A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr Edward Pemida has urged Christians to be rooted in scripture and also obey the teachings of Jesus Christ.
He made the call in his homily at a Mass celebrated in Yoruba language at St Charles Lwanga Parish, Apo on Sunday in Abuja.
Pemida, a Missionary of Saint Paul, said Christians who were not rooted in the Bible would be ignorant about the teachings of Christ.
According to him, Jesus is the “lens’’ which Christians can use to understand the scripture.
The Priest also urged Christians to love one another as part of the teachings of Christ to His disciples and followers.
He said love of God would make them to be conscious of eternity (heaven) and help to deepen their relationship with Him.
“True motivation of heaven is not fear of hell but love of God who made us in His image and likeness; it is in Christ, we live move and have our being.
“A deeper relationship with God makes us appreciate the love He has for us as His children (Christians) so we should strive to make heaven our focus.
“You need to live heaven here on earth; all your steps, thoughts and actions should be of that heaven,’’ the priest said.
He quoted Saint Catherine of Siena as saying “all the way to Heaven is Heaven, because Christ is the Way.’’
Pemida urged the St Michael Yoruba Community in the parish to see themselves as part of family of Christ and celebrate the love God has for them.
“You should celebrate your culture and heritage as members of Yoruba Community; it is not accidental for God to make you in that tribe, it was divinely arranged by Him.
“So, you should know that you have fullness of faith in Christ and celebrate your inheritance in Him,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the Chief Celebrant of the Mass was Rev. Fr Victor Ogunyemi, a priest of Abuja Archdiocese. (NAN)
