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Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (22nd August, 2017) on the Gospel and the Memorial
 
Judg 6:11-24;
Ps 84:9.11-14. (R. v.9);
Matt 19:23-30.

Pope Pius XII established this feast in 1954. But 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.[1]
Topic: Hazards of wealth.
It baffled the disciples to hear that it will be hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus reassured them that nothing is impossible for God, cf. Lk 1:37. In replied to Peter’s question about what they would gain Jesus said,
Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life.
Jesus’ words sounded as if it is sinful to be wealthy. However, He had admonished us, “...store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt 6:20). Saint James also writes, “Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days” (Jas 5:3).
Wealth as we can see is not a problem but one’s understanding of it. Riches comes from God, cf. Prov 10:22. Hence Saint Paul writes, “What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?” (1Cor 4:7bc). However, the richer one becomes, the more he/she is expected to give, Lk 12:48.
Bible Reading: Ps 112:1-10; Jas 5:1-6; Matt 6:19-21.
Thought for today: One’s attitude towards wealth.
Let us pray: Lord, heal us of insatiable desire for material wealth and help us to store up true wealth for the world to come – Amen.
Mary, Queen of heaven and earth – Pray for us.
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