DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF THE EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

Saint of the day

St. David of Wales

He was born in the year 500 A.D. in Permbrokeshire, Wales. His father was Sant ab Ceredig ab Gunnedda, the prince of Keretica and mother Nonna or Nonitta. There is a story that a blind man was cured by the baptismal water, when he was baptized at Porth Clair by St. Elvis of Munster. There is also a story that the birth of David was foretold to St. Patrick by an angel before thirty years of his birth. David founded many churches and monasteries and followed strict life of austerity. Monks in the monasteries of David should pull the ploughs by themselves and no animal should be used. The monks should drink only water and eat only bread with salt and herbs. No personal possessions were allowed to the monks. The monks should not say anything belong to them, including even a book. The first miracle in his life happened when he was preaching in the middle of a crowd during the Synod of Brefi, in a village named Llanddewi, Brefi. When preaching, the ground on which he stood raised to form a small hill and a white dove was seen settling on his shoulder. He was recognized as the bishop of Minerva. His last advice to his fellow monks before death was through a speech during the previous Sunday. He said Be joyful and keep your faith and creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us. His advice Do the little things in life became a well-known phrase in Welsh. He died on March 1, 589 (Tuesday). He was officially canonized by pope Callixtus-II in the year 1120. He is venerated as a patron of poets and vegetarians.

Reflection for the day

Theme: Detach to attach...

"Behold, we have left everything and followed you." ( Mark 10:28)

In the life timeline of every man, acquisition of personal property is primary. The property here may not necessarily mean wealth beyond telling, that which will leave the world in the state of awe, but what will make him or her comfortable. Comfortability here implies getting what one can afford to ensure a better living.

Though some on the other hand, obsessed in deep quest for what matters not, but for empty fame and glory.

It is in the light of this, that St. Peter who was the head of the College of Apsotles asked our Lord:

"Behold, we have left everything and followed you." ( Mark 10:28)

For him, he left his fishing boat, nets and the rest of his properties and responded to the call, like every other whom Cbrist called. Putting this question before Cbrist expressed the attachment which he and others in the Apostolic College had in their material possession.

Though Christ assured them of a 100% return to them, they were still eager and highly anticipated to receive it. Though in material sense of it, they received none, but the eternal reward,  blissfulness, and beatific vision they all enjoyed cannot be compared to their expectations.

Therefore, beloved in Christ, on this last day of the first part of the ordinary time of the liturgical year of the Church, we need to detach from what seems to distract us and then attach ourselves to the Divine Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Let our day-to-day lives become an expression of seeking for God through His Words. In doing this, we will be rewarded as He promised in the gospel pericope of today.

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Almighty and Merciful God, we thank You for the wonder of Your Being. Grant us we pray the grace to let go what may hinder our living in You, and may we attach ourselves solely to You and only You alone. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE               01032022

I wish to welcome you to yet another Season of Spiritual Refreshment with LENTEN DIGEST.

Continue to stay click on us: http://thearchiveveritas.blogspot.com

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

MONDAY OF THE EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Saint of the day

Blessed Daniel Brottier

He was born on September 7, 1876 in France. His father was Jean-Baptiste Brottier and mother Herminie. His birth name was Daniel Jules Alexis Brottier. He was ordained a priest on October 22, 1899 and was teaching in a Secondary school for three years. He then joined in the Congregation of the Holy Spirit in 1902. He was then sent to serve as a vicar in the mission parish in Saint-Louis, Senegal in 1903. He did the missionary work effectively and even published a parish bulletin, The Echo of St. Louis. During World War-I, he became a voluntary chaplain for the 121st Infantry Regiment of France. There he served excellently and was cited for bravery six times. He attributed his survival at the war front lines to the intercession of St. Therese of Lisieux. As a mark of respect he built a chapel for St. Therese of Lisieux at Auteuil when she was canonized. After the war he founded the National Union of Servicemen, an organization of French veterans. He served the orphans at the Orphan Apprentice of Auteuil, Paris. He died on February 28, 1936 and was buried in the chapel of St. Therese of Auteuil. When his body was exhumed in 1962, it was found to be incorrupt and was in the same good condition when it was buried in 1936. 

He was beatified on November 25, 1984 by Pope John Paul II.

Reflection for the day

Theme: Be renewed!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3)

The opening writing of St. Peter in his first letter came with gratitude first to God, then a reminder of His amazing love and care upon us by paying the debt in full; and giving us an undefiled and imperishable inheritance.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3)

What a costly deal! Done and dusted, with a price we cannot afford. 

In the light of this moment in the liturgical life of the Church, as we eagerly waiting to launch into the season of reconciliation with God, that the Church reminded us through St. Peter the need to acknowledge this Divine gesture.

However, in what way have we reciprocate this kind gesture? The answer would be found in the coming few days, as we will be invited to a life of self-emptiness through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. This tripartite invitation certainly serve as the modus operandi of this long awaited season. 

