DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

      21st Day with Blessed Virgin Mary

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

"... do you love me more than these?" (John 21: 15ff.)

Brethren in the Lord, a beautiful morning and happy weekend to you and your household from us here in this One, Big and Happy family - The ARCHIVE.

Obviously, the concept of "love" has been a protracted enigma among humanity from time immemorial. 

For some, love is all about what you can get in return from others, many see it as expression of closeness while others have different thought about it.

In ideal sense of it "true love" is that which one gives out without cost. It is unconditional, unseasoned in nature, it counts no wrong, it is not selective, or being categorized.

To define the real essence of this great virtue - love, our Lord and Master - Jesus Christ following Evangelist John, posed this fundamental question to the head of apostle - St. Peter

When [Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and] they had finished breakfast, he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." (John 21:15-19)

The question came in three patches, to be sure of his readiness to shoulder the cross of leadership entrusted to him.

This same call, is being puts before us now and then, in our daily endeavours. As christians, but the question is: How much do we love?

The answer to this fundamental question is personal, and it can be seen not in our responses rather in our daily actions. Let love beyond being loved. Let love be the language devoid of age, sex, religion and status. 

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

O God, who by the glorification of your Christ and the light of the Holy Spirit have unlocked for us the gates of eternity, grant, we pray, that, partaking of so great a gift, our devotion may grow deeper and our faith be strengthened. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The ARCHIVE © 21052021

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

      20th Day with Blessed Virgin Mary

Mystery of the day: Glorious

"May they all be one;..." (John 17:21)

 Dearest friend in Christ, a beautiful morning to you.

On this 20th day with our Lady, a woman whose attribute is beyond compare, and her readiness to intercede  goes unlimited. The Church continue in her saving mission to nourish us with the Word.

In our today's world, we are engulfed with hatred, envy and betrayal. Thus, making us to question our existence, on why envy and hatred should order our relationship with others.

Today from the table of the Word, Evangelist John reminded us the very Word of exhortation by our Lord on "peaceful co-existence" saying:

"May they all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, so that the world may believe that you have sent me, says the Lord." (John 17:21)

This brings to our minds a call to unity, which is at the centre of our today's reflection.

How often do we betray, castigate, envy, hate, using others to climb to the apex?  Just because there is difference in age, sex, race, understanding, and culture. Why do we think we are better than others? Wether weak or strong, we have our own path to play. The intelligent needs half-thinking mind to instruct, for its own, intelligence is surplus to his need.

This admonition puts us aright to put behind us this vices "hatred and envy" and embrace the virtue of "love" which is the central attribute of our God.

Finally, brethren let us close this gap of indifferences and embrace love and peace. Then in doing this, we will be counted among those the tongue of fire (Holy Spirit) will be rested upon.

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

May your Spirit, O Lord, we pray, imbue us powerfully with spiritual gifts, that he may give us a mind pleasing to you, and graciously conform us to your will. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

             The ARCHIVE © 20052021

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

       19th Day with Blessed Virgin Mary

Mystery of the day: Glorious

“Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock..." ( Acts 20:28)

Beloved in Christ, a very beautiful morning to you and happy mid-week. 

It is with joy that we are together again this morning. From our tabloid, St. Paul admonished us with the exhortation:

“Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians, to feed the church of the LORD which he obtained with his own blood."

( Acts 20:28-29)

The admonition, though directly addresd to the elders of the Church, also extended to each and every one of us who have been given one  responsibility or another.

We are being called to serve in various capacities, as parents, teachers, doctors, evangelists, environmentalists, etc. How do we carry out this Clarion call to service?

Today, we are reminded to feed our subjects, bearing in mind the cost of their salvation.

As we go out on our normal duties, let us not forget this injunction. Let it be our watch word, for in doing this; the owner of the vineyard will reward us well as faithful servant. 

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Grant graciously to your Church, O merciful God, that, gathered by the Holy Spirit, she may be devoted to you with all her heart and united in purity of intent. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The ARCHIVE © 19052021

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

       18th Day with Blessed Virgin Mary

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

"This God of ours is a God who saves." (Psalm 68:20-21)

There is no greater love than that which spells hope when situation gets out of hands.  That which provides comfort in distress, lighten the darkest path, and giving out leaning shoulder when there is no support. And that love is God, whose essence is love beyond telling.

From our tabloid today, the psalmist proclaimed saying:

"This God of ours is a God who saves. The LORD our Lord provides an escape from death." (Psalm 68:20-21)

Yes! Only GOD can do this. His love has no cost, no condition attached to it, for the blood of His Son has served as the signature of salvation having paid the debt of our sins in full. 

From Evangelist John in today's gospel pericope, he presented before us Christ's bidding prayer on our behalf.

 "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him." (John 17:1ff.)

This bidding prayer of our Lord puts our cares and worries before God. As such, there is no absolute reason to be worried or troubled. For His love endures forever.

