FIRST READING
They devoted themselves to prayer with Mary the Mother of Jesus.
A reading from the Acts of the Apostle (Acts1:12-14)
(After Jesus was taken up into heaven,) the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away; and when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brethren.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Luke1:46-47.48-49.50-51.52-53.54-55 (R. 49)
R. He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is his name.
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my savior. R.
For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generation will call me blessed;
For he who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is his name. R.
And his mercy is on those who fear him
From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm,
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. R.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Luke1:46-47.48-49.50-51.52-53.54-55 (R. 49)
R. He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is his name.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalt those of low degree;
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich he has sent empty away. R.
He has helped his servant Israel,
In remembrance of his mercy,
As he spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his posterity forever. R.
ALLELUIA
ALLELUIA Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise. You are the Mother of Christ, you are the Mother of the Church. ALLELUIA
Gospel
And the mother of Jesus was there.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 2:1-11)
At that time: There was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what is that to you or to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who has drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
We glorify God for the gift of our Heavenly Mother whom we honour today as our Lady Mother of Africa. Her role on our continent cannot be overemphasized. She reigns as a caring and an observant Queen of every Continent, at the side of her Son the King of the World. She is for the reason a credible intercessor for all our needs here on our Continent. We acknowledge her position as Our Lady and Mother and beseech her intercession for all her distressed and anguished children dispersed all over the African landscape and beyond and for countries hijacked by bad leaders and torn apart by hate, anger and dishonesty. Mary Our Lady, Mother of Africa pray for us.