DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

             

                    DIVINE WHISPER

                            with 

FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

(Solemnity of Annunciation of the Lord)

"The Word became flesh..."

Today, we join the Holy Mother Church in celebrating the Solemnity of Annunciation of the Lord. 

The very event that God uses to "Divinize our Humanity."

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us; and we have beheld his glory." (John 1:14)

This Divine privilege borne out of the great "FIAT" by our lady as the gospel pericope of today reported:

"And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her." (Luke 1:38).

Our Lady's acceptance of this offer springs from the well of her love for humanity. Most of the titles in our Litany to her bear witness to the unfathomable love, care and concern of this Woman. The wedding even at Cana is yet another proof to this beautiful heart of her. 

Though some misunderstood her role in the economy salvation of man, due to ignorance and sentiment which does not hold a grain of salt, but the fact remains that, she as a channel to human salvation right from time immemirial still intercede on our behalf now and always. 

Today's celebration manifests the omnipotence (all powerful) of God in all situations. Trust and hope in Him, for with Him (God) all things are possible.

Peace be with you!

FADA PIUSRALPH prays for you!

Let us pray 

O God, who willed that your Word should take on the reality of human flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary, grant, we pray, that we, who confess our Redeemer to be God and man, may merit to become partakers even in his divine nature. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

                 DIVINE WHISPER

                            with 

FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

"Turn to the Lord..."

Beloved in Christ, warm greetings to you. 

Man discovers his weakness and fragility when he derails from the right part, or missing our of Divine path through sin. (Cf. Genesis 3:1ff.) 

At this very moment the fragility of man becomes obvious such that, he needs a leaning shoulder, or a hand to raise him up from the dust of his weakness. 

On this note, that the Psalmist reminded us of the need to turn to God through the concientious observances of pious acts in this sacred season in the life of the Church. 

"Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and his strengthened; constantly seek his face." ( Cf. Ps 105:3-4)

In the light of this, God spoke to  Moses in this way:

 "Go down; for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves; they have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them; they have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshipped it and sacrificed to it,..." (Exodus 32:7ff.).

This Divine directive is merciful and love oriented, which are His attributes. He desires not the death of a sinner as the scripture tells us, but delights with a remorseful heart who seeks forgiveness. 

Finally, let us cry to Him to  remember us with the favour He shows to His people.

Peace be with you!

FADA PIUSRALPH prays for you!

Let us pray 

We invoke your mercy in humble prayer, O Lord, that you may cause us, your servants, corrected by penance and schooled by good works, to persevere sincerely in your commands and come safely to the paschal festivities.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

             

             DIVINE WHISPER 

                            with 

FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

"Come to me..."

Beloved in Christ, a beautiful morning to you and your household. We are at it again, "God's unfathomable mercy" upon humanity. We are grateful to Him for His love and enduring provision. 

Today, on our tabloid Prophet Isaiah prophesied:

"All who are thirsty, come to the waters, says the Lord. Though you have no money, come and drink with joy." ( Cf. Is 55:1)

Dearest friend, are you thirsty?   And thirsty of what? Healing? Good fortune? Fertility of the womb? Employment? Open door in business? 

Then the time is now, as God is inviting us to come and have a drink of fertility, open heavens, success etc. even without cost and connection. While others boast in connections, our boast is in the Lord who made Heaven and Earth and all that is in it. 

The invitation is going round,  grab yours and drink it to the full. He gives without charge and connection.

Peace be with you!

FADA PIUSRALPH prays for you!

Let us pray 

May the venerable exercises of holy devotion shape the hearts of your faithful, O Lord, to welcome worthily the paschal mystery and proclaim the praises of your salvation.

 Through Christ our Lord. Amen

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

               DIVINE WHISPER

                            with 

FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

SATURDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

“I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”

Every sick person desires healing and restoration. But when healing does not come, mind blowing questions surfaces. Where is God?

But most often we suddenly forget that: "every event is a lesson."

That is, God writing in a crooked handwriting.  Meaning He does whatsoever He Wills.

