Ethiopians is all about togetherness. As the land of diversity with people of different background, there is always resurrection at the end of suffering. All the sufferings of Jesus has needed up with salivation. The last three or more years were times of suffering and also years of transition for Ethiopia.
Christian Ethiopians are found at the eve of Easter while Muslim Ethiopians are found at the month of Ramadan. Despite this cultural and religious differences both faith communities are praying for peace, unity as well as for the good of their nation in their respective places of worship.
The economic constraints, the political instability and other differences did not prevent Ethiopians from fasting and praying to their creator. Both Muslims and Christians are supplicating to their creator for the good of their nation.
As a land of different nation and nationalities, Ethiopia is a hub of various cultures and religious practices. Within several centuries Ethiopians have witnessed both suffering and resurrection. Poverty, hunger, drought and others had tried to destroy Ethiopia. However, none of them have become successful. Thanks to its people; its pains are reversed into resurrection.
As the nation strives to achieve economic prosperity and political stability, several factors are challenging its attempt. However, it has never refrain from advancing forward. It has never given its hand to its enemies. Thanks to peace loving Ethiopians, the nation is exerting all its energy for better and brighter future.
In exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Patriarch Special Office and Foreign Affairs Head, His Holiness Dr. Abune Aregawi said that, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is a reminder to all of us as there is light at the end of the tunnel, and at the end of darkness there is light. This is witnessed in the life of Jesus Christ. Despite all His sufferings, He has forgiven His enemies. Even if Ethiopia had been through sufferings, the bright hope is waiting the nation. In this regard, we should learn to forgive others and be source of peace to them.
Dr. Abune Aregawi stressed that, while marking Easter, Ethiopians should think what is positive for the good of others. We should learn the power of forgiveness for the sake of new generation and the nation as well. Forgiveness is priceless. It costs us nothing but its reward is beyond ones capacity and cannot be measured by human standard.
On his part, Aba Teshome Tekle, Ethiopian Catholic Church, Patriarchs Council Head, said, “This is a week we all mark the sufferings of Jesus Christ in the hands of His enemies. This is a week that we remember all the inhuman punishment of Jesus Christ by His adversaries. He took all this pain for the sake of peace and love.”
According to Aba Teshome, Jesus` suffering is replaced by His resurrection. Through His resurrection, darkness is replaced by light. Hatred is conquered by love. Therefore, we mark Easter remembering transition from darkness into light.
There is always hope at the end of hopelessness. This is witnessed after Jesus passed through all the sufferings. In this regard, we should be patient and learn the power of forgiveness. Since we have received peace through His suffering, we should also be sources of peace for others. We should model our Lord.
On his part, ZeTseat Apostolic Reformation Church Head, Pastor Yohannis Girma said that, Ethiopia`s hope is Christ alone. The land is in the hands of the living Lord. We may have earthly mechanisms to preserve the peace and stability of the nation. However, it is Jesus our Lord that gives eternal peace and stability to the nation.
According to him, every Ethiopian should learn the power of forgiveness from Jesus. He had all the reason to hate His adversaries; but He loved them all. This is love. That is what Jesus did on the cross. No matter how painful His sufferings were, Jesus taught them forgiveness.
Seconding the view of religious leaders, some individuals whom The Ethiopian Herald approached said that forgiveness is one of the greatest lessons Jesus Christ left to human kind. We should reflect his deeds for the sake of new generation.
Hana Olana is a young Ethiopian engaged in private business. According to her, since Easter is a day where Jesus conquered death, it is one of her favorite holiday.
“Despite His sufferings, Jesus has conquered death by His resurrection and gave a new life for His children. His death was for the sake of love; His resurrection has taught us forgiveness. In this regard, while we celebrate Easter we should reflect the deeds of Jesus Christ. We should work for the good of others. We should learn to forgive others. We should work for Ethiopia.”
Upholding the view of Hana, Misrak Birhanu said that Jesus Christ has left us a good lesson. We should replicate His deeds by loving others. Ethiopia is now found at the crossroad. The coming election and our decision to work for the peace of the nation will determine the future. We have seen what war has brought to other nations. We should not repeat that. We should invest our time and energy on those countries that wok day and night for the good of their nation.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
The Ethiopian Herald May 1/2021
