psalm 85: what is greatness? - queenship of Mary

Today we celebrate the Queenship of the Blessed Mother – Mary is Queen of Heaven and Earth.  In the entire year we have celebrated so many privileges, so may honors and titles, so many tributes to our Blessed Mother.  Why is she so honored, why is she reverenced to the point that some have already called Catholics absurd in our attitude towards the Blessed Mother?  Why.  Because of what is narrated in our responsorial psalm, psalm 85.  It begins in saying, "I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD–for he proclaims peace."  Psalm 85 says, I will listen, I will hearken to what the Lord will say.  Mary listened.  That is the greatness of our Blessed Mother.  This is why we honor her so greatly because she listened.  She listened to the angel, she said yes to what the Lord was asking from her, she followed although there were obviously things she could not fully understand.  She offered herself generously.  She was afraid yet she continued to trust that the word of God would be fulfilled in her.  God was allowed to do so many things in our world for our salvation because Mary listened, Mary heeded the call and the challenges of God.

This is also the challenge for all of us.  When we listen to the call of God we become like Mary who allowed God to do good things to others through her.  When we do our responsibilities we allow God to do good things to others, in us and through us.  When people need encouragement, I allow God to speak through me.  When people are in need, I allow God to serve through me, I allow God help others through me.  This is where greatness lies, when we listen, when we respond to the challenge to allow God to do good things in us and through us – like Mary.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, "I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world."

I believe this is the challenge for all of us.  Greatness, what is greatness, or for that matter, what is this status of queenship which we render to Mary.  It is not about a crown or a scepter or a throne.  It is about service to others.  Through what?  By allowing God to do good things through us.  Psalm 85 says, the Lord himself will give his benefits.  Allow yourselves to become an instrument of God's help to others, whatever that help is.  Allow yourself to become an instrument of God's goodness to others, like Mary.