‘Without events of Easter, our Christian faith would have been questionable’ – Rev. Fr. Ralph Okechukwu Madu

Rev. Fr. Ralph Okechukwu Madu, secretary-general, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), in this interview with SEYI JOHN SALAU spoke on the essence of Easter in Christendom and roles the church should play in nation’s building. Excerpt:

Today is Palm Sunday, what does it signify in Christendom?

Palm Sunday to Christians signifies the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his crucifixion, and the resurrection story. For many Christian churches, Palm Sunday often refers to as ‘Passion Sunday’, marks the beginning of holy weeks, which concludes on Easter Sunday.

Easter is about Christ’s sacrifice for His church; is the church in Nigeria keeping up to this example in the light of current happenings in the country?

Yes, the Catholic Church is keeping up with this example. The current happenings in Nigeria are multi-dimensional and some critical. It might help to know which of them you are referring to, is it the recession, the killings, the kidnappings? Be that as it may, it is proper to note that the Catholic Church over the years has been part of the joys and sorrows, the successes, and pains of the nation. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in the hearts of the followers of Christ (The Church in the Modern World, No. 1). Whoever dares, the Church dares (2 Corinth 10:17). Whoever is Nigerian, the Church is Nigerian. And when Nigeria is betrayed, the Catholic Church is betrayed. This is the clear and firm stand of the Catholic Church in Nigeria.

What does Easter signify for Christians?

Easter Sunday for Christians signifies the resurrection story of the Lord. Christians believe, according to Scripture, that Jesus came back to life, or was raised from the dead, on the third day of his death on the cross. As part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ by facts about Jesus crucifixion is commemorated on GoodFriday, always the Friday just before Easter. Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him eternal life. Without the event of Easter, our Christian faith would have been questionable. That shows the importance and the relevance of the Easter event and mystery to our Christian life. Easter and Christmas, the Nativity and the Resurrection are the two most important Christological events in the life of the Christian.

In all of these, what role should the church play in nation building?

It is the mandate of the Church to build. The mandate to build the Kingdom of God. This does not only have spiritual manifestation but also physical implications and the benefits are to both ‘citizens’ of the Kingdom and those outside. Therefore, it should be said that the building of Kingdom of God is by implication the building of our nation. The Church has the mandate to build a nation that is blessed and is a blessing to nations of the world. This mandate the church carries out in various ways: by her proclamations, teachings, advocacies and most times being the voice of the voiceless in cases of injustice, bad government, and discrimination.

 

Some people argue against Christians going into politics; what is your position on this?

Christians are enlisted in the army of the Lord, with a call to win the world for Christ. They are thus obligated to fix up this world or to repair social inequities. Christians and by implication Catholics are called upon to join politics. Happily, we have a remarkable number of Christians in politics. The Christians know that Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of lords expects His followers to work for His Kingdom to come here on earth as it is in heaven. This is an obligation, especially for those whom God has given the gift of leadership. The parables of the talents and of the judgment (Mt.25) are full of warnings for us in this regard.

Nigerian politics is dirty. So then good Christians must move in and clean it up. If the atmosphere is bitter, we are the salt of the earth that should spread sweetness and gentleness. When Christians enter politics in the right spirit, to serve God and the nation, to defend the truth and protect the oppressed, to ensure justice and fight dishonesty, then shall we have a new politics purged of all bitterness, greed, corruption and deception.

The time has indeed come for Christians to stand up and fight the battle of Jesus the Lord. Let us identify the veritable enemy of Christ: the devil and his agents of greed, hatred, and oppression. Our objective can be no less than that of Christ, the salvation of our nation and that of the whole world.

How best can the church reach people who do not believe in the gospel?

Build relationships. Jesus was deeply relational, and it seems he liked relationships with people outside the ‘church’ more than he liked hanging around people inside the ‘church’. Christians are encouraged to get involved in their kid’s schools, to play sports in a community league, to get to know their neighbors. Pick a few key ministries and do them well. We encourage people to serve on Sundays and be in community groups more frequently. Salt only realizes its purpose if it gets out of the box and into the food it needs to season. You cannot influence people you do not know and meet either physically or through any of the other media.