SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FAMILY - Theme: CHALLENGED BUT HOLY

READINGS AT MASS

Gen. 15:1-6; 21:1-3

Psalm 105

Heb. 11:8, 11-12, 17-19

Lk. 2:22-40

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

On the Last Sunday of the calendar year, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. Today, we offer our families and all their members on the Altar to ask God's blessing and to obtain the guidance of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

Our first readings present the personality of a desperate but still faithful Abraham. His question to God this morning reveals his pain and frustration. He asks God, what good will your gifts be if I am childless? Abraham is experiencing a pain that most families face today, but unlike most families, he did not allow his pain to break his family (marriage to Sarah) and his trust in God. When God finally took notice of old Sarah, she was still with Abraham and bore him a son.

The Gospel presents us with the personalities of Joseph and Mary performing their perantal duties with grace despite the strange and seemingly shameful circumstances surrounding the child's birth and their marriage. like many families of our time, they suffered the negative comments and the “eye rolling” of society but unlike many families they stayed together and with God who is also their son. Today we celebrate them as Holy and model of every christian family.

Beloved, the beginning of a holy family is a seemingly hopeless family with true and faithful members. It's all about being there for each other no matter what... performing your responsibilities as a father, a husband, a wife and a mother amidst the pain, the fastrations and the shame.

This morning, my heart goes out to families facing painful challenges and hopelessness. Please stay strong and together no matter what, stay faithful to each other and to God. The end will be beautiful. Remember, the end of a true and a faithful family is a beautiful and a holy family.

No, that one (the servant) shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir."

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Mary and Joseph, bless our families. Amen.

May God bless you.

- Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, December 27, 2020.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: We are God's

READINGS AT MASS TODAY

Is. 45:1, 4-6

Psalm 96

1 Thes. 1:1-5

Matt. 22:15-21

Theme: WE ARE GOD'S

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

Beloved of God, in the first reading, we read an interesting story about how Ywhw, the God of Israel, used a pagan king, Cyrus, as an instrument to deliver His people lsrael from slavery in Babylon. The whole world belongs to God; all the nations and peoples (whether pagan or not) are His possession. That is why He could anoint a pagan king for His work. God's help and favour can come from everywhere and from anyone. It can even come from unexpected places.

May God use the 'pagan Kings' in your life to bring you help from His holy place.

In today's Gospel, we see the Pharisees launching their attack at Jesus. For the past three or four Sundays, Jesus attacked the personality and integrity of the Pharisees with numerous parables thus putting them on the offensive. Today they fight back. Interestingly, they united with their arch-enemy (the Herodians) to fight a common 'enemy'. Wicked humans will do anything to fight the good. Even if it requires compromising their own integrity and faith. However, my dear friends, the message for us today lies in Jesus' response to their question: Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.

This statement of Jesus, unfortunately, has been misinterpreted to mean different things. Some Christians have sadly used this phrase to defend their double lives. They profess that one can remain a Christian and at the same time seek spiritual protection from unchristian sources.

Dear Friends, Jesus' message here is very simple. This coin has Caesar's image on it hence it belongs to him so give it to him. But after giving it to him remember this, every human being including Caesar himself, like the coin, also have someone's image inprinted on them - God's. Remember the Scripture says: "then God said, 'let us make human beings in our image, to be like us..." (Gen. 1:26).

Every human being and all that exists in this world belongs to God. So when we are talking about putting things at their rightful places let us do it right. Everything that you have (life, family, husband, wife, money, beauty, health, work etc) belongs to God. Are you giving to God what belongs to God?

Everyday and at every moment you see people struggling to give to Caesar what belongs to him. Spending enough time at the beauty salon, spending time with their loved ones, preparing delicious meals for their husband, doing their work diligently for praise and admiration etc but at the end of the day these same people are not ready to render unto God what belongs to God - their very lives and everything else they have, including the 'coin'.

Dear Friends, let us endeavour to give our lives back to God. Spend time with God in private prayer. Do not get tired of praying the Rosary, serving the Lord or offering your substance to Him. Remember that you, together with all that you have and are, belong to Him.

