We often hear the saying, “April showers bring May flowers” connecting these months due to the weather. But what if there was a saying to connect the months of April through June not just to weather, but to our Blessed Mother? Well, there is: “Immaculate Heart of Mary, bring us to the peace of Jesus Christ as you always do; Our Lady of Mercy, help us to live out with devotion the message of Mercy, ‘Jesus I trust in you.’ ”
April starts the month of Divine Mercy as it is usually the month of Easter. May is the month dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. Then June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Thus, it is fitting that they all are connected in the best way, the most perfect way, which St. Louis Mary de Monfort tells us is Mary.
Our Lady of Mercy connects us to the Divine Mercy of Christ. This connects April and May. Mary’s last words in Scripture were, “Do whatever he tells you.” (Jn 2:5) This is another way of saying the message of Divine Mercy, which is, “Jesus, I trust in you.” Jesus then in return demonstrates with his last words on the cross a trust in the heavenly Father as he says, “It is finished,” and, “Into your hands I commend my spirit.” Mary’s words and Jesus’ words both proclaim trust in God (Mary for God the Son, Jesus for God the Father). Together they proclaim that trust in God is the key to mercy. So, the April showers and May flowers are fulfilled in Jesus showering Divine Mercy upon the whole world, bringing about something that is more beautiful than May flowers.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary connects us to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which connects May and June. The Sacred Heart of Jesus has thorns around his heart, symbolizing the ingratitude of men and the hardships of life. The Immaculate Heart of Mary, however, has flowers around her heart because God’s love, that of the Sacred Heart, is the key to turning thorns into something beautiful for God. It is as Scripture states, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom 12:21)
The greatest good is the love of the Sacred Heart. This love changes pain and suffering into sacrifice. And like Mary, who has the title of the Mystical Rose, once we can learn how to focus on the flower (sacrifice), not just the thorns (pain), we can start to have great peace in our lives. Thus, the Immaculate Heart of May connects to the Sacred Heart of June, bringing us to the peace of Christ.
In conclusion, let us remember the great connection of April, May and June. Mary connects Divine Mercy and the Sacred Heart. In this memory, we can sing with great joy, “Immaculate Heart of Mary, bring us to the peace of Jesus Christ as you always do; Our Lady of Mercy, help us to live out with devotion the message of Mercy, ‘Jesus I trust in you.’ ”
Deacon Anthony is in ministry at Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville and the author of “Peaceful Hearts, Zealous Hearts,” to be published by Sophia Institute Press May 21.
Christ commands us to love