May 2021
Reflections of God's Goodness
May is the month of Mary, Mother of God. It is also a time to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When the angel came to Mary, she was already full of grace through the Holy Spirit. She trusted God, she spent time with Him each day, making herself available and listening for God’s voice.
She believed what the angel said to her, but because she did not understand how it could happen, she questioned the angel; “How can this be?” And the angel replied,
“The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.”
Wow! What a leap of faith that must have been! Mary trusted God and said,
“. . . . May it be done to me according to your word.”
What makes this so hard for us—trusting God? I think it is partly because we must overcome what the world has taught us—to rely only on ourselves and be independent and strong in all circumstances. God knew it would be hard for us, which is why Jesus said,
“The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you.”
“The spirit is the verifying energizing power of God. This life giving energizing power of the spirit is poured out on the Christian community of Pentecost. The same spirit is the power of divine love at work in us by grace.” (Partaking of God, Denis Edwards)
“. . . the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us."
The Holy Spirit teaches us to trust God. We need a desire to be filled with Him and cooperate with His work within us. Mary was already filled with the Holy Spirit when Pentecost happened in the upper room. Yet the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and filled her soul in a new way. With God there is always more. Mary continues to partner with the Holy Spirit at work in the world. Pray to her for trust and openness like hers.
This is a good time to ask the Holy Spirit to come to you and fill you anew. Pray the simple prayer, “Come, Holy Spirit,” as often as it comes to you. Open your heart, mind, and soul to receive Him.
I pray that all of us will be full of yearning for more of God and filled with the grace to respond to God like Mary, by praying, “Be it done to me according to your Word.”
Blessings,
Sister Mary Ann Barnhorn, SNDdeN
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
