…As over 20 couples renew vows
Over 20 couples drawn from across parishes in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, renewed their marriage vows last weekend, during the celebration of the 2024 Valentine’s Day with the Archbishop, held at Ave Maria Catholic Church, Ikate, Lekki, Lagos. The event, organised by the Catholic Lay Apostolate Centre, Archdiocese of Lagos, with the theme, “Genuine Christian love knows no barrier or boundary”, had Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos as the chief host. Delivering the homily on the occasion, Archbishop Martins urged Christians to show love to fellow humans, irrespective of where they come from, or what language they speak.
He said God’s love is a gift that people must treasure and offer to others in the way God offers it to them. According to Archbishop Martins, “Love is usually seen in three kinds of ways, the greatest being divine love, which is given free of charge to the point of Jesus coming into the world, to the point of His death on the cross. His love is unconditional.” On brotherly love, the Archbishop said, “You are commanded to offer this kind of love to everyone, irrespective of their state or condition in life. It’s that kind of love that we are called to give, even to our enemies.”
He urged the people to reflect on the practical and sacrificial love of Ruth which beckons on them to walk alongside one another, sharing in each other’s joys and sorrows. He asked them to celebrate the day by emulating the example of St. Valentine, by extending love to those around them, irrespective of differences. He added that their love should be a beacon of light that dispels darkness, a force that unites hearts and transcends the limitations of this world.
Also speaking on the occasion, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Ibe, Director, Catholic Lay Apostolate and Chaplain, Lagos Archdiocesan Laity Council, expressed concern at the misuse and outright abuse of the word, ‘love.’ Fr. Ibe said the annual event is a medium through which people are given the right education and authentic Christian teaching on the true meaning of the word ‘love’, as well as how it must be applied in their daily lives, especially in a multiethnic society.
While giving a talk, entitled, “Christian love is practical and sacrificial”, Mr. Kenneth Ibekwe, Guest Speaker on the occasion, said God’s love for man brought about the Christian love. Ibekwe said to practice true love, among other things, Christians should surrender their lives to Christ who is love Himself; they should desire the habit of charity and selflessness, learn not to condemn or judge others, and pray for an encounter with the Holy Spirit who gives the fruit of love.
