A WORD FOR TODAY 1 OCTOBER 2019

A WORD FOR TODAY

WE FLY TO YOUR PATRONAGE

Today we celebrate the solemnity of Our Lady Queen and Patroness of Nigeria. It is a feast in which we remember that our country Nigeria which celebrates her independence from British colonial rule has been consecrated to the Immaculate heart of Our Mother Mary by the Catholic Bishops conference of Nigeria.

The essence of this consecration flows from the fact that the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of God took good care of Jesus as her Son from birth to death, She did not let any harm come to Him. Again she has continued to play the role of Mother to all those who come to her. The Church in her wisdom placed herself under Her protection so that she will take care of her and obtain blessings from the Lord for her.

The Blessed Virgin Mary was God's choice for His Son as a Mother and she did not disappoint or fail in her role as the Mother. She fulfilled her role in humility and obedience and submitted to the will of God. She took care of Jesus and she is ready to take care of us if we fly to her protection.

The gospel reading of today tells a story of how God instructed Joseph to take little Jesus and his mother and go to Egypt when their lives were in danger. God kept them safe from the threat of Herod and the infant Jesus was in the hands of our Blessed Mother and she nursed Him and no harm came to Him.

When Jesus was dying on the cross, He instructed John the beloved and said to him, Son behold your Mother, and she said to His Mother, Mother behold your son. This is simply to place the Church under her care and guidance and she has continued to play that role in the life of the Church and in the life of anyone who calls her Mother.

There is no need to place your life in the hands of someone who will not be able to take care of you. We must as a people fly to the patronage of Our Lady especially in this hard and dangerous times in our country when we are experiencing many challenges, ranging from corruption, bad governance, insecurity in various degrees and levels, senseless killings, kidnapping and other forms of attacks on innocent people and destruction of their places of worship.

We must pick up our Rosary as our weapon and pray it everyday especially in this month of devotion to Our Lady. She will intercede for us as we honour her and She will obtain for us the peace, protection and blessings we seek. We must fly to her protection, because she will take care of us and her intercession is very efficacious and through her we shall succeed and conquer.

Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a splendid day. Through the intercession of our Mother Mary, may God intervene in the challenges we face in our country Nigeria and may He come to your aid in your personal needs. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Meditation: Isaiah 11:1-10/Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17/Ephesians 2:13-22/Matthew 2:13-15,19-23

Watch-Word: Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; Let it be to me according to your word.

We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God, despise not our prayers in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers O ever glorious and blessed Virgin Mary. Amen.

Happy Independence to all Nigerians and May God help us to play our part well so that our nation will be great again. Amen. God bless Nigeria!

(Tuesday of the 26th week in the Ordinary Time, Year 1. Solemnity of Mary Queen and patroness of Nigeria)