By Juliana Uzoka

Catholics across Nigeria on Sunday marked the 100th anniversary of the Solemnity of Christ the King amid heightened security concerns following a recent wave of coordinated kidnappings of schoolchildren in both Catholic and non-Catholic schools. The growing insecurity prompted the Archdiocese of Jos, to cancel the traditional street procession that usually characterizes the annual celebration.

The security challenges, which also led the government to shut down all primary and secondary schools nationwide, increased the number of young worshippers at the feast, as boarding students returned home indefinitely.

In a homily made available to journalists, the Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Reverend Matthew Ishaya Audu, reminded the faithful that amid ongoing persecution of Christians, the significance of the Solemnity—love—must continue to resonate in their hearts. A true believer, he said, can only strive to imitate the attributes of the God he serves.

“For Jesus Christ has left for us His footprint to follow a love marked by sacrifice, by dying on the Cross for the salvation of souls,” Archbishop Audu said, adding: “Love one another, and by this love people shall know that you are my disciples (John 13:35).” He emphasized that this love must extend to all, irrespective of association or affiliation.

“This love has to be expressed among the people we meet every day, for instance, husbands and wives, children and parents, and various people we meet in our places of work,” he added.

The Archbishop urged the faithful to examine how they show love to their neighbours and whether their lives reflect Christ’s love.

He reiterated that inviting Christ into one’s life requires striving to “resemble what Christ does.” As followers of Jesus, he asked, “Do we love others as He loves us? God has poured His love into us from the cross of Christ, why should we freeze it?”

Pointing to the capacity of the human heart to overflow with love, he said: “Our heart may be like a cup which can’t hold much, but it can overflow a lot. Do we serve others as He serves us? Love rolls up its sleeves to give, for you can’t say you love someone without giving something to the person.”

To illustrate sacrificial love, Archbishop Audu shared an anecdote about divers who discovered a 400-year-old ship off the coast of Northern Ireland. Among its treasures was a man’s wedding ring inscribed with a hand holding a heart and the words, “I have nothing more to give you.” He said the inscription could well describe Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, “for He gave us everything He had… by which we have redemption and forgiveness.”

The Archbishop called on the faithful to seek Christ’s guidance, recalling the repentant thief who, acknowledging his sins, was granted a place in Christ’s Kingdom.

Highlighting the value of aligning oneself with the King of Kings, he said: “Today is the day to ask ourselves how far we have responded as individuals and as a community to this invitation to cultivate the mind of Christ, especially in our dealings with those we perceive to be different from us.”

He stressed that persecution should strengthen Christians’ belief in Christ, who was mocked by Pontius Pilate with the inscription “This is the King of the Jews.” Despite His humble background being used against Him, “the end finally justified Him as King,” the Archbishop said, recalling Christ’s resurrection and the miracles that affirmed His divinity.

Archbishop Audu noted that the liturgy of the Easter Vigil powerfully reflects Christ’s Kingship in the proclamation: “Christ, yesterday and today, the beginning and the end, Alpha and Omega; all time belongs to him, and all ages; to him be glory and power forever.”

Contrasting Jesus’ leadership with worldly leaders who “amass wealth for themselves and remain insensitive to the plight of their people,” he said Jesus exemplified true leadership—selfless, truthful, and rooted in justice, love, and peace. But this Kingdom, he stressed, is open only to those who acknowledge their sins and ask to be admitted.

He further admonished the faithful: “If your allegiance is to a human leader, this week is the time for you to switch to Christ as your one and only King.”

Archbishop Audu argued that unlike many contemporary leaders who seek power for personal gain, Christ alone puts the well-being of His followers first. “There is nothing worse for us than following a bad leader,” he said.

He presented Jesus Christ as the sure and true pathway for believers: “He will do anything to protect our benefits and help us in times of need. He will never disappoint us or mislead us in any way. Instead, He has already sacrificed His own life on the Cross for our salvation and eternal life. Who else would we want to lead us other than Jesus Christ our Lord and King?”

Citing Mark 10:43–44, the Archbishop concluded that every leader must be ready to serve: “Whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave to all.”