Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe – Sister Esther Adama, SNDdeN

November 20, 2022

Luke 23: 35-43

In 1925 the Feast of Christ the King of the Universe was declared by Pope Pius XI as part of the Church’s Liturgical calendar. He did this to re-establish the presence of Christ amidst the aftermath of World War I, an experience that led to the loss of lives both among the fighters and civilians alike. For instance, as many as 8.5 million soldiers and some 13 million civilians died during that war. The war also contributed to the collapse of four imperial dynasties and the spread of the so-called Spanish Flu due to the migration of people suffering starvation. Poor access to drinking water claimed significant numbers of lives as well. Conditions such as these prompted the decline of faith, and somehow the presence God could hardly be felt by believers of that epoch.

Bringing this home to our time, we can also realize that history is repeating itself. The COVID-19 outbreak which is currently under control through vaccines also affects all segments of the population and is particularly detrimental to members of the social groups in the most vulnerable situations as it continues to affect populations. Particularly vulnerable are people living in situations of poverty, older persons, persons with disabilities, youth, and indigenous peoples. Early evidence indicates that that the health and economic impacts of the virus are being borne disproportionately by poor people. Homeless people, unable to safely shelter in place, are highly exposed to the danger of the virus. People without access to running water, refugees, migrants, or displaced persons also stand to suffer disproportionately both from the pandemic and its aftermath – whether due to limited movement, fewer employment opportunities or increased xenophobia have claimed a large number of lives. Countries in Africa especially Nigeria were suffering from the effect of recession and economic meltdown even before the pandemic; the Boko Haram insurgence, Alshabab and other related Isis group across Africa and the world have rendered many dead and others displaced. The world had hardly recovered from the consequences of the pandemic, then the current war between Ukraine and Russia started. This too has resulted to the destruction of both innocent lives and properties and above all affected the global economy.

It is in these occasions of disorder, insecurity, pandemic, war, hunger, starvation, unemployment, and the like that the feast of Christ the King reminds and calls each of us to recognize the Kingship of Christ in our world and what He has come to offer humanity. Other political leaders and powers have failed us, but our Lord Jesus Christ remains faithful and “comes to bring us true love, peace, liberation from sin. Jesus comes with the divine power to give eternal life through his servant leader kingship style, to liberate us from evil, to defeat the dominion of death. It is the power of Love that can draw good from evil, that can melt a hardened heart, bring peace amid the toughest conflict and kindle hope in the heaviest darkness. This Kingdom of Grace is never imposed and always respects our freedom.” (Quas Primas, no 33). It calls us to make informed choices by choosing Christ. By choosing to follow the precepts of Christ the King, we must be ready to accept being scoffed at, mocked and humiliated and suffer for the truth we believe instead of compromising our values.

As Gods followers, Christ must reign in our minds, hearts, homes, communities, work places, wherever we go and whatever we do, we must allow Christ to reign in our wills, in our senses. Christ the King must be all in all for us as His real identity is seen in simplicity, humility of heart and obedience to the Father even unto death. We must be ready to bear the yoke with joy, love and devotion to our King.

Luke 23: 35-43

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
The Gospel of the Lord

Meet Sister Esther Adama, SNDdeN

Esther Jumai Adama comes from Odagbo in Ankpa L. G. A. of Kogi State in Nigeria. She was born on the 27th March, 1970 to the family of the late Mr. Adama Ameloke and Mrs. Alice Adi Adama, both from the same Local Government Area. She is the second child in a family of ten children. Esther had her primary education at Ja’faru Estate Primary School Kabala-Doki in Kaduna State. The last part of her secondary education was at the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Bida, Niger State. Her desire and inspiration to become a religious started as far back as 1988. This burning desire prompted her to embark on teaching catechism to children both in the main parish and the out-stations of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Kagara, Niger State. The parish priest, Fr. Oliver O’Reilly, inquired about her future ambitions. She said that she would love to work for God through service to the poor, as a Sister. When her parents learned about her desire, they were not pleased. In response to God’s call, she joined the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur on January 7th 1995. After her postulancy and Novitiate program, Sr. Esther made her first profession on November 15,1997 in Kulende, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Her first mission was to Uzairue, Edo State to teach at St. Philip’s N/P school. In 1998, she gained admission to the Federal College of Education, Kontagora and graduated with her N.C.E qualification in 2001. Then, she was missioned to practice her field at St. Peter’s N/P school Ndeabor, Enugu State. On June 4, 2002, Sr. Esther was sent to the United States to study in a theological and formation programme at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, IL. On her return to Nigeria, she worked as Assistant Novice Directress for about two years in Ilorin, Kwara State. Later, she went for her Tertianship in preparation for final vows which she made on September 17, 2005.in October same year she was appointed to be the directress of Postulants in Nigerian, a position she held for six years after which she proceeded to study theology at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in 2012 to 2016. Upon her return she taught theological curses in both postulate and Novitiate in Nigerian for one year. In 2020, Sr. Esther accepted a mission call to Kenya where she currently works as Postulant Directress and coordinator of Sisters in Initial commitment at the Sisters of Notre Dame in Kenya. With openness and generosity, Sr. Esther says that the journey so far has not been easy, but it has been inspiring, interesting, enriching, transforming and challenging. She comes from a typical Muslim background where embracing religious life is regarded as counter cultural. Amidst the current situation in Nigeria, she added, the witnessing to the gospel values remains very important. She attributes all to the good God for his love, compassion and companion on the journey and prays that our God who began this work in her will bring it to perfection.