GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY

READINGS AT MASS TODAY

Acts 2:14, 36-41

Psalm 23

1 Pt 2:20-25

John 10:1-10

THEME: THE BEACON

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

In the course of pasturing, the shepherd, among other duties, is the beacon and directional post for the sheep. It is naturally difficult for sheep to identify the entrance of a cave or even their pen, let alone the right route to follow.

When in the field, and they chanced upon a crossroad, the shepherd must go ahead and stand at the entrance of the route he wishes the flock to follow. Sometimes when it is night and he wishes to lead them to a cave for security and rest, he stands at the entrance of the cave to signal them. The shepherd's presence is a sure direction for the sheep, who otherwise will have been lost.

Beloved, Jesus remains a sure direction in life's confusions. As a good Shepherd, He stands at the entrance of every crossroad to direct us. He is the gate and the entrance to a life of rich pasture and restful waters. 

In the uncertainty and the confusion of life, we must seek the presence of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who stands at the entrance as a sure direction to the right path. 

PRAYER 

Lord, may we see you at every crossroad of our lives, and may we follow you as you lead us on the right path, Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre 

Sunday, April 30, 2023.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

READINGS AT MASS TODAY 

Acts 2:14, 22-33

Psalm 16

1 Pt 1:17-21

Lk. 24:13-35

THEME: FOOLISH AND SLOW OF HEART

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

Today, Jesus describes two of His disciples as foolish and slow of heart. The two men were lost in their disappointment about the turn of events during the passion and death of Jesus to the extent that they walked almost seven miles with Jesus without noticing Him. 

These men were described as disciples of the Lord, yet they could not recognise the Lord. They were among those who stayed and went about with Him as such, they were not supposed to have a problem recognizing Him, yet they most surprisingly could not. No doubt the Master described them as foolish and slow of heart. 

Are we also not being foolish and slow of heart when we fail to recognize the Risen Lord as a close companion journeying with us along the way and actively at work in every facet of our lives? Are we not foolish and slow of heart when we fail to recognize the presence of the Risen Lord in the ordinary events of our everyday life? How come we fail to recognize Him whom we know and call our Lord? How is it that we walk with Jesus and pretend He is the subject of a past event?

PRAYER

Lord, I have realized that the unfortunate thing of my situation is not its apparent hopelessness and my disappointment, but my inability to see you despite the fact that you accompany me on the road. Help me to recognize your presence throughout the journey of life. 

Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, April 23, 2023.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

READINGS AT MASS

Acts 2:42-47

Psalm 118

1 Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

Theme: HE KEPT THE SCARS

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

Today, in our Gospel text, we heard one of the accounts of the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus being proclaimed to us. Jesus appeared to the disciples in a locked room and, after greeting them, showed to them His hands and sides. If Jesus showed His scars to the disciples, then the scars of the wounds received for our sake never disappeared from His transformed body. In brief, Jesus kept the scars. He who has the power to get rid of every stain of sin and evil did not cause His scars to disappear but kept them.

On this Sunday of Divine Mercy, we understand that Jesus kept His scars as a badge of love for all the hurt He endured for we His beloved ones. Mercy does not allow the scars to stop love.

Beloved, there isn't a scarless life. In fact, life is often made more beautiful with scars. They tell the story of how much we have endured and how much we have given up for others for the sake of the love of God at work in us. 

May we be proven by our scars. May our physical and emotional scars represent how much we love those who hurt us. May they represent the painful paybacks that we receive for our love and kindness in this hurtful world. May they remain to remind us of the evil and betrayal that the love in our innocent hearts brought upon us. May they show our endurance and bravery in Christ.

PRAYER

O Blood and water, which gushed forth from the heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in you, Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, April 16, 2023.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe

EASTER SUNDAY

READINGS AT MASS

Acts 10:34, 37-43

Psalm 118

Col. 3:1-4

Jn. 20:1-9

Theme: THE GRAVESIDE STORY

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

The Easter story started from a rather unusual place; the graveside. We were told women came very early in the morning to check the grave and that was the beginning of the whole story. At the grave where every story is expected to end, the Christian story begins. 

The resurrection of Jesus gives a whole new dimension to the Christian story. It is all about hope, resilience and immortality. It is a story of life in the face of death and light in the midst of darkness. 

It is difficult to end a Christian's story. Our faith in the resurrection makes us able to break every threshold and barrier. Even death cannot stop us.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, may your resurrection from the death bring a new beginning and vitality to our own stories. Amen! 

May God bless you. 

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, April 9, 2023. 

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION

READINGS AT MASS  

At the beginning of the Procession:

Matt. 21:1-11

At Mass:

Isaiah 50:4-7

Psalm 22

Phil. 2:6-11

Matt. 26:14-27:66

Theme: TRIUMPHANT ENTRY

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

Today, Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly. He rides into the city of His suffering and eventual death as a victor and King. Jesus kept a positive and winning mindset even as He prepared to endure suffering and shame. This approach of Jesus is interesting and yet surprising. Knowing very well what lies ahead of Him in Jerusalem. 

Beloved, even though surprising, Jesus' approach to this ultimate journey holds a lesson for us. It is all about mindset and approach. The mindset with which we approach our problems is very important. As Christians, our faith demands that we face the challenges and the problems of life with a winning mindset. Jesus came to Jerusalem as a winner and conquerer. Whatever it is that you face or must endure, endure it triumphantly!

PRAYER

Lord our God, today, Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly to endure his passion. May his suffering, death, and resurrection bring us strength and courage. 

Amen! 

May God bless you. 

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, April 2, 2023. 

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.