After this year’s Lent journey, during which we had the opportunity to reflect more deeply on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, it is critical that we recognise that the call to “love as Jesus did” and to be “victorious against all odds” is at the heart of our faith and discipleship.
Paul in Romans 4: 18 assures us “Against All odds when it looked hopeless, Abraham believed the promise and took God at His word and as a result became the Father of Nations. We can be called to emulate Abraham in the course of our life this year.
Remember, even at the most difficult point of his peril on the crucifixion, when he was insulted, “If you are the son of God, come down from the cross and we will believe in you,” he remained steadfast in His Mission, to give his life as a ransom for many despite all odds. Victory for those he came to help, despite all odds.
Each of us understands how difficult it may be to follow this call to love with consistency and faithfulness, but in the depths of our hearts, we know that this is exactly what Jesus meant when He presented Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His approach leads to true happiness and a full life, which is why we follow Him.
Easter is a moment when we are reminded of the seeds of hope that lay inside the call to love in Victory. It is true that we can easily become overwhelmed when we witness the tragedies that continue to unfold in so many other parts of the world. We might shake our heads in despair as we see more and more homeless individuals living on the streets with no clear answer in sight.
When we learn of increased violence in our secondary and primary schools, we can be concerned about the future. In the face of all of these issues, we may feel helpless. However, Jesus’ triumph and victory over the powers of hatred and evil provides a potent antidote to this.
It represents the promise of a new and better way of life. It both inspires optimism and serves as a call to action. If we, as members of the Anglican and wider Christian communities in our society, committed to taking Jesus’ gospel seriously and setting ourselves to walk in His Way, embrace His Truth, and live His Life, we would be a powerful force not only for good, but also for transformation and renewal in our larger community. Of course, we cannot accomplish this on our own.
We must be a people of hope, a manifestation of the Victorious power that is available, not just individuals with hope; we must be a community of service, generosity, and practical assistance to those in need, not just individuals who do their best to help where they can; we must be a communion of forgiveness and healing, welcome and hospitality, not just individuals who do their best without the support of others.
“There are three things that endure”, writes Saint Paul, “faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love” (1Cor 13:13). If we can, by God’s grace, build authentic communities of love, that generous, outward-reaching, self-sacrificing love that characterized Jesus’ life, the hope of Easter, the hope of love’s victory over hate and life’s triumph over death, will begin to be realized. Dear friends, this Easter, I invite you to remember that Jesus Christ, who has risen from the dead and is alive with us, is at the core of Easter, as he is at the heart of the Church and all aspects of its life.
He speaks to us and asks that we make room for Him so that He can accompany us on our journey, allowing us to love as He did.
As we enter an election year in Ghana and other parts of the world, let us avoid violence and let The Spirit and the power of the resurrection to guide us in making the correct decisions that will assure Victory for Ghana and all Ghanaians despite all odds. No matter what obstacles we face, God has given us the strength to overcome them. We are first and foremost God’s treasured ones and citizens of a beautiful and blessed country, regardless of our political, tribal, or religious affiliation. Let us preach peace and victory for Ghana against all odds and at any cost.
I invite each and every one of you to open your hearts to Him, let Him be the way you follow, the truth you believe and the life you live – and do not be afraid, for He loves us with an everlasting love and we are called to a Life of Victory in Christ Jesus, Our Lord.
MOST REVD DR CYRIL KOBINA BEN-SMITH
PRIMATE AND METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOP,
ANGLICAN CHURCH OF THE PROVINCE OF WEST AFRICA, ARCHBISHOP OF GHANA AND BISHOP OF MAMPONG
