The month of May - the month the church dedicated to Mary - serves as a good excuse to get familiar with Marian devotions around the world, Marian artwork, and most importantly what we can learn about Christ and our faith by looking at Mary. Once again we turn to our friend Fr. Jim Phalan, CSC of Family Rosary International to broaden our understanding of Mary. ¨As the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.¨ (John 6: 57) The Gospel texts we meditate on in the Church at this time in Easter Season are AMAZING: The Sermon on the Bread of Life which is clearly about the Eucharist. The Eucharist really is source and summit of our Christian life, as the Vatican Council said. Our Lady teaches us what this means by her life: in a practical way! The Icon here is called ¨Our Lady of the Sign¨. This type of portrayal is one of the oldest in the Church. As the Sign promised by God, Isaiah 7: 14, the Virgin received the Word of God so deeply that it became flesh. He became Her whole life. Like Mary, we receive this Word made Flesh in the Eucharist. Through this, the Lord says, He wants us to live, to have his Life and strength! He is the God who is Love – so we will have His love. If I have this Life and Love I am ready for anything: the joy, the pain, beauty, and the sacrifice of each day! Maybe you can spend a little time now, gazing at this Icon. See yourself in Mary, with Jesus in the Eucharist within you! --- Photo courtesy of Catholic News Service