Palm Sunday: Kaigama urges leaders to serve selflessly

The Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has urged Nigerian leaders to serve selflessly, prioritising the welfare of their people over the pursuit of titles and praise.

Kaigama made the call during his Palm Sunday homily at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral in Abuja.

He urged leaders not to be carried away by adulations and formalities often associated with their positions, but instead to remain focused on the true purpose of leadership: serving the people.

“Political leaders should be aware that in our country today, after election victories, people shout ‘hosanna’ to their leaders.

“But with hunger and insecurity ravaging our dear country, when people reach their breaking point, they cry out in desperation, ‘crucify them, crucify them,” he said.

Reflecting on the theme, “The King Who Chooses the Cross as His Throne,” Kaigama noted that the liturgy marked the beginning of Holy Week and emphasised Christ’s selfless love and humility.

“Passion Sunday draws our attention to the burden Jesus bore for our sins and the evils we have committed.

“He did this out of the most generous and selfless love,” he said.

Kaigama recalled how Jesus deliberately entered Jerusalem, not for a festive celebration but for painful encounters, including accusations, betrayal, condemnation, insults, beatings, crucifixion, and ultimately death.

“The Gospel reading from Luke highlights Jesus’ triumphant yet humble entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy.

“While the crowd shouted ‘Hosanna,’ hoping for a political saviour, Jesus revealed His mission as a spiritual Messiah, destined to conquer sin through suffering and death,” he explained.

Kaigama contrasted the joyful welcome at Jerusalem’s gates with the silence of Calvary’s Cross, underscoring humanity’s frequent misunderstanding of divine kingship.

He urged Christians to embrace humility, endurance, and unwavering trust in God just as Christ and the Suffering Servant in Isaiah did.

Holy Week, he said, was a time to reflect deeply on Christ’s passion and resurrection, a journey marked by love, sacrifice, and redemption.

He concluded by calling for conversion and a renewed commitment to humility and service, encouraging believers to deepen their faith by surrendering to God’s will, even in times of trial.