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.