Presiding Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal, A.M.E Zion Church, Right Rev. Dr. Hilliard Dela Dogbe has called on Christians to use the Easter festivities to celebrate God’s faithfulness and abundant mercies for Ghana and the sub-region.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Dogbe who is in charge of Western-West Africa Episcopal District, comprising Ghana, Togo, Cote D’Ivoire and Liberia, said because of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, it is prudent mankind celebrate God’s faithfulness.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Dogbe spoke about the production of vaccines against the coronavirus in record time which is a feat worth celebrating this Easter.
The Bishop said while each one commits to making the needed sacrifices, it is critical that leaders will show the way in this regard by being modest in their use of the national resources for the good of all citizens.
Below is the full Easter message by Presiding Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal, A.M.E Zion Church, Rt. Rev. Dr. Hilliard Dela Dogbe.
EASTER MESSAGE FROM RT. REV. DR. HILLIARD K. DELA DOGBE , THE PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH (A.M.E. ZION CHURCH) WESTERN-WEST AFRICA EPISCOPAL DISTRICT -GHANA,TOGO,COTE D’IVOIRE AND LIBERIA.
Beloved, I greet you all in the loving name of our risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
So soon the Christian liturgical season of Lent is ending and another glorious and hope-inspiring Easter is here with us. We all recall that the season of Lent and Easter last year 2020 was observed under a rather somber atmosphere and under lockdown as a result of the ravaging covid-19 pandemic. Individually and collectively, we have come through a very difficult and trying time, and it is precisely for this reason that this Easter ought to unite us in celebrating God’s faithfulness, abundant mercies, deliverance and loving kindness on one hand, and also inspire us to respond positively to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross of Calvary and His resurrection on Easter morning.
While the covid-19 pandemic still lingers and variants of the virus increase, its destructive global run has been greatly and significantly reduced, and the production of vaccines against the virus in record time is a feat worth celebrating this Easter. We also cannot lose sight of the fact that barely three months ago we held presidential and parliamentary elections in an atmosphere of heightened tension and, suspicion, and indeed recorded scattered incidences of confusion and confrontation and the sad and avoidable loss of lives. Again we had to patiently and prayerfully endure another election petition at the courts. We could easily have descended into a state of political chaos but through it all, God’s mercy and protection has been with us and for this we ought to give thanks this Easter. In celebrating and bringing God our sincere gratitude this Easter, we commit ourselves and this nation into His gracious keeping and ask that His perfect will for us will manifest; that our aspirations for our nation will come to fruition
Easter is an embodiment of God’s unfailing and unconditional love for humanity and His desire to reconcile us to Himself and thus enable the best in us to pour forth. Easter further reminds us that sacrifice precedes glory, even as the cross precedes the crown. Each of us is called to make personal sacrifices and let go of personal comforts in order that we attain a better tomorrow. This is particularly important in the light of the global economic crisis occasioned by the covid-19 pandemic. While each of us commits to making the needed sacrifices, it is critical that our leaders will show the way in this regard by being modest in their use of resources. The triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter gives us a living hope, not only for the future but for the present! Hope that no matter the magnitude of the odds stacked against us, no matter how dire our circumstances and no matter how relentless the opposition, we can and we shall overcome. Easter also gives us a fresh start; an opportunity to make amends, and in Jesus Christ, we find a proven leader, a faithful companion and an eternal guide, for the journey ahead
So this Easter let us as a people, individually and collectively, resolve to make the needed sacrifices to make our world a better place. Let us reach out in love to the marginalized, the weak and the dying. Let us make our resources available and work together to make this nation great and strong and our world better. I also urge that we continue to pray fervently for the Presidency and the Executive, Parliament the Judiciary, and all others for wisdom to discern God’s will, courage to take bold decisions and implement same, and compassion to inspire a collective buy-in of all.
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. And may this God who alone is Father, Son and Holy Spirit continue to bless our homeland Ghana, and make our nation great and strong!
Happy Easter!
