DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE 21ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (B)

Mystery of the day: Glorious 

“We worked night and day, while we preached to you the Gospel of God.”   (1 Thessalonians 2:9)

The Church’s teaching on dignity of human labour states explicitly clear that man has the reposibility to toil for his daily bread and with great attention to his dignity as a human person. 

In the light of this that Pope St. John Paul II in his Encyclical Laborem Exercens avers:  "The Church is convinced that work is a fundamental of man's existence on earth." (Laborem Exercens no. 4)

Be that as it may, today St. Paul in his first epistle to the Church in Thesolonica reminded us of this call to duty.

"You remember our labour and toil, brethren; we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you, while we preached to you the gospel of God." (1 Thessalonians 2:9)

For him, he observed with sadness the laziness of the Thessalonians and then exhorted them to pick up their implements and be useful to themselves.

However, the Scripture commanded us to till the earth for our sustenance (cf. Genesis 2:15) And the Book of Proverbs give the consequence of laziness which will result in hunger and poverty. (cf. Proverbs 28:19)

The pertinent questions are: What is your attitude towards work? Do you find joy in what you are doing? 

In our daily toil, we suppose to find God in it. Every work place supposed to be a temple where we encounter God. As a teacher teach so as to inform the ignorant mind, a carpenter fashion out of God's creation (wood) into what gives comfort to man,as a driver provides means of movement to the travellers with all about of diligence. etc. In doing this, we become the Steward of creation.

Finally, beloved in Christ let our daily toil gears toward the glory of God and for the sustenance of human society. 

Peace! Be with you 🙌

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you 🙏

Let us pray 

Almighty and eternal God, we are grateful to You for the wonders of creation. Grant us we pray, that our daily toil may be sown for eternal harvest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.