SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTIONS: BEING CHEATED

 

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Luke 12:13–14

Many things in life are not fair. Children are keenly aware of this any time they sense they have been cheated by a sibling. They complain to their parents, just as the person in the crowd quoted above complained to Jesus about his brother. We want justice and can become quite upset when we feel that we have been dealt an injustice.

The passage above is interesting because Jesus gently but clearly refuses to be the arbiter of justice for this man. It may indeed be the case that he was cheated out of his inheritance by his brother. But it’s interesting that Jesus not only refuses to resolve the dispute, He then goes on to teach about greed, suggesting that the cheated man was acting out of greed.

If you were cheated out of your inheritance by a sibling, how would you react? If a sibling were to do this, it would clearly be a sin and an injustice. But the question at hand is your reaction to being cheated. Being cheated by another might result in one of two responses. The most common response is to immediately seek justice, to fight back. But this is not always what God will inspire us to do. Instead, when we experience injustice, we are given an opportunity to love on a very deep level. And this must be our response. This is why Jesus said we must love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. In the big picture of eternity, earthly injustices are always an opportunity for grace. This is evident by simply looking at the gravest injustice of the suffering and death of the Son of God. Jesus did not complain about being so cruelly treated. He did not call on the angels of Heaven to destroy the Pharisees and Romans who attacked Him. Instead, Jesus used the injustice inflicted upon Him as a foundation for His gift of salvation.

As we journey through this life, we need to decide whether we are going to live for this life or for eternity. We cannot have both. However, by choosing to live for eternity, we also enhance our lives here on earth in ways that nothing in this world can match. For example, say you experienced the unfortunate situation of extreme poverty. Say you were cheated out of your home and possessions and were left with nothing. Would this make you miserable? It might, but it doesn’t have to. Instead, such an unfortunate circumstance has the potential for you to live day-by-day, trusting in God’s providential care and to offer mercy in the face of injustice. And that is good. It is good for your eternal soul. It is good because it will motivate you to trust God on a very deep level and to become a beacon of God’s mercy. By contrast, if you had everything you could ever want in this world, it would be seriously tempting to rely less upon God and more upon the things you possess in this world. But the things of this world cannot save your eternal soul. In fact, they are a serious hindrance to your ability to trust in God alone. So, truth be told, poverty and injustice actually open the door to an opportunity for much more grace in our lives than material wealth does. But so often we still long to have more and more of the things of this world.

Reflect, today, upon the spiritual and eternal blessings that come from relying solely upon God and not upon material wealth. This is a hard lesson for most people to learn. If this is your struggle, then try to take on the eternal perspective. Try to look beyond the temporary stability and pleasures that come from accumulating earthly wealth, so that you will see the eternal riches that come from seeking God alone. Everything in this world will one day pass away. In the light of that fact, recommit yourself to the embrace of God’s riches by loving others through every injustice you encounter in life.

Most merciful Lord, You endured the greatest injustice ever known. But in the face of that injustice, You offered mercy and the gift of salvation, transforming that injustice into the greatest act of love ever offered. Help me to imitate Your merciful heart and to see injustice, poverty, and every difficulty I encounter as an opportunity to turn more fully to You. Jesus, I trust in You.

Appreciation Message

 

With a heart full of gratitude, I thank God for the gift of priestly ordination. I am deeply grateful to all of you: my family, friends, confers and benefactors for your prayers and support throughout this journey.

Your presence, both spiritual and physical, has been a source of strength and joy.  I carry each of you in my heart as a I begin this sacred mission of service to God and His people.

May the Lord who has begun this work in me bring it to completion.

Please continue to pray for me.

God Bless You All.

Rev. Fr. Samuel Perry Abotsi CSsR

A Joyful Celebration: Ordination of Our Brother Rev. Samuel Perry Abotsi

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We, the youth executives are thrilled to announce that, one of our own will be ordained as a priest on Saturday, July 26th, 2025. This is a momentous occasion, and we believe it's a testament to God's divine plan.

To make this event truly memorable and celebrate our brother's calling, we're reaching out for your support. We invite you to join us in this celebration through voluntary donations, whether in kind or monetary. Every contribution, no matter the size, is welcomed and appreciated.

Your generosity will help make this occasion a joyous celebration of faith and community. We're grateful for your support and look forward to sharing this special day with you.

All monetary donations should be sent to: 

• MoMo Number:    024 172 1526 
• Name:                  Fabian Normenyo
• Reference:           Ordination

Thank you, and may God bless us all

NB: Kindly click on the GPS icon below for direction

New Bishop for Wa Ordained

 

Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan, M.Afr. was on Friday, August 2, 2024 consecrated and installed the fifth Bishop of the Wa Diocese at the Wa Sports Stadium by Most Rev. Philip Naameh, Archbishop of Tamale, assisted by Most Rev. Paul Bemile, Emeritus Bishop of Wa, and the Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC).

The Mass was presided over by His Eminence Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson, President of the Academy of Sciences at the Vatican and concelebrated by members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and many Priests from and outside the Diocese.

Cardinal Turkson prayed that God would grant the new Bishop wisdom to be able to shepherd his flock. He also urged the people of Wa to always pray for their Bishop.

The homilist, Most Rev. Peter Paul Ankgyier, Bishop of Damongo Diocese asked the new Bishop to be there for everybody and not allow a group of people to hijack him. He also urged him to be the voice of the voiceless, to be for the poor and for justice.

