The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama has challenged political office holders to embrace a life of modesty.
Archbishop Kaigama stated this at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Abuja, the nation’s capital as the Universal Church celebrates Palm or Passion Sunday.
The Chief Shepherd reminded political office holders that “to live simply means living a life of detachment and service rather than luxurious and flamboyant lifestyles, not minding the suffering of the poor” .
According to him, “Because the life of a leader must include suffering and pain on behalf of the people, Christ went through it as He cried: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt. 27:46), a leader, whether spiritual, traditional, or political must carry the burden of his/her people and sacrifice for them.
“The story that before Jesus entered Jerusalem, He sent two disciples to the village to take a donkey that had never been ridden and to reply if questioned, that “The Master has need of them,” (Mt. 21:3) is very instructive. What the Master needed; the owner of the donkey willingly offered. God does not always ask for big things. He does not ask what we do not have. The little things we are asked to give, God often takes them and uses them in great ways. The biblical Moses was asked to give his walking stick (cf. Ex. 4:2-4, 17), David gave his slingshot (cf. 1 Sam. 17:40-58), the widow at Zarephath offered the last of her dough” Archbishop Kaigama explained.
Archbishop Kaigama stated that Palm or Passion Sunday begins the week in which Christians specially recall the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, His suffering and sacrifice on the Cross unto death, bearing all the burden of their sins and the evils.
He urged Christians to be more committed as a mark of Christ’s most generous and selfless love as Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem not for a social celebration, but for some painful encounters which included accusations, betrayal, condemnation, insults, beatings, crucifixion and death.
“The donkey was a humble beast of burden. That the Lord rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and not on a mighty warhorse like the powerful and mighty, was to show that His kinship was of peace, and He came to serve and not to be served, to reach out to the least amongst us, and to every one of us without exception” the Archbishop said.
He urged Christians to be patient whenever they encounter trials and tribulations rather than avoid them at all cost.
N.O
