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.

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