DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

SATURDAY OF THE 26th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day:  Joyful

Celebration: St Theresa of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church or Our Lady, Queen of Nigeria

(1873-1897). Born in France. While very young, she entered the monastery of the Carmelites of Lisieux. She was outstanding for her humility, simplicity, and confidence in God. She offered her life for the salvation of souls and for the Church.

Table of the Word:   Job 42:1-3.5-6.12-17;  Luke 10:17-24

Theme: The possibilities of our God.

"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted." (Job 42:1)

Most often man finds himself at the cross road of life, with multiple choices. He is left with nothing to hold on, as many questions beg for answer in his mind. The famous question "Quo vadis?" - (where are you going?). 

Amidst this challenge engulfing us, let is take our minds back to Job's situation which the first reading throughout this week recounted. At the beginning, we saw Job causing the day he was born, opted for stillbirth (cf.  Job 3:1-3.11-17.20-23) 

I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you

Reflection for the day:Peace, be with you!

Let us pray.

 Amen.

© The ARCHIVE               01102022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

SATURDAY OF THE 25th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Joyful 

Table of the Word:  Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8;   Luke 9:43-45

Theme: Be conscious of the end of the beginning.

“Remember your creator in the days of your youth before the dust returns to the earth and the spirit returns to God.” (Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8)

Reflection for the day:

Every now and then, the Holy Mother Church keeps on reminding us of that "day of days," when neither know the hour not the second is known. To some who trust in their chariots and horses life is endless, for they see eternity in their wealth. Many pray for this day not to come soon, even at old age. 

Amidst this conviction what will be, will certainly be for God has the final say.

In the light of this, that the author of the book of Ecclesiastes - Qoheleth in his continuous definition of human existence avers:

“Remember your creator in the days of your youth before the dust returns to the earth and the spirit returns to God.” (Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8).

The first chapter of this same book gave us the synopsis of the emptiness of human existence that outside God every struggle is vanity of vanities.

"Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?" (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3).

For with God, we find fulfilment, solace and serenity. He is over every other creature in creation as He remains eternal Creator.

Therefore, now that we are vibrant and youthful, what seed are we planting? What is the expectation of our produce? Where do we bank our trust and hope? These and many are thought provoking questions without ready-made answers for we need self-introspection. It is only when we discern on this that we will be able to know where we are heading to. 

However, let us keep in mind that life is procession and never a recession but as a procession, "Where am I heading to?" should be the question. 

Finally,  I left us this morning with this fundamental question "Where am I going to from here?" Peace, be with you!

Let us pray

Merciful Lord, Yours is the earth and its fullness, accept we pray the homage of our lips. And grant us the grace to be ever conscious of our last days, where we will be judged according to our thoughts, words and actions. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 Amen.

© The ARCHIVE               24092022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE 25th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Luminous 

Celebration:  St Maurice & Companions, Martyrs (Optional Memorial)

Maurice was an officer of the Theban Legion of Emperor Maximian Herculius' army, which was composed of Christians from Upper Egypt. He and his fellow legionnaires refused to sacrifice to the gods as ordered by the Emperor to insure victory over rebelling Bagaudae. When they refused to obey repeated orders to do so and withdrew from the army encamped at Octodurum (Martigny) near Lake Geneva to Agaunum (St Maurice-en-Valais), Maximian had the entire Legion of over six thousand men put to death.

Table of the Word:  Ecclesiastes 1:2-11; John 14:6

"Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?" (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3)

Theme: The emptiness of life. 

Reflection for the day:

When the author of the book of Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth) in the beginning part of the book of Ecclesiastes gives the résume of the reality of human existence outside God. For him, God is over everything, as every other creature in creation is dependent on God. Which outside God is vanity of vanities.

In the light of this, he avers:

"Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?" (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3).

It is therefore a truism that the toil of man day and night to make ends meet is void. Void in the sense that, outside salvation of soul our struggles are for nothing. 

