Thursday
30th April 2020. Read Acts 1:12-14, Luke 1:46-55 and John 2:1-11.
“When the
wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus
said to her, ‘O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.’
His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” (John 2:3-5)
As the
month of April comes to an end today, we celebrate a Feast that perfectly sets
us in the mood for devotion to Mary given that the month of May is Mary’s
Month. Today is the feast of Our Lady; Mother of Africa. Our Gospel passage
today captures that familiar scene of the Wedding Feast at Cana. The role Mary
played in ensuring the miracle is one reason we often take recourse to her when
we pray to God.
First,
Mary understood the problem at hand and immediately informed Jesus that “they
have no wine.” In other words, “Do something.” Mary teaches us to have faith in
Jesus.
Secondly, we
see that Jesus has very high regard for Mary. Jesus initially protested, “My hour
has not yet come” but Mary pressed further. Mary teaches us never to give up
when we pray for anything.
Thirdly, when
Mary had successfully convinced Jesus to help the couple, she told the servants:
“Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:5). Mary teaches us to trust and obey God
Fourthly,
after the miracle, we do not hear anything from Mary. She simply remained in
the background. Mary teaches us humility. She does not beat her chest or brag
like some of us do.
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 her intercession is not worshipping her.
Our first
reading tells us that Mary was present with the Apostles in the upper room
where they devoted themselves to prayer. They took her as their mother. Anyone
who acknowledges that Jesus Christ is fully human and fully God knows that Mary
is not just any woman; she is not an envelope God used and dumped.
In our
responsorial psalm today, Mary declares: “Henceforth, all generations will call
me blessed” not because she is some goddess but because “He who is mighty has
done great things for me” (Luke 1:48-49). We honour Mary because God honoured
her first.
Today we
celebrate the fact that Mary intercedes for Africa. When Herod sought to kill
the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph took shelter in Africa. At a time when our
continent is faced with the turmoil, suffering under the yoke of
neo-colonialism, we need Mother Mary’s intercession more than ever.
Let us
pray: Lord Jesus, may your mother pray for us. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Feast of Our Lady, Mother of Africa.
Bible Study: Acts 1:12-14, Luke 1:46-55 and John 2:1-11).
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