Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 22 Aug 2024
Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – Thursday
Queenship of Mary, Memorial
Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7. Luke 1:26-38
Servant queen
Shakespeare’s famous quote on greatness comes from the play Twelfth Night. The full quote is:
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
This line is spoken by the character Malvolio as he reads a letter that he believes to be from the lady Olivia, who he thinks is expressing her love for him. The quote reflects the idea that greatness can come to individuals in different ways – by birth, by effort, or by circumstance.
Today, on the eighth day of the Assumption, we commemorate the Queenship of Mary, that invites us to reflect on the unique role of Mary in the history of salvation and her exalted place in the Kingdom of God.
Mary’s greatness as queen comes by her birth – immaculate conception, by circumstance – by God’s favour to her, and above all by her effort – by doing the will of God.
As we contemplate the Scriptures, we find profound connections between the prophecy of Isaiah and the Annunciation in the Gospel of Luke, which reveal the depth of Mary’s Queenship.
In our first reading, from the prophet Isaiah, we hear a message of hope and light: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” This prophecy speaks of a time when God would break the yoke of oppression and bring forth a ruler who would establish a kingdom of justice and peace. Isaiah describes this ruler as “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This prophecy finds its fulfilment in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary.
Mary’s Queenship is intimately tied to this prophecy. As the Mother of Christ the King, she is the Queen who shares in the glory of her Son. Her role is not one of power in worldly terms, but one of service, love, and intercession. Just as Jesus’ kingship is marked by humility and sacrifice, so too is Mary’s Queenship. She is the first disciple, the one who perfectly followed the will of God, and through her obedience, the light of Christ entered the world.
In the Gospel of Luke, we witness the Annunciation, where the angel Gabriel greets Mary with the words, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Here, we see the profound humility and faith of Mary as she responds to God’s call. Her “yes” to God’s plan is the moment when the prophecy of Isaiah begins to unfold in history. The child she would bear is the fulfilment of God’s promise to David, and His kingdom will have no end.
Mary’s response to the angel, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word,” reveals her total surrender to God’s will. It is in this act of surrender that we see the true nature of her Queenship. She is not a queen in the sense of ruling with power and authority, but in her complete openness to God’s grace and her role in bringing Christ into the world.
As we celebrate Mary’s Queenship, we are reminded that her reign is one of love, service, and intercession. She continues to watch over the Church, guiding us with a mother’s care, leading us ever closer to her Son. In Mary, we see the perfect model of discipleship, and we are called to follow her example of humility and trust in God’s plan for our lives.
Let us ask Mary, our Queen, to intercede for us, that we may have the grace to say “yes” to God’s will as she did, and to be faithful disciples of her Son, Jesus Christ, our King. May her example inspire us to live lives of holiness, service, and love, so that we too may share in the glory of God’s Kingdom.
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The pilgrims of hope strive for greatness through their little ways (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 179).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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