Nigerians, Christians in particular have been urged to follow God’s ways, by working for unity and expressing universal love that reaches out to all peoples, irrespective of their ethnic extractions, what language they speak or how they look. The charge was given by Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Matins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos while delivering the homily in celebration of the Feast of Epiphany and diaconate and priestly ordination of 10 candidates of the Archdiocese of Lagos, held last Sunday, at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos. Explaining that the Epiphany which the Archdiocese celebrates with the rest of the Church is an extension of the celebration of Christmas; Archbishop Martins said that the story behind the celebration confirms that Jesus came to the world for the salvation of the entire human race. “The Epiphany that we celebrate today, we celebrate the manifestation of Jesus to the entire world. We recall that Simeon at the presentation of Jesus in the temple, in the gospel according to Luke, chapter 2:30-32 states that Jesus is the salvation which God has prepared for all nations, the light to enlighten the Gentiles and give glory to Israel.
“By his Epiphany, God spoke clearly that we who believe in him and follow his ways must always work for unity, and that our love must be a universal love that reaches out to all peoples.” Stating that the celebration of Epiphany would have borne lots of fruits if it helps people to make conscious efforts to live in unity and harmony with others, irrespective of where they come from, their language or look, the Archbishop urged the people to give their lives to Christ, and entrust their present and future to God and allow him to take control. He said that those being ordained have given the gift of their life to God; their present and their future, and are surrendering themselves and their wills to the Lord, adding that that is the reason the Church is able to celebrate their ordination to the diaconate and priesthood. Rejoicing with the candidates, Archbishop Martins congratulated them for hearing the Lord just as the wise men saw the star and followed the voice of the Lord as they followed the star. He said: “Now, you have come to the point of being engaged to work in the vineyard as a priest and as deacons, remember what Jesus said, ‘You did not choose me, I chose you.’
So, you should be glad, you should rejoice that in spite of your unworthiness, you have been chosen.” The Archbishop urged them to strive to become more worthy of the honour that God and his Church has given them on their ordination. He urged them to learn from the magi who left their comfort zone in search of Jesus and followed the direction of the star, even when they did not know where the star was leading them. “You have Jesus as your model; you have the scriptures, you have the teaching of the Church be docile to them in allowing them to guide you”, he said. The event which was attended by a huge number of family and friends of the candidates as well as faithful of the Archdiocese, saw the ordination of one priest and nine deacons.
