Hail Holy Queen

"Mary had her heart and her head in such a place that allowed the grace of God to enter into her life, even in a surprising and unexpected way." ~ from Loyola Press' 3-Minute retreat today entitled Letting Go of Fear

Today is the Feast day of the Queenship of Mary, a Catholic memorial that allows us to recognize the rule of the Mother of God and her place in our lives. I struggled with the concept of Mary for years because of my own rocky relationship with my mother. Like the workers in today's Gospel of Matthew, I came late to the marketplace. Thankfully, I did come and have been sent to the fields where my reward awaited me afterwards.

Mary is real to me. I do not have her on a pedestal. I am more connected to her through her own suffering and her joy of Jesus.I value the insights her story gives me, a woman braver than I can think possible, a woman steadfast and loyal to the bitter end, a woman who despite a heart shattered seemingly beyond repair can rise from the pain and sit in the Upper Room. I am in awe of that Mary. She is a model of courage, of faith, of hope, and of love. It is this woman, who is very human, that I hope to let reign more in my heart today. May she always be a guide to me as she was to my grandmother before me.

I lift up today the intentions of my heart and yours, dear reader, to Mary, Mother of God, and Queen of Heaven, and place them lovingly in her hands. She will know what best to do with them as only a loving Mother does. If our hearts and heads are in such a place that will allow God to enter, surprising and unexpected miracles might indeed happen.

What shall you give Mary today?

Peace,

Suzanne