DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

NEW YEAR DAY

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Celebration: Solemnity of Mary Mother of God.

Compliment of the new year from your beloved family: The Archive. It is with joy that we welcome you to this great year of Divine favour with the return of your favourite daily spiritual tonic - Divine Whisper.

"The LORD said to Moses, "Say to Aaron and his sons, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The LORD bless you and keep you: The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. "So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them." (Numbers 6:22-27)

We begin every year with "Aaronic Blessing", the directive given to Aaron from God through Moses. (cf. Numbers 6:22-27). 

Here God gave the pattern of how the people of Israel should be blessed. An assurance that, no matter the situation with the dawn of this year, He will shower us with bountiful blessings.

The similar disposition is being displayed by the Psalmist as he invoked God's blessing, and to make His ways known.

"O God, be gracious and bless us and let your face shed its light upon us. So will your ways be known upon earth and all nations learn your salvation." (Psalm 67:1ff.) 

Dearest friend(s) in the Lord, let us sing with the psalmist who called on God to be gracious to us, as we step into this new year. Every new year brings about new thing, a new hope, a moment of renewal and refreshment. 

Let us rejoice and be glad as He is ever ready to bless us. We pray to the Mother of the Word Incarnate whose solemnity we celebrate today, to interceed on our behalf.

Peace! Be with you 

Let us pray

O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her, through whom we were found worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

© The Archive 01012020

CHRISTMAS DIGEST with FR. PIUSRALOH EFFIONG, SMMM

FEAST OF HOLY INNOCENTS (Martyrs)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

"Indeed, the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 124:7)

Today, being the 4th day of Christmas Octave, we join the Universal Church to celebrate the Feast of Holy Innocents. The martyrdom of these infants by King Herod out of his greediness and longing for earthly power left us with an invitation to live and let live. 

We are being plagued with envy, hatred and unforgivable spirit, because in our thoughts we are better than others. Thus, we staged "an ambush to devour one another." But God who is all and all assured us through the Psalmist today, that we will all be rescued since if we trust in Him.

"Indeed, the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 124:7)

Who them shall we be afraid of? On this memorial occasion of the gruesome murder of these innocent children, King Herod in his hard heartedness thought he is a god, who can disrupt Divine plan in Jesus.

"Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men." ( Mattew 2:17)

But God, the Omnipotence in nature rescued the Child Jesus without him knowing. 

This Divine rescue of Jesus from the Herodian's wrath is the manifestation of our day-to-day survival. Survival from unseen enemies, malicious attack, falling into invisible trap, etc. Since God who is always at work listen to our cries even if we don't cry out; as He knows the secret of our thought. 

Finally, let this celebration reminded us the beauty of contentment, live and let live virtue. If these are being observed with sincerity of heart, then we will conquer.

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

O God, whom the Holy Innocents confessed and proclaimed on this day, not by speaking but by dying, grant, we pray, that the faith in you which we confess with our lips may also speak through our manner of life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE 28122021

CHRISTMAS DIGEST with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY YEAR (C)

Mystery of the day: Glorious

"Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." (Colosians 3:18-21)

Beloved in Christ from this One, Big and Happy Family - The ARCHIVE we send you warm wishes on this great feast of the Holy Family where St. Joseph was placed by God as the head, Our Lady, Blesssd Virgin Mary - the new ark of covenant and Jesus Christ the obedient messiah of humanity.

In this spirit, that we wish to reflect on the rudiments of what family - the domestic Church stands for. Taking cognizance of the Holy Family setting where Father-Mother-Son relationship exist devoid of enslavement of one another as it is the case today in some famiies. A situation where the father subjects the entire family into what could rightly referred to as "bloodline slavery"; where his paternal responsibilities are found in another undisclosed family. 

Today, St. Paul in his epistle to the Church of Corinth avers:

"Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." (Colosians 3:18-21)

This therefore is an invitation to be responsible to our calling as a father (husband), Mother (wife) and children.

Each and every one of us has a responsibility to cater for. Then, in this line of thought let us live out our callings to build up our homes - what the Second Vatican fathers referred to as "Domestic Church." For the beauty of our society lies in our respective homes. 

Finally, let us make our families a home where peace could be seen as the foundation; so that we may grow in harmony for a better society. 

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity, and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE.   26122021

CHRISTMAS DIGEST with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THE SOLEMNITY OF CHRISTMAS

Mystery of the day: Joyful

"The peoplewho walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined" (Isaiah 9:2)

The story of great fall of humanity as a result of disobedience of our first parents was characterized by with three moments: Temptation, fall and judgement. (cf. Genesis 3:1ff.)

This singular event led to the lost of original grace bestowed on man. But amidst this, God did not loose sight of humanity. Even though, the sin betrayed His confidence in man, still He kept him dear to His heart, and thus manifested this great love with the sending of His only begottenn Son as ransom for the iniquities of man. (cf. John 3:16)

Thus, this unique celebration of "Christmastide" - the commemoration of the moment where God "Divinized humanity." A gesture enshrined in "Love", love beyond human telling, love which surpassses every human condition.

