SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

 

READINGS AT MASS TODAY

1 Kgs. 3:5, 7-12

Psalm 119

Rom. 8:28-30

Matt.13:44-52

Theme: HIDDEN TREASURES

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

A major characteristic of the treasures of God is the fact that the best of them are hidden. Like every precious thing, they are only available to those who are diligent and deliberate in their pursuit for them. 

Today, at Mass, we have the privilege to reflect on the parable of the hidden treasure. A stated fact in the opening statement of the parable is the hidden nature of the treasure. Jesus explained, "The kingdom of God is like a treasure hidden in a field...” 

Hidden in the fields and in the dirt of this world are the beautiful treasures of God. Sadly, as it may seem, there is so much beauty, tranquillity, and goodness in Jesus Christ that many may not be able to find. Only the deliberate search of the wise and the attentive eyes of those who love the things of God will discover them. This is examplified in Solomon, who did not find this treasure in the obvious material wealth or the arbitrary powers of the world but in divine wisdom and discernment - a hidden gift that many would not appreciate. 

Beloved, the treasures of God are not common place goodies. They are hidden from the common eye. The gullible and canal eye will never chance upon it, let alone find. But if we diligently seek, we will find.

PRAYER

Lord, grant us divine wisdom and an understanding heart to seek treasures that are hidden. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, July 30, 2023.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

 

READINGS AT MASS TODAY

Wis. 12:13, 16-19

Psalm 86

Rom. 8:26-27

Matt.13:24-43

Theme: A SOWER OF WEEDS

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

Today's gospel text presents the working of a pseudo-agent in the parable of the wheat and the tares. This agent works under the cover of the night when everyone is asleep, and his actions are destructive and are set up against the good efforts of the farmer. He is a “sower of weed” and the farmer identified and addressed him as “an enemy.”

The weeds, even though bearing a striking resemblance to the wheat, are dangerous to the survival of the wheat and poisonous to humans and animals. They fight with the wheat over the land and essential nutrients. In addition, they are very difficult to distinguish until the end. That is what the enemy plants.

Beloved, the enemy is a sower of weeds. The devil is up at night, when everyone is asleep (spiritually), to plant what looks like the truth in an attempt to destroy the work of God, the Sower. But one thing is sure, that is, the truth can never be hidden forever, and what looks like the truth is certainly not the truth. 

The presence and works of the enemy, though hidden to men and sometimes difficult to decipher, are not hidden from God. His patience must not be mistaken for ignorance. Just as the weeds were gathered up and burnt in the fire, so will it be at the end of time.The Son of man will send His angels and they will gather out all evil doers but the upright will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. 

PRAYER

Lord, may the destructive works of the enemy not prevail against your wonderful work in our lives. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, July 23, 2023.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

READINGS AT MASS TODAY

Isaiah 55:10-11

Psalm 65

Rom. 8:18-23

Matt.13:1-23

Theme: SOWING GOOD SEEDS

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

Being a good person is increasingly becoming unrewarding in a corrupt society like ours. To be 'successful', by the world's means, one must be able to tell lies, steal, and be ungrateful, to say the least. A deceptive and evil life is now not just the prerequisite for success and progress but also a celebrated vice. The successful and powerful are those who consistently plant evil. Honest and genuine men are mostly ignored or seen as threats. Sadly, many Christians have fallen prey to this erroneous social order in their quest to earn their daily bread.

Indeed, it is becoming exceedingly difficult to live and walk in righteousness before God and to act justly. Putting up a good and noble character appears to be a hopeless and futile engagement. This morning at Mass, we are presented with the Parable of the Sower as our Gospel text. A critical look at the text reveals how the sower was consistent in planting good seeds irrespective of the nature and the fruitlessness of the soil.

The sower went out on a mission of sowing and as long as the mission lasted, he sowed only good seeds. On rocky ground, he sows good seeds; at the roadside, he sows good seeds, even among the thorns, he did not hesitate in sowing good seeds.

Beloved, we have been called to be good people who will plant only goodness no matter the situation or outcome. We must persist in and be consistent in the planting of good seeds, notwithstanding the nature of the soil in which we find ourselves. Most of our good works will indeed be unrewarded and even go unnoticed in this world but we must never stop planting good seeds for though they may go unnoticed before men they will never be lost on God. (Hebrews 6:10)

PRAYER

Lord, may I be a consistent sower of good seeds wherever I go. Amen.

May God bless you.

Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, July 16, 2023.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.