In a homily on the May 24, 2026, Pentecost Sunday Mass at the St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Maame Krobo, in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District, His Lordship, the Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of Donkorkrom Diocese, declared that the Spirit of the Risen Lord cannot be prevented by locked doors.
He was inspired by the Gospel Reading from John 20: 19-23, where Jesus appeared to the frightened Apostles behind locked doors and breathed the Holy Spirit into them; the Spirit that brought them Peace, forgiveness for their sins, and one that empowered them to carry out the Lord’s command of spreading the Good News to the whole world, without any more fear.
The Bishop explained that the Apostles were able to gain empowerment and strength because they not only received Jesus’ breath of the Spirit but also breathed in the Holy Spirit. That helped eliminate all the fear that had caused them to lock themselves in the Upper Room, and they could now stand before the Jews; before their enemies to proclaim the very Good News that they were prevented from proclaiming.
“We have each received the Holy Spirit. We have each been empowered. We have each been given the peace of the Risen Lord, and we have each received that forgiveness from our God,” he buttressed, challenging the faithful to use their individual gifts for the good of the human community and for the good of the Church.
The Chief Shepherd further challenged his flock with these soul-searching questions: What is the gift that the Lord has given you through the outpouring of His Spirit? Have we been using these gifts? Have you accepted the gifts? Do you appreciate the gift that the Lord has given you? How do you work with those gifts to benefit your brothers and sisters? 
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM – Donkorkrom Diocese)
