Reflection for Friday August 22 Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.  

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever and of his Kingdom there will be no end.  

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man? And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative has also conceived a son in her old age and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren for nothing will be impossible for God.”  

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her.

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Reflection:

Today is the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It highlights Mary’s role as a Queen who intercedes for her children, and who reflects the majesty of Christ the King. 

The Memorial formally began in 1954 under Pope Pius XII, but its history go back to early Christian devotion. It was later moved to August 22 to highlight Mary’s Assumption and her sharing in her Son’s glory as Queen. 

Was Mary prepared for the Angel Gabriel’s message? No, she was not—and this is evident when she questioned the Angel’s announcement. Yet, despite her uncertainty, she embraced it with all her immaculate heart, trusting fully in God’s divine plan. 

How deep is your love for God? Would you be willing to let go of your own desires and make sacrifices for Him? These are questions worth pondering, for they strike at the very core of our relationship with the Lord. 

When the Blessed Virgin Mary obeyed the will of God to be the mother of Jesus, she surrendered her own comfort and happiness for His greater plan. She set aside her safety and honor, not thinking of herself but of God and of the salvation of humanity. Such was her courage and her unwavering faith. 

When the Blessed Mother proclaimed, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), joy and peace already filled her heart. She knew that her “yes” was not only for herself, but for God’s glory and for the salvation of the world. Her humility and obedience became the doorway through which Jesus entered human history. 

Every day, God also calls us to echo Mary’s faithful “yes.” He invites us to set aside pride, fear, and self-interest, and to embrace His will with trust, humility, and obedience. Like Mary, may we find joy in surrendering to God’s plan, knowing that His will always leads to our true happiness and salvation. – Marino J. Dasmarinas