He called on the faithful especially the Priests of the Diocese to respect their Bishop and to co-operate with him because it is not the people who choose a leader but God through the power of the Holy Spirit.

He urged the Priests, Consecrated Men and Women and the lay faithful to work with the Bishop, co-operate with him, respect him and help him keep up the good work of his predecessors.

The Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, President of the GCBC, in a Goodwill message congratulated Bishop Bomansaan and pledged their unflinching support for him and his Episcopate.

He said the GCBC was confident that he would make an invaluable contribution to the Conference and bring new insights to its work and its discussions, assuring him of the Conference’s support as he begins the learning process of a Bishop.

“As your senior brothers in the episcopacy, we are confident that you will lead the people of God with wisdom, compassion and unwavering faith,” he stated, adding that “We are particularly eager to collaborate with you in addressing the challenges and opportunities facing our Church at this time in our country’s life.”

Rev. Father Stanley Lubungo, M.Afr, Superior General of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), observed that the appointment of Most Rev. Bomansaan was a testament to his unwavering dedication, deep faith and exemplary leadership within the Society of Missionaries of Africa and in the Church. 

“Your pastoral wisdom, humility and vision have been a source of inspiration to me, to our General Council and to many, and I have no doubt that you will shepherd the faithful of Wa Diocese with the same passion and love”, he said.

Bishop Bomansaan thanked the Priests, faithful and the entire Catholic community for the love shown him since his appointment by Pope Francis.“You have shown me love and I promise you, I accepted this appointment out of obedience and service to you in the Diocese. And I want to say, I give you my whole heart, (and) my whole being as far as I can to my capacity and ability,” he stated.

Pope Francis appointed Bishop Bomansaan as the new Bishop of Wa Diocese on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. He succeeds Cardinal Richard Kuuia Baawobr who died after a short illness in Rome on November 27, 2022.

Until his appointment, he was the Vice Superior General, Generalate of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), Rome, Italy.

Born on January 19, 1962 at Kaleo in the Wa Diocese, the Bishop was ordained into the Priesthood on May 27, 1991.

He has since his ordination held a number of positions including in Charge- Bethany Centre (Recovery Centre for Priests and Religious- coming out of addictions and other challenges in Ministry) – 2021-2022; Novice Master/Rector – International English-Speaking Novitiate, Kasama, Zambia – 2012-2019; Provincial Superior- Ghana/Nigeria Province, Tamale, Ghana – 2005-2011; Formator/ Bursar, St. Edward’s College/Missionaries of Africa Theologate, London, United Kingdom – 2004-2005; Vocation Director for Missionaries of Africa in Ghana & First Councillor to the Provincial Superior for Ghana/Nigeria, Tamale, Ghana – 1999- 2003; Missionary/Vocation Animation/Formator, Missionaries of Africa Formation House, Lublin, Poland – 1995-1998 and Curate, Itumba Parish, Mbeya archdiocese, Tanzania – 1991-1993.

Some courses and studies he has undergone including Psycho- Spirituality Counselling/Accompaniment of Addicts- Institute for Sexuality Studies- Chicago, USA – 2019-2020; Psycho-Spirituality- Institute for Sexual Studies, Chicago, USA – 2011-2012; Spirituality and Accompanying Ignatian Retreats- 8 days and 30 days/ Spiritual Accompaniment/Direction-Rainhill Jesuits Centre/lnstitute, Rainllill, Liverpool, United Kingdom – 2003- 2004; Religious Formation Ministry/ Leadership [Formators (Loreto I louse, Irish Missionaries Union) Dublin, Ireland – 1998-1999; Counselling/PsychoIogy- St Anselm Institute, Margate, England, United Kingdom – 1994-1995 and Theology- Missionary Institute, London, United Kingdom (Affiliated to the University of Leuven) – 1988-1991.

Source: Catholic Standard

 

Most Rev. Bishop Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD Has Ordained Five Candidates Into The Diaconate Order

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ho, Most Rev. Bishop Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD has on Tuesday, 20th December 2022, ordained Five candidates into the diaconate order.

The newly ordained Deacons are Revs. Enyeminku Roland Deladem from St. Augustine Parish Alavanyo, Mensah Edmund Noah from St. Mary's Parish Likpe Abrani, Passah Godwin Eli from Holy Spirit Parish Ho SSNIT Flat, Quarshie James Konnings from Sacred Heart Parish Fodome and Torwoe Michael CSsR who is a candidate of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (The Redemptorists).

The candidates during the ceremony were urged to commit themselves to the Evangelical Councils of Poverty, Celibacy, and the Promise of Obedience to their Local Ordinary and his successors, after which they were then invested with stole and Dalmatic. Their ordination into the transitional diaconal ministry, now makes them members of the clergy and a step towards Priestly Ordination.

Bishop Fianu, in his homily, thanked the parents for giving out their children to the church to serve the faithful. He encouraged the newly ordained deacons to always avail themselves to learn more about the ministry God has called them to.

He entreated them to prepare adequately through constant reading, meditation and research on the Word of God and the preach the Word of God with humility and truthfulness.

"You should believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what teach," the Bishop said.

Bishop Fianu admonished the Deacons to learn from Mary mother of the church and always listen to God in the transition period.

Bishop asked the faithful to pray for God's grace and spirit to descend on the newly ordain Deacons to be true Servant of God.

The ceremony which took place at the Bishop Holland Memorial Pastoral Center Sokode Gborgame, was witnessed by the candidates' parents, a session of the clergy and religious as well as seminarians from the diocese.

© DEPSOCOM-Ho