The Assumption of Mary and the Hope of Resurrection 圣母蒙召升天与复活的盼望
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Saturday, Aug 15, 2026, was the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, which celebrates Mary's participation in the resurrection of Jesus after her mission was complete on earth. Mary's Assumption confirms our greatest hope--the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. We invite you to read more in Fr. Joseph Ruan's latest bilingual Scripture reflection, included below in Chinese and in English:
Scripture Reflection in Chinese:
圣母蒙召升天节
今天，教会怀着极大的喜乐庆祝「圣母蒙召升天节」。我们相信，圣母玛利亚结束尘世生命之后，灵魂和肉身一同被天主提升到天上的光荣中。1950年，教宗庇护十二世正式钦定这项信理，宣认：「无玷天主之母、卒世童贞玛利亚，在结束尘世生命之后，灵魂和肉身一同被提升到天上的光荣中。」今天的庆节让我们庆祝天主在圣母身上完成的伟大工程，同时也让我们看见天主为整个教会所准备的希望：圣母已经预先获得我们在基督内所期待的圆满光荣。
今天第一篇读经给我们一个非常美丽的图像。圣若望说：「天主在天上的圣殿敞开了，天主的约柜也在圣殿中出现了。」（默11:19）紧接着，他看见天上出现一个「大异兆」：「有一个女人，身披太阳，脚踏月亮，头戴十二颗星的荣冠。」（默12:1）按照《默示录》的圣经背景，这位女人代表天主的子民，首先指向以色列，也指向教会；教会的传统同时也从她身上看见圣母玛利亚的形象，因为她是默西亚的母亲，也是忠信的以色列和教会最卓越的典范。她所生的孩子「将以铁杖牧放万民」（默12:5），清楚地指向基督。
这里还有一个非常重要的图像，就是「约柜」。旧约时代，约柜是天主临在于祂子民中间的神圣标记；到了新约，玛利亚在自己的胎中怀着降生成人的天主圣子，因此教会称她为「新约的约柜」。
这个意义在今天的福音中表现得特别清楚。玛利亚「起身，急速往山区去」，探望依撒伯尔（路1:39）。几个世纪以前，旧约的约柜也曾进入犹大山区（参阅撒下6:1-11）。达味面对约柜说：「上主的约柜怎能来到我这里？」（撒下6:9）依撒伯尔面对怀着耶稣的玛利亚，也说：「吾主的母亲驾临我这里，这是我那里得来的呢？」（路1:43）达味在约柜前欢跃舞蹈；若翰洗者在母胎中也欢喜踊跃（参阅撒下6:14；路1:41）。约柜在敖贝得厄东家中停留了三个月；玛利亚也在依撒伯尔那里住了大约三个月（参阅撒下6:11；路1:56）。这些对应帮助我们理解，为什么教会把圣母称为「新约的约柜」。旧约的约柜承载天主临在的标记，玛利亚却真正承载了降生成人的天主子。今天庆祝圣母蒙召升天，我们看见这位曾经承载基督的新约约柜，被天主迎入天上的光荣。
然而，今天的福音还告诉我们圣母真正伟大的地方。依撒伯尔对她说：「那信了由上主传于她的话必要完成的，是有福的。」（路1:45）这是整部福音中对圣母非常美丽的一句描述：「那信了的，是有福的。」
圣母的伟大表现在她的信德。领报的时候，她回答天使：「看！上主的婢女，愿照你的话成就于我吧！」（路1:38）从那一刻开始，她把整个生命交托在天主手中。她并不知道未来的一切，却始终相信天主。她经历白冷的喜乐，也经历逃往埃及的艰辛；她度过纳匝肋平凡的岁月，也最终站在圣子的十字架下。她始终忠于自己的「是」。圣母蒙召升天，正是她一生信德旅程在天主恩宠中的圆满。
面对依撒伯尔的祝福，圣母唱出了《谢主曲》：「我的灵魂颂扬上主，我的心神欢跃于天主，我的救主。」（路1:46-47）接着她说：「全能者在我身上行了大事。」（路1:49）这句话帮助我们理解今天的庆节。圣母蒙召升天，就是全能者在她身上所行的大事之一。一切都来自天主的恩宠。天主召叫她，以恩宠充满她，拣选她成为圣子的母亲，陪伴她走完尘世的信德旅程，最后把她提升到天上的光荣。
在这里，我们自然会问一个重要的问题：「为什么圣母能够在世界末日众人肉身复活以前，就已经灵魂和肉身一同进入天上的光荣？为什么天主赐给她这样独特的恩宠？」
这与圣母在救恩奥迹中的独特地位密切相关。首先，她是「无原罪始胎者」。天主为了预备她成为救主的母亲，因着基督救赎的功劳，从她生命开始的第一刻，就特别保守她免受原罪的玷污。因此，基督战胜罪恶与死亡的救恩成果，在圣母身上以一种独特而圆满的方式彰显出来。一般信友的身体等待世界末日的复活，圣母却因天主所赐的特殊恩宠，预先分享了这一光荣。
