Cleric exposes fake Christianity

*Augustinian Prior says Christianity without the Cross is fake* 

 *-By Ruben Mario Brodrick* 

Christians have again been reminded of the need of embracing the cross fully by professing the sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus in their mode of worship 

The Prior of the Augustinian Community in Benin City, Very Rev Fr Dr Matthew Onalugho OSA, gave this charge in his homily during the Good Friday service at St Augustine Catholic Church, Benin City recently.

Fr Onalugho who underscored the importance of suffering in the life of every Christian, however explained reasons the day of Christ agony and death is referred to 'Good Friday' contrary to the expectations of many wished the day be referred to as "Bad Friday."

According to the Augustinian priest, "when I was a child, i used to wonder why the day our Lord Jesus Christ suffered agony and death is referred to Good Friday, instead of Bad Friday, but haven reflected on the importance of Christ sufferings and death on the cross for the remission of our sins, I now realise that, that day deserved to be known and called Good Friday "

He however lamented the exodus of some Catholic faithful who keep moving from Church to church in search of what they called instant miracles without considering the act of worshipping God through sufferings, hence he said categorically, "any Christian who does not embrace the Cross, is fake."

 He said some Christians may boast today that  if they were contemplaries of Jesus during his lifetime, they probably would have not contributed to his passion and death, but he argued that in the main time the attitude of some Christians is indirectly crucifying Christ again and again.

The Prior stated that the same Christians that claim to be close to Christ may have also  crucified him if given the opportunity to do so

He further urged all Christians to always think about the true essence of the passion so they realise why Jesus died for all and to ensure that nobody misses heaven 

 Onalugho then cautioned that people shouldn't go extra mind to secure their jobs, or make themselves economically reliant thereby commuting all kinds of astrusity, just like the case of Judas who betrayed Jesus 

The cleric added by reminding them that God is their succor, for him alone they should rely on at all times.

Hence he noted that Jesus did not die a shameful death , therefore Christians should not be preoccupied by what people will say about their Christian identity, thereby losing sight of what God expects from them.

He later called on the congregation not to do in private places the things they would usually never do in public.

He noted that the passion narrative was recited three times during the Holy week to show the extent of how Christians value the manner of how Jesus died for all, saying that it was never for entertainment or to fulfil all rigthiousness