Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady of Lanka, where we offer deep reverence and love to our Blessed Mother for sparing our country from destruction during the Second World War. Since then our little island has been entrusted to her maternal care. Her intercession has protected our country and our lives. Jesus was led to perform his first miracle owing to his mother’s request. He will continue to listen to our prayers offered through her intercession. Numerous types of intentions like marriages, jobs, child birth, conception, wars, calamities, family disputes, poverty and sickness have been miraculously dealt with through her powerful intercession.

We are blessed and fortunate to have her as our mother. Therefore as Saint Louis de Montfort says: “The more one is consecrated to Mary, the more one is consecrated to Jesus”. Thus let us remember: “Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did” (Saint Maximilian Kolbe). Today on this solemn feast day of Our Lady of Lanka, as citizens of Sri Lanka let us consecrate our people and our land in a special way to her care and protection.

The Lord who is our master and guide has protected our people in various different ways throughout our history. His mercy and love does not differentiate between races or languages. Let us pray for the unity of our country, that we can put aside our differences and work together as children of God. Let us unite together in the power of the Holy Spirit, that the people around us would witness the mighty move of God. Today’s Gospel proclamation reveals how Jesus had compassion on people as they were like sheep without a shepherd and he started teaching them. He is emphasising that teaching and guiding the flock is important. Without proper teaching one can easily get lost and perish. Do we bother to teach like our Master and care for the flock entrusted to us? It can be our family, parish, community or work place. Do we care to spread the word of God and his teaching among his sheepfold? Let us once again resolve to become ambassadors of Christ, messengers of his mercy and love in this land.

PRAYER: Abba Father, may we follow the example of our role model Jesus, to teach and guide your flock. Amen.