“The message of peace must therefore remain our top priority,” Archbishop Kaigama said, and added, “Peace brings understanding, unity, togetherness, forgiveness, collaboration, development and growth.”
The Local Ordinary of Abuja Archdiocese recalled the instruction of Jesus Christ to the 72, highlighting the message of peace they were to bring to houses they visited.
“Today Jesus equips us with the message we must bring to our world: Peace be with this house [world],” Archbishop Kaigama said.
He added in reference to the message of peace, “Jesus knows very well that this is what our world needs most; to transform it from a culture of war and hatred to a culture of peace. He invites us to be instruments of His peace; to heal the world of violence.”
Making reference to St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians, Archbishop Kaigama said, “St. Paul in the second reading, as if speaking to Nigerians, refers to our carrying the wounds of violence and conflict, but that God assures us of His peace.”
Peace that St. Paul is praying for can only be absorbed in the hearts of the people, communities, societies and in the entire world when people live in accordance with God’s will, he further said, and added, “Preaching the gospel inevitably means preaching the gospel of peace, and a believer is to be most pitied who does not preach the good news of peace.”
The Archbishop who will turn 64 at the end of this month challenged those vying for various political seats ahead of the country’s 2023 general elections to “include in their political calculations” how they will handle insecurity.
He said, “Those aspiring to rule this country must keep in mind the enormous security situation at hand and include in their political calculations now the needed strategies and deliberate measures to bring the unfortunate security situation under control.”
“The kidnappers or terrorists are said to be so bold as to demand for money, foodstuff, motorcycles and even weapons to be delivered to them in person. Also, that the negotiations for these are done by telephone, and yet they remain undetected makes this the greatest Nigerian mystery today,” Archbishop Kaigama said.
He looked to the future with hope saying, “One day all our sufferings in Nigeria will be a thing of the past, that is, if we make good political choices, and the leaders create a level laying ground that permits transparent and just democratic practice.”
