The Most Reverend Joseph Osei-Bonsu, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, on Wednesday, urged Christians to celebrate Easter by reflecting on Jesus Christ’s victory over death, instead of engaging in social vices.
He said Easter was not for excessive drinking, eating, adultery, fornication and engaging in all sorts of social vices that defeats the purpose of Christ’s death.
Most Rev. Ose-Bonsu, also the Bishop of Konongo-Mampong Diocese of the Catholic Church, in a telephone interview with the Ghana News Agency, charged Christians to exhibit Christ-nature in their behaviours during Easter and afterwards.
‘‘Christians must look at the spiritual side of Easter and reflect on the death and resurrection of Christ, which signified his victory over death instead of engaging in socially-abhorred behaviours,’’ he said.
He tasked Christians to go to church during the period to commune with their Creator who had protected them from various misfortunes over the past years.
Commenting on whether accepting Christ was enough to guarantee one heaven or eternal salvation, Bishop Osei-Bonsu explained that when one accepted Christ the person must exhibit Christ-nature and abide by his teachings and principles.
He said persons who believed Christ must work out their salvation with fear and trembling, saying faith without work was dead, therefore, one’s lifestyle must be Christ-like.
‘‘You shouldn’t presume that since you have accepted Christ as your saviour heaven is guaranteed, but you must also lead a life worthy of Christ’s calling,’’ he stressed.
Easter Sunday is a festival and holiday celebrated by millions of Christians and people around the world who honour the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
It is described in the New Testament as having occurred three days after Jesus Christ crucifixion at Calvary. Easter is Christianity’s most important holiday and has been called a moveable feast because it doesn’t fall on a set date every year, as most holidays do.