“Joy is not the absence of suffering”: Catholic Archbishop Encourages Nigerians to Stay Positive amid Hardships

Referring to St. Francis of Assisi, who said, “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle”, the Nigerian Catholic Archbishop said, “We are called to be candles of joy in a nation grappling with corruption, poverty, and social injustice.”

He observed that despite the many challenges, the Gospel still calls the people of God in Nigeria to share, avoid injustice, and refrain from oppression. Such a positive attitude, he said, is what can provide “the blueprint for societal renewal in Nigeria.”

“Our joy, rooted in God’s presence, must inspire us to action, to be beacons of hope and light in our communities,” the Local Ordinary of Abuja said, and added, “We are called to illuminate Nigeria with the love and presence of Christ, our Lord.”

“Our country needs to be alive again. We need God-fearing leaders who will bring back the hope and joy of our country,” he said.

For Archbishop Kaigama, to be joyful, one needs a clear conscience. “Even when things refuse to get better despite all assurances, do not fail to cultivate the joy of the heart,” he said. 

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“Be humble with your place like John the Baptist who did not arrogate importance to himself nor take the place of Jesus, but humbly accepted his position, that he was not the Christ, but pointed Him to the people when He came. So be humble and be patient like John teaches us patience. His entire ministry was one of patient waiting,” he counselled. 

He said that the Prophet Isaiah reinforces the call to rejoice amid hardships, when he invites the people of God “to shout and sing for joy because the Holy One of Israel is great in our midst.”

Prophet Isaiah’s call, Archbishop Kaigama went on to say, is echoed in the words of St. Augustine, who said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you, O Lord.”

“Indeed, our true rest and joy are found in the constant presence of God, who dispels our fears and uncertainties with His unwavering love,” the Nigerian Catholic Archbishop said.

Referring to the Second Reading for Gaudete Sunday, Archbishop Kaigama said that Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians deepens the understanding of the joy amid suffering when he exhorts the people of God to “rejoice in the Lord always”.

“This call to joy is not dependent on our circumstances but is anchored in the nearness of the Lord,” the Catholic Church leader, who started his Episcopal Ministry in April 1995 as Bishop of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Jalingo said on December 15.

Sabrine Amboka contributed to the writing of this story.

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