Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10, Ps. 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17, Ephesians 2:13-18, Matthew 2:13-15,19-23
“In his days may righteousness flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!” (Psalm 72:7)
Today, we mark our Independence Day. History tells us that on this day, Nigeria was freed from the jaws of colonialism. The question remains: since 1960, have we truly achieved freedom from our colonial masters? Did we replace the white-skinned colonial masters with our fellow dark-skinned masters who lord it over us with large convoys (causing unnecessary traffic, abuse of human rights), yet play second fiddle, acting as puppets to their foreign counterparts?
The suffering across the nation is visible, yet we have not only learned to bear with whatever comes, but we have also learned how to transfer it to one another. The average Nigerian today is okay as long as he knows he is in some way suffering less than his neighbour. We do not mind fighting ourselves by supporting and promoting leaders who are the epitome of corruption as long as we get our steady share of crumbs; crumbs from the rich food of abundant natural resources that God gave freely to us all.
We have just entered another campaign season, and we can see the same cycle of failure repeating itself. People are going door to door sharing palliatives in the name of a political campaign. Every four years, they recycle the same promises. To understand what is happening, imagine a patient who needs surgery (organ replacement), yet the doctor keeps administering painkillers every time they go to the hospital. Many have died, and many continue to die needlessly and painfully. We have become too used to sad news; our hearts do not move at the news of tragic deaths.
Do you notice the contrast in today’s readings? While our First reading presents a beautiful, glorious, peaceful world where animals and humans coexist with love, a world of righteousness and justice, our Gospel passage presents a world that is closer to our present-day reality. Instead of the cow and bear feeding together and the lion eating straw, we find a world of hatred, suspicion, and injustice. The lion (Herod) not only eats his young; he even tries to eat them before they are mature. God had to send an angel to Joseph to warn him against impending danger.
This is the world we live in today. The hardship of having to flee by night to another country to escape death clearly mirrors the “japa” syndrome in our country today. No matter the risks involved, many would rather die attempting to migrate than remain in what they perceive as living hell.
Nevertheless, this reading also indirectly reveals the extent and reach of God’s protective hand over his children. It tells us that while He may not remove the difficulties and challenges (delete the Herods of today), He always finds a way to keep them from crushing us. Furthermore, God uses those same challenges to our advantage. But for the flight to Egypt, how else would this scripture have been fulfilled: “Out of Egypt have I called my son.”
Nigeria is not the greatest country in the world, yet it has produced some of the finest humans ever to live. Nazareth was not the greatest of places to grow up, but Jesus Christ was known as a Nazarene. In John 1:45-46, Philip found Nathanael and said, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
To those who ask what is the point of celebrating Nigeria or whether anything good can come out of Nigeria, this passage provides an answer. Nigeria, like Nazareth, may not have a good reputation, but what matters is the quality of the people who identify as Nigerians. What matters is the quality of the heart preaching these words and the hearts of those reading or listening. What matters is the person you see when you look in the mirror. Am I a good person? Am I, like Jesus, fulfilling my purpose on earth, or am I, like those responsible for our predicament, chasing material wealth at others’ expense?
In today’s second reading, St. Paul describes Christ as a man of peace, one who broke down the dividing wall of hostility that existed among people. I have seen many on social media condemn Christianity, even blaming it as the source of our problems, but I have never seen anyone condemn Christ himself. This is because a wide gap exists between Christians and Christ. If we who claim to be Christians tried, even a little, to make our lives closer to Christ’s, our country would be better. This can start by breaking down the wall of division and hostility in our hearts.
Hating someone who has never done anything wrong to you just because they’re not from your town, or because your parents warned you to avoid people from that town, is simply devilish. Let us live in peace. Let us be agents of unity, reconciling warring factions rather than agents of division and war.
Today, we are not just celebrating our independence as a nation; we are also celebrating Nigeria’s official Patron Saint, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Yes, Nigeria is dedicated to a woman, not like the woman who gave us the name “Nigeria”, but a woman who occupies the throne of a queen in heaven. Today, we remind ourselves that we still have a mother, one who understands suffering, deeply cares and willingly comes to the aid of those who fly to her patronage. Mary, mother of God, pray for us. Mary, mother of God, pray for our land. Mary, mother of God, pray for our people.
Let us pray: Grant, Lord God, that we, your servants, may rejoice in unfailing health of mind and body, and, through the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever-Virgin, may we be set free from present sorrow and come to enjoy eternal happiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Our Lady, Queen and Patroness of Nigeria - Solemnity. Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Isaiah 11:1-10, Ps. 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17, Ephesians 2:13-18, Matthew 2:13-15,19-23)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu