The Feast of the Assumption of Mary

Today is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. It’s also the fourth decade in the Glorious Mysteries and a particular favorite of mine.

To my way of thinking (NOT Catholic doctrine!!), Jesus’ Resurrection is our model for what will happen when the dead rise, while Mary’s Assumption is our model for what will happen when those who are alive in Christ get caught up to be with Him (aka, the Rapture).

I’ve heard Catholics claim that “we” don’t believe in the Rapture, but the RCC actually has no teaching on the Rapture. Personally, I don’t see any other explanation for the following:

“And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” Matt 24:30-31

N.b., He will appear in heaven and the angels will gather the elect only.

A bit later, He taught, “at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.” ~Matt 24:39-41

N.b., only the elect will be taken.

Some say this is the Final Judgment, but of that He said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.” Matt 25:31-33

N.b., He will appear on his throne with everyone gathered before him, then He will separate the sheep (elect) from the goats (damned).

BTW, as for the question of whether Mary died before she was Assumed, body and soul into Heaven –In the Middle East, the roofs of the houses are flat and used as porches. On hot nights, everyone sleeps up there where it’s cooler. I think at least one person woke up and saw Mary be taken up, but no one had any reason to know if her earthly body had died first. But, she told the seers at Medjugorje that she never died.

N.b., in the Eastern church, they celebrate what they call the Dormition of Mary. Dormition means sleep.