Daily Catholic Reflection: August 22, 2020, Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Year A

Ezekiel 43:1-7a,

Ps 85:9ab and 10.11-12.13-14,

Matthew 23 : 1-12  Full Readings

Queenship of Mary

Mary Our Queen

Beloved brethren, One week after we have celebrated the Assumption our Blessed Mother, today we are transported to the heavenly realm to witness her being crowned as the Queen of heaven and earth. She is the Mother of the Son of God, the king of the universe. She is the obedient daughter of the Father who surrendered herself fully to his will. She is the spouse of the Holy Spirit who overshadowed her and brought forth the Son of God into our world. She is the sinless virgin, full of grace and love. She is the co-redemptrix and the Mother of the church. She is the sure hope and a channel of grace for us. Her royal crowning indicates that we, her children, also are called to share in her glory. We attain our crown of glory if we choose to follow her Son and surrender our lives to the will of the Father under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Today's Gospel points to three themes. 

 1. Carrying Burdens: It can be very easy to demand things of others–our children, spouse, coworkers, or acquaintances–while making little excuses for ourselves in the exact same context. We’re being Pharisaical when we do so.“They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on others’ shoulders, but will not lift a finger to carry them.” In fact, it is so easy that looking at what bothers us in others is a great way to see what virtues we need to grow in. 

 2. All in the Family: “You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.” Christ makes it clear that as soon as we start putting on airs, thinking that we are somehow above others, we’re fooling ourselves. We are allowing our pride or vanity to color our perceptions. Growth in humility doesn’t come through mental acrobatics, by forcing ourselves to think differently, but through real, daily contact with the Lord. When we spend time every day to put ourselves in his presence, and let him show us just how much we depend on him, the way we look at the world and others totally change.

3. Whoever Humbles Himself Will Be Exalted: Humility is like exercise. No one likes it (at first), but everyone needs more of it. The best way to become humble is to ask God for the grace, and then start trying. How? Padre Pio offers some great advice for practicing humility: “We must humble ourselves on seeing how little self-control we have and how much we love comfort and rest. Always keep Jesus before your gaze; He did not come to rest nor to be comfortable either in spiritual or temporal matters, but to fight, to mortify himself and to die.“

Reflect today on how you put a burden on others and you don't do it. Ask the intercession of blessed Mary, our Queen so that you may do what you say.

Let us Pray

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears! Turn, then, O most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Be blessed and may Mary our Queen and mother pray for us.