THERE is a beautiful Catholic sense that instinctively discerns the truth from the false in matters of doctrine. Individuals may sometimes stray or go beyond bounds, but the body of the faithful as a whole somehow discards the false and retains only the kernel of truth.
This Catholic sense is seen most clearly in things related to the Blessed Virgin. How delicately human, yet sublimely divine is the Catholic feeling for the relation between Jesus and His Mother! All the tenderness that exist between mother and so elevated to its supernatural perfection is all too inadequate to convey Catholicism's idea of the mutual love of Jesus and Mary.
Thus, long before theologians began to speculate on the precise nature of the belief, the Assumption was accepted as a matter of fact by the faithful. And for that reason, the Church has never looked for the bodily relics of the Blessed Virgin nor proposed them for veneration of the people.
IV. Practical Application:
Resurrection
Just as Mary's redemption was anticipated in her Immaculate Conception, so also her resurrection was anticipated in her Assumption into heaven with body and soul soon after her death.
Christ's resurrection from the dead on the third day, and Mary's Assumption, are the standing proofs and reminders of our future resurrection on the Last Day.
But while all men will be reunited in body and soul, some will rise glorious to enjoy eternal happiness in heaven, while others will be joined to bodies destined to suffer forever in hell.
Our life no earth decides what our resurrection will be. If we follow Jesus and Mary here on earth, we shall also follow them to heaven at our resurrection.
V. Resolution:
I shall live not for this earth but for heaven. I shall follow Jesus and Mary during this life in order that I may be united with them in heaven forever.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Prayer
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts that we to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
