May, Mary's Month

I love the month of May. Here in the mountains of western Pennsylvania it means the snow is pretty much gone, and the weather is starting to warm up. The trees are beginning to turn green, and the birds are chirping. It’s a beautiful month...

But, what I like most about it is that it is Mary’s month. That makes it really, really special.

I love Our Lady, Mary. I have for a long time, and over the last twenty years or so my love and devotion to Her has been the driving force in my life, she has done what she always does...keep me pointed to Jesus Christ, Her son. An old priest told me years ago the same thing I tell the kids in our parish this absolute truth: If you want to stay close to Christ, stay close to His mother. It works. It’s the best and the easiest way.

Many years ago I was involved in an evangelical church where Her role was diminished, if it was even ever mentioned. As a kid growing up Catholic, though, I had always had a special place in my heart for Our Lady, and felt that somehow things were not complete unless she was acknowledged as a player.

Think about what she did for a minute. First, her role in the coming of the Savior was foretold in the Old Testament. As a human, think about what she did.

Imagine yourself a young girl...a good girl, true to the teachings of Judaism, which is what she was raised in. One day, an angel appears to you, and informs you that you are going to have a child....and asks for your co-operation in this. Now, you are aware of a couple of things....you are aware that if this happened to a young Jewish maiden, several things could happen, none of them good. At the very least, you would be ostracized from your family. You could also be stoned to death...not uncommon for the time. You are betrothed to a good guy, Joseph, and no doubt that would be messed up. Remember, too, that you are not aware of the Salvation story.....it hasn’t happened yet, and everything is speculation. But, here is this angel standing in front of you, awaiting your answer. God does not rape...God asks. And, He is asking her to trust Him.

Scripture is very clear that she did indeed think about this. She was troubled....the Gospels are clear. She did not have the luxury of knowing what we know now, the Salvation story as it has been completed. The Angel Gabriel is waiting. What is a girl to do?

She does what God wishes. "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to thy word". The most important "yes" in world history.

While expecting, she steps out in faith. She steps out in service to others. She rides on a donkey, pregnant (imagine that for minute), and gives birth in a stable. During the presentation she is told by Simeon that she would have much pain to suffer, "a sword will pierce your heart"; ...as a mother she watched her son die a horrible, painful unjust death, and never cried out in anger for vengeance on those who did it. Her faith remained steadfast through it all. She is our model, and our Mother.

I could get into a theological debate on the validity of honoring Mary (note I said honoring, not worshipping), but do not have the time nor is this the venue for that. Let’s just note that when the Rosary is recited, you are reciting the Gospel of Luke, no more, no less. When we do so, we are that bridegroom at Cana who goes to Jesus’ mother, who in turn takes him to Christ and says "Do what He tells you".

She steps out in faith and we know what she does....she trusts God completely, and counts on Him to take care of her. Her

"Yes" to God undid the "no" of Eve, and at the risk of making an incredible understatement, we are all so much better off for it.

I love you, Mary.