Finally, gird your loin and be ready to bear witness to this undiluted and unfailing love of Christ upon us.

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Lord God, Yours is the earth and its fullness. Thank You for Your faithfulness and love as we eagerly waiting to fully integrate ourselves into the solemn penitential season of Lent. Grant we pray the grace to possess docile of heart and spirit of forgiveness of one another. Through Chist our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                 28022022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Glorious

Table of the Word

1st Reading = James 4:13-17                      Resp. Psalm = Ps 49:1-2,5-10;13       Gospel = Mark 9:38-40

Saint of the day

St. Polycarp

He lived in the antiquity and was said to have born in the year 69 A.D. As per Tertullian, Polycarp was a disciple of John the Apostle, the author of the Gospel according to John. Apostle John converted Polycarp to Christianity and ordained him as the bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp was in communion with the Apostles and others who have seen and talked with Jesus. Irenaeus also reported that he heard Polycarp speak, when he was young. Polycarp followed the eastern practice of celebrating Passover on the 14th Nissan, the day of Jewish Passover regardless of what day of the week it falls. He died a martyr’s death. Polycarp died on a Saturday February 23, probably in the year 155 or 156 A.D. during the Pro-Consulship of Statius Quadratus. He was bound in a stake and was set fire. But the fire did not touch him. So the guards killed him by stabbing with spear. He was killed for his refusal to burn incense to the image of the Roman Emperor. He told them that he served God for 86 years and as such he could not serve the Emperor.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Reflection for the day

Theme: The shortness of human life

"Beloved: Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and get gain"; whereas you do not know about tomorrow. What is your life?" (James 4:13ff.)

Dearest friend(s) in Christ Jesus, I wish to begin this reflection with a thought provoking question, which is an extract from the first reading of today and the last sentence of the central text.

What is your life?

Putting this question before us called to mind our fragility and dependency on God, for we cannot do it without Him. As an unknown author wrote:"There is nothing difficult that I and God cannot handle together.". Yes! He is all-knowing, all-powerful and ever-present among us. 

In our text today, we wish to reflect with St. James who said: 

"Beloved: Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and get gain"; whereas you do not know about tomorrow. What is your life?" (James 4:13ff.)

This serves as a sure reminder of the shortness of our lives and God's supreme power over us. For man proposes and God disposes according to His will and for our good. 

Therefore, we need to commend our plans to Him, He will be there to see to it completion. Though sometimes, we tend to believe in our whims and caprices, our intellect and prowess, but forget that these are of God and God alone. 

The words of the Psalmist put us on the know concerning our dependency on God saying: "No man can ransom a brother, nor pay a price to God for his life." (Psalm 49:7) That is to say, all that we are, have come from God.

Peace! Be with you

Let us pray

Merciful Lord, we acknowledge Your unfathomable love and mercy. Hearken to our plea, we beg Thee, and grant us the grace to put You before every other thing. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE          23022022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

Table of the Word:

1st Reading = 1 Peter 5:1-4

Resp.  = Psalm 23:1-6                                 

Gospel = Matthew 16:13-19 

Celebration of the day:

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter

This is a relic conserved in St. Peter's Basilica enclosed in a bronze casing, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The authority to supervise and to lead the Christian Church was given only by Jesus Christ to St. Peter, the apostle. His original name was Simon.  Peter was the chosen disciple of Jesus and he was with Jesus on all the special occasions in the life of Jesus like Transfiguration of Christ, Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane etc. The Latin word for chair is Cathedra and is used only in respect of the chair of bishops and it is the symbol of the teaching authority of bishops. Therefore the church, in which the official chair of the bishop concerned is placed, is called Cathedral. Since he was the first Bishop of Rome and was nominated by Jesus Christ, Peter's chair acquired much importance. As the leader of the Church he chaired the first council of Jerusalem that made a historical decision that the Christians converted from gentiles need not be circumcised. His authority was respected by everyone in the church. When Jesus asked the apostles about what others talk about Him, Peter was the only apostle who said ''You are the son of the Living God''. Jesus immediately said that this was revealed to Peter by the Father in Heaven. Jesus also told him ''You are Peter (Cephas-a rock) and up on this rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it'' Jesus also told him that He would give the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to Peter'. Jesus also gave an authority to Peter that anything bound by him on earth would also be bound in heaven. This celebration is the celebration of the first bishop of Rome and first Pontiff of the church and his Episcopal authority granted by Jesus Himself.

Reflection for the day

Theme: Tend the flock

"Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock." ( 1 Peter 5:2-3)

Today, we join the Universal Church to celebrate the "Church's Seat of Authority", which could rightly referred to as " the Petrine Seat."  That is, the teaching authority of the Churxh handed down by Christ Himself to St. Peter. The celebration coupled with the readings of the day called to mind our duties as members of the body of Christ - the Church, our active roles in our various homes (the domestic Church), in the society, etc.

