Assumption of the BVM

This evening, we sang an extra mass to celebrate the Assumption of Our Lady. Fr. Patrick Sun was the celebrant. His homily was deeply spiritual and yet easily accessible for us laymen. We learn a lesson in Mariology.

First and foremost, the Blessed Virgin Mary is not divine. She is one among the many creatures of God, though a perfect one. Therefore, for Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, honouring the BVM is not the same as worshipping God, our Creator.
Secondly, we have all the reasons to honour the BVM because of the many first's she scored in her life. In Fr. Sun's words, the BVM has scored 10 A's in HKCEE, has won many champions in competitions, has smashed many Guinness world records.
She was the first to have her Original Sin removed in her conception while we have our Original Sin removed in our baptism. She was the first Christian because she brought forth Christ into this world. She was the first person to command Jesus to work miracle. She was the first and only human to offer Jesus as a sacrifice to God. At last, she was the first to be assumed, body and soul, into heaven. But bear in mind, it is all the will of God that she is blessed with so many favours.
Thirdly, her destiny is also the destiny of all Christians. Fr. Sun said that many are called, but few are elected. Baptism and Confirmation do not guarantee us a place in heaven. 【This statement is questionable because we receive the Holy Spirit in Baptism and Confirmation and St. Paul said that the Holy Spirit given us is God's guarantee of our salvation (1 Corinthians 1:22, 2 Corinthians 5:5, Ephesians 1:13-14).】We need to cooperate with God, like the BVM has been.
And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38a)
She brought forth Jesus to this world as an unwed mother. We could imagine her plights. She accompanied Jesus all his way, from Bethlehem to Egypt to Nazareth to Jerusalem. She followed Jesus behind the scene in his public ministry from Capernaum all the way to Mount Calvary. She persevered in carrying her own cross until the very end.
Therefore, the psalm which the apostles were apt to quote as a prooftext of the resurrection of the Messiah can also be applied to the BVM who has followed Christ, her son so closely all the way through.
For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption (Acts 2:27, Psalm 16:10).
Therefore, it is a dogma of the Catholic Church that the Blessed Virgin Mary did not see corruption after her death. Her body and soul were assumed to heaven soon after her death. We should celebrate this mystery because it demonstrates the destiny of all deserving Christians.

In the second reading tonight, I was puzzled by the translation. Let me list the different versions of translation and I will explain what puzzled me.
最後才是結局；那時，基督將消滅一切率領者、一切掌權者和大能者，把自己的王權交於天主父。
因為基督必須為王，直到把一切仇敵屈伏在衪的腳下。
最後被毀滅的仇敵便是死亡；【格前15：24-26，思高】
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death (1 Corinthians 15:24-26, KJV).
Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death (RSV).
εἶτα τὸ τέλος, ὅταν παραδιδῷ τὴν βασιλείαν τῷ θεῷ καὶ πατρί, ὅταν καταργήσῃ πᾶσαν ἀρχὴν καὶ πᾶσαν ἐξουσίαν καὶ δύναμιν.
δεῖ γὰρ αὐτὸν βασιλεύειν ἄχρι οὗ θῇ πάντας τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ.
ἔσχατος ἐχθρὸς καταργεῖται ὁ θάνατος:

I was puzzled because I believe that God's creatures, once created, will never be destroyed. They will exist forever. Well, maybe this is a naive residue from the science training I received. According to the law of conservation of energy and matter, the total among of energy and matter is fixed within a closed system, say the universe. So, even if we die, our molecules and atoms will be recycled and will not vanish. Even if we go through nuclear fusion/fission, our matter will be changed into some forms of energy. That is all for physical matter. It will not be annihilated. The same applies even stronger to spiritual matter such as angels. They are supposed to be more everlasting than us human. Therefore, even Satan and his devils cannot be annihilated. That is why God will shut them up in hell. I think they will neither be annihilated as well.
Now, rule, authority and power are supposed to be classes of angels. How can they be destroyed? That puzzled me. So, I have to look up the Greek text. The Chinese translation 「消滅、毀滅」 and KJV "put down, destroyed" use different terms to translate the same word καταργέω. This time, the RSV is more faithful in sticking to the same word "destroy". However, for me, the word "destroy" seems to be too strong. "Abolish" or "put down" 「廢除」 seems to me to be more palatable. But it is only a matter of taste or style. I know that I do not have enough theological training. The opinions voiced above are immature.

Dear Lord, may we look up to the model set up by the BVM and be reminded that our destiny is in heaven above. Amen.