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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