In today's gospel acclaimation Christ reassured us in these words:

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, but by me." (John 14:6).

Therefore, if we put our trust in Him then, our day-to-day toil will never be in vain but a seed sowing for eternal harvest which we all long for.

Finally, let us be ever conscious of our shortcomings and then be focused in our daily living. Peace, be with you!

Let us pray

Almighty and ever living God, we thank You for the wonders of our being. Grant we pray the grace to be faithful in our day-to-day toil with hope and trust in You. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE               22092022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE 24th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Glorious

Celebration: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The public veneration of the Holy Cross dates from the fourth century. Today the Church commemorates the rescue of the true Cross of Christ by Emperor Heraclius in a victory over the Persians. Our Mother the Church sings of the triumph of the Holy Cross, the instrument of our salvation. In order to follow Christ, the Christian must take up his cross and become obedient with Christ, who was obedient until death, even death on the Cross. We are identified with Christ on the Cross. We become co-redeemers, sharing in Christ's Cross.

Table of the Word:  Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17

Theme: The glory of the CROSS

Reflection for the day

"So Moses made a bronze serpent, and set it up as a sign; and if a serpent bit any man, he would look at the bronze serpent and live." (Numbers 21:9)

Indeed, "in the CROSS there is SALVATION." The salvation brought about by the Cross goes beyond human thought and imagination. To some the salvation supposed go to the rich, famous and créme of our society. Others seem to personalized the salvation; but in the wisdom of God salvation is for many who holds tenaciously to the detects and ordinances of God.

In today's first reading, the author of the book of Numbers gives an account of the Israelites' ingratitude to God and Moses, lamenting over what was not necessary at that point in time. Out of anger, serpent was sent to sting them as a result of this ill-acts. 

As a loving God, He then reversed His decision with a command to Moses to turn the same agent of destruction to salvific symbol which in time will become universal channel of salvation for humanity.

"So Moses made a bronze serpent, and set it up as a sign; and if a serpent bit any man, he would look at the bronze serpent and live." (Numbers 21:9).

Then Moses did as rightly mandated. The very act which later in history manifested itself in the salvation history of humanity with the emptiness of Jesus our Lord and Saviour (kenosis) to become the victim for our sake (cf. Philippians 2:6-11).

This springs up from the already promise God made to humanity through Abraham out of love for man, which was renewed in the new age, with the sending of Jesus Christ to reconcile humanity with the divinity after the great fall (cf. Genesis 3:1). And Christ coming absolutely changed the human history and restored man to his originality in God.

As we celebrate the exaltation of the symbol of our faith and salvation today, let us lay our hope and trust under the foot of the Cross, be proud to associate with it through perseverance in our daily struggle. There and then we will be happy Christians., for in the Cross lies salvation and glory of humanity in Christ. Peace, be with you!

Let us pray

O God, who willed that your Only Begotten Son should undergo the Cross to save the human race, grant, we pray, that we who have known his mystery on earth may merit the grace of his redemption 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.

© The ARCHIVE               14092022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF THE 24th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

Celebration: St John Chrysostom (Bishop and Doctor of the Church)

(349-407). Born in Antioch. He was a great genius, whose powerful eloquence earned him the name Chrysostom, "the golden-mouthed". He entered monastic life and then became a priest. As Archbishop of Constantinople, he distinguished himself for his preaching and his abundant writings about Catholic doctrine and Christian life. He died in exile.

Table of the Word:   1 Corinthians 12:12-14.27-31; Luke 7:11-17.

Theme: Unity in diversity.

Reflection for the day

"Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12). 

The celebration of the Holy Eucharist invites every now and then to oneness in the Lord. It gives us sense of belonging and identity as sons and daughters of God. Though many we are but one with body of our Lord.

In line with this, that St. Paul in his first epistle to the Corinthian Church has this to say:

"Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12). 

