Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity
of Our Lady, Queen and Patroness of Nigeria (1st October, 2019) on
the Gospel and the Solemnity
Is 11:1-10;
Ps 72:1-2.7-8.12-13.17. (R. v. 7);
Eph 2:13-22;
Matt 2:13-15.19-23.
Today, the Universal Church celebrates the Memorial of
Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus, but in Nigeria, this memorial is shifted to 3rd
October. The Church in Nigeria celebrates today the Solemnity of Our Lady,
Queen and Patroness of Nigeria in commemoration of the consecration of Nigeria
to the Blessed Virgin Mary soon after the Independence in 1960. Pope Saint John
Paul II led the Church in Nigeria in the consecration to Mary during his visit
to Nigeria in 1982. Today also is Nigeria’s independence.
Topic: Consecrated to Mary.
In today’s gospel, after the wise men had left, an angel of
the Lord said to Joseph, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to
Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the
child, to destroy him.” He did exactly as the angel instructed him and they
remained there until the death of Herod. Then the angel of the Lord appeared
again and told him to take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel.
The fear of Archelaus, Herod’s son who took over from his father coupled with
the warning he received made them to settle at Nazareth.
Saint Joseph being the husband of Mary and foster father of
Jesus Christ was among other things charged with the responsibility of
protecting the duo. Hence, in obedience to the angel, he took them to Egypt to
save them from Herod’s fierce anger. This in a loosely sense portrays the
importance of being consecrated.
On 14th February 1982, in Kaduna, Nigeria, while
leading in the consecration, The Holy Father prayed in part, “O Mother of all
individuals and peoples...I desire to consecrate and entrust to you, Mother of
the Church, in a special way, the Church in the land of Nigeria....”[1]
By this consecration, we pledged to be obedient to Mary. Certainly these words
jangle in some ears. But everything Mary wants from all her children is simple:
“Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5).
It is important to remind ourselves that everyone who does God’s will is a
child of Mary, cf. Rev 12:17. And
the love she has for all her children is unparallel, cf. Jn 2:3.
Our country Nigeria is bedevilled by various kinds of evils
right from her independence. They are far deeper than all the medicines already
applied, and the ones being applied today. Hence, no positive result so far.
Often, those who pose themselves as messiahs in Nigeria are in worse condition
than those they want to save. We need to run into the maternal protection of
Our Lady, Queen and Patroness of Nigeria now more than ever. The evils that
bedevilled this country really need divine intervention
Bible Reading: Jn 2:1-11.
Thought for today: Let’s take refuge.
Let us pray: Lord, we pray through the powerful
intercession of our mother to look kindly upon Nigeria that is bedevilled by so
many evils – Amen.
Our Lady, Queen and Patroness of
Nigeria – Pray for us.
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others if you consider it worthy.
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