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The Church has taught that man is created in the image of God and has a particular destiny in store. Mary is the pioneer of this destiny. Being fully and entirely human and human alone, we can look to her and hold out the hope and belief that we, too, will share in the glory that she shares in today.

When I think of a pioneer I think of a great leader, someone who finds or teaches a new thing. Many times such wind up being martyred, like almost all of the Apostles. I don't see any of these things in Mary. However, I suppose I could understand a label of pioneer if one believed she was sinless.

This is the reasoning and the timing of the Doctrine of the Assumption. It is the alternate message to what we hear today from our society - even now, where man is merely a cog in the big wheel of society ...

But what is the connection between the Assumption and man's dignity? None of us are eligible for sinlessness by the time we hear of the concept, and none of us will be assumed. I don't see what the Assumption "adds".

When I think of a pioneer I think of a great leader, someone who finds or teaches a new thing. Many times such wind up being martyred, like almost all of the Apostles. I don't see any of these things in Mary. However, I suppose I could understand a label of pioneer if one believed she was sinless.

Pioneer merely means the first person to go somewhere or lead the way. That was my intent of the use of the word "pioneer". It does not express Mary's sinlessness - that comes from elsewhere.

Since Mary is a symbol of the Church - the Virgin Mother (The Church is also a "virgin" and a mother of Christians) - she is the biblical representation of the entire people of God and what we are called to be: Pure and undefiled and joined to Jesus Christ her Son, obedient and humble to God's Word.

But what is the connection between the Assumption and man's dignity?

Because we aren't going to just rot in the ground when our time is done, FK. God has greater plans for us - and the "Church", represented by Mary, will become the Heavenly Church with God in heaven. Our dignity is "verified" by Mary's Assumption. The Assumption doesn't "add" anything! It merely shows that God intends to do what He promised to those of the Church.

Regards

Mary is the pioneer of this destiny. Being fully and entirely human and human alone, we can look to her and hold out the hope and belief that we, too, will share in the glory that she shares in today.

Again, wouldn't it be more appropriate to look at Enoch and Elijah? They were taken home to the LORD without suffering death because they were both pleasing to the LORD. There is no Scripture that says Mary never died and was assumed into heaven.

Mary does provide a wonderful example to us all in staying at the Crucifixion with John, but even there wasn't John at greater risk? After all wouldn't a mother be expected to be there, but a disciple might also suffer the same fate as his leader.