Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, has called on the faithful to lead lives of repentance, mercy, and grace in preparation for their ultimate meeting with God.
Addressing a congregation at the St. Jude Catholic Church, Korkordzor on March 23, Archbishop Kwofie emphasized the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a vital tool for spiritual growth and readiness to meet God.
“The only way you prepare for your death is by leading a life of repentance, forgiveness, mercy, compassion, in short, living a life of grace,” the Archbishop stated.
He reminded the congregation that the essence of life in Christ is not merely about following rituals but living out the grace and teachings that Christ exemplified.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: A Call to Repentance and Mercy
Archbishop Kwofie focused much of his homily on the power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, urging the faithful to embrace it as a means to seek forgiveness and mercy. Reflecting on the scripture from 1 John 1:8, he reminded the congregation, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
He also pointed out that it is important for Catholics to remember that when they confess their sins to a priest, the priest is acting “in persona Christi,” representing Christ as He offers forgiveness and grace.
The Archbishop addressed the skepticism some might have about confessing to a priest, saying, “Father sits in the Confessional, waiting for you to come to confession and nobody goes to confess his or her sins. Nobody sins in Ghana. And they all blame Catholics for going to confess their sins to a human being. After all, he is a human being just like us. How can he listen to my confession?”
He noted that all are sinners, quoting St. Paul’s letter to the Romans: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23).
He challenged the faithful to take the Sacrament of Reconciliation seriously, pointing out that it is integral to the three pillars of Lent: prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. “If you take the Sacrament of Reconciliation seriously, you are taking the three pillars of the Lenten season seriously: PRAYER, ALMSGIVING OR CHARITY, FASTING,” he explained.
God’s Promise of Salvation and His Constant Presence
In his reflection on the day’s readings, Archbishop Kwofie said God’s purpose is to save humanity, not to condemn. He referred to the story of Moses in the book of Exodus, where God tells Moses, “I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt… Therefore I have come to rescue them from the hands of the Egyptians.” He stressed that God is always present, even when we face challenges and struggles. “I will be with you,” he quoted God’s promise to Moses.
The Archbishop also referenced the story of Jacob, who, on his journey, encountered God in a dream. God assured Jacob, saying, “Behold, I am with you and will take charge of you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Gn 28:15). This was a reminder to the faithful that God’s presence is constant, and His promises are sure, a source of hope and comfort.
A Call to Repentance: Be Ready for God’s Call
Turning to the Gospel reading, Archbishop Kwofie reflected on the call to repentance, stressing the urgency of turning to God before it’s too late. “But I tell you, if you don’t repent, you will all perish as they did,” he quoted from Luke 13:3,5. He highlighted the unpredictability of life, pointing out incidents like the massacre of the Galileans by Pilate and the tragic collapse of the Tower of Siloam, both of which demonstrate how sudden death can be.
“No one knows when they are going to die, so stay prepared,” he cautioned. He concluded with a powerful message, urging the congregation to live lives of grace and righteousness: “The only way you prepare for your death is by leading a life of repentance, forgiveness, mercy, compassion, in short, living a life of grace.”
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