One week after the commemoration of our Lady's Assumption into Heaven, the Church recalls her coronation as Queen of all creation. The Mass today, however, is that of the twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Nevertheless, it is a good day to reflect on Mary's role in our lives.Pope Pius XII instituted this feast in 1954. The faithful have been meditating on this honor bestowed upon Mary in the fifth glorious mystery of the rosary. She is rightly called the Queen of Heaven and earth, of Angels, Saints and men.
She is the Mother of Christ Who is King of all. As mother of the King , she is properly Queen. More importantly, she served her Son perfectly. She conformed her will to God's will. Our Lord said "...Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it." (Luke 11:28) Mary certainly kept the word of God. She bore the Word in her womb.The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all guilt of original sin, on the completion of her earthly sojourn, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe, that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, "the Lord of Lords" (Rev. 19:16) and the Conquerer of sin and death. (Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium, no. 59)
What a perfect example our Lady is for us. She is our mother who leads us to do what God wants and what is good for us. By Baptism each of us is incorporated into Christ's Body, the Church. Mary is the Mother of Christ; she is the Mother of the Church. It is to our benefit to have recourse to her every day.
This Thursday, August 26, marks the 100th birthday of Bl. Teresa of Calcutta. She had a great devotion to the Mother of God. Each day, she got her strength from the Holy Eucharist in order to help the sick and the dying in India. She was helped also by the intercession of our Lady. We, too, are aided by Mary in doing whatever God asks of us.
Father Stanley
