Two simple rules for the Mass
Is there a way to prove the Assumption of Mary other than saying "the Church says so" to a Protestant?
I think so, keeping in mind that, “For some, no proof is necessary. For others, no proof is ever enough.”
So, remember that 99% of the time, your explanation will seem to fall upon deaf ears. But, we only plant seeds. God makes the growth. Therefore, always be prepared to give a reason for your faith. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you need to convince anyone right then and there. That will happen in God’s time.
So, having said that, lets try this:
1. We know that people can be translated into heaven, (i.e. assumed) because Enoch, Elijah and Moses were assumed into heaven according to the Bible:
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
2 Kings 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
2. And we also know that assumption into heaven is possible because we are awaiting what Protestants call the Rapture.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
3. And we also know that assumption into heaven is possible because St. Paul went to heaven and came back again:
2 Corinthians 12:2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth such an one caught up to the third heaven.
4. And presumably, the dead who rose when Jesus died on the Cross were also caught into heaven since there is no record they were returned to their graves:
Matthew 27:52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
5. And Jesus said that some would not taste death:
Matthew 16:28Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
6. The Bible does not say that Mary was not assumed into heaven.
7. But the Bible does say that the mother of Jesus Christ, is in Heaven, bodily:
Revelation 12:1And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
We know this woman is the mother of Jesus Christ because her Son is caught up to the Throne of God. And we also know that the mother of Jesus Christ, is Mary. Therefore, this woman is Mary.
So, our belief squares with Scripture perfectly. We have plenty of Biblical reasons to believe that the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was assumed into heaven:
CCC #966 "Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death." The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians: In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death.
What do you think?