This therefore, prompted St. Peter who avers:

"Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock." ( 1 Peter 5:2-3)

The exhortation posed a thought provoking question before us: To what extent have you been able to tend the flock entrusted to your care as a parents, teacher, minister of the word, leader etc.?The answer is personal, with God who knows it all.

It is obvious that, sometimes we failed in our ability to respond (irresponsibility) to the task given to us, due to our shortcomings.

But today, a quick reminder has been given to us to look beyond what we can see at the moment, and be fully aware that an account will be requested from us on how we tend our flock. 

Finally, let us with humility take into consideration the beautiful words of the Holy Father, Pope Francis who called us to put on the image of a "shepherd", then be ready to "smell" like the sheep. If we hearken to this, we will serve in humility and love without disparity and domineering.

Peace! Be with you

Let us pray

Good Shepherd, we thank You for pasturing us day-in and day-out. Grant we pray the shepherd's spirit so that we may tend the flock entrusted to our care with love. We ask this, through Christ our Lord. Amen

© The ARCHIVE           22022022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

MONDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Saint of the day

St. Peter Damian

Peter Damian was born in Ravenna in the year 1007. He was orphaned earlier in life and one of his elder brothers adopted him but employed him as a swineherd. But his another brother Damian, who was then the arch-priest at Ravenna took Peter away, to give him education. Peter studied theology and cannon law and became a famous teacher at the age of 25 years. As a mark of respect to his brother for imparting him education, he added his brother’s name Damian to his own name and called himself as Peter Damian. In the year 1035 he entered the isolated hermitage at Fonte Avellana. He later became the Prior of the Hermitage and remained there till his death. In his hermitage he introduced flagellation or flogging, as an act of methodically beating or whipping one’s own body willingly in religious contexts, as a means of penance. He also introduced the siesta or sleeping after mid-day meals, in the monasteries. He was made the cardinal bishop of Ostia by pope Stephen-IX. He was sent by pope Nicholas-II to Milan to settle a religious problem there. He died on February 21 or 22, 1072 in his hermitage.

He was made a Doctor of the Roman Catholic Church by pope Leo-XII in the year 1828.

Reflection for the day

Theme: He paid in full

"Our Saviour Christ Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel." (2 Timothy 1:10)

Our Lord's Pascal mysteries of passion, death and resurrection gave life assurance to all believers. For through one man (the old Adam) sin and death came into the world, and out of the love and mercy of God eternal life also came from Jesus Christ, who is true God and true man (the second Adam). This divine gesture was to give man hope and assurance after losing it out, through disobedience. 

In the light of this, St. Timothy in his second letter reminded us of this great action of our Lord for the salvation of humanity. 

"Our Saviour Christ Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel." (2 Timothy 1:10)

His coming into the world, was to reconcile man back to his Creator, and to light the path of salvation through His teaching.

Therefore, dearest friend(s) in Christ, we are being called to a life of living in the gospel, being the foundation of our salvation. For through this good news that the sacred mysteries of man's salvation is being implanted. Let the gospel be our guard, let us take it to heart, proclaim it wherever man is found and live it out. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Eternal Word, we are Your children, thank You for the life-giving Word we receive each day. In Your love, grant us the grace to be harbinger of this treasure and live it out for the greater glory of Your name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE              21022022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

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

Mystery of the day: Sorowful

Saint of the day

Blessed John of Fiesole

He was born in a village near Florence in the year 1395. His birth name was Guido di Pietro. He joined in a religious community at the Carmine church on October 17, 1417. He took a new name Fra Giovanni when he became a friar in the year 1423. Fiesole is the name of the town where he took his vow as a Dominican Friar. He was a painter by profession. Pope Eugenius-IV called him to Rome to paint the frescos of the chapel of the Holy Sacrament at St. Peters. Pope Nicholas-V offered the post of arch-bishop of Florence to him but he refused. He painted the scenes of the lives of the martyred deacons in the church of St. Stephen and St. Lawrence in the Vatican. He died on February 18, 1455 in Rome. 

He was beatified by Pope John Paul-II on October 3, 1982.

Reflection for the day

Theme: Show me your work and I will tell you how faithful you are to God.

"What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him?" (James 2:14)

Obviously, faith and work interplay together to produce authentic spirituality. There is that strong synergy for the duo, as they go hand-in-hand with one another to define the genuineness of one's identity as a Christian.

In the light of this, that St. James in his letter reminded us of the essence of this two virtues: "faith" and "work" in the opening verse of the first reading:

"What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him?" (James 2:14)

This therefore implies that, having faith alone does not make one a true Christian. It is an act of doing God's work and forgeting the God of the work. To balance it, it is pertinent to match the two together. As work itself is a divine act, for God Himself work to bring about a better world for humanity. (cf. Creation account in Genesis 1:1ff.)

