Embracing Spiritual Renewal: A Profound Ash Wednesday Homily by Fr. Michael Dziwornu Etsey
In a thought-provoking homily delivered during the afternoon Mass on Ash Wednesday at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Adabraka, Accra, Rev. Fr. Michael Dziwornu Etsey, Associate Priest, invited the faithful – as Pilgrims of Hope in the Jubilee Year – to embark on a profound spiritual journey of transformation during the 40-day Lenten season. He was joined to celebrate the Mass by Very Rev. Fr. Clement Wilson, the Cathedral Administrator and Rev. Fr. Joy Senanu Ofori-Kemani, Associate Priest.
Fr. Etsey began by marking the beginning of this pivotal period, drawing powerful parallels between the 40 days of Christ in the desert and our 40-day period leading up to Easter. He emphasized that this season is a time for the “children” – the faithful – to be converted in their ways, turning away from distractions and worldly pursuits, and instead, turning toward a deeper connection with God.
The Associate Priest said, “Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a spiritual journey of change and renewal to prepare for Easter. It is a time for us as children to be converted in our ways that we may pay more attention to God as we get more closer to Him.” This powerful statement sets the tone for the homily, underscoring the importance of this sacred season as a time for personal and communal transformation for the Pilgrims of Hope in the Jubilee Year.
Echoing the essential message of this sacred season, Fr. Etsey reminded the congregation, “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” He explained that this simple yet powerful statement calls the faithful to turn away from the world and turn more towards God, a central theme of the Lenten journey. This call to repentance and belief in the gospel served as a fundamental cornerstone of the priest’s exhortation for the Pilgrims of Hope.
Delving deeper into the “season of Lent,” the priest emphasized that it is a time when the faithful must turn away from the world and focus their thoughts on God. He highlighted that this period of “metanoia” is both a divine initiative and invitation, a “sacred time” where God himself has set in motion a sacred moment for the people to draw closer to him.
The priest then outlined the three key elements that should guide the faithful during this Lenten journey: disconnecting from the world, connecting more deeply with God through prayer, and sharing the blessings received with others. He stressed the importance of these actions, stating that they will lead to a profound realization of God’s sufficiency and the abundance of his blessings for the Pilgrims of Hope in the Jubilee Year.
“The first thing is that we must disconnect ourselves from the world. Throughout the year we are caught and influenced by the daily demand of work, family and socicial issues. Seeking pleasure, possession and pride. These we give access to direct our lives. These things keep you dependent on the world, – disconnect yourself from them. Now, when you begin to disconnect yourself from them, there is a power that wells up in you, a sense of freedom and hope. The next thing we are asked is to connect multiple much more to God,” Fr. Etsey explained, emphasizing the vital role of detachment and deeper connection with the divine for the Pilgrims of Hope. This connection shifts our dependence to God, who will not fail us. We gain the realization of how much we have and still receiving from God and then share with others.
As the homily reached its climactic moment, the faithful were invited to come forward to receive the imposition of ashes, a poignant symbol of mortality and the call to repentance. Fr. Etsey encouraged the congregation, as Pilgrims of Hope, to keep three key thoughts in mind: their own mortality, their readiness to turn away from the world and toward God, and their need for God’s strength to deepen their prayer, fasting, and acts of thanksgiving.
The insightful homily delivered by Rev. Fr. Michael Dziwornu Etsey served as a powerful catalyst for the faithful, inspiring them as Pilgrims of Hope to embrace the Lenten season as a time of profound spiritual renewal and transformation. His eloquent words and deep understanding of the significance of this sacred time resonated deeply with the congregation, guiding them toward a more meaningful and enriching Lenten experience.
Throughout the homily, Fr. Etsey’s words were marked by a sense of urgency and a profound call to action for the Pilgrims of Hope, challenging the faithful to confront their own mortality, to turn away from the distractions of the world, and to embrace a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. His message was infused with the spirit of Lent, inviting the congregation to embark on a transformative journey of faith, repentance, and spiritual growth as they navigate the Jubilee Year.
He emphasized on the three key elements of Lenten observance – disconnection from the world, deeper connection with God through prayer, and sharing of blessings with others – provided a clear roadmap for the Pilgrims of Hope to follow. He stressed the importance of these practices, not merely as rote observances, but as avenues for the faithful to experience the sufficiency and abundance of God’s love and grace during this Jubilee Year.
Throughout the homily, Fr. Etsey’s words were marked by a sense of prophetic urgency, urging the Pilgrims of Hope to seize the opportunity presented by the Lenten season. His call to “repent and believe in the gospel” was a clarion call for the congregation to embrace a profound spiritual transformation, to turn away from the temptations of the world and to wholeheartedly embrace the transformative power of the divine as they journey through the Jubilee Year.
As the faithful left the Cathedral, they carried with them the weight of Fr. Etsey’s words, inspired to embark on a Lenten journey that would challenge them, deepen their faith, and ultimately, draw them closer to the heart of God. The homily served as a powerful reminder that the season of Lent is not merely a time of penance and sacrifice, but a sacred opportunity for the Pilgrims of Hope in the Jubilee Year to experience a profound spiritual renewal and to be reborn in the love and grace of the Almighty.
Source: Innocent Samuel Appiah
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