[count-your-change]

But what do the God inspired Scriptures say? Paul calls Christ the "first fruits" of the resurrection (1 Cor 15:23) and states the "flesh and blood cannot inherit God's kingdom".

Which shall we believe? A tradition formulated centuries after Mary's death or the scriptures inspired by God?

[Cicero]

Actually, I can’t get too far into this, but the tradition that Mary disappeared from her tomb and was assumed into Heaven goes back to very early days. In the very early middle ages, some of the Irish and British missionaries went to the Holy Land to visit the place of her tomb.

Jesus preceded Mary, of course, because according to the bible he died and ascended into heaven well before she did.

The Hebrew Bible tells us that Elijah was assumed bodily into Heaven, and when Jesus meets with him and Moses on the mountain, the presumption is that both of them were.

They were saved by the grace of Jesus extended back in time, according to traditional interpretation.

Mary was conceived without sin, as a suitable Mother to the Christ, and therefore did not suffer from the effects of Original Sin, which brought death into the world. That was the belief of early Protestants as well as Catholics. Luther and Milton, to mention two.

[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Your link doesn’t work.

[stuartcr]

Is being assumed into heaven with your body and soul, the same thing as coming back to life? Does the body continue to live?

[foreshadowed at waco]

My understanding of Mary's assumption into heaven is that since Mary was born without original sin (the Virgin Birth may not really mean that Mary was a virgin per se but that she was 'pure' in the sense that she was born without original sin in order to be a worthy vessel for carrying the Christ Child--and that the Aramaic word for 'pure' was misinterpreted as 'virgin').

If in fact she was born without original sin as was Jesus it does make sense that she was not subject to death which was one of the punishments for eating the forbidden fruit (Thanks alot Adam and Eve!).

BTW Joseph did die a human death and his soul went to Purgatory to await the death of Christ who would reopen the gates of heaven. Fanciful myth or lovely spiritual narrative--you decide.

The patron saint of my Catholic grammar school was Joseph and we were told that when Jesus opened up heaven He went to purgatory and walked past all the kings, queens, and rich merchants into a shadowy corner and lifted up Joseph, his stepdad, and brought him out first so that he could be the first to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Again--fanciful myth or lovely spiritual story--you decide. Personally I like the lovely spiritual story with its overtones of mystical calm, love and human warmth. It also taught us kids the value of humility and quiet grace and that these qualities would be rewarded.

[foreshadowed at waco]

My understanding of Mary's assumption into heaven is that since Mary was born without original sin (the Virgin Birth may not really mean that Mary was a virgin per se but that she was 'pure' in the sense that she was born without original sin in order to be a worthy vessel for carrying the Christ Child--and that the Aramaic word for 'pure' was misinterpreted as 'virgin').

If in fact she was born without original sin as was Jesus it does make sense that she was not subject to death which was one of the punishments for eating the forbidden fruit (Thanks alot Adam and Eve!).

BTW Joseph did die a human death and his soul went to Purgatory to await the death of Christ who would reopen the gates of heaven. Fanciful myth or lovely spiritual narrative--you decide.

The patron saint of my Catholic grammar school was Joseph and we were told that when Jesus opened up heaven He went to purgatory and walked past all the kings, queens, and rich merchants into a shadowy corner and lifted up Joseph, his stepdad, and brought him out first so that he could be the first to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Again--fanciful myth or lovely spiritual story--you decide. Personally I like the lovely spiritual story with its overtones of mystical calm, love and human warmth. It also taught us kids the value of humility and quiet grace and that these qualities would be rewarded.

[Campion]

Paul calls Christ the "first fruits" of the resurrection (1 Cor 15:23)

How is that Scripture relevant? The Assumption happened long after the Resurrection ... decades most likely.

and states the "flesh and blood cannot inherit God's kingdom".

Millions of Christians think they're going to be bodily assumed into heaven at some point in the near future in an event they call the "Rapture". A fortiori, is it more reasonable to believe that God raptured one woman who played a unique role in salvation history, or millions who are "special" merely by being alive at some date in the future?

[Campion]

Paul calls Christ the "first fruits" of the resurrection (1 Cor 15:23)

How is that Scripture relevant? The Assumption happened long after the Resurrection ... decades most likely.

and states the "flesh and blood cannot inherit God's kingdom".

Millions of Christians think they're going to be bodily assumed into heaven at some point in the near future in an event they call the "Rapture". A fortiori, is it more reasonable to believe that God raptured one woman who played a unique role in salvation history, or millions who are "special" merely by being alive at some date in the future?

[I want the USA back]

Heaven is not a place. Living bodies don’t “go” to Heaven.

