death's death
"Jephthah made a vow to the Lord. 'If you deliver the Ammonites into my power,' he said, 'whoever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites shall belong to the Lord. I shall offer him up as a holocaust.' " —Judges 11:30-31
The price of victory is usually death — the death of the enemy and other casualties on the "winning" side. For example, the price of Jephthah's victory was the death of his daughter and of his enemies the Ammonites. Likewise, the price of Jesus' victory on the cross was His own death. However, His victory was victory over death. Therefore, physical death need no longer be the price of victory. "Death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Cor 15:54).
Today we celebrate the Queenship of Mary. The circumstances surrounding Mary's death manifest Jesus' victory over death. At death, Mary's body did not decay in the grave but was assumed into heaven where she was crowned the Queen of heaven and earth. If we live lives committed to Jesus, we too will be victorious at the time of our death. The day of our death will be the happiest day of our lives, for we shall see Jesus face to face (1 Cor 13:12). We will begin our last day on earth amid the pain, suffering, and temptations of this world and end that day in the perfect happiness of heaven. "Thanks be to God Who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 15:57).
Prayer: Father, free me from the fear of death (Heb 2:15).
Promise: "You must go out into the byroads and invite to the wedding anyone you come upon." —Mt 22:9
Praise: Mary said, "Let it be done to me." Little did she know that this would include being crowned Queen of Heaven.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Am I Going to Heaven? on audio AV 54-3 or video V-54.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 4, 2013
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