Assumption Homily

Today we observe the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.

This celebration causes us to look upward to where Mary has now gone before, Heaven. As was written by Pope Pius XII, “the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

In the Old Testament we are given the figures of Enoch and Elijah. Of Enoch we are told in the Book of Genesis, that he “walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” From 2nd Kings that of Elijah who was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. We profess that similar has taken place concerning Mary and her assumption.

Through the use of Sacred Tradition the Church has held this position on Mary’s Assumption throughout time. Mary’s Assumption into Heaven transcends the infallible teaching of the Assumption by Pope Pius XII in 1950. There are many early manuscripts that speak of Mary’s Assumption into Heaven as this was already something that was held to be true in the early Church.

The Church shows reverence to the remains of the saints throughout it’s history. The tomb of Mary has always been held as empty and there has never been a claim to any bodily relic of her. Neither Ephesus or Jerusalem claims to posses the bones of Mary. The same cannot be said of the tombs of others saints for there is claim to their bodies and relics which have been distributed throughout the Church.

This celebration of Mary’s Assumption is far different then the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. The word “ascension” places its emphasis on the one who is being taken to Heaven while the word “assumption” places its emphasis on God who is the principal mover who brought her up to Heaven. The Blessed Virgin Mary is incapable of be taken up to Heaven by her own power unlike Jesus in His Ascension.

By being taken up to Heaven we see the fruits of the Immaculate Conception being made manifest. God worked in her life in order that she would be free of the stain of sin in order that God may come to make His dwelling place among us. Mary would continue to cooperate with God’s plan for salvation throughout her life.

As Christians we profess that we “look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” Mary’s Assumption foreshadows that which God already has in store for us. Let us choose to be faithful disciples of the Lord who order our life on this earth towards Him. In such manner we will go where she has now gone before, Heaven.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.