May is the month traditionally set aside for us to honor the Blessed Mother. The Blessed Mother is not only Jesus’ mother; she is ours as well. In John’s Gospel, as Jesus is dying on the cross, he turns to his mother and says, “Woman, behold your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” (John 19:26-27) Jesus not only wants John to take care of his mother because of his concern for her but he is also reminding us that she is the Mother of all Christians. As the mother of all of us, she is worthy of honor and veneration always. Mary is the first Christian. Her “fiat”, her yes gives life not only to Jesus but to all of us.
Mary is considered the new Eve. Eve was the first woman but through Eve, sin and death entered the world. Mary gives herself to us in her bearing of Christ and through her yes, new life and salvation comes to us by his birth, passion, death, and resurrection. While Eve hides herself in the garden after her sin, Mary stands by her son as he dies on the cross bearing our sin.
Think for a moment about Mary standing by the cross, watching her son die. Like many of you, I have watched my children get hurt, physically and emotionally, and it aches when I am unable to take their pain away. How often have we sat, waiting and holding a hand, praying that all would be okay? I think Mary knew that no amount of praying was going to take her son’s pain away. And yet she stood there, waiting and praying, until he died and then lovingly buried him.
When we think of Mary in that light it seems natural that we honor her. Her example to us is one of strength and fortitude. She is always pointing us to her son and reminding us, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5b)
During this month of May set aside time to ask Mary to help you know her son more deeply and fully. Look to her as an example of love; a mother who will never fail you but always lead you to the One who saves us.
© Deanna Bartalini, 2017
Deanna Bartalini
Deanna G. Bartalini, is a Catholic writer, speaker, and educator. She serves on the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center. Deanna loves teaching about Catholicism and how it fits into our daily lives. She writes at DeannaBartalini.com, serves as the editor of the NewEvangelizers.com blog, and is a contributor there as well as at AmazingCatechists.com. Deanna contributed to A Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion published by Ave Maris Press. She is the author of “Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life: Growing in Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control” published by Our Sunday Visitor. Deanna is available to lead retreats and speak at catechist and ministry events.
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