Mary, our Mother, here for us

By Gina Sternfels

In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus shares, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself” Luke 10:27.

When the apostles asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor,” he shares the story of the Good Samaritan. We learn we are all neighbors, and we get the opportunity to show love and mercy to our neighbors every day.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a time to understand others by getting informed or getting involved by simply checking on someone you know who deals with depression, anxiety or maybe you are the one who needs something or someone to be there for you.

We are not alone. According to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year. 

We are truly blessed in our faith. Jesus always guides us and calls us to himself. We also have May as the month of Mary, where we can receive comfort and love from our mother.

Through learning to pray the rosary, I have received so much peace during the grief of my mom’s passing. I am still learning; I do not know it all by heart, but that is OK. Letting go of the expectations and giving myself the time to do so has helped me so much.

I will sometimes go on YouTube for a rosary with the music I like to listen to or go to a book with reflections on the mysteries I enjoy reading. I get to receive grace and make progress in my spiritual and physical life by using my gifts.

What a gift Jesus gave us on the cross by his sacrifice but remember, at that moment, he also gave us his mother. Go to her, take the time to pray and ask, “Who is the neighbor that needs me as their Good Samaritan right now?”

O Holy Mother of God, pray for us. 

For more information on Mental Illness resources, go to www.nami.org

NAMI also has a “Faith Net” Advisory Board offering resources to assist members, friends, clergy and congregations.