Therefore, beloved in Christ how unified are we? Are we suppose to castigate one another or help build one another in his/her weakness? How often do we give leaning shoulder to the weak? Do we appreciate the gift we find in one another? These and many other are our obligations as Eucharistic people, who are one in the Lord, though many with different ideologies and backgrounds; but with the Lord we are one body in Him.

Let love rule and appreciation of ones gift, for we were not called to be "all and all" but each is blessed according to his/her effort.

Finally, let our efforts gear toward unifying our diversified nature for the greater glory of God. Peace, be with you!

Let us pray

Almighty and eternal.God, Yours is the earth and it's fullness. Grant we pray the grace to eschew every kind of differences and embrace oneness in You. We ask this through Cbrist our Lord.Amen.

© The ARCHIVE               13092022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

MONDAY OF THE 24th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Celebration: Most Holy Name of Mary

The feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary began in Spain in 1513 and in 1671 was extended to all of Spain and the Kingdom of Naples. In 1683, John Sobieski, king of Poland, brought an army to the outskirts of Vienna to stop the advance of Muslim armies loyal to Mohammed IV in Constantinople. After Sobieski entrusted himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he and his soldiers thoroughly defeated the Muslims. Pope Innocent XI extended this feast to the entire Church.

Table of the Word:  1 Corinthians 11:17-26.33;  Luke 7:1-10

Theme: The unconditional love of God.

"God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son; that whoever believes in him should have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Reflection for the day

Beloved in Christ, praise be to Jesus both now and forever more, Amen. 

Today from the Table of the Lord, the gospel acclamation gives a résume of the two readings with a reminder of how God loves humanity. 

The love of God upon human race is a paradox, a mystery in the sense that most human actions does not reciprocate this kind gesture in positivity rather, it pays back with renewal of blows and pains on our Lord. Amidst this, He still loves.

In view of this, that Evangelist John has this to say: 

"God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son; that whoever believes in him should have eternal life." (John 3:16).

A sure reminder that He remains a loving God, and Love is His attribute. He loves beyond measure, to the extent of giving out His only begotten as a ransom for the debt of our sinfulness. What a greater love! 

Above all, the Son sent for the redemption of man became a victim lamb slain and then left Himself in the Most Holy Eucharist at the last supper. This gesture invites us to oneness in Him which St. Paul in the first reading avers: 

"When there are factions among you, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat." ( 1 Corinthians 11:17-26.33)

However, how do we respond to this gratuitous love of God among ourselves? How much do we love others as we love ourselves? Let us therefore, speak the language of love, think of the love showered upon us despite our failings; there and then we will come to the realization that: "God is love." Peace, be with you!

Let us pray

Merciful Lord, we thank You for the gift of your Son to us out of love. Grant we pray the grace to love others as we love ourselves, for in doing this that we come to the full realization of Your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE               11092022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Monday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)

Mystery of the day: Joyful 

Table of the Word: 1 Corinthians 5:1-8; Luke 6:6-11

Theme: Be renewed...

"Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed." (1 Corinthians 5:7)

Conversion of sinners and reconciliation to the Father was at the centre of the public ministry of Christ. He displayed this through teaching and healing. Though some were not interested out of ignorance but many who admitted His teaching in Spirit and Truth were saved.

On account of this that, St. Paul in his first epistle to the Corinthian Church admonished his hearers thus:

Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed." (1 Corinthians 5:7).

This Pauline's writing invites us to put on a new cloak, a cloak of righteousness, purity of heart and mind so that we may be worthy of the Christian identity. 

To butttres this point, the Psalmist in today's response avers:

"Lead me, Lord, in your justice." (Psalm 5:9a)

This humble prayer of the Psalmist puts us on the know that we cannot do without God, and He is there to salvage our inadequacies. 

