Christians in Abuja join other faithful to celebrate Palm Sunday

Christians in Abuja on Sunday joined other faithful
around the world to mark the feast of “Passion
Sunday’’, also known as “Palm Sunday’’ with a call
on Nigerians to embrace peace.
The News Agency of Nigeria (reports) reports that
unlike in the past, some of the processions in this
year were held around Church premises to enhance
the safety of worshippers.
Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday, according to the
teachings of the Church, marks the beginning of the
Holy Week, the climax of the Lenten season.
It is a commemoration of the triumphant entry of
Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, in preparation for his
suffering and death on the cross.
The event is marked by processions by both the
clergy and the congregation, seen carrying palm
fronts amid praises and songs.
NAN reports that special Church services were held
with faithful participating in the traditional
procession, carrying palm fronts and chanting
hymns, to mark the day.
At St. Peter-Clavers Chaplaincy, University of Abuja
Staff Quarters, Giri, the faithful were seen in
processions before moving to the Church hall for
service.
In his sermon on the occasion, the officiating priest,
Rev. Fr. Augustus Essien, advised Christians to
imbibe humility, selflessness, peace and love for
neighbour, as exhibited by Jesus Christ in his
passion and death.
He said Jesus Christ’s passion and death on the
cross was a perfect example of God’s love for man
in spite of man’s stubbornness and disobedience to
his commandments.
He urged Christians to always be guided by peace,
“which is the true lesson of Jesus passion and
death on the cross’’ noting that Nigeria was in dire
need of peace.
At the St. Charles Lwanga Parish Apo, Abuja,
Christians moved a few metres around the Church
premises and back into the Church hall for the
service.
In his sermon, the Assistant Parish Priest, Rev. Fr.
Emmanuel Onuma, urged Christians especially
those in positions of authority to be selfless in their
service to the nation.
He said that the message of `Passion Sunday’’ was
sacrifice, selflessness and endurance, which Christ
exhibited for the redemption of mankind.
“God has called you to be an instrument of liberation
for the needy, step out of your comfort zone and
save others.
“I know it is not an easy task, but if you are
determined to do it, God will give you the grace and
strength to accomplish it,” he said.
At Christ the King Catholic Parish, Kubwa, Abuja, the
situation was the same as faithful were seen
gathered at the entrance of the Church with
traditional attire to mark the event.
The officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Daniel Bot, told
Christians to reflect on the teachings of Easter,
particularly the lessons of Christ’s passion.
Reading from the Gospel of Matthew 21, Bot said
that Christ taught his followers to exhibit humility in
all their endeavours.
He said that Jesus Christ as King of the Jews chose
to ride on a donkey rather than a horse like his
contemporaries did during His time.
“The entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey
symbolised his humility and simplicity as a King,
and this is what all Christians are urged to exhibit in
their various callings,” he said.
He said that though it was often difficult for one,
especially those in high places, to sacrifice their
comfort for others, such service was necessary for
the work of salvation to be completed.
Bot said that Easter was very important in the lives
of Christians, noting that without Christ’s submission
to the will of God, the plan of man’s salvation would
have been incomplete.
At the St Matthews Anglican Church, Gwarimpa, the
Vicar, Canon Ephraim Akanya, in his sermon, also
urged Christians to be sober in their reflections
during the holy week.
Akanya said that the biggest message of Passion
Sunday was that of peace adding that laying of palm
branches on the streets for Christ to ride signified
peace.
He said that in spite of the suffering that Christ went
through, he still called on his people to follow the
path of peace, righteousness and sacrifice. (NAN)