DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

Saint of the day

St. Agnes

St. Agnes was a very beautiful young Christian girl of 13 years old and was born in the year A.D. 291. Due to her beauty, many young persons wanted to marry her. But she refused to marry anyone. One person named Procop son of the Prefect of the area, wanted to marry her. But she refused to marry that person also. The son of the Prefect informed the authorities that Agnes was in fact a Christian. She was then arrested and detained in a house of prostitution. She was sentenced to death by the Prefect Sempronius and she was dragged naked along a street. But due to her prayer her hair grew suddenly and covered her entire body miraculously. When the authorities tied Agnes to a stake to burn her, the wood did not burn and the flames went away from her. Legend also says that one person who looked Agnes with lust, lost his eye sight but his eye sight was restored miraculously by the prayer of Agnes. Another true story about her life is that another son of the Prefect died suddenly when he attempted to rape her. But he was also revived miraculously after the prayer of Agnes. Then a soldier beheaded her by his sword and she died on January 21, 304. It is also said that a basilica was constructed in honor of St. Agnes by the daughter of Emperor Constantine. 

She is considered as the patron saint of chastity, gardeners, girls, engaged couples, rape victims and virgins.

Reflection for the day

Theme: The reconciliation of man.

"God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:19)

One of the major attributes of God is His unfathomable love for humanity. Despite man's disobedience which led him to the lost of original grace. (cf. Genesis 3:1ff.)

He did not abandoned man to the whims of total damnation, but still had him at the centre of His thought with the sending of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ for the reconciling of humanity back to Himself. (cf. John 3:16). 

In the light of this, that today's reflection takes its theme from the gospel acclamation:

God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:19)

This reminded us of His love for humanity, and invitation to preach this words of reconciliation to wherever man is found. We are therefore, called to mind this priceless sacrifice made by Christ through His solemn paschal mystery of passion, death and resurrection. 

Let us therefore become the harbinger of this good news through our actions by reconciling with one another, so as to reciprocate this Divine gesture upon humanity. As David did to Saul despite the opportunity God offered him; still he let go and then Saul ended up reconciling himself with Him. (cf. 1 Samuel 24:2-20) 

Finally, as long as we desire reconciling touch from God, we are to put ourselves on the path of reconciliation with one another first. In doing this, we will be reconciled with the Creator of creatures in creation.

Peace, be with you. 

Let us pray 🙏 

Almighty God, we are grateful to You for Your faithfulness. We thank You for reconciling us back to Yourself despite our our shortcomings. We pray Thee O! Lord for the grace to be steadfast in holding this message of reconciliation and preach it in words and action wherever man is found; as we continue to seek the intercession of St. Agnes. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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