0

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary (22nd August, 2019) on the Gospel and the Memorial
 
Judg 11:29-39;
Ps 39:5.7-10 (R.vv.8-9);
Matt 22:1-14.

Mary’s queenship has roots in the 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.[1]
Topic: Readiness for the banquet.
In today’s gospel, Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. But those who were invited made light of it, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized the slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. In anger, the king destroyed them and burned their city. He sent his slaves into the main streets to invite everyone. The king noticed a man without a wedding robe in the hall filled with guests and asked him how he entered without a wedding robe but he was speechless. The man was bound hand and foot, and thrown into the place of suffering.
Knowing that the man without the wedding robe was among those found on the streets, many might judge his punishment as unfair. However, in the Jewish culture, it is required of the wedding guests to take wedding robes provided by the host before entering the hall.
Again, the parable is about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus stresses the need to be ever ready, cf. Lk 12: 37.
It is a very big privilege to be invited to the banquet, cf. Rev 19:9. However those invited made light of it. One’s robe must be washed to have the right to enter by the gates, cf. Rev 22:14. And anyone who does not enter by the gate is a thief and a robber, cf. Jn 10:1.
We have the singular privilege to be invited to the banquet. The issue is whether we take it serious or make light of it. However, whoever fails to take it serious will be thrown into the place of suffering, cf. Lk 14:24. Decide for either the place of suffering or the banquet where the Blessed Virgin Mary we are celebrating her queenship today is rejoicing with her son, Jesus Christ.
Bible Reading: Ps 119:1-16; Lk 12:35-40.
Thought for today: God is inviting you to a banquet.
Let us pray: Lord, help us to be ever ready for the great banquet – 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

 
To Contact and/or to support this ministry:

Tel: +234 813 305 0302
       Email: thepulpitonline@gmail.com

May God bless you all+

Post a Comment

 
Top