同时，圣母与基督之间具有任何其他受造物都没有的独特关系：「她是天主之母。」天主圣子从她取得真实的人性。她怀孕祂、生育祂、养育祂；她的身体成为圣言降生的圣所。因此，圣母整个的人——她的灵魂和身体——都以独特的方式与基督降生和救赎的奥迹结合在一起。
今天的第二篇读经证明这一切最根本的基础，就是「基督的复活」。圣保禄说：「基督从死者中实在复活了，做了死者的初果。」（格前15:20）又说：「就如在亚当内，众人都死了，照样，在基督内，众人都要复活。」（格前15:22）基督是复活的根源，圣母则首先并最圆满地分享了她圣子的胜利。
这里也需要分清一个重要的区别：基督是凭自己的神性和权能升天；圣母则是蒙天主召升进入天上的光荣。圣母所获得的一切都来自基督的救恩。她的蒙召升天彰显了基督复活的德能，也显示基督对罪恶和死亡的胜利已经在她身上结出了圆满的果实。《天主教教理》因此称圣母蒙召升天为她「独特地参与她圣子的复活」，同时也是其他基督徒将来复活的预兆（《天主教教理》966）。
所以，圣母灵魂肉身蒙召升天，与她的「无原罪始胎」、「天主之母」的身份、她与基督独特的结合，以及基督战胜罪恶与死亡紧密相连。这是天主赐给她的特殊恩宠。同时，这项特恩也向我们预示自己的未来：圣母今天已经得到的，正是我们在基督内所期待的。她提前分享了我们在世界末日所盼望的肉身复活。
因此，圣母蒙召升天与我们每一个人都有关系。圣保禄把死亡称为「最后被毁灭的仇敌」（格前15:26）。我们都会经历身体的衰老、健康的改变，也会经历与亲人的生离死别，最终每个人都会面对死亡。然而，基督徒的目光能够越过坟墓，因为基督已经复活了。死亡不再是人生最后的一句话，复活与永生才是天主为我们预备的圆满。
今天的庆节也提醒我们「身体的尊严」。天主创造我们成为有灵魂、有身体的人。天主圣子从玛利亚取得真实的人性和身体；耶稣带着复活的身体从死者中复活；圣母也灵魂肉身一同进入天上的光荣。因此，我们的身体也属于基督徒永生的希望。我们的整个生命都是天主所创造、基督所救赎，并蒙召进入永恒光荣的。
所以今天，我们可以问自己一个很简单的问题：「我的人生正在走向哪里？」
我们每天会考虑许多事情：工作、家庭、健康、经济、责任和未来的计划。这些都是生活的重要部分。今天圣母邀请我们把目光举得更高。我们受造是为了永恒，天国才是我们最终的家乡。圣母也告诉我们怎样走向这个家乡。依撒伯尔已经给了我们答案：「那信了的，是有福的。」（路1:45）当天主的道路清楚时，我们相信；当前面的道路尚未清楚时，我们依然相信。在喜乐中信赖天主，在十字架来到时保持忠信；接受天主圣言，让基督生活在我们心中，并把基督带给别人。
圣母领受了基督之后，马上「起身，急速往山区去」（路1:39）。她把基督带给依撒伯尔。真正的信德自然走向爱德和服务。一个心中有基督的人，也会把基督的喜乐带给别人。若翰在母胎中欢跃，依撒伯尔充满圣神，玛利亚唱出《谢主曲》。哪里有基督真正临在，哪里就会有喜乐。
今天，当我们庆祝圣母蒙召升天时，我们怀着爱仰望圣母，同时也让圣母带领我们到达基督。圣母的一切都带领我们走向她的圣子。她的蒙召升天向我们宣告：「基督已经战胜死亡，祂的胜利能够更新我们整个生命。」
《默示录》中那位「身披太阳」的女人（默12:1），让我们看见教会最终所要进入的光荣。圣母已经到达我们所盼望到达的地方；她已经分享我们所盼望分享的复活光荣。
祈求圣母帮助我们像她一样相信，像她一样信赖，像她一样把基督怀抱在生命中，也像她一样把基督的喜乐带给别人。当我们走完尘世的旅程，祈望我们也能与圣母及诸圣一起，分享基督复活的光荣，在天国永远赞美天主。
Scripture Reflection in English:
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today, the Church celebrates with great joy the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We believe that, at the end of her earthly life, the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken body and soul into the glory of heaven. In 1950, Pope Pius XII solemnly defined this dogma, declaring that the Immaculate Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. Today’s feast celebrates the great work God accomplished in Mary, and at the same time it reveals the hope God has prepared for the whole Church: Mary has already received in advance the fullness of glory that we hope to share in Christ.
