By Charles Igwe
In a powerful reflection on the essence of love and harmony in authentic Christian living, Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh, the National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), passionately appealed to the faithful not to let laws and bureaucracies obstruct their duty to extend charity and compassion.
Addressing the faithful during the afternoon Mass at St. Gabriel Chaplaincy, CSN on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, Fr. Umoh underscored the pivotal role of love in navigating the complexities of legal frameworks and administrative hurdles. He drew attention to the stark contrast between Jesus’s compassionate response to the paralytic in the Gospel and the Pharisees’ rigid adherence to Sabbath law, cautioning against the potential distortion of Christian values by bureaucratic constraints.
Fr. Umoh emphasized that both the Church and individual Christians must strive to infuse society with a spirit of renewal, love, and genuine peace. He stressed the transformative power of embracing Christ’s teachings wholeheartedly, asserting that only by allowing Jesus to permeate their hearts and actions can believers bring about authentic growth and harmony amidst societal challenges.
Furthermore, the homilist exhorted Christians to emulate Christ’s example by becoming beacons of joy, hope, and happiness in their communities. He reminded them of their accountability for the hope they inspire, the love they share, and the harmony they foster in the lives of those around them.
