Dear friends in Christ, we are here today to do at least four things.
- We have gathered together to thank God for the gift of a new month -Today is the October 1, 2018. We also thank God for his protection and provision throughout last month. II. We are here also to appreciate God for our nation Nigeria. God has been “too” good to us. If not for God…things would have been far worse for us.
III. We are here today to pray for our country Nigeria as she marks her 58th independence anniversary, to re-commend this nation to the maternal care and patronage of our Lady who is the queen and patroness of Nigeria.
IV. We are here to reflect on some areas where we have been getting it wrong and we need to change for a better Nigeria.
I shall reflect today on five aspects we need to change for a better nation.
A. Over emphasis on factors that differentiate us:
Many of us have strong divisive inclinations. We stretch our differences beyond virtuous limits. We hate people from a different or particular ethnic groups, we despise people who do not share our religion or creed, we are hostile to those who are not in the same party with us, and we regard as enemies those who are different from us. The Second Reading (Ephesians 2: 13 -22) tells us that Christ is our peace; he has broken down the walls of hostility separating us. Until we learn to understand and appreciate ourselves as “one Nigeria” there may not be a quick end to our ethnic, religious and political tensions.
B. Many of us are not praying, as we should for our nation.
Our nation is in dire need of prayers. We need God’s mercy. Things are still not moving well, economically, we are still not measuring up, the state of our security, and education, and electricity, roads, etc. are still un-impressive. No employment for youths, workers are denied their legitimate claim to salary and less hope for retirees, to mention but a few. Let us all imitate Ezra who prayed fervently for his nation and there was a positive turn-around (Ezra 9:1-9).
C. Family Crises:
The society is a larger projection of the state of the families. When families fail to function and form virtuous children, we are bound to have a society of malformed people. To build a just society begins from the family. For you parents, which kind of Children have you produced for this nation?
D. Effecting in yourselves the Change you want in this nation.
A nation comprises individuals “You” and “I” in our plurality, we become a nation. It means therefore that the individual must change for the nation to be great. We must effect in ourselves the change we want in the nation. You complain that our leaders are not accountable and yet you are also not accountable in the small account you are keeping. You cheat and steal and yet complain of a corrupt nation, you don’t obey traffic rules and yet you lament that things are not working in this nation. Immanuel Kant says, “act in such a way that your actions may become a universal maxim.” I ask you, if everybody becomes like you, which kind of nation shall we have?
E. Confess Positively about this nation:
Stop condemning this nation, stop-speaking evil of “our Jerusalem”, stop-saying things can’t work, stop confessing and expecting the worse. Don’t be like the ten spies who brought negative report to Moses (Numbers 13:25-33). It is not a matter of being deluded or giving ourselves false hopes but trusting in God to whom nothing is impossible and taking the steps on our own part to make sure that things are done right by doing the right things.
Holy Mary, queen and patroness of Nigeria, continue to intercede for us before God, that peace, unity and progress may reign and reign supreme in our nation Nigeria.
Happy independence to all of us!
God bless Nigeria!
Let us stand up and together pray this powerful prayer
“Oh God of creation, direct our Noble cause/ guide our leaders right/ help our youths the truth to know/ in love and honesty to grow/ And living just and true/ great lofty heights attain/ to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.”
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okami of Ilorin Diocese. Kwara State, Nigeria on October 1, 2018, Nigeria’s Independence Day.