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