PRAYER

God of might, giver of life and every good gift, put into our hearts the love of You. Deepen our revelation of Your nature in us and make us ever willing to offer ourselves and everything we have to You - holding back nothing. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, October 18, 2020.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

NEW APPOINTMENTS AND TRANSFERS IN HO DIOCESE

 

The Bishop of Ho Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Finau, SVD made some changes in the diocese, effective, August 31, 2020.

The new Appointments and Transfers contained in a circular dated August 12, 2020 are as follows:

• Fr. Benard Toffah, Diocesan Vocations Director
• Fr. Anthony Mawuli Ahiabor, Assistant Diocesan Development Coordinator and Associate Priest, St Cecilia Parish, Ho-Dome
• Fr. Anthony Azah Rector, our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, Kpando Agbenorxoe and Priest-in-charge
• Fr. Christopher Latsebi, Associate Priest St. Augustine Parish Hohoe and chaplain of Non-Catholic Secondary and Tertiary institutions in Hohoe Deanery
• Fr. Apolloniaris Anyomi, Parish Priest, Ss. Peter & Paul, Anfoega
• Fr. Anthony Akpalu, Parish Priest, St Anthony, Sokode-Gbogame
• Fr. Jesse Amedzi, Parish Priest, Holy Cross, Have
• Fr. Eric Kplorla Dagbui, Priest-in-charge, St Mary's Parish, Likpe Abrani
• Fr. Ephraim Pesse, Priest-in-charge St Joseph Parish, Likpe-Mate
• Fr. John Bosco Kumi, Priest-in-charge, St Francis Parish, Dzemeni
• Fr. Courage Afu Associate Priest, St Anthony Parish, Kpedze
• Fr. Richard Basuwa Xatse, Associate Priest, St Augustine Parish, Hohoe
• Fr. Edbert Doh, Associate Priest, Sacred Heart Parish, Fodome
• Fr. Sebastian Sekpe Associate Priest, St Stephen, Kpetoe
• Fr. Sebastian Ametefe, Associate Priest, Immaculate Heart Parish, Shia.
• Fr. Michael Akai Associate Priest, Ss Peter and Paul Parish, Anfoega
• Fr. Francis Agala Associate Priest, Immaculate Conception Parish, Kpando

The circular also indicated that Rev Frs. Anthony Godslove Agbeko-Yevu, Eric Mawusi Agbeko, and Mathias Denutsui will receive their appointment at a later date.

The new transfers and appointments take effect from Monday, 31st August 2020.

He used the opportunity to thank the newly appointed and transferred priests for their readiness to serve the Lord in new areas of pastoral ministry.

Source: DEPSOCOM - Ho

PENTECOST SUNDAY: The Rush of a violent wind

READINGS AT MASS

Acts 2:1-11

Psalm 104

1 Cor. 12:3-7, 12-13

John 20:19-23

Theme: THE RUSH OF A VIOLENT WIND

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

When it comes to changing the world, we do not need an army of Special Forces. It is good and simple people with a brave Spirit who will alter the course of our world for good.

Yesterday, I watched an emotional video which I shared on my Facebook wall and on my WhatsApp status. It was about a simple brave-spirited woman who stood her grounds against injustice when she placed herself in a dangerous position between a young guy and the Harthorn Police Department in the United States in order to save the young guy's life. This is a woman who cannot stand the injustice of the institutions any longer. Something moved in her. There was a "powerful jolt" within her: the work of a good Spirit. A Spirit that cannot tolerate injustice and fear. 

In the First Reading of today's Liturgy, the events of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is compared to "the rush of a violent wind" (Acts 2:2). An imagery that describes the nature and the essence of the Holy Spirit. 

Beloved, The Holy Spirit is a divine storm with a powerful force. He is a force that is not an end in itself but effects change. Like every violent wind, the Holy Spirit "jolts" things into motion. Wherever the Spirit blows, He frees hearts that are chained in fear and sets cold hearts ablaze to the point where they cannot take evil and injustice any longer. 

