Thursday, August 22, 2024

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Ezekiel 376:23-28; Matthew 22:1-14)

In the Our Father we pray that God’s name will be made holy.  In today’s first reading the prophet Ezekiel explains how God achieves this holiness.  He says that God will reform those who have profaned it.  He will take His people from the many nations to which they have been scattered.  He will cleanse them with the water of his word and retool them with new hearts.  Most importantly, he will tune their new hearts with a spirit of goodwill.  Then their mercy and justice signify His holiness. 

God does not stand aloof and much less hold disdain for profaners of His name.  Rather He actively pursues their true welfare.  In imitation of Him saints like Mother Teresa of Kolkata are seen as holy not for their contemplation although they prayed deeply and often.  They will reflect God’s holiness by their consistent care of others.

On this memorial of the Queenship of Mary we pray for the grace to practice God’s holiness.  May Mary’s prayers move the Spirit within us to address the needs of brothers and sisters.

 

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.