Bishop Aba Urges Faithful to Put God First in Daily Life

At a Sunday Eucharistic Celebration held on 26 April at Mary Help of Christians Parish, Gabutu, Port Moresby, His Lordship Bishop Jacob Aba of the Catholic Diocese of Auki, Solomon Islands, delivered a strong pastoral message, calling the faithful to return to God as the centre of their lives.

Father Ambrose Pereira, SDB (left), and Bishop Jacob Aba (right) as they lead the Eucharistic Prayer.

Bishop Aba was in Port Moresby to participate in the 67th Annual General Meeting of the Catholic Bishops of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

In his homily, the Bishop spoke in simple yet profound terms about faith, love, and the call to authentic Christian living.

He began by reminding the congregation that “Jesus is the Good Shepherd,” and posed a reflective question to the faithful: Who is the good shepherd in today’s world?

He observed that, for many, material wealth has taken precedence over God, with money often treated as the primary focus of life while God is reduced to an afterthought

The Bishop noted that many people turn to God only in times of suffering, such as family difficulties or personal struggles, yet forget Him in moments of joy and success.

“Is this truly the Christian way of life?” he asked.

Bishop Aba delivers his sermon at mass at Mary Help of Christians Parish, Gabutu, Port Moresby, on April 26.

He emphasised that God must remain present in every aspect of life, whether in times of health or sickness, abundance or hardship.

Drawing from everyday experience, Bishop Aba compared the joy of children who respond to the voices of their parents to how the faithful should respond when they hear God’s voice, through Sacred Scripture, the beauty of creation, and acts of love within families and communities.

He further stressed the importance of living out one’s faith through concrete actions, not merely words.

“Many know how to pray,” he said, “but do not always practice love in their daily lives.”

The Bishop reminded the faithful that genuine Christian love calls for accepting others as they are, rather than valuing them for what they possess.

Addressing parents in a particular way, Bishop Aba highlights their vital role in the formation of their children in the faith.

“You are the first teachers of the faith,” he said, encouraging parents to guide their children towards God and ultimately towards eternal life.

As the Church prepares for Pentecost, Bishop Aba concluded his homily with a call to repentance and spiritual renewal. He urged families and community leaders to open their hearts to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives and decisions.

The Eucharistic Celebration concluded with a message of hope, as Bishop Aba reaffirmed that Christ remains the true Good Shepherd who faithfully leads His people.