(The twentieth in a series of meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary by Rev. Addisalem T. Mekonnen, Spiritual Director of the Philadelphia Senatus.)
Is it really a “Man’s World”?
James Brown made a song “It’s a Man’s World” and he basically explains that men are functional while women are relational in their contribution to the world. James goes down the list of the inventions of men that have made life better for society and states that women are absolutely necessary because men feel powerless without their loving support. This song has elements of truth but it is two dimensional and so it is not completely accurate because the question of who made men and women and even the world is omitted. It is not a man’s world but rather God’s world. Therefore, the idea that men and women must compete with each other to influence the world by their labors by making a contribution that stands out throughout the ages is a lie.
It is true that men and women have different abilities that are compatible so they both depend on each other but this dependence does not exclude God. Both the labors of men and women in the world is chasing after the wind in comparison to the labors of the Blessed Trinity in the Paschal Mystery for the salvation of souls. Hence, the reason our Blessed Lord said “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36NASB)
Therefore, any man or woman that labors in the world without Christ for the glory of God and salvation of souls, labors in vain for an earthly reward. Both these earthly laborers, some of whom ruled over ancient or modern empires, became just like ashes along with the works of their hands. God our Heavenly Father calls for laborers in His vineyard which is the world. This was true in the beginning, in Genesis, but Adam denied this call. It was later accepted by the God-Man Jesus and the new Eve, Mary, the Mother of God.
The world perceives both Jesus and Mary as last in influencing the world but for those who have eyes of faith, we can see the complete opposite is true. Hence, the reason why we believe in the Coronation of Holy Mary as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. It is Christ who lives in our Blessed Mother and she represents Holy Mother Church which is the Bride of Christ. Our Lady had a greater participation in the Paschal Mystery and so receives a greater glory as her reward. God continues to call every man and woman to labor for the kingdom of God like St. Paul and the Holy Apostles so that we too may be crowned in heaven. It is good and praise worthy to seek a crown from the hands of God because it is only accomplished through the grace of God which then, in turn, reveals the glorious power of God on earth as it is heaven. Everything our Blessed Mother received was a pure grace, so this glorifies God because He is the One who begins, perfects and brings to completion the works of redemption for the salvation of souls because of His infinite love for the whole world.
Just as St. John the Evangelist wrote that God is Love so those who labor for God must bear fruits of charity and it is this charity that makes the world a better place to live in. The coronation of the saints is just another way the good Lord reveals His love for humanity.
Fr. Mekonnen