However, claiming to have faith in God and becoming lazy to various act of goodness like charity, carrying out day-to-day chores to take care of the body, and keeping to the decree of God in the creation account to cultivate the earth (cf. Genesis 2:15) tantamount to what St. James described as "barren faith." 

Finally, let our work define our faith in God. It is through the fruit of our labour, outward shows of love for others that faith in God can be truly expressed. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Merciful Lord, we praise You for the beauty of creation. Grant us we pray the grace to work alongside our believe in You; so that what we see as the foretaste of the life to come, may be experienced in its reality. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                  18022022 

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Luminous

Saint of the day

Seven Founders of the Servite Order

The objects of the Servite Order are preaching the Gospel and the propagation of the devotion to the Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God with reference to Her sorrows. The male members of the Order are called Servite Friars or the Servants of Mary. The members of the Order use the letters O.S.M. that stand for Ordo Servorum Beatae Mariae Virginis. The Servite Order was founded in Florence by seven young people. They were Buonfiglio dei Monaldi, Giovanni di Buonagiunta, Amadeus of the Amidei, Ricovero dei Lippi-Ugguccioni, Benedetto dell’ Antella, Gherardino di Sostegno and Alessio de’ Falconieri. They were later called as Bonfilius, Bonajuncta, Bartolomeus, Hugh, Manettus, Sostene and Alexius respectively. They belonged to seven patrician families of that city and they earlier formed a community of laymen known as the Laudesi or Praisors of Mary. It is said that in the year 1233, they witnessed a vision of Blessed Virgin Mary on the feast of the assumption, advising them to devote themselves entirely to eternal things. Among the seven persons six were ordained as priests except Alexis. But unlike others Alexis lived up to 110 years. Then they went to Monte Senario to have stricter seclusion and Mother Mary appeared to them there also on April 13, 1240 and conferred on them a black habit and asked them to follow the rules of St. Augustine. The first approval for the Order was given on March 13, 1249 by Cardinal Raniero Capocci, papal legate for Tuscany. The Order was suppressed in the year 1270 but was finally approved by Pope Benedict-XI on February-11, 1304 by way of a Papal Bull Dum levamus. 

The seven founders of the Servite Order were canonized in the year 1888. 

Reflection for the day

Theme: Who are you?

"But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." (Mark 8:29)

One of the questions, we often longing to be asked especially by the strangers in the absence of those whom we are familiar with is: "Who are you?"

The answer to this thought provoking question can be given taking cognizance of three camps: 

a. Personalities with show-case identity: Who will tell the stranger who they are, in addition with who they wish to become if time and space permit.

b. Personality with hidden identity: These are those who will like to walk away from the camera, accepting a gentleman regardless of their qualifications and accolades.

c. The personality with borrowed identity: They are those who go extra-mile to introduce themselves as the first set of humans on earth to travel to the moon and return with water.

Of these three camps, one could certainly come to terms that none has really introduced himself. What then is required is our outward show to speak of who we are; and not our vocal expression of whom we think we are.

Today, Christ went into what could be termed as "self-examination" by interrogating His disciples about His identity. Even though He knew who He was, He wanted to drive home a message, to remind us that our identity does not rely on who we think we are; but what others see in us in our day-to-day living. Thus asking them:

"But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." (Mark 8:29)

As Christ followers, who we are defined our relationship with Christ. For us to be true followers, we need to bear witness to the truth, so that our thoughts, words and actions will be confession of the true identity of Jesus Christ as our Lord and master. 

Today, we celebrate seven men whose identity did not give the glory they enjoy today, but their works bore witness to their faith and as true Christians. Every true witness does not defined by identity, but by action. For one can go about with big cross or medal on his neck, regularly wearing of habit or religious garment, but his work does not match with his identity. Such a fellow is nothing but a personality for public show.

Finally, dearest friend(s) in Christ let us live a life worthy of our Christian identity. For when we do this, we are partaking in the propagation of the Gospel.

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Eternal Word, we are grateful for being called to share in the identity and image of the Divine. Grant we pray the grace to match our actions with our identity for the greater glory of God. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                     17022022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Glorious

Saint of the day

St. Gilbert of Sempringham

He was the son of a wealthy Norman Knight Jocelyn and was born in Sempringham in England in the year 1083. He became a clerk in the household of Bishop of Lincoln, Robert Bloet in 1120. He was ordained a deacon and then as a priest in 1130 by Bishop Alexander of Lincoln. But after the death of his father, Gilbert returned to Sempringham and became the Lord of Manor inheriting large properties of his father. He served as the parish priest of Sempringham and lived a very simple and pious life sharing as much as with the poor. He became the advisor to a group of young women living with lay sisters and brothers as a community. The community later became known as the Gilbertine Order, the only English religious order originated in the medieval period with twenty six monasteries. He requested the help of the Cistercians for his Order but they refused since he admitted women into the Order. Then with the approval of Pope Eugene-II, Gilbert continued the community with the addition of Cannons Regular as its spiritual directors. Some lay brothers in the Order revolted against him and pope Alexander-III freed him from the suspicions created and raised by the lay brothers against Gilbert. There was a special custom in the Houses of the Order of Gilbert which was called the plate of the Lord Jesus. The best portions of the dinner were put on a special plate kept on the dining table and the contents shared with poor people. This practice reflected the lifelong concern of Gilbert for the poor people. He died on February 4, 1190.

