Catholic Apostolic National Church (CANC) :: View topic - The Queenship of Mary, As Mother Of Jesus

BpAndre

As Catholic Apostolic National Churchs, we say, “Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above” in unison with the ancient apostolic Churches. We say this in recognition of Queenship of Mary, by virtue of the Kingship of Jesus. Her Queenship is rightly understood, in the context of the ancient nations and kingdoms of the Middle East. Many people today object strenuously to this term, “Mary, Queen of Heaven” because they wrongly believe the ever-Virgin Mary is regarded by Catholics, Orientals and Orthodox as the spouse of Christ. This shows a misunderstanding of the term and its application.

In the ancient nations of the Near East and Middle East, the King had many wives, and indeed we see this in scripture when the King of the Nation of Israel began to behave as the kings of lesser nations, and took many wives. Each wife was not a queen, as has been the practice in western monarchy, as this would create serious problems. The queen was the mother of the king, a visible sign of the continuity of the bloodline and the king’s royal heritage. The “Queen Mother” (the ancient Hebrew term was “Gebirah”, literally; ”great lady”) was named in respect to the reigning king, as a public declaration of the proof of his royal lineage.

“Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah. He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.” (1 Kings 15:1-2)

Thus, the “Queen Mother” was an important individual, symbolically tying the heritage together, as well as having the ear and influence over the King. It would be natural for individuals to petition the “Queen Mother” on their behalf, to make some request for them of the King, in hopes that her influence would ensure a favorable response.

“So Bathsheba went to King Solomon, to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her, and bowed down to her; then he sat on his throne, and had a seat brought for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right. Then she said, ‘I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me.’ And the king said to her, ‘Make your request, my mother; for I will not refuse you.’” (1 Kings 2:19 – 20) The significance of the “Queen Mother” is seen clearly, as she sits at the right hand of the king. This position is reserved for the individual who is second only to the king in authority, in the entire kingdom.

In the angel’s declaration, we hear Mary’s impending installation as “Queen Mother” in the pronouncement that her son would be given the throne of David; “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:31-33) This understanding is immediately understood in the early Church, knowing well the position, role and influence the Gebirah has had in the previous Davidic dynasties. Unfortunately, nearly two thousand years later, today many have forgotten or were not provided in-depth instruction in Scripture, but rather left to interpret it themselves, completely missing this powerful piece of the Davidic kingdom hierarchy.

If we understand and believe Jesus to be the heavenly King of Kings, and ruler of the New Jerusalem in the line of ancient Davidic Kings, then we must accept Mary as the “Queen Mother”. In Isaiah 7:14, we see Jesus’ royal lineage and kingship described, “a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name ‘Immanu-el’”, and this child is to sit “upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore.” (Is. 9:7) Jesus is the Son of David, in the dynastic bloodline, and as a Davidic King, the ever-Virgin Mary is the Gebirah, or “Queen Mother”.

Certainly, in this context, we see a greater depth in Elizabeth’s exclamation, “Why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43) Scripture informs us that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit when she said this. (Luke 1:41)

In heaven, in the book of Revelation 12:1-6, we see the ever-Virgin Mary, depicted in a royal, majestic manner, “And a great portent opened in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars”. She is crowned and honored by her son, the King of Kings. Dare we do any less, than follow the example set by our heavenly King? If we truly love Jesus, shouldn’t we love whom He loves, and honor whom He honors. If we wish to be more like Christ, should we not follow His example?

[cited from the official catechism of the Catholic Apostolic National Church]
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Bishop Andre' Jhohn-William Queen, SCR
Vicar General
Catholic Apostolic National Church
Phone: 773.942.4660

Father Chad M. Brown · Guest

Dear Friends in the Church,

Today I had a visitor at a relative's home where I am vacationing. Often I am found to be in arguments (lightly) about the role of Mary, the mother of Christ.

So many people claim that the deceased, the saints, even Mary have no sort of power or control over our prayers, intentions, or petitions. I did stick to my beliefs and my defense that Mary is indeed capable of hearing our prayers, and that she will indeed take those prayers to Her Son, our Lord. They often use the basis of Scripture of Jesus' very words " No one can come to the Father except through me".

With so many protestants, pentacostals, noncatholics, even to the point even some catholics will say that Mary or the Saints can not honor our prayer requests. I am beginning to feel that I am poor equipped to this argument, and would like to better myself in this area.

Another argument of Mary is that she had several children after Jesus birth. The same with she was not concieved immaculately.

Can any of you come up with a better approach on how to handle this?

I firmly believe that She is able to hear our prayers, just as my deceased relatives, friends, and loved ones can. I believe that the Apostles/Saints are in fact next to our Lord, are also capable of hearing prayers. I believe in the mystery of faith, that they have done wonders even after their deaths.

I believe that Mary is in fact Queen of Heaven, Queen of Angels, Queen of the Church, and that we should give her honor accordingly. I pray that all of you are doing well and that much love is upon each of you, in the Name of Jesus, and His Mother Mary

Yours Always,

Father Chad M. Brown, SCR