Christians celebrate Palm Sunday as RCCG, Motailatu, Catholic, Anglican priests urge Nigerians to fear God

Several churches with their congregation stepped out on the streets of Lagos on Sunday, to celebrate Palm Sunday, which usually occurs a week before Easter celebrations.
Church members were seen in processions in parts of the state, waving palm fronds and singing.
At Jubilee Christian Centre, a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), located in Surulere, children paraded the streets of Aguda with palm fronds, with one of them sitting on a donkey.
Mr David Olorunishola, a pastor in the church, said: This is mainly about the grand entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, but sometimes some people relate it to the position of God in our lives.
“Many people go round with palm fronds today because palm fronds were used when Jesus was entering Jerusalem.
“It is usually celebrated in remembrance of what Jesus did, but spiritually speaking, it can be likened with the grand entrance of Jesus into the life of a person,” he said.
Toyin George, a member of the church, said that Palm Sunday reminds her that Easter is around the corner.
“For me, its a reminder that Easter is close, and you know there’s always a long holiday for Easter.
“So, I’m definitely looking forward to it,” she said.
Another member of the church, Rita Ojo, said the Palm Sunday simply signifies the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, as stated in the bible.
At Restoration Parish of Motailatu Church of God, Akute, Ogun State, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the church, Senior Superintendent Gabriel Akinadewo (Omo Jesu II), urged Christians to obey God’s instruction “because the moment He tells you to do something, He will back you financially, physically and spiritually”.
Quoting from Luke 19: 29-40, he said Christians “are celebrating Palm Sunday today because two disciples followed the instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Today, many so-called Christians argue with God which is dangerous. There is crisis in Nigeria today because many of our politicians have decided to follow their selfish desires, instead of God’s plans for His people”.
Lamenting that the world is leaving Nigeria behind, he declared that “other people in parts of the world also pray. So, it is not only Nigerians who pray. But, the only difference is that they pray and follow the instruction of God. Here, some people pray but follow their own selfish desires”
He urged Nigerians to always know that there is only one living God.
Quoting from Deuteronomy 20: 1, he told “sincere children of God not to be afraid because God is ever ready to support His own, as long as you fear Him”.
He also declared that “God will soon intervene in the Nigerian situation and the righteous will smile”.
Monsignor Gabriel Osu, Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, urged Christians to reconcile with God and fellow human beings.
Osu said in Lagos on Sunday that Christians should also use the opportunity of the 2018 Palm Sunday to make Jesus their true king.
The cleric said that Christians should show love to one another and live in unity as demonstrated by Jesus Christ through His death on the cross to be celebrated on Friday.
He said that humility and selfless service made Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the salvation of mankind.
Osu said that Lent was a season for repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation and love.
He noted that Christians worldwide marked the beginning of the Holy Week with Palm Sunday.
“Palm Sunday is the beginning of the Holy Week which contains the three most important days in the life of the church.
“It introduces Holy Thursday – institution of priesthood, institution of the Eucharist – the body of Christ; Good Friday – the suffering and death of our Lord, Jesus Christ; Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“We have been coming from lent, emphasising intensive prayers; if any nations need prayers, Nigeria should be one of them.
“We are going through stress; hence, we need prayers against bribery, corruption, inordinate ambitions and so many other things bedeviling us.
“Lent is not just to pray, but to fast; fasting is not just to punish yourself from not eating; the things we saved from fasting, we should use to help the poor.
“ Rev. Canon Okey Obodozie of Saint Mary’s Anglican Church said that Christians should allow Christ to reign in their lives to conquer all their challenges.
“Palm Sunday is actually used to mark His entrance into Jerusalem as a king;
“I know that when we honour Him and allow Him to ride us as asses, surely, the will of God will be done in our lives,’’ he said.
A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Mathew Onyilo, urged Christians and Nigerians to trust God for victory in whatever challenges they are passing through in life.
Onyilo, a Priest of the Abuja Archdiocese, made the call in his homily on Palm Sunday at the St Charles Lwanga Parish, Apo, Abuja.
The priest, who spoke on the theme “I shall never be put to shame’’ urged Christians to learn from Jesus Christ who suffered and was victorious.
“Whatever difficulty you are going through, whatever challenge you are going through, whatever is making you shed tears because you have put your trust in God; you will never be put to shame.
“No one who places his trust in God can be forsaken; no matter the challenge you go through if only you remain committed to God, you will have the last laugh.
“If you go through fire, you will not be burnt; God will be with you, according to the Book of Isaiah 43 verses one to five.
“ God has not promised us that there will not be challenges.
“ What God has promised us is that those things will not bring us down, those things will not ridicule us and those things will not put us in shame,’’ he said.
The priest, however, urged Christians to keep faith in God saying “God will always keep to His promises”.
“ He cannot lie to us; He will fulfil His promises if we keep faith in Him. So, see your challenges as a means for God to glorify Himself.’’