Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August 22, 2023
Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Today’s Readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/0822-memorial-queenship-mary.cfm

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Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy, we have an option in our readings. Therefore, I chose the readings for the Queenship of Mary for our reflection today.

The beautiful first reading from Isaiah will no doubt evoke sentiments of Advent as we hear its familiar dulcet tones. (Click the tiny white arrowhead in the grey bar below to hear a lovely interpretation.)

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.

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With today’s feast, we acknowledge that we were delivered from darkness by the brave and humble “Yes” of a young Nazarene woman, Mary, Mother of Jesus.

“Yes” is an infinitely powerful word when spoken in response to God’s Will. Mary’s “Yes” initiated the unfurling of God’s Dominion through the new law of Love:

For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
From David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
By judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

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As the “initiatrix” of that Reign, Mary has been designated by the Church as “Queen”. In this life, Mary’s role was that of a humble, faithful woman who gave all that she had to foster the ministry of Jesus. No doubt, she never felt herself to be a “queen”. And it is from the witness of that obedient fidelity that we draw the inspiration for our own ordinary lives.

Nevertheless, it is fitting to honor Mary under this regal title. Through it, we recognize and appeal to Mary’s unique and intimate partnership in the continuous unfolding of God’s Reign in our times.

For our own prayer, we might ask Mary to help us assess the vitality of our “Yes” to God as it unfolds for us in each day’s circumstances.

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Poetry: Fiat by Robert Morneau

On seeing Tanner’s Annunciation….

On her bed of doubt,
in wrinkled night garment,
she sat, glancing with fear
at a golden shaft of streaming light,
pondering perhaps, “Was this
but a sequel to a dream?”
The light too brief for disbelief,
yet its silence eased not her trembling.
Somehow she murmured a “yes”
and with that the light’s love and life
pierced her heart
and lodged in her womb.
The room remained the same
-rug still needed smoothing
-jug and paten awaiting using.
Now all was different
in a maiden’s soft but firm fiat.

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Music: Hail Mary – Chris Rolinson