Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Through Lent, we have fasted, abstained, prayed, and looked at the Crucifixion, the suffering, agony and death of our Lord. His death and the events leading up to His death have occupied our prayers and devotions. We know that He took upon Himself our sins and the sins of all mankind, and that we are saved and redeemed by His stripes, His bruises, His humiliation, and by His sacred blood, shed for us. And indeed we say with much joy today that He is risen indeed, ALLELUIA!

As we finally celebrate Easter 2020, the world is united. The world is united in fear of what tomorrow will bring us, of not knowing if our societies will withstand the devastating impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and if we or our family members will survive this terrible moment. But despite all the sufferings and difficulties, we must always run to God, because He is love.

This Easter celebration calls on us to show more love to all. For God is love, and everything God does flows from love for us (1 John 4:7-21). The love of God comes first and the love of neighbour is firmly grounded in the love of God. (Mark 12:30-31). Faith in God and hope in God’s promises strengthen us in the love of God and care for our neighbour.

Dearly Beloved, God does not abandon us; God goes with us, even now in this time of trial and testing. In this moment, it is important for us to anchor our hearts in the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. This is the time to intensify our prayers and sacrifices for the love of God and the love of our neighbour.

Jesus experienced the full measure of human suffering and died for us and for our salvation, and, no matter what befalls us, be it sickness or tribulations or Covid 19, our hope in Jesus’ love will not disappoint us.

We want to use this opportunity to thank all youth who are part of the team helping out there, thank all health workers, the security services and volunteers and all those who are by the side of people who have fallen sick or who are vulnerable and isolated in the midst of this crisis. We thank God for the life of all those who trustingly open their hearts and give themselves fully to bring love and hope into people’s lives at this time.

As followers of Christ and members of one community, the body of Christ, let us maintain our spiritual health in the midst of this crisis, let us continue to love and pursue a life of prayer in order to nourish our faith and maintain hope. Let us have some time for personal prayer. It is important for us to pour our hearts in prayer and supplication.

Let us pray in solidarity for our brothers and sisters here and around the world who are sick, and those currently struggling with the virus, those living in fear and anxiety, those in isolation, the suffering, and the dead.

While we pray for our families and our loved ones, let us pray earnestly for researchers and health care givers, and for those who must make difficult public decisions in this time of crisis.

Let us not forget the poor, the needy, and the vulnerable, especially those who do not have access to adequate health care. When we confide our needs to the Lord in heartfelt and sincere prayer, we grow in our trust of the provident love of God.

As we celebrate Easter without the possibility of physical communion, without the possibility of celebrating the Eucharist physically together, this is the time to reflect deeply on what “Body of Christ” means for each of us. Let us continue to pray in this crisis for the light of Christ to shine for Jesus is truly risen!

Let us pray for the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference. Let us pray to find the deeper meaning of this challenge that is facing the whole of humanity and which is calling us to faith and to the resurrection.
We wish you all a happy Easter of love and peace. Amen.

Anthony Ngissah Assuah
AADCYC Chairman
11th April, 2020