SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

READINGS AT MASS

Gen. 22:1-2, 9, 10-13. 15-18

Psalm 116

Rom. 8:31-34

Mark 9:2-10

Theme: LISTEN

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

This morning at Mass, we read about the Transfiguration of Jesus. The text tells us that at the end of the events on the mountain, the voice of God thunders in the cloud saying: “This is my beloved son. Listen to him”.

The keyword, my dear friends, is “Listen”.  Listening is an act of devotion that stems from faith and trust. Our faith in God must make us attentive to Jesus in every way. This is the only sure way of coming to the glory to which He intends to bring us.

If there is any one thing that brings some clarity and meaning to the outrageous journey of Abraham, as heard in the first reading, then it is his ability to listen. Abraham was ready to sacrifice his one and only son on the mountain simply because he listened to God.  It is his attentiveness to God and his readiness to do as He(God) wills that set him off on that seemingly unreasonable journey. However, it is that which also set him apart as a “friend of God” and “father of faith”.

Like Abraham, listening to God might sometimes put us on seeming unreasonable and inexplicable paths, but it is that which will also prove the depth of our faith.

Our faith and love for God is revealed in our attentiveness to His commands. 

PRAYER

Lord, keep us focused on your voice through intense prayer and devotion. May our attentiveness throughout this Lenten season transform us in our walk with you. Amen! 

May God bless you. 

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, February 25, 2024. 

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

 

READINGS AT MASS

Gen. 9:8-15

Psalm 25

1 Pt. 3:18-22

Mark 1:12-15

Theme: A DIFFICULT PLACE

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

Today, like every first Sunday of Lent, we read about the temptation of Jesus. This year, we read the shortest version of this narrative from the Gospel according to Mark. 

Mark did not give us the details of the temptation, but only the summary of events. He simply tells us that the Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert and was put to the test by Satan.

Immediately after His Baptism and before the commencement of His mission, the Spirit led Jesus to a difficult place: a hard and dry place of temptation, darkness, and emptiness. 

Sometimes, God leads us through difficult situations and places to prepare us for the mission ahead. Our best preparations will often come from our wilderness experiences. Let us not try to escape such seasons of life, for they are so much worth our endurance and count towards the glory of God to be revealed in us.

PRAYER

Lord, keep us focused on your will through intense prayer and fasting. May our wilderness experiences throughout this Lenten season transform us for your glory. Amen.

May God bless you. 

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, February 18, 2024. 

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

READINGS AT MASS

Lev. 13:1-2, 44-46

Psalm 32

1cor.10:31-11:1

Mark 1:40-45

Theme: OUTSIDE THE CAMP

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

The readings of today, the sixth Sunday in ordinary time, call on us to reflect on the extent to which the leprosy of sin separates us from GOD (the camp of God) and deprives us of our humanity and dignity. 

The First Reading narrates the miserable condition of a leper under the Law of Moses. Such a leper was isolated from the community to live outside the camp. The law says "He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp..." (Lev. 13:46).

Leprosy puts a full stop to the leper's life and business in the world. It cuts him off from socializing with friends and loved ones, and shuts him out from the sanctuary. In short, the said person loses his human dignity. 

In the Gospel, we hear the powerful prayer that a desperate leper addressed to Jesus Christ. "IF YOU WISH, YOU CAN MAKE ME WHOLE..." (Mark 1:40). This was a prayer of someone who was tired of living outside the camp of God. It is a fervent wish of Jesus Christ to bring all those condemned to life outside the camp of God back into the camp. "I DO WILL IT. BE MADE CLEAN" He says.

Beloved in Christ, The leprosy of sin shuts us out from the the camp of God and from His sanctuary. His glory goes far from us, life becomes empty and miserable. We must turn to Jesus Christ in humility so that he might make us whole and clean again. 

PRAYER

Almighty ever-loving Father, I stand outside the "camp of your grace" with the "leprosy" that keeps me away and prevents me from entering your presence. If you wish, Lord, you can make me whole again. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, February 11, 2024.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe