For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – (Isaiah 9:6)
Today, the Holy Mother church celebrates the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Old Testament, the Mother of the King was referred to as the Queen Mother (1 Kings 2:19-20). The Queen Mother exerts significant influence only next to the King. Her role was looked upon primarily as one who could approach the king in any circumstance and have her wish granted since the King had great regard for his Queen Mother.
Queen Mother
If that was the case in the New Testament, consider the influence the Mother of Jesus had. She is the Queen Mother to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the Messiah who came to redeem all of us.
The Catechism states that our Blessed Mother perfectly embodies the obedience of faith (CCC 148). What is the obedience of faith?
Obedience of Faith
CCC 144 To obey (from the Latin ob-audire, to “hear or listen to”) in faith is to submit freely to the word that has been heard, because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself. Abraham is the model of such obedience offered us by the Sacred Scripture. The Virgin Mary is its most perfect embodiment.
The first reading from Isaiah 9:1-6 is the prophecy of the coming Messiah who would bring joy to his oppressed people, and the same prophecy hints at the Messiah’s birth (Isaiah 9:6). So, it’s clear even then that God would fulfill his plan in full collaboration with his people. Just as God started Salvation with full perfect corporation ( Obedience of Faith) from one Man Abraham, God would start redemption with full perfect corporation from one Woman, a simple humble Jewish Girl from Nazareth
Our Gospel reading today shows Mary’s election, Mary’s Consolation, Mary’s questions, and Heaven’s Response, and finally Mary’s Submission.
This Model applies to each one of us, as God works in us to bring His salvific plan into fulfilment.
Mary’s Election: Hail, Full of Grace!
Romans 11:29 says, ‘For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable’. This is the mere simplicity of God; he entrusts this divine plan to you and me. For his great plan of redemption, he chooses Mary to be the Mother of his only Son, Jesus.
CCC 488: The Father of mercies willed that the Incarnation should be preceded by assent on the part of the predestined mother, so that just as a woman had a share in the coming of death, so also should a woman contribute to the coming of life.
Mary’s Consolation: Do not be Afraid Mary!
The verse “Do not Fear” appears in the Bible 365 times, which is once every day for the entire year. Why? When the devil took the trust that man had towards God through original sin, he replaced it with fear. Perfect Love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18); the Holy Spirit’s encounter with our Blessed Mother is the perfect example of this verse. An encounter that you and I should yearn for every single day.
Mary’s Questions: “How can this be, since I have no husband?”
Honest, open conversation always bears fruit. In Ignatian Spirituality, we see that the Devil likes to keep things secretive so as to fulfil his ultimate plan – final condemnation. The devil wants Sin to be kept secretive, so that no one judges the person in sin, while the scripture says that everything exposed by the light becomes visible (Ephesians 5:13), visible for God to work, to bring healing, restoration. Our Blessed Mother’s openness paved the way for Heaven’s light.
Heaven’s response – The Holy Spirit will come upon you.
Amen! This is Heaven’s one response and the only response to all our questions. Why this? Why that? How can this happen? Why God? A humble soul accepts Heaven’s response, while a Proud soul suggests the way Heaven ought to respond. Under what Category do you fall, my dear Brother and Sister in Christ?
CCC 489: Against all human expectation, God chooses those who were considered powerless and weak to show forth his faithfulness to his promises: Hannah, the mother of Samuel; Deborah; Ruth; Judith and Esther; and many other women.[130] Mary “stands out among the poor and humble of the Lord, who confidently hope for and receive salvation from him. After a long period of waiting the times are fulfilled in her, the exalted Daughter of Sion, and the new plan of salvation is established.”[131]
Mary’s Submission – “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
Romans 8:14 says: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God”. This is the speciality of our Blessed Mother, and the same privilege is extended to each and every one of us, led by the Holy Spirit to fulfil God’s plan.
CCC 494: As St. Irenaeus says, “Being obedient, she became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race.”141 Hence, not a few of the early Fathers gladly assert…: “The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by Mary’s obedience: what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by her faith.”142 Comparing her with Eve, they call Mary “the Mother of the living” and frequently claim: “Death through Eve, life through Mary.”143
Loving Father in Heaven, we thank you for this Memorial feast that the Church celebrates today and the great example that you have given us in our Blessed Mother. We ask for the grace to emulate our Blessed Mother, who always points us to your Divine Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We pray for the fulfilment of Proverbs 3:5-6 in each and every one of our lives, in Jesus’ Most Holy name we pray, Amen!
Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
