May is traditionally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, making her a natural focus for this beautiful and gentle month. Poised between spring and summer, May invites us to slow down and notice what is growing — both in the world around us and within our own hearts. It is a fitting time to reflect on Mary, whose strength was not found in many words, but in her deep capacity to listen — especially in moments like the Annunciation.
Mary was young, living an ordinary life, when the Angel Gabriel appeared and asked something extraordinary of her: to become the Mother of God. One can only imagine the confusion, the fear, the uncertainty she must have felt. And yet, she listened. She pondered. And in that space of openness and trust, she said her “yes” – a yes that would change everything.
Mary may have seemed ordinary, yet she was chosen for an extraordinary role: Mother of God, Mother of us all, Queen of Heaven. Her greatness lay not in status or power, but in her openness to God’s voice. So, what does Mary’s “yes” teach us?
It reminds us that the most powerful communication begins in a listening heart. Communication is not only about speaking; it is about presence, silence, attentiveness, and understanding. In a noisy and distracted world, how often do we truly listen — to God, to one another, to those most in need?
The life of the Holy Family was rooted in ordinary moments — work, meals, conversation, and uncertainty. Jesus Christ grew up in a home where love was expressed in daily life: in sharing, in listening, in simply being present to one another and to God. In this Holy Family, love was not loud, but it was constant — and it spoke through every small gesture.
Today, we live in a world filled with noise and busyness. We are more connected than ever through technology, yet many still experience a deep sense of disconnection. We can communicate instantly across the world, and yet sometimes struggle to truly hear the person beside us.
Perhaps this is why Mary continues to speak to us so powerfully. She offers a different way — a quieter, deeper way — of being present. This May, we are invited to let our lives, our actions, and our words blossom into kindness, encouragement, and truth. We are called to slow down: to listen more patiently, to speak more gently, and to use our words — whether spoken, written, or digital — as instruments of peace.
In our homes and communities, we might ask ourselves:
• How do our tone, patience, and attention shape our relationships?
• Are our words life-giving, or do they come too quickly, without thought?
Just as May is a bridge between spring and summer, Mary is a bridge — drawing us closer to her Son and gently leading us toward God. And in following her example, we too can reflect something of God’s love in the world — one conversation, one moment of kindness, at a time.
Terri Coonan
President, Lay Members in B&I