THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

READINGS AT MASS 

Wis. 11:22-12:2

Psalm 145

2 Thess. 1:11-2:2

Luke 19:1-10

Theme: DOWN FROM THE TREE 

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

Zachaous, the center of attraction in today's Gospel story, was a curious spectator of the person and works of Jesus Christ. He might have heard a lot about Jesus and yearned to see Him. Our Gospel text for this morning presents a rather surprising and beautiful turn of events for this public sinner and fan of Jesus. 

Jesus came to the tree on top of which Zachaous had climbed just to catch a glimpse of Him (Jesus) and said to him: Zachaous, come down from the tree for today I must stay in your house. And just like that, Zacchaeus moved from a mere spectator to a beneficiary of the beautiful stories and transforming events he had heard of. By getting down from that tree, Zacchaeus moved from just having a better view of external events to the center of events (of redemption and salvation). Immediately people began to talk about Jesus and Zacchaeus at the house of Zacchaeus. 

Beloved, just like Zachaous, most of us are secret admirers and distance spectators of the beautiful events of Jesus. We hear about His mighty deeds and how generously He dealt with others. We sit always on the tree of excitement and faith that hopes. May this never be the end of our story. May we also have that “get down from the tree experience” with Jesus, where we become the object of the miracle and the center of the testimony. 

May the Jesus story be our story too.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, may I also become, in faith, not just a spectator and admirer of your mighty works but the center and beneficiary of your generosity. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, October 30, 2022.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

READINGS AT MASS

Sir 35:12-14;16-18 

Psalm 34 

2 Tim 4:6-8,16-18 

Lk. 18:9-14 

Theme: HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER

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

St. Bernard once asked: "But what can I count on; my own merits? No, my merit is God's mercy." 

Today's First Reading teaches us that God does not esteem man for his material or spiritual accomplishments. Rather a humble man's prayer will move Him to shower His grace on him. 

Our Gospel text for today presents one of the greatest prayers in the Bible: "O GOD, BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER." This simple prayer, we were told, moved God to justify a poor tax collector and not an eloquent Pharisee. This poor tax collector; realizing he had nothing to offer but his sins, approached the mercy throne of God instead of justifying himself as righteous. 

Beloved in Christ, we have no merit of our own in God's presence except His mercy. God's mercy is His greatest attribute and those who come to Him must count on that rather than their own merit. Counting on God's Mercy helps us to pray to God rather than to ourselves. 

Until we 'stand far away' because of our emptiness (compared to God's greatness), allow our sins to embarrass us and cause us to bow our heads in shame; beating our breast in pain, we cannot pray an effectual prayer. 

PRAYER

Lord, I bow before you in my nothingness. Have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, October 23, 2022

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

READINGS AT MASS

Ex. 17:8-13

Psalm 121

2 Tim 3:14-4:2

Luke 18:1-8

Theme: THE LORD IS MY BANNER

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

In today's first reading, Israel fought its first ever battle unprepared. They had just been liberated from slavery and had no organized army or national military set up. They had no symbol of national identity. 

The Amalakites attack them in their vulnerability. The people of Israel had no choice but to engage in a battle with a well experienced and aggressive nation to defend themselves. Moses and Joshua engaged this all important battle from two fronts. Joshua and a few strong men engaged the Amalakites in the valley of interaction while Moses fought the battle from the mountain of intercession. After a miraculous victory, Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner (Yahweh-Nissi). He said, ‘Because hands were lifted against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation (Ex. 17:15-16). 

The implications of this profound statement is that, unlike other nations, the national insignia and military flag of Israel is God Himself. He who must defeat Israel must first of all defeat God. 

This will forever remain the unique identity and the difference between Israel and other nations. Other nations fight with well organized army and experienced military force but they fight alone. Israel, however, will never fight alone. 

That is our story too. Beloved, it is not because we are strong or experienced that we win, rather, we are alive and continue to surmount the challenges and battles of life simply because we are not fighting alone. We have a God who takes our battles as his own. Declare it then that 'the Lord is my Banner! 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, I am inexperienced in how to fight the battles of this life. May I always have you on my side. May my battles become Yours. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, October 16, 2022.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME C

READINGS AT MASS

2Kgs 5:14-17

Psalm 98

2 Tim 2:8-13

Lk. 17:11-19

Theme:

WHERE ARE THE NINE?

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

In today's First Reading, Naaman returned to Elisha not only to show his appreciation to God for his cure from leprosy but also to affirm his resolution to worship the God of Israel. He acknowledged YHWH as the source of his good health. His life was no longer the same.

Those who acknowledge God as the source of all the good things they have will always return to Him with gratitude in their hearts.

