Catholics and Christians in general have been urged to ensure that they acquire the knowledge of the word of God for the advancement of God’s kingdom on earth and the salvation of their souls. The charge was given by Rev. Fr. George Chiedu who represented Very Rev. Msgr. Paschal Mwaezeapu, Metropolitan Chaplain, during the grand finale of the 2023 Bible quiz competition, organised by the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba, KSM, Lekki Sub-Ordinate Council, held recently at Lumen Christi Tv Network, Lekki, Lagos. Speaking on factors, including secularism, materialism, capitalism among other challenges confronting the present generation, Fr. Chiedu said these are some of the areas of life that Jesus Christ came to the world to conquer.
He said it is the knowledge of the word of God that equips Christians to be able to overcome temptations like Jesus did in the desert after fasting for forty days and nights, adding that Jesus was able to conquer the Devil with the word of God. Calling on leaders; civil and religious alike to imbibe the word of God, which is the word of peace, and see Jesus as their mentor and master, the priest said wars going on in different parts of the world and violence witnessed in Nigeria is as a result of the absence of the word of God in the hearts of people.
He said Jesus gave the beatitudes as template on how to witness to him and how to have standard of morality of living in the world, adding that with that people are able to be their brothers and sisters’ keeper, and live in harmony with one another. Sir Peter Bamkole, Grand knight, KSM, Lekki Sub-Council said the significance of the Bible quiz is for the participants as well as the whole world to continue to learn and share the word of God. He said the Bible is the compass for fighting moral battles, as he added that through the word of God people can know the truth, and the truth can set them free. Stating that in some climes, people have been barred from talking about the word of God, Bamkole said the competition is just one of the many ways in which KSM tries to expose the word of God to people.
Speaking on the performance of the contestants, he said if one focuses and prepares well, they can be successful at whatever they do. The GK said one thing he is happy about is Fr. Dan Onuora whose major area is the scriptures, who has promised that he will work with the Sub-Council to ensure they have better versions of the event every year. For her part, Lady Eva Akinwotan, President, Ladies of St. Mulumba, Lekki Sub-Council gave thanks to God for the opportunity of evangelising to people as well as show the world that Catholics are interested in the Bible and making people read the Bible.
She advised the participants to ensure they read and practice the Bible, as she expressed her pleasure to see a lady contesting, she added that she would love to see more ladies contest and win in subsequent editions of the quiz. The contest was won by Stanley Moses Ushi of St. Athanasius Catholic Church, Oke-Ira Kekere, while Aloysius Anamgba from St. Peter Catholic Church, Langbasa took second place and David Oniga of Catholic Church of the Pentecost, Jakande Estate, was second runner-up of the six finalists that competed in the quiz.