He was canonized by pope Innocent-III in the year 1202.

Reflection for the day

Theme: He took him by the hand

"And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands upon him, ..." (Mark 8:23)

Beloved in Christ Jesus, warm greetings!

Naturally, man by no means can survive on his own; no matter how equip one could think he is. Every survival depends on a leaning shoulder either to survive or for the sustenance of the survival. 

In today's Gospel pericope, Evangelist Mark presents before us the event of the healing of the blind man. The most striking point of the healing was not the healing itself, but the holding by the hand and leading him out of the village. This scenario, calls to mind a paradigm shift from the crowd to a lonely place. 

Quite alright, the healing would have still taken place even in the village, but Christ needed to leave us with a message. A message of leaving where we think it is a comfort zone, to where we can be what He wants us to be.

Most often, we turned our situation to our comfort zone, thinking that nothing could be done any longer. That every door has been shut, and the key thrown away. Yes! It might be true, but let us not loose sight of Jesus as the master key to every situation.

No matter the situation, we need Him to hold our hands and lead us away from the crowd to where there will be no distraction. So that we can understand the mystery of our salvation. 

Finally, in our busy life, let us make a move away from the crowd, comfort zone, to a place where we can encounter Him as He really is; remembering Abraham our patriarch in faith who also made a move away from his town for the will of God to be done.  Let us therefore, take the lead and move to where He will lead us for our healing of blindness for us to see the effect of our redemption. 

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Almighty and merciful God we are thankful to You for the wonders of Your Being. For You think of us every now and then, even when we don't think about ourselves, grant we pray the courage to move away from our situation to meet You for our healing. Through Cbrist our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE          17022022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TOME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

Saint of the day

St. Claude la Colombière

He was born in a noble family on February 2, 1641 at a place called Saint-Symphorien-d’ Ozon on the way to Vienne from Lyon. He joined in the Society of Jesus in the year 1659 and became a priest. He was later made the superior of the Jesuit House at Paray-le-Monial. There he became the spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. In 1676 he went to England and preached Mary of Modena, the Duchess of York, who later became the Queen of Great Britain. When living in the Court of St. James, the official residence of the British Monarchy, he lived a very pious and religious life. But later in England he was arrested and sent to jail on the allegation that he conspired against the English Monarchy. Due to his position as the preacher of the Duchess of York and also by the protection of the French King Louis-XIV, he escaped death but was exiled from England in 1679. He spent his last years in Lyon as the spiritual director to the young Jesuits. He died on February 15, 1682 at Paray-le-Monial.

He was beatified by pope Pius-XI on June 16, 1929 and canonized by Pope John Paul-II on May 31, 1992.

Reflection for the day

Theme: Faithfulness in the Lord

"Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)

The greatest joy of being a Christian is being steadfast or firm in every situation, bearing in mind that God is at work every now and then.

This believe borne out of trust in God, as we find ourselves in our day-to-day struggle, striving to meet our needs. Sometimes we return with smile, other times with regret. Yes! All these go together to make us total men. 

That is why St. James in his letter today re-awakened our consciousness to trust in God no matter the difficulty we may face daily:

"Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)

He then called for firmness in God amidst every challenge. 

Therefore, dearest friend(s) in Christ Jesus, as we sojourn in this ephemeral abode, let us not loose sight of God in every event. As I often say in my thoughtful reflection: "In solitude, we find the finger of God in every event."

Let our thoughts, words and actions gear toward resignation of all things to His will. If we do this, our minds will be at rest as St. Augustine said: "Our minds are restless, until it rest in God." 

Peace! Be with you

Let us pray

Merciful Lord, we are grateful to You for the wonders of creation and its sustenance. Bless us we pray with the grace to hold it in high esteem by resigning our fate to Thee always. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE               15022022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

SATURDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Saint of the day

St. Apollonia

The details of the birth of St. Apollonia are not known. The details available about her are only the details written by Dionysius, bishop of Alexandria to Fabian, Bishop of Antioch. She was one of the virgin martyrs of Christianity. She was martyred in Alexandria for not renouncing her Christian faith during the reign of Emperor Philip, the Arab. One of the poets prophesied that a calamity could happen in Alexandria due to the presence of Christians there. On hearing this prophesy the people of Alexandria got furious and committed bloody outrages against innocent Christians. But the Government took no efforts to safeguard the Christians from the atrocities of other people. An old Christian man named Metrius and a Christian woman Quinta were martyred in the outrage. St. Apollonia who was a deaconess then, did not flee Alexandria, when all other Christians were fleeing from Alexandria to escape death. She was arrested and was threatened to be killed by fire. Her entire teeth were knocked down before killing her. But she voluntarily jumped into the fire to safeguard her modesty in the year 249. Some people considered the voluntary jumping into the fire by St. Apollonia as a suicide, which is not permitted in Christianity. But St. Augustine considered the voluntary martyrdom of St. Apollonia as a special inspiration from the Holy Spirit. 

