DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY  THE 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (A)

MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Luminous 

CELEBRATION OF THE DAY:  

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The public veneration of the Holy Cross dates from the fourth century. Today the Church commemorates the rescue of the true Cross of Christ by Emperor Heraclius in a victory over the Persians. Our Mother the Church sings of the triumph of the Holy Cross, the instrument of our salvation. In order to follow Christ, the Christian must take up his cross and become obedient with Christ, who was obedient until death, even death on the Cross. We are identified with Christ on the Cross. We become co-redeemers, sharing in Christ's Cross.

TABLE OF THE WORD: Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17.

THEME:  In the Cross there is salvation. 

THE WORD: 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world." (John 3:16-17)

The loving gesture of God can never be under estimated as it goes beyond boundaries amidst our insufficiency He kept true to His Words. As we celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross today, the Church reminds us this Divine attribute of love according to Evangelist John in the gospel pericope:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world." (John 3:16-17)

Though popular saying but with deep teaching for us. It is the summary of the reconciliation of humanity with Divinty.  

INSPIRATION 

The wood of the Cross remains the symbol of victory and salvation for every Christian who persevere in his or trial. For it is through passion experience that we identify with Jesus; who on His part emptied Himself and became obedient unto death. He did not only do that, He also took the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. (cf. Philippians 2:6-11)

However,  Christ's kenosis (self-emptiness) becomes a gateway for our salvation because He stripped Himself of every glory so that you and I can be glorified. He became obedient unto death so that we can have life eternal, and He became nothing to pave way for us to become something.

Consequently,  what have we done to reciprocate this kind gesture of His? Is our lives reflect the gospel which He died for? To what extent have we gone in living out the gospel ideals? These and many other mind blowing questions call for deep reflection today as we reflect on the Triumph of the wood of the Cross. Peace be with you! 

PRAYER

O God, who willed that your Only Begotten Son should undergo the Cross to save the human race, grant, we pray, that we who have known his mystery on earth may merit the grace of his redemption in heaven. 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                        14092023