DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

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

Mystery of the day: Joyful 

"...choose this day whom you will serve,... but as for me and my house, we will serve  the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)

One of the fascinating facts about human life is longing for treasure. Having found it he will value it with all that is in him.

Beloved in Christ, the pertinent question is: Where lies our treasure(s)? If it is on earth, there our minds will be. If it is in Heaven, we will be longing to get there.

Sadly, we find ourselves desiring for what does not last the day.

Today, Joshua having recounted the goodness of the Lord upon the Israelites, how God fed them, brought them out of captivity, gave them a greener pasture. He then asked them to choose whom they are to serve.

"...choose this day whom you will serve,... but as for me and my house, we will serve  the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)

 This was the last part of the covenant renewal he made to God with Israelites at Shechem before he died.

And so, it was the signing of edict, affirmation and certification made, not to depart from the right path but hold on to God in every situation.  

Obviously, out of our continuous longing for comfort we abandon God the creator of all things and channel our interest to what He created. Thus, giving the right of place to material things in place of God. 

Such of those acts are:

* Taking time to watch a favourite programme, in expense of saying our prayers.

* Meditating on where we kept our treasures such as our bank transactions, business deals, friendship instead of heavenly realities which suppose to occupy our minds.

* Rushing out of Church before dismissal to catch up with friends at a party.

* Going to Church when we are less busy, instead of making it a priority despite tightly schedule programmes. 

And so long the list...

Dearest in the Lord, let us know when to close the page of materialism and open the chapter for Godly things. When we do this, thought about God will be our priority in our daily diary. May the Lord give us the grace to be focused on Him and Him alone. 

Peace! Be with you.

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you. 

Let us pray

Merciful God, we are eternally grateful to You for the love, care and concern. The wonders of Your creation amazed us. We pray Thee O! LORD to strengthen us in our frailty and grant us the grace to see You in creation. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.