Monday, August 22, 2022

 Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(II Thessalonians 1:1-5.11-12; Matthew 23:13-22)

The gospel is “good news” because it announces the uplifting of the humble with the downfall of the proud.  Mary exemplifies this revolution.  She did not come from a prominent family, nor was she especially gifted as commonly thought.  But she served others without calling attention to herself.  She had other gospel qualities like prayerfulness.  For these reasons the Church, in a movement that took centuries to mature, has proclaimed her an exception to the rule that one waits for the end of time to experience eternal life in body and spirit.  To clarify the singularity of Mary’s state the Church today celebrates her also as Queen of heaven and earth.

The conceited and unjust are found in every age and in every place.  In the gospel they are most often represented by the scribes and Pharisees.  Jesus frequently tangles with them as is in today’s passage.  He calls them “blind fools” because they cannot see their own inconsistencies.  Although not all scribes and Pharisees reject Jesus’ call to humble service, some do exploit their privilege to despise common people.

We can always look to Jesus as a model and for intercession.  He was human like us.  Still, we need other examples of holiness for reassurance that the narrow road is indeed passable.  Mary fulfills this need before all others.

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