Blessed Virgin Mary

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Today, we honor St. Stephen of Hungary, who lived from 975-1038.  As a king of Hungary in 1001, Stephen was instrumental in helping his entire country to know Jesus.  He commissioned Churches to be built in every town.  He also commanded all to marry, except clergy and religious.  He was quite accessible to all in his country, especially to the poor.  It is told that he died on the Feast of Assumption and with a true devotion to the Blessed Mother, he prayed this way: “O Queen of Heaven, august restorer of a prostrate world, to thy care I commend the Holy Church, my people, and my realm, and my own departing soul.” Stephen of Hungary was a good king, and also urged his future successor to nourish and care for the Catholic Church.  He was a good King, and eventually was canonized along with his son in 1083.

1.       Mary continued…Just a day after the Assumption of the Blessed Mother, it’s good for us to continue and focus on this Queen of Heaven that has been chosen by God to be the Ark of the New Covenant, that is to carry the divine presence in her womb.  St. Louis de Monfort says that when we honor Mary, we also honor the Lord.  It is through Mary that we are blessed to hear Jesus’ message of mercy and forgiveness.  It is through her that we can see visibly God’s sacrifice on the cross.  We see God’s salvation plan through the eyes of Mary, because she was present from the Incarnation to the Ascension.  Her unity with Jesus allowed her Assumption that gives hope to the entire human race. 

    

2.       Foot of the Cross.  Standing with Mary at the foot of the cross, Jesus entrusts her to us (woman, behold your son), and us to her (son, behold your mother).  The early Church Fathers eloquently describes that Mary actually has two children: Jesus the first born, and Holy Mother Church, those baptized, born again by water and the Holy Spirit.  If we are indifferent to Mary’s important role in Salvation, then all we need to do is stand at the foot of the cross.  Even though Jesus had little strength and a few breaths left, he took the time to say this because it was important: “Woman, behold your Son” and “Son, behold your Mother.”    

  

3.       Scrupulous False Devotees.  Only those who are scrupulous false devotees will see Jesus and Mary as fierce competitors.  That is not the case because the treasure has been given to the world, but God chose to give this treasure through the Virgin Mary and her spouse, not St. Joseph, but the Holy Spirit.  It’s God’s plan that he chose this Masterpiece to be bring forth the Savior.  Great as Mary is, her humility immediately gives glory to God when she prayed: “He has looked with favor upon his lowly servant.  The almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.”

4.       Unworthy Reception.  St. Augustine once said that because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve, the world is unworthy to receive the Son directly from the Father.  It is the reason why God made salvation to occur in this manner.  That a young woman shall bear in her womb, the divine savior, and this treasure is given out of love to the entire world through the Lord’s handmaid.  Like St. Augustine says, we are unworthy to receive son directly from the Father, but the Father has made it possible for us to embrace the son through the one lowly handmaid, the one who is full of grace. 

5.       Knowledge serves love.  The more we know her, the more we love her.  The more we love her, the more we love God because we see how God has went about to save us through her.  We give glory by acknowledging the Lord in His wisdom has chosen this humble virgin.  Praise and thanksgiving be to God and to honor to Mary.