May is dedicated to mothers and most of all to Mary, Mother of God.
“Whenever we look to Mary, we come to believe once again in the revolutionary nature of love and tenderness. In her we see that humility and tenderness are not virtues of the weak but of the strong who need not treat others poorly in order to feel important themselves.” Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel, 288
She is our Mother, and we truly need her. Who doesn’t want a place where we are known and cared for, a safe place? We can turn to Mary with our cares and worries and she will comfort us and intercede for us.
Our world and our own country seem to be in constant turmoil, and we often feel powerless to help in any way. Wars seem to be endless around the world where people of all ages are killed or left maimed.
“Let us ask Mary to help us respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue, reconciliation and love. She is our mother: may she help us to find peace; all of us are her children!” Pope Francis, Angelus, St. Peter’s Square, Sept. 1, 2013
We pray that Mary will intercede for peace in our world. Here in our own country, violence takes innocent lives. Financial insecurity, joblessness and the escalating costs of food, plague all families, but people who are poor are especially suffering. We pray that Mary will bring comfort and encouragement to all who suffer.
God trusted Mary to care for His only Son. So, we too, can entrust our lives to Mary, our loving Mother. Her greatest desire is always to bring us closer to her son, Jesus.
This month turn to Mary often. Pray the rosary whenever you can, even one decade gives honor to Mary and she brings our needs straight to Jesus. Pray for your family and friends, pray for your neighbors, pray for those who have lost hope and pray for those who do not have the protection of a mother.
May the Lord Jesus give us the grace to honor His Mother as He does.
Blessings,
Sister Mary Ann Barnhorn, SNDdeN
“So faith, hope, love remain; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13