She is venerated as the patron saint of dentistry and dental diseases.

Reflection of the day

Theme: The promise kept.

"O Lord, remember us with the favour you show to your people." (Psalm 106: 4a)

True friendship lies in trust, on the ground of human level, when mistrust sets into relationship, the centre could not hold it again, as envy, hatred and doubt become the order of the day. 

In contrary to this, God's promise to His people is always kept despite our shortcomings and weaknesses. To buttress this fact, that the Psalmist today reechoed God's faitfulness in the antiphon of today's psalm saying:

"O Lord, remember us with the favour you show to your people." (Psalm 106: 4a)

In the past, His faithfulness was told everywhere. And in our days, the story is not different. Let us be hopeful that God is in charge and He will do beyond our expectation. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Almighty and merciful God, we thank You for yet another opportunity to see the light of the day, grant we pray the grace to be true to Your words ,so that we may be counted among the elects. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

© The ARCHIVE                1202222

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Luminous 

Saint of the day:  

St. Scholastica

She was born in the year 480 and she was the twin sister of St. Benedict, the founder of the Benedictine Order. She founded a monastery of nuns at Plombariola. Her brother went to Monte Cassino and founded his Benedictine Order. St. Scholastica and her brother St. Benedict used to meet once in a year for joint prayer and religious conversation. St. Benedict never used to stay outside his monastery in any night. During a visit to his sister Scolastica, when St. Benedict tried to return to his monastery in the evening, St. Scholastica requested her brother St. Benedict to stay that night with her in her monastery. But he refused to stay. So St. Scholastica prayed God and there was a wild thunder storm outside and St. Benedict could not return and stayed with St. Scholastica. St. Benedict went to his monastery only next day. But after three days St. Scholastica died on February 10, 547. It is reported by Gregory the Great in his book Dialogues that St. Benedict saw from his monastery, his sister St. Scholastica’s soul leaving the earth and ascending to heaven in the form of a shining dove. St. Scholastica was buried in the tomb prepared by St. Benedict. She is the patron saint of nuns, convulsive children and she is also invoked against storms and rains. 

Reflection for the day 

Theme: Being upright brings about God's blessing 

"...for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen." (1 Kings 11:13)

Obviously, being faithful to the detects and ordinances of God brings about blessing from one generation to another. So was the case of David, whom God delighted in Him and kept to His promise to many generations of his ; which later on became the foundation in which man's redemption came forth -Jesus Christ, who originated from the stock of David.

Amidst the shortcomings recorded by David, God did not abandon him, but stood by him and was faithful to His words. That is why the author of the Book of Kings reminded us today: 

"...for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen." (1 Kings 11:13)

That, for this same sake, He will never punish Solomon (his son), together with his descendants. 

Therefore, beloved in Christ, God's faithfulness is always sure no matter the situation. His plans for us cannot be cut-off come what may, because He is true to His Words now and always.

Peace, be with you.

Let us pray

Merciful Lord, thank You for the wonders of Your Being. We beseech Thee to give is the grace to see in the light of faith Your faithfulness to us. And may we be ever believe in Your Word. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                 10022022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Saint of the day

St. Jerome Emiliani

St. Jerome Emiliani was born in the year 1481 in Venice. His father was Angelo Emiliani and mother Eleonora Mauroceni. He joined in the army in the year 1508. During the battle in defense of Castelnuovo, he was taken as a prisoner. He was released miraculously, said to be at the intercession of Our Lady of Treviso. He was later appointed as the Venetian Magistrate of Castelnuovo. During the time of the plague in 1528, he helped the orphans, whose number increased due to continuous death of persons by plague. He founded a religious society in 1532 and was later raised to a Religious Order by Pope St. Pius-V. Education of the youth was the main program of the Order and their colleges at Rome and Pavia became renowned institutions. He fell victim to a disease and died at Samasca on February 8, 1537.

He was beatified by pope Benedict-XIV in 1747 and canonized by pope Clement- XIII in 1767. He is venerated as the patron saint of orphans.

Reflection for the day

Theme:  The power of the Word.

 "Your word, O Lord, is truth; sanctify us in the truth." (John 17:17)

Every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God comes with power, it illuminates the darkness of our hearts, waters the dryshod land to make it fertile, it becomes hope for the weary minds and succour to the afflicted. 

No wonder the Scripture described it as a lamp unto our feet, which lead us to the greener pasture. 

