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.

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