DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF  THE 26th WEEK IN ORDINARY  OF THE YEAR (A)

MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Glorious 

CELEBRATION OF THE DAY: St. Francis of Assisi

(1182-1226). Born in Assisi (Italy). He lived and preached a life of poverty and love of God to all men. He founded the religious Order of the Franciscans; with St. Clare, the Order of the Poor Clares; and the Third Order for lay people.

TABLE OF THE WORD: Nehemiah 2:1-8; Luke 9:57-62

THEME:  Follow me!

THE WORD

"No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."(Luke 9:62)

INSPIRATION 

Dearest in the Lord, may the name of the Lord be praised both now and forevermore.  Amen. 

The call to discipleship is that which entails detachment to attachment. Detachment from comfort zone and attachment to wherever Christ leads. 

In our Liturgy of the Word today, Evangelist Luke brings to our consciousness the account of our Lord's teaching on this, stressing the need to let go for the sake of the gospel. (cf. Luke 9:57-62).

In the gospel pericope we have seen three different characters who desired to follow Christ, though the first requested for it, the rest of the two were invited but they all gave excuses; one wanted to go back and bury his father, the other to bid farewell to his people. It is on this note that Christ looked at them and said: 

"No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."(Luke 9:62)

Beloved in Christ, in our mission of discipleship is there anything that hold us back? Is it friendship? Family ties? Comfort zones? etc. 

Indeed, none of these should be the source of our setback as following Christ has alot in stock for us that no human eyes can enumerate.

Let us joyfully follow Him without counting the cost, because following Christ means a journey towards our eternal home.

May St. Francis of Assisi whom we celebrate today interceed for us so as to make a good choice by following our Lord no matter the circumstances. Peace be with you!

PRAYER

O God, by whose gift Saