Rev. Fr. Armel Somda Calls Faithful to Examine Their Hearts and Trust in God’s Mercy

Christians who gathered for the morning Mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Nyakijumba, were reminded that good and evil exist side by side in the world and within every human heart.

‎In his homily, Rev. Fr. Armel Somda, the Parish Priest of St Francis of Assisi Kyanamira Parish, encouraged the faithful to focus on self-examination rather than judging others. He noted that while it is often difficult to distinguish between good and evil in others, Jesus calls each person to first look within their own heart.

‎Quoting Christ’s teaching, Fr. Somda challenged Christians against the tendency to condemn others while overlooking their own shortcomings.

‎”Before pointing a finger at another person, we should remember that the remaining fingers point back to ourselves,” he said, urging the congregation to embrace humility, repentance, and personal conversion.

‎Reflecting on the First Reading from the Book of Wisdom of Solomon, Fr. Somda emphasized that God’s power is revealed not in destroying sinners but in showing mercy. He explained that God’s patience offers every repentant sinner an opportunity to turn away from sin and return to Him.

‎He further encouraged the faithful to cultivate a deeper prayer life by constantly invoking the Holy Spirit.

‎”The Holy Spirit teaches us how to pray and brings us closer to God. Even when we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us,” he said, echoing the message from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

‎Fr. Somda concluded his homily by inviting the congregation to continually ask the Holy Spirit to convict their hearts, lead them to sincere repentance, and open them to the boundless mercy of God.

‎St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Nyakijumba, is a church under St. Francis of Assisi Kyanamira Parish, which is entrusted to the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers). The parish is served by two priests: Rev. Fr. Balthazard Buhalagarha Grace from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rev. Fr. Armel Somda from Burkina Faso, who serves as the Parish Priest.

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