Out distress, tribulations and ugly situation does not mean to pull us down but to strengthen us.

It is in this same spirit that,

Prophet Hosea proclaimed:

"Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up." ( Hosea 6:1-6).

This points to God's ever readiness to heal us of our infirmities, infirmties of hardshisp, distress, hatred, envy, etc. at His appointed time. 

He desire to be merciful upon us and not in our "ill-burnt offering of sin." Trust and obey, He will not fail us. Healing upon us we pray O! Lord.

Peace be with you!

FADA PIUSRALPH prays for you!

Let us pray 

Rejoicing in this annual celebration of our Lenten observance, we pray, O Lord, that, with our hearts set on the paschal mysteries, we may be gladdened by their full effects. 

Through Christ our Lord. Amen

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

                  DIVINE WHISPER

                            with 

FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

FRIDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

"Repent..."

Beloved friend in Christ, on this day in the third week of Lent, God continue to nurture us as the the mothers do to toddlers. Giving us hope, to reconcile us to Himself. He often puts on invitation to each and every one of us, stressing the need to be faithful to His detects and ordinances. 

It is keeping to this command that the prophecy of Hosea will be made manifested in our lives. (cf. Hosea 14:1-9)

In the light if this great invitation, Evangelist Matthew  reported saying: 

 "Repent, says the Lord, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17).

As we continue our Lenten fast, let us not forget in haste the need to match our words with action. For in doing this, victory will be our song. 

Peace be with you!

FADA PIUSRALPH prays for you!

Let us pray

Pour your grace into our hearts, we pray, O Lord, that we may be constantly drawn away from unruly desires and obey by your own gift the heavenly teaching you give us. 

Through Christ our Lord. Amen

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

               DIVINE WHISPER 

                            with 

FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

"Obey my voice..."

Dear brethren, warm greetings from your beloved spiritual family - The ARCHIVE where Christ remains the Way, the Truth and the Life.

On our tabloid today, we wish to reflect on "obedience" a virtue which the sacred Scripture adorns with high esteem that it is better than sacrifice. (cf. 1 Samuel 15:22-23). 

The fundamental question is, obedience to who or what? Is it to obey our carnal feelings? To obey what offends God? Or obedience with the hope to be raised to the status of fame and glory which will not last the day? No. But obedience to God and all constituted authorities is what the Lord invited us through the prophecy of Jeremiah to consider today.

Prophet Jeremiah announced:

"Thus says the LORD: “This command I gave my people, 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you." (Jeremiah 7:23ff.)

Indeed, if we obey God and every constituted authorities without any feeling of pride or arrogant we stand to experience the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. God is ever ready to assist us in every way, but we on our own parts have the obligation to keep the detects and ordinances of God close to our hearts. 

Peace be with you!

FADA PIUSRALPH prays for you!

Let us pray

We implore your majesty most humbly, O Lord, that as the feast of our salvation draws ever closer, so we may press forward all the more eagerly towards the worthy celebration of the paschal mystery. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

               DIVINE WHISPER

                            with 

FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

"... give heed to the statutes and the ordinances."

Dearest friend in Christ, good morning to you with God's choicest blessing. It is yet a new dawn the Lord has given to us. 

In the light of beholding this great opportunity, God through   Moses, the great leader of Israelites admonished us to take cognizance of the detects and ordinances God has placed before us saying:

"... give heed to the statutes and the ordinances which I teach you, and do them; that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, gives you." (Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9).

This admonition goes with blessing of life longevity, which we long for. But let us be rest assured that, the promise is beyond the ephemeral existence before us; but that eternal life of being with God.

Adherence to these ordinances and detects will certainly put us on the right track with God through out our  earthly pilgrimage.

Finally, "keep the law of God, and God will keep you alive."

Peace be with you!

FADA PIUSRALPH prays for you!

Let us pray

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that, schooled through Lenten observance and nourished by your word, through holy restraint we may be devoted to you with all our heart and be ever united in prayer. 

Through Christ our Lord. Amen

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

               DIVINE WHISPER

                            with 

FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

Return to me...

