Eight days after the Assumption of Mary, we celebrate the Queenship of Mary. In the olden days, this would be an octave in the liturgical calendar. Mary is queen because her Son Jesus is royal - Isaiah calls Jesus the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6). Mary's identity and royalty do not come from herself, but rather, flows from Jesus.

What kind of a queen is Mary? A secular queen is waited upon by others - she relies on her servants. Mary is different. Today's Gospel reveals that Mary is extremely humble and she trusts deeply in God. When the angel tells Mary that God desires her to become the mother of Jesus, she accepts. Mary was likely very young - she did not know details about how to be the mother of God. However, Mary believes deeply in God and God's care for her.

This is humility. A proud person trusts in their own strength - this is tiring and ultimately disappointing. Mary uses her freedom to cooperate with God. She places herself in God's hands. She trusts that if God is calling her to this sacred role, God will give her the grace she needs to live it out.