We can ask Mary our Queen to lead us ever closer to her Son
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 22, 2019): JGS 11:29-39; PS 40:5,7-8,8-9,10; MT 22:1-14
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
Today we venerate the Blessed Virgin as the Queen of heaven and earth.
Nothing about young Mary of Nazareth would have seemed royal to her neighbors or even to herself. But she was uniquely born to love and serve Almighty God as the mother of His Son. Just as Jesus was called to sacrifice Himself for our sake, so Mary also knew what it was to suffer. Still, she held nothing back from God’s plan to save us. While we do not know it from Scriptures, she might have been present to hear Christ tell the parable from today’s Gospel. He wanted His disciples to grasp that God calls all people to Himself. “‘Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests” (Matthew 22:9-10).
Our Blessed Mother is also the Queen of all God’s people. This was surely true from the moment that the Angel Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would have the throne of King David and that His kingdom would never end. And from the early centuries of the Church, she has been so honored in prayer, music and art. Now it is for our generation to continue to show reverence for Mary as our mother and queen – and, always, as the beloved and obedient daughter of Almighty God. Let us humbly strive to imitate her total dedication to Him.
Suggested missionary action: Today, let us offer a World Mission Rosary in celebration of the coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of heaven and earth.
