+ Today we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Though conceptually acknowledged from the first few centuries of the Church this dogma was not officially proclaimed until 1950 by Pope Pius XII. He set it forth this time, shortly following the conclusion of World War II, as a result of the cruelty of the sin of war, the degradation of the human body and hopelessness that war produces. Mary is seen, in her Assumption, as demonstrating the victory of God's grace over sin, and the negative influences of the material and spiritual worlds. Her victory gives strength to our own faith and hope in the resurrection of the body. Vatican II says of Mary's body and soul existing in glory that it is the image and beginning of the Church as it is to be perfected in the world to come. "She shine forth on earth, until the day of the Lord shall come, a sign of certain hope and comfort to the pilgrim people of God."
This day may we look to Mary as our sign of hope; and then allow ourselves to become beacons of hope and faith and light for all of our brothers and sisters in the world stumbling around in darkness either by choice or otherwise; the resurrection of Jesus has made all the difference in this world and in the world to come, for all of us!
Mary is taken up to heaven; a chorus of angels exults.
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