Our Lady, Mother and Queen

When we look at a queen, what sort of impression do we get? Some of us think that a queen is a serene figure who gives moral and emotional support to the king. Some of us may have seen or experienced a queen who is the head of the country or the head of the government, and plays an active role in ensuring that the country remains peaceful and prosperous. But what sort of queen do we have in Mother Mary?

In Mother Mary, we have a queen who shows us what it means to be humble and willing to place our trust in God, no matter what happens. Though Mother Mary knew the risks and dangers she would face by agreeing to become the mother of God's Son, Jesus, she still said, 'I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.' We also see later in the Gospel, where Mother Mary showed care and concern for her cousin Elizabeth, by going to be with her and help her in her pregnancy, even though Mother Mary was herself pregnant. Such a wonderful, loving, humble and caring queen we have, a queen of our hearts.

Today, let us follow our Mother Mary's example, by being humble and willing to do God's will. Let us also show our care and concern towards others, just as Mother Mary did, so that others would know that we are Christians by our love.

Our Lady, Mother and Queen

Being a mother is certainly not an easy thing. We sometimes come across articles of how some women go through great difficulty and sacrifices to bring up their children well. We also see stories on television on how some mothers go through great pain and suffering so that their children would have a better life. Some mothers also go through depression due to the strains of motherhood.

In today's Gospel, we come across Mary receiving news from Angel Gabriel that she would be the mother of Jesus. For an unmarried woman to become pregnant in those days, such a woman would have been persecuted and even put to death. Today in some cultures, such a woman may be shunned, obstracised, expelled from the village, or even put to death. Mary knew what she was getting herself into, and yet she was still willing to go ahead with God's plan. She trusted that God would make a way and that He would take care of things. With full of trust and confidence in God's providence, Mary willingly and wholeheartedly said: "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me."

What about us? If we are faced with a similar situation, would we trust God and say the same words as Mary said? If we were to rely on our own abilities and our own strength, we may find it difficult or even impossible. But if we rely on God's providence and care, nothing indeed is impossible to God.