Aug 22 – Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Whoever, therefore, reverences the Queen of heaven and earth – and let no one consider himself exempt from this tribute of a grateful and loving soul – let him invoke the most effective of Queens, the Mediatrix of Peace; let him respect and preserve peace, which is not wickedness unpunished nor freedom without restraint; but a well-ordered harmony under the rule of the will of God; to its safeguarding and growth, the gentle urgings and commands of the Virgin Mary impel us.
– Pope Pius XII
Isa 9:1-6
Lk 1:26-38
“I am the handmaid of the Lord,”said Mary “let what you have said be done to me.”
Remember when the coronation of King Charles was held last year? There was so much pomp and ceremony, an event steeped in tradition and history that was quite moving to watch. There was the most sacred part of the ceremony, where King Charles was anointed with holy oil, and what I felt most filial when later, Prince William knelt and pledged loyalty to his King. King Charles has had quite a while to reflect on his role as king; after all, he has been king-in-waiting for almost 74 years. I imagine though, that watching from the sidelines is quite different to being in the driving seat; nothing quite prepares you for what is to come.
Mother Mary had no inkling what to expect of her role as Mother of God when the angel Gabriel announced it. It puzzled her, not knowing how or where to begin understanding the divinity of this unprecedented event. Yet, very humbly, she accepted the task armed with nothing but a heart full of faith and obedience to God.
Mother Mary did not require pomp nor ceremony to be Mother of God or Queen of the Universe. There was nothing to prepare her for this sacred role, and she often pondered upon the things that happened, though she always kept it in her heart. In carrying out God’s will, she had to endure her fair share of troubles and sorrows, and she drew strength from God and prayer. She stayed her course, even when everyone had abandoned Jesus. This was a commitment she had made at the beginning to God, and God alone.
Mother Mary’s Queenship is not about pomp, ceremony, or tradition. But through her, we recognize that behind the elevation to such a status lies a life of obedience, service, and loyalty to God. Her life itself was a sacred dedication to God’s will, and I celebrate these virtues on this Memorial to her Queenship. I celebrate her role as our Mother, taking inspiration and drawing strength from how she lived out her role as Mother of God. I celebrate her life of prayer and faith, even as she pondered all these events unfolding before her – both the joyful and sorrowful – knowing that God had a plan and reason. I celebrate her intercession, as she draws us all close to her beloved Son and prays for, and with, us. She is the model of discipleship — one who serves rather than be served, one who seeks not any glory, yet is full of God’s grace. May we all aspire to live, love and serve the same way.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Annette Soo)
Prayer: Blessed Mother Mary, our Mother and model of discipleship. Through your life and love for your Son Jesus Christ, may we seek to emulate your obedience to God, possess the same level of faith in Him, in the hopes of deepening our bond with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
Thanksgiving: Thank you most Blessed Virgin Mary, for praying for us to your Son Jesus Christ and for showing us a gentler way.
OXYGEN 
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