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Mid-Summer’s Great Feasts
Aside from the dog days, mid-summer brings with it two great feasts which should not be overlooked.
The Transfiguration, which was celebrated Aug. 6, is a feast that sometimes slips by us, in popular devotion and in liturgical marking and observance.
The fact of the matter is that the feast marks an important event in the life of Christ and the Apostles, a shot in the arm as it were, a recognition of what they were about and a preparation for the hard days of Jerusalem-conflict and indeed the Passion. Jesus is emerging from the hidden life where things have been very much low key. He gathers His apostles, especially Peter, James and John, and allows His true nature to shine through and urges them not to forget that reality.
The Baptism by John the Baptist established that “This is my Beloved Son.” Things had been quiet since then; even, the Baptist had been executed. Jesus has been preaching and performing signs; the crowds have been coming but we have clear evidence of their fickle nature and wavering fidelity.
The apostles will have to bear up under much greater pressure and even contradictory events. The gathering on the base of Mount Tabor was a time to get together, a revival meeting of sorts. The event is recorded in all three synoptic Gospels – Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This is evidence for the scholars of its authenticity as well as its importance. It is not just a vision, but a divine affirmation.
Moses and Elijah appear to Jesus symbolizing the Lawgiver and the Prophet. The voice from heaven affirms that “This is my Beloved Son.” Jesus told the frightened apostles not to spread the word about what had happened, guarding against the event being sensationalized but the message was clear. Jesus was speaking about His death which prompted the mother of two of the apostles to ask for a special place for her sons. Again, Jesus had to correct the mother who completely misunderstood Jesus’ increasing references to His kingdom. He does this by making the sons in question aware of the suffering that was ahead. But the Transfiguration remains a call to faith and awareness.
The second great feast comes this week when we celebrate Aug. 15, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into heaven, a holy day of obligation.
The Assumption or “Falling asleep of Mary” is among the most ancient Marian feasts observing the passing of Mary from us but more important her arrival in heaven to be reunited with her Divine Son.
The liturgy of the day is characterized by heavenly joy. A significant aspect of our observance of the feast is that it was established on the basis of the prayer and recognition of the faithful. The papal document establishing the universality of the feast speaks of its worldwide recognition among the people and the many prayers and devotions established in its recognition.
It is a people’s feast coming in mid-summer and hence the occasion of many customs and festivals, especially in Europe and the Northern Hemisphere. Mary is in heaven; let us rejoice. Its location on the liturgical calendar has prompted a series of popular customs and parades marking the mid-summer festival. We should recognize and, where appropriate, seek to restore these events.
The Assumption brings home many truths of our faith. We come again to the recognition of the reality of heaven, our goal and, we hope always, our destiny. The feast brings home the reality of the role of Mary in our redemption and consequently the efficacy of our seeking her special intercession in our needs. Mary is the Mother of the Church and our mother in good times and bad. We turn to her in life and, in a special way, in death. We seek her intercession in the words of the prayer as the “Poor banished children of Eve.” We are no longer just the children of Eve, but also of Mary.
On the Feast of the Assumption we recognize that fact and profess our faith that one day we may be united with her.
‘Under God’
Honestly, we are not prudes, but sometimes Hollywood can really get under our skin. A case in point is the advertising campaign for the summer movie Underdog. A prominent billboard strategically placed along the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway screams out “One Nation Under Dog.” The same slogan can be found in the ads on the entertainment pages of the daily newspapers.
Give us a break! Does Disney really think that it is a clever play on words to turn God into dog, all in hopes of driving viewers to see a movie?
Certain things should be held sacred in society. Proclaiming the truth that this country was built on a firm belief in the Almighty and adopting the motto “One Nation Under God” is such a case for reverence and should not be denigrated for the sake of big bucks.
Is nothing sacred anymore?
We’re not in the business of calling for boycotts. Such tactics sometimes even backfire on those calling for such action. But, really, was making a play on the name of God the best that Hollywood could have done?
We find the strategy tasteless and cheap. Disney has a history of irritating religious sensibilities. With Underdog, the tradition continues.
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