Easter: Lessons in Sacrifice and Hope
The Holy Week of Passion, commemorating the biblical triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, His crucifixion and eventual resurrection on the third day, ended with Easter celebration yesterday. That period in Church history was very significant for Christianity because the events marked were the cornerstone of the Christian faith. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ represent the call for sacrifice among the faithful and secondly, an encouragement that with God Almighty, there is always the hope of victory over every challenge that confronts humanity, no matter how hard-hitting and defiant.
In his Easter Message, Pope Francis II harped on the hope that comes with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the message, he declared that the resurrection offers hope in a world “marked by so many acts of injustice and violence,” including parts of Africa affected by “hunger, endemic conflicts and terrorism.” According to him, the resurrection of Christ “bears fruits of hope and dignity where there are deprivation and exclusion, hunger and unemployment; where there are migrants and refugees, so often rejected by today’s culture of waste, and victims of the drug trade, human trafficking and contemporary forms of slavery.”
Bishop of Catholic Church’s Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, on his part, released a message addressing critical issues that affect a cross-section of Nigerians. Specifically, he addressed to the president, politicians, religious leaders, and the masses, Kukah called on Nigerians to rise above corruption, violence, religious and ethnic divisions that have threatened the corporate existence of Nigeria and work for peace and unity. To President Buhari he said: “You must very quickly find a way of connecting with your people before the devil takes over the space. For taking on this challenge and connecting with Nigerians, happy Easter.”
To the political class, Bishop Kukah admonished to “abandon the spirit of selfish accumulation and embrace the principles of integrity and genuine service of our country. Do not let this country collapse in your hands.” To religious leaders he said, “We must seek the collective welfare of our people and develop a culture of neutrality that can inspire the confidence in our people in the power of religion to change society so that the common good is always sought and promoted.”
Nigeria is at a crossroads. Human lives are being wasted in many parts of the country. Criminality and bloodshed have encumbered the ground from North to South. Corruption has continued to mutate beyond the control of anti-graft agencies. Hunger and abject poverty have overwhelmed government’s interventions. Under this atmosphere, making sacrifices seems to be the last priority of many Nigerians, including the country’s leaders. Love has been replaced by hatred, bigotry and self-justification. Unless this train of confusion is arrested, the country’s future is not as bright as we all hope.
In this season, we call on all Nigerians to ask ourselves this question: what would Jesus do as a political leader, religious leader, minister or ordinary man if He were in our shoes? How would He behave in the face of corruption, senseless killings, hatred, injustice, criminality and all other malaise that beset Nigeria today? We should attempt to imagine his reaction to whatever challenges confront us and attempt to react in the same manner. The crises facing the country at the moment are beyond the law. Nigerians have continued to defy the long arm of the law and rather wax stronger in errors and associated evils.
This is, therefore, the season for personal reflection, repentance from evil, and of putting on the garment of selfcontrol. Irrespective of our status in the country we should work for the rebirth of Nigeria. Jesus says in John 15 verse 13 that, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” In like manner, if this country must move forward, all Nigerians should make sacrifices for one another. Happy Easter Celebration!