ASSUMPTION 2024
In 1950, Pope Pius XII solemnly defined the Assumption of Our Lady—her being taken up body and soul into heaven—as a dogma of the Church. This truth, always held by the faithful, was formally proclaimed in a time of global turmoil. The 20th century had already witnessed the horrors of two World Wars, with countless lives lost and unimaginable suffering endured. In this context, the world seemed disillusioned, and humanity’s dignity was under siege. The Church and the world needed a reminder of the sacredness of human life and the dignity of the human person. The image of Mary’s body, a human life like ours, sharing in the glory of the resurrection is the powerful image for us of the gift of the dignity of human life.
Our understanding of this wonderful image begins with the scriptures. In the Book of Revelation, we are given a powerful vision: “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple… A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Revelation 11:19, 12:1). This passage is traditionally understood by the Church as a vision of Mary, the Mother of the Redeemer, and it points to her exaltation in heaven. The Assumption is the fulfilment of this prophecy, where Mary, who bore the Son of God, is taken up into the very presence of God.
This vision of Mary’s Assumption speaks directly to our dignity as human beings. As St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive… The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:22, 26). The Assumption is a sign of Christ’s victory over death, a victory that we, too, will share in at the end of time. Mary’s Assumption is not just about her; it is a sign of hope for all of us. It shows us that our bodies, like hers, are destined for glory if we remain faithful to Christ.
In the Gospel of Luke, we see Mary’s profound faith, humility, and recognition of the source of her dignity in her Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior… He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate” (Luke 1:46-56). Mary’s Assumption is the ultimate exaltation of the humble handmaid of the Lord. Her song of praise becomes our anthem, reminding us that God lifts up the lowly and fills the hungry with good things.
When Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, she is greeted with the words, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42). In response, Mary sings the Magnificat, a hymn of praise that reveals her heart’s disposition towards God. In this moment, Mary acknowledges that who she is, everything she has, every blessing she receives, comes from God. Her soul magnifies the Lord because she recognizes that God is the source of all goodness, the one who has done great things for her. Despite being chosen as the Mother of God, Mary does not boast of her unique role or seek honour for herself. Instead, she acknowledges her lowliness, understanding that her greatness comes from God’s grace, not her own merit. Her humility is a model for all believers, teaching us that true greatness in the eyes of God is found not in pride and self-sufficiency, but in humility and obedience to His will.
Mary’s Assumption is the ultimate fulfilment of her Magnificat. Just as God lifted Mary’s spirit in her song of praise, He lifts her body and soul, his precious creation, into heaven at the end of her earthly life. The Assumption is the exaltation of the humble handmaid of the Lord, a sign that God truly honours those who are lowly and humble. It is the crowning glory of a life lived in total surrender to God’s will, showing that those who humble themselves will be exalted.
For us, Mary’s Magnificat and her Assumption become an anthem and a promise. They remind us that in God’s Kingdom, it is not the proud, the mighty, or the self-sufficient who are truly great, but those who acknowledge who they are in relationship to God, their need for God, who trust in His mercy, and who live in humble service to Him and others. Mary’s life and Assumption call us to reflect on our own lives: Do our thoughts, words, and actions truly magnify the Lord? Are we living with the humility and faith that God desires? Are we honouring the dignity of human life that God chooses to make central to his plan of salvation – the dignity of our own lives as creatures of God, and the lives of others who share that dignity.
Moreover, the Magnificat speaks to the universal experience of humanity’s longing for justice and peace. Mary’s words offer hope to those who are marginalized, oppressed, or suffering, assuring them that God sees their plight and will act on their behalf. Her song of praise is a declaration that God’s justice will prevail, that the vulnerable will be protected, the hungry will be fed, and that the lowly will be raised up. It is a reminder and a call to us to participate in these works which promote the dignity of every human person in our daily lives.
In this way, the Magnificat is not just Mary’s song; it is the song of the Church, the anthem of all who follow Christ. It is a song that we are invited to sing with our lives, trusting that God’s promises are true and that He will fulfill them in His time. As we contemplate Mary’s Assumption, we are encouraged to embrace the same humility and faith that she demonstrated, knowing that God’s grace is sufficient to lift us up, just as He lifted Mary into His heavenly Kingdom, and recognise the same dignity that exists in each human life as it does in Mary’s.
This message is very important and relevant today. In a world where human life is still threatened by violence, war, and the devaluation of life, the Assumption stands as a powerful sign of hope. The dignity of human life, from conception to natural death, is something we must defend and cherish. Every person, like Mary, is called to a glorious destiny with God.
Today, we are called to recognize this dignity in three ways:
- Recognize the sacredness of our own lives: Our bodies and souls are gifts from God, created for the glory of heaven. We must honor this gift, not misuse or allow others to misuse it. We are called to live in a way that reflects our true dignity as children of God.
- Respect the dignity of others: Every person we encounter is precious in God’s eyes, deserving of love and respect. We must never treat others as objects to be used or discarded, but as brothers and sisters in Christ, with their own unique dignity and purpose.
- Work to build a society that upholds the sanctity of life: We are called to create a world that respects life from conception to natural death. This is the Kingdom of God that we must work to build, trusting that with God’s help, it is possible.
Mary’s Assumption reminds us of our ultimate destiny and the dignity that each of us shares as part of God’s creation. As Pope Pius XII entrusted South Africa to Our Lady Assumed into Heaven as its patroness, we too must look to her for guidance and intercession. She is the faithful disciple who now reigns with her Son, interceding for us and showing us the way to our heavenly home. Imitating her, may we, like her, truly say that our souls, bodies, all that we are, magnify the Lord.