REFILLING THE EMPTY JARS OF AFRICA

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF AFRICA
(Acts 1:12-14; Jn 2:1-11)

We entrust the Continent of Africa into the maternal help of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The perception and the reality of life in Africa is quite unique. The ‘otherness’ of Africa evokes from people of other continents mostly pity or scorn. The replacement of natural boundaries with western political boundaries is still at the root of political instability and cultural clashes in most African states. However, Africa is the land of natural resources with economic potentials that promises a bright future.

The first reading tells us how Mary was present with the Apostles in the Upper Room as they awaited the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel we hear about the presence of Mary and Jesus at the wedding in Cana. When the celebrants ran out wine, Mary intervened. She brought up the matter to Jesus, the source of every blessing. Then, she turned to those who were in a position to take action, i.e. the servants, and prepared their hearts for Jesus by directing them to obey whatever Jesus tells them to do, “Do whatever He tells you.” Mary is qualified to bring us divine blessings, and helps us to be open and available to take the proper actions that would bring those blessings to reality.

Oh Mary, Mother of the Saviour, we employ you this day to intercede for the peoples of Africa. Be in our midst as our mother, and pray with us as you did with the apostles in the upper room. Mary, please direct us and turn our hearts to Jesus as you did to the servants at the wedding in Cana in Galilee. With your motherly presence in the affairs of Africa, Jesus will bless us, and the ‘empty jars’ of Africa will be filled with sweet wine of economic growth, peaceful co-existence, fear and knowledge of God, etc. Teach the servants of Africa, our leaders, who serve at the ‘high table’ of affairs in African countries, to obey Jesus and follow His footsteps of Jesus Christ in leading by example and with sacrifice. Amen.

The best wine is yet to be served in Africa; our hope is still alive. We shall rejoice and dance that the Lord our God has blessed us in our land.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Tuesday April 30^th, 2021.
Feast of our Lady of Africa
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