The Most Rev. John Kobina Louis, an Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, has called on Christian families to model their lives on the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, describing them as the perfect example of faith, unity, and responsibility.
He made this call while preaching at a solemn Eucharistic celebration marking the Feast of the Holy Family on Sunday, December 28, at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra.
The celebration, which drew clergy, religious, and lay faithful from across the Archdiocese, also witnessed the official closing of the Cathedral’s Holy Door.
Preaching on the theme: “Beatitudes of Family Life,” Bishop Louis outlined eight practical lessons drawn from the life of the Holy Family, urging Christian households to embrace them as guiding principles in today’s challenging world.
According to him, the Holy Family exemplified a balanced life of prayer, work, obedience, trust, and mutual responsibility, values that remain relevant for families in every generation.
“Blessed is the family that prays together; it shall stay together,” the Bishop declared, stressing that prayer was the spiritual bond that sustained Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and must remain the foundation of every Christian home.
He further highlighted the dignity of work, presenting Joseph the carpenter as a model of diligence and responsibility. Prayer, he noted, must go hand in hand with honest work to ensure the well-being and sustenance of the family.
Addressing common family challenges, Bishop Louis encouraged couples to confront difficulties together rather than resorting to blame.
He pointed to the unity and trust shared by Mary and Joseph during moments of uncertainty, particularly in the early life of Jesus.
The Bishop also emphasized the importance of communication in marriage, observing that the mutual trust between Mary and Joseph was strengthened through open communication, especially during critical moments such as the flight into Egypt.
He cautioned that poor communication remains one of the leading causes of marital breakdowns and warned that, in an age dominated by Information and Communication Technology (ICT), families must be intentional about meaningful interpersonal communication.
On the issue of marital stability, Bishop Louis advised spouses against viewing divorce as a solution to marital problems, explaining that divorce often disrupts God’s plan for the family, especially the proper upbringing of children.
Reflecting on the childhood of Jesus, Bishop Louis underscored the responsibility of parents to invest not only in the academic and social development of their children but also in their moral and spiritual formation.
He reminded children of their duty to obey and honour their parents, citing the Book of Sirach, and assured the faithful that obedience attracts divine blessings.
Adults were also encouraged to show gratitude to their parents through acts of love, care, and support.
The celebration reached a solemn climax with the closing of the Holy Door by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp.
The symbolic act marked the end of a sacred period of grace, reflection, and renewal for the Church.
The closing of the Holy Door, however, served as a reminder that the call to conversion, mercy, and holiness continues beyond the physical door and must be lived daily within families and communities.
Concluding his homily, Bishop Louis prayed that the New Year would usher families within the Archdiocese and beyond into deeper faith, stronger love, and lasting unity through the practice of the eight beatitudes of family life.
By Theresa Kpordzo//Newswatchgh.com