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Grant, we pray, almighty and merciful God, that the Holy Spirit, coming near and dwelling graciously within us, may make of us a perfect temple of his glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

             The ARCHIVE ©17052021

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

      17th Day with Blessed Virgin Mary

Mystery of the day: Joyful

"... and you will be my witnesses."Acts 1:8)

Call to discipleship which we all received at baptism is a call to bear witness and become the harbinger of the good news about Jesus Christ. 

From the richness of our reservoir, Christ whispers to us saying:

"You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon you, and you will be my witnesses, even to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Here Christ promised us the descent of the Holy Spirit - the great teacher, counselor and advocate. 

The coming of the Holy Spirit will renew in us, the unction to function as true believers in the Lord. 

This mandate is devoid of tribulation and difficulties, but amidst this, He has given us hope beyond human telling that; He will not leave us as orphans, and will come again to gladden our hearts. (cf. Jn 14:18; 16:22)

Beloved in Christ, as we wait in joyful hope for the renewal of the Spirit among us, let us rejoice and be glad for He gives the desolate a home to dwell in and leads the prisoners forth into prosperity. (cf.Psalm 68:6-7ab)

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray 

May the power of the Holy Spirit come to us, we pray, O Lord, that we may keep your will faithfully in mind and express it in a devout way of life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The ARCHIVE © 17052021

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

       16th Day with Blessed Virgin Mary

Mystery of the day: Glorious

"Holy Father, keep them in your name..." (John 17:11)

Beloved in Christ, happy Sunday to you and your household with God's bountiful blessing.

It is indeed a brand new day, which He has given to us in abundance. On this great "weekly Easter" we hear our Lord and Saviour praying with a broken heart to His Father on our behalf saying: 

“Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one." (John 17:11-12)

A prayer of love and that of call for unity in diversity, as He was about leaving the earth. His departure, though left the disciples with mixed feelings was indeed a necessity; for the great advocate "Holy Spirit" to come.

This solemn prayer of our Lord, reminded us of God's unfathomable love upon humanity and our dependency on Him.

In the light of this, the psalmist proclaimed:

"For as the heavens are high above the earth, so strong his mercy for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far from us does he remove our transgressions." ( Psalm 103:11-12)

Then, why worry?. When the mighty hands of God is upon us. Rejoice and be glad, for He cannot fail to keep to His promise in our lives. 

Peace, be with you!

Let us pray

Graciously hear our supplications, O Lord, so that we, who believe that the Saviour of the human race is with you in your glory, may experience, as he promised, until the end of the world, his abiding presence among us. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Spirit, one God forever and ever, Amen.

The ARCHIVE (c) 16052021

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

     10th Day with Blessed Virgin Mary 

Mystery of the day: Joyful

"...and you also are witnesses." (cf. John 15:26-16:4)

Beloved in Christ,  good morning and God's choicest blessing upon you and your household. 

Today, being the 10th day with our Lady, we are reminded of the call to be witnesses to the 'TRUTH' which Christ represent. 

Evangelist John in today's gospel reading made it clear this clarion call on us, as Christ Himself proclaimed:

" ... when the Counsellor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me; and you also are witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning. I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God." (John 15:26ff.)

This Divine call, goes beyond ordinary call, but to the level of dying for the sake of the gospel (martyrdom).

As part of this reading reads:

"...indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God."

I  believe, the hour is already here. We are being encompassed, betrayed, persecuted, envied, etc. all because we carry the mark of Christ Jesus. 

Dearest in the Lord, take courage in the Lord, sail on with vigour for our brother St. Paul has said it all that; what we are passing through cannot be compared to the future glory awaiting us. (cf. Romans 8:1 ff.)

Finally, fear not for He is with us now and always. Peace be with you!

Let us pray 

Grant, O merciful God, that we may experience at all times the fruit produced by the paschal observances. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

Kindly, send in your question (s) bothering you on Catholic faith, teaching and practice. We hope to reach out to you on this same platform with an enriching insight.

Warm compliments from The ARCHIVE Editorial Board.

The ARCHIVE (c) 10052021

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

       9th Day with Blessed Virgin Mary

Mystery of the day: Glorious

"If a man loves me, he will keep my word..."  (John 14:23)

   

Good morning and happy 6th Sunday of Easter to you dearest friend in Christ.

It is yet another beautiful day, the Lord has given us, therefore the scripture exhorts us to rejoice and be glad in it,  for our God is faithful.

Today, we are being reminded the need to be hearken to God's Word, as it remains a light to our path. 

Evangelist John, in his writing from today's Table of the Word reported our Lord's exhortation on love saying:

" If a man loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him." (John 14:23)

By implication we cannot say, we love God when we don't keep His Words in our hearts. What does it take to keep the Word? Other than obeying the Divine detects and observances. 

It is in doing this, that we will gain the right of place as His children. 

Beloved in Christ, let our thoughts match with our words, so as to act in accordance with the Divine directive. When we do this, we will abide in His love as His children. 

In the same vein, we need to reciprocates this kind gesture of God with heart of love towards others as St. John has this to say:

  

"Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love."

