Mary the Comforter of the Afflicted

Fr Lawrence Ogundipe SDV 

Our theme tonight "Mary the Comforter of the Afflicted" comes to us as a word of hope in our country passing through a difficult moment. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is at work. Our theme speaks directly to the wounds of our people, the anxieties of families, the tears of mothers, the frustration of young people, the fears of workers, and the silent burdens carried by many in our nation. Nigeria today faces many afflictions. Economic hardship has deepened poverty. Insecurity has displaced families. Corruption has weakened trust. Unemployment has discouraged the youth. Many homes are struggling to survive. Even in Ibadan, a city rich in history, faith, culture, and resilience, many people wake each day carrying hidden pains.

Yet the Church in The Archdiocese of Ibadan invites us to lift our eyes to Mary our comforter. She is not distant from our sufferings. She is not untouched by our pains. She is a mother who knows sorrow, uncertainty, waiting, sacrifice, and faith in dark moments. Because she walked through afflictions, she now stands beside all who are struggling with pains. She is rightly called Comforter of the Afflicted. But first of all who is this Mary that we gathered to talk about tonight,? 

For those born before the 80'S There was a famous movie though still available titled: “The gods must be crazy!” The story line began with a family of natives that stumbled at an empty coke bottle. The fascination about, and the quest to unravel the “mystery” behind this strange material plunged the hero and his children into a search. Along the line the event turned out to be a scattered family that was searching for its member. However, their experience later became adventurous encounters and a happy end!

The story of Mary is so fascinating, even more than an empty bottle of coke among primitive natives. And so, there is the natural human quest and search to unravel the mystery behind the Blessed Virgin Mary, the privileged Mother of God. Questions like, who is Mary?

Theological foundation 

After the fall of man from the glory of God in Genesis chapter 3 where man consciously committed himself, a gulf was created between God and man. Mankind threw itself into a sinful situation and man can no longer go directly to God;its consequence includes deprivation of communion with God and exclusion from sharing in the eternal life. To remedy this, God became man to pay for the sin of man thereby reconciling man with God. But God did not just appear on the surface of the earth; there ‘Is’the Incarnationa union of Divine and Human, which took place in the womb of Mary. AlphonsusLiguori in his book “Glories of Mary” teaches that the mother and the Son are inseparable.Therefore,if God came to save us through Mary, it is more pleasing to return back to God through the same channel. For this reason, we communicate with God through the same channel “Mary.”

According to the teaching of the Catholic Church, Mary of Nazareth was a Jewish maiden chosen from all eternity and by the divine plan exempted from any stain of the original sin. She cooperates with the will of God for the salvation of man. By this most significant fact, the Church made it clear indeed that the conception of Mary is to be venerated. She was called Mary which signifies “light giver” for she gave birth to the light of the world. Mary means “lady”, since she gave birth to the Lord. She is the Mother of God thereby mother of the Church. Therefore, the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Comforter of the affected, Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, among many more.

SOME FACTS ABOUT THE VIRGIN MARY FOUND IN THE HOLY QURAN

Mary, otherwise known as Maryam to Muslims, is highly revered in the Christian faith for being the Mother of Jesus. However, not many are aware of her high and noble standing in Islam. Her elevated status is in fact explicitly mentioned in the Holy Quran and also described in the narrations of the Prophet Muhammad. The revered Messenger of God [S.A.W.] had in fact listed her as one of the four greatest women of all time who had reached perfection.Therefore, I have compiled a short list of important facts about Mary mentioned in the Quran for us Catholics to know how important she is to God.

She gave birth to Jesus despite being a virgin. She [Maryam] said [to the angel], “How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?” He [the angel] said, “Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, ‘It is easy for me…”Quran 19:20-21

She was chosen by Allah above all women. When the angels said, “O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the world. Quran 3: 42.

An entire chapter is named after her in the Quran. Her name and personhood is the center-point of the 19th chapter of the Quran, titled ‘Surat Maryam’. In fact, Mary is the only woman referred by her first name in the Quran. This is a honorable status granted by the Quran only to few, mostly to the Prophets, Messengers and Angels.

She experienced many miracles. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, “O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?” She said, “It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account.”[c.f. Quran 3:37]. In the interpretation of this verse, scholars say that every time Zachariah would visit her, he would miraculously find her with the fruits of summer during winter and the fruits of winter during summer. These are just a sample of some of the important qualities and features of Mary the mother of Jesus as found just in the Holy Quran, not to talk of the Hadith which is like the sacred tradition for Muslims. Yet some Christians did not know her. Ask the Catholic beside you do you know Mama Maria?