In our reflection today, we bare our minds with the epistle of Evangelist John in his gospel pericope which forms the gospel acclamation: 

 "Your word, O Lord, is truth; sanctify us in the truth." (John 17:17)

These Words is truth itself, as very truth brings about life in Jesus. Evangelist John in this proclamation prays to God to sanctify us in truth which is His Words.

This implies that, we need to eat the Word as Prophet Jeremaiah, proclaim it as John the Baptist and then lives out like St. Stephen who bore witness to this Truth. We must not die by stoning as Stephen, but day-to-day self-sacrifice will certainly go a long way to make us faithful to this Word, which is Christ.

Finally, let our lives speaks more than our utterances, so that the world will see it and glorify our father in Heaven. 

Peace! Be with you

Let us pray

Eternal Word, You are Truth indeed. Grant, we beseech Thee the grace to live out Your Word in every situation we may find ourselves. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

@ The ARCHIVE                   09022022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

MONDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Saint of the day

St. Colette

St. Colette was born at Corbie in Picardy, France on January 13, 1381. Her father was Robert Boellet and mother Marguerite Moyon. The birth name of St. Colette was Nicole Boellet. Colette's mother Marguerite prayed to St. Nicholas for a child and St. Colette was born when her mother was 60 years old. Her conception was considered a miracle of St. Nicholas. St. Colette received the habit of the Third Order of Francis in 1402. She founded the Colettine Poor Clares, a reformed branch of the Order of Saint Clare. She also founded 18 monasteries. She prescribed extreme poverty, observance of perpetual fasting and abstinence to the members. She used to go to all places by bare foot. When, once she stayed in the house of her friend, the house owner’s wife was having major difficulties in child birth for a third child. Colette went to a nearby church and prayed. The house owner’s wife later gave birth to a girl child and that child later entered the monastery of Colette and became the biographer of Colette (Pierinne). One day a man brought a child, died at birth to the parish priest for baptism. But the priest refused and advised the man to go to the nuns. The man then came to mother Colette and she gave her veil to the father of the dead child and asked him to cover the dead child in it and take to thⁿe priest. When the father arrived at the priest’s house with the dead child, the child was conscious and was crying. The priest then baptized the child. Colette died on March 6, 1447. 

She was beatified by pope Clement-XII on January 23, 1740 and canonized by pope Pius-VII on May 24, 1807.

She is the patron of women seeking to conceive, expectant mothers and sick children.

Reflection for the day

Theme: The healing power of Christ

"... and as many as touched it were made well. (Mark 6:56)

Christ's primary mission was reconciliation of the fallen race to the Father after the great fall. (cf. Genesis 3:1ff.) The reconciliation came in various forms, as He taught the ill-minded to understand the secret of the Kingdom of His Father, and healed the broken hearted, and restorating man back to his wholeness.

This power of healing is what, Evangelist Mark reechoed in the gospel pericope today as he wrote:

"... and as many as touched it were made well. (Mark 6:56)

This is a matter faith, we need to make a move to God in faith. We need a touch of the fringe of His loin. 

Our situations cannot be superior to the grace God has given us. All we need is a movement of faith. 

As we are beginning this week, let us not loss consciousness of His amazing grace in every situation. For He will be there for us. Peace, be with you.

Let us pray

Almighty God, we thank you for Your love and kindness. We beseech Thee, to give us the grace to be closer to You in thought, words and action, so that we may see You as You are. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

© The ARCHIVE            07022022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

SATURDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Saint of the day

St. Agatha

She lived in Christian antiquity and born in the year 231 A.D. She was born in a place called Catania in Sicily in a rich and noble family. At her very young age she dedicated her virginity to God and refused to marry anyone. Since she was very beautiful many persons wanted to marry her or to have sexual relation with her. A Roman Prefect named Quintianus also wanted have sex with her but she refused. So Quintianus brought her before a magistrate for trial to punish her for her faith in Christianity. Quintianus expected that she would relent in the face of torture and possible death. Her breasts were cut off during the torture in prison. She died of the torture in prison in the year 251 A.D. She died in the reign of the Roman Emperor Decius. But before her death the breasts cut off by the guards during the torture, were restored by an apparition of St. Peter to her, in the prison. The intercession of St. Agatha through an apparition to a Benedictine nun is reported to have saved Malta from Turkish invasion.

St. Agatha is the patroness of Bakers, jewelers and also invoked against breast cancer, against fire and against earthquakes.

Reflection for the day

Theme: Wisdom the hub of all things.

"... and God said, "Ask what I shall give you." (1 Kings 3:4ff.)

Man remains a beggar before God, he begs even what he is not needed. As a result of insatiability nature of humanity, man continue to be in constant search for comfort. 

For instance, if God were to put before us this question: 

"... and God said, "Ask what I shall give you." (1 Kings 3:4ff.) 

