The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba, Archbishop of Church of Uganda has urged the body of Christ to focus on the message of hope this Easter, as the state, nation and world strengthen the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kazimba said Christians should use social media to encourage one another with the good news of Easter – “Jesus is alive,” he stressed .
Citing Matthew 28, the Archbishop encouraged Ugandans to be strong and courageous during uncertain times.
“In the Gospel of Matthew, the account of Jesus’ resurrection includes two times when it was said, “Do not be afraid.” First, the angel tells the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” Then, just in case the women did not believe the angel, Jesus himself appears to them and says it again, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me,”” he explained
“Many people right now are afraid. Apart from the coronavirus, we have our fears about how to find money for school fees and food; we fear our job security; we still have concerns about politics and the upcoming elections; churches are fearing where their income will come from when Christians are not allowed to gather on Sundays. And, now, we also have fears because of the return of the locusts in northern Uganda, Karamoja, and Teso,” he continued.
Archbishop Kazimba urged that “fears are like stones in our heart.”
“The Lord said to the women who went to the tomb looking for Jesus, “Do not be afraid.” He’s saying the same thing to us today: “Do not be afraid.” Let the stones of fear in your life be rolled away. Jesus is alive, and because he lives, we can face tomorrow,” he said.
The Archbishop encouraged all dioceses and churches in the entire Church of Uganda to plan for a massive general thanksgiving the first Sunday after restrictions on public worship are lifted.
“When that day comes – and, I am sure that it WILL come – we must all come together to thank God for what He has done,” he said.
Archbishop Kazimba commended government’s efforts to distribute food to those directly impacted by the coronavirus lock-down in Uganda.
He said the Church is extremely grateful to the Ministry of Health and the entire medical community who “continue caring for us in our normal sicknesses and have sacrificially extended themselves to respond to the current health crisis,” he said.
“We also appeal to the government to increase the supply of face masks, gloves, and other protective gear to all the healthcare workers around the country. We need them to stay healthy so they can care for us,” he said.
