I couldn’t help being moved recently while reflecting on the readings for the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As I read through Ezekiel 43:1-7a and Matthew 23:1-12, I used Lectio Divina to spend a quiet, undistracted moment of reflection, to stop and HEAR what the Lord was saying…to me. Here are my thoughts. 

Filled With the Glory:

In the first reading, Ezekiel sees an incredible vision where the glory of the Lord enters the temple, and a voice declares, “This is where I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.” I couldn’t stop thinking about Mary as a living temple of God. When she offered her faithful “yes,” God’s presence manifested in Mary in a unique way. It reminds me how deeply our culture needs us to be living tabernacles today. Mary shows us that when we say yes and make room for God in our hearts, His presence dwells in our lives and, by extension, in our families. Let’s resolve today to invite the Holy Spirit to fill us, our children, our homes, schools, and places of business. Let’s recommit our lives to Jesus today. 

Places of Honor:

Reading through the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gives a stern warning about the Pharisees: “All their works are performed to be seen… They love places of honor at banquets.” This one really hit home for me. In our current culture, we are bombarded daily by a desperate need to be seen. Constantly connected to our devices and, by extension, social media. It is in this context that we so easily fall into the trap of seeking validation or self-promotion. But Mary was the exact opposite. She never sought the spotlight. Her one consistent action was always to say yes to God and, in doing so, point humanity back to Jesus. She didn’t need a seat of honor because she was content to do the will of God and be in the presence of her Son. Again, as Mary did, let us say YES to GOD today!

Humbled and Exalted:

At the end of the Gospel, Jesus gives us the ultimate key: “whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” If we can grasp ahold of this one, our lives will be forever changed. This is the entire secret to the Queenship of Mary. God didn’t crown her Queen of Heaven and Earth because she had an impressive resume; He crowned her because of her “yes”, her example of radical humility. To embrace this, we have to be vigilant in maintaining space in our daily routine for quiet, taking time to meditate, reading Holy Scripture, and praying. Padre Pio used to encourage those he discipled to spend 30 minutes at the beginning of the day and 30 minutes at the end of the day in quality time with Jesus in meditation and prayer. 

We have to disconnect from the distracting noise of this world to hear the still, quiet voice of the Holy Spirit teaching us how to be humble like Mary.

Practical Ways to Deepen Your Relationship with Jesus Through Mary:

• Embrace hidden service: Just like Mary in Nazareth, try helping someone without expecting any recognition. Let your good works be done out of love, for an audience of One.
• Disconnect to pray: Turn off the phone, step away from the noise, and use the Rosary to meditate on the Gospels. Look at Jesus’ life through the quiet, reflective eyes of His mother.
• Make your heart a temple: Before going to Mass or receiving the Eucharist, ask Mary to help prepare your soul. Ask her to help clear out your distractions so Jesus has a fitting, peaceful place to dwell inside you.
• Adopt the Magnificat: Make Mary’s song of praise from Luke 1 your own. Remind yourself daily that all good things come from God’s grace, and let your soul, your life in this moment, “magnify the Lord.”

Have a wonderful week. I am praying for you.