Keta-Akatsi Priests and Religious Advent Recollection this year was attended in a good number, and facilitated by Rev. Fr. Edem Ignatius Attipoe, the Parish Priest of St. Anthony Quasi Parish, Atiavi. He also doubles as the Dean of the Akatsi Deanery.
Mostly in three parts: a talk session, a moment of Penitential Service and Individual Confessions, and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the Advent Recollection is a moment of these spital giants to refill their ‘tanks’ enough to lead their parishioners and the entire faithful in preparing for the coming of the Lord at Christmas.
In his presentation, Fr. Attipoe led the group through a deep reflection on the theme: “Advent:Seeking holiness in the works you do”. The following were taken note of:
Lk. 11:9-10
Seeking holiness is a daily affair. Don’t just seek, but keep seeking. Holiness, perfection, righteousness, is living for God. To seek holiness means you are fulfilling the command of God: ‘be holy as I am holy’ (Lv. 11:9-10; holy is repeated 6 times in Leviticus; Gen. 1:26). We need to fit ourselves into that identity of God. It’s a daily strive to come to that original identity. We need to prepare ourselves to join the community of Saints. ‘Oh when the Saints go marching in, Oh Lord I want to be in that number’. We seek to join the Church triumphant in heaven.
The how of holiness can best be understood when we desire more of God. This desire must lead us to learn and live His word. (Jn. 14:6-7). Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. To know God and to become like Him, Christ becomes our model. All you do must reflect God’s holiness. It is not enough to know God, we must reflect our discovery of God.
The blend of our knowledge (head and heart) must continue to emulate God the Father by cultivating what Christ taught us.
To be full or holy or perfect, simply be empty. It is he who humbles the ego that is filled with the Spirit of God. You cannot be full of yourself and be full of the Spirit of God.
Talking about seeking holiness in the works we do, we ought to make our work an act of worship. Work is part of God’s plan for humanity.
The creation account in Genesis 1 comes to mind. Where you work is where you pursue holiness. All Priests and Religious, in celebrating the Word and Sacraments, engages with the people around them. It is in that relationship that you continually seek holiness.
If you want to be holy, look for Christ in the Gospel.
Finally, holiness is a process. We must get involved with the process as we seek holiness daily in the works we do.
If the world is looking for a holy leader, will it be you?
In the Holy Mass, Fr. Edem draws the attention of his brothers and sisters to holiness again, with St. John of the Cross as an example.
It is always joyful to come together to be charged in order to go back to our various places of work to dispense and share the grace and fruits of these Recollections with our faithful.
The Bishop, Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD is grateful to the Recollection facilitator, Fr. Edem for sharing these wonderful reflections with all.
God bless you all for coming. Safe journey as you go back.