The agony of human inconsistency

When the Church celebrates “Palm Sunday”, the first part of the liturgy is the blessing of the palms that is distributed among the worshippers who move in procession to the Church. In jubilation, the worshippers sing: “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel. Hosanna in the highest.” At the Palm Sunday Passion Narrative, the same Jesus who received the accolades of HOSANNA still receives the condemnation of “away with him, away with him; crucify him; we have no king but Caesar!” Palm Sunday thus becomes a celebration of the double tragedy in human nature. The pain is deep as a result of the inconsistency and contradictions in human nature. The human mind is so deep that you may never know the true feelings of a person towards you just as all that glitters is not gold. Some people with wealth, power, and exalted positions are often deceived by the praise singers around them. Very often they are shielded from reality to a point that they are not conscious even of their immediate milieu.

Some people of influence erroneously think that they are important because of the people who surround them to source for their daily bread in a country that cannot provide basic needs for its citizens. If everybody is gainfully employed with food assured on a regular basis, the slave masters would discover that no one cares about them and their stolen wealth. No privileged person should think that he is loved and cherished without strings attached. Very often, the real person is not loved. What is loved is the office and position the person occupies. So many realize this too late, when they discover how alone, lonely and lonesome they are after leaving office. Some discover in shock that their phones have suddenly become quiet. Out of office, they would long to hear the phone ring whereas, some days ago, while in office, their phones were so busy that they had to assign somebody specifically to receive their personal telephone calls. A deep reflection on the Palm Sunday drama of human passion will help human beings to be more reasonable.

At the beginning of the Lenten Season, the dry palms that were green and fresh on Palm Sunday are collected to be burnt to ashes for use on Ash Wednesday. This shows again that no condition is permanent. The ashes from the palms remind the human person of his transient nature. In wearing the ashes from the palm, the human person is reminded that he would return to dust from where he was created. He is also reminded that he needs repentance before the dusk of his life. The palm then is very significant to human existence. From the palm, wine is produced. Wine is a symbol of celebration and this should remind human beings that life is not all storming waters just as life is not all bed of roses. From the palm tree, oil is produced. This palm oil is used for cooking, and food preserves the life of the human person. From the palm tree, kernel is produced and this can be used for ointment for healing of different ailments. From the palm tree, the broom is produced for sweeping and cleaning the environment. So there is a lot to think about concerning Palm Sunday and the human existence.

Palm Sunday should teach human beings the value of humility. The feast should call everybody to accept the gospel values (Mark 1:15). Let us not forget as we celebrate Palm Sunday that the same people who shout Hosanna for us today could shout, “Away with him! Crucify him” tomorrow when we are no longer useful to them. The inconsistency of human emotions and temperaments are as delusive as shadows. Human nature is so selfish that the praise singers today would prefer a thief to a generous Saviour tomorrow. If this happens when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry (Luke 23, 31). In comfort, a person lacks the vision and wisdom to know true friends and real foes because in his riches man lacks wisdom (Psalm 49 (48), 1-13). When the green palm turns to ashes, people are reminded that no condition is permanent and no position is permanent.

The Christians in government all over the world by baptism are called to share in the kingship and leadership of Christ. When Christians pray for their members to be in leadership position, it is expected that the Christian would showcase the ideals of Jesus in leadership. Jesus destroyed the disparity that existed between the Jews and the Samaritans; the men and the women. Following the ideals of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the Christian in leadership position must not discriminate against anybody based on religion, tribe and political party. It would also be the desire of the Muslims to have leaders who would promote the ideals of Islam. If every Christian leader promotes the true teachings in the Holy Bible and every Muslim leader promotes the true teachings in the Holy Quran, both the Christians and Muslims would end up praying for a good Nigerian to lead the nation instead of a Christian or a Muslim. Honestly, we should ask sincerely if there are Muslim or Christian Markets in Nigeria. This is why we should not allow ourselves to be deceived by those who use religion as a political decoy. If there are issues that can bring about religious disharmony between the Christians and the Muslims, these issues could be resolved at the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council instead of the pages of the newspapers. I say this because of the agony that emanates from human inconsistency.

When we look at Nigeria and elsewhere and see the level of killings and violence in states where some governors have ascended to power with the campaign of promoting religious legal code, we can question the sincerity and authenticity of their motives. A state that honestly lives out a religious legal code should be able to prevent violence with maximum security. Love is deeper when the legal system respects the rule of law and promote justice unconditionally. It is not possible that the agents of violence in Nigeria cannot be handled by the Nigeria security agents. How long shall the echo of killings like the Jewish cry of “crucify him” continue unabated in Nigeria? A possible response to our puzzle is that the gun and weapons of war alone cannot provide security in Nigeria. The Christians need to work with the Muslims to protect the sanctity of life. We should accept that Nigerians are suffering including Christians and Muslims.

Let us pray that as we celebrate Palm Sunday, our leaders and all of us may adopt the attitude of Jesus Christ who was so humble to the extent that it was difficult to differentiate him from his apostles. The soldiers needed Judas who was Jesus’ treasurer, financial secretary and bursar to show them the master in the community of Jesus. Let us be sincere and committed to our various mission for God and humanity. Let us pray for justice knowing fully well that no one lives on earth forever. As we pray and work with the God of justice, mercy and compassion, let us be convinced that our dependence on God will lead us to desire the imitation of God who created us for himself. In Islam, human beings are enjoined to promote justice (Qur’an 4:58)! Believers are enjoined to be ever steadfast in their devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of any-one lead them into the sin of deviating from justice. “Be just: this is closest to being God-conscious. And remain conscious of God: verily, God is aware of all that you do (Qur’an 5:8). If Christians and Muslims are close to God, then we would have practised justice in a way and manner that we may not become lonely later in life because of the inconsistencies in human nature. May our Hosanna not turn to “crucify him” before we die.

Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua is the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) ([email protected])