Amazing Stories Behind the Celebration of Easter
The Ressurection of Christ
The Cross and the Tomb
Easter, a well celebrated memorial event in the life of Christians come with a lot of solemnity, calmness, decorum, charity and expectations many of which are neglected after the period. People however hold different perspectives and views to this mind blowing occasion to some, it is a normal event celebrated in the Christian Calendar, to others it is a season for repentance but to the clergy there is just too much to the event. Of what essence and significance is Easter?
According to Eunice Ashi of Methodist Church Wadata “Easter is a big event in the church; it is the only time we are reminded of our place in Christ as such we are supposed to repent and turn to God. However, I will not dispute the fact that there is a lot of enjoyment in the season as I take a break as a civil servant and enjoy food, love and company with my family. Sincerely, I like Easter but not as much as Christmas.”
Jefferson Abu of ECWA Church Wurukum said, “As for me, I sincerely do not know the meaning of this whole Easter concept. My parents give out in this period, but I do not see the need because this is what you can do to people at any time. Everyone who claims to be a good person during Easter becomes a Tiger there after. There is also intensive prayer in the church during this period but after that everyone relaxes so, to me it is just mere hypocrisy my church dey do Easter but me I no follow.”
Peter Torsaa Gabriel, a Catholic faithful said, “Easter cannot be underrated in the Christian life. It is a time to turn from our evil ways; meditate on the sufferings of Christ and seek the face of the Lord in total surrender and repentance. Blessings are also released and prayers answered during this period which I am a living testimony. Before now, I was a lukewarm member of the church who attended mass twice or thrice a year but just last two years in the course of Easter celebration I was baptized and my life changed, a wish I had since I was 12 years old .God answered my prayers in the 2017 Easter. So, for me, Easter is a great time for Christians but we must first pray and seek God only then will he give us our heart desires.”
To the clergy, Rev. Canon Valentine Vershima Soo, Vicar Christ Anglican Church High level Makurdi said ”Easter is an event that has a Universal reception, it cumulates the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Feast of the celebration of Easter is the best event in the Christian calendar, most great men in the Bible like Samson missed their purpose on earth but Jesus fulfilled his mandate on earth which was to save humanity. In Gen 3, man fell through sin and then came the craving for redemption. In an attempt to do this, animals and other sin offerings were made to God in the past but this could not save man out of the situation, he was enslaved to sin. The greatest sacrifice to remove that bond of sin was the death of Jesus Christ. In Gen 2, after man ate the forbidden fruit, he became spiritually disconnected from God so, a higher being (sinless man) was needed to reconnect the bridge between man and God, when Jesus died he conquered death and sin.”
Furthermore, Canon Soo said in preparing for Easter, there is a moment of sober reflection. Christians are urged to pray for forgiveness of sin and find their way back to God as this season remind us of the fact that Jesus died and rose.
On his part, Reverend Fr. Boniface Ahura VC, parish priest of St Patrick’s Quasi Agbaikyor said “Easter simply means the day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, every Sunday is Easter in the Catholic Church, because it is the beginning or first day of a new week and Jesus resurrected on the first day of the week John20:1. The significance of Easter is that it gives hope to Christians through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Before Easter, there is usually a period of lent that lasts for 40 days in which the church is encouraged to fast, abstain, pray and give alms without hypocrisy (John9:24).
Fr. Ahura explained that “Sacraments are given in the Catholic Church through which we identify with Christ in his suffering and redemption. Priests for example are made to renew their vows during this period, baptism, Holy Communion, matrimony and other sacraments are administered as we celebrate the impaction of freedom through Christ’s resurrection. It is indeed a period of joy knowing that the relationship between man and God which was lost is restored and there is reconciliation between God and humanity.”
Fr. Ahura further called on Christians to take the event of Easter seriously by praying without ceasing, fasting and giving alms for just like the ashes we are dust and to dust we shall return someday.
This year’s Easter rites may take a different dimension judging by the ravaging Covid 19 which has caused shutdown of churches and other worship centres. Either way, lessons are there and Christians must wake up to the reasons for the season.
