There was a time when all the Catholic grade schools in the country held an event every May that celebrated the crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth.  The event included a procession with music, followed by a crown of flowers being placed on the head of a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Among devout Catholics, the month of May has always been known as the month of Mary.

As children, we learned that Mary was the “New Eve.”  Like Eve, she was created without the stain of any sin.  Unlike Eve, she humbly submitted herself to God and fully cooperated with His divine will.

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce that she had been chosen to be the mother of God, she agreed to cooperate with God by stating, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.”  Luke 1:38.  What would have happened if she had refused to cooperate with God?  Would you and I be Catholics today?  Would there even be a Catholic Church?

The definition of “cooperate” is “to act or work with another or others” or “to associate with another or others for mutual benefit.”  We were all created to cooperate with God.  God has a plan for each of us.  In order for His plan to come to full fruition, we have to agree to cooperate with Him.  If we refuse to cooperate, He is limited in what He can accomplish through us.

The modern world fails to recognize that the primary way in which God acts is through others who have agreed to cooperate with Him.

How can we determine when we are being asked by God to specifically cooperate with Him on a certain matter?  The most effective way of knowing when He is asking for our cooperation is by turning to His mother for assistance and guidance.  As the mother of God and Queen of Heaven and Earth, she is the most qualified to teach us how to listen and respond to Him.

Because of our Lord’s great love for us, He left us with a perfect mother who is always available and eager to protect and guide us.  But there is one condition that must be met before she can give us the full protection and guidance we need.  We must diligently work at developing the same love and devotion for her that her Son has for her.

At this very moment God is calling on you and me to cooperate with Him in helping others to know, love, and serve Him.  There is no better time than now, the month of May and the month of Mary, to reach out to her for the assistance and guidance we need to discover and commit to what God is calling us to do.

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