“Not just an ancient book” Catholics in Nigeria Encouraged to Embrace the Bible as The Living Word of God

The Catholic Archbishop urged the people of God to not only read the Bible but also to participate in evangelization, emphasizing that the mission is not reserved for the Clergy alone.

Archbishop Kaigama called for vibrant participation in the works of evangelization, regardless of different backgrounds and places of origin. 

He reflected on the Gospel account of Jesus calling His first disciples, who were fishermen, noting that God welcomes all. “This does not mean He hates educated or rich people, but that He is willing to accept any and every one of us, irrespective of our status. He called them, and immediately they left whatever they were doing and followed Him,” he said.

“Jesus began His mission in Galilee, not a religious or political center, but a neglected region. This reminds us that God often chooses what the world overlooks. The Kingdom of God, which Jesus preached, did not refer to a geographical territory but to God’s active and loving reign in human history,’ he added.

The Local Ordinary of Abuja encouraged Nigerians to leave their bad habits by emulating the first disciples of Christ, who left their fishing tools and followed the Lord.

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“Leaving the net and following Christ means leaving our worries, our fears, our bad habits, our resentment, our pride, our selfishness, our old ways of life; it means letting go of everything that keeps us away from God and saying 'Yes’ to Him, through our lifestyle,” he said.

He invited the Parishioners to heed the call of Christ and follow Him, because He calls them to a special mission of bringing “ the light of Christ to cover the earth, as water covers the earth, to carry faith to the doubting, hope to the fearful, strength to the weak, and comfort to the mourners.”

“It is a mission entrusted, not just to the apostles, Bishops, and Priests, but also to the laity who serve in the Church as altar servers, readers, Eucharistic ministers, catechism teachers, and so on. In fact, all the baptized and confirmed are called to be fishers for Christ,” he said.

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