The Holy Spirit is a brave Spirit that transforms. No human power or institution except the Holy Spirit can revolutionize the world. He blows and burns within the heart until there is a total transformation. He jolts "simple"people, who are open to Him, beyond their fears and selfish personal security to the point where they are able to stand up against all unjust systems an say to the surprise and the admiration of onlookers that enough is enough. The transformation of the Holy Spirit is a beautiful sight to behold. (Acts 2:7-8).

Today, more than ever, our world needs simple people who will allow the power of Holy Spirit to "jolt" them into becoming the best version of themselves, who will be brave enough to say no to evil and unjust systems. 

PRAYER

O God, who did teach the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May God bless you.

- Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre 

Sunday, May 31, 2020.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER: THE UPPER ROOM

READINGS AT MASS TODAY

Acts 1:12-14

Psalm 27

1 Pt. 4:13-16

John 17:1-11

Theme: THE UPPER ROOM

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

In today's First Reading, the disciples, after the Ascension of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem and went up into the upper room and locked themselves up. They cut the outside world off and united themselves in prayer until the heavens were opened. (Acts 2:4) We learn a lesson from them: those who bring themselves to the place of prayer must be prepared to 'lock themselves up' and continue in prayer until they get what they are expecting.

The Upper Room, also known as the Cenacle, is located in the southern part of the Old City of Jerusalem on Mount Zion. It is the traditional site of the Last Supper, where the Apostles stayed whenever they were in Jerusalem. It is at this place that Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles, where the Risen Lord made Himself visible after the resurrection, where He exposed His wounds to be seen and touched and finally, it was the birth place of the Church in the presence of our Blessed Mother on the day of Pentecost. It is the most important room - the War Room - for Jesus and His disciples. It was an intimate place where they could just be themselves and enjoy the relentless love of their Master, Jesus Christ.

In May 2014, Pope Francis on his visit to the Holy Land, was given the opportunity to celebrate the Holy Mass in the Upper Room. At the beginning of the Mass, he said, "it is a great gift that the Lord has given us by bringing us together in the Upper Room for the celebration of the Eucharist. Perhaps it is because the Apostles spent so much time with Christ in this Holy Place that we see most clearly their various personalities when they are gathered here, particularly at the Last supper. Tellingly, it was here that Jesus predicted Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial and here exposed Thomas' doubt...The humanity of each Apostle is vibrantly portrayed in here, giving us a glimpse into our own hearts and nature, as well as into the relentless love of Jesus Christ. It is 'A Place.'"

Beloved in Christ, we must learn to have "A place". We must learn to have an Upper Room where we can go up into and prepare in prayer for great gifts from God. Like the disciples, we all need our spiritual war rooms; a place and a period to prepare for our own Pentecost. A place and a period where we actually pray for that special favour. Every Christian needs a private high place where he goes to meet or wait on God in prayer and fight the spiritual battles of life. We need a place where we can lock ourselves up and storm the heavens until God opens the floodgates of His blessing.

Beloved, do you have a place where you can just be yourself with God? A place where you can expose your weakness, humanity and pain and experience His love? A place where He can reveal His wounds (received for your sake) for you to see and touch?

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, we beseech you to deliver us from the temptations and distractions that hinder us from communing with you effectually in prayer. Lord, grant to us the grace of steadfastness in prayer. Amen.

May God bless you.

- Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, May 24, 2020.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER: IS YOUR HEART TROUBLED?

READINGS AT MASS TODAY

Acts 6:1-7

Psalm 33

1 Pt. 2:4-9

John 14: 1-12

Theme:

IS YOUR HEART TROUBLED?

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

Today's Gospel is one of the most consoling sermons delivered by Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry. It is was an encouragement and an assurance to the disciples as troubled days loomed. Jesus had just informed them about His iminent departure, Peter's betrayal and the approach of Judas - a friend turned traitor. The disciples and probably their Master were greatly troubled by these revelations. It was at this point that Jesus turned to them with this great message of encouragement, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me."

