Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
We’re given some difficult readings today. There’s talk of war, human sacrifice, and a king throwing a guest out with bound hands and feet for not coming to the feast dressed properly. At first take it’s rather disturbing, even confusing. Today’s first reading taken from the Old Testament book of Judges (11:29-39a) involves a chieftain by the name of Jephthah trying to save the Israelites from the Ammonites. In asking God for help, he vows to sacrifice whoever first comes out of the doors of his house when he returns victorious. He is very saddened when this ends up being his daughter, his only child. He wants to keep his vow to the Lord and does so although it grieves both him and his daughter who will die without ever bearing children.
I think it’s important to note that God does not request this human sacrifice. Jephthah bargains with God and makes this vow himself, believing that this is what is required of him to receive or win God’s help in facing tremendous difficulties. In today’s psalm (40: 5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10) we are reminded that God does not seek sacrifice or burnt offerings, “sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not…” God seeks our obedience and our repentant hearts, not sacrifices as were offered to idols and false gods.
Today’s gospel reading of the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22: 1-14) emphasizes the importance of repentance and change of heart and mind. Although a seemingly harsh story, it is intended to remind us of the importance of responding and being prepared for the feast of God’s kingdom to which we are invited. Scripture scholars tells us that the wedding garment that the guest is thrown out for not wearing is symbolic of the repentance and change of heart and mind that are required of us to enter God’s kingdom. It’s about whether or not we have “put on Christ” in preparation for meeting our God and Savior.
We know that God’s kingdom is not one of worldly power and prestige. Jesus’ Kingship is recognized on the cross in his humble willingness to give of himself out of love for us. Today the Church commemorates the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary. Similar to her son, Jesus, Mary’s role as queen of heaven and earth is recognized in her humility and obedience to God, her willingness to say yes to what was asked of her. Her openness to God led her into a special relationship with God as mother of God’s son. She was prepared for the wedding feast and was welcomed into God’s kingdom.
Mary is a perfect witness to the psalmist’s prayer: “Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will.” That takes a lot of trust. As a whole, the book of Judges that we read from today, reminds us that challenges of life are best handled through prayer and reliance on God who can be trusted to lead us through difficulties both great and small. I, personally, have been reminded of this in the challenges I have faced in the past few weeks within my own life and family. Each crisis, big and small, has been easier to face when faced with a trust in God. Sometimes I’m better at that than other times, but again and again I find it to be true.
I want to be ready for the feast of God’s kingdom. In Matthew’s parable, some ignored the invitation and others came but were not prepared. What kind of guests are we? I pray that we are like Mary, obedient and trusting in God, wearing our garments of repentance and change of heart and mind this week at home, at work, in our relationships with people we know and don’t know, so that we may enjoy the feast to which we have been invited.
- Eileen Miller