TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

READINGS AT MASS 

Ex. 32:7-11, 13-14 

Psalm 51 

1 Tim 1:12-17 

Lk. 15:1-32 

Theme: A DISTANT COUNTRY

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

In today's First Reading, God described the Israelites as a depraved nation, people who are ever ready to turn and walk away from Him at the least opportunity. Turning our back against God, however, has serious consequences that only the mercy of this same God can save us from.

Unlike the lost sheep and coin which had their loss occurring accidentally, the lost son, in the Gospel, premeditated his actions, intentionally packed all his belongings, and took a journey into a 'distant country' - a place away from his father's presence.

It is a common human tendency to turn away from God under the illusion that we are better off without Him. We are frequently tempted to believe that a life without God; a life far away from our Father's house is a life of freedom. As such, in moments of darkness, distress, and difficulty, we compound our problem by wishing to pack all our belongings and exit our Father's house (the household of faith). 

Beloved in Christ, no matter how bad your situation may be now, even in your weakest moments in faith, never be tempted to believe that you will be better off in 'a distant country.' Whenever we move away from the Father's house to a 'distant country,' we quickly exhaust all the good things we took from the Father in careless living and so begin to starve. Worst of all, we begin to yearn for worthless things in this world. 

Beloved, the Father's house is always better than any 'distant country,' however reputable.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, may we resist the world's temptation to ward off from your flock, your house and your presence. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, September 11, 2022.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.