Memorial of The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
There is a sharp contrast between the first reading today and the Gospel. In Second Thessalonians, St. Paul writes that “we ought” to give thanks for the community in Thessalonica. He commended them because their faith and love for one another “flourished” and grew “ever more.” Jesus gives a not-so-nice appraisal of the scribes and Pharisees. He admonishes them as “blind guides.” They “lock up the kingdom of heaven” before people can enter it. This contrast shows the difference between a living faith and a faith that is lost in blind following.
Mary was no blind follower. She knew how important it is to live in faith and love of God. She said yes to the angel Gabriel’s message and gave her silent fiat to all the things the holy life called her to do. How amazing she was to cooperate with God’s grace! The ancient saying of the Church holds true. Eve had closed all her children out of paradise and Mary opened the gates of paradise by consenting to God’s plan of salvation. Jesus entered the World through Mary’s love, and we call her queen because she is the true mother of the true king we worship. Paradoxically, Mary is a model of the best leadership. She acted with a deep, personal humility, and had a strong will to follow God’s will. She is the true Christian disciple who led others to God with profound humility and a strong will for the good. Really, it can be said she led the whole World to God by her example. Let us give thanks to God for her example, and heed Jesus’ admonition not to be blind guides when we seek to lead others to God. Amen.
Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections