“And through the Cross reconciled them, both in one body to God, bringing the hostility to an end by the Cross" Ephesians 2: 14-16
We give thanks to the Almighty God for enabling us to celebrate the festivity of the Holy Cross every year in peace, love and harmony. This unique gathering is a testimony of our Love to our Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified on the cross for the salvation and redemption of mankind. We are all the children of God; while disunity among the children of God is a consequence of sin; unity is a result of peace, love and harmony.
As some elements of society pursue divisive options, they caused the unity of mankind to be away from God’s providence.
Human relation based on God’s will have been set aside and daily experience witnesses that there is conflict any groups and nations; and more mistrust and misunderstanding tend to increase within societies, social disharmony, in biblical terms, is classified into two spiritual and temporal.
Prior to the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, the World was divided between those who worship one God and those who adhere to Idols.
Those who worshiped one God were called the children of God while those worshiping Idols were known as heathens. Both groups were inimical to each other and ill feeling of both was not accepted by God.
God had a predetermined divine plan to bring about peace and reconciliation among the hostile groups. The planned purpose has materialized through the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The enemies of mankind are sin and hostility which is a direct byproduct of lack of Peace. God’s Divine mercy focuses on sin and its effects vindicated by grace and blessings.
Our Lord Jesus Christ has shed his blood on the Cross in order to dismantle barriers of hostility, disunity and removed all impediments of unity, harmony and peace. As the elimination of viruses are causes of the disappearance of pain, so is the elimination of sin that brings about unity and peace.
The mystery of the Cross has proved that mankind shall only be saved by firm belief in Jesus, the Grace of God and Christian morality but not through worshiping Idols and other forms of objects as the case in the Old Testament at the time of Israelites.
Peace and reconciliation obtained by the Cross brings together two conflicting groups in one Church. Then, the Cross has reinforced peace, reconciliation and deeper understanding; and the Cross has proclaimed sustainability of existence among the people of the Christian Community.
The mystery of the Cross is the teaching of the Gospel. The teaching of the Gospel, in turn, is the reaffirmation of equality, unity, peace and tranquility. The gospel never capitalizes on hostility, vengeance and hatred. That is why the Holy Bible says the Cross is our source of peace.
As I said earlier, sin has separated mankind from many blessings.
- - From being children of God
- - From inheriting the God given kingdom of God
- - From being superior among creatures and
- - From being a member of the community of angels
Nevertheless, the reconciliation through and by the Cross is more fundamental in nature which has established peace among men and women in all walks of life.
Our Lord Jesus Christ brought about peace and reconciliation while on the Cross; brought them together those in heaven and on earth.
Peace and reconciliation has been heralded to those in heaven and on earth through the sacrifice made on the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified for us all. Through the mystery of the Cross mankind regained his dignity and recovered all privileges and benefits he had lost.
Our Beloved Children In Christ!
The principal reason why we celebrate the Meskel today should not be for the usual exchange of greetings by saying “Happy Meskel Day”. Today’s celebration should be more than this common phase. The event should be an occasion when we should acknowledge gratefully and thoughtfully what the Cross has brought for us. Without being victims of disharmony, hatred and hostilities, we should embrace love, peace and reconciliation. United in Peace, with collected efforts and common purpose, let us make anew our covenants to improve and enhance our spiritual and social life and express our determination for making significant contribution for the betterment of our society.
The world has acquired enormous knowledge bestowed on it by God and has designed different skills for the management of human affairs. But, the endeavors of the temporal world do not deviate so much from the mystery of the Cross. Man made machineries and armaments are not able to bring peace. The key word for peace is the Cross.
Peace and reconciliation is the only means to achieve Peace.
No wisdom, no human knowledge exceeds the mystery of the Cross.
There are language variation used by different strata of society aimed at minimizing differences and bringing people closer to each other. But the mystery of the Cross is more significant with much greater impact on our existence. The modern notion of equality and unity as well as the benefits of the unified efforts based on mutual respect, trust and collaboration is embodied in the mystery of the Cross. In this case, it should be understood that the mystery of the Cross is beyond the level of human knowledge.
My Dear Children of God!
Today, by the mercy and forgiveness of God, Ethiopia is holding fast its God given religion since earliest times as witnessed by different epoch of history, it is advancing in unity and unison. The peoples of Ethiopia, despite vernacular variations are like the Meskal torch shinning all over through love, unity and harmony determined from border to border or from one part of the country to another for a united purpose of social, economic and cultural progress and attainment of higher level of standard of living.
The united effort of our people to support the government plan to build the historic dam should be appreciated and has become a tangible symbol of our unity in purpose and deeds. Based on the mystery of the Cross they have reaffirmed the removal of barriers of differences and conflict and of unity which cannot be broken into pieces at any time. Our unity, our freedom, our values, our equality, and peace are Ethiopian’s guarantee of development and progress in all forms of our endeavor. There is no doubt that Ethiopia’s uninterrupted unity, peace and harmony and the current environment of togetherness is enhanced which is the legacy of the mystery of the Cross. This should be realized by all, and all should be vigilant to preserve it, protect it and safe guard our religion with the hearts and minds full of vitality and potency on development, peace, unity and peaceful coexistence, and equality; let us move hand in hand in the journey of development, always the guiding torch of our Lord being with us.
We also pray for those who are in tribulation and suffering due to manmade and natural calamities; particularly those affected by drought, and famine in East Africa, as well as those victims of flood and earthquakes, war and pestilence in all parts of the world.
May God Bless you all, Amen.