Destined for Heaven

(Homily of Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao during the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and 64th Parochial Fiesta of the Our Lady of Assumption Parish, F. Torres St., Davao City; August 15, 2023)

Our destiny is the destiny of Mama Mary, to be assumed, to be taken to heaven, mao na ang atong journey.

To characterize the journey, to help us see the dynamics, unsa may kamatuoran nga bantayan nga nagpadulong pa kita, nagpanaw pa kita, nag journey pa kita. I would offer duha ka pamalandong from the readings.

Ang unang pamalandong is to realize, to be practical: kining panaw nato sa kinabuhi is a battle, always a struggle between good and evil… Modaog kita ug pasak-on kita sa atong kadaogan to the glory of heaven and Mary is our model, atong inspiration nga samtang nagpanaw kita niining kinabuhi that is always a struggle, battle between what is truly God.… God is saying in that battle, “I will be always with you. I will assure that if you remain close to me, faithful to me, you will win in that battle.”

Second reading: “the last enemy that He will conquer is death.” God will conquer death. Ang pagpasaka sa Mahal nga birhen sa langit…is really a wonderful inspiration as we struggle today sa atong daily life, that in the end, even the terrible death cannot hold us and again the promise that we will go to heaven with the Blessed Virgin Mary.

May Mama Mary, inspire us to stand with God.

Keep in mind that Mary in Nazareth just experienced a wonderful news, a simple girl in Nazareth was told by Angel Gabriel that she was going to bear a son, the Messiah, the Savior. But yet, this young women, Mary of Nazareth, went in haste, to go to Elizabeth. In this journey towards heaven, ingon si Pope Francis, naa pud ta anang batasan ni Mary nga magdali.

Ang kalipay sa pagtoo is always outgoing. Kung journey towards heaven imong style, cool lang kaayo, but Mary, after puno siya sa Maayong Balita, right away her reaction was to bring the kalipay to others. Unsay character sa atong journey of faith? Enthusiastic ba kita ngadto sa uban?