Apocalypse 11:19; 12:1-6,10 / 1 Cor 15:20-26 / Luke 1:39-56
The word "Assumption" is an example of how a word can take on new meanings over time while still retaining some aspects of its original meaning.
It came into usage in the 13th century, and was initially confined to a specific ecclesiastical meaning in the Catholic Church.
The Latin word on which it is based literally means “the action of being taken up or received,” and in English "assumption" referred to the taking up into heaven of the Virgin Mary.
That meaning still exists today, and in all the meanings it has assumed since then, one can see the common thread running through them is the sense of taking.
One of the most common understanding of assumption is to take for granted or a supposition.
But of course we don't suppose that Mary is in heaven. Rather we believe that Mary was taken up into heaven body and soul. God took her up into heaven.
But God could only take what Mary had willingly given to Him. Mary gave herself to God to be His handmaid and it was through her that He gave us Jesus the Saviour.
As Mary proclaimed in the gospel, the Lord had done great things for her. And this marvelous deed of taking her up to heaven body and soul was her reward of giving herself totally to Him.
Yes, God will only take what we give to Him willingly. And if we are willing, God will also want to take us up to heaven where we will join Mary to glorify Him.
So let us follow Mary and offer ourselves body and soul to serve the Lord here on earth, and the Lord will fulfill His promise of taking us up to heaven and receive us into His kingdom.