Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of the Queenship of Mary (22nd August, 2019) on the Gospel and the
Memorial
Judg 11:29-39;
Ps 39:5.7-10 (R.vv.8-9);
Matt 22:1-14.
Mary’s queenship has roots in the 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. Pope
Pius XII established this feast in 1954.[1]
Topic: Readiness for the banquet.
In today’s gospel, Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to a
king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. But those who were invited made
light of it, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized
the slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. In anger, the king destroyed them
and burned their city. He sent his slaves into the main streets to invite
everyone. The king noticed a man without a wedding robe in the hall filled with
guests and asked him how he entered without a wedding robe but he was
speechless. The man was bound hand and foot, and thrown into the place of
suffering.
Knowing that the man without the
wedding robe was among those found on the streets, many might judge his
punishment as unfair. However, in the Jewish culture, it is required of the wedding
guests to take wedding robes provided by the host before entering the hall.
Again, the parable is about the
kingdom of heaven. Jesus stresses the need to be ever ready, cf. Lk 12: 37.
It is a very big privilege to be
invited to the banquet, cf. Rev 19:9.
However those invited made light of it. One’s robe must be washed to have the
right to enter by the gates, cf. Rev
22:14. And anyone who does not enter by the gate is a thief and a robber,
cf. Jn 10:1.
We have the singular privilege to be invited to the banquet.
The issue is whether we take it serious or make light of it. However, whoever
fails to take it serious will be thrown into the place of suffering, cf. Lk 14:24. Decide for either the place
of suffering or the banquet where the Blessed Virgin Mary we are celebrating her
queenship today is rejoicing with her son, Jesus Christ.
Bible Reading: Ps 119:1-16; Lk
12:35-40.
Thought for today: God is inviting you to a banquet.
Let us pray: Lord, help us to be ever ready for
the great banquet – Amen.
Mary Queen and mother – Pray for us.
You are free to share this reflection with others if you
consider it worthy.
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