Unlocking the Power of the Heart
…A Powerful Homily Calls for Spiritual Transformation
In a captivating homily delivered at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Joy Senanu Ofori-Kemani, Associate Priest, delved into the profound significance of the human heart, urging the congregation to recognize its centrality in shaping our thoughts, words, and actions. The homily was delivered during a Thanksgiving Mass presided over by the Bishop of Keta-Akatsi, Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, on Sunday, March 2, 2025, as the families of the Adjeis and Dowuonas gathered to celebrate the life of the late Mrs. Margaret Adjei.
“The heart is the hidden centre of the person from which our thoughts, emotions, and actions originate,” Rev. Fr. Ofori-Kemani began, drawing from the day’s Scriptures. “It is the seat of our moral and spiritual life, the very essence of who we are.”
The priest emphasized that the quality of our words and deeds is directly linked to the state of our heart. “As the Book of Sirach reminds us, we should not praise a person until we have heard them speak, for it is their words that reveal the true nature of their heart,” he said.
Citing the teachings of Jesus, Rev. Fr. Ofori-Kemani explained that defilement and impurity do not come from the external world, but from the heart itself. “It is from the heart that evil thoughts, murder, adultery, and other sinful acts originate,” he said. “Therefore, a person’s words expose their true character, their mind, and their spirit.”
The homily then delved into the significance of the heart in the ancient Israelite tradition. “The heart is the most important anthropological word in the Hebrew Scriptures, mentioned over 800 times,” the priest noted. “It is the centre of emotions, feelings, and decision-making – the very essence of what it means to be human.”
Rev. Fr. Ofori-Kemani emphasized that the state of the heart is crucial, as it is the place where we encounter God’s word and where conversion takes place. “This is why, during the Eucharistic prayer, the priest calls us to ‘lift up our hearts to God,'” he said. “It is a wake-up call to set aside our concerns and focus our minds, wills, and emotions on the sublimity of the Liturgy.”
The question then arose: do our actions truly reflect that we have lifted up our hearts to God during Mass? The priest challenged the congregation to examine their own spiritual lives and consider the purity of their hearts.
“If our hearts are not pure, how can we expect our words and actions to be pure?” he asked. “It is time for us to take responsibility for the state of our hearts and work towards spiritual transformation.”
Rev. Fr. Ofori-Kemani then proposed three practical steps to help the faithful cultivate pure hearts: thus,
Regular Attendance of Mass and Reception of Holy Communion-Rev. Fr. Ofori-Kemani emphasized the vital importance of regularly attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion as a means of cultivating pure hearts. He explained that in the Eucharist, the faithful encounter the very presence of Christ, who has the power to transform their hearts and fill them with His grace. By immersing themselves in the sacred liturgy and partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, the faithful can experience a profound spiritual renewal that goes beyond the superficial. This regular encounter with the Lord strengthens their faith, deepens their relationship with Him, and empowers them to live as true disciples, reflecting the purity of heart that Christ desires.
Frequent Confession-The priest also emphasized the need for the faithful to engage in the sacrament of Confession on a regular basis. By regularly examining their conscience and seeking forgiveness, the faithful can purify their hearts and renew their commitment to living as true disciples of Christ. This humble act of acknowledging one’s sins and shortcomings before God, and then receiving the grace of absolution, is a powerful tool for spiritual growth. It allows the faithful to let go of the burdens of the past, to seek reconciliation with both God and their neighbor, and to embark on a new path of holiness. Through frequent confession, the faithful can continuously strive to align their hearts with the will of God, becoming more receptive to His transformative grace.
Wishing Good for Others-Rev. Fr. Ofori-Kemani’s third practical step for cultivating pure hearts was the call to wish good for others. He emphasized that when the faithful cultivate a heart that desires the wellbeing of their neighbors, they take a step towards the kind of love that Jesus calls them to embody. This selfless concern for the welfare of others, rooted in the teachings of Christ, is a crucial component of spiritual growth. By shifting their focus away from self-interest and towards the needs of their fellow human beings, the faithful can experience a profound transformation of the heart. This desire to wish good for others, to seek their flourishing, and to work towards the common good, is a reflection of the pure and generous heart that God desires from His children.
The homily resonated with the congregation, many of whom nodded in agreement as the priest’s words struck a chord within their hearts. As the Mass drew to a close, the Adjei and Dowuona families, along with the entire assembly, were left with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the power of the human heart.
“Rev. Fr. Ofori-Kemani’s homily has truly inspired us,” said Mrs. Adwoa Adjei, a member of the Adjei family. “It has reminded us of the centrality of the heart in our spiritual lives and the importance of cultivating purity within ourselves. We leave this Thanksgiving Mass with a renewed commitment to live according to the teachings of Christ.”
As the faithful departed the cathedral, the weight of the priest’s words lingered, calling them to a deeper level of self-reflection and a more intentional pursuit of spiritual growth. The homily had indeed unlocked the power of the heart, setting the stage for a transformative journey of faith and holiness.
Source: Innocent Samuel Appiah
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