor His saints with suffering. And if they suffer with Him, they shall also be glorified with Him (Rom 8:17).
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