The Rev. Fr. Otmar Auinger Aklah, a Priest of the Donkorkrom Diocese in Ghana’s Afram Plains, has recently urged pilgrims in the diocese to eschew tendencies of talking and spreading their life issues in their societies.
He made this known during the celebration of the Assumption at the Bonkrom Marian Grotto in the Donkorkrom Diocese.
Speaking on the theme “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (cf Luke 2:19), which was the theme for the three days celebration, he indicated that the Blessed Virgin Mary reflected more on both joyful and sorrowful issues concerning her life in her heart.
As human as we are, difficult moments will definitely catch us up in life. These are moments as people of faith we are supposed to go into solitude and contemplate more about these situations as Mary did. He encouraged the pilgrims to stop complaining and spreading their issues around, but rather put use those moments to pray about those situations.
He bemoaned the situation where gossip has become too much in the human society, especially among Christians. Priests and Religious he admitted are not left out in this situation. Gossip he says takes a lot of our precious time. He alluded to the fact that not all gossip is true, some are just calculated attempt to tarnish the image of people. These moments should rather be used productively.
When we are able to keep things in our heart and reflect on them, definitely we will see and experience God in our hearts. It is in this moment that we are able to really encounter God in our lives. Being reflective in life he continued also brings peace within oneself, gain wisdom from God, helps us to mature in the virtue of perseverance, helps us to develop deeper relationship with Christ, and prevents us from being talkative in life.
By Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo (DONKORKROM DIOCESE-DEPSOCOM)
