Our Mother

2 May

“If you ever feel distressed during your day call upon our Lady. Just say this simple prayer: ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.’  I must admit, this prayer has never failed me.”  ~ St. Teresa of Calcutta

May is one of the two months each year that are especially dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are some good reasons for doing so.  May is known for being a particularly beautiful month with all sorts of flowers bursting into bloom. This new life adds great joy to the world just as the new life that Mary brought forth adds great joy to our souls.

Additionally, mid-May was the time for the apparitions of Mary to Lucia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Morta in Fatima.  Mary asked the children to devote themselves to the Holy Trinity and to pray the rosary every day for peace.

In the apparitions of Mary throughout the ages, there have always been a common theme.  She pointed to her Son and/or to the Trinity and never to herself.  She often asked people to pray for peace in the world.  She also promised protection to those who gave themselves to the Lord.

Mary was such a devoted servant of God, so devoted that she said “yes” to the Archangel Gabriel when asked to become the mother of Jesus Christ.  She raised Jesus with tenderness and love and faithfully stood by Him even at the foot of His cross.

Because of her outstanding love, Jesus gave His mother to all of us while on the cross when He said to John, “Behold your mother” and to Mary, “Behold your son”.  Mary is the exemplar of motherhood.  St. Teresa of Calcutta knew this and counted on it.

Mother Teresa’s faith was absolute.  She had faith in God and she trusted that Mary would intercede for her as Mother of Jesus.  Mother Teresa’s trust in Mary and Jesus would not go unrewarded.  She did great work and brought many  people to the Lord.

That is, in the final analysis, what all of us are to do: bring others to God.  We are not going to be able to do that by being the richest people in the world, the smartest people in the world, the most popular people in the world, or anything else that has to do with the world.  Oh, we may have some of those things in our lives but what really counts is a life so lived that it constantly points to the Lord.

That’s hard to do without help, the help of God and of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Mother Mary, please be our mother and point us to your Son.

FAITH ACTION:  Reflect upon the Blessed Virgin Mary and, perhaps, say a rosary together.