Dearest friend in Christ, may God's choicest blessing be upon you. 

The merciful heart of God has always been opened every now and then for all, though some may accept the offer, others still wait for the time to be ripe. Amidst this, he is ever ready to reconcile us back to Himself. 

Remember, the touching story of the prodigal son, the warm embrace of his father and the reception organized in his honour. O! What great love is our God. 

Today, we hear this:

"Even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, for I am gracious and merciful." ( Joel 2:12-13)

However, this prophetic proclamation is an invitation to "rise" and go back to our Father with a remorseful heart. He is there at the gate waiting for our arrival. Make a move now.

As prophet Daniel prayed:

“With a contrite heart and a humble spirit may we be accepted.” (cf. Daniel 3:11-20)

Beloved in Christ, this is the acceptable moment to return to God with sincere penance. Let our hearts be torn and not our garments.

Peace be with you!

FADA PIUSRALPH prays for you!

Let us pray

May your grace not forsake us, O Lord, we pray, but make us dedicated to your holy service and at all times obtain for us your help. 

 Through Christ our Lord. Amen

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

 

              DIVINE WHISPER

                            with 

FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

MONDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

I wait for the Lord...

Beloved in Christ, good morning to you. Indeed, God's faithfulness upon us is beyond measure. The gift of this great day is yet another testimony itself. While others over there have lost the fun of the day through infirmities of one kind or another, some are already cold dead in the morgue. Then what can we say? Than to be grateful to Him for His faithfulness and love. 

Today, the psalmist reminded us of the secret behind this great survival, as that which does not borne out of our righteousness but through God's unfathomable mercy and love saying: 

"I wait for the Lord, and in his word I hope; with him is mercy and plenteous redemption."   (cf. Psalm 130:5.7)

Dearest soul, outside God nothing exist. For in Him is the fullness of our salvation. Wait upon Him at dawn, noon and dusk, then you will be surprised of His unconditional faithfulness.

Peace be with you!

FADA PIUSRALPH prays for you!

Let us pray

May your unfailing compassion, O Lord, cleanse and protect your Church, and since without you she cannot stand secure, may she be always governed by your grace. 

 Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Retreating and Praying with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Retreating and Praying Together

On behalf of this One, Big and Happy family - THE ARCHIVE:  the publisher of your daily favourite spiritual tonic - DIVINE WHISPER, ADVENT/LENTEN DIGEST, I wish to thank you immensely for your trust and faith in us. As part of our spiritual commitment, I wish to present before God your prayer intention(s) as I embark on a week retreat. If desire, feel free to inbox me your intention (if any). Once again, be rest assured of our prayers on your behalf. 

Thanks for patnering with us now and always.

REV. FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM 

(General Editor)

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

                 

              DIVINE WHISPER

                            with 

FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

"Do not..."

Dearest in the Lord, Happy Weekly Easter to you. Yes, it is weekly Easter because it is the Lord's day. On this third Sunday of our solemn preparation for the great festival of Easter. We are being instructed on the "do's" and "don't" of life as prescribed by the decalogue. (cf. Exodus 20: 1ff.)

In the light of this great command from God, He left us with the promise saying:

"But showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments." (Exodus 20:6)

This reading reminded us of the sacrifices which are acceptable to God coupled with an invitation to purify our religion of cults that have nothing to do with love of God or of our neighbours. Keeping in mind that without love of our neighbours, our claim to love God is vanity. For in loving our neighbours, that we publicly display the love of God.

In other words, no true worship can take place with a heart of malice, gossip, envy and corruption. Let us get rid of these vices for the betterment of ourselves, our neighbours and to the greater glory of our God.

Peace be with you!

FADA PIUSRALPH prays for you!

Let us pray 

O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness, who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving have shown us a remedy for sin, look graciously on this confession of our lowliness, that we, who are bowed down by our conscience, may always be lifted up by your mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

 

                DIVINE WHISPER

                            with 

FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT

"Go first and be reconciled to your brother."

