The parable of the Sower invites the people of God “to embrace a life of frequent reception of the Sacrament of reconciliation,” said Bishop Duncan Tsoke during morning Mass held at St John Vianney Seminary, Pretoria Archdiocese.

In the Wednesday, January 24 homily addressed to members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC), the Local Ordinary of Kimberley Diocese said, “A life of frequent reception of the sacrament of reconciliation helps us to have a life of Continuous conversion of hearts as we grow in holiness in Christ.”

“When we have a life marked by Frequent reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, we allow God’s grace to continually work on our garden, removing those thorns that slow down our growth to holiness, attending to the rocky ground that prevents our life and ministry from being deeply rooted in Christ, softening a heart when it is hardened by the weight of sin,” he added.

Bishop Tsoke further said, “The mystery of the Kingdom of God is a mystery of God’s grace patiently and continually transforming our hearts So that we grow closer to Christ,” that “the Kingdom of God does not happen, It grows and the Sacrament of Reconciliation facilitates this growth.”

From January 23 to 30 Catholic Bishops from South Africa, Botswana, and Eswatini are gathered at the SACBC headquarters in Pretoria Archdiocese for the 2024 January plenary session.