On Holy Family, Sunday, the final Sunday of 2024, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obeng Codjoe, Parish Priest of St. James Catholic Church, Osu, delivered a profound homily that called on families to reexamine their values and embrace Christ as the cornerstone of their lives.
Speaking to a congregation eager to reflect on the significance of family life, the priest, popularly known as Fr. Teresa Cross highlighted the importance of love, selflessness, and faith in strengthening familial bonds.
Fr. Codjoe, a sociologist at heart and the Public Relations Officer of the National Union of Ghana Diocesan Priests’ Association began his message by challenging spouses to evaluate their love for their partners and children. “To what degree do wives and husbands truly love their families?” he asked, lamenting the mishaps in marriages often caused by irresponsible behavior. He urged couples to make their love intentional and to uphold the sanctity of their union.
The Parish Priest acknowledged the mounting pressures on the institution of marriage, which he described as “under attack.” He called for a renewed focus on God as the bedrock of family life, stressing, “Marriage is a personal choice, and anyone who makes this decision must remain determined and committed to it.”
He also appealed to children to demonstrate love, obedience, and respect for their parents, emphasizing that these qualities are essential for peace within the home.
Fr. Codjoe’s homily was anchored in a three-part message, which he summarized using the acronym O.S.U.
- Outline of Marriage and Family: He reminded couples to adhere to the divine framework for marriage, which places God at the center and prioritizes love, respect, and faithfulness.
- Self-Sacrificing: He called for a spirit of selflessness in families, urging both spouses to make sacrifices for each other. “Eschew hatred and jealousy,” he said, while expressing concern over the one-sided nature of sacrifices often seen in marriages.
- Useless Servanthood: Fr. Codjoe quoted scripture to emphasize humility, reminding families that all acts of love and sacrifice in marriage should ultimately be seen as service to God. “After all is said and done, remember that all you do in marriage is ultimately service to God,” he noted.
He further detailed the need for forgiveness, patience, and “a heart of flesh” in resolving conflicts within families. “Peace in families requires intentional effort,” he said, urging both spouses and children to cultivate a forgiving and understanding spirit.
As the homily drew to a close, Fr. Codjoe offered words of encouragement to families navigating challenges, reminding them to hold on to hope and to trust in God’s providence. “Let Christ be born in your family,” he said, urging families to make God the unshakable foundation of their homes.
The Parish Priest concluded the Holy Family Sunday Mass with a heartfelt moment as he led couples to renew their marital vows. He urged them to continue living out their promises with love, faithfulness, and commitment.
Addressing the youth, he encouraged them to prepare themselves purposefully before entering into marriage. Fr. Codjoe also issued a caution against playing with the emotions of those they are courting, emphasizing the need for sincerity and respect in relationships. “Marriage is a sacred commitment,” he said, “and must be approached with maturity, intention, and a heart grounded in love.”
Fr. Codjoe’s reflections, delivered at a time when societal pressures continue to test the resilience of family structures, serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of faith, love, and selflessness. As families embark on a new year, his message provides both inspiration and a roadmap for rediscovering the joy and strength of togetherness.
