From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Ahead of Easter, thousands of Catholic faithful in Asaba, Delta State, yesterday commenced the Holy Week with the observance of Palm Sunday.
At Saint John Bosco Catholic Church, Asaba, worshippers raised their various palm leaves, praying and praising God for keeping them alive to celebrate this year’s Palm Sunday.
In a homily, the officiating priest, Reverend Father Anthony Okolie-Alfred urged the congregants to take advantage of the Holy Week to rededicate themselves to God.
Describing the Holy Week as the most significant period in the Christian calendar, the priest stressed the need for Christians to reflect and imbibe the virtues of Jesus examplied during his passion, crucifixion, death and resurrection.
He said Christians should be steadfast, committed and keep following God even when passing through difficult times .
“You must be a christian at all times whether things are fine or not.
“The same mouth that you use to praise Jesus when things are going smoothly; use the same mouth to praise him when things are not going well. It is painful that the same people who shouted hosanna to Jesus, were the same people who said he should be crucified.
“They chose a criminal over Jesus. It is even happening in our society today. You see innocent ones being accused of wrong doing and are being sent to prison, while those using the latest AK-47 arms and ammunition to kill people, some high profile individuals are telling us that they are our brothers and we should let them go,” Okolie-Alfred stated.
He urged political leaders and others occupying positions of authority to be humble and use their position to impact positively on humanity, stressing that they will not be in power forever.
