The Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo, an Associate Priest at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Donkorkrom in the Afram Plains, has urged the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) members in the Vicariate to allow the promptings of the Holy Spirit to lead them in their Christian journey.
He made this known during a three-day gathering of the CCR of the Vicariate at Donkorkrom.
The three-day programme on the theme: “The Christ in You”- Col 1:27b featured activities such as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, talks, rosary prayers, Holy Mass, prayer sessions, socialization, among others.
In attendance were Very Rev. Fr. Bernard Adjei Appiah, SVD, who doubles as the Cathedral Administrator of the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Donkorkrom, and the Chaplain for the Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate CCR; Rev. Fr. Gabriel Dabo-Gyamfi, an Associate Priest at the St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Tease; the Service Team Members of the Vicariate Catholic Charismatic Renewal and other scores of people.
Giving a presentation on the topic: “The Christ in you must manifest”, Fr. Akakpo gave key indications which enable a Christian to manifest Christ to the world. One of the ways of manifesting Christ to the world is by living out the Christian virtues in our lives as Christians.
He mentioned that one must display concrete virtues such as love, forgiveness, fortitude, patience, joy, peace, kindness, and temperance.
These, he referred to as the fruits of the Spirit, which St. Paul mentions in Galatians 5:22-23.
He, therefore, encouraged the gathering to refrain from the works of the flesh as mentioned in Galatians 5:19-21, if they want to be a signpost of Christ to the world.
Another key indication he pointed out is exhibiting the power and authority in Christ, saying, Jesus indicates in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you”.
“As Christians, we must demonstrate to the world that there is power in the name of Jesus. Hence, one must not exhibit any form of fear in his or her Christian life,” he noted, stating, “We must let the world know that the power in Jesus’ name is far beyond any power in the world through our daily lives.”
According to Fr. Akapo, the Christian life is one of faith; hence, every Christian must live this virtue out to the world, noting that “We cannot claim to be people of faith and still be doubting Thomas. We must demonstrate strong faith in Jesus to the world. Strong faith in Christ makes impossibilities possible.”
Faith, he added, moves mountains and all obstacles in our lives.
A Christian life must be directed by the Holy Spirit. We can achieve the purpose of God in our lives if we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us.
The Associate Priest mentioned that the early Christians manifested the power of Christ by doing great deeds in their lives because they were led by the Holy Spirit, saying, “We must, as Christians, be docile to the Holy Spirit.”
In his homily during the Thanksgiving Mass, Fr. Adjei Appiah, SVD, entreated the congregants to allow the peace of Christ to reign in their lives.
He pointed out that it was the peace of Christ that was able to help solve misunderstandings and divisions in the early Church, adding that the Apostles wouldn’t have succeeded in resolving the issues amicably without the power in the peace of Christ that existed among them. But they allowed this peace to manifest through them, hence the need for every Christian to manifest this peace to the world.
He also encouraged leaders in every facet of life to promote peace as the apostles did. Just as respect is reciprocal, peace is also reciprocal. If you don’t let your neighbour have peace, you won’t have it either.
By Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo (DEPSOCOM AVD-DONKORKROM)
