TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: GRACE WORKS IN HUMILITY

 

READINGS AT MASS

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

Psalm 68

Heb. 12:18-19, 22-24

Lk. 14:1, 7-14

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

If there is that one thing that stands in the way of God and his grace upon us, it is pride. Pride, the feeling that you are the only distinguished guest in the room, is a dangerous vice. It destroys the soul and the mindset of a person conceives an erroneous self-sufficiency and closes him/her up to any further upliftment or growth. The only thing that can come after it is sudden unfortunate fall and destruction.

Beloved, Grace cannot work in pride. God cannot do anything else for those who have taken a 'seat of honor' for themselves. If anything, He will only bring them down to their level and make them aware of the fact that they are not as distinguished as they believe themselves to be. 

It is only God who distinguishes. True honour comes from Him alone. Humility requires that we sit low at His feet and allow Him to give us a seat at His table. True humility is the panacea for divine action and movement. 

Elevation and honor come with humility because the God we serve is good at picking and moving people from the pit and dust and setting them upon solid ground and among kings and princes. He is a friend to the humble. 

Beloved, conduct your affairs with humility!

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, may I always come to you with a humble heart. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, August 28, 2022

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: NARROW PASSAGE

READINGS AT MASS

Is. 66:18-21

Psalm 117

Heb. 12:5-7, 11-13

Lk. 13:22-30

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

Beloved in Christ, discipline is the Christian way of life; we cannot run from it. The Second Reading for today tells us that a good Christian is a disciplined son of God. For our well-being and for the sake of our salvation, God disciplines us and wishes that we follow the way of discipline which Jesus referred to in today's Gospel as the "narrow gate."

There are so many ways to approach issues of life, but a Christian must choose the "narrow gate." As children of our heavenly Father, we must work hard and strive for a  life of holiness; avoiding the 'broadway' of life in which everything goes.

Unlike a spoilt child who thinks that all things must fit their desires, we have been called to enter through the narrow gate because true success (life eternal) comes only to those who will strive to enter through that gate. Entering through the narrow gate requires sacrifice, discipline, and hard work.

An important lesson about every narrow entrance is that, unlike a wide door, one does not enter a narrow gate by his terms. Once you come across one such door, its nature determines the terms and the mode of entry. To enter, you must get rid of excess luggage, bend low or squeeze through. Only the disciplined can do this.

Beloved in Christ, like a 'narrow gate', Jesus determines the terms. Strive to follow Him according to His terms, no matter how challenging they may be, and you will enter into Life.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, You desire that we enter through the narrow gate, a gate of discipline and sacrifice. May I live my life based on your terms and conditions. Amen.

May God bless you.

Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, August 21, 2022.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.