DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

SATURDAY OF THE 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (B)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

"...why could we not drive out the spirit?" (Matthew 17:19)

Beloved in Christ, good morning and I trust these words will meet you well. Having gone through thick and thin of this week, indeed we owe God thanksgiving in return for His unfathomable love and Mercy. Look around, you will certainly come to terms that "Jesus is Lord indeed!"

There is nothing so pathetic and discouraging as one who after spending five to seven years as an apprentice in any field of learning but could not withstand the storm of practicalising the theoretical aspect of it.

So disheartening in the sense that, the years of his learning will be questioned. Sampford in the theme of today's reflection.  

"...why could we not drive out the spirit?" (Matthew 17:19)

This came as a result of Christ's disciples inability to cure the child as Evangelist Matthew reported in today's gospel pericope (cf. Matthew 17:14ff.) 

Christ felt bad for their lack of faith and then exhorts them to increase their faith at least to the size of a mustard seed. For if this is done, then absolutely nothing will be impossible.

"Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you." (Matthew 17:20)

For us the hearer of these words, how big is our faith? I mean faith in God and not in man. Does it reach a measuring value? Can't it be quantify? These and many are questions that beg for answers considering our spiritual life. 

In some cases in our spiritual journey we doubt even ourselves, we give room for fear to grip our minds; then leaving God at the point of second choice on our scale of preference. 

So bad indeed! We must not get it aright always for God to be whom we want Him to be, some ugly situations is not to maim us but to strengthen our human weakness. For in this that the grace of God will be manifested in our lives. 

Peace be with you!

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you. 

Let us pray 

Most loving God, we are grateful to You for the wonders of our being. We acknowledge our weaknesses before You. We beg Thee O! Lord to increase our faith that we may see You in every situation.  Through Christ our Lord. Amen.