It is on this note that, Prophet Isaiah made known the wish of God upon humanity who is under this pitiable condition saying:

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined" (Isaiah 9:2)

However, the necessity of light cannot be over emphasized, as it symbolizes courage. For where there is light fear is no more. 

Today, we are called to be bold and courageous for the great light has come to lead us aright.

Finally, we can only be led by this great light when we put on the garment of love, speaks love and live love among ourselves. 

Peace! Be with you.

Let us prayer

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, as we are bathed in the new radiance of your incarnate Word, the light of faith, which illumines our minds, may also shine through in our deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Merry Christmas to you and your families.

© The ARCHIVE            25122021

SEASON GREETINGS from FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Season Greetings
Dearest friend(s) in Christ,

Greetings of the season, and may you experience rich memories that linger long after the season is gone.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year.
Together with you in prayers.
Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

© The ARCHIVE
          24122021

ADVENT DIGEST with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT YEAR (C

Mystery of the day: Joyful

"O that you had listened to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea; your offspring would have been like the sand, and your descendants like its grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me." (Isaiah 48:18-19)

Obedience remains the signature of every follower. For one to be a good follower and at the same time receive the master's blessing, Obedience is needed.  

Today, in the second Isaiah a new phase of salvation history is being announced with a caveat. 

"O that you had listened to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea; your offspring would have been like the sand, and your descendants like its grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me." (Isaiah 48:18-19)

"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam. 15:22).

ADVENT DIGEST with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN ADVENT YEAR (C)

Mystery of the day: Glorious

Celebration: Solemnity of the Immacultate Conception of lesser Virgin Mary

"He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40: 28ff.) 

When the Scripture says: "the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom..."  (I Corinthians 1:25) We begin to think of the Omnipotency of God, which is one of His attributes. 

That is to say, God is too deep to be deciphered, He dwells in mystery. Any day we understand Him, as He really is; that same day He ceased to be God. 

This therefore follows that, since we cannot understand Him in His mystery He remains "eternal." 

This forms the background of our reflection on this day: Wednesday of the Second Week in Advent. As we continue to journey with Prophet Isaiah who in His utterance as God commanded Him saying:

"He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40: 28ff.) 

This implies that, God is not tired of our situation or too busy to hearken to our plea. He is always there for us in and out of season. His love endures forever as the Psalmist in final song of sheer praise (cf. Psalm 150:1ff.)

In the light of this, When man thinks it is finished, God says "This is the beginning of the Divine manifestation." These words of His from the prophecy of Isaiah reassures us that amidst our limitations, He is always there to give us a leaning shoulder. comforting our distressed minds and healing our wounds.

Let us then walk without fear for He is our strength and light which dispels the darkness on our path.

Peace! Be with you

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you

Let us pray

Almighty God, who command us to prepare the way for Christ the Lord, grant in your kindness, we pray, that no infirmity may weary us as we long for the comforting presence of our heavenly physician. Who lives and reigns with you. in the unity of the Holy Spirit. God forever and ever. Amen.

ADVENT DIGEST with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

MONDAYOF THE SECOND WEEK IN ADVENT YEAR (C)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

"Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you." Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy." (Isaiah 35:4-6)

Here Prophet Isaiah prophecised the joy of the redeemed whom God out love love promised to turn "impossibilities" into "possibilities." 

As a "can do God or God of possibilities" who handles the steering in every situation sets out today to give us assurance that amidst lost hope He will certainly bring back smiles on our faces. 

On this note that He commanded Prophet Isaiah to announce to us saying:

"Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you." Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy." (Isaiah 35:4-6)

For man, wilderness and wasteland are hopeless places where nothing good can come from. But today God change the thought of men around announcing that from these desolate places shall come fertility in abundance. Stating that:

"The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom..." (Isaiah 35:1)

This promise of God gears towards our human condition, assuring us that when man says: "It is finished", God with smiling face says: " It is not yet over, the glory of the later days will return as that of Lebanon." (cf. Isaiah 35:3)

Let our challenges and care be presented to God in prayer. Let fear not grips us any longer, for He is coming with vengeance and recompense of God. 

Peace! Be with you.

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you

Let us pray

With purity unblemished, we, your servants may come, as we desire, to celebrate the great mystery of the Incarnation of your Only-Begotten Son. Who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen.

ADVENT DIGEST with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

SATURDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK IN ADVENT YEAR (C)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: Yes, O people in Sion who dwell at Jerusalem ; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will answer you. (Isaiah 30:19-21)

From the prophecies of Isaiah's later ministry comes today's relection. Here Isaiah announced God's goodness upon His children as long as they keep on hoping in Him.

As we are waiting in joyful hope the coming of our Redeemer, Isaiah reassured us of God's unfathomable love and mercy to change our situations. 

God is always there for us even when we fail out of our weaknesses and inadequacies. 