(1 John 4:7-8)

Finally, let LOVE speaks! Peace be with you. 

Let us pray

Grant, almighty God, that we may celebrate with heartfelt devotion these days of joy, which we keep in honour of the risen Lord, and that what we relive in remembrance we may always hold to in what we do. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

The ARCHIVE  (c) 2021

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

           7th Day with Blessed Virgin 

           Mystery of the day: Joyful

"...I have called you friends" (John 15:15)

Beloved in Christ, good morning with Divine dew upon you and your households. Amen.

Today, Christ certified His mission to reconcile us with His Father, by defining our relationship with Him saying: 

"I have called you friends, says the Lord, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15)

There is no better gift,  than that of 'true friendship' which Christ has established with us. A relationship devoid of race, sex, and every other factor or condition. Not a master-slave or  conditional relationship as we at times experienced among us humans. 

He established the fact that, His choice of us as friends came out of love, and not as a result of our choice.  (cf.  John 15:12-17)

This great call goes with a mandate to be fruitful, so that whatever we ask the Father in His name may be received.  

This fruitfulness calls to mind our relationship with others, for as Christ has loved us, we can only reciprocates this kind gesture by loving one another;  as He commanded us. (cf. John 15:17).

Finally, may our love for one another goes beyond mere words, but be concretized in our actions toward one another.

Peace be with you!

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you 🙏🏼

Let us pray 

Grant us, Lord, we pray, that being rightly conformed to the paschal mysteries, what we celebrate in joy may protect and save us with perpetual power. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The ARCHIVE (c) 2021

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

 

             7th Day with Blessed Virgin 

           Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

"...I have called you friends" (John 15:15)

Beloved in Christ, good morning with Divine dew upon you and your households. Amen.

Today, Christ certified His mission to reconcile us with His Father, by defining our relationship with Him saying: 

"I have called you friends, says the Lord, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15)

There is no better gift,  than that of 'true friendship' which Christ has established with us. A relationship devoid of race, sex, and every other factor or condition. Not a master-slave or  conditional relationship as we at times experienced among us humans. 

He established the fact that, His choice of us as friends came out of love, and not as a result of our choice.  (cf.  John 15:12-17)

This great call goes with a mandate to be fruitful, so that whatever we ask the Father in His name may be received.  

This fruitfulness calls to mind our relationship with others, for as Christ has loved us, we can only reciprocates this kind gesture by loving one another;  as He commanded us. (cf. John 15:17).

Finally, may our love for one another goes beyond mere words, but be concretized in our actions toward one another.

Peace be with you!

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you 🙏🏼

Let us pray 

Grant us, Lord, we pray, that being rightly conformed to the paschal mysteries, what we celebrate in joy may protect and save us with perpetual power. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The ARCHIVE (c) 2021

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

5th day with Blessed Virgin Mary 

Mystery of the day: Glorious 

"Abide in me, ..." (John 15:4)

Beloved in Christ, today the Lord whispers:

"Abide in me, and I in you, says the Lord; he who abides in me bears much fruit." (John 15:4.5)

Obviously,  our existence depends solely on God. For in Him, we live, move and have our being. His closeness to humanity cannot be explained, as His ever abiding presence gives meaning to man.

Today, following Evangelist John, we are being invited to get closer to God in our thoughts, words and actions. For cutting us off from Him, tends toward loosing it out.

The more we get closer to Him, the more fruitful we become with what He has endowed us with. Some of us are called to be speakers, singers, dancers, artists even to the least job one can think of. 

Amidst this, He is ever ready to see us through. Be near to Him, detach from what does not pay and get glued to Him, who is "all in all" for us. 

Peace be with you!

Let us prays.

O God, restorer and lover of innocence, direct the hearts of your servants towards yourself, that those you have set free from the darkness of unbelief may never stray from the light of your truth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The ARCHIVE (c) 2021

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

4th Day with Blessed Virgin Mary

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

"... let not your heart be troubled"  (John 14: 28)

Thus, says the Lord: 

"... let not your heart be troubled" (John 14: 28)

Most often, we are left at the crossroad of life, as a result of  unexpected occurrences, challenge of life, disappointment, sickness and lots of misfortune of life. 

Amidst these situations, God's love upon us remains the foundation on which we build on our survival.

On this 4th day with our Mother - Mary whom we often recourse to, the Church offers us through the Table of the Word these words of our Lord: 

"At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27-31).

What a great gift to the troubled heart!

We need peace, for when it comes, we are comforted, the stormy wind of our lives will be calmed. This precious gift has been given to us at no cost, let us grab it and then, as "Easter People" _alleluia_ will remain our songs. 

Remain blessed in the Lord, as we keep on rely on the maternal assistance of our dearly beloved mother - Mary, _the undoer of knots_

Peace be with you!

Let us pray:

O God, who restore us to eternal life in the Resurrection of Christ, grant your people constancy in faith and hope, that we may never doubt the promises of which we have learned from you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The ARCHIVE (c) 2021