… As Lagos Archdiocese celebrates Feast of Assumption
Humans have been cautioned to beware of what they do with their bodies, as they are advised to eschew the thought that their bodies are their properties, and can be used in any way they deem fit, other than to glorify God. This was posited by Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, while delivering the homily, during the Feast of the Assumption, hosted by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria (CCRN), Lagos Archdiocese, with the theme, “Mary, epitome of God’s grace”, held recently at the Marian Shrine, Maryland, Lagos.
Archbishop Martins said the Assumption of the Blessed Mother Mary body and soul into heaven, is an indication of the sacredness of the human body, adding that what they wear, and how they appear matters, as the human body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. According to the Archbishop, “Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and therefore, must be treated with respect, and must not be misused or abused. “What we do with our senses, watch with our eyes, do with our hands; where we allow our legs to carry us to, and what we say with our mouths matter.”
The Prelate emphasised on the need for decent dressing, urging the people to desist from trending fashion that glorifies nudity, and wrong for followers of Christ. The Archbishop condemned the act of people in the world today, who spend time promoting abortion, and spreading all kinds of things that help people to procure abortion. According to him, because of the erroneous belief to be in control of their bodies, people terminate the life of the child, simply because he or she is occupying a space in their wombs.
On the celebration taking place within the Jubilee Year of Hope, the Archbishop said the challenges confronting the country, sometimes seem to wipe out the whole idea of hope, adding that Nigerians are facing lots of difficulties, including poverty, insecurity, lack of social amenities, rising cost of living and unemployment. Calling on those who have the duty of making life easy for people, he noted that the Magnificat of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not simply a pious hymn that Catholics sing, but a revolutionary song that calls for a new beginning, and a reorganisation of systems that oppress and make life impossible for the poor.
Very Rev. Msgr. Hoteyin, Marian Shrine Chaplain, commended the organisers, Fr. Anthony Fadairo, Episcopal Vicar, Ikeja Region and Co-ordinator of the Marian Shrine, priests, religious, and faithful for the success of the event, assuring them of blessings from God, as he appreciated the Archbishop, urging the people to ensure they put all they have heard into practice.
