THE WORD AND THE FEAST

August 22, 2019: Celebrating the Queenship of Mary 

Isaiah 9: 1-7; Luke 1: 26-38

On this day, which is exactly a week after Assumption of Mary into the presence of God, a tradition in the Church celebrates the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Though it is just a memoria, it is worth celebrating and reflecting!  

In what does Mary's Queenship consist? 

We are not dealing here with a contestable fact that would irk the Non-Catholic friends, as if we are claiming an undeserved and an over-exaggerated place for Mary within our religious convictions. It is obvious that we have misgivings with the non-Catholics, but certainly they cannot miss this point, if only they reason it out logically.

The choice of the readings today beautifully expresses the Church's stand on this: The glory of the Lord that is revealed in incarnation is the point of focus, according to the first reading from Isaiah, while the Gospel presents the role of Mary in that glorious event - a humble role of a servant who tells God, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to your word!" 

Her Queenship does not consist in pomp or splendour, but in filial submission and total dedication to the plan of God. She remains the same even now, forever - a humble handmaid who carries out the plan of God. If only our non-Catholic friends believe in the life eternal that is promised to us, where will they place that lovely person who was an instrument in the hands of the Divine, in executing the magnificent salvation plan? Obvious, as close as possible to the Divine, above every other being on earth, because she proved so worthy of it.

Leaving aside making sense to the non-Catholic friends, those within the fold need to understand this fact: Mary is Queen, in her simplicity, in her humility, in her docility, in her total submission to the Lord. Let us never lose sight of this in our over enthusiastic celebration of this loving Blessed Mother of ours! Let us take her as our model, an inspiration, a challenge to make ourselves simple, humble, docile and totally dedicated to God's will. 

There is no surprise Mary was crowned the Queen, because Jesus had said: One who humbles oneself, will be exalted!