Palm Sunday: Promote Christ’s Virtues, Cleric Urges Christians

The Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, has urged Christians to promote the virtues of Jesus Christ in their service to God.
Badejo made the call in an interview with newsmen, yesterday in Ibadan.
He said that as Christians all over the world celebrated the Palm Sunday, it was important for faithful to stand up for the teachings of Christ.
According to him, the story of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem as narrated in Matthew’s gospel should spur Christians to open their hearts to God.
“As Christians, we need to open our lives to God, promote the things that Christ did and aspire to live in holiness.
“We should show deep commitment to service, knowing that through Christ, we shall get salvation,” he said.
He said that Palm Sunday celebration should challenge Christians to take a stand for Christ, adding that believers should be consistent in their commitment to the truth.
“Palm Sunday represents dignity, beauty, well being and victory; it should never be jettisoned for sin and evil.
“It holds a lot of significance for the youth, young people must never lose hope, they must believe in their dreams,” Badejo said.
The cleric described Palm Sunday as remarkable because it marked the beginning of the Passion Week.
“This is the most holy week in Christendom; it is the week in which the key events of the history of salvation are celebrated.
“During Holy Week, the Catholic Church commemorates the institution of the priesthood, the sacraments and the Eucharist.
“The Good Friday is also celebrated during the week to commemorate the death of Christ on the cross,” he said.
Also speaking at a church service, yesterday, Revd Cannot Chigozie Obiwulu drew his text in the Daily Fountain Devotional for March 28, from Mathew 21: 1-13 from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible.
The topic is, ‘Channels of God’s Glory’.
In the text, Jesus ordered two of his disciples who were with him at the Mount of Olives” to go over to the village opposite them and immediately you will see a donkey tied and a colt to her loose and bring them to me. “
The cleric said the text is a demonstration of divine direction and coordination in the use of the donkey for the prophetic entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
He said the two disciplines, the donkey, and its owner were channels used for God’s glory and charged Christians to be channels of the glory of God.
Palm Sunday is celebrated around the world by Christians to mark Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
The features in churches on Palm Sunday include street procession, decoration of churches with Palm branches, sermons reflecting the day and solemn prayers, with chants of “Hosanna in the highest”.
Palm Sunday begins the Holy week in the Christian calendar leading to the end of the Lenten season, to the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.