The first reading gives us a beautiful image. Saint John tells us: “God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple” (Revelation 11:19). Immediately afterward, he sees “a great sign” in heaven: “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Revelation 12:1). In its biblical context, this woman represents the people of God, first Israel and then the Church. Christian tradition also sees in her an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, because she is the Mother of the Messiah and the most perfect example of faithful Israel and of the Church. The child she gives birth to is the one “destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod” (Revelation 12:5), clearly pointing to Christ.
There is also another very important image here: the Ark of the Covenant. In the Old Testament, the Ark was a sacred sign of God’s presence among his people. In the New Testament, Mary carries within her womb the Son of God made flesh. For this reason, the Church sees her as the Ark of the New Covenant.
This meaning becomes especially clear in today’s Gospel. Mary “set out and traveled to the hill country” to visit Elizabeth (Luke 1:39). Centuries earlier, the Ark of the Covenant had also traveled through the hill country of Judah (cf. 2 Samuel 6:1-11). David said before the Ark, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” (2 Samuel 6:9). Elizabeth, before Mary who carries Jesus in her womb, says, “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43). David danced with joy before the Ark; John the Baptist leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb (cf. 2 Samuel 6:14; Luke 1:41). The Ark remained in the house of Obed-edom for three months; Mary remained with Elizabeth for about three months (cf. 2 Samuel 6:11; Luke 1:56).
These parallels help us understand why the Church sees Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant. The ancient Ark carried the signs of God’s presence; Mary truly carried within herself the Son of God made flesh. On this feast of the Assumption, we see this living Ark, who once carried Christ, welcomed by God into the glory of heaven.
Yet today’s Gospel also reveals the deeper greatness of Mary. Elizabeth says to her, “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Luke 1:45). This is one of the most beautiful descriptions of Mary in the Gospel: “Blessed are you who believed.”
Mary’s greatness is seen in her faith. At the Annunciation she answered the angel, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). From that moment, she entrusted her whole life to God. She did not know everything that lay ahead, but she continued to believe. She experienced the joy of Bethlehem and the hardship of the flight into Egypt. She lived the hidden years at Nazareth and finally stood beneath the Cross of her Son. Through everything, she remained faithful to her yes. The Assumption is the fulfillment, in God’s grace, of Mary’s lifelong journey of faith.
In response to Elizabeth’s blessing, Mary sings the Magnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47). Then she says, “The Almighty has done great things for me” (Luke 1:49). This helps us understand today’s feast. The Assumption is one of the great things the Almighty has done for Mary. Everything begins with grace. God called her, filled her with grace, chose her to be the Mother of his Son, accompanied her throughout her earthly pilgrimage, and finally raised her into heavenly glory.
At this point, an important question naturally arises: Why was Mary able to enter heavenly glory body and soul before the general resurrection at the end of time? Why did God grant her this unique privilege?
The answer is connected with Mary’s unique place in the mystery of salvation. First, she is the Immaculate Conception. In preparing her to become the Mother of the Savior, God preserved her from original sin from the first moment of her existence, through the merits of Christ’s redemption. Therefore, the saving victory of Christ over sin and death was manifested in Mary in a unique and complete way. The bodies of the faithful ordinarily await the resurrection at the end of time, but Mary, by a singular grace of God, was permitted to share beforehand in this glory.
