At the graduation ceremony of any typical Nigerian university, the Dean of the respective Faculty presents the graduating students to the Chancellor as those who had been adjudged worthy both by learning and character to receive the degree of the university. The obvious implication is that one could attain an acceptable level of competence in all the prescribed courses and not be given the degree. The university would ensure, as much as was practicable, that the graduating student would be a worthy representative of the university. As is said, the student, on passing through the university has the additional responsibility to ensure that the university had also passed through him. This way, the student is well prepared for post-campus life, particularly the intrigues of the marketplace.
A Confirmation Service in the Anglican Church is a graduation ceremony. The Church is saying, in effect, that the products being released into the world have passed the litmus test. They are stamped as Christ’s own and as those who will faithfully and valiantly live and fight for His cause. What is going on today is therefore both a responsibility and a joy. A responsibility because we are 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. It is joy because they are now able publicly to affirm the vows which 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 these 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 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. There is no one in his right mind that would not condemn the murderous acts of the religious fanatics that Nigeria has continued to be subjected to with impunity. 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 vicarious 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 graduating student has left the university. Accepted; but for him to survive in the world, he must continue to learn. The moment he stops learning, he becomes a dead man. The candidate confirmed in the church must therefore continue to learn. The church has put in place facilities for this continuing education – the divine services, the prayer meetings, the bible studies, the opportunities to share the gospel with others either privately or in a group. Where these opportunities are utilized, the member grows to become a well-adjusted and fulfilled and fruitful member of the community. 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 leaders so that they would grow in grace and with time, stand on their feet and be a blessing to others.
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, our Diocesan Bishop lays hands on them, they may each receive the gift of the Holy Spirit so that they 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
S. Igein Isemede