Beloved in Christ, mortal men are bound to face dark days and stormy seas in which their hearts will be terrified and they will be scared to death. At this point those who come with encouraging sermons must also come with a REASON. There is but only one reason for which the heart of mortal men must not be troubled. Jesus not only commands us to get rid of our fears; He has also given us a reason. He says: "Believe in God and believe also in me." Our Faith and Trust in God and in Jesus Christ, the Son is a sure anchor that calms a troubled heart.

The Greek word that was translated to mean "troubled" in our text can also mean "tossed around" to refer to how ships are tossed about in troubled seas. The human heart is bound to be tossed about with fear and anxiety in difficult times. But faith in God, like a heavy anchor, keeps it steady.

The global problem of COVID-19 is causing many hearts to be troubled. Many are the hearts that are anxious about the uncertainties, many are the hearts that are stressed and many more are the hearts that are worried. In this time of a global pandemic, the Words of Jesus come to our troubled hearts as an encouragement and also as a sure reason to remain calm and optimistic, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me..."

PRAYER

Lord God, you look upon those who revere you and hope in your love to rescue their souls from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Calm our hearts in this time of a global pandemic. Amen.

May God bless you.

- Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, May 10, 2020.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER: THE RISEN LORD, THE GATE TO THE SHEEPFOLD

READINGS AT MASS TODAY

Acts 2:14, 36-41

Psalm 23

1 Pt. 2:20-25

John 10: 1-10

Theme:

THE RISEN LORD, THE GATE TO THE SHEEPFOLD

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Easter which is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. 

"Secure the entrance and set up a perimeter" is a familiar phrase for security forces. It means in order to secure a given target, one must position men at the entrance of and around the target. Thus proper security measures begin with a secured entrance (gate). In today's Gospel, Jesus in His "I am the Good Shepherd" discourse mentioned that He is THE GATE TO THE SHEEPFOLD. In order to understand this statement from Jesus Christ and what He actually meant, we have to look at the life of shepherds in ancient Palestine.

At the time of Jesus, in addition to all their functions, shepherds also served as gates to the sheepfold. Shepherds at that time were mostly nomads. They took their sheep out for days looking for pasture. In the evening, as night approached, they would lead the flock to a cave or a makeshift enclosure made of piled up rocks in order to shelter them. Since there are no gates to secure the entrance to the cave, the shepherds slept at the entrance to secure the enclosure and protect the sheep. The shepherd thus literally becomes the door to the sheepfold. Any predator that wished to go in must first have to pass through him.

Beloved in Christ, Jesus Christ is the Gate to the sheepfold. He, as the good Shepherd, is both Lord (First Reading) and guardian of our souls (Second Reading). With the Risen Lord and Good Shepherd as the Gate to our lives, we are secure beyond all measure. Nothing provides a sure security like Jesus Christ the Risen Lord. His presence at the entrance of the cave of our lives in the dark nights of this world is all we need to sleep in peace. In this difficult and scary times, let us rest assured that the ever present and protective care of Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord still abides. 

With our Lord Jesus Christ as the Gate, we can rest assured that our 'entrance' is secure and our 'perimeter', set.

PRAYER 

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Risen Lord and Shepherd of our souls. May your presence and protective care always abide with us. Amen. 

May God bless you.

- Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre 

Sunday, May 3, 2020.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER: The risen Lord journeys with us

READINGS AT MASS TODAY

Acts 2:14. 22-33

Psalm 15

1 Pet. 1:17-21

Lk. 24:13-35

Theme:

THE RISEN LORD JOURNEYS WITH US

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

On this Third Sunday of Easter, we read about the encounter of two disciples with the Risen Lord on the road to Emmaus. Scandalized by the failure of the Messiah and broken by the events of the crucifixion, The two disciples left Jerusalem. They left the Holy City and set off on the road alone (a lonely road). It was a lonely and a disappointing journey. Things did not turn out the way they had hoped.

