As Christians celebrate Easter, the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, has urged Nigerians, especially Christians, to make other people’s burden lighter by being a blessing to the less fortunate.
Badejo made the remark in his Easter message, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.
Badejo urged Christians to be a witness of goodness, reconciliation, brotherhood, love and faith as ingredients for a better society and future.
“That is what Jesus died for, that is how we can get eternal life with Him, if you feel God’s love, joy, compassion or forgiveness, share it with somebody.
“Jesus is risen! He has conquered sin and death and he is alive! He assures us all of the same fate. That is the message of Easter for every human being, irrespective of their life condition.
“Easter, the resurrection of Jesus, means life, joy, victory, freedom, justice forgiveness, compassion and peace. It means that no situation is too hopeless for God to turn around.
“Jesus is risen but how much joy can people have when they are under terrorist attacks, bombardment at war or even in the den of kidnappers? What is the meaning of victory and justice for those who cannot afford a decent meal in a day or who though sick, have no means with which to care for themselves?
“This is where Jesus needs all who feel the resurrection, joy and life to witness his power and victory. We must find a way of making the mood of Easter reach all the nooks and crannies of our world,” he said.
The catholic bishop advised Christians to make people feel the earthshaking event of Jesus rising from the dead, that after the great wickedness and injustice of Good Friday, God made Easter Sunday to occur.
He enjoined them to make people see that the same is possible in their condition.
“The cross Christians carry will always lead to a crown. Jesus himself taught this: “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single grain, but if it dies, it will yield fruit in plenty (Jn 12:24)”.
“I call on Nigerians, as witnesses to the resurrection, to help one another to see that the tomb is already empty and that the death of Good Friday lost its sting and ended with Easter Sunday resurrection.
“If we rejoice in Christ’s victory and power, help others to feel it too. Tell it all around you that Jesus is risen, alleluia is our song of joy.
“Do your best to share God’s compassion with all you have and God will do the rest. Happy Easter for a better Nigeria and a better world!” Badejo said. (NAN)
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