STAY HAPPY AMID DISTURBANCES AS TO TELL IT AS STORIES, SAYS CLERIC
By David Okpala/Stella Okpala
Vicar, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Akpo, Rev. Fr. Innocent Chinazaekpere Uwakwe, has called on Nigerians to stay happy amid security, economic and political disturbances ravaging the country, describing the move as requisite to telling stories of the crunch.
He said this in a homily during special Mass to commemorate 2026 Easter celebration, at Agbelu Village Hall, Akpo, in Aguata LGA, on April 5.
The cleric said, “News stories of terrorist attack, economic crunch, political disharmony awash the Dailies lately, yet not enough reason to stay sad. We need to stay happy to helping our soul and body.
He cited example of our Lord Jesus Christ who drank the cup of dying on the cross not because it is sweet or palatable but in the will of God.
“Hardship or suffering is not new to life, we only need to persevere.
He made it clear that those who preach that anybody suffering or passing through hardship is cursed are deriving their message from pit of hell.
“If Jesus suffered to the point of dying on the cross to save mankind and today being exalted above every other name, then suffering can never ever be said to be a curse.”Everyone of us has a cross to bear. Let us consider it pure joy, bearing it”.
The cleric expressed disappointment on those who go as far as stealing in the name of hardship, even in the Church of Jesus Christ.
“Every theft has a curse attached to it.”
He made reference to Zacharia chapter 5:3 which says, “This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for everyone that stealeth shall be cut off, KJV.
“This curse stands to the man who engages in stealing.
“The way out of it is restitution, which means giving back what you have stolen. Nothing justifies stealing, not even hardship.
“So, let us be contented with what we have, work hard in sincerity to getting more as desired.”
David and Stella are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State