On this disappointing journey back home, the Risen Lord came alongside them. He journeyed with them, remaining close to them enabling Him to listen to their disappointments.

Beloved, the Risen Lord journeys with us. If you ask, "where is He in this loneliness", He says: I walk alongside you. Our individual journeys (especially in these dark times), like that of the disciples, can be lonely, disappointing and confusing. But in it all, Jesus Christ journeys with us. You might not notice it because some times, He just keeps quiet and allows you to vent all your frustrations. He has so much patience for us and listens to us.

The Risen Lord does not only accompany us on the journey. He also makes things clear to us. He tries to explain to us how everything that is happening to us and around us has a meaning and a reason. He situates our situation in the plan of God, where everything has a meaning and a purpose. This warms our hearts and gives us hope!

The secret of the road that leads to Emmaus is simply this: despite appearances to the contrary, we continue to be loved. God, in the person of the Risen Lord, will walk with us always, even in our most painful moments. In our worst moments, He is there to listen to, encourage and enlighten us. This is our blessed assurance, an unfailing hope. Let us journey on with this hope.

PRAYER

Lord, in your mercy journey with us in this difficult and dark times. Enlighten our hearts and minds to understand God's plan of salvation. Amen.

May God bless you.

- Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, April 26, 2020.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: Jesus, I Trust in you

READINGS AT MASS

Acts 2:42-47

Psalm 118

1 Pt. 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

Theme: JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

During the canonisation of Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska in April 2000, Pope John Paul II (now Pope Saint John Paul II) declared the Second Sunday of Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday. Today therefore is Divine Mercy Sunday. A day for Catholic Christians to reflect on the great mercy of God revealed in the face and the wounds of the Risen Lord.

In contemplating the ever enduring Mercy of God (Responsorial Psalm), we come to know the true face of a God who can be trusted.

The first and most important element of the revelations given to Sr. Faustina during the apparitions concerning the Divine Mercy was the portrait. But even more important is the signature message: Jesus, I Trust In You on the portrait. This signature message is very important because it sums up the whole mystery of the Divine Mercy. It is a simple but powerful prayer of consolation and trust.

Trust (faith) is the only vessel through which we can receive the graces of God's Mercy. It sets the doors of our hearts ajar for the rays of God's merciful grace to penetrate our souls and allows God to do the rest. We indeed must learn how to allow God to do the rest. Until humanity learns to turn trustfully to the Mercy of God, it cannot find peace. Those who sincerely say "Jesus, I trust in you" will find comfort in all their anxieties and fears (St. Pope John Paul II).

In the First Reading, we see the qualities of a community that puts all of its trust in the Risen Lord. When we trust in God, we become more devoted and devout. We abandon everything to Him and allow His Holy Spirit to animate and direct all we do.

The Gospel draws our attention to the Master, who, in His post resurrection appearance, transmits new hope, and joy to an astounded and fearful disciple. In addition is the call to trust in Him. He said to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." To believe even though you have not seen is trust. Thus, to say "Jesus, I trust in you" is to say that even though the doors and the windows of my situation seemed to be closed by uncertainties, fear, and anxiety, I believe that my Saviour is alive and that closed doors and windows cannot stop Him.

PRAYER

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls and an ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O fount of life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelope the whole world and empty yourself out upon us. O Blood and water, which quashed forth from the heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in you (Source: Divine Mercy Prayers).

May God bless you.

- Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

EASTER SUNDAY: A Day The Lord Has Made

READINGS AT MASS

Acts 10:34, 37-43

Psalm 118:1-2, 15-17, 22-23

1 Cor. 5:6-8 (or Col. 3:1-4)

John 20:1-9

Theme:

A DAY THE LORD HAS MADE

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

Christ is risen, Alleluia! Today’s Responsorial Psalm is an entrance hymn in the Temple Liturgy. It is like an entrance song or opening hymn in our time. The Hebrew phrase that was translated to mean "this is the day the Lord has made", can also mean "...on the day when the Lord takes action... "

Whenever the Lord takes action it is always a marvel in our eyes. When God acts, the rejected stone becomes the cornerstone. This is faith! It is only faith that can open us up to the actions of God. For God to take action, our faith is required. The resurrection experience that we celebrate today is a faith experience.

