PRAYER IS THE MASTER KEY!

⏰FEAST OF OUR LADY, MOTHER OF AFRICA (30 April 2018)

📖Acts 1:12-14; Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55 (R.v.49); John 2:1-11

My dear, today is the first working day of the week and the last day in the Month of April. I wouldn’t know how you fared in this outgoing month. Hope you achieved your goals. As the month ends, I pray that it may put a stop to your disappointments and that in the incoming months, blessings and breakthroughs shall be your lot through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Church in Africa, today celebrates the Feast of our Lady, Mother of Africa. In this celebration, we express our belief in her maternal intercession and learn from her mode of prayer.

After the Ascension of Jesus, she remained with the other disciples in prayer (cf. Acts 1:12-14), teaching us the importance of praying in season and out of season. But what is the content of that prayer? Acts 1:12-14 did not give us the format of their prayers but because Mary was there, we could say they prayed for the will of God to be done in their lives (see Luke 1:38; John 2:5).

Such prayer is one of faith which makes the seemingly impossible task to become possible. Consider what happened at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee (John 2:1-11). Mary approached Jesus and informed him that the host has run short of wine.

I wonder who sent her on that errand! But that is in her nature as a mother, always looking for ways to offer a helping hand. But Jesus was just a poor carpenter! So what was she expecting him to do? Well, she is the mother of Jesus and she knows Jesus more than we do. Hence, with faith she tells the servants as she tells us today, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).

Can you hear that? Mary is not dragging power with God. She does not replace God for us as many people allege. She directs us to meet God – “Do whatever he tells you!”

We pray for her maternal intercession so that we may always learn to do the will of God and pray fervently as we ought. And our jars be filled with blessings and good fortunes now and forever through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have a grace-filled and restful weekend. Peace be with you.