Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today’s readings:
Isaiah 9:1-6
Luke 1:26-38
Our life and work is basically all about Christ. We were a “people who walked in darkness” (Is 9:1a), but because of Jesus, “upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone.” (Is 9:1b). Jesus is our Savior. Because of him we have “abundant joy and great rejoicing” (Is 9:2a). He freed us from the dominion of the evil one. “For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, the rod of their taskmaster, you have smashed” (Is 9:3).
Now this “Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace” (Is 9:5c) was born of a woman. “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us” (Is 9:5a). She was a virgin, “and the virgin’s name was Mary.” (Lk 1:27b). Mary is the most special human being ever, for she is the mother of God. “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Lk 1:28). The Lord is with us too, but for Mary, the Lord was in her womb.
In particular, Mother Mary is of great importance to our life and mission. And not just as an intercessor or Mediatrix. Why? Of utmost importance to the work of the Church are evangelization, family renewal, and work with the poor. To accomplish these, we are called to authentic servanthood and to become holy warriors. Mary is the best model for all.
Family life
God is Trinity--Father, Son, Holy Spirit. God is family--Father, Son, and the love that binds Father and Son together. But there is someone missing, who is in every family. It is the mother. That is Mary.
Mary raised and taught Jesus faithfully for 30 years (Jesus was teaching her in the later years). This points to the importance of the family. We are fortunate that she is our mother too. She will show us the way to renewing the family and defending life.
Evangelization and spiritual warfare
Mary is in the thick of spiritual warfare. She is the woman who with her son will crush (has crushed) the head of the serpent (Gn 3:15). She is the woman who with her son was the center of contention and spiritual attack by the ancient serpent, the dragon, Satan (Rev 12:3-9).
Now being sent forth by Jesus as his holy warriors, we are the ones in the thick of the fight. But our fight is her fight, as “the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring” (Rev 12:17a). Remember, Mary and Jesus have already crushed the head of the serpent.
Work with the poor
Mary was poor, and her heart is with the poor, just like Jesus. In her canticle, she says that God “lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things” (Lk 1:52b-53a). Her heart is for the poor. Even in her pregnancy and faced with hard travel, she practiced corporal works of mercy. She went to minister to her relative Elizabeth (Lk 1:39-40). She will help show us the way to build the Church of the Poor.
Growth to holiness
She is holy, without stain of sin. She is the holy receptacle for the Holy One. “Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” (Lk 1:35b). She will help bring all of us to holiness and Christian perfection.
Discipleship and Servanthood
She is the most obedient disciple of Jesus, a true humble servant. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38a). She will show us the way to authentic servant leadership.
Mary has been crowned Queen of heaven and earth. She is the mother of God, of Jesus who “will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Lk 1:33). She is the one most filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit. “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” (Lk 1:35a). She is our Mother.
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy!
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