Heaven and earth stood still when Mary considered the angel's greeting and proposal! She was just asked to become the mother of the Son of God, she was just asked to play a major role in bringing all of the prophecies of the Jewish religion to fulfillment, she was just asked to take on an enormous responsibility in parenting the Wonder-Counselor, the God-Hero, the Prince of Peace! And so all creation paused and waited for Mary to exercise her freedom, her willingness, her desire to cooperate in such a wonderful plan!
And then she agreed! "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." And at that moment The Word of God became Immanuel in her womb – and the history of the world was changed forever – this time for the good! And creation breathed a sigh of great relief!
A week ago we celebrated the feast of the Assumption of this Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven – as the fitting conclusion of her earthly life. She always participated fully in the merits of her son's life, death and resurrection – so at the conclusion of her life it is only logical that she would immediately share in the effects that all of the faithful will participate in one day – when there is no more death – and we all live forever with God in glory!
Today we take the celebration one step further. It is only fitting that the one sitting at the right hand of the King of Heaven – that is Jesus – be the Queen Mother! Who, especially in this case, has great dignity and respect for her role in salvation history – and who desires nothing now but to praise her son, and to pray for those entrusted to her by him while he hung on the cross – that is, all of us! Historically, this is the stance and duty of a Queen Mother – to sit at the right of the king and to intercede for the king's subjects!
This Mary does with a very kind and maternal heart – drawing us ever closer to her son – so that at the Last Day – there will be one big family reunion of the members of the Body of Christ – a reunion that will last forever!
And then, forever we will sing the goodness of the Lord!
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