In the Catholic tradition, the Month of May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It’s a month resplendent with celebrations of Mary’s crowning and recognition of her role in being co-redemptorist with her son Jesus Christ. Statues of our Blessed Mother across the world are adorned with coronas of flowers and Marian hymns are sung in honor of her loving acceptance of God’s will. The powerful recitation of the rosary is prayed daily as a reminder that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (Jn 3:16) We especially meditate on the mystery of the incarnation where Mary accepts God’s Salvific Mission to become the “Theotokos” which is translated as “God-bearer” or more commonly “Mother of God”.
During the Month of May, we not only recognize and give thanks to Mary as our Mother, but we recognize her as the role model, par excellence.. Even though the Bible does not go into details about how Mary and Joseph raised Jesus, it does give us enough details to have a glimpse into the joys and sorrows of raising the Son of God by her example of trust.
Many of us may be feeling the stress, fears and anxieties that come with life which can cause us to lose trust and hope in our Faith. Mary gives us the amazing example of putting complete trust in God even during unprecedented time. Even though Mary was immaculately conceived, there was no way that she could have anticipated everything that was going to happen to her and her Son. She put her trust in God from the very first joyful moment of saying “Yes” as she conceived of the Holy Spirit and gave birth to Jesus. She put complete trust in God as her Son began the life-giving public ministry of redemption. She put complete trust in God as she watched them nail her Son to the cross and later held his lifeless body in her arms. She put complete trust in God’s promise of the resurrection as they laid her son in the tomb. Her trust in God paid off as Mary’s Faith and Love were rewarded by the Joy of the Resurrection!
Mary is a great example of unconditional love! So, during this Month of May, the Month of Mary, let’s take time out of our busy schedules to pray the rosary – be it as a family or individually – and ask Mary to help us come ever closer to her Son Jesus Christ.
Easter Blessings,
Fr John Poncini