Moderator calls for peace and reconciliation to celebrate Easter. Rt. Rev. Dr. A. N. Opare Kwakye
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye has indicated the significance Easter celebration imprints in our hearts, touching on love and sacrifice, forgiveness and reconciliation, as well as hope and faith.
In his Easter message, the Moderator explained the need to be mindful of the reason for the celebration “and reenact the most significant event in the salvation history of God.” He added that, “It is a period when Christians also reflect on renewal following the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This renewal should characterize every aspect of our lives.”
Rt. Rev. Dr. Opare Kwakye calls for solemn reflection on three major lessons we celebrate Easter.
Love and Sacrifice
The Moderator exhorts the general public on Easter saying that, “Jesus’ willingness to lay down His life for humanity which demonstrates the depth of God’s love for us” gives us the example of sacrifice and service “for the greater good of all men.”
He emphasized that, God gives us opportunities; relationship, social connections, and other privileges. “Whatever opportunity God has given us is for us to offer service to humanity not to amass resources for ourselves. When we love, sacrifice becomes a norm.”
Nana Opare Kwakye expressed his heartfelt desire to all manner of persons to use “Whatever opportunity God has given us to offer service to humanity not to amass resources for ourselves. When we love, sacrifice becomes a norm.”
Papa Moderator who is the spiritual and pastoral head of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana worldwide prayed, “As we commemorate Easter, we should make a conscious effort to sacrifice for the well being of relationships. I want to see people in various forms of leadership – in the family, Church and political front to show love and sacrifice in their dealings with everyone.”
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Still on good relationship since that is a bedrock of Easter commemoration, Papa Opare Kwakye explained that, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ everyone is shown the path of forgiveness and reconciliation. From Luke 23:34, he indicated that, “In the course of the trial of Jesus, one of the profound requests He made was to ask for the forgiveness of all the people who had caused Him pain and suffering.”
The Moderator calls on every Christian to create room for forgiveness and reconciliation when our offenders do not even ask for it. “I call on all supervisors to forgive their subordinates and vice versa as well as colleagues. Parents, children, spouses and siblings should forgive each other in truth and genuineness. Let us spread forgiveness and reconciliation to all humanity this Easter season.”
Hope and Faith
Indeed, the depravity of man wipes away every hope in life. Meanwhile, “Easter instills in us the virtues of hope and faith.” He assured that, “The story of Easter is a reminder that even in the face of what appears as gloomy and despair, there is the possibility for new beginnings and transformation.”
Nana Opare Kwakye, the Moderator touched on circumstances that take away our hope,
The circumstances of today in both our country and the world’s history is one where real hope is eluding too many people. Without hope, one cannot live. To live without hope is to cease to live. People place Hope in things that are elusive – in financial wealth, in science, in status, in fame or in academic achievements; they may appear helpful but these are all very transient.
Shooting the spotlight, the Moderator directed that, “Our true hope in life is wakened and sustained and finally fulfilled by the great divine mystery which is above us and in us and round about us, nearer to us than we can be to ourselves” and this divine mystery is God revealed to us in Jesus Christ. “God alone is our sure hope, and once our hope is rooted in Christ the Alpha and Omega, all will be well.”
Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana sends his godly wishes of a happy Easter to all Ghanaians. ‘Christ is risen; He is risen indeed.’
Shalom alekhem…
Asomdwoe nka wo…
