Observed annually to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary, today will be another Good Friday. The day is important because the death of Christ on the cross is the paramount event of the Christian faith. And so the use of the word ‘Good’ Friday because “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Likewise in first Peter 3:18 it tells us that “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.” As Nagas observe another Good Friday, we need to use the occasion to seek repentance for our sins. All of us have sinned. No one is blameless. Whether it is the political leader, civil society, Church, student, general public etc every one of us has contributed to our own downfall. Despite our weakness and failings, God has been gracious to the land and people of the Nagas. He seeks us even though we do not deserve His love. But then as a Christian State and society, how long will the Naga people hide from God and turn away from Him. Many years after we gave ourselves the slogan ‘Nagaland for Christ’, we are yet to live, govern and rule according to the tenets of Jesus Christ. Most times, it is embarrassing to even consider ourselves as a Christian State. We have failed Christ. We have not been good witnesses to the rest of the world despite our sloganeering. It is clear that if our Naga State and its people are to prosper and grow as a successful nation, we need to return to Christ. We must all repent and reform so that we get our spiritual and political salvation.
Coming back to the significance of Good Friday, it will be in the fitness of things to mention here the political deal following the 1994 paramilitary ceasefires in Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement, signed on 10 April 1998. The reason for mentioning North Ireland in the Naga context is because there is lot of similarities with our own political processes. The Good Friday Agreement includes plans for a Northern Ireland assembly with a power-sharing executive, new cross-border institution involving the Irish Republic and a body linking devolved assemblies across the UK with Westminster and Dublin. More importantly, the agreement was about a new beginning even though acknowledging the “tragedies of the past” that had left “a deep and profoundly regrettable legacy of suffering”. The best way to honour those who died or been injured, and their families, was “a fresh start”. The Good Friday Agreement reminds us of another historic ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’ signed by Naga leaders. The Naga political groups must leave no stone unturned to find a democratic and peaceful mechanism of resolving all differences on political issues between them. The much anticipated and vital ‘talks at the highest level’ has become a reality and we must thank God for His leading. As desired by the Naga people, there is hope for peace and reconciliation. This is a historic and golden opportunity for the Nagas to come together. The final outcome of the Covenant of Reconciliation (Journey of Common Hope) will be decisive for the future of the Naga nation and people. Let Good Friday and the coming Easter Sunday be that time to resurrect our identity as one people with Christ.
