DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

FRIDAY OF THE 12TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

Theme:  In His power we are healed.

"...Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." (Matthew 8:2)

The public ministry of our Lord revolved around the salvation and reconciling of humanity with Divinty after the great fall (cf. Genesis 3:1) which God Himself promised out of love as Evangelist John in his writing reminded us saying: 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

The salvation here entails healing and healing in turn goes beyond physical infirmities. At every point in time, we are being plagued with infirmities both physically and spiritually, as such we need a physician who will heal us. In the physical state, the physician only treats but healing proper comes from the Lord, but in the spiritual realm, God does both the treatment of the ailment and healing. 

It is line with this that the Leper in the gospel reading having seen Jesus made a humble gesture then requested Him if so desire to heal him. 

Firstly, he acknowledged the healing power of Christ, when he said:  "...Lord, if you will, ..." (Matthew 8:2). Secondly,  he concluded with the request: "you can make me clean." 

Consequently, this historic biblical event puts before us what God can do and further invites us to a life of faith in Him, that no matter how difficult the situation may be, God will still make a way. We can as well see this in the first reading when God, despite the impossibility of Sarah to conceive according to human calculation, He (God) broke the bars of barreness by promising Abraham a child from Sarah even at old age (cf. Genesis 17:1.9-10.15-22)

Beloved in Christ, from today's table of the Word we have seen how God worked in a miraculous way beyond human thought, nay: the healing of the leper and conception by Sarah at old age. Why then are we afraid? We have no cause to be afraid for having considered what He did in the past, we have no fear for tomorrow. 

In many occasions and events, He has been calling us to walk away form the darkest part of the night into the wonderful light in Christ Jesus through words and actions.

However, in other to do this we need to walk before Him in upright of heart through our relationship with one another, sharing our joy and pains together. In doing this, healing beyond human telling will be our lot.

Peace, be with you!

Let us prayer

Merciful Lord, You are the beginning and the end, we thank You for the many blessings we receive from You especially that of the healing of our infirmities. Grant we pray the grace to acknowledge your ever-abiding presence in our neighbours so that we can feel the aura of Your day-to-day touch. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                            30062023

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF THE 12TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

Theme: Judge not, if you are to judge be perfect first.

"So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:13)

One of the fascinating facts about humanity is desire for comfort zone for oneself no matter what it takes. While some get satisfaction in the pain of others, to the extent of glowing in tearful sacrifices of the downtrodden. 

To redress this abnormality, God in His justice through Evangelist Matthew in today's gospel pericope avers: 

"So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:13)

This is a clarion call on us to be cautious in treating one another for whether we like it or not, sooner or later we will be given the same judgement we give out to one another. 

Let us begin to judge whenever we are perfect if not let us pray for one another, for the scripture says: "If the Lord were to mark our iniquities, then none of us will survive. 

Finally, condemn not, so that you shall not be condemned. 

Peace, be with you!

Let us pray

Almighty and eternal God, we thank You for the precious gift of Your Word. Accept we pray our daily struggle with the grace to treat one another as we want us to be treated. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                            27062023

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE 11TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR

Mystery of the day: Glorious

Theme: Be generous!

"He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ...You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:6;11)

It was Pope St. John Paul II who avers: "No one is too poor to give, and no one is too rich to receive." Therefore, building on this premise, we come to the understanding that as human race be it a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or any other religion we are bound to give out our service to others. The service here goes beyond material gift, but words of consolation, leaning shoulder with words like: "it is well with you" ; "Cheer up" ; "God loves you" etc. heals wounds without medication.

In our reflection this morning, St. Paul in his second letter to the Corinthian Church invites us to the life of generosity with these beautiful words:

He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ...You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:6;11)

This posses a fundamental question before us, questioning who, when and how to give? The answers to these mind blowing questions can be found around us, as we are to "give to all",  "at all times", and in a "respectable manner" else our charity becomes insult on one another. 

Beloved in Christ, we have a shared responsibility in our various domain to preach the gospel in action without words again; for many times we end with words without action.

Let our teachings, be reflected in action for the greater glory of God our Creator. 

Peace, be with you!

Let us pray

Dearest Lord, we acknowledge Your presence in every situation we find ourselves. Grant we pray in moment of affluence we may know that there are many out there in need, when we are in need may we never forget that You are a great provider. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                            21062023