Wednesday, May 8, 2013

May--the month for Mary: Daily Mass Homily--Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 (St. John's School Mass)


          The month of May is special in that we give this month to honor our Blessed Mother.  Remember, we do not worship Mary—this belongs to God alone—but we do ask her intercession as the only sinless disciple and Mother of God.
            Every day I carry a rosary in my pocket.  This is no ordinary rosary as it is my Grandma Betty’s which I received after her death.  The rosary offered a special connection between my Grandma and me.  When I was in Duluth for college Grandma and I would pray the Rosary together. 
            I want to share two stories from these times of prayer which happened at the end of her life.  First, I remember a day visiting her in the hospital.  She had just taken her medication and that knocked her out with pain and nausea.  Because she couldn’t speak I said the prayers of the Rosary while she followed on the beads.  Yet a small miracle occurred as we prayed—halfway through she began praying aloud in a clear voice.  Normally her medications would have kept her down for several hours, but this prayer gave her strength.
            Second, my friend and I prayed the Rosary together a couple days before my Grandma’s death.  At this point she couldn’t even finger along as it looked like she was sleeping.  She hadn’t talked or eaten in days and my buddy and I prayed by her side.  Half way through the light came on in her eyes, she lifted her head and said, “Jesus loves you.”  It was the last words she spoke and these words have inspired my faith and vocation to the priesthood.
            We come to Mary because Mary’s prayers work.  She points us to Jesus and as our loving Mother wants to help us along the way.
            Be sure during this month of May to ask our Mother for prayers.  Pick up the Rosary and try it out.  Honor her and watch God work wonders in your own life.

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