Memorial of the Queenship of Mary (22nd August, 2020)

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary (22nd August, 2020) on the Gospel and the Memorial Ezek 43:1-7; Ps 84:9-14. (R. cf. v. 10); Matt 23:1-12. 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. Pope Pius XII established this feast in 1954. Topic: Between duty and honour. Jesus urged His listeners to do and to follow what the scribes and the Pharisees taught because they occupied Moses’ seat. However, they should not follow their example because they did not practice what they taught.

They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi

. The sacred office the scribes and the Pharisees occupied meant nothing to them. Hence, Jesus often rebuked them. Each of us also occupies sacred office/s. I do not mean few in the religious life. These offices mean nothing to many. Hence many hustle for other ones they consider higher. Some mothers do not consider themselves fully mothers because they have not been termed ‘Life members,’ Mothers of this or that, even when there is nothing to justify any. Fathers and youths are not different. Even priests are not fulfilled because they have not been made pastors, monsignori, bishops, and so on. All these are geared towards either real or imagined honour and very far from the duties. We must be very careful. Jesus concludes, “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.” True honour comes after labour/duties. We celebrate today the exaltation of Mary by God. If we humble ourselves, He will exalt us at the appointed time, cf. 1Pt 5:6; Jas 4:10. Bible Reading: 1Pt 5:1-11. Thought for today: You occupy a sacred office. Let us pray: Lord, help us to realise how sacred our positions are and also give us the graces necessary to fulfil their demands – Amen. Mary Queen and mother – Pray for us. You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy. For more homilies (reflections): Visit our website: www.thepulpitonline.com Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313 Send us Email: thepulpitonline@gmail.com To Contact and/or to support this ministry: Tel: +234 813 305 0302 Email: thepulpitonline@gmail.com May God bless you all+