From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
As Catholics around the world mark the Solemnity of Christ the Universal King, Reverend Fr Gregory Nbashi, the Parish Priest of Saint Justina’s Pastoral Centre, Catholic Diocese of Jalingo in Taraba State has stated that the unprecedented hardship experienced in the country will be done with if the people chose to submit to Christ’s Kingship.
Nbashi who made the assertion during his sermon to mark the solemnity noted that Christ’s Kingship is that of selflessness, humility, sacrifice and service to one another.
He said that the country is blessed with enormous resources in all ramifications such that no one in the country should have cause to suffer but the selfishness of the people in authority have brought untold hardship to the people.
“Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the Universal King. This is a very significant moment in the lives of the people especially for us here in Taraba State and indeed, Nigeria.
“We are blessed with tremendous resources. We are among the leading oil producers around the world. We have almost all other mineral resources in commercial quantities all over the country. We have a large and diverse market. We have super intelligent persons in all works of life. And yet, these resources have not translated to a meaningful life for Nigerians.
“One may wonder what is wrong. I think we simply don’t want to tell ourselves the truth. Our problem is simply leadership. Those in authority chose to work for themselves alone. The kingdom system we have is that of selfishness, greed, arrogance, immorality, and evil. It is a kingdom that has no issues with bloodshed, poverty, grief, sorrow and hardship.
“And so today, Christ has given us an example of a kingdom system that will put an end to our suffering and hardship. This is a kingdom where everyone works for the good of everyone. This is a kingdom of humility and sincerity. This is the kingdom anchored on Christ the Universal King.
“We have an example of a kingdom that upholds justice and truth. It is a kingdom of justice, love and peace. This is not a kingdom where technicalities are used to deny people justice. This is not a kingdom where money is the ultimate and the ordinary have no voice.
“To live together in peace and prosperity, we must allow justice to prevail and give the neglected a sense of belonging through practical charity and common good,” Nbashi said
He warned that those who are working to bring hardship on the people just to feed their selfish and ungodly indulgences will have a rough time at Christ’s coming if they fail to repent, as “Christ will separate the evil from the good and send the evil to eternal damnation.”
Christ The Universal King is a Solemnity that marks the end of the Catholic Liturgical year and herald the beginning season of Advent and is usually accompanied with massive road shows and adorations.