DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE 13TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR

Mystery of the day: Luminous 

Celebration for the day:  St Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr

(1890-1902). She was born near Ancona (Italy). The daughter of a poor peasant family, Maria was well known to her neighbours for her cheerfulness and piety. When she was twelve she became a victim of aggression. She preferred to die rather than to lose her virginity.

Theme: Be healed...

... He then said to the paralytic--"Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. (Matthew 9:5)

Healing has been one of the desires of human race, as man happen to experience ailments, set backs, tribulations, etc. In order to get rid of this, healing becomes a necessary phenomenon for restoration.

It is in the same spirit that Evangelist Mattew in today's gospel pericope presents before us an account of the healing event of the paralytic by our Lord against the wish of the Scribes and Pharisees. (cf. Matthew 9:1-8)

However, in our day-yo-day experiences, we may be engulfed with difficulties, but amidst this, God is always at work, holding steadily the steering as He did to the Paralytic today, when He said: 

"Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. (Matthew 9:5)

In the same vein, with trust in God, the first reading taken from the first book of Pentateuch exposes the power of faith in God when the going is tough. (cf. Genesis 22:1-19). Here we saw the young Isaac questioning his father  (Abraham) about the lamb for the sacrifice having seen other items meant for the burnt offering. 

Consequently, this question provoked in Abraham a trust in God when he said: "God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." Indeed, God provided the lamb at the long run for the burnt offering.

Beloved in Christ, what difficulties do we experience in our lives and families? Have we actually present them to God in prayer with trust? If not, today's Word reminded us that God is a great provider, a healer, and comforter. Let us see God in every trial we are passing through and indeed He will be there to rescue us. Peace, be with you!

Let us pray

O God, author of innocence and lover of chastity, who bestowed the grace of martyrdom on your handmaid, the Virgin Saint Maria Goretti, in her youth, grant, we pray, through her intercession, that, as you gave her a crown for her steadfastness, so we, too, may be firm in obeying your commandments. 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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