The Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev Emmanuel Badejo, has said challenges confronting Nigeria would be surmounted when its leaders and followers start shunning evil.
The cleric in his message for Good Friday celebration, called on Nigerians to emulate the love and sacrifice for others which were exemplified by Jesus through his death on the cross of Calvary.
In the message titled: “On Good Friday Sorrow:Joy of Easter Sunday,” Bishop Badejo explained that Nigeria is not beyond repair but that righteousness exalts a nation.
He urged all our leaders and people in authority to emulate Jesus in order to improve the society and institutions.
According to him, “Good Friday is the day on which Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, giving His life on the cross for the salvation of the world. That is exactly what is good about it even though his suffering and death are painful and unjust. Jesus Christ the son of God gave his life in love and humility, leaving His glory aside.
“By His death on Good Friday Jesus taught us that there are benefits in making sacrifice for the good of others. Such suffering or sacrifice, like that which a mother makes for her children, or a friend for another, is pleasing to God. Good Friday invites us to repent, abandon sin, do something for the good of others and thus enjoy God’s favour.
“I invite all our leaders and people in authority to emulate Jesus in order to improve our society and institutions. Good Friday teaches us that the best qualities of leadership are service, humility and love. Good Friday re-presents all the challenges and problems that we meet in our life, at work, in our family and in our country. Those problems will be solved not just by praying but by serious, honest and selfless effort by everyone to do good and oppose sin and evil. Nigeria is not beyond repair but it is righteousness that exalts a nation.
“Easter Sunday is the celebration of the victory of Jesus Christ. It reminds us that the victory of good over evil is inevitable. Life conquers death, light overcomes darkness and truth defeats falsehood. All the powers and conspiracies of the Pharisees, the authorities, the soldiers and the crowd could not arrest the resurrection.
“Similarly, all the evil happening in the world cannot stop the celebration of Easter because it is God’s plan. That is why Christians rejoice at Easter. Alleluia! Easter Sunday answers all the questions of Good Friday. Why should good people suffer sometimes? Well, because God always has a superior reason and for allowing such to happen. If Jesus had not died salvation would never have come. To all who suffer, I say: “Be comforted: with Jesus, Good Friday is not the last word, Easter Sunday victory is. I urge all Nigerians to emulate Jesus’ way of love and sacrifice for others.”
