May, Mary and Mothers

St. John Paul II gave the world his Theology of the Body, which taught us that aspects of our bodies can teach us deeper truths about ourselves and our relationship with God and each other.

It was a revelation that was new and old at the same time. New because of John Paul's own particular insights, but old because it draws on an ancient principle: that God reveals Himself and teaches us through all of creation.

Spring, and particularly the month of May, has its own lessons and theology. And to me, they proclaim the glories of motherhood, and more specifically those of our Blessed Mother, Mary. So it seems no coincidence that May is the month of Mary and Mother's Day, which we celebrate Sunday.

Here is what I think May teaches us:

It's freshness and beauty reflect that of God and His mother. The clear, bright mornings. Warm, soft breezes that shower us with petals falling from flowering trees. The sweet smell of lilacs, mowed grass and fresh rainfall. They all speak of a greater, heavenly beauty.

May's flip side -- it's sometimes stormy, violent weather -- reminds us of God's might and the power He gave to Mary. She has been depicted as a warrior, with legions of angels at her disposal, to protect her children and defeat the devil. Every mother has a certain strength and fierceness within her and a natural determination to protect her children.

The new life we behold in May -- tiny birds hatching in nests; seedlings sprouting from the ground; bugs, snakes and other creatures emerging after a long winter -- teach us that each new life is glorious, that a mother's cooperation with God in creating life, is glorious. Mary's maternity brought forth for us Life Itself. He gave us a chance to be reborn again and again through the sacrament of Reconciliation and through His death and Resurrection restored our eternal life.

The fragile nature of tiny, new life reminds us of our need of God's protection, His tender, merciful care. "Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your Heavenly Father feeds them," Jesus tells us in St. Matthew's Gospel. "Are not you more important than they?" And again: "Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will He not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?"

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers and all women, who through their very nature God created to be spiritual mothers.

Enjoy the beautiful month of May.

And may God grant everyone the help and protection of the most blessed of all women, Mary.

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.