Mary our Queen willingly hears our prayers and draws us closer to her Son
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 22, 2020): EZ 43:1-7; PS 85:9,10,11-12,13-14; MT 23:1-12
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
As the Queen of heaven and earth and the Mother of God, we look to her for the help we need in living lives of faith, hope and love.
Today we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary on this feast of her Queenship. From at least the 5th century, Christians have venerated her as Queen. Her singular relationship with her Son Jesus, who is the Son of God and our Savior, makes this unique title most appropriate. As the Queen of heaven and earth and the Mother of God, we look to her for the help we need in living lives of faith, hope and love. The Holy Trinity desires every person to have the benefit of her loving care during our days on earth so that we may more readily be prepared for our eternity in heaven. St. John Paul II said, “Mary dedicates herself totally to the work of salvation in order to communicate to every living person the happiness granted to her. She is a Queen who gives all that she possesses, participating above all in the life and love of Christ.”
Mary our Queen willingly hears our prayers and draws us closer to Christ our King. Just as she gave birth to Him and shared in His life and encouraged His mission among His people on earth, now she reigns in heaven. Jesus had been called the New Adam, in that He restored to His Father’s people what the original Adam took away from us by sin. Christ our Redeemer King overcame both sin and death. Life everlasting with Him is now made available to us. And Mary is known as the New Eve because her obedience, fidelity, and cooperation with Almighty God’s will allowed His salvation plan to come to fruition. Mary is truly our most worthy Queen, and we can turn to her frequently, praying. “Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope!”
Suggested missionary action: Today we can pray a Rosary to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in particular, the Glorious Mysteries that include her Assumption and Coronation as Queen of Heaven. And we can offer our prayers for the good of the Church’s missions.