Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Okine-Quartey, a formator at St Paul’s Seminary in Sowutuom, has called on Christians, especially the Religious to take time off to reflect and relive their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience because these counsels were part of the Holy Family.
He made this call in his homily during the Eucharistic Celebration on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
The feast of the Presentation of the Lord is an opportunity for the Church to celebrate and pray for men and women in consecrated life. Dwelling on the gospel reading of the day, Fr. Okine-Quartey pointed out the example of Simeon as worth emulating. After Simeon had received the child Jesus in his arms, he gave thanks to God.
He challenged Catholics to ascertain whether they also give thanks to God whenever they receive Jesus in the Eucharist. He warned against the tendency to regard the Eucharist as a routine hence losing its relevance in our lives.
Touching on the sacrifice of Mary and Joseph – two turtle doves – Father drew the attention of the faithful to the significance of this sacrifice.
”It meant that Mary and Joseph were not rich and that the Messiah lived in a poor family. It also meant that the poor at the time could also worship God; there was space for the poor in the worship of God,”
”However in our churches today, we hardly create an enabling environment for the poor. We have long fundraising and appeals which sometimes put these poor people in an unfortunate position, making them feel uncomfortable even in the house of God,” he said.
Fr. Okine-Quartey urged the clergy and the religious to ensure that they become leaders who always create enabling environments for the poor in their parishes and communities.
Finally, he cautioned Christians not to be ashamed of their financially poor families or backgrounds because after all the Saviour of the world was born into a very poor family too. We should be proud of our families and where we come from and do all it takes to succeed whiles living the evangelical counsels.
Source: Wisdom Martin Kongor // Radio Angelus
