Christians have been encouraged to integrate their faith into their everyday work, family life, and personal struggles, rather than separating the sacred from the secular.
This call was made by Sr. Dr. Alice Matilda Nsiah, a panellist during the 7th edition of ‘Conversations in the Cathedral’ held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, Accra, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, as part of reflections leading to Christmas.
Quoting Pope Francis, Sr. Alice urged believers to treat their daily responsibilities as acts of service to Christ.
“If you are teaching, teach the baby Jesus. If you are nursing, nurse the baby Jesus. If you are working in an office, attend to the baby Jesus,” she said.
She explained that work itself becomes holy when done with faith and intention, stressing that Jesus Himself worked as a carpenter and experienced hunger, fatigue, and human struggles.
Addressing family life, she reminded participants that the Holy Family was not perfect, noting that Joseph was not Jesus’ biological father and that confusion and misunderstanding marked the early Christmas story.
“No family is 100 per cent perfect. Please don’t be too hard on yourselves,” she appealed, calling for patience among spouses, parents, and children.
She highlighted Joseph’s prayerful discernment as a lesson for parents, especially fathers, saying prayer gives clarity and direction during confusion.
Sr. Nsiah also challenged societal attitudes that look down on certain professions, warning against discrimination based on status or income.
“Jesus was a carpenter. Every honest work has dignity,” she said.
Encouraging believers to identify their personal struggles with stages of Jesus’ life, she urged them to pray in all circumstances at work, in the market, on the streets, and at home.
“If you are selling cassava, pray. If you are selling pepper, pray,” she added.
She concluded by calling on Christians to go beyond the physical and material, insisting that prayer and reflection remain the surest path to right decisions, peace, and salvation.
By Theresa Kpordzo//Newswatchgh.com
