IN THE MIDST OF THE STRUGGLES, CHRIST ALONE IS OUR PEACE. (Homily for October 1st. Independence Day. (Nigeria), Feast of Our Lady Queen of Nigeria.)

Bible Study:  Isaiah 11, 1 to 10. Ephesians 2, 13 to 22. And Matthew 2, 13 to 23.


As we mark our independence day today, one thing every Nigerian can agree with is that our country is not yet where we wish it would have been. It has been a struggle this last fifty five years but we are still a country. We may not be happy at the past and we may be scared about the future but all we really have is the present. Now is all we have to make our country the best it can ever be. Hence, more than anything else, today is a day to pray for ourselves and for our country, today is a day to say the rosary asking for the intercession of Mary, Queen of Nigeria.

Do not underestimate the power of prayer. For many persons, today would just be a day to sit down and complain, a day to talk about the one million and one things wrong with this country, a day to read out a roll call of corrupt officials and leaders who have let this country down in the past or a day to compare this country with other developed nations of the world. But what good will all that do for Nigeria? For us Christians, we know that nothing is beyond the power of God. Even when it seems as if things are not working out as expected, God is not asleep.

This was exactly the case with Joseph and Mary when they had to flee with the baby Jesus in the middle of the night all the way to Egypt simply because Herod was looking for the child to destroy him. It wasn’t funny at all. Like the way things are right now in our country, Joseph and Mary surely wished that things were different but that was just how God wanted it.

Yes, we are faced with a lot of struggles but the only solution is to look up to Christ as our psalmist sings: “In his days, justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails.”

Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, you are our peace and in you alone lies the solution to all the problems that beset us as a country. Look with mercy upon us today and help us to move forward as we enter a new year in our existence as a Nation. Amen.

May Mary our mother who was not a stranger to struggle intercede for us as we are currently faced with many challenges and struggles. Amen.


Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. Happy New Month and Happy Independence Day Nigeria.

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