For today's memorial of the Queenship of Mary, the Gospel emphasizes for us the great dignity and simplicity of Mary, her queenly characteristics. It's not just because she's Jesus' mother that we call her 'Queen'. In her bearing and in her response to the angel's message, and in the clarification she asks for, she shows those qualities that suggest a presence and a dignity that make us think of the best aspects of royalty.

Her "deep disturbance" at the words of the angel's greeting show her humility and her feeling of unworthiness to be so addressed, even though it is a greeting of joy. Naturally she wondered to herself what the angel's words might mean. And although the angel said to her not to be afraid, there is no indication that she did feel any fear or anxiety. No doubt she must have been amazed at the message that she was going to bear a son who would be the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies of the bible. But all she wanted to know was how this could come about, and she accepted the angel's explanation, knowing indeed that "nothing is impossible to God." It's her quiet acceptance and positive submission to God's initiative that shows her queenly dignity. She wins our hearts by her open-hearted response to what the Lord wants of her.