DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

FRIDAY OF THE 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (B)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful 

"....it was not by your sword or by your bow." (Joshua 24:12-13)

Man by nature is insatiable. There is this longing for comfort, serenity, fame, and indepenedncy. 

However, in his comfort zone he sees himself as "all and all" suddenly forgets the power higher than him. Some will be beclouded with intelligence which God blesses them to contribute to the society, or prowess in speech which is meant for encouragement and building up of human society. But with all these favours from God, some men consider themselves independent of the supreme power of God. 

It is on this note that I wish to take our minds back to God’s renewal of covenant with Israelites at Shechem. (cf. Joshua 24:1ff.) 

For the Isrealites they thought of being the most powerful nation not paying recourse to God who out of His covenant with their Patriarchs led them out of Egypt. 

They felt it was within their power. And today, at Shechem God reminded them:

"... it was not by your sword or by your bow. I gave you a land on which you had not laboured, and cities which you had not built, and you dwell therein; you eat the fruit of vineyards and oliveyards which you did not plant." ( Joshua 24:1-13)

This solemn covenant at Shechem geared towards keeping the flame of unity among them alive and fidelity to God during dark days of their lives following the death of Joshua which is recounted in the Book of Judges.

In the same vein, trusting in the unfathomable mercy of God that through Him all things come to be, gives us this inner assurance that:

"....it was not by our sword or by our bow." (cf. Joshua 24:12-13)

Therefore, let us put our trust in God, try our best and leave the rest to Him. For His mercy endures for ever. (cf. Psalm 136:1b).

Peace! Be with you. 

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you. 

Let us pray 

Almighty and merciful God, Yours is the earth and its fullness. We give you glory for who we are, what we have and where we are. For through You and not by our power that we have gotten all these. Accept O! Lord we pray the homage of our lips and daily service to You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.