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The Book on the Trinity, every faithful Catholic priest would love as his next present
This is Br. Bugnolo's English Translation, of Saint Bonaventure's encylopedic book of theology on the Trinity: With this book, your priest will always have something intelligent and awesomely inspiring to preach to you about
God the Father, God the Son & God the Holy Spirit!
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The Assumption of Mary is an assumption, period. When Christ ascended, He made sure to have witnesses. In fact, He made sure He had witnesses to everything He did, and all His actions were reported from the beginning by those witnesses. Mary herself was witness to those Biblical events which concerned her, and she reported them to the Apostles.
Mary died approximately 50 years before the Apostle John died. She lived with him. If she had ascended into heaven like Christ did, it strains credulity that John would either have not known about it or if he knew, not written about it for the edification of the Church. No one even mentioned this supposed Assumption until centuries later.
He did write about Our Lady in Heaven, in the Book of Revelations, Chapter 12, verse one. And in verse 14, he indicates Her assumption, because God’s power in scripture is called “Eagle’s Wings” in Exodus 19:4. :-))
Remember, this symbolic vision was given to him as a Revelation, as he states in Apocalypse chapter 1. No one in all of scripture is given a Crown of 12 Stars, which clearly indicates Her Queenly authority over the twelve tribes of Israel (all of saved humanity) and over the 12 apostles. She also stands upon the moon, to show that unlike all women She was not subject to monthly periods but was always a virgin, even before, during and after the birth of Christ.
Also that John was commanded to write down these heavenly visions by Our Lord, that does not mean he was not a personal witness to the Dormition and Assumption. Remember the Evangelists did not simply write down everything, they wrote down what God inspired them to write down, when He inspired them to write it down, since He is the primary author and the Evangelist is the secondary author.
So as Christians we are obliged to believe everything the Apostles and Evangelists taught us, whether through their historical accounts or visions. Indeed, it seems silly to presume that we decide in what format they have to give a teaching or revelation, and only accept that. Because if we act that way we are not disciples of the Lord nor of the Apostles and Evangelists. And, as a matter, of fact, you cannot be a disciple of Jesus, if you are not also subject to the magisterial authority of the Apostles and Evangelists.
Our priest went through all of this at Mass this morning. He covered all of the “assumption” criticisms, and noted the 75th year anniversary of the dogma, as well.
I’ll admit I have lacked clarity. I am grateful for his teaching today.
You can’t be Catholic and not accept the Marian Dogma. Period.
Did you know that today marks the beginning of a 9 day Novena to St Louis? I didn’t and also that yesterday began a 40 day devotion to St Michael from 8/15-sept 29. I’ve read it was started by St Francis himself and acts like a small Lent. I share to encourage others that we have recourse to these powerful Saints and should avail ourselves to them if so inclined. God bless.
I will join in St. Michael’s Lent.