The English word "assumption" is perhaps an unfortunate translation of the Latin word "assumptio." "Assumptio" means to be taken up. The English word "assumption" usually means having an expectation without proof. Nevertheless, God can work through this translation.
The Bible teaches that all Christians will be assumed to meet Jesus in the air when He comes again at the end of the world (1 Thes 4:17). Very few Christians expect to go to hell; we generally assume that we'll be assumed to meet Jesus. This may be a false assumption. Just because we go to church or do great spiritual works does not mean we'll be assumed to meet Jesus (Mt 7:21-23). Many falsely assume that if they're not much worse than most people, they will be assumed (see Mt 7:13-14; Lk 13:24). Only by believing in Jesus and loving Him with all our hearts and souls, plus persevering until the end, will we rightly assume that we will be assumed to meet Jesus on the last day (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 161).
Mary knows this better than anyone else. If we are open to her ministry, she will lay bare the thoughts of our hearts and make sure we have no false assumptions about our own assumption (Lk 2:35).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I assume that I can do nothing without Jesus (Jn 15:5) and that I must believe in Him and persevere with the aid of Your grace to receive salvation. |
| PROMISE: | "He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places." –Lk 1:52 |
| PRAISE: | Praise Jesus, the Son and the Savior of Mary! (see Lk 1:47) |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College