The Parish Priest, St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Kpirikpiri, Abakaliki, Rev. Fr. Livinus Obijiofor, has called on Christians to give alms and shun divisive tendencies.
Palm Sunday is a Christian festival that marks the historic triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem and the beginning of the Holy Week.
The festival is celebrated one week before Easter Sunday which is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Obijiofor made the call on Sunday in Abakaliki during a service to mark the Palm Sunday.
The cleric said that the Christian faithful needed to reflect on the sacrifices made by Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry in order to impact on one another, especially, the needy.
He said that a life dependent on the sacrifices of Jesus Christ could positively effect changes in the lives and attitudes of others by engendering good morals for a better nation.
He urged Christians to shun blackmail, cheating, denial, oppression of the poor and other behaviours that were not of God.
“Christian faithful should be in the state of grace this period and help the needy.
“There is reward in good attitude. We must try to always reflect on the passion and sacrifices Jesus Christ made during His earthly ministry to help us make a change in our lives,” he said.
Obijiofor urged Nigerians to depend on God for providence and power over current economic challenges.
Also, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Motailatu Church of God, Senior Superintendent Gabriel F. Akinadewo (Omo Jesu II), called on Christians to emulate two of the disciples of Jesus Christ who did not argue with the Saviour when they were sent into the city.
Preaching at Restoration Parish of the church in Akute, Ogun State, Akinadewo also thanked God “for allowing us celebrate Palm Sunday this year unlike Year 2020 when coronavirus did not allow us to celebrate Palm Sunday and Easter”.
Quoting from Luke 19: 29 to 40, he said Christians should behave like true followers of Christ.
“We are celebrating Palm Sunday today because the two disciples did not argue with Jesus Christ. When God tells you to do something, He will ensure that all obstacles are removed.
“Because we are created in His image, we have no choice than to serve and obey Him. If you don’t do it, our God has the capacity to raise others to serve Him”.
Quoting Isaiah 3:10 and Isaiah 65, from verse 17, he declared that “once you serve God, it shall be well with you”.
The Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, urged Christians to relive, emulate and share the love of Jesus Christ with their neighbours.
Abegunrin said Christians should show Christ’s love to all, irrespective of their religion or race.
According to him, God loves humanity because humans were created in His image and likeness, and out of love, He sent His only begotten son to die for them.
The archbishop said: “Jesus Christ loves mankind so much that He willingly died for man shamefully on the cross.”
He urged leaders and stakeholders in government to be humble in the discharge of their duties towards the citizenry, saying that their humility should be accompanied with truthfulness.
“There is so much distrust in our land because our leaders, including religious ones, are not humble, truthful and loving.
“Jesus Christ rode the donkey among the people; he did not bully them. Those in government should respect the citizens and keep the promises of protection of lives and property.
“There is terror everywhere. So I advise government at all levels to learn from Jesus Christ on how to be close to the people and not to abuse their power over them.
“Rather, they should use their power to maintain peace in the land,” he said.
According to him, Palm Sunday signifies the day Christians celebrate the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem in order to suffer, die and resurrect for the sake of humanity.
He added that Palm Sunday marked the beginning of Holy Week in Christendom.
“The holy week is the one leading to Easter. The high point of the week is the Sacred Triduum, which comprises the celebration of Institution of Sacred Priesthood and the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist on Holy Thursday.
“It comprises the Veneration of the Wood of the Cross and the commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and lastly, the celebration of the Vigil of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave on Holy Saturday.
“All these spiritual and redeeming activities culminate in the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday,” he said.
Abegunrin, therefore, maintained that Palm Sunday afforded everyone, particularly Christians, the opportunity of total liberation from sin and death by uniting mankind with the crucified Jesus.
He said that Palm Sunday also emphasised the supremacy and lordship of Jesus Christ on humanity.
A faithful, Mr Toochi Chima, said that Jesus came to save mankind, as prophesied by Zechariah.
Chima emphasised that the one and only sacrifice made by Christ could take away sin and cause death to pass over mankind.
“Jesus was matching to His death that brought salvation to us. Thus, without Palm Sunday, there would be no passover, no Good Friday, no Easter Sunday and perhaps no resurrection.
“This would have made our belief and faith as Christians baseless, futile and hopeless,” he said.
Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, urged Christians to promote the virtues of Jesus Christ in their service to God.
Badejo made the call on Sunday in Ibadan.
He said that as Christians all the world celebrated the Palm Sunday, it was important for faithful to stand up for the teachings of Christ.
According to him, the story of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem as narrated in Matthew’s gospel should spur Christians to open their hearts to God.
“As Christians, we need to open our lives to God, promote the things that Christ did and aspire to live in holiness.
“We should show deep commitment to service, knowing that through Christ, we shall get salvation,” he said.
He said that Palm Sunday celebration should challenge Christians to take a stand for Christ, adding that believers should be consistent in their commitment to the truth.
“Palm Sunday represents dignity, beauty, well being and victory, it should never be jettisoned for sin and evil.
“It holds a lot of significance for the youth, young people must never lose hope, they must believe in their dreams,” Badejo said.
The Cleric described Palm Sunday as remarkable because it marked the beginning of the Passion Week.
“This is the most holy week in Christendom, it is the week in which the key events of the history of salvation are celebrated.
“During Holy Week, the Catholic Church commemorates the institution of the priesthood, the sacraments and the Eucharist.
“The Good Friday is also celebrated during the week to commemorate the death of Christ on the cross,” he said.
Palm Sunday is celebrated around the world by Christians to mark Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
