A Catholic priest, Reverend Father Gerald Tanko, has urged people across the world to live peacefully and emulate Jesus Christ, who preached and practised peace.
Tanko spoke during a Pentecost Sunday sermon at the Society of Saint Paul (SSP) Catholic Church, Obawole Estate, Iju, Lagos.
“We see nations increasingly driving foreigners away. We hear of wars among nations and ethnic and tribal conflicts among people of the same nation. We see divisions in communities, friendships and sadly, even within families and churches.
“Many families and parishes today suffer greatly from a lack of unity. Even our world itself is fractured.
“Today more than ever, our world desperately needs the work of the Holy Spirit,” he said.
Speaking on the theme, The Holy Spirit as an Agent of Unity in the Church and in the Family, Tanko said Pentecost was not merely about speaking in tongues or extraordinary manifestations, but also about unity.
“The Holy Spirit came not only to fill people with power, but also to gather scattered people into one family and one body in Christ,” he added.
He stressed that unity had always been central to the teachings of Christ, noting that Jesus repeatedly prayed that His followers “may be one.”
Tanko said the Holy Spirit does not destroy diversity but creates harmony within it.
“The Holy Spirit gathers different races, tribes, cultures, personalities and generations and forms one family in Christ. Every Mass is, therefore, a little Pentecost,” he said.
The cleric warned that disunity often begins through negative thoughts, gossip, slander, angry exchanges, envy, pride and selfish behaviour.
“Words have wounded families, destroyed friendships and divided many church communities,” he stated.
According to him, the Holy Spirit convicts people of wrongdoing and helps them embrace repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation.
He added that the fruits of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control — are essential for preserving unity in families, churches and society.
Tanko urged Christians to cooperate with the Holy Spirit through prayer, obedience and personal transformation.
“Come Holy Spirit. Gather nations, families and our Church into one. Heal our wounds, change our hearts, teach us to love, honour and respect one another,” he prayed.
