In the course of human relationship with God, now and again man derails and rebels against his maker to pursue his own desires, each time, humanity suffers. In the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve disobeyed and faced unpleasant consequences. They lost God’s favour and were driven out of Paradise and we all pay the prize today. In the book of Exodus, the Israelites worshipped another god and they were punished. Some were beaten by snakes and died while others suffered in various ways.

God had always warned his people to come back to Him and follow His ways. He spoke to His own people through the prophets to return to Him and live. The prophets were His mouth-piece. Today in our times, our bishops are our prophets. God has spoken through them. They are our Ezekiel, Isaiah, Joel. We gather today because through them God has called us as, Prophet Joel spoke in the 1st Reading, to declare a fast, all to gather and pray in sack-cloths to ask for Divine Mercy. We have come to ask for forgiveness for we are not safe or enjoying your blessings due to our sins. Igbo land is now a forsaken land. Our sons and daughters have abandoned our land. Our neighbours make fun of us. We do not progress any more due to our abominations.

We are no better than the people of Israel if anything, we are worse. All of us have sinned; from children to adult, men and women, boys and girls. In one way or the other, we have ignored your laws to pursue our own desires. The result today is violence and blood shed. We have no respect for human life. We kill and desecrate what you made holy. We kill for want of money or position. We poison, kill with knife or gun. Some of us sell human beings, perform rituals with human life, and abduct people to extort money. Some drivers fro want of money drive carelessly and kill people.

Corruption is rampant, we find it hard to trust or say the truth. Our traders cheat innocent buyers and sell low quality wares and swear in your name. Our automobile mechanics cheat their customers and sell Taiwan spare parts in place of the original and charge for work not done or poorly done. Some of our carpenters cheat in their trade. They give inferior materials fro genuine ones and cheat on materials. Some of our plumbers and electricians are not left out. Greed, lies and oppression are everywhere. Government workers are not better. Bribery and corruption is wide spread, even office clerks intentionally hide some files unless they are given some money. To secure appointments, some take bribe from innocent job seekers. Parents sell their property to bribe officials. Lecturers charge students to pass them and those who do not pay are failed. We all have failed God. Even secondary school students involve themselves in exam malpractice. Teachers, supervisors and parents connive and cheat.

Some elected or appointed officials embezzle public money, town union or that of the organization for their family use while the legitimate owners suffer and die. Workers are not paid, while some of the workers’ day pays are withheld. Some of our church leaders have abdicated their sacred role of service to the people of God to fatten themselves and their families. We buy stolen hand-sets, cars etc at cheap prices and encourage thieves to steal. Some of the our women harbour criminals and cook for them and keep them company. Those employed to protect us join hands to oppress us. We have worshipped other gods. We promise to change our ways, to worship the living God, to love our neighbours, to end corruption, greed and oppression, lies and cheating. We must resolve to be honest and sincere, to say the truth at all times.

We ask for forgiveness from God. We have seen the result of our sins. We pray God to force to us change our way, to touch our hearts to return to Him in word and deed. May Young men to desist from violence and our leaders to think out ways to pay attention to our young; in the way things are going, they are a lost generation.
Our God is a merciful God. Let us change and things will be better for us.