The Assumption

[cappie]

The Feast of the Assumption is the most important feast of Our Lady.  It is a feast proclaiming the total liberation of the sinless Mother of Jesus from death and decay, the consequences of original sin.   It is also a remembrance of the day on which the teaching authority of the Catholic Church gave the official recognition to this centuries-old belief.

 

    On this feast day we try to answer two questions: 1) what is meant by assumption? and  2): why do we believe in Mary’s assumption into heaven, even though  there are no references to it in the Bible?

 

    Assumption means that Mary, after her death, was taken body and soul into Heaven as a reward for her complete cooperation with the divine plan of salvation. Pope Pius XII, on August 15, 1950 officially declared the Assumption a dogma of catholic faith.

 

    The pope gave two reasons for Mary’ assumption into heaven.  These reasons arise from tradition and theology.

 

    The uninterrupted tradition of the eastern churches, stemming from the first century  as well as the writings of St. Gregory and St John Damascene, promote this popular belief.

 

    In his decree on the dogma, pope Pius XII gives four theological reasons in support of this traditional belief.

 

1) The degeneration or decay of the body after death is the result of original sin.  Mary, however, through a special intervention of God, was born without original sin.   Hence, it would not have been proper for God to permit her body to degenerate in the tomb.

 

2) Since Mary possessed the fullness of grace, the proper place for this saintly mother of Jesus is heaven.

 

3) Mary was our co-redemptrix, or fellow redeemer, with Christ.  Thus, her rightful place is with Christ, our redeemer, in heavenly  glory.

 

4) In the Old Testament we read that the prophet Elijah was taken to heaven in a fiery chariot.  Hence, it is right and proper that the mother of Jesus was also taken into heaven.

 

 

Messages: 1) Mary’s Assumption gives us assurance and hope of our own resurrection and assumption into heaven at the Last Judgment.

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2) Since Mary’s Assumption was a reward for her saintly life, this feast reminds us that we too must be pure and holy in body and soul, since our bodies are to be glorified on the day of our resurrection.  St. Paul exhorts us to make our bodies Temples of God.  The Holy Spirit dwells within us, and our bodies are part of the Mystical Body of Christ.

 

3) This feast also bequeaths to us a message of liberation.   In John 8/34, Jesus tells us that every one who sins is a slave of sin.  Likewise, St. Paul reminds us (Gal. 5/1) that Christ has set us free, and that we must no longer be slaves of sin.   Hence, this feast reminds us that we must free ourselves from the bondage of everything evil:  impure, unjust and uncharitable thoughts and desires; sinful and impure habits; and from jealousy and hatred.

 

4) Finally, this doctrine provides us with inspiring thoughts in moments of temptation and despair.  It reminds us that we have a powerful Heavenly Mother, who constantly intercedes for us in heaven.

On this holy feast day, let us offer ourselves on God’s altar, praying for Mary's special care and loving protection in leading a purer and holier life.

 

[corban711]

The Assumption is by far and away my favorite mystery of the Rosary and is one of my favorite days of the year!  Thank you for offering us some points to reflect on, Father! 

[cappie]