DAILY HOMILIES #Mary

What is Christmas? God stooped low to our level. He came not as a warrior but as a baby – humility. Learn to forget your wealth, decrees and qualifications and try to stoop low to help as many people as you can. Then you will be truly be celebrating Christmas.

he role of Joseph in the life of Jesus proves that every child needs a father; one who is there to provide, protect and train. Today is another day to say a big thank you to our Fathers; the men who were there for us from cradle, the men who bore the harsh heat of the sun and worked all day just to put food on our tables, the men who were our first teachers in the faith, the men who disciplined us when we went astray.

In celebrating Mary’s Immaculate Conception, we are reminded that there is no limit to what God can do in us and through us if only we allow God to have His way in our lives by doing His will; that is, by saying “Yes” just as Mary said: “I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38). We utter our “yes” to God by living a life that is holy and blameless.

I cannot be praying for Nigeria to become good when in my sphere of leadership, I am worse than Herod. I cannot be dreaming of a new Nigeria when I can afford to see my fellow Nigerians suffering, yet, I partake in the looting of public funds

Mary remains a model in terms of how we are to deal with pain. This is why whenever we are sorrowful, we should run to her maternal embrace. Mary who felt the pain of the couple at the wedding feast, when they ran out of wine, would surely speak to her son Jesus on our behalf when things are not going right for us.

Mary is not a goddess, she is a woman whose life serves as an inspiration for 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 and generations to come will honour you.

In John 6:51, Jesus said: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” Jesus tells us that anyone who eats and drinks his body and blood will live forever. How much more the woman who carried Him in her womb for nine months?

Today we remember Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Three of them were special friends of Jesus who made their home holy by constantly welcoming Jesus and his disciples. Jesus loved spending time with them. Is Jesus welcome in my home?

The people wondered: “What will this child turn out to be?” This is the same question we should ask ourselves each time we come across little children. Every child deserves respect, care and love because you can never know what the future of that child would be. This little baby you see today may one day be your life-saver.

It was this purity of heart that made God so fall in love with her as to choose her to be his mother. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us a secret; “Blessed are the Pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8). Only a heart so pure can contain God as Mary did. As we reflect on Mary’s Immaculate Heart, let us look at our own hearts. What efforts am I making to guard my heart from all defilements of evil?

And the secret of life is this: when you help someone carry his cross, yours become lighter. If you think life is hard, look around you and you will see those dreaming to be given twice of your problems in exchange for theirs. Be like Mary, reach out, visit, help, don’t be self-centred.

Just as John took her home upon hearing the words, “Behold Your Mother” we also take Mary home through our devotional practices. One may ask, does Mary deserve this title? What makes her mother of the church? Mary, together with Joseph raised Jesus. She was with him throughout his hidden years of formation and remained with him all through his public ministry. Mary instigated Jesus’ first public miracle for the good of the couple in Cana.