Mary in the Mystery of Pentecost

This pilgrimage takes place at Pentecost, the feast of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost reminds us that the Church was born in prayer, unity, and divine fire. Sacred Scripture tells us that after the Ascension, the disciples gathered in the upper room with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, persevering in prayer (Acts 1:14). Mary was there. She was there in the uncertainty of the apostles. She was there when the apostles were afraid. She was there when hope seemed fragile. Then the Holy Spirit came upon them with power (Acts 2:1-4).

This is deeply meaningful for us. Before Pentecost there was fear. After Pentecost there was courage. Before Pentecost there was confusion. After Pentecost there was mission. My dear friends, before Pentecost there was locked doors. After Pentecost there was proclamation. Mary was present in that transformation. She remains present whenever the Church needs courage and renewal. She is mother in moments of transition, pain, and rebirth.

Why Mary is Called Comforter of the Afflicted

The title Comforter of the Afflicted expresses a spiritual truth. Mary comforts because she leads us to Christ, who is the source of all consolation. Saint Paul writes, “Blessed be God... the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Mary does not replace Christ. She brings us to Him. At Cana she noticed the need of the family before others did. She simply said, “They have no wine” (John 2:3). This is the heart of a mother. She sees what others miss. She intercedes quietly. She points to obedience: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).

The Church teaches that Mary continues her maternal care for the faithful. The Second Vatican Council in Lumen Gentium teaches that Mary’s motherhood in grace continues as she cares for the brethren of her Son still journeying amid dangers and difficulties until they reach their heavenly home.

This means that when we call Mary Comforter of the Afflicted, we are recognizing her maternal presence in the struggles of God’s people.

Mary and the Afflictions of Nigeria

To speak of affliction in Nigeria is not difficult. Our people know affliction personally. Many parents cannot afford school fees. Many graduates search endlessly for work. Many farmers fear violence. Many families mourn loved ones lost to insecurity. Many young people are tempted to despair or leave the country without direction. Many women carry burdens without recognition. Many children grow up in uncertainty. Some persons are listening to me right now but they don't have what to eat this morning. Ibadan is a city of contrast. It has ancient dignity and modern pressure. It has strong faith communities and yet many social wounds. It has educated minds and struggling households. It has churches full on Sunday and hearts burdened on Mondays. 

In this context, Mary stands among our people as she stood beneath the cross. She does not ignore suffering. She accompanies suffering. At Calvary, when many fled, Mary remained standing near the cross of Jesus (John 19:25). She teaches Nigeria how to stand without losing faith. She teaches families how to remain united under pressure. She teaches young people how to hope when life is hard. My dear young ones please I am begging you in the name of Mary do not do money ritual, don't engage in fraudulent actions. Be patient Mama Maria is working on something for you. It would manifest soon. Let me share a story with you, dear young people. In my years as a priest, I have witnessed many mysteries of life, and one truth remains clear: God writes each destiny differently. I once knew a brilliant young boy who graduated from the University at the tender age of twenty two. Many admired him. Many believed he was already far ahead in life. His future seemed certain, bright, and immediate. I also knew another man whose journey was very different. Life delayed him. Circumstances held him back. While others were progressing, he was only beginning. He did not even enter university until the age of thirty-five. To many, it looked too late. Some may have mocked him. Others may have pitied him.

Yet he refused to give up. He studied with determination, persevered through challenges, and eventually graduated at the age of forty. Then the unexpected happened. The young man who had finished school at sixteen was still searching for employment. Doors had not yet opened for him. But the older man who started late found work, rose steadily through dedication, and became a personnel manager.

And in one of life’s surprising turns, it was that same man who had entered school at thirty-five that later signed the employment letter of the boy who had graduated at twenty two. What a mystery. This is how God often works. His ways are not our ways, and His timing does not follow human calculations. Some begin early and wait long. Some begin late and rise quickly. Some bloom in youth. Others blossom in maturity. But each life has its appointed season.

So to every young person feeling behind, discouraged, or anxious because others seem ahead of you, hear this clearly: your time is your own time. Do not measure your destiny by another person’s clock. Do not lose hope because someone else arrived first. What God has written for you will come at the right moment. Stay faithful. Keep learning. Keep praying. Keep working. When your season comes, no one can stop it.

The Comfort Mary Offers

Mary would not offer magical escape but holy comfort. Christian comfort is not denial of pain. It is strength within the pain. She offers the comfort of presence. A suffering person often needs someone who stays. Mary stays. She offers the comfort of prayer. In every Rosary, sorrow is brought into mystery and hope. Ask the person beside you when last did you pray your rosary before this night at the pilgrimage?

