Lokho with her four children
“Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you,
because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.
This was the fulfilment of Simeon’s prophecy, the sword that ran through Mary’s soul. She who nurtured Jesus as a baby, witnessed his first steps and words, now meets her son on this final journey. What pain Mary must have felt, unable to help or comfort Jesus. Yet she remains present and steadfast, as so many mothers throughout the world do in challenging times.
Lokho’s youngest daughter, Gurati, was born towards the end of the long drought. Lokho sold her last two remaining goats so that she had money to care for her child. It was a worrying time.
With the vegetables that they grow in the kitchen garden, Gurati is now thriving.
Let us look to the example of Mary, the mother who cares for Christ and for us all, and not turn our faces away from those who are suffering.
Prayer
Jesus, you looked through the crowd
and saw your mother’s eyes.
Her love gave you the strength to carry on.
Walk with us.
When we don’t want to listen, open our ears to hear.
When it would be easier to look away, open our eyes to see.
Amen.
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