[Salvation]

Pope's Homily on Solemnity of the Assumption
Essays for Lent: The Assumption
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption (Patristic Rosary)
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS]Processions in Spain for the Assumption and the Mystery of Elche (graphics heavy)
[ORTHODOX/CATHOLIC CAUCUS] Indian Church’s Assumption Day Parade Makes Its Colorful Annual...
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] Our Lady and Dogmas: Pondering the Assumption (Launch of Rosary Crusade)
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS]The Assumption of Our Blessed Lady

[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] The Assumption of Mary [from Hallowed Ground}
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] Our Blessed Lady's Assumption
CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] The Feast of the Assumption Is Our Feast Too
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] Where was Mary assumed to?
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] Assumpta est Maria in cælum!
Why do we believe in the Assumption? (Catholic Caucus)
On Mary, Mother of Priests (Assumption)
The Assumption/Dormition: Mystery of Mary, Meaning of Life
From Eden to Eternity: A Homily on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: 15 August [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
The Assumption and the World by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
The Early Church Fathers on the Assumption [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY: A BELIEF SINCE APOSTOLIC TIMES [Ecumenical]
August 15, Feast of the Assumption - Did Mary's Assumption Really Occur? [Ecumenical]
Assumption Sermon of Rev James Bartoloma 8/16/07 (on Summorum Pontificum)
Angelus - Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (2007)
In Charm City, 100K Have Seen the Light
The Assumption of Our Lady
Solemnity of the Assumption

Solemnity of the Assumption
Mary’s Assumption is hope for today’s society, says Pope
Meditations for this Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
HOMILIES PREACHED BY FATHER ALTIER ON THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
Why Catholics Believe in the Assumption of Mary
St. John Damascene: Homily 3 on the Assumption/Dormition
St. John Damascene: Homily II on the Assumption/Dormition
St. John Damascene: Homily I on the Assumption/Dormition
Catholic Caucus: The Assumption of Mary - Marcellino D'Ambrosio, PhD
Today's the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven

Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15th.
Maronite Catholic: Qolo (Hymn) of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Gregory Palamas: On the Dormition of Our Supremely Pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
Maronite Catholic: Qolo (Hymn) of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Catholic Caucus: A NOVENA OF FASTING AND PRAYERS/ASSUMPTION/DORMITION
St. Gregory Palamas: On the Dormition of Our Supremely Pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
The Fourth Glorious Mystery
Archbishop Sheen Today! -- The glorious assumption
The Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary Reflections For The Feast 2003
A Homily on the Dormition of Our Supremely Pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
The Assumption Of Mary

[Salvation]

If Elijah and Enoch were assumed into heaven, why can’t the Blessed Virgin Mary be assumed into heaven.

Where are the bodies of Elijah, Enoch and the Blessed Virgin Mary?

[mlizzy]

You can find many answers at Adoration, time spent with Our Lord directly. http://www.therealpresence.org/chap_fr.htm

[narses]

My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum,
et exsultávit spíritus meus
in Deo salvatóre meo,
quia respéxit humilitátem
ancíllæ suæ.

Ecce enim ex hoc beátam
me dicent omnes generatiónes,
quia fecit mihi magna,
qui potens est,
et sanctum nomen eius,
et misericórdia eius in progénies
et progénies timéntibus eum.
Fecit poténtiam in bráchio suo,
dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui;
depósuit poténtes de sede
et exaltávit húmiles.
Esuriéntes implévit bonis
et dívites dimísit inánes.
Suscépit Ísrael púerum suum,
recordátus misericórdiæ,
sicut locútus est ad patres nostros,
Ábraham et sémini eius in sæcula.

Glória Patri et Fílio
et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio,
et nunc et semper,
et in sæcula sæculórum.

Amen.

She became the Mother of God, in which work so many and such great good things are bestowed on her as pass man’s understanding. For on this there follows all honor, all blessedness, and her unique place in the whole of mankind, among which she has no equal, namely, that she had a child by the Father in heaven, and such a Child . . . Hence men have crowded all her glory into a single word, calling her the Mother of God . . . None can say of her nor announce to her greater things, even though he had as many tongues as the earth possesses flowers and blades of grass: the sky, stars; and the sea, grains of sand. It needs to be pondered in the heart what it means to be the Mother of God.

(Commentary on the Magnificat, 1521; in Luther’s Works, Pelikan et al, vol. 21, 326)

[narses]

My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum,
et exsultávit spíritus meus
in Deo salvatóre meo,
quia respéxit humilitátem
ancíllæ suæ.

Ecce enim ex hoc beátam
me dicent omnes generatiónes,
quia fecit mihi magna,
qui potens est,
et sanctum nomen eius,
et misericórdia eius in progénies
et progénies timéntibus eum.
Fecit poténtiam in bráchio suo,
dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui;
depósuit poténtes de sede
et exaltávit húmiles.
Esuriéntes implévit bonis
et dívites dimísit inánes.
Suscépit Ísrael púerum suum,
recordátus misericórdiæ,
sicut locútus est ad patres nostros,
Ábraham et sémini eius in sæcula.

Glória Patri et Fílio
et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio,
et nunc et semper,
et in sæcula sæculórum.

Amen.

She became the Mother of God, in which work so many and such great good things are bestowed on her as pass man’s understanding. For on this there follows all honor, all blessedness, and her unique place in the whole of mankind, among which she has no equal, namely, that she had a child by the Father in heaven, and such a Child . . . Hence men have crowded all her glory into a single word, calling her the Mother of God . . . None can say of her nor announce to her greater things, even though he had as many tongues as the earth possesses flowers and blades of grass: the sky, stars; and the sea, grains of sand. It needs to be pondered in the heart what it means to be the Mother of God.

(Commentary on the Magnificat, 1521; in Luther’s Works, Pelikan et al, vol. 21, 326)