Eight days after the Assumption, we celebrate the Queenship of Mary. Why is Mary a Queen? Jesus is King of Israel and King of the universe-Mary's queenship flows directly from Jesus' kingship. In the encyclical, Ad Caeli Reginam, Pope Pius XII explains that Mary is Queen because she is the Mother of God and because of her "exceptional role" in Christ's work of salvation.

This role is imparted profoundly in the sending of the celestial angel of God to offer this salvific mission to Mary, a maiden of lowly stature but eternally honoured. The initiative is from God, Mary's role is to cooperate with God. Yet Mary is not simply passive, a respectful dialogue with archangel Gabriel and a reverential submission have her ponderings clarified, which leads to a deeper understanding of God's desire for her.

God favours anyone, even of lowly disposition, highly. This is seen in the manner Mary responds to God with humility and trust, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to Your word" (Lk 1:38). Mary says 'yes' to God not because she knows all the details of her future, but because she trusts deeply in God.

Do I want to imitate Mary? Is there a question I know will have Jesus' consoling response? Can I trust Jesus and say 'yes' even though I do not know all the details of my future?