DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF  THE 24th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (A)

MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Sorrowful 

CELEBRATION OF THE DAY:  

St. Januarius, Bishop and Martyr

(4th century). Bishop of the Benevento (Italy). He died a martyr in Naples during the persecution of Diocletian. His dried blood contained in a phial liquefies several times each year.

TABLE OF THE WORD:   1 Timothy 3:1-13; Luke 7:11-17.

THEME:  God's timely visitation 

THE WORD: 

"A great prophet has arisen among us, and God has visited his people." (Luke 7:16)

INSPIRATION 

There is always high expectation among the people especially when the going is tough and the path becomes more narrow. Hope remains the only virtue to be imbibed with, since without it despair will certainly take the day. When the centre fails and crossroad meets man in crises; life certainly will be unbearable, but amidst this the powerful hand of God is still handling the steering. 

It is in the same situation we find in today's gospel pericope where Christ in the course of His public ministry met with the widow of Nain who lost her only Son. Her tears was uncontrollable, the pain of losing her only Son invades her bone leaving her totally enunciated.  But as God may have it, she had a timely visit by our Lord;  who wiped off her tears by raising the young man from eternal sleep to the amazement of the mourners. (cf. Luke 7:11-17)

Beloved in Christ, the above event remains a gospel of hope for each and every one of us, that in moment where life seems to be meaningless God's timely visitation brings about meaning. Yes! The situation in our calculation may be out of hand but God who writes in a crooked line so as to strengthen us has more than we can tell in stock for us.

Let our tears be that of hope, that no matter how challenging it may be, God is over every situation.  Indeed, as the people proclaimed today saying: "A great prophet has arisen among us, and God has visited his people." (Luke 7:16) 

That same God will arise among us and He will vist us in our different situation. Peace be with you! 

PRAYER

O God of Heaven and earth, we give You glory and honour for the wonders of our being. Grant us the grace that in difficult moment, our eyes may continuously fix on You so that in despair hope may be found and in darkness Your ever abiding presence may illumine our path. 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                        19092023