Let us therefore, beloved in Christ, think beyond this ephemeral realities and focus on the beyond. It is in doing this that our old leaven will be turned into a new lump. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Merciful Lord, thank you for Your faithfulness and love. Grant we pray the grace go change our whithered cloak and put on the cloack of righteousness so that on the last day, we may see You in reality. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                05092022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)

Mystery of the day: Joyful 

Celebration: St Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church

(540-604). He was a Prefect of Rome and later became a monk. He was papal legate at Constantinople. Five years after returning to his monastery, he was elected pope. He greatly influenced the life of the Church. He unified the liturgy and compiled the Gregorian chant named after him. One of Gregory's most far reaching actions was to send missionaries to England. This was to have been prompted by the sight of fair-haired Anglo-Saxon youths exposed for sale in the Roman slave market. He wrote many works on morals and dogma.

Table of the Word: 1 Corinthians 4:6-15; Luke 6:1-5

Theme: Be boastful in the Lord.

"What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?" (1 Corinthians 4:7)

Beloved in Christ, it is obvious that we all are dwelling in God's abundance, His gratuitous blessings upon us cannot be over-emphasizd. 

Indeed, we are nothing without Him, our beings solely depend on Him and only Him alone. 

Taking cognizance of this reality that St. Paul in his first epistle to the Corintnian Cburch avers:

"What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?" (1 Corinthians 4:7)

Many at times, we are being caught up in the web of pride, thinking that: who we are, where we are and what we have are the products of our efforts. Though our efforts may contribute to it but the primordial cause or foundation is God Himself. We need to acknowledge this fact, else we will be dwelling in foolish paradise where pride, ego and self-sufficiency will certainly becloud our vision.

Let us therefore, boast in the power of the resurrection as the beginning and end of our existence; for nothing last forever except the Word of God. Let this Word nurture our hearts and grant us the grace to be faithful to all that was entrusted to our care for the salvation of our souls, glorification of our God and betterment of others and the society we live in.

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

O God, who care for your people with gentleness and rule them in love, through the intercession of Pope Saint Gregory, endow, we pray, with a spirit of wisdom those to whom you have given authority to govern, that the flourishing of a holy flock may become the eternal joy of the shepherds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                03092022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful 

Table of the Word: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5;  Luke 5:33-39

Theme: We are stewards of the Sacred Mysteries.

"I am the light of the world, says the Lord; he who follows me will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

The scripture aims at nurturing us every now and then as stewards of the mysteries entrusted to our care as Christians. Our call to service in Chriat makes us stewards and caretakers of these mysteries. That is why the gospel acclamation of today gives the better understanding of the first reading when Christ says:

"I am the light of the world, he who follows me will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

For us to be accountable steward which St. Paul in his first epistle to the Corinthians Church reminded us of as custodians of the sacred mysteries through sacrament of baptism, which entails trustworthiness and accountability (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5).

However, how trustworthy are we? The answer to this question can only be answered only by each person. Let us search our minds to see how accountable? If we are not, we need to make sincere effort so that when the Master return we may have a clean-record to present. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Merciful Lord, great is Your faithfulness and love. Grant we  pray the grace to be accountable steward in our day-to-day living, so that on the last day, we may behold You as you are. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                02092022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful 

Table of the Word: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5;  Luke 5:33-39

Theme: We are stewards of the Sacred Mysteries.

"I am the light of the world, says the Lord; he who follows me will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

The scripture aims at nurturing us every now and then to be stewards of the mysteries entrusted to our care as Christians. Our call to service in Chriat makes us stewards and caretakers of these mysteries. That is why the gospel acclamation of today gives the better understanding of the first reading when Christ says:

"I am the light of the world, he who follows me will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

For us to be accountable steward which St. Paul in his first epistle to the Corinthians Church reminded us of call of custodians of the sacred mysteries through sacrament of baptism, which entails trustworthiness and accountability (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5).

However, how trustworthy are you? The answer to this question can only be answered only by each person

 Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

 Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                02092022