Right Reverend Francis Lodonu, Bishop of the Ho Diocese of the Catholic Church on Sunday exhorted Christians to persist in trials and tribulations as a condition for pleasing God.

He gave the exhortation in a sermon at the joint celebration of Palm Sunday by the four parishes of the Church in the Ho Municipality.

Rt. Rev. Lodonu said, a Christian’s first charge is to follow the example of Jesus Christ in pleasing God at all times.

He said, Jesus Christ knew that his mission on earth was to suffer trials, tribulations, rejection and crucifixion in order to fulfil God’s plan of redemption for humanity.

Rt. Rev. Lodonu said, even though Jesus Christ wished that he be spared those agonies he succumbed to God in order to please him.

He said because Jesus Christ pleased God, God exalted him.

Rt. Rev. Lodonu said, on the contrary, many Christians were too quick to throw their hands in despair and wander from place to place seeking easy escapes from the challenges they faced.

He therefore urged Catholics to hold fast to the Catholic faith and like Jesus Christ persist in prayer for God to strengthen them spiritually to speak and work quietly through them and in them.**