BE WARY OF PRAISE SINGERS
...they appear in all shades and shapes, their commonality is applause, even when it not necessary, they will tell you what you want to hear not what you need to know because it is convenient and it serves them better than the truth, says Archbishop Dr Alick Banda HIS Grace, Dr Alick Banda, the Archbishop of Lusaka has warned the political leadership in the country to be warry of praise singers who are capable of going to the extent of manipulating information, laws and even tell blatant lies to the amusement of the leaders.
Archbishop Dr Banda says leaders should know that their continued listening to praise singers was at their own peril for they (praise singers) shall always tell leaders what they want to hear because lying to the leaders often served them better than the truth.
In his Palm Sunday homily, Archbishop Dr Banda called on Zambians to be bold and continue saying the truth without getting intimidated, no matter how painful the truth was.
“They (praise singers) will tell you what you want to hear not what you need to know. Because it (a lie) is convenient and it serves them better than the truth. However, truth pains. But it heals as well. Let us be bored and say the truth at all times and everywhere. No intimidation,” Archbishop Dr Banda said.
He said leaders could only trust the world’s opinions or indeed popularity bestowed on them at their own peril because the world’s opinions were not anchored in truth but in perceptions and the narrative that worked to their advantage.
Archbishop Banda said praise singers often appeared in all shades and shapes with their only commonality being applause even when it was not necessary, going to the extent of manipulating information, laws and telling lies.
“From the foregoing, you can only trust the world’s opinions or popularity it seems to bestow on you, at your own peril, because the world’s opinions are not anchored in the truth, but perceptions and the narrative that seems to work to its advantage. Therefore, take interest and be cautious with the so called “praise singers.” They appear in all shades and shapes; however, their commonality is applause, even when it not necessary. They will go to any extent, even manipulating information, laws, and telling blatant lies,” Archbishop Dr Banda said.
Archbishop Dr Banda said when Jesus was entering Jerusalem, it was with triumph but that His triumphal entry was however short lived as the euphoria and jubilation did not last
“Jesus enters into Jerusalem to a thunderous welcome with people shouting Hosanna Son of David reminiscing, and re-enacting the prophecy of Zechariah, which marked the arrival of the King to the city of Jerusalem. The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is, however, short lived. The euphoria and jubilation of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem did not last,” he said.
“Those who shouted “Hosanna” during His triumph entry will soon shout “Crucify Him”. Even the closest friends will not only betray Him but also abandon Him. The irony of human nature,” Archbishop Dr Banda said.
He said the Palm Sunday was a spiritual journey along the high roads of personal lives with: “our personal lives with our high and lowest points. It is a pilgrimage with our own humility and our own pride; it is a journey with our grace filled lives as well as our own iniquities; it is a hike with our own virtues and with our own weaknesses.”