In sincerity of heart, our various responses will raise dust. Some will ask for food in expense of sanctity of life, wealth in place of wisdom as Solomon did, connection instead of a forgiving heart etc.

In the light of this, that I invite you to reflect with me on what I could refer to as: "Solomonic desire" - wisdom; for he did not desire wealth or connection but wisdom which superceeds knowledge we are all struggling for.

In need, man most often asked for material things which are merely temporal; just to satisfy the present need.

However, we are being exhort to seek first the kingdom of God, and every other thing will be added unto us.

Peace, be with you

Let us pray

Merciful Lord, grant we pray the grace to desire what is immaterial that is spiritual things which we know, as You added more to King Solomon when he asked for wisdom. You will never fail to give us what is good. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                 05022022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

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

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

Saint of the day

St. Joseph of Leonissa

Joseph was born on January 8, 1556 at Leonissa in Italy. His birth name was Eufranio Desiderio and he became a Capuchin at the age of 16 years. He made his novitiate at the Friary of the Carcerelle near Assisi. He was ordained a priest on May 21, 1581. In 1587 he was sent to Constantinople by the Minister General of his Order to do missionary work there. In Constantinople, he was appointed as the chaplain for about 4000 Christian slaves who worked in the penal colony of Qaasim-pacha. He used to walk through the streets by ringing a bell to remind the parents of children to send their children to catechism classes. In the course of his missionary work one day he went to the palace of Sultan Murad-III to preach the Gospel before him. But he was seized by the guards and condemned to death by the Sultan. He was hung on the gallows for three days, held up by two hooks driven through his right hand and foot. But on the evening of the third day, the guards cut him down at near death position only, due to the miraculous intercession of an angel and escaped from death. He then returned to Italy and took up the work of Home Missions in his native province. He preached to poor people and gave them food also. He lived a saintly life. He died in Amatrice on February 4, 1612.

St. Joseph was beatified by pope Clement-XII in the year 1737 and canonized by pope Benedict-XIV in the year 1746.

Reflection for the day

Theme: Beware of Herodian's promise

"Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it." And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom."  (Mark 6:22-23)

Most often we are being carried away with situation, either in pains or joy. This plague our sense of reasoning.Thus,  pushing us to do what will bring regret at the end. We promise to delight the minds of others, even though we know within us that we won't fulfil it, we say what we don't mean, we use "honey coated lips" just to gather people around us.

In the light of this ill-way of life that we invite you to reflect with is, taking cognizance of the Herodian's promise as Evangelist Mark reported in the gospel pericope of today. 

"Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it." And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom."  (Mark 6:22-23)

From the excerpt above, we have seen how King Herod was carried away with amusement of life, he could not had control of his will and wish. He was carried away by mere relationship of friends and leading men and suddenly forgot himself in the midst of the sea. 

On another note, the request of the little girl as directed by the mother would have still been turned down, only if he wish to; but he was afraid to loose his relationship with these leading men in the society.

On our own path, at times we tend to please others in detriment of our relationship with God, to satisfy the immediate hunger, and and go empty stomach afterwards, we sale our hard earned dignity on the plater of  cheap popularity by pursuing empty glory and honour. How long will we continue like this? 

The caveat now is: watch what you think, say and do. Let every promise or pledge made be moderated by reason and right judgment and not by who is to be offended or not.

Peace, be with you

Let is pray

Almighty God, we are grateful to You for the gift of reason and right judgement. In our day-to-day living grant us we pray the grace to be able to seive the corn out from the chaff; so that our lives may be a sweet smelling fragrance before You. We ask this through Cbrist our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE               04022022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Glorious

Celebration

Presentation of the Lord

The Presentation of the Lord is the fourth joyful mystery of the Rosary in the Latin Catholic Church. The presentation of the Lord is mentioned in the Gospel of Luke (2:22-40). Child Jesus was taken to the Temple to perform the redemption of the first born in the family and to complete the ritual purification of Virgin Mary after child birth as per the Law of Moses. When the Infant Jesus was brought to the Temple, Simeon and another prophetess Anna praised Jesus as the savior of the world. As per the Law of Moses every male child that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. Therefore every Jewish boy child must be circumcised and named on the eighth day after his birth. Circumcision was so holy to Jews at that time that it must be done on the eighth day even though the day is a Sabbath day. There was also a ceremony called'Redemption of the First born (Numbers 18:16). Five shekels have to be paid to the priests by the parents of the boy to ceremoniously redeem/buy back the child from the God. Purification after child birth is necessary for the mother. She is considered as unclean for 40 days after child birth if the child is male and unclean for 80 days if the child was female. In the purification ceremony, the mother should bring a lamb for burnt offering and a young pigeon for a sin offering. If she could not afford a lamb, she can bring another pigeon. If two pigeons were brought, it was considered as the offering of the poor. Mother Mary brought the offering of the poor.

Reflection for the day

Theme: 

"When David's time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son, saying, "I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies... " (1 Kings 2:1-4)