May 22, 2022
Sixth Sunday of Easter
The month of May is traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. May is a month of growth, when nature is reborn. This month is a fitting time to reflect on the Virgin Mary’s role in salvation and to honor her as the Mother of God. The tradition of dedicating May to Our Lady is centuries old, dating back at least 700 years.
The reason is associated with the particular season of the year. May is certainly known for its springtime beauty. It is associated with flowers and blossoms, with trees that spring back to life, and grass which sprouts. It brings to mind the idea of promise and hope, of new life. John Henry Newman offers various reasons why May in particular is dedicated to Our Lady. He admits that sometimes May is a rainy, cool month. However, it always remains a month of promise and hope, the prelude to summer, the season of light. It is in this sense that it represents Mary. She reflects the light of Christ.
In both Greek and Roman culture May was connected with the beginning of new life. This ancient belief led to May being associated with the motherhood of Mother Earth and thus to motherhood in general. It is for this reason that Mother’s Day is celebrated in May in many countries. This connection between May and motherhood led Christians to adopt May as the month of our Lady, the Mother of God and our Mother. She brought life into the world by giving birth to her Son, Jesus, who brought about a new spring.
Mary is the model of what it is to be a Christian. She is the first of the apostles. Pay attention to the rebirth this May; see the dawn and dusk golden light of new foliage. Smell the earth as it comes to life and sheds it’s icy tomb. All is new and all is promise – what better reason to be drawn to the Mother of God.
Father Steve Adrian
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