Religion
CHRISTIANS world-wide have commemorated the passion, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ at Calvary Hill.
In a homily to mark the event at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Amawbia, Chaplain, Anambra Government House Rev. Fr. Patrick Okafor, said that Jesus paid the ultimate price for the sins of the world, paving way for the salvation of mankind.
Okafor said that what helped Jesus to be steadfast was the love he had for humanity and God as well as total submission to the will of his father.
He noted that Good Friday was the most solemn and sorrowful day in the lives of Christians.
The cleric emphasised that Jesus was careful of what awaited Him, noting that the part of Christ that suffered in the most brutal way was his human part.
He said that at a point in Jesus’ life, he prayed to God `to remove the cup’ but acknowledged that his father’s will be done not his.
Okafor said that there would always be a time when you will make the journey alone.
“Jesus went to the garden with the apostles to pray, but at some point, he left them and went alone to pray, embarking on the journey alone.
“There are certain things that happen in your life according to God’s plan. Everything that happened in the life of Christ has been predestined,’’ he said.
According to him, Jesus is not saved from the cross by his father, rather he was saved on the cross.
“Jesus confronted head long the sufferings that awaited him courageously,’’ he said, urging Christians to be courageous in the face of difficulties.
“Do not allow any difficulty, distractions that showed up in your lives to make you lose focus, rather let your eyes always stay on the ball.
“Christ knew that the hour had come and he showed total readiness to die for mankind after being consoled by his father thereby ending up his life on the cross,’’ he said.
The Chaplain emphasised that Jesus was God, yet he humbled himself to suffer a ridiculous death on the cross to save humanity.
Jesus Christ did not proclaim himself the King of Israel, but rather the people hailed him as their king because of his deeds.
He cautioned those who deny their identity in the face of difficulties to always stand on the path of truth, urging all to be courageous for Christ had conquered the world.
According to him, John as an apostle of Christ witnessed the suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ on every Good Friday, his Gospel is read as an eyewitness account.
He cautioned political office holders to refrain from extorting the public over something they ought to do free of charge.
He therefore urged all to reciprocate Christ’s love by being merciful to others.
– Apr. 03, 2021 @ 12:22 GMT
Tags: Good Friday: Christians commemorate passion of Jesus Christ at Calvary Hill
