DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Celebration: Memorial of St. Alphonso Liguori.

Texts: Jeremiah 28:1-17; Matthew 14:13-21   

Theme: The power in the Word.

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4)

The world of God is alive and active, it pierce the stony hearts, it comforts, heals and consoles. That is why the scripture avers that, everything that God created will pass away but not His Word.

On this first day in the eight month, the Church presents us the efficacy of the Word in the Gospel acclamation.

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4).

A call to remind us that, man cannot live on bread alone, for we will eat, get satisfied and at the long run we will get hungry again. But the Word of God, leaves us with indelible mark, something to remember, and gives us hope beyond our expectations.

Why then do we hang on worries of life instead of the Word? Why craving for subtle things of life? Why do our lives depend on what we have instead of the Word? In response to these thought provoking questions, that the Psalmist have this to say:

Keep me from the way of falsehood; grant me mercy by your law. Teach me your statutes, O Lord. (Psalm 119:29; 68b).

To understand the efficacy of the Word of God, we need wisdom so as to enlighten the darkness of our hearts; for many times, our thoughts fail us because it is not grounded in the Word rather on ephemeral things of the world which doesn't stand the test of time. 

Finally, as we celebrate the memorial of St. Alphonus Liguori today, let us seek his intercession for us to allow the Word of God to penetrate our hearts, lead us and above all direct our path. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

O God, who constantly raise up in your Church new examples of virtue, grant that we may follow so closely in the footsteps of the Bishop Saint Alphonsus in his zeal for souls as to attain the same rewards that are his in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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