The 15th of Aug 2010 AD marks the celebration of the assumption of the blessed virgin Mary.
As a Roman Catholic dogma; it is assumed that Mary was assumed into heaven. Pictured is Albuquerque’s Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic church.
Why state that it is “assumed” that she was assumed? Because 1) the New Testament knows of no such event, 2) the concept comes from apocryphal books such as the fourth century Passing of Mary and the sixth century Nativity of Mary and 3) even the Roman Catholic church has left the matter unclear. This is because while the dogma was promulgated by Pope Pius XII one thousand, nine hundred and fifty years after the time of Mary (November 1, 1950 AD) what was not settled is the issue of whether Mary died or not—was she assumed alive, dead, after being resurrected?
It is odd to leave the issue hanging there and there has long been much speculation as to which way it occurred.
Two main issues:
1) prior to 1950 AD your salvation did not pertain to keeping the feast of the Assumption—now it does. How so? Because the feast of the Assumption is a Holy Day of Obligation, which the Catholic NAB Encyclopedic Dictionary defines as, “Days on which Catholics are obligated under pain of mortal sin to attend Mass and to abstain from all unnecessary servile work.”
Thus, if you are able bodied, do not attend the Feast and die before confessing to a Roman Catholic priest you are condemned to hell for all eternity.
2) why the Roman Catholic church would even allow for the belief that Mary died first is odd as they also hold that she was born immaculate meaning without the stain of original sin (and was sinless her entire life). One of the effects of sin is death. Therefore, it should logically follow that if Mary was immaculate then her dying would not even be an option.
Yet, these are the sorts of problem into which one runs when considering false doctrines.
For a details consideration of Mary’s assumed Assumption see the essay at this link.
Comments
Yes, this is one of those doctrines in the RC church that I have the biggest problem with. If Jesus died, and yet Mary may not have had to, then this necessarily elevates Mary above Jesus. That's why so many RCs don't believe it, but the fact that it is a doctrinal option is frightening. The only appeal RCs can make on behalf of the doctrine is apocryphal tradition and the authority of the RC church.
It's easy for them to call out protestants because of our arbitrary authority structrures; but if their authority allows for idolatry, then it is no authority to be obeyed.
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