One week after our celebration of the Assumption of Mary we have today’s celebration for the Queenship of Mary which closes a whole week of celebration for Mary. Our modern society does not favor the image of kings and queen. In fact, our democracies reject the place of kings or queens in our lives.
Mary’s queenship comes from several personal traits that we can see in her in the Gospel. She had the attitude of being attentive and listening to the Word of God. When the angel Gabriel arrived, Mary had an attitude of being attentive. Despite her confusion and fear, she renounced her very self, all her personal plans, and all her personal hopes. She places herself in the hands of God as a slave. She is willing to serve God’s plan of salvation for all creation. Her prayer and her relationship with God turn into service to God and others. This service continues through the life, ministry, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We see her throughout the Gospel serving, always at the side of her son.
These traits – attentive listening and surrender to God’s will in prayer followed by concrete action – are what make her first among all, the new Eve. Our society tends to mark-off limits to our service, duties, and obligations. Our lives are based on our personal rights, what everyone else should do for us. Mary’s personal ego, needs, and rights disappeared in her service to God and others. That is why we celebrate her as queen.
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word
Image: https://www.ncregister.com/blog/is-the-queenship-of-mary-relevant-today
Fra Angelico, “Coronation of Our Lady,” c. 1435 (photo: Public Domain)