Virgin
8/2 In His Arms, Her Soul a Babe
by lefever on August 1, 2011
Down below the beautifully mosaicked Abbey of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary (Haggia Maria Sion Abbey) in Jerusalem on Mt. Zion, is a Marian crypt. It is claimed to be the spot where the Virgin Mary fell asleep for the last time.
There is a statue of Marian sleeping in peace, above her a mosaic dome of Christ and six epic Biblical ladies.
But there is one mural at one of the altars that stops me in my tracks. It depicts the Virgin’s Koimesis, or “falling asleep in death.”
Mary lies still being attended to.
Christ stands above her.
Just as Mary bore the infant Christ, she is now carried to heaven by Christ, who holds her soul, portrayed as an infant, in his arms.
The “Mother of God is now His daughter… or put another way, the Son of God’s Mother is His daughter”. I put that in quotes as something to absorb just below the consciousness of literalism – to consider the paradox. Just as Jesus is before Abram was born (John 8:58). Mary’s son is her heavenly father, and He is come to carry her home.
Twice now in Jerusalem I have been theologically rocked with LARGE mystical thoughts to contemplate: the mystery of God. Both times were bound around considerations of Mary’s relationship with God.
The first time was in the Armenian Cathedral, St. James. There I was left with the thought of what does one do with the rest of their life when they have birthed Mashiach? That is a big responsibility and it can not be like any ordinary responsibility for this is no ordinary child. God had consecrated Mary’s womb and lived there for nine months. Think about it.
The idea that God is the Father to Mariam’s impregnation of Himself incarnate, suggests He is the Father and the Son and now He is the creator of Mary’s soul, now swaddled in His arms and safeguarded to the Spiritual Heaven.
A shudder goes up my spine and I need to sit down.
This piece of art communicates a powerful idea of the immensity of God, His mystery, His wondrous ways, and the tenderness of His Grace. Considering God this way is overwhelming. Perhaps this is the proper perspective…
~ JWL
