I found myself wishing that the entire youth of Nigeria, especially those in the East, could have been present to hear Venerable Berechukwu Nwankwo of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Nkpor deliver one of the most powerful and heartfelt sermons I have ever encountered.
The occasion was the funeral service of Chief Aaron Bumah-Onunkwo, the husband of Mrs. Juliet Bumah, a distinguished editor in Alor. alongside Prof. Patrick Obi and Dr. Chike Ohamobi, we represented Mr. Peter Obi, who could not attend as his morning flight was delayed and he is travelling out of the country today. As the Reverend spoke, he intertwined biblical references with personal experiences, bringing his points to life with vivid illustrations.
One such story was about how a group of students once conspired to attack Father Okai, the then principal of St. John’s Secondary School in Alor. However, on the appointed day, the ringleader reconsidered, unwilling to raise his hand against a servant of God. The Reverend used this story to highlight the stark contrast between the reverence of the past and the disregard of today. He lamented how, in our time, respect for the sacred has diminished, even among those who claim to serve God. He compared this decline in reverence to the infamous tale of Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were known for their corrupt and immoral behaviour, leading to their ultimate downfall and the loss of the Ark of the Covenant to the Philistines. The Reverend warned that humanity is spiralling into a similar fate, driven by a growing disrespect for all that is holy.
With biblical fervour, he drew parallels between the three wise men who sought Christ and the youth of today, who seem to seek everything but Christ. He described modern youth as confused, chasing after things they do not even understand.
Building on this, he cautioned against the increasing tendency to seek power from all manner of dubious sources. He remarked that our forefathers, at least, understood the deities they worshipped, how to appease them, and the nature of their anger when, for example, they were not given what they required. But today, people are even importing strange idols from places like China without understanding the grave consequences. He laughed at the folly of young men all over social media in the name of returning to the roots of spiritual slavery. The Reverend warned that when these deities rise in anger, the result will be catastrophic. The only remedy, he stressed, is to embrace Christ fully.
The Reverend also addressed the scepticism surrounding the church, acknowledging the existence of charlatans who exploit faith for personal gain. He urged the congregation not to let these false prophets deter them from the true path of Christ. Just as we don’t stop going to hospitals because of quack doctors, or avoid entering vehicles because of reckless drivers, we must not forsake the church because of ubiquitous bad actors. Instead, he called on us to seek out true places of worship where the genuine light of Christ shines.
In a poignant moment, the Reverend spoke directly to the mortal remains of Chief Bumah: “One day, our own posters will be posted – everyone will die.” The Reverend used this to underscore the transient nature of life and the hope of resurrection for those who die in Christ.
He concluded the service with a heartfelt prayer for all in attendance, calling each one to repentance.
Indeed, it was a service that deeply enriched the soul. It was a sermon that transcended divisions, delivering a core Christian message that boldly confronted the evils of our society and placed salvation in Christ at the forefront.
