EASTER MESSAGE 2023

My beloved people of God, we have come to the glorious Solemnity of Easter we have been preparing ourselves for all through the period of Lent. Easter is the memorial celebration of the Resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ. That Jesus rose again from death on the third day after his crucifixion and death at Calvary is a historical fact. It clearly demonstrates that; goodness, not evil, love not hate, life, not death has the last say. This fact is particularly important for us Nigerians in the face of what INEC did with the presidential election we have just had. The message of Easter this year for the good people of Nigeria is that we should not give up the hope for a New Nigeria, which many of us voted for. For now, that hope has been crucified by INEC.

The enemies of Jesus were so happy that they eventually captured Jesus and killed him. But for how long? Their joy was short-lived, just as Jesus had told the disciples before his passion and death; he said “I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy” (John 16:20). The enemies of Jesus rejoiced only on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Early Sunday morning Jesus rose again from the dead, despite the soldiers guarding his tomb, he came out glorious, and his disciples who were in deep sorrow on Good Friday and Holy Saturday were overjoyed to see the risen Lord.

In the same way, the good people of Nigeria are in sorrow now, while the criminal elements in politics are rejoicing believing they have had it again their way. In a short while, at God’s appointed time, the table will turn on them and our sorrow will turn into joy.

The Resurrection of Jesus is God’s approval of the earthly ministry of Jesus, His yes to all Jesus taught and did. It is also a way to prove to us that truly life does not end in the grave, life continues eternally after earthly death. The resurrection of the body we profess in the creeds is a reality. This knowledge should help us prioritise our values and stop living as if life ends in the grave. HAPPY EASTER!

+Michael Ukpong

Bishop of Umuahia