Mary also has a relationship with Christ that no other creature possesses: she is the Mother of God. The Son of God received his true humanity from her. She conceived him, gave birth to him, and cared for him; her body became the living sanctuary of the Word made flesh. For this reason, Mary in the totality of her person, body and soul, is uniquely united with the mystery of the Incarnation and with the saving work of Christ.
Today’s second reading brings us to the deepest foundation of this mystery: the Resurrection of Christ. Saint Paul says, “Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). He continues, “For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life” (1 Corinthians 15:22). Christ is the source of resurrection, and Mary is the first and most complete participant in the victory of her Son.
Here it is also important to make a clear distinction. Christ ascended into heaven by his own divine power; Mary was assumed into heaven by the power and grace of God. Everything Mary received came from the saving work of Christ. Her Assumption reveals the power of Christ’s Resurrection and shows that his victory over sin and death has already borne its fullest fruit in her. The Catechism of the Catholic Church therefore teaches that Mary’s Assumption is a “singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection” and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians (CCC 966).
Therefore, Mary’s bodily Assumption is closely connected with her Immaculate Conception, her identity as the Mother of God, her unique union with Christ, and Christ’s victory over sin and death. This is a special grace given to her by God. At the same time, this grace also points toward our own future. What Mary has already received is what we hope to receive in Christ. She has shared in advance the bodily resurrection that we await at the end of time.
For this reason, the Assumption concerns every one of us. Saint Paul calls death “the last enemy to be destroyed” (1 Corinthians 15:26). We all experience the aging of the body, changes in health, and separation from those we love. Eventually, every human being must face death. Yet the Christian can look beyond the grave because Christ has risen. Death does not have the final word. Resurrection and eternal life are the fulfillment God has prepared for us.
Today’s feast also reminds us of the dignity of the human body. God created us as persons with both body and soul. The Son of God received true humanity and a true human body from Mary. Jesus rose bodily from the dead, and Mary was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. Our bodies, therefore, also belong to our Christian hope. Our whole person has been created by God, redeemed by Christ, and called to eternal glory.
So today we can ask ourselves a simple question: Where is my life going?
Every day we think about many things: work, family, health, finances, responsibilities, and plans for the future. All of these are important parts of life. Yet today Mary invites us to lift our eyes higher. We were created for eternity, and heaven is our final home. Mary also shows us the way to reach that home. Elizabeth gives us the answer: “Blessed are you who believed” (Luke 1:45). When God’s path is clear, we believe. When the road ahead is uncertain, we continue to believe. In times of joy, we trust God; when the Cross appears, we remain faithful. We receive the Word of God, allow Christ to live within us, and bring Christ to others.
After Mary received Christ, she immediately “set out and traveled to the hill country” (Luke 1:39). She carried Christ to Elizabeth. Genuine faith naturally leads to love and service. A person who carries Christ within also brings the joy of Christ to others. John leaps in the womb, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, and Mary sings the Magnificat. Wherever Christ is truly present, joy is born.
Today, as we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we look upon Mary with love, and at the same time we allow her to lead us to Christ. Everything about Mary points us toward her Son. Her Assumption proclaims to us: Christ has conquered death, and his victory has the power to renew our entire life.
The woman “clothed with the sun” in Revelation 12:1 gives us a glimpse of the glory into which the Church is ultimately called to enter. Mary has already arrived where we hope to go; she already shares the glory of the resurrection that we hope one day to share.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary help us to believe as she believed, to trust as she trusted, to carry Christ within our lives as she carried him, and to bring the joy of Christ to others. When our earthly pilgrimage is complete, may we also join Mary and all the saints in sharing the glory of Christ’s Resurrection and praising God forever in heaven.
Fr. (Joseph) Guozhang Ruan was born and ordained in China. After serving in parish ministry in the Diocese of Mindong, Fujian, he pursued advanced studies in moral theology in Rome, earning a doctorate from the Pontifical Lateran University. Since coming to the United States in 2004, he has served in several parishes in the Archdiocese of New York. He is currently the Director of the Chinese Apostolate for the Archdiocese of New York and Parochial Vicar of Holy Rosary Church on Staten Island. His ministry focuses on serving Chinese Catholics, promoting evangelization, and fostering greater understanding between the Church in China and the universal Church.
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