SCRIPTURE CORNER

QUEEN OF PATRIARCHS, PRAY FOR US

We rightly call our Lady the 'Queen of Patriarchs', for she was their long expectation. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob expected our Redeemer's coming but in unforeseeable future. They knew, that "The sceptre shall not be taken away from Juda, nor a ruler from his thigh, till he come that is to be sent, and he shall be the expectation of nations."(Gen 49, 10). And they knew the Redeemer was supposed to be the offspring of first woman who sinned in Paradise. Mary perfectly fulfilled their expectations. We can imagine how they reacted on the news that Mary was born and the Angel announced to her she was chosen to be the Mother of our Lord. How they must rejoiced on her 'fiat'! They admired Mary as the Queen most worthy of every honour. And for this reason, Mary is their Queen, for to them God appeared and talked, but He indwelled in Mary and listened to her. Patriarchs were fathers of the tribes of Israel, but Mary, as our Redeemer's mother is the mother of all believers. Each of the Patriarchs was endowed with particular virtue: Abraham had unwavering belief in God's promises, Isaac was most obedient, and Jacob was most patient, but Mary was the sun of all virtues. Let us venerate her not only with beautiful words and songs but also with deeds and reformed life. For love of her, let us try with all our strength to become like her, to live virtuous life. Let us offer all the virtues of Patriarch to her, the humble faith in religious dogmas, the blind obedience to commandments and most persevering patience in the trials of life. "But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 5, 19).