In the Jewish tradition, it’s not the wife of the king that is the queen. This position and honor go to the king’s mother. Jesus is our King and Mary is our Queen and mother. But there’s also more to that. Jesus was preaching in Luke 11:27-28, and it was written, “…a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He [Jesus] replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Yes, Mary is most of all blessed as she is sinless and therefore full of grace, unlike us sinners, who are full of sins. Yes, she is the chosen Mother of God, and all these are interconnected. But that is not all, she also heard the Word of God and fulfilled it. She acted out the faith she had. She did something and that is her persistent and countless “yes” to God even at the greatest trial of her life and motherhood to Christ at the foot of the Cross.
Mary suffered too, and deeply at that. In fact, she suffered the most among all mankind because she is the Mother of the One Crucified. She is untainted by sin. Sin divides our relationship with God, but she does not have even the slightest stain of it and therefore, Mary is most united to Jesus. She could feel her Sons’ every pain so much so that it became the seven swords in her heart (Luke 2:34-35). Because of her great triumph over suffering and pain, by enduring everything as a Mother, she is now crowned as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. She is not only chosen, stainless, and blessed among all but she was also justified, honored, and glorified by God because her actions proved her great sanctity that we can so imitate if we truly take her to be our Mother. Now, as Queen of Heaven and Earth, she has all the power to intercede for us and bring our needs and petitions to her Son, Jesus. We shall not lack anything if we remember her as our own Mother and most especially if we too, follow the path of Christ to Golgotha and carry our own crosses. They become lighter with Mary by our side. They become sweet if we are willing to be with Jesus in the midst of our own pain and suffering. Mary is the surest way to Jesus for she is the Queen, Mother, and the Virgin who crushed the head of the ancient serpent who is the devil.
Amen.
Marga de Jesus | OLA Social Communications
