A study of contrasts

    The condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees by Jesus in the gospels is harsh.  He accuses them of blocking the way to heaven for those who even attempt to get there - seeming to indicate that if "we're not going in, neither are you", of their going the extra mile to bring a convert into a wasteland devoid of relationships to God and to his People but full of "pious practices" and "empty ritual".   He condemns them for missing the boat for themselves and even worse bringing others along with them.

     By contrast, in writing to the Thessalonian church, Paul, Silvanus and Timothy sing the praises of that local church because they heard the message, were inspired by the example, responded to the call, and became outstanding examples of faith and love which flowed from Christ himself.  Those who were inspired became the source of inspiration for their teachers and friends.

     Which are we?  Can it be said of us that "The Lord takes delight in his people"?

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     The feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated by the Church today, the Octave of the Feast of the Assumption. Mary is acknowledged as Queen simply because her Son is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  She is acknowledged as Queen of Heaven and Earth.  In the Litany of the Blessed Virgin there is an entire listing of her queenship titles.
    
     Celebrated in various forms from at least the fourth century by Saint Ephrem as well as church fathers and doctors, it was Pope Pius XII who established the feast in the Universal Church in 1954, with its present date being of more recent doing (I seem to remember the feast celebrated on May 31st) in the new Roman Missal.

     Foreign as the concept of royalty is to us today (and yet still at times appealing) we can and do hold a very special place in our hearts and lives for this great woman of faith, she who was entrusted to us as Jesus gave her into the keeping of the Beloved Disciple, John.

MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, PRAY FOR US!