The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Martins on Saturday urged Christians to reappraise themselves and shed all negative baggage during the Easter period.
Martins, through the Director of Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, in a statement, also assured Christians and Nigerians that the ravaging coronavirus (COVID-19) would soon be over.
He said that this season offered mankind an opportunity to repent of the exploitation of the earth’s gifts in careless and unsustainable ways. “We must embrace a new and responsible care and use of the earth, our common home. “This period calls on us to reappraise our values, our daily activities, our family relationships and how we respond to the changing world around us.
“No matter how we view it; God is giving us an opportunity to take part in renewing the face of the earth, though it may be in a painful manner. “It is now for us to reappraise our values and shed all negative baggage to embrace God’s saving grace,” he said.
Martins said that the ravaging COVID-19 made it imperative for Nigerians to seek the face of God more than ever before in the history of the nation. “As much as we are collectively making concerted efforts to deal with the issues arising from the pandemic, it is only God that can grant us the victory that we need over it. “As Christians, we must not despair but dig into the strength of our faith and stand on our conviction that He has the solution to all our problems, including COVID-19,” he said.
The cleric applauded the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and all health workers’ efforts at curbing the spread of the virus.
He urged them not to relent in their commitments, assuring them of God’s guidance and continuous protection in their efforts.
Martins called on Christians not to allow their faith to grow dim as a result of the temporal closure of places of worship. He said that God was with them in their homes, urging them to be steadfast in their personal and family prayers. “You can also participate in the Mass live on Lumen Christi Television Network and also online via live streaming.
“I urge government, corporate bodies, religious groups and all well-meaning Nigerians to continue in their charitable gestures for the most vulnerable and needy at this time. “It is difficult for a hungry man to remain indoors. “I assure everyone that by God’s grace, the scourge would soon be over, and we shall see the curve being flattened all over the world,” he said. (NAN)
