THREE DISTINCT FIGURES OF MAY

When I got the news of Osama Bin Ladens death, I posted on my twitter wall: there must be a connection between Osama, Obama and John Paul II? JP II was beatified 1 st May- morning, Osama was killed 1st May- evening and Obama (on 2nd and 3rd May) not just announced the death of the kingpin Taliban but reinstated Americas commitment to withdraw at least half of its over 100,000 military troops in the Middle East. All these are happening in a month dear to us MAY BLOSSOM. We already have a beautiful beginning of our May devotion. I believe that there is no coincidence but divine incidence. So what is the connection? It was with great joy that the Church witnessed the beatification of John Paul II, an icon of the Divine Mercy. Karol Wojtyas leadership was marked with successful ecumenical dialogues, campaigns of interreligious dialogue, promotion of the devotion to Mary and the Divine Mercy, and preaching of the intrinsic value of human life. Barack Obama remains an icon of democracy all around the world. His interest in the Middle-East struggle has always been that of dialogue and not outright war. For this, he received the noble prize of peace. Osama, on the other hand, was the founder and financer of Al-Qaeda terrorist group. He fought to liberate the Muslim world from Western dominance but he turned to terrorism of which the greatest hit was the attack on the Twin-Tower in New York City. Recent events present to us these three personalities whose approach to the problems of peace and love differ. We pray in the fourth Glorious Mystery With my whole heart I share in your happiness and pray that the world may enjoy a similar fate. These reoccurring words of prayer echo the imperative of peace and love in our world. Our Lady is a great advocate of peace and she always reminds us to corporate with her in bringing bright burning love to our sinful world. Our approach to peace is then not to seek for war like Osama. In fact, if there is any war to fight, it is spiritual. We need to bring contributions as much as we can this May so that the forces militating against peace in our world can be battled by MTA. She did it when we joined her to battle communism. I believe she beckons on us this month to join in that spiritual battle of securing peace by bringing our contributions. The last effect of this spiritual war is peace and love. Take a look at the recent killings of Christian southerners in Northern Nigeria. It is a clear continuation of the Al Qaeda propaganda. Press tells us the killings were political but information from people on ground showed that the crisis took up a religious and ethnic undertone. I am sure we do not desire a repeat of the HUTU-TUTSI genocide and of course we are not desirous of a country like Libya where bomb-shelling replaces the Angelus-bells that wake people up from sleep. The hunger for peace and love is intrinsically man. It transcends religion, politics, ethnicity, colour and social class. Man is made to love God through the love neighbor and environment. There clearly an aberration of the love and peace that the Creator really wants for our world today. There are killings every day and everywhere around the world on the basis of religion, politics and ethnicity. Where is justice? Where is the giver of Justice? Where is Our Lady? We definitely have lots of work to do. In Schoenstatt, we have Our Lady- we sing to her daily and we also know she can intercede. I am convinced that this May is an invitation to help our world secure the peace and love it needs. If we dont, the consequences may catch up with us sooner than later. Let us urge Mary through our contributions, flowers, prayers and sacrifices to help fight the spiritual battle needed to bring peace to Nigeria and the whole world. We must also let that peace and sincere love radiate in the Community which is a microcosm of what a truly love-bound world should be. Like Obama we must know that physical battle does not bring lasting peace-

dialogue is better. If we prove recalcitrant, we may end up like Osama, killed by an ordinary soldier in a quiet night and with his body at large; just like that. It requires sacrifice and time but if we keep pouring in our contributions, we will someday be rewarded like John Paul II- an apostle of peace who is basking in Christs Divine Mercy. Dear reader: This month- the choice is yours! I am fine in Lagos and remain united in the Covenant of love. I hope to see you all very soon.
Michael Okenna Nwanguma (May 4, 2011)