Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Revd. Ignatius Kaigama has cautioned leaders not to be carried away by praise singers rather be determined to justify the reason for their election.
Kaigama stated this on Palm Sunday in his homily at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro Cathedral in Abuja.
He said, “today’s celebration calls our leaders to be merciful leaders eager to provide basic amenities for their people. We call on leaders, not to be carried away by people’s hailing and calling titles such as “Your Excellency,” “Distinguished,” “Honorable,” “Your Majesty,” “Your Eminence,” “Your Grace,” etc., but to be determined to achieve the purpose of their being leaders.
“Political leaders should be aware that in our country today, after election victory, people shout “hosanna” to their leaders, but with hunger and insecurity ravaging our dear country, and when people are at breaking point, they shout in desperation “crucify them, crucify them.”
“The same happens to religious leaders, especially when we promise wealth, healing, miracles, and people don’t see these, because these promises are not rooted in the Lord. They will shout “crucify them,” in our case too because some of us are deceitful, dishonest, manipulative, and self-centered, and even recklessly use the funds the congregations make great sacrifices to collect”.
He added that leaders should learn that, “only once did Jesus allow people to sing His praises. Always, He would shun anyone who tried to praise Him publicly. But today, when He was marked for death, He entered Jerusalem publicly and allowed the multitudes to sing His praises. This was because His hour had come. If you are not ready as a leader to sacrifice your time and life for your people, then, don’t allow them to elect you, let alone to sing your praises.”
The Archbishop while commenting on the significance of Palm Sunday said “the day draws our attention to the burden Jesus had to bear for our sins and the evils we have committed. He did this out of a most generous and selfless love. He deliberately entered Jerusalem not for a social celebration, but for some painful encounters which included accusations, betrayal, condemnation, insults, beatings, crucifixion, and death.”
Archbishop Kaigama further stated that the readings of the day, “reveal to us the true nature of divine love, it lowers itself, serves, and gives without counting the cost. Christ did not cling to power or demand His rights, He descended, in order to lift us up. His humility becomes His glory. And in that, He sets the pattern for all of us. If we want to rise with Him, we must first learn to bend low in service and love.
“In the Passion narrative, we journey with Jesus from the Upper Room, through Gethsemane, the betrayal, Peter’s denial, the unjust trial, the scourging, and finally to the Cross. Every step reveals Jesus’ unwavering obedience, His deep love for His Father, and His limitless love for us,”he said.
