By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan
The Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo on Saturday charged Nigerians, especially Christians to rise to a new life that would impact on the society positively.
Badejo gave the charge when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) about Easter, which he said brought good news to Christians and called for a life of holiness and triumph.
“After 40 days of penance and fasting Easter calls on us to live holy lives and pursue justice.
“We must shun conspiracy, false witnessing, fake news, betrayal, and character assassination so rampant in our world.
“We should embrace truth, compassion, and forgiveness. Let there be reconciliation; no more division. Easter is the accomplishment of the mission of Jesus to reconcile the world with God,’’ he said.
Badejo also admonished all faithful to embrace one another.
“Jesus died on the Cross and resurrected for all, without discrimination.
“Let us all embrace the Easter message of reconciliation. Let us fight the falsehood and division which are destroying families, relationships, associations, parties and country and stop demonising one another.
“The ethnic profiling, which makes other people look evil and undesirable is a sin against God and humanity. Jesus condemned sin but never the sinner. Let us emulate him at Easter,’’ Badejo said.
He urged Christians and all to follow the way of Jesus who obeyed God and focused on His mission.
The bishop emphasised that Jesus went about doing good; He fed the hungry, opened the eyes of the blind, cured the sick, stood for justice and preached peace through forgiveness.
“He laid down His life in service to others. He said: `I have come to give life; life to the full (John 10:10)’. That is what all leaders must do for all good citizens.
“If we all could obey God’s laws written in our hearts and live like Christ, our world would be like paradise.
“A better world is possible; Easter reminds us that Jesus lived to serve others (Mark 10:45). He washed the feet of His disciples, teaching them to love one another.
“Easter calls us all to serve and restore, not to destroy others; it calls on us to remake and restore our world through moral regeneration.
“Let us repair the decayed moral fibre of our country and our world which is evident today in terrorism, insurgency, abductions, domestic and social violence, betrayal of trust and abuse of power in public institutions,’’ Badejo said.
He called on public officials to pursue truth and justice always.
He enjoined all Nigerians to resist those who spread tribalism, discrimination and hatred and live with mutual respects, forgiveness and love.
“We all have a lot to gain if we do good always; so we should never give up doing good.
“Jesus was betrayed, persecuted, punished, and crucified, yet He rose from the dead. Easter is a time to say: `all hope is not lost and miracles are possible.’
"It is therefore time for rejoicing; a time to reassure all who are doing good not to give up but to work harder. We shall overcome evil just like Jesus did,’’ Badejo stressed. (NAN)
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