She offers the comfort of courage. She believed God’s promise when circumstances were unclear. She offers the comfort of tenderness. Many wounded hearts need gentleness more than arguments. She offers the comfort of direction. At Cana she says, “Do whatever he tells you.” Real comfort leads to conversion and obedience.

Pastoral Lessons for the Church in Ibadan

Our parishes must become places of consolation. If Mary is Comforter of the Afflicted, the Church must reflect her heart. Priests must listen patiently to wounded people. Religious men and women must be signs of hope through compassionate service. Catechists must teach faith that touches real life. Families must pray together and support one another. Young people must discover that suffering does not cancel destiny. The poor must find not rejection but welcome in our communities. The sick, elderly, widows, and forgotten must know they matter. Every Marian devotion that does not lead to charity is incomplete. True love for Mary makes us attentive to those in pain.

Pentecost and National Renewal

At Pentecost the Spirit changed fearful disciples into courageous witnesses. Nigeria needs a Pentecost of conscience, leadership, honesty, justice, and solidarity. Mary teaches us to prepare for that Pentecost through prayer, humility, and openness to God. The Spirit can renew homes, institutions, churches, and society. When hearts change, families change. When families change, communities change. When communities change, nations change. Prayer with Mary can become a school of renewal for our land.

A Word to the Afflicted

Let me share a story with you, Two friends once set out on a long journey to a distant land. They walked together with hope, sharing the road, their plans, and the trust of companionship. But somewhere along the path, an unfortunate incident changed everything. As they moved through a narrow track, one of them carelessly handled a razor blade and accidentally cut the hand of his companion. Blood flowed from the wound. Though the injury was unintended, the wounded friend was seized with anger. His heart burned with bitterness, and instead of accepting the apology offered to him, he secretly nursed thoughts of revenge.

They continued their journey in silence. After some time, they came upon a deep and dark pit by the roadside. The angry friend, seeing an opportunity to settle the score, called out with false excitement, “Come quickly and look. There is a rabbit down there.” Trusting his companion, the injured man stepped closer and bent over to see. In that moment, the other man pushed him into the pit. As the man fell, he cried out in shock. Looking down into the darkness, the one above said coldly, “Now you have received payment for what you did to me.”

From below, the trapped man pleaded desperately, “Please do not leave me here. I will die in this place.” But the hardened friend turned away and continued his journey alone, leaving his companion to what seemed certain death. Not long afterward, he was seized by a group of ritual killers who intended to use him for money-making sacrifices. They dragged him away and prepared for their evil act. But as they examined him, they noticed blood still fresh upon his injured hand. To them, it was an abomination to offer someone already wounded. Because of the blood on his fingers, they rejected him and set him free.

Shaken and trembling, the man suddenly understood the truth. The very wound he had cursed had become the reason his life was spared. The cut he hated had saved him from death. Filled with remorse, he ran back to the pit, found his abandoned friend still alive, and pulled him out with tears in his eyes. “My brother,” he cried, “forgive me. Thank you for cutting my hand. That wound saved my life.” The rescued man looked at him gently and replied, “Wait a moment. If you had not pushed me into this pit, they would have released you and taken me instead for the sacrifice.”both men stood speechless. Then they realized that what looked like pain had become protection, and what seemed like betrayal had become deliverance.

Sometimes we cry over wounds that are saving us. Sometimes we complain about delays that are preserving us. Sometimes we curse the pit, not knowing it is hiding us from danger. God often works wonders behind the curtain of suffering. What you are passing through now may be the very road by which He intends to bring glory. Can you be patient with God?

To anyone carrying sorrow today, Mary sees you.

To the unemployed youth, Mary is here for you tonight.

To the widow mourning in silence, Mary will comfort you.

To the family burdened by bills, Mary sees you.

To the student anxious about the future, Mary is working with you.

To the priest tired in ministry, Mary is your strength.

To the religious struggling in vocation, Mary is showing you directions.

To all of us weary of national problems, Mary sees you.

She who stood at the cross now stands beside you.

Conclusion

Mary the Comforter of the Afflicted is not only a title to be recited. It is a reality to be experienced. In a wounded nation and a searching city like Ibadan, Mary comes as mother, companion, intercessor, and guide. She gathers us at Pentecost so that the Holy Spirit may renew our hearts and heal our land.

Let us go to her with confidence. Let us learn from her faith. Let us imitate her compassion. Let us receive through her the consolation of Christ.

And may the Mother who prayed with the apostles in the upper room pray now for the Archdiocese of Ibadan, for Nigeria, and for every afflicted soul.

Holy Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted, pray for us.