Our celebration of the Assumption of Mary commemorates our belief that she, after her life on earth had come to an end, was raised up to eternal life and was taken into heaven, body and soul. It was only fitting that she who was Jesus’ mother and who was full of grace her entire life, should share first, before all others, in the Risen glory of her Son.
Mary’s Assumption is not explicitly described in the Bible. Fear not! As St. John tells us at the end of his Gospel, the Scriptures do not tell us everything that could be said about Jesus, what He said or did. Much less do they tell us everything about Mary or the Apostles or the early Church. The Church’s belief is: that Mary was so honored in the Assumption because no one followed Christ as perfectly as she did, thus it is perfectly appropriate that she should follow Him into eternal glory, body and soul.
For reflection: We celebrate the honor and privilege given to the Blessed Mother today, but we also celebrate our hope of final glorification when Christ will raise up, to new life, all those who have followed Him faithfully. As St. Paul says, “For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then, at His coming, those who belong to Christ.” Again, no one belonged to Christ as perfectly as Mary did. We thank God for her and for His promise to us. Amen!
