Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of
the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (22nd August, 2017) on the
Gospel and the Memorial
Judg 6:11-24;
Ps 84:9.11-14. (R. v.9);
Matt 19:23-30.
Pope Pius XII established this feast in 1954. But
Mary’s queenship has roots in Scripture. At the Annunciation, Gabriel announced
that Mary’s Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the
Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary “mother of my Lord.” As in all the mysteries
of Mary’s life, Mary is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share
in Jesus’ kingship. We can also recall that in the Old Testament the mother of
the king has great influence in court. The feast is a logical follow-up to the
Assumption and is now celebrated on the octave day of that feast. In his 1954
encyclical To the Queen of Heaven, Pius XII points out that Mary deserves
the title because she is Mother of God, because she is closely associated as
the New Eve with Jesus’ redemptive work, because of her preeminent perfection
and because of her intercessory power.[1]
Topic: Hazards of wealth.
It baffled the disciples to hear that it will be hard for the
rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus reassured them that nothing is
impossible for God, cf. Lk 1:37. In
replied to Peter’s question about what they would gain Jesus said,
Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son
of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also
sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who
has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or
fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit
eternal life.
Jesus’ words sounded as if it is sinful to be wealthy.
However, He had admonished us, “...store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and
steal” (Matt 6:20). Saint James also
writes, “Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence
against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for
the last days” (Jas 5:3).
Wealth as we can see is not a problem but one’s understanding
of it. Riches comes from God, cf. Prov
10:22. Hence Saint Paul writes, “What have you that you did not receive? If
then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?” (1Cor 4:7bc). However, the richer one
becomes, the more he/she is expected to give, Lk 12:48.
Bible Reading: Ps 112:1-10; Jas 5:1-6; Matt 6:19-21.
Thought for today: One’s attitude towards wealth.
Let us pray: Lord, heal us of insatiable desire
for material wealth and help us to store up true wealth for the world to come –
Amen.
Mary, Queen of heaven and earth –
Pray for us.
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