Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Gospel today takes place, chronologically, before Holy Week. Our Lord’s message, though, is especially fitting in the time after the Resurrection. Jesus is preparing the apostles for that day when He returns to the Father, that is, Ascension Thursday. As we look ahead to this Thursday’s celebration (and holy day of obligation), we will see that the Solemnity of the Annunciation marks the beginning of an immediate preparation for something great, namely, the reception of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The Apostles approach the day of the Ascension with the words of Jesus echoing in their hearts: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid,” (John 14:27).

How can they not be afraid or have troubled hearts? The apostles are not alone in this moment. There is one who will hold them together, who will speak words of comfort, and who will pray with and for them. The Blessed Virgin Mary gathers the apostles in their preparatory retreat as they await Pentecost.

In a brief meditation on the mystery of the Ascension, Ven. Patrick Peyton writes: “The ten days between the Lord’s Ascension and Pentecost would have been awkward ones for the Apostles – if you hadn’t been with them, Mary. To be sure, they were not numb with utter disillusionment as they had been between Good Friday and Easter. On the contrary, they radiated joyous expectancy. Still, they were not yet ‘clothed with the power from on high,’ not yet confirmed in grace by the mighty wind and tiny flame of Pentecost, the ‘sacraments’ of the Holy Spirit. They were still very emotional, excitable, impetuous – and they needed the gentle, untroubled, loving presence of a mother. The spirit that leads me is not always God’s. If the Apostles needed Mary, how much more do I?”

If the Apostles needed Mary, how much more do I? All month, you have heard encouragement to pray the Rosary as a family, to turn to the Blessed Mother, asking for her protection and guidance. Even after these weeks of regularly praying the Rosary, I find that I am still emotional, excitable, and impetuous. We are all in need of grace and peace, especially as we grapple with the uncertainties and challenges life throws at us. The Rosary, especially when we pray it together with our family, makes a difference. Mary obtains the grace we need. Mary stays with us in our moments of doubt. Mary gathers us, just as she guided the Apostles, and prays with and for us in the hour of our need.

The month of May is drawing to a close. Just as this was a month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the month of June is, for the Catholic Church, traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I want to extend the challenge to pray the Rosary as a family into this next month, though. For Mary never tires of directing us to the heart of her Son, and it is from Our Lady that we learn what it means to truly love and console the heart of Jesus. If you find balancing devotions and figuring out which is best for you, remember the words of St. Maximilian Kolbe: “Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”

Peace,

Fr. Sam