Rev. Fr. Valentine Gregory Hlovor, on the occasion of his 25th Priestly Ordination Anniversary is grateful to all who have supported and journeyed with him this far.
Fr. Valentine acknowledged the fact that, the journey has not been easy, but the grace and mercy of God has indeed brought him this far.
Below is an extract from the homily of the day.
Homily:25th Anniversary of Fr. Valentine Gregory Hlovor, By. Fr. Jesse Amedzi.
The grace of God will lead you through, Fr. Jesse tells Fr. Valentine the celebrant.
Talking about what it means to be unworthy servant, Fr. Jesse explains that, it is a big deal to say, ‘I will work for the Lord’. The determination to work hard as though other Priests before you are not doing or have not done anything can drive you into working as a newly ordained Priest, but be careful. Be strong to win souls through the grace of God.
Reminding Fr. Valentine of his call 25 years ago, the homilist says, ‘you have been called to serve and not to be served, and to give your life as a ransom for many, and to be the servant of all’. The rhetorical question is, ” are you serving the people, giving your life for them, yet having time for God?” Your call is a call to proclaim the Word of God to the people. You are called to repent and lead the people to repentance and salvation. You teach the people how to forgive.The Summons: ‘Here am I Lord’ is worth reflecting on. Hold the people of the Lord in your heart, even if they seek to destroy you. You can do that through forgiveness. Fr. Valentine, you have come this far, it has not been easy, the journey has been tough, but the grace of God has indeed been enough for you.You have been a useless servant who has done nothing more than what was expected of you. You can go far and wide if you continue to reflect on your call and it’s implications for you and your ministry. Let the people who encounter you, see Jesus in you. Let your presence among the people, be the presence of Jesus himself. Be the walking tabernacle among them, be another Christ for them, and be a sincere disciple with and for them. The Lord himself will lead you; for he will not abandon you for the flames to consume you. Instruments of God for his glory are never destroyed. So it is with you: you will not be burnt. Is. 43:2; Heb. 12:29; Jn.6:35; Mt.5:14. Give all you have until it hurts. This was what the Lord himelf, the Blessed Virgin Marry and the Saints did. They are our pacesetters. God doesn’t like surpluses.God really loves you, and He will continue to love you.Through your commitment, fasting and prayer, let the people of God be delivered from their various predicaments.This is the time to see your impact on your contemporaries, the people you minister to, the Diocese.
To the faithful, the homilist encouraged them to give untill it hurts. Be charitable to your Priests. Like the young man who went away from the Lord very sad, because he had many, learn to give out your resources to help the Priests to build your parishes. See him as your own son. Care for him, check up on him.
Can you be ready to give all for the sake of the other?
congratulations to Fr. Valentine and his colleagues for the milestone marked. May God continue to bless their ministry.
