Rich men, especially Nigerian leaders and their families who have access to public funds do not know what it means to be hungry and poor and so do not know the value of sharing, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Kaigama, has said.
He therefore told them to learn from the compassion and generosity of both Elisha and Jesus for their flocks.
Kaigama made the lamentation
in his Homily delivered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Galadima, Gwarinpa in Abuja with the theme, “The Joy of Sharing.”
The cleric said, “We have been called to live in Christ Jesus and every aspect of our life should be in relationship to Him. There are many important lessons we can learn. One among them is the compassion and generosity of both Elisha and Jesus for their flocks. Compassion moved them to feed their people generously.
“We need to understand what it means for others to be hungry, thirsty, sick, homeless, jobless, and lonely. Most of our big men and women with access to public resources and their families and even those governing us at all levels don’t seem to know what it means to be hungry and poor, and so don’t seem to know the value of sharing, even if it is little.
“We pray that our leaders will be compassionate to hear the cry of the people. There is the cry of hunger, poverty, joblessness, and insecurity in the land. Let them learn from Elisha and Jesus who were moved with compassion to provide for their people and not their families or friends alone.
“Our leaders must move away from hoarding public resources for personal gain. It is not only leaders who must act but every individual blessed by God should ask the question: ‘How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?’
“Whenever we see the plight of others, instead of being indifferent, ask yourself: “what can I do?” Bring whatever you have, and God will do the rest. Giving does not depend on our abundance; it is about faith. When we do what we can, God will do what we can’t.”
Friday Olokor
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