DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful 

Celebration for the day: St James, Apostle

He is called "the Greater" because his vocation to serve Christ preceded that of the other apostle of the same name. He was the son of Zebedee, and was called by Jesus together with his brother John. James was one of the three apostles, along with Peter and John, who witnessed the Transfiguration (Mathew 17:1) and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mathew 26:37). He was condemned to death by Herod Agrippa and beheaded in the year 44, the first martyr among the apostles. The supernatural dignity of our vocation as Christians requires fortitude in our dedication. Even in the midst of difficulties we should not get discouraged but go to God with confidence, telling him like the apostles, "Possumus! We can!"

Theme: We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed.

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus,..." (2 Corinthians4:8)

The ancient aphorism which says: "The downfall of a man is not the end of his life" has come to to play in today's first reading on this great feast of St. James the son of Zebedee, as St. Paul in his second epistle to the Corinthians' Church avers: 

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus,..." (2 Corinthians4:8)

This implies that, no matter what we are going through God is always there to see us through. He watches our back every now and then. There is no impossibility before our God. Most times when darkness beclouds us, sickness invades our bones, life becomes unbearable and our expectations are being thwarted, then our God the wonder worker whispers: "Be still and know that I am God."(Psalm 46:10)

Indeed, with God we are more than conquerors as St. Paul exhorts us, that despite what we are passing through it cannot be compared with the future glory awaiting us, while assuring us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.  (cf. Romans 8:1ff.)

Finally, beloved in Christ Jesus, let our hearts not be troubled. We need to see beyond the present pains and predicament that, it is for a short while and God in His mercy is certainly having us in mind. In our sickness let us see Jesus, in our tribulation let us see Him, in our doubt let our hope be solely on Him as St. James whose feast day we celebrate today did. For "Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap." (cf.Psalm 126) Peace be with you!

Let us pray

Almighty ever-living God, who consecrated the first fruits of your Apostles by the blood of Saint James, grant, we pray, that your Church may be strengthened by his confession of faith and constantly sustained by his protection. 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                           25072023