In the Gospel, Jesus took notice of the Samaritan, who had returned to give praise to God for his healing from leprosy. Jesus asked an important question that accused the whole of humanity; we who have received so much from God and yet remain ungrateful: "WHERE ARE THE NINE?"

Oh, how poor we are in our expression of gratitude to God!

In a world that pretends to have received nothing from God worthy of gratitude; a world that continues its journey to show itself to "the priest" (human reason and calculation) forgetting that Jesus Christ is the source of "the healing"; we are called to return and give thanks to God.

Beloved in Christ, a Christian is a grateful person. Gratitude to God is an act of faith. It distinguishes us as true children of our Father (God) as we recognize Him as our sole benefactor. It turns our lives and all that we do into an act of worship to God.

The fact that you receive a miracle from God does not make you a Christian; those who recognize and acknowledge Him as the author of their miracles are.

Never forget what the Lord has done; return the praise to Him.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, gratitude is a virtue you desire for us. You have taught us that in all things we should give you all the glory and praise.

Grant that we may always be thankful to you. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, October 9, 2022.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

Four Things God Wants You To Remember When Life Gets Hard

We’ve all had days (and maybe even years) when life just doesn’t seem to be going our way!

I’ve had long seasons of life where I felt like nothing was working and everything was out of whack, and I’ve had frustrating days where I just can’t seem to get anything accomplished. This morning was one of those times…

I was getting all three of our boys ready for school which is a massive undertaking and makes me respect my wife even more because she is normally the one doing it! Amidst the screaming infant and complaining grade-schoolers, there was a mess in the kitchen, a dirty diaper on the floor, toothpaste on the sink and stress in the air. When we FINALLY got out the door, Connor had forgotten something and had to run back in. The door was open just long enough for (I’m not making this up) a bird to fly in the house.

Now, I’ve got to figure out a way to get the bird out of the house and all the kids loaded up as fast as I can. I eventually got the bird out (unharmed) and the kids loaded and just before I pulled out onto the main road, a garbage truck cut me off and started driving about five miles per hour and stopping at every other house. I wasn’t sure whether to scream or laugh at the irony of it.

In the grand scheme of things, a stressful morning doesn’t impact life or eternity all that much, but in those longer seasons of joblessness, sickness, financial stress, marriage strain and other ongoing life events, the stress and frustration can seem overwhelming. Here are a few things I’ve learned to remember in those challenging seasons of life that have helped me, and I pray they help you as well!

1. Remember that your Character should always be stronger than your Circumstances

We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can always control how we choose to respond. In those moments when I choose to stop complaining and instead give thanks to God for the good in my life, the parts that seem bad start to seem much less significant. Choose to keep a positive attitude and thankful heart regardless of what you’re going through.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

2. Remember that your Struggles always lead to Strength

Every difficulty in your life, whether big or small, is something God will use to produce more strength, faith and perseverance in you if you let Him! All your pain has a purpose.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

3. Remember that God’s timing is always perfect

God’s plans are almost always different from our plans, but His plans are always perfect! Have the patience to wait on His timing instead of forcing your own.

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

4. Remember that God will never leave your side

You may feel like you’re going through this struggle all alone, but from the moment you ask Jesus to bring you into God’s family, He will be by your side to the end so never lose hope!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

I pray that these truths give you the hope and strength to keep going on those days when life is at its worst! 

Source: www.patheos.com

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

READINGS AT MASS

Hab. 1:2-3; 2:2-4 

Psalm 95 

2 Tim 1:6-8, 13-14 

Lk. 17:5-10 

Theme: HOW LONG, O LORD?

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

In today's first reading, we see God's response to the prophet's (Habakkuk) prayer of despair. From it we learn that God's promises are sure. They will come to pass but in His own good time. Though it might delay, it does not disappoint. it will definitely be fulfilled but only for those who wait patiently in faith. 

For those who have faith, God is never late. 

In the Gospel, Jesus made it clear to the disciples, and so to us, that though we are like unworthy servant who cannot hold God in debt, our faith in Him makes all the difference. With faith we can experience His miracles in the impossibilities of life. 

Beloved in Christ, the mountain can move but with patience and faith. The question of faith therefore is not "how long, O Lord?" but "how patiently can I wait for the Lord?" Our God does not disappoint; those who are not discouraged in waiting will experience His faithfulness. 

In a world where everything is put on a rush and express list, we need faith and patience to be able to wait on the Lord. Our God does not rush yet He is never late. He has His own appointed time. His appointed time, though might delay in the sight of men, is always the right time. 

Let us ask God to increase our faith. With faith we can wait patiently on Him and no "mountain" of problem shall prevail. 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, increase my faith. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, October 2, 2022.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.