Daily Devotional

Today, we celebrate Mary’s intercession for Africa. When Herod sought to kill the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph took shelter in Africa. At a time when our continent is facing turmoil and suffering under the yoke of neocolonialism, we need Mother Mary’s intercession more than ever.

There is a saying, “When you have more than you need, build a longer table, not a higher fence.” The believers understood this saying and achieved a family united in one heart and soul. Don’t be afraid to share what you have; the more you give, the more it increases. This is how Jesus fed over five thousand people with just five loaves and two fish. If there are needy persons among us, we have failed collectively. Let us not forget that our true wealth lies in the love and care we show others, not material possessions. So, let us be generous, not just with our words, but with our actions.

Anytime we reflect on the earliest Christian communities, as we have them in the Acts of the Apostles, we cannot help but feel sad at the situation in our churches today. The principle at work back then was: “When one member suffers, all suffer with him or her.” Does this principle still operate in our churches today? Do we still gather to pray for ourselves? Or have we become too busy to pray? Do we still have faith in the power of prayer?