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Reflection by Most Reverend Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, Bishop of Oyo

I recall today that ugly episode narrated by the gospel of Matthew in which Herod seeking to kill Jesus, slaughtered so many innocent children. Quoting the prophet Jeremiah, Matthew’s gospel echoes: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamenting and weeping bitterly: it is Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they are no more” (Matt 2: 18). Unfortunately, today many Nigerians are like that in our country today and even more. Our children, brothers and sisters have been killed on the streets of Nigeria largely while exercising what should normally be their democratic rights. Innocent blood has been shed and many families are mourning. May God have mercy on Nigeria, rest the dead in perfect peace and console bereaved families. Amen.
Now, from the killings and destruction, we seek a way out. We appeal for calm and restraint on all sides even as we work and we pray for God’s help. Some people have derided prayer as ineffective or even useless. I totally disagree. We must WORK as if prayer does not matter and PRAY as if work is useless. In fact, prayer works. What is ineffective is our misapplication of the power and function of prayer. It works when we allow it do so by doing our own duties. Prayer is the linkup we have with God, the oxygen for our righteous actions. So, we must work with prayer. Prayer is not responsible for our failures, we and our choices are.
I am happy during this prayer session to bless this grotto to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. It has been sponsored largely by a group of pious ladies form Lagos, called “the Marian Sisters” from the Catholic Community of Falomo, Lagos or if you wish, “the Holy Family Grotto Sisters” from Lagos. To them, and others who have worked here I express very profound appreciation and pray that this grotto will be a place where people come closer to God in prayer and meditation. When I started this grotto in July, I did not exactly plan to bless it in the midst of this widespread turmoil in Nigeria but I now see God’s hand in it. What family in Nigeria is not concerned at this moment for its children and future? And what better ally for recourse to divine intervention could we have than Jesus, Mary and Joseph. May God’s hear our prayers me today through Jesus Mary and Joseph. Amen.
Our Gospel passage today, Lk. 2 42-52, has all the elements of today’s Nigeria. Check out Jesus, who extricated himself from his parents to challenge the status quo. He was only twelve, a youth. His questioning the elders and the chief priests was to say the least a protest against the system of his day, corrupt, oppressive and arrogant. No wonder that his parents when they finally found him sounded their disapproval. Why have you treated us like this? they said. Jesus however decided to “soro soke”. He rebuked them” Don’t you know that I should be about my father’s business? He had made his point. He had given the State and his family something to chew on and to think about. The scriptures tell us that Mary pondered these things in her heart.
However, Jesus having accomplished the mission, then returned to Nazareth with them and was beholding to them. He then grew in wisdom and favour before God. These psalms 51 and 52 are so precious to the survival of our youth today. There is a limit to rebellion and struggle even when they are legitimate. Could the current mayhem, destruction of life and property have been avoided if the protesters had called it off three days ago when their point had clearly been made? Most likely. This is what we pray for in Nigeria today… that our youth thrown in the streets by their disaffection with the status quo please return home….” (Come away: Eric Donaldson).
Like St Joseph, Fathers are concerned and Mothers are worried like Mary. Now, like Jesus let the youths go back home so that the nation can breathe and make amends. Let our government authorities and politicians be amazed at the courage, the clarity and the commitment by which the youth have expressed their grievances and make a turn around. We pray for better days in Nigeria asking all of us to amend our ways.
God’s word remains ever valid: “If my people who bear my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my presence and turn from their wicked way, then I will listen from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their country” (1Chron. 7: 14). Let us all turn to God eve as we work for peace and harmony. Let us all mend our ways to live in love justice and justice. Let us give peace a chance. If we all do our duty God will help us for heavens help those who help themselves. I end with this well-known piece. (By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down… when we remembered Zion) Oh how we remember years ago when Nigeria was better. Well, happy days shall return. May the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph intercede for us all. Amen.