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Revelations 12:1 John 2:1-5 1 Kings 2:20
“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...”.This passage from the book of Revelation highlights the regal position Mary has among her Son’s followers. Mary was told at the Annunciation that her Son would be the one to receive the throne of David forever, and in the final book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, we see Mary as the Queen of Heaven.
In Old Testament days, the Queen Mother held more of an important and revered position than the wife of the King as queen. Mary’s role as the Queen of Heaven at the side of her Son is prefigured in the Old Testament depictions of the Queen Mother role. The Queen Mother had a very influential role in national issues, and acted as regent when the king was absent or dead. Since the Queen Mother was recognized by the ancient Hebrews, the first Christians didn't see a conflict or reason why we couldn’t honor our Queen Mother as such.
“The Old Testament understanding of an advocate is a person who is called in to intercede for another in need and particularly at court, and no one had more intercessory power to the king than the queen mother, who at times sat enthroned at the right side of the king.” (1.) This sets the stage for us to go to Mary as our intercessor!
Mary knew that all generations would call her blessed. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us,"The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship."( 515) The Church rightly honors "the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs… This very special devotion…differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration."(516) The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God, and Marian prayer such as the rosary, which is an "epitome of the whole Gospel," express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.
What an amazing gift we have in our Mama Mary! She’s there to swoop in when our hearts and souls need her the most. Mary is here to intercede with her Son for us, as in the Old Testament days of the Queen Mother, “…(the) king’s mother; and she sat on his right. Then she said, 'I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me.' And the king said to her, 'Make your request, my mother; for I will not refuse you.” 1 Kings 2:20
Mary’s role in the Church is wholly part of her union with her Son our Lord, and comes directly from that union. The Catechism says, “After her Son’s ascension, Mary ‘aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers.’ In her association with the apostles and several women, ‘We also see Mary by her prayers imploring the gift of the Spirit, who had already overshadowed her in the Annunciation.’” (CCC 965)
Mary, from the start, was the intercessor for us to her Son. Think back to the wedding feast at Cana. The servants told Mary that the wine was running low (a tragedy at any wedding, I’m sure!) and Mary told Christ, who seemed to give her the brush off saying it wasn’t His time, but then she turned around and told the servants to do whatever Christ asked of them. She KNEW, even though His words to her indicated otherwise, that He would take care of the people because she asked it of Him.
Reflection question 1: Is there something in your life you need help handling? Stress from work or school or family trouble? Turn to Mama Mary!
Reflection question 2: What is your relationship with our Queen Mary like? What can you do to get closer to our Mother?
Act: Make time to turn to Mary with one even tiny request. She loves helping us and coming to the aid of her children.
