DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

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

MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Sorrowful 

CELEBRATION OF THE DAY: Ferial.

TABLE OF THE WORD: Joshua 24:1-13; Psalm 136:1-3.16-18.21-22 and 24 (R. 1b); Matthew 19:3-12.

THEME: O! give thanks to the LORD.

THE WORD: 

• "O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures for ever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his mercy endures for ever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his mercy endures for ever." (Psalm 136:1-3)

INSPIRATION

Today's Psalm called to mind  the essence of Thanksgiving:

"O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures for ever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his mercy endures for ever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his mercy endures for ever." (Psalm 136:1-3)

 As in the first reading where  Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and recounted the deeds of the Lord. This in fact was also an invitation to give thanks to the Lord for what He has done among them. (cf. Joshua 24:1-13)

However,  on our part how often do we appreciate God for the favours received? Eventhough, in the Church's teaching our thanksgiving add nothing to Him but increases the chance for more blessing. 

The scripture also invites us to a life of thanksgiving no matter the situation; either when the going is smooth or when it is tough. 

Let us therefore be conscious of the fact that, there is nothing that we have, or status we occupy that was not made easy by our God. Let our thought be that of thanksgiving,  our words be: "thank you! thank you!! and thank you Lord!!; and our actions be that of thanksgiving all to God through humanity. 

Peace be with you! 

PRAYER

Eternal Father, we thank You for the love, care and protection we receive from You. In our day-to-day living,  may we live out our lives in thanksgiving to You no matter the situation. We make this prayer 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.

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

(c) The ARCHIVE                        18082023