Visit Tribe of Many Arrows on Etsy. These images are used with their permission,
and I am grateful for these beautiful creations accompanying my reflections this month.
For the month of October the “That We May Imitate What They Contain and Obtain What They Promise” series will take a daily look at one mystery of the Rosary and how we have the opportunity to imitate it and rejoice in what it promises us.
Today, we look at the fifth Glorious Mystery of the Rosary: the Coronation of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth.
“A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” Revelation 21:1 (NABRE)
“Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.” The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians:
In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death. Catechism of the Catholic Church 966 (I added the emphasis)
We are all anxious to get to heaven someday, but Mary’s coronation reminds us that we are royalty and we are expected to work for the Kingdom as long as we are on earth.
- Remember you are royalty under the authority of the King of Glory and His Queen Mother. When I was doing a Walking with Purpose Bible study some years ago, I became fascinated with the idea of the Mother Queen in the Old Testament. Because Kings had multiple wives, but only one Mother, the Mother served as Queen, so the idea that Mary as Queen did not seem a stretch of Catholic imagination…the Mother Queen was actually Jewish tradition of the Davidic Kingdom and in the Old Testament. If we believe Jesus is King, Mary as Queen should be natural thought. It is confirmed in the Catechism for us: “Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her son.” Think of ways you can acknowledge Mary as Queen. Consider offering a prayer using some of her Queen titles: Queen of Mercy; Queen of Peace and so many more. This royal line also extends to us the adopted sons and daughters of God who are brought into this royal priesthood thanks to Jesus and his sacrifice for us.
- Carry on bravely. Yes. That is a quote of St. Zelie’s but here I am referring to our Lady who said goodbye to her Son, not once but twice. Can you imagine watching a horrific death of your Son, having Him return and then even when He is God over all things, having Him expect you to stay behind when He ascends into heaven? Mary, of course, was bolstered by an outpouring of grace from our Lord to stay behind with His apostles in order to be with them during Pentecost, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the Church, mothering them, just as she had been there when Jesus entered the world, mothering Him. She teaches us that we are never finished our Lord’s work. She is still even today at His service. As Queen of Heaven and Earth, she is sitting beside Jesus her Son, advocating for us her children. Of course, she became Queen as His mother, as the woman who said yes to bring Him into this world, as the woman who loved Him through all His years on earth, Who was there for His first miracle, and for His death, who was there for Pentecost with the apostles, mothering the apostles now overcome with the Spirit. We work on earth for His glory and in heaven we will also be partaking in His glory, interceding for those on earth.
- Remember that something greater awaits us and ask Mary to help guide you to Her Son in eternity. I do not think that Mary had the goal of seeking the Queenship. She only wanted to be reunited to Jesus. Her eyes on heaven were to be with the one she loves, the Holy Trinity. When we see Mary as our Queen, we seek to follow her example as the great servant leader she is, continually drawing us closer so that she can bring us to Her Son. When we see Mary as Queen, we can understand the beauty of the life to come and how sorrow and suffering will be replaced with the greatest joy. Trust that Mary wants to advocate to you; pray for whatever God wants and she will surely be your greatest supporter, aiding you along the way when you feel discouraged or lost. Pray for the mother of Mercy to be with you at your death and to usher you into heaven where you can praise and worship the Holy Trinity in union with her, the angels and the saints. Ah, what an amazing sight it will be! Hold onto that vision of joy in eternity and let it propel your relationship with Jesus and His mother Mary until you meet them in heaven.
When we think about how Mary persevered until the end, continuing to give and serve the Lord even when it pained her to be separated from Him not once but twice, we will be strengthened in keeping our own eyes on heaven as we labor on earth for the Lord. In reflecting on Mary’s Queenship, we remember we are a part of a royal family and what awaits us far exceeds anything we will encounter on earth. May the ways we imitate this mystery bear the strength for final perseverance so that we will achieve the crown of eternal life.
Visit Tribe of Many Arrows on Etsy. These images are used with their permission, and I am grateful for these beautiful creations accompanying my reflections this month.
If you missed the previous weeks’ reflections, catch them here:
The Joyful Mysteries: Annunciation, Visitation, Birth of Jesus, the Presentation, and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple.
The Sorrowful Mysteries: Agony in the Garden, Scourging at the Pillar, Crowning of Thorns, Carrying of the Cross, Crucifixion.
Leave a Reply