HOMILY FOR OUR LADY, QUEEN AND PATRONESS OF NIGERIA

 

HOMILY FOR OCTOBER 1 2022 SOLEMNITY OF OUR LADY QUEEN AND PATRONESS OF NIGERIA

Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17 Ephesians 2:13-18 Matthew 2:13-15,19-23

MOTHER MARY, WE NIGERIANS RECOURSE TO YOUR PATRONAGE

Dear Sisters and Brothers, today is the Celebration of the Solemnity of Our Lady, Queen and Patroness of Nigeria. Therefore, the memorial of Saint Theresa is shifted to the 3rd of October for us here in Nigeria.

Today is the 62nd birthday of Nigeria. Today, we remember the day Nigeria had her independence since 62 years ago. Truly, as Nigerians celebrate her Independence anniversary, we are forced to ask the germane, relevant and valid question: Is Nigeria really independent, both in sensu stricto et sensu lato of INDEPENDENCE? The answer from any adult with good reasoning in Nigeria, will be NO. There is no doubt that many have said that Nigeria is close to Hell Fire; for that, Satan will not punish Nigerians if they find their way to Hell Fire. So funny. What it means is that up to 95% of Nigerians are suffering, and are living in abject poverty. As at Monday, September 26 2022, one dollar is 712 naira. For us Nigerians and in Nigeria today, we are been colonized again by our own people. Day after day, the destructive condition increases. This is why the Church in Nigeria plead for this just, wise, insightful, powerful, faithful, moral and God-fearing shoot from the stock of Jesse to spring forth and lead the weary people of Nigeria, liberating us from the crushing wickedness and shackles of the political authorities and cannibals (in disguise), so that true love, happiness and reconciliation may find home in this country, Nigeria.

The Nigerian Church, in her wisdom dedicates this day in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, believing, with filial devotion, on her intercessions as our Mother and Patroness. Yes, we believe. It shall be well. Today is a very memorable day for us both as believers and as a nation, as we celebrate the solemnity of Our Lady Queen and Patroness of Nigeria as well as our 62nd Independence Day anniversary as a sovereign country. Our political leaders are our number one problem. They are our own Tsunami. Prophet Isaiah foretells of an era of perfect peace, justice and equity during the reign of a righteous king from the line of Jesse. This was fulfilled with the coming of Jesus Christ, who is our peace. However, there is still suffering, insecurity and all forms of injustices in our land amidst abundant human and natural resources. It was never easy even with Mary and Joseph but they believed in the word of God and found salvation. Let us pray for brighter future through the motherly intercession of our Lady Queen and Patroness of Nigeria while working for a just, equitable and peaceful society, in unity of mind and heart. May God save us from our corrupt politicians and also corrupt supporters. Amen!

The readings of today can be very much adapted to console the Nigerian people, fixing their unalloyed trust in God and in the intercession of the Mama Maria. Nigerians are waiting on the liberating hands of the Lord in the midst of total misrule by the leaders since the lethal, menacing and precarious Independence of 1960. The battle belongs to the Lord and we hope that the Good News shall come one day. The Good News will be: either we shall all be in the Nigeria of our great dreams (which has little chance of occurring), or other countries may emerge for the good of those who will be her citizens (which has greater chance of happening). Take it or leave it. But be prepared. How it will happen, I do not know.

Too, humanity lies in ruins. Hearts are far away from the Almighty. Eternal damnation looms large. Darkness is on the face of the earth. Through its sin, humanity is destined for eternal death. Life becomes short, brutish and worthless. Creation groans under the weight of its collective loss of innocence. In the midst of all these, God sends holy men and women into the world. The greatest of it, is the sending of Jesus Christ into the world for the redemption of humankind. God sends His own Son through a woman, Mary of Nazareth (cf. Galatians 4:4). The shoot was to come from this stump of Jesse, from both Mary and Joseph the guardian and foster father of the Son of God. The dignity of divine motherhood was bestowed on this humble servant of Yahweh. Her Seed was to be filled with wisdom and understanding, counsel and power and the fear of Yahweh. Righteousness was to be the belt of His waist and faithfulness the belt of His loins. This root of Jesse was to restore humanity to that unity it had lost as a result of its sins. (Isaiah 11:1-10). He restores justice and great peace to beleaguered humanity (Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17). The Son born to this noble daughter of Zion comes to break down the dividing wall of hostilities and restore man to the dignity of sonship. Through His cross, He is to reconcile humanity back to God (Ephesians 2:13-22). 

Also, the motherhood of Mama Maria on earth was actually a motherhood with pain, anxieties, sufferings, deprivations and great sadness. A sword of sorrows passed through her heart. She was afflicted with great anguish of soul over her divine Son. At a very early age, she and her spouse Joseph were warned in a dream and had to flee to Egypt because Herod wanted to destroy the little baby Jesus. On hearing about the death of Herod through another dream, they could not return to Bethlehem in Judea, their birthplace because another terrible son of Herod was reigning in place of his evil father. Such were the travails of this woman! Yet, in all these, she cooperated fully with Yahweh and accepted His loving designs for the salvation of humanity. She fully gave her yes to this plan.

This painful motherhood of Mama Maria turns out to be a Glorious and Vivifying Motherhood later. 

As we celebrate the solemnity of Mama Maria today as Queen and Patroness of Nigeria, we are called upon to imitate her virtues. We are invited to pray our rosaries daily as a powerful defense against the attack of Satan. We are called upon to invoke her intercession for our land and its people. We are urged to model our lives upon the virtuous life of Mary, the Holy mother of God and our mother. May she intercede for our country Nigeria and the entire world. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

October is also the month of Mama Maria! Remember to pray your rosary daily this month as a powerful defense against evil and the onslaught of Satan. May the Living Word of God find a true dwelling place within our hearts and souls today and always!

Let us continue to recourse to Mama Maria and never be tired, despite the challenges we are facing as Nigerians, as Christians, and as humans. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Our Lady Queen and Patroness of Nigeria  Pray for us!

Happy Independence anniversary and happy new month of October!

O DIVINE WORD, WHO TOOK FLESH FOR HUMAN SAKE, REDEEM US IN OUR SITUATION

© Rev Fr. Utazi Prince Marie Benignus Zereuwa