Thursday, April 20, 2017

The Angels Rejoice to See Their Queen



Mary's fame spread everywhere even before she was raised above the heavens in her magnificence. Because of the honor due her Son, it was indeed fitting for the Virgin Mother to have first ruled upon earth and then be raised up to heaven in glory.  It was fitting that her fame be spread in this world below, so that she might enter the heights of heaven in overwhelming blessedness.
            So it was that she began to taste the fruits of her future reign while still in the flesh.  At one moment she withdrew to God in ecstasy; at the next she would bend down to her neighbors with indescribable love.  In heaven angels served her, while here on earth she was venerated by the service of men.  Gabriel and the angels waited upon her in heaven.  The virgin John, rejoicing that the Virgin Mother was entrusted to him at the cross, cared for her with the other apostles here below.  The angels rejoiced to see their queen; the apostles rejoiced to see their lady, and both obeyed her with loving devotion. 
            Dwelling in the loftiest citadel of virtue, like a sea of divine grace or an unfathomable source of love that has everywhere overflowed its banks, she pours forth her bountiful waters on trusting and thirsting souls.  Able to preserve both flesh and spirit from death, she bestowed health-giving salve on bodies and souls.  Who has not returned to every-day life gladdened and joyful because his request had been granted by the Mother of God?
            She is a bride, so gentle and affectionate, and the mother of the only true bridegroom.  In her abundant goodness she has channeled the spring of reason's garden, the well of living and life-giving waters that pour forth in a rushing stream, until they surround the shores of every far-flung nation.  With divine assistance she has redirected these waters and made them into streams of peace and pools of grace.    Therefore , when the Virgin of virgins was led forth by God and her Son, the King of kings, amid the company of exulting angels and rejoicing archangels, with the heavens ringing with praise, the prophecy of the psalmist was fulfilled, in which he said to the Lord: At your right hand stands the queen, clothed in gold of Ophir.  (From a homily by Saint Amadeus of Lausanne, bishop)
            Have we made Mary our Queen?  She is not God.  She is human as we are, but she made the ultimate choice.  She said, "Yes," to God's call.  Have we said yes to his call?    Mary can lead us to her Son, if we let her.  kvs
           
           

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