The Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese, His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Eciru Oliach, has called on Christians to embrace the theme of love as the guiding principle during the Advent season.
While delivering his sermon over the weekend in KampaIa, Bishop Eciru reminded the faithful that love should not only be the focus of the holiday season but should define the entire Christian life.
“A beautiful theme indeed for beginning the liturgical year, as if to say, begin with love and end with love. Begin every day with love, and end it with love. All that we do must begin with love and end with love.”
The Advent period, which marks the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year, is a time of preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ.
For Bishop Eciru, this season offers an important opportunity for Christians to reflect on the transformative power of love in their daily lives.
Bishop Eciru emphasized that the message of love is at the heart of Jesus’ teachings, a message that Christians must carry throughout their lives.
He reminded the congregation of the profound command that Jesus gave to His followers: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
“For every reason there is for love, it is because the Lord Himself has loved us,” Bishop Eciru explained.
“Our God is a loving God, and He has shown us how to love. Even the last judgment, as narrated by the evangelist Matthew in chapter 25, will be based on love. ‘When I was sick, when I was in prison, you did it for me. When I was like this, you did not do it for me.’ All is based on love.”
Bishop Eciru further reminded Christians that love is not just a human emotion, but a divine commandment.
He also reflected on the importance of love in Christian identity.
“The language of the Holy Spirit is the language of love,” he said. “That is the universal language, the language that everyone understands—even animals understand the language of love.”
He urged the faithful to view love as the cornerstone of their Christian witness.
“The language and identity of Christians is the language of love,” he declared. “That is what distinguishes the children of God from the children of the devil. It is the identity card of every Christian.”
According to the bishop, where a Christian is, there should be love. Love should permeate every aspect of a Christian’s life, whether in the home, in the workplace, or within the broader community.
“Where the child of God is, there ought to be love. There ought to be love,” he emphasized.
Bishop Eciru further explained that Christians should be recognized by their love for others, a love that transcends differences and fosters unity.
“Love is the language that unites us as Christians,” he said. “It is the language that speaks to the heart of all people, whether they are Christians or not. It is the language of peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness.”
“During this Advent season, let us not just talk about love,” Bishop Eciru said. “Let us show it through our actions. Let us help the poor, visit the sick, and reach out to those who are marginalized. Let us be the hands and feet of Christ in this world.”
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