DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

FRIDAY OF THE 33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (B)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

"My house shall be a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers." (Luke 19:45ff.)

The Church is meant to be a sacred place of worship, where we encounter God as He really is. As a sacred building, healing dwells there, distress souls find comfort and those in prison are liberated. Here in this house, the voice of prayer is never silence. 

Sadly, most of these consecrated / dedicated places have been desecrated both by the "sheep" and the "shepherd". In this very building, betrayal, envy, malice and corruption have been cooked and served on the sacred altar to wailing souls. Fake prophecies and unrefined teachings are routine exercises.

Many homes have been destroyed, marriages broken, relationship turned around through gimmicks, sign and wonders by some shepherds whose duties were to care, guide and tend the flock entrusted to their care.

Also, everything has been monetized, tithing and seed sowing are seen as keys to eternity. Reconciliation with enemies are " old time" letters. Turning to God with broken heart when fallen apart is a story for another day; as prosperity gospel has taken the centre stage.

The mobile Church (the heart) has been desecrated. That is why Christ is giving out this warning: 

"My house shall be a house of prayer'; but you have made it a den of robbers." (Luke 19:45-48)

A call to reset our spiritual attitude toward things of God. Let the Church remains a place of prayer, with sound teachings devoid of sentiment and selfish longing. To the shepherds, change not the homily of the day because those present are the cremé of the society for your selfish interest. What will be will be? Know that God who calls will equip no matter what. Let truth prevails, no matter whose feather is hemmed and ox is gored. 

Peace! Be with you

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you

Let us pray

God Almighty, we thank You for the gift of Your Church. Grant we pray the grace for us to preserve the holiness and dignity accorded her. May our words and actions be pleasing to You. And may our prayers in Your house be like the sacrifice of Your servants Abel, Abraham and Melchizedek the High Priest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen