May 2011
Reflections of God's Goodness

I hope that Easter joy is lingering in your life! It is May already and there is great opportunity to prolong our joy in communion with Mary, our sister and friend.

Mary was the very first disciple of Jesus and her magnificat can help us in prayer to reflect on our own “yes” to God’s plan for our life.

“My soul magnifies the Lord
and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

Mary rejoiced even though she was unsure of exactly how things were going to work out in her life.

Another wise woman of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila, had surprising insight and inspiration in her journey with God. We can learn from the words she shares with us. After praying all night, she wrote these words, “Just these two words He spoke changed my life, “Enjoy me”.

I have shared these words with you in the hope that together we can learn from Mary and St. Teresa. Using their words for reflection we can learn about surrender and how praise can bring us to joy in our relationship with the Good God. We can learn to enjoy God!

I invite you to meditate on Mary’s words with me. I am including a modern version of the Magnificat that I particularly like. Whether you use the traditional Magnificat or this newer version, you could use this month of Mary to reflect on a phrase or two each day or perhaps try beginning each day of May with Mary’s words as your own prayer.

As the days of May come and go, my prayer for all of us is that, like Mary, we will be awed by our God “who does great things for us” and that we will grow in our ability to respond with gratitude and praise no matter what the circumstances of our life.

May our hearts remain in the joy of the Risen Christ. Happy Spring!

Blessings,

Sr. Mary Ann Barnhorn, SNDdeN
Director of Development

My soul magnifies the Word, and my spirit rejoices in God who loves me.
For this God, who is, has done great things for me.
My heart and my body give breath to the world,
My spirit, courageous, gives meaning to hope.
The God who is tender lives deep in my heart, Holds close the children, my gift to creation.
Fills friends who hunger with goodness and peace. The God who is mercy forgives when I fall. Welcomes my efforts. Heals deepest pain.
The God who is promise gives life to my word. Gives glory to my life, the life of the world.
My name is called blessed on the lips of all ages. Holy is God’s gift. Holy is God’s name.