May is the month of
Mary. Let us spend time this week reflecting on our most holy Mother, Mary, the
Mother of God.
Scripture for meditation:
Luke 1:27
And the Virgin’s name was Mary
Scripture for
reflection: 2 Corinthians 6:4
On the contrary, in all that we do we strive to present
ourselves as ministers of God, acting with patient endurance amid trials,
difficulties, distresses, beatings, imprisonments and riots….
St. Bernard of
Clairvaux tells us: Let us now say a few words about this name, which means
‘star of the sea’ and is so becoming to the Virgin Mother. Surely she is very
fittingly likened to a star. The star sends forth its rays without harm to
itself. In the same way the Virgin brought forth her son with no injury to
herself. The ray no more diminishes the star’s brightness than does the Son his
mother’s integrity…. She it is whose brightness both twinkles in the highest
heaven and pierces the pit of hell, and is shed upon earth, warming our hearts
far more than our bodies, fostering virtue and cauterizing vice. She, I tell
you, is that splendid and wondrous star suspended as by necessity over this
great wide sea, radiant with merit and brilliant in example. O you, whoever you
are, who feel that in the tidal wave of this world you are nearer to being
tossed about among the squalls and gales than treading on dry land, if you do
not want to founder in the tempest, do not avert your eyes from the brightness
of this star. When the wind of temptation blows up within you, when you strike
upon the rock of tribulation, gaze up at this star, call out to Mary…. In angers,
in hardships (2 Cor 6:4), in every doubt, think of Mary, call out to Mary….
Follow the example of her life and you will obtain the favor of her prayer. Following
her, you will never go astray. Asking her help, you will never despair. Keeping
her in your thoughts, you will never wander away. With your hand in hers, you
will never stumble. With her protecting you, you will not be afraid. With her
leading you, you will never tire. Her kindness will see you through to the end.
Then you will know by your own experience how true it is that “the Virgin’s
name was Mary.”… Devoutly contemplate this twinkling star (Bernard of Clairvaux: Homilies in Praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Cistercian Publications, 1993).
Prayer: Alma Redemptoris
Mater
Loving mother of the Redeemer, gate of heaven, star of
the sea, assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again. To the
wonderment of nature you bore your Creator, yet remained a virgin after as before.
You, who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting, have pity on us poor sinners.
My thoughts: St.
Bernard of Clairvaux gives us a beautiful picture of Mary as Star of the
Sea. The sea of our lives is very much tossed with trials, sadness, tests and
temptations. Sometimes we really do feel as though we may sink. At other times
we are so lost we feel certain we will never find our way again. It is at these
times that we turn to the guiding star in the sky, our mother in heaven. It is
she who loves us as only a good mother can, who will never abandon us nor will
she ever let us wander away from the path to her Son. We just need to turn our
boats toward her, anchor them in her guidance and love, and drift in the peace
of her love. Mary, the Star of the Sea, will gently lead us home.
Our prayer to God: Let us spend some time today taking St. Bernard’s advice, and contemplate Mary as the twinkling star in our lives. Let us ask for help, thank her for her love, and give her our lives. Our ships will sail on smooth waters if we do.
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