DAILY HOMILIES #Mary

If you agree that Mary carried Jesus in her womb for nine months and went through labour pains to have him, I do not know of any mother who would not feel a thing while watching her innocent son go through all of these. Whatever our present sorrows in this life may be, let us be consoled that we have a mother who was no stranger to sorrow and reach out for our rosary in asking for her intercession.

Mary is not a goddess; she is a woman whose life inspires anyone who wants to follow God. She is a human example of what it means to be a Christian. Say ‘Yes’ to God. Let God have His way in your life; generations to come will honour you.

One important lesson we learned in today’s liturgy is that we serve a God who knows how to reward His faithful servants. We do not worship God in vain, and we do not make sacrifices for God in vain. Like Mary, if we remain steadfast, God will grant us glory.

While Martha’s life inspires us to have deep faith in God, Mary shows us the importance of listening to the Word of God, and from Lazarus, we learn the importance of developing friendships with God. The Gospels do not provide us with much information about Lazarus’ life, except that he was a friend of Jesus. What kind of friends do you have? Can you boast of any of your friends raising you from the dead? If not, make Jesus your best friend today. On the other hand, if your friends are drawing you away from God, they do not deserve to remain your friends.

Jesus is not against family members, but He recognises that sometimes, those we love may act as obstacles to God’s will. On occasions when we have to choose between God and family, Jesus says: “God first.” He even added this warning: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37).

The moment Elisha sensed his calling, he took the yoke of oxen, slew them, boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people. They all ate, and then he rose, went after Elijah, and ministered to him. Interestingly, this is exactly what Jesus required of Peter and the other apostles (including the seventy others). Jesus also required this of the rich young man: “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21).

We are not giving Mary too much praise by celebrating her as Mother of the Church; instead, we are only recognising the honour that God gave to her by taking flesh in her womb. Mary is the Mother of the Church because she fulfilled the prophetic declaration in Genesis. She was present at all key moments in the church’s development, and as her children, it is our responsibility to take her home.

Perhaps, you do not even have an upper room. Why not create one today? If you consider prayer important, then just as you have a room in your house dedicated to cooking (the kitchen), you should at least dedicate a space for prayer, call it your upper room. Make use of your upper room. Spend more time in your upper room. Prayer is the master key!

Mary is the definition of an intercessor. If we ask human intercessors to pray for us, we should not be afraid to ask Mary to pray for us, whether we are Catholics or not. Asking for her intercession is not worshipping her. 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.

The wise men brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This is Epiphany, a revelation of Jesus’ identity as KING, PRIEST, AND SAVIOUR of the world. Jesus had not yet begun to talk or walk when this occurred, yet it is clear to the world that He is God in human flesh. He rules as King with gold, sanctifies as a Priest with incense (which we still use today at Mass), and as Saviour of mankind. Jesus’ body was preserved with myrrh when he offered his life for our salvation.

God could have decided to come in another way, but because He wanted us to have a physical, flesh-and-blood connection with Him, He took flesh in the womb of a woman. This is to say that God became a son of man so that man can truly become the son of God. God chose to have a mother to show us how close He is to us. God wants us to have that feeling of warmth in His presence so that we see ourselves not just as slaves but as His children.

While other apostles fled during the Passion of Jesus, John stayed with Mary at the foot of the cross. John’s presence demonstrates that he was a true friend of Jesus. He was there when Jesus was “nothing”—he was present when Jesus was stripped, disfigured, and hung on the cross. Only when times are tough do you truly find out who your friends are. No wonder Jesus entrusted his mother to John.