Kampala – Christians around the world are on Sunday April 17, 2022 commemorating Easter.
Easter, also called Pascha (Aramaic, Greek, Latin), is a Christian festival and cultural holiday marking the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
It is described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary 30AD. It is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus, preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance.
Christians typically converge for church services in commemoration of the day. To some, the day is used to visit friends, attend Easter concerts, travel for holidays and shopping among other activities.
But of what significance is this day? LBS Newsday spoke to some Christians and now brings you their insights on the day.
Hilda Namara, Journalist: Easter is a reminder of God’s unending love and grace that manifests through his son Jesus Christ. It reminds me of how we were forgiven through the blood that Jesus shed on the cross. It is worthy of celebrating but to me I would think it should be more of coming back to Christ and seeking his grace. In other words, Easter should be spent in church while praising and worshipping God through Jesus Christ rather than going out as the world celebrates it because the way the world celebrates Easter, only leads people to sin again. By the way, we should be seeing only Christian concerts other than the secular ones.” Says Namara.
Atuhaire Bright Brill, Business man: Easter means a lot to me. Since my childhood, Easter has taught me that life never ends and love never dies. I celebrate it by spreading love to everyone around me because I believe that’s what our Lord expects from me! He demonstrated it by giving us his only son to die for our sins. That’s pure love and a great act. So we need to follow his way.
Joyce Ahebwa, Journalist: Easter is a season when Christians commemorate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is foundational because it’s upon this fact that we become Christians in the first place. We believe it all happened for our salvation. I personally value this season because the love expressed by Jesus as remembered has made me who I am. A kind, loving and happy person to say the very least. I usually spend Easter at church being a choir leader. I attend all services and later have lunch with family that is around town because we never really travel upcountry to celebrate Easter.
Gideon Namanya, Ugandan in Dubai, UAE: As a Christian, the resurrection of Jesus Christ represents Christ’s victory over death and the promise of eternal life for me. It also teaches me a lot more about faith, for example, to forgive others and also place my life in God’s hands well knowing that heaven is real. Much as I’m in a Muslim country, I do celebrate Easter. However, churches here were closed following the outbreak of COVID19 so I won’t be able to go to church for prayers this time around.
According to Rt. Rev. Joseph Antony Zziwa the Chairperson of the Uganda Episcopal Conference and Bishop of the Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, the resurrection of Christ is the foundation of the Christian faith. “As St Paul points out in 1 Cor 15:20, without the resurrection of Christ, our faith would be futile.” Says Bishop Zziwa
He adds, “Easter is a reminder that Christ Conquered sin through his suffering, death and resurrection. Through baptism, we too die to sin, are renewed and rise again with Christ (Romans 6:3-4, 1 Peter 2:9)”
The Bishop notes that the resurrection of Christ challenges us to witness and like Mary Magdalene and the beloved disciples proclaim the good news that Christ is alive (John 20:18, 21:7)
“We are called to live a life in the spirit and bring the good news of the resurrection to a world fractured by violence, suffering, rejection, slavery, oppression, discrimination, hatred, jealousy, corruption and all forms of avarice (Galatians 5:1-26)” He says, adding, we are called to be salt of the world and light of the world (Mathew 5:13-16).
