The Queenship of Mary: Influence, Not Control

Mary, whose regal dominion we honor today, is not in control. Instead, she exercises influence. Control implies domination, a lessening or even elimination of the freedom of the other. Influence, by contrast, enhances freedom. Contrast: "He controls her" with "She is having a good influence on him." The male has a penchant for control: possession of of the TV remote; power struggles; competition. The business world exalts control: the controller has controls in place. Technology is the exercise of control over nature. The female is more facile in the emanation of an influence that attracts and yet respects the inner liberty of the other. But anxiety often traps women into the compulsion to control, out of concern for the other. Mary our Lady was not in control: not of her son, not of her husband Joseph, and certainly not of the Father and the Holy Spirit. She allowed herself to be under their influence, all of them. In turn, she exercised influence. May we today, release control, and surrender to her influence. After that, may we influence each other: awakening love, enhancing freedom, inspiring zeal and magnanimity.