August 15, 2017

ASSUMPTION

I assume we all die.

Otherwise this would be a very complicated and congested planet - with a lot of people to take care of.

I assume we all wonder if there is anything after death.

I assume that Christ rose from the dead.

I assume Mary, his mother, also rose and was assumed into heaven - by, because, through Christ the Lord. 

Now those two assumptions are mighty big assumptions - but as St. Paul said, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised , then empty is our preaching, empty too, your faith.” [1 Corinthians 15: 13-14]

Mary’s assumption into heaven is not in the scriptures specifically. And it took the Catholic Church till November 1^st, 1950, to declare that Mary was assumed into heaven - body and soul - our hope and Christ’s promise.  Pope Pius XII was the pope who made this declaration of faith. [Cf. Munificentissimus Deus, Pius XII, November 1, 1950.]

The Catholic Church is not saying that Mary is God - or a Goddess - something some people assume we think and believe. The Church is saying because of Christ - we assume by faith that all of us can live forever - after we die - and Mary models this for all humans - she being human not divine. 

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Painting on top: Francisco Botticini, The Assumption, 1475.