Clerics preach love, sacrifice

HILDA MHAGAMA

President John Magufuli kissing the cross during Good Friday Mass at St Peters Parish in Dar es Salaam.

CHRISTIANS have been urged to obey the Word of God, lead by example and do good deeds to impact positively on people in the society. The call was made yesterday by the Parish Priest for Saint Peters Roman Catholic Church at Oysterbay in Dar es Salaam, Stephano Kaombwe, during Good Friday service.

He called on Christians to practise self-sacrifice for the atonement of sins and also urged the faithful to work selflessly for those in need. “Jesus washed the feet of his apostles, we are supposed to do the same for others, we are reminded to give ourselves to others in service and in humility and love, to sacrifice for others,” said Father Kaombwe in a mass which was also attended by President John Magufuli, his wife and Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa’s wife, Mary.

The Parish Priest said that Christians must overcome self-centredness and ask themselves how they can serve those in need.

“Simple acts like giving food and drinks to those who are hungry and being considerate and forgiving are acts of kindness which follow in the footsteps of Christ,” he said. In Dar es Salaam, Christians observed the day with services preceded by the Way of the Cross, which marks 14 incidents in Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.

Across the world, Good Friday was marked by fasting and prayers to commemorate the day Christians believe Jesus Christ was crucified for the salvation of mankind. Auxiliary Bishop of Dar es Salaam Eusebius Nzigilwa also called upon Christians to love one another and be good citizens by abiding to the country’s laws.

He, however, challenged government officials to observe the rule of law and avoid selfish tendencies. Rev Nzigilwa was conducting Good Friday Service at the Maximillian Kolbe Roman Catholic Church in the city.

In his Good Friday message, Pope Francis, the head of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics, called for love and mercy to shine forth in a world that is increasingly afflicted by violence and hatred. Good Friday is a Christian religious holiday commemorating the lashes and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.