In today’s Gospel, the interesting yet very relevant personality of the beloved disciple is presented to us. This man saw very troubling evidence but believed. What did he see? In fact, he saw nothing. He saw an EMPTY TOMB! Mary Magdalene saw the empty tomb and sensed conspiracy, Peter saw it and said nothing because he could not conclude on what actually happened. He alone, (the beloved disciple) saw an empty tomb and Scripture said he believed. He believed that the empty tomb was an action from God. From this, it is clear to us that one person's empty tomb is another's source of faith. We need faith to grasp the power of the resurrection.

Beloved in Christ, this is the day the Lord has made; the day God takes action. On Good Friday we saw the worst that evil can do and how far darkness can go. On that afternoon, when Jesus cried: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me...", we thought God refused to act, but today, at the dawn of Easter, Jesus Christ the light of God burst the grave of death and shone in the darkness of the world and the darkness was helpless at the sight of Him. God breaks through the impossible and the impossible become possible. On the day of Easter, God acted and the power of resurrection usurped the power of death. Thank God for Easter; thank God for acting!

Let us have deep faith in our God who acts. This is the day He has made. This is the appointed time for His actions. Death cannot stand and darkness cannot prevail. Let us sing Alleluia!

When God acts, may you experience the power of the resurrection in every death and dead situation in your life and may the stone rejected by the builders become the cornerstone.

May God bless you.

- Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, April 12, 2020.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

Ho Diocesan Students Grotto Cancelled

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Bishop of Ho Catholic Diocese, Most Rev.  Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD has called off this year's Students Grotto, scheduled for next weekend at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, Kpando Agbenorxoe.

He made the announcement at a meeting on Saturday at the Bishop Konnings Centre in Ho with leadership of the church from the various parishes and institutions in the diocese.

He has therefore directed all school chaplains to communicate the new development to their students.

The cancellation of the student’s grotto pilgrimage, forms part of precautionary measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, which has been confirmed in the country.

The Bishop further entreated all faithful to practice good personal hygiene, adhere to other safety measures announced by health authorities and also pray against further spread of the pandemic.

Source: DEPSOCOM-Ho

FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT: A TIME TO WATCH OUT FOR SATAN'S ATTACKS

READINGS AT MASS

Gen. 2:7-9; 3:1-7

Psalm 51

Rom. 5:12-19

Mt. 4:1-11

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

On this First Sunday of Lent, a season of reflection and amendment, we have been called to examine the tactics of the devil. The First Reading is a story of Satan's first encounter with the God's children. The scene opens with a description of how God fashioned human creatures and blew the life of the divine spirit into them. Rather than let them live in happiness, Satan showed up to debate with Eve and that was it. Note here that the Serpent approached the woman when she was alone apart from the man (Adam). It teaches us this lesson: in their loneliness and apart from each other, marriage couples open themselves up to the clever tactics of the devil.

In the Gospel text, we again notice that Satan turns up to mousetrap our Lord Jesus Christ near the end of his forty days in the desert. At this point, Jesus was tired and extremely hungry. He was at his physical and emotional weakest. And at this point of weakness, Satan attacked.

Beloved in Christ, the devil strikes best at our weakest. It is when you are in the "desert", tired and hungry with nothing to eat that he comes. When you are dry (financially), he comes with a fat brown envelope. When you are extremely hungry, he comes with stones looking like bread. When you are lonely, vulnerable and confused, he comes with a sweet 'apple of death'.

Watch 'what you eat' (what you accept) when you are extremely 'hungry' (when you are in a dire need). Watch the powers you bow to and the boots you lick in your quest to reach your ambition.

PRAYER

Lord, keep us focused on your will through intense prayer and fasting such that when the evil one attacks we will be able to cut through his lies. Amen!

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, March 1, 2020.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.