Homily for August 22, 2019

Homily for the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

By the Middle Ages, the Blessed Virgin Mary was venerated as Queen of the angels and the saints. In 1955, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The feast was given the date of August 22^nd to emphasize its connection with the Solemnity of the Assumption, one week earlier.

There are many “vocational stories” throughout the Scriptures. Today we read about the call, the vocation, of Mary, who showed a wide range of responses to her encounter with the angel. First, she was “deeply troubled” at being called “full of grace.” Then she was confused that she would conceive and bear a son. Then, only after reflection, she submitted to what God was asking of her, saying, “May it be done to me according to your word.”

Mary’s question, “How can this be?” shows that she struggled before reaching her famous response. There is always some struggle in reaching our own understanding of what God wants from us. Mary’s response of total surrender to God’s purpose for her life did not come easy to her and does not come easy to us. However, in our struggle to live in harmony with God’s will for us, we have the promise of Gabriel’s words to Mary, “Nothing will be impossible for God.” What seems impossible to us is always possible with God’s help. In the words of St. Paul: “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me has not been ineffective.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)