Palm Sunday: Cleric Task Christians on Reconciliation
Monsignor Gabriel Osu, Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, on Sunday urged Christians to reconcile with God and fellow human beings, as the 2018 Lenten season draws to an end.
Osu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) 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 told NAN 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.
NAN reports that Palm Sunday is the Sunday preceding Easter Sunday. It begins the Holy Week. It is the day that Christians celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem as Savior and King.
As Jesus rode a donkey into the town of Jerusalem, a large crowd gathered and laid palm branches and their cloaks across the road. This is why Christians go to church on Palm Sunday with palm branches.
Palm Sunday is celebrated in many churches with processions carrying branches of palms.
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