In Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives there lies the other empty tomb. In the Abbey of the Dormition lies a Sarcophagus said to be for Our Lady. It is empty. She never lay in it in death. Indeed, Mary never died if Orthodox theology on the matter is to be believed. Instead she fell into a deep sleep and her Son, Our Lord sent an army of Angels down to her, who lifted her up and took her straight to heaven to be with her son. There she was crowned Queen of Heaven for all eternity.
Mary is our model for faith. She heard what God had to say to her; heard and obeyed. She was humble and she pondered what this might mean. She was Christ's first disciple ("Do whatever he tells you...") and stood firm at the foot of the cross. It was then that she pondered on that early riddle told to her in the Temple by Zachary... "And a sword shall pierce your own breast.." Sorrow, deepest savage sorry pierced her heart then but still she stood firm. This is why she is our model and why we should model ourselves on Mary, Queen of Heaven.
Hail Mary, full of Grace; the Lord is with thee
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb; Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death
AMEN
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