" ...in the day when the LORD binds up the hurt of his people, and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow." (Isaiah 30:19-26)

He is ever abiding in presence, as He spoke to us through Prophet Isaiah, He will heal our wounds, wounds of rejection, hatred, envy and that of disunity among us.

Finally, let us hope that no matter the situation, He will wipe away our tears. Peace! Be with you.

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you

Let us pray

O God, who sent your Only-Begotten Son into this world to free the human race from its ancient enslavement, bestow on those who devoutly await him the grace of your compassion from on high, that we may attain the prize of true freedom. Through Christ ourLord. Amen.

ADVENT DIGEST with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

FRIDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT YEAR (C)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

Celebration: Memorial of St. Francis Xavier

"Thus says the Lord God: Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest? In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel." ( Isaiah 29:17-19)

God has in His attribute "Love beyond telling." That is why every now and then, He keeps on giving us assurance that it will be well, that we should exercise patient. His Words cannot be futile, since He is always true to it.

In our reflection today, God spoke through Prophet Isaiah saying:

"Thus says the Lord God: Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest? In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel." ( Isaiah 29:17-19)

He is God of possibilities, who is able to bring our water from the desert and turn a mountain into a smooth path. As He promised to bring out sight from the gloom and darkness, with the meek obtaining fresh joy in the Lord.

Let us not separate ourselves from this Divine moment, as we are joyfully waiting for the coming of the Lord. Let our situation not make us to derail from the right path.

May we look beyond the present impossibilities, and move with hope of comfort to the distressed soul, peace in chaos, and light in darkness.

Following Evangelist Matthew in today's gospel pericope, he reported the incident of the healing of the two blind men. Still a "possibility amidst impossibilities." 

"At that time: As Jesus passed on, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" (Matthew 9:27ff)

This healing came out of hope and believe that Jesus can do it. That is why He asked: 

"Do you believe that I am able to do this?"

And they replied in affirmation, Yes! Beloved in Christ, how often do we believe that God is the solution of our problems without relying on our seemingly capacities. Be rest assured that we cannot do it without God, as He continue to control the steering.

Finally, let us be hopeful in God for He will never put us to shame. 

Peace! Be with you

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you.

Let us pray

Stir up your power, we pray, O Lord, and come, that with you to protect us, we may find rescue from the pressing dangers of our sins, and with you to set us free, we may be found worthy of salvation. Who live and reign with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

ADVENT DIGEST with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OTHE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT YEAR (C)

Mystery of the day: Luminous

Theme: Hoping in God

"Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25)

The central theme for the first week of Advent centers on "hope". Hope beyond impossiblilties. Every now and then God invites us be hopeful amidst every challenge that may come our ways.

From today's Table of the Word, we are being instructed to put God's Words into action by building our trust solely in Him.

"Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25)

This agreeable expectation goes with obedience to the detect and ordinances of God. If we say we hope in Him, we must keep true to His Word, in thoughts, words and actions. We are not to be only the hearers but the doers too. That is why Christ said: 

"Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock;..."

(Matthew 7:24)

 

We are therefore invited into the wisdom of God, so that we may not miss the mark. Keeping in mind that, He who builds in God, builds for life. But he who put God off his building plan moves towards doom. 

Finally, let our daily struggle be hopeful that we will get there since God is always faithful to His promises.

Peace! Be with you.

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you.

Let us pray

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come to our help with mighty strength, that what our sins impede the grace of your mercy may hasten. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

ADVENT DIGEST with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT YEAR (C)

Mystery of the day: Glorious

"And he will destroy on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken." (Isaiah 25:7-8)

The central theme of this first week of Advent which is "hope" reassures us of who God is. For the Scripture has said it all: "Those who hope in God cannot be disappointed." Building on this solemn promise, we put on the helmet of hope to get set for the coming of our Saviour.

In the same spirit of hope that Prophet Isaiah foretold of God's readiness to change the ugly story of humanity.  As he prophesied: 

"And he will destroy on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken." (Isaiah 25:7-8)

His promise to uncover every coverage, swallow death and wipe away tears from all faces put us on the "hopeful path" to be alert and keep watch over every situation; so that we may not be distracted by difficulties surrounding us.

Indeed, beautiful days are coming. A day which we will all gather to give out the best smile ever. A day where lion and goat will be exchanging pleasantries without fear, when we will be greeted with all kinds of fortunes. That day is fast approaching. Let us hurry up to meet Him, the eternal King of Peace, with intense preparation.

Finally, amidst our busy schedule, let's focus our minds on the great mantra of this season "Come, Lord Jesus." So that, we will behold Him as He really is when he arrives.

Peace! Be with you

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you

Let us pray

Prepare our hearts, we pray, O Lord our God, by your divine power, so that at the coming of Christ your Son, we may be found worthy of the banquet of eternal life and merit to receive heavenly nourishment from his hands. Who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen.

HAPPY NEW MONTH WITH GOD'S CHOICEST BLESSING