Easter: Christ's Resurrection Calls for New Life - Archbishop Okeke
By Juliana Nwachukwu
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev Valerian Maduka Okeke has said that the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death is a call for everybody to live a new life.
Archbishop Okeke made the assertion at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Chaplaincy Correctional Services, Onitsha, Anambra State when he celebrated this year’s Easter with the inmate.
In his homily which titled "Following Jesus with love”, Archbishop Okeke noted that the life of love is a life that accompanied with divine favour and strength, saying that love conquers all challenges and over come sin.
He further emphasized that death did not stop Mary Magdalene from the love she has for Jesus Christ and that was why she was the first person to see that Jesus Christ has risen from death.
The prelate therefore expressed that Mary Magdalene was a Sinner but when she encountered Jesus Christ, she became a changed person and entered a new life platform which he said is a reward of love.
” God doesn’t discriminate. His rain falls to both good and bad people. His air circulate to both good and evil ones even kidnappers. God’s sun shines for the good and bad people. God has no favourite. Everybody is equal before God. When you journey into the light of Jesus, you live a new life. Change your ways and receive the power of Jesus Christ who has risen from death. If you live a new life, God will take over your life” Archbishop Okeke concluded.
Appreciating his guests, the Chaplain of the Prison Chaplaincy, Rev. Fr. Bartholomew Okpalugo explained that Archbishop Okeke loves the inmates, attributing it to the reason he has transformed the prison yard, equipping it with social amenities including skills acquisition, schools as well as giving them spiritual and physical food regularly.
He also said that the inmates in their own little ways reciprocate the love which Archbishop Okeke has been showing to them in so many ways, expressing that through the prayers of Archbishop Okeke, some of the inmates have been granted pardon which he said has reduced the population of Inmates in the facility.
Fr. Okpalugo in a special way lauded the Archbishop Okeke for his magnanimity highlighting that God will bless him abundantly and grant his long life with good health.
The clergy however eulogized all and sundry as well as Priests, religious and numerous lay faithful who accompanied Archbishop Okeke for this year’s Easter celebration with the inmates.
Similarly, the Anambra State Controller of Correctional Services, Mr. Nwosu Valentine Paul equally poured accolades to the Archbishop Okeke for his good work he has been doing in the Onitsha Correctional Services.
In their separate speeches, a member representing Onitsha South 1 in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Fred Ezenwa and former Anambra State gubernatorial candidate under the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Valentine Ozigbo described Easter festive as a season of people of God to refrain from old life and live a new life to reflect the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
* Nwachukwu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *.
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