The Assistant Cathedral Administrator of St William’s Cathedral, Lafia, Rev. Fr. Joseph Ovey, has called on Christians to prioritise divine protection over human efforts amidst rising insecurity in Nigeria.
Delivering a homily on Divine Mercy Sunday at the Cathedral church, Fr. Ovey reminded Christians that the mercy of God remains the ultimate refuge in a world filled with fear and uncertainty
He said the Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated on the second Sunday of Easter.
The cleric highlighted the historical significance of the day, noting it was instituted in the year 2000 by the late Pope John Paul II during the canonisation of Saint Faustina.
Reflecting on the Gospel of John 20:19-31, the priest drew a parallel between the ancient disciples and modern-day Nigerians.
He noted that the disciples, gripped by fear of the authorities, locked themselves away, much like many today who live in constant dread of contemporary threats.
”Many of us are like the disciples because we are always scared of something maybe robbers, kidnappers, bandits, or poverty.
“The disciples were also scared, but Jesus appeared and said to them, ‘Peace be with you”.
Fr. Ovey emphasised that human security measures, while necessary, have their limits.
Using the miracle of Jesus appearing in a locked room as a metaphor, he reminded the congregation that no obstacle is too great for divine intervention.
”It shows that human protection is not enough. It is only God that can protect us. There is no locked door that Jesus cannot open. All we need is to bring all our worries to Jesus, and He can open it and bless us”.
Addressing the spiritual core of the celebration, the Assistant Administrator spoke extensively on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.
He urged the faithful to be truly remorseful for their shortcomings, emphasising that the door to God’s forgiveness is never closed.
”The mercy of God is inexhaustible. Every time we commit a sin, He is ready to forgive us. Thus, no matter what is wrong, it is peace that we need, and we should receive the peace of Jesus Christ”, he said.
