Today, we have both the responsibility and the joy of presenting before God men and women as well as some youths who have attained the age of discretion so they can voluntarily and publicly declare their allegiance and commitment to the cause for which Jesus Christ was disgraced, humiliated, rejected and executed or better still, judicially murdered. They will re-affirm their promise to follow Him no matter the cost and circumstances. These vows were made earlier in their lives at their baptism either by them or by those who stood surety for them as God-parents. What they have done today is either to renew these vows or personally take responsibility for them from their sureties.
One may ask: why all the fuse? Why subject them to such far-reaching commitments? In a fluid system, why tie them to principles that they may find more convenient to review in later life? These are in fact some of the the reasons a definite stand is required of these new men and women. The truth is that they are being initiated into a system where loyalty is absolutely necessary. We live in a world of conflicts, conflicts between ideologies and more importantly conflicts between God and the devil, between light and darkness. In such a situation, the tendency is to narrow down the differences between groups so as the say goes, ‘we can live in peace, our differences, notwithstanding.’
Any responsible citizen will advocate and actively work towards peaceful co-existence. However, any attempt to have peace at the expense of the truth and justice, is an exercise in futility. It is important for us to appreciate that there is a war between light and darkness. We must accept the fact that Jesus was neither a demented fool nor was He a frustrated man who had no option but to commit suicide. He made a sacrifice that the Light which came to the world through Him may overcome the darkness that had engulfed the world.
One of the temptations of coming of age is the feeling that one is self-sufficient. The Christian, no doubt, can do all things; but he can only do these through Christ who strengthens him. The strong temptations for youths to bolt away from their home churches like the Prodigal Son to “one-man churches” where “it is happening” is very real in our IT-dominated society. The truth is that though the grass always looks greener across the fence, on crossing over, you get to see the weeds, rocks and cracks covered by the grass. We advise you to stay in the church that nurtured you and make it better. Part of our prayers for those being admitted into full membership of the church today is that they will daily appreciate the need to sit at the feet of their vicar or other church leader so that they would grow in grace and with time, stand on their feet and be a blessing to others within and through the church of their youth.
As we congratulate these new entrants into God’s family, let us also realize that they have in fact enlisted in an army where they will fight until they are each called to eternal rest. We all have a responsibility, not just to congratulate them but to pray for them that as His Grace, the Archbishop lays hands on them, they may each receive the gift of the Holy Spirit so that can live for their new Lord and Master and fight manfully for Him against sin, the devil and the flesh.
Have a beautiful celebration with the full consciousness of the enormity of the task ahead.
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
Igein Isemede.