DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

MONDAY OF THE 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (A)

MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Joyful

CELEBRATION OF THE DAY: St Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

(1894-1941). Maximilian Mary Kolbe was born in Poland. He consecrated himself to the Lord in the Franciscan Order. Filled with love for the Virgin, he founded the Militia of the Immaculate Mary and, with preaching and writing, undertook an intense apostolic mission in Europe and Asia. Interned in Auschwitz during the Second World War, he offered himself in exchange for the father of a large family who was to be executed. He died of hunger in the concentration camp. John Paul II proclaimed him the Patron of Our suffering Century. His life reminds us of the many problems of our time: hunger, peace and reconciliation among men, and the need to give meaning to life and death.

TABLE OF THE WORD: Deuteronomy 10:12-22; Matthew 17:22-27.

THEME: The Fear of God.

THE WORD

The scripture says: "The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom." (Proverbs 9:10). The reminder which today's first reading (Deuteronomy 10:12-22)  made allusion to. Here Moses invited the Israelites to be conscious of the detects and ordinances of God with fear. And that their Fathers came into the land of Egypt in few numbers, but out of God's love they were multiplied in hundreds upon hundreds. 

The gospel pericope (Matthew 17:22-27) on the other hand, presents before us, our Lord who reminded the apostles of His dead and resurrection. And the need to be a patriotic citizen by paying tax and participating in other civic responsibilities.

INSPIRATION

Dearest in Christ, how faithful are we to the detects and ordinances of God, and our civic responsibilities as citizens? This question calls for deper reflection as most often we allow ourselves to be carried away with frivolities of life and then neglect the law of God and constitution guiding us as citizens.

Today, we are therefore reminded the need to be conscious of these laws and at the same time put them into action. In doing this, we are glorifying our God as the Psalmist proclaimed today.(cf. Psalm 148:1-2.11-12.13.14)

Peace be with you! 

PRAYER

O God, who filled the Priest and Martyr Saint Maximilian Kolbe with a burning love for the Immaculate Virgin Mary and with zeal for souls and love of neighbour, graciously grant, through his intercession, that, striving for your glory by eagerly serving others, we may be conformed, even until death, to your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ May the Lord in His infinite mercy bless and keep us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

(c) The ARCHIVE                       14082023