P S A L M

Deuteronomy 32:26-27, 27-28, 30, 35-36

R: It is I who deal death and give life.

26 ?I would have said, ?I will make an end of them and blot out their name from men?s memorie.? 27 Had I not feared the insolence of their enemies, feared that these foes would mistakenly boast.?? (R) ?Our own hand won the victory; the LORD had nothing to do with it.? 28 For they are a people devoid of reason, having no understanding. (R) 30 ?How could one man rout a thousand, or two men put ten thousand to flight, Unless it was because their Rock sold them and the LORD delivered them up?? (R) 35 Close at hand is the day of their disaster and their doom is rushing upon them! 36 Surely, the LORD shall do justice for his people; on his servants he shall have pity. (R)

G O S P E L

Matthew 19:23-30

We must ensure that nothing gets in the way of the work of salvation in our lives. As we reflect upon the Queenship of Mary today, let us remember that she willingly submitted her life to the will of God and it was this humility that formed the basis of her holiness. She knew in the depth of her heart the need she had for the Savior and submitted herself to the Lord. Let us pray that we will have the same grace in our own lives and not seek to achieve salvation on our own terms but by the terms of God.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, ?Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.? 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, ?Who then can be saved?? 26 Jesus looked at them and said, ?For human beings this is impossible, but for  God all things are possible.? 27 Then Peter said to him in reply, ?We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?? 28 Jesus said to them, ?Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.?

my reflections
think: No matter how competent we may be at doing something and how wise and intelligent we are, there is still no basis for us to think that we can solve the problem of sin.

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God?s special verse/thought for me today________________

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T O D A Y ? S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Baruch 1-3 

Mary is queen not because she is the wife of Christ the King. Mary is queen because she is the mother of Christ the King. But it was not from Mary that Christ Jesus, her Son, received His kingship. Rather, it was because Christ Jesus is King that Mary is queen. Mary participates in the kingship of her son.
      Just as in all Marian feasts, the truth affirmed by today?s celebration is about Jesus more than about Mary. Jesus is Lord and Ruler of all creation. His kingship is not delegated to Him, but His from all eternity. Because His kingship is inherent in Him and not a delegated role, Jesus can make anyone He so desires to participate in His royalty. He desires Mary, His mother, to be queen. Thus, the queenship of Mary is at the service of Christ just as Mariology is always a function of Christology.
      Mary?s queenship underlines her participative role in the kingly ministry of her Son, Jesus. It is a queenship that is far from lording over. Like the kingship of Jesus, it is a ministry, a role of service, a position taken by Jesus and symbolized by His washing of the feet of His disciples during the Last Supper. Mary?s queenship is not absolute power. Like the obedience of her Son, she submits her entire will to the holy will of the Father. It is a queenship that does not confine her far from the rest of humanity. According to the pattern of her Son, she remains in our midst and makes access to her always available to us. Mary is not only our queen; she is our mother, too.
      Mary is the most unlikely person to attribute to her self queenship. She calls her self ?the maidservant of the Lord? instead. But those who regard themselves lowly are exalted by the Most High. Thus, the Almighty has done great things for her, and we join her proclaim, ?Holy is His name!? The queenship of Mary is not about crown, scepter and throne. It is, as always, about Jesus. And the crown of Jesus is made of thorns, His scepter is a nail on each hand and foot, and His throne is the cross. What an absurdity! But graces are absurdities in life, don?t you think so? And Mary is full of grace. Fr. Bobby T.

REFLECTION QUESTION:
How do I regard positions of authority?

Almighty and Ever-living God, You have chosen Mary to be the mother of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is King of all creation. May her prayers help us fulfill our rightly our participation in Your Son?s priestly, kingly and prophetic roles. As she is mother and queen, may we all find in her the consolation and inspiration we need until we reach the unfading joys of Your kingdom. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord and King now and forever. Amen.

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.