Beloved in Christ good morning and a beautiful weekend to you. It has been God all the while and His love endures forever. 

Today, we are being invited to reconcile with others. 

Reconciliation is seen as the fruit of a contrite heart. In the course of this Lenten walk, God spoke to us in many ways , inviting us to reconciliation with Himself and our fellow human. 

However, failure on our parts will tentamounts to robbing us of this Divine gesture as Evangelist Matthew says: 

"Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it. " (Matthew 21:43ff.)

We must not only bear fruit, but  fruit that will last. 

Brethren, this is the most acceptable time to reciprocate this kind gesture of our God with good lives; bearing in mind His love and care. 

The Psalmist on the other hand reminded us in these words: 

"Remember the wonders the Lord has done." (Psalm 105: 5a). How can we do this? When we are keeping malice, cooking hatred for others and denying others their basic rights and privileges. It is time to reconcile with others, for God to reconcile with us, else "the Kingdom" will be taken away from us.

Peace be with you!

FADA PIUSRALPH prays for you!

Let us pray

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, purifying us by the sacred practice of penance, you may lead us in sincerity of heart to attain the holy things to come.

 Through Christ our Lord. Amen

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

             DIVINE WHISPER

                            with 

FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT

"...great is your faith!”

Dearest in Christ, good morning to you. We bring to you on this great day of the Lord glad tidings beyond human telling. 

God knows it all. Our thoughts are all known to Him, our aspirations are before Him They will all be fulfilled only if they are for our good and glory of God. 

Today, Prophet Jeremiah announced to us God's promise saying:

 "I the LORD search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." (Jeremiah 17:10)

 

Let us move with faith and trust in Him. For He knows better than we do. 

Indeed, "God's foolishness is wiser than man's wisdom." (cf. 1 Corinthians1:25) His attribute as "omniscience" is incomparable. Then "Why worry.?"

We have to make sincere effort to be blameless before God, for in doing this, our petitions and heart desires will be granted. Keeping in mind the word of the psalmist:

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord."( Psalm 119:1)

Peace be with you!

FADA PIUSRALPH prays for you!

Let us pray

O God, who delight in innocence and restore it, direct the hearts of your servants to yourself, that, caught up in the fire of your Spirit, we may be found steadfast in faith and effective in works. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

                  DIVINE WHISPER

                            with 

FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT

“Come, let us strike him.”

Beloved in Christ, good evening to you. With a grateful heart to God, we have been able to behold the dusk of this midweek. To Him be all the glory. Before we call it a day, let us reflect with Prophet Jeremiah following part of today's first reading. 

Most often we found ourselves at the receiving end of evil for the good we did. Pain being paid instead of gratitude. In consolation to forge ahead, Prophet Jeremiah avers with broken heart: 

"Give heed to me, O LORD, and listen to my plea. Is evil a recompense for good? (Jeremiah 18:19ff.)

In our daily task, let all services be geared to God, and not human. For man is bound to fail us at any moment no matter the amount of trust. Trust in God and believe in Him, He will not fail to hearken to your plea.

Peace be with you!

FADA PIUSRALPH prays for you!

Let us pray

Keep your family, O Lord, schooled always in good works, and so comfort them with your protection here as to lead them graciously to gifts on high. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

                DIVINE WHISPER

                           with

FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land...

Prophet Isaiah pronounced God's intention on us, inviting us to true repentance, saying:

"If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:20)

We are weak and short-lived, but God is ever willing and ready to assist us in our frailty. In the same vein prophet Ezekiel invites us to cast away all our transgressions which we have committed, and get ourselves a new heart and a new spirit. (cf. Ezekiel 18:31).

Dearest in the Lord, we need to redress our steps and move ahead with vigour. For God is ever willing and ready to firgive us. For the psalmist says: "To one whose way is blameless, I will show the salvation of God"  (Psalm 50:23bc). Peace be with you!

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you!

Let us pray

Guard your Church, we pray, O Lord, in your unceasing mercy, and since without you mortal humanity is sure to fall, may we kept by your constant help from all harm and directed to all that brings salvation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.