Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Royal Son, Royal Mother, Royal Children

As the first half of the 20th Century drew to a close Pope Pius XII sent a letter to all the faithful of the world. It began with the words, “To the Queen of Heaven.” Pope Pius taught what the church intuited very early: Mary’s role is parallel to but not exceeding the role of her son, the redeemer of the world.

A more recent affirmation of Mary’s role echoes our destiny is similar to hers:

"She was exalted by the Lord as Queen of all in order that she might be more thoroughly conformed to her Son, the Lord of Lords and the conqueror of sin and death" (Constitution on the Church, 59, The Second Vatican Council; emphasis added).

This memorial of Mary reminds us of two things: her royal function in bearing God into our world; and, Jesus’ desire that we “might be more thoroughly conformed to her Son.” Today is only a single day in the church’s liturgical calendar. Nonetheless, have many opportunities to lose ourselves in the mystery of Mary’s royal function for the church.

At easy reach is the Fifth Glorious Mystery of the rosary, “The Virgin Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth.” Losing ourselves in that mystery allows us to feel Jesus’ crowning touch as royal children: siblings of Jesus and of all people.

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