The Chaplain-General of the Ghana Police Service, DCOP/Very Rev. Fr. George Arthur has advised Ghanaians to make the frantic effort to celebrate the heroes of our age before they fade away through death.
“It is unfair to remain silent and indifferent to the very people who have made tremendous impact and remarkable differences in our political, social, economic, traditional and religious history,” he said in a homily at a Thanksgiving Mass at the Christ the King Parish on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.
The Mass was celebrated to mark three events in the life of Msgr. Alex Bobby Benson, Director of the Matthew 25 Centre in Koforidua- his 72nd birthday which fell on January 3, his ministry as Priest in the Lord’s Vineyard and the Conferral of Honorary Doctoral Award on him as an esteemed, dedicated and recognized Public Servant.
The January 3 Thanksgiving Mass was presided over by the Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of Koforidua (Msgr. Bobby Benson’s Diocese) and concelebrated by the Most Rev, Peter Paul Ankgyier, Bishop of Damongo; the Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare, an Auxiliary Bishop of Accra, who represented the Metropolitan Archbishop, the Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp.
According to DCOP Fr. Arthur, who is the Parish Priest of St. George Catholic Church, National Police Training School, Tesano-Accra raising one canopy or tent to celebrate the birthday of parents or loved ones was worth more than mounting 100 canopies for their funerals.
“Celebrate people who matter to you whilst they live and not when they die. The dead cannot see,” he opined.
He stressed the need to celebrate those who deserve to be celebrated, saying, “Let us celebrate and honour the living and remember the dead. Let us celebrate the heroes of our age like Monsignor Benson, before they fade away through death.”
Emphasising, DCOP Fr. Arthur said people who made sacrifices for growth, peace and conflict resolution should not be taken for granted in any way.
“If you can positively influence society today, do so and don’t postpone it. You shall pass through this world but once. Don’t defer the good you can do today,” he stated.
Making reference what Jesus highlights in the Gospel reading of Matthew 25 : 31 – 46, he said “At the end of our lives, we will be judged not by the Certificates or Degrees we have; not according to our positions and possessions in society but by our care and love for our fellow human beings especially the needy and the poor.”
He added: “We will be judged by the way we use our power, wealth, resources and talents. This is very simple: to give food to the hungry, clothe the naked, care for those who are sick, to give water to the thirsty, to visit prisoners, defend and support the course of Justice and Peace.”
He reminded Christians that Jesus did not say cure the sick but said care for the sick, He did not say eradicate poverty from the society but said give food to the hungry.
DCOP Fr. Arthur lamented that sometimes people become so ambitious to change the World but we neglect to do what is basic and simple: “To give food to the hungry.”
“You cannot change the World but you can make an impact. You might not be able to solve the hunger of the world. But by giving food to one hungry person will make a difference,” he pointed out.
Let us follow the example of Jesus, the Shepherd who, uses his power to serve, to love and to care, he urged, saying, “The basis of every good service is to remain yourself and always remember you are serving fellow human beings who have strengths and weaknesses.”
According to the Senior Police Officer, Everything that is wrong in the world today is a consequence of the abandonment of authority and power.
“In Monsignor Benson, we come to accept the fact that, “True authority is not about having total control by “Lording” it over others but about using the gifts you have been given to serve others,” he stated.
Adding, he said, “The life of Monsignor Benson is summed up in his one word Motto “others.” He does not follow the crowd but live by his personal principles.”‘
“In fact, the first truth in life is to be yourself,” he said.
Scores of Priests from Koforidua Diocese and Accra also concelebrated the Thanksgiving Mass as well as Religious Sister, family and friends participating in it.
By Damian Avevor
