DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE 10TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (C)

Mystery of the day: Glorious

I Kings 17:7-16; Matthew 5:13 - 16

Theme: Choose thou this day...

"If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." (I Kings 18:21).

One of the greatest freedoms God has endowed man with, is the "freedom of will."  Man is being given the unction to choose right from wrong, light from darkness, cold from heat through the intellect of senses. 

Sadly, most often, man finds himself at the mercy of temporal pleasure in expense of His creator. For St. Paul, the apostle of Gentiles has this to say:

"For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing." (Romans 7:19) 

Our shortcomings bring about doubt of what God can do, thus, the author of the first reading of today narrated the challenge experienced by Prophet Elijah in the hands of Baalian's Prophets, which prompted him to say: 

"If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." (I Kings 18:21).

The story was quite an interesting one, which explains what it means to have a "raw faith" devoid of iota of doubt.  For true God had to send down fire to set ablaze the water-soaked offering upon the altar (cf. I Kings 18:38).

However, the fundamental question is: How strong is your faith in God? When life turns blue, where do you run to? Do you even remember that God can do it? Or you are being tempted to seek for help outside God. 

Beloved in Christ, as we journey towards the eternal home, let our faith be built in Him alone, for He is the only answer to our problems.

Peace, be with you!

Let us pray

Almighty and eternal God, we praise and bless Your Holy Name. Grant we pray, O! Lord the grace to understand the mystery of our existence, so that we may always turn to You every now and them. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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