News from Good News Ministries:
- The Assumption and the Dignity of Our Bodies
- Light a Candle! Celebrate Terry’s Retirement
- Video: A Must-See Announcement from Terry!
- Plus, great links to great content!
The Assumption and the Dignity of Our Bodies
In my prayer and reflection this week, I have been meditating on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—one of the most important dogmas of our faith. Because of her perfection in this life, Mary was rewarded at the end of her earthly pilgrimage with the gift of being taken body and soul into heaven.
The Assumption has been honored and taught since the earliest days of the Church. However, it was not formally declared a dogma—a truth revealed by God and proclaimed by the Church as necessary for salvation—until November 1, 1950, when Pope Pius XII issued the apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus. If the Assumption had been celebrated for centuries, why did it take so long for it to be formally proclaimed?
I once heard theologian Mark Shea offer an insightful answer. In his presentation, he reminded his audience to consider the historical context: only a few years earlier, the world had witnessed the horrors of World War II, including the Nazi regime’s desecration of the human body through inhumane experiments, starvation, and a total disregard for human dignity. In the wake of World War II, Pope Pius XII’s declaration served not only to affirm a truth held since the earliest days of Christianity, but also to remind the world that the human body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and that we must treat it with dignity – because at the end of time, we will be reunited with our glorified body. Mary, in her Assumption, already shares in that promise.
The promulgation of this dogma was also prophetic. In the decades since, our world has faced the sexual revolution, legalized abortion, assisted suicide, and the continued use of capital punishment. Each is a grave evil that Satan has used to target our dignity. However, by venerating the Assumption, we assist the Blessed Virgin Mary in crushing the head of the serpent and remind the world that each of us has an inherent God-given worth.
This week, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption, I invite you to ask Mary to intercede for us by praying a rosary for world peace so that the dignity of every person may be recognized, governments may protect the most vulnerable, and nations may seek peaceful resolutions to conflict.
Light a Candle! Celebrate Terry Modica’s Retirement!
We’d like to encourage you to celebrate Terry Modica’s retirement by lighting a candle. Your prayer for Good News Ministries and a small donation will help Good News Ministries’ light continue to burn brightly into the future.
Please prayerfully consider lighting a candle and honoring Terry’s 30+ years of service to Good News Ministries!
Good News Prayer Room:
Use our collection of Catholic prayers designed with your needs in mind. They will give you hope and a stronger connection to God’s love and support. What do you need prayers for today?
Visit gnm.org/prayers.
Post your prayer requests @ gnm.org/post-a-prayer.
Good News WordBytes:
WANT MORE FAITH and HOPE in TROUBLED TIMES? WE’RE HERE for YOU! Choose from a variety of topics on our website of Catholic Faith-building articles. What do you need today?
Visit wordbytes.org.
A Must-See Announcement from Terry Modica
Terry Modica and Bill Snyder discuss the transition of leadership and the future of Good News Ministries.
God bless you!
Every morning, I lift up in prayer everyone who helps Good News Ministries in any way (donors, volunteers, prayer supporters, etc.) and all the prayer requests posted on our site. What can I cover in prayer for you? Post your prayer request.
How else can the team and I serve you today? Visit our homepage.
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Your servant in Christ,
Bill Snyder, Media Director
Good News Ministries
gnm.org
Find this and past issues at gnm.org/newsletter. Please share what will minister to others.
Please share this with others by inviting them to visit this page. You may also print this for your personal use and you may share the print-out with others.
A free PDF document of this is available for your own personal use.
How to Win Victories in Spiritual Warfare
Knowing God’s Will and Doing it Well
Lessons from the Blessed Mother
Daily Prayers with the Saints