• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Archive
  • Advertise With Joy In Truth
  • Resources
  • Donate
  • Get Cool Catholic Stuff

Joy In Truth

Living the Catholic life, always and everywhere for God

  • Contributing Writers
  • Contact Us
  • Writers Wanted
  • Prayers
  • Cool Stuff
  • About Us

Mary: Our Queen Mother

July 26, 2018 by Suellen Dusek Leave a Comment

Share
Tweet

Mary is crowned queen of heaven

Today is the Feast of St. James the Greater. Remember, he was the brother of John. Jesus referred to the brothers as Boanerges (Sons of Thunder). During this morning’s homily, the priest opined that, perhaps, they had fiery temperaments. Could be. I know a few people like that.

By Suellen Dusek
25 July 2018

The Gospel reading for today’s Feast of St. James the Apostle is fascinating. In Matthew 20:20-28, James’ and John’s mother asks Jesus for a little favor: “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” Jesus replies, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” When they replied, “We can,” Jesus said, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” Even though I’ve read this passage many times, something interesting struck because of a scripture verse I read in First Kings just yesterday.

I’m presently reading through the Old Testament and am at the part where Solomon is enthroned as king after King David’s death. In 1 Kings 2:19, King Solomon had a throne made for his mother, Bathsheba, and she sat down at his right hand. In Israel OT times, the queen was the King’s mother, not the king’s wife (of which there were typically many). This Davidic Kingdom pattern of elevating the mother as queen, setting her at the right hand of the king, points to God’s Heavenly Kingdom and the reality of who our Mother Mary is in the heavenly realm. Jesus, the “Son of David” sits enthroned forever, with his mother Mary at his right hand. But does she meet Jesus’ own requirements to do so, as per the question he asked James and John?

Recall Jesus question to James and John: “Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” I’m reminded of a prophetic remark made by Simeon to Mary when she and Joseph presented Jesus at the temple:

“Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well” (Luke 2:34-35).

Read more about Mary as the Mother of the Church and the faithful.

Mary shared in the suffering of Jesus like no other human being. When James and the other disciples fled, she remained with him throughout his many sorrows, miseries, crucifixion and death. Her heart was certainly pierced as well. She, too, drank the cup of suffering. I can’t even imagine.

Mary, Queen and Mother, blessed among women, be our advocate and consolation—you, who have the ear of our King. Pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

St. James, pray for us, too.

*****

Please support Joy In Truth by sharing on social media.

Photo Credit: Diego Velázquez [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Suellen Dusek

Hi, my name is Sue. I grew up in the Midwest where the land is stable and doesn’t shift under our feet. No earthquakes here, but we do have an occasional tornado or blizzard. This place shaped me into what I am: a practical, down to earth, family-loving, sensible, occasionally comedic, cradle Catholic who has struggled with my faith and remaining in relationship with God and others all my life. I make progress in baby steps, not miles. I hope to offer something that is spiritually edifying to others on this earthly journey. Keep me in your prayers, please. God’s blessings to you all!

Share
Tweet

Filed Under: Catholic Life, Mother of God, Saints Tagged With: Mary Queen Mother, Mary Queen of Heaven, Sons of Thunder, St. James

Commenting Guidelines

Comments and discussions are encouraged! Please tell us what you think. Inflammatory or inappropriate comments will not be published. All comments are held in moderation for a short time prior to publishing.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

get informed with eternal-life-relevant stuff and receive a free quick reference guide on the devil’s tactics!

Get Cool Catholic Stuff

Get Cool Catholic Stuff

Podcasts

  • Is God After You?
  • Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen and Have Believed
  • What Do You Have To Do With Jesus of Nazareth?
  • Holy Mother Catholic Church
  • St. Teresa of Avila and The Way of Beginners
  • Podcast: The Holy Trinity and the Temporal Mission of God

Popular Posts

YouTuber Lizzie Reezay Announces She’s Becoming Catholic
My Flesh is Real Food, My Blood is Real Drink
Rejoicing in Rejection
Advent Week 1: Giving the Peace of Christ
Do Catholics Bow Down To Statues and Worship Saints?

Life, Purpose and Destiny

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rt_uQyDsxw

Deacon Frederick Bartels

The sexual abuse scandal will tempt many to jettison their practice of faith in the Church. St. Basil the Great reminds us that Christians, strengthened by the grace of Christ, are not ones to give in to temptation: “As the pilot of a vessel is tried in the storm, as the wrestler is tried in the ring, the soldier in the battle, and the hero in adversity, so is the Christian tried in temptation.”

St. (Mother) Teresa of Calcutta

“Abortion is the greatest destroyer of peace today.”

Are you really Christian?

St. John: Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked. (1 Jn 2:3-6).

St. Ignatius of Antioch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYI7bSnE_Ow

Winston Churchill

Do you have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.

Footer

get informed with eternal-life-relevant stuff and receive a free quick-reference guide on the devil’s tactics!

Categories

Pope St. John Paul II:

Jesus Christ meets the man of every age, including our own, with the same words: “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” These words contain both a fundamental requirement and a warning: the requirement of an honest relationship with regard to truth as a condition for authentic freedom, and the warning to avoid every kind of illusory freedom, every superficial unilateral freedom, every freedom that fails to enter into the whole truth about man and the world.  (Redemptor Hominis No. 12)

Copyright Information

Copyright Joy In Truth. All rights reserved. Reproduction of material from this website for commercial purposes or unauthorized use without written permission is prohibited. For reprint permission use the contact page.

The Spirit-Guided Church

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ6C1MMf6DU&t=43s