Christians in Nigeria joined others across the world to mark the Palm Sunday with procession and fanfare to rekindle faith in God.
The feast, a symbolic reflection of Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, marks the beginning of the Holy Week in anticipation of Easter, which marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Holy week, which is the period between Palm Sunday and Easter, which is from Sunday, March 24, 2024 to Saturday, March 30, 2024, is an important one in the celebrations of the church, reminds faithful of the majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the confidence of faithful in the sonship of Jesus Christ.
In Lagos, at the St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Okokomaiko, faithful began the feast with a procession, Mass, and street evangelism, to draw people to Jesus Christ, reports Daily Sun.
The members all marched in jubilation within the area to register God’s presence in the place, while some used the medium to reach out to people to turn to Jesus Christ and heed the good news of salvation.
It was a spectacular scene at the Saints Peter and Paul, Tedi, Ojo Lagos Parish, where the priest in charge, Rev. Fr. Anthony Thompson, asked the faithful to physically present a written petition to God to heal the nation.
The followers, professing Jesus Christ as King of Kings approached the altar with their petitions.
Speaking during the homily (sermon), Thompson, said that before Jesus was crowned King, He showed perseverance and good character.
“It is expected of us to toe the line of Christ, for us to make it as a people and a nation. The decorations in the church with the palm fronts is a sign of victory, therefore our hope in the nation need not be dampened. The anxieties of today will not last but have come to an abrupt end with the triumph of our Lord today,” he said.
On its part, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged leaders, political and community, to emulate the humility of Christ in their engagement with the people.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, gave the charge in a message to celebrate the Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of the Holy Week that will herald Easter.
He said: “As we observe Palm Sunday, a day that holds profound significance in the Christian faith, I humbly extend my heartfelt greetings to all Nigerians. This sacred day commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, a moment marked by jubilation, hope, and symbolism that transcends time.
“In the midst of our current realities in Nigeria, where we are confronted with a myriad of challenges ranging from social unrest to economic uncertainties and tensions, the essence of Palm Sunday offers us a beacon of light and inspiration.
“The image of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, instead of a war chariot or an exotic means of transportation, and being welcomed by crowds waving palm branches and laying their cloaks on the ground, serves as a poignant reminder of humility for our leaders and the power of peace and collective faith for all citizens.
“In reflecting on the lessons of Palm Sunday for contemporary Nigerian society, we are called to emulate the virtue of unity exemplified by Jesus Christ. Just as the people of Jerusalem set aside their differences to welcome the Prince of Peace, let’s set aside our prejudices, grievances, and animosities, to foster a spirit of harmony, reconciliation, and understanding, among ourselves.
“As we navigate through turbulent waters and strive towards a more prosperous and equitable society, let’s draw strength from the enduring message of Palm Sunday, remember that in times of adversity, faith can move mountains and bridge divides, and love can conquer all.
“Witnessing the unfolding events in our nation, let’s heed the call to action embedded in the spirit of Palm Sunday. Let’s be beacons of hope and agents of positive change in our communities, extending a hand of friendship to our neighbors, showing kindness to the marginalized, and upholding justice for the oppressed.
“As we embark on this journey of reflection and renewal during the holy season of Palm Sunday, may we be guided by the timeless teachings of Christ, and may we emerge as a stronger, more united Nigerian society, bound together by the common values of peace, justice, and solidarity.”
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, in a message shared on his X handle on Sunday, Obi said the period presents another moment of reflection on the challenges that Nigeria is facing.
“Even as we make our human efforts, as a people, to move our nation forward, we must leverage the solemnity of this season to pray for divine intervention in our nation,” Obi wrote.
“The hearts of many are heavy with pain, grieving the loss of their dear ones due to the high level of insecurity in the nation.
“Families are hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from because they can no longer afford the basic necessity of food.
“Many of our fellow Nigerians have died in their struggle to find food to eat. The unity and love in diversity, for which our dear nation was known, have been sacrificed on the altar of tribal and religious division.
“Let us, therefore, present our nation to God for healing and restoration, in this Holy Week, so that as we labour, as humans, for the New Nigeria, it will become even more possible.”
The Priest in charge of St Joseph Catholic Church, Nyon, Makurdi, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Tyoga, admonished humanity against inordinate love for money.
The cleric who reflected on the betrayal of Jesus Christ by one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, said, when we develop inordinate love for money, we are ready to kill, steal, tell lies and commit all sorts of atrocities just to fill our pockets, we are no better than Judas.
“Some of us in a bid to acquire wealth, power or fame, betray people, harass others, abuse privileges, turn the truth upside down and sell expired and substandard goods including drugs. These actions are no less than the betrayal of Judas.
“Like Judas, Jesus has also called us to be his special friends. We sit round his table and dine with him each time we participate in the Eucharistic celebration. Therefore, let us try not to betray him in the way we live our lives. On another note, while we recognize that most of us are like Judas, betraying Christ through our actions, we cannot fail to also recognize the fact that most of us are also suffering betrayal from our friends.Some have been betrayed by their spouses, lovers, friends, relatives and those dear to them. Some have had to suffer betrayal on account of their openness or charity or trust reposed on people,” he said.
Fr. Tyoga, therefore, encouraged Christians to look inwards and see how much of Judas they have in them.
