Archbishop Augustine Akubeze of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin, Edo State has asked Nigerians to trust in the power of God to heal the nation of the COVID-19 pandemic, even as he urged them never to take things for granted, but continue to live by the regulations provided by the relevant Government Agencies. The Catholic Archbishop spoke in Benin City, the Edo State capital recently while delivering his homily entitled “Jesus will not leave us orphans because he loves us.” He emphasized that Jesus’ assurance that he will give us an Advocate to minister unto us, is to ensure that we are not left desolate and abandoned. Archbishop Akubeze noted that Jesus will not leave us orphans because he loves and cares for us. It also enables us to pray and accompanies us in our journey of faith.
According to him, the success story of Philip’s preaching which brought joy to the Samaritans as they received the gospel message with enthusiasm and filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 8 v 5-8, 14-17 and 1 Peter 3 v 15) encourages Christians to remain steadfast even under pressure in their attachment to Christ. The Apostles, he noted, “were first afraid as Jesus reeled out his farewell discourse. They became anxious because while with them, his words of wisdom were truly exceptional.
They felt his strength as he spoke with authority. They experienced his power as he healed the sick and worked other signs and wonders. But then Jesus reassures them as he reassures us today “I will not leave you orphans.” “I will send you an Advocate to be with you always.” The prelate, said one of the greatest blessings Christians can experience in their lives is the blessing of the divine presence, that as the Faithful move around in what he called the stormy sea of life, it is the divine presence that steadies and anchors them. “At various times in your life, you need a helper in your weakness, a comforter in your sorrows and a counselor in your times of doubt and distress.” He stressed that we all need a friend in Jesus we can share with; an Advocate in the Spirit who will plead our cause and a loving Father to whom we can turn for guidance and protection.
