The Solemnity of the Assumption [following the Liturgical celebration in Indonesia]
August 14, 2022
Luke 1:39-56

The Catholics are often accused of honoring Mary excessively. Some people even see us as giving Mary an adoration that is due to God alone. These allegations surely are untrue, but the roots of misunderstanding can be explored further. I discover at least three probable reasons of these ‘Mariaphobia’.

The first cause is that some people confuse the act of worship and the act of asking intercession. When we kneel and pray to Mary, we do not worship her. The word ‘praying’ here is equal to ‘asking help’. In fact, the root of English word ‘prayer’ is Latin, ‘praegare’ which simply means ‘to seek help’. What truly happens when we approach Mary is that we ask her to pray for us to God. It is the same when we ask our parents or people whom we consider close to God to pray for us. Mary is very close to His son, and we can be very confident that Jesus listens to her requests. Meanwhile, the act of worship both in the Bible and the Catholic tradition, always comes in the form of sacrificial offerings. We only offer sacrifice to God, and this takes place in the Eucharist, as we present the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to the Father in the Holy Spirit.

The second root is that some of people confuse the act of worship and the act of honoring. While honoring and worshiping are closely interconnected, they can be properly distinguished. In Catholic theology, we use the fancy Greek words ‘latria’ and ‘dulia’. Latria is act of worship proper to God, while dulia is act of honor to creatures (like the saints and angels). While latria comes in the form of sacrifice, dulia may manifest in various ways. We can honor someone by hugging them, giving them flowers, bowing our heads, and even giving honorific titles. Thus, when we are offering Mary flowers or keeping her pictures, it does not mean an act of worship, but rather act of love and honor.

The third reason is that some people confuse the relationship between God and His creatures. While it is true that God and human beings are infinitely different, but it does not mean that there is no connection between God and humans. While God is the infinite creator, and men and women are finite creatures, God loves us dearly. Like a good father who equips His children with earthly things so that they may grow and be successful, so God provides His spiritual gifts so that His children may grow in holiness. Like a good father who is proud of the achievements of his kids, so God is pleased with the spiritual growth of His children. When Mary was assumed into heaven, it is only because of God. And, when Mary is honored because she is in heaven, body and soul, the true honor belongs to God.

Mary becomes the eschatological model, or hope of what happen to us in the future when we follow Christ faithfully. Mary is faithful and loves His son, Jesus, from the beginning to the cross, and she follows Jesus in His resurrection and coming home to heave. If we are faithful to Jesus, till the end like Mary, we will receive what Mary has received.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP