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Blessed mother Quote by Ronald Knox

“When the dogma of the Assumption was defined a friend of mine, a very intelligent Mohammedan, congratulated me on the gesture which the Holy Father had made; a gesture (said he) against materialism. And I think he was right. When our Lord took his blessed Mother, soul and body, into heaven, he did…” quote by Ronald Knox
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““When the dogma of the Assumption was defined a friend of mine, a very intelligent Mohammedan, congratulated me on the gesture which the Holy Father had made; a gesture (said he) against materialism. And I think he was right. When our Lord took his blessed Mother, soul and body, into heaven, he did honour to the poor clay of which our human bodies are fashioned. It was the first step towards reconciling all things in heaven and earth to his eternal Father, towards making all things new. "The whole of nature", St Paul tells us, "groans in a common travail all the while. And not only do we see that, but we ourselves do the same; we ourselves although we have already begun to reap our spiritual harvest, groan in our hearts, waiting for that adoption which is the ransoming of our bodies from their slavery." That transformation of our material bodies to which we look forward one day has been accomplished—we know it now for certain-in her. When the Son of God came to earth, he came to turn our hearts away from earth, Godwards. And as the traveller, shading his eyes while he contemplates some long vista of scenery, searches about for a human figure that will give him the scale of those distant surroundings, so we, with dazzled eyes looking Godwards, identify and welcome one purely human figure close to his throne. One ship has rounded the headland, one destiny is achieved, one human perfection exists. And as we watch it, we see God clearer, see God greater, through this masterpiece of his dealings with mankind.””

Ronald Knox

About This Quote

Source Sermon: Homily on the Assumption, 1960s

The quote reflects on the Assumption as a divine gesture against materialism, linking humanity's physical nature to spiritual renewal and the hope for bodily resurrection.

In simple terms: The Assumption shows God's plan to renew our bodies and souls.

Key Takeaway

Recognize spiritual transformation beyond material limits.

Themes

faith spirituality hope redemption theology

Mood

contemplative hopeful reverent

Type

theological inspirational

When to use this quote

  • personal prayer
  • church teaching
  • theological study
  • spiritual counseling

Key Concepts

incarnation assumption resurrection materialism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does belief in bodily renewal affect daily life?
  • What practical steps can embody this spiritual hope?
A Different Perspective

The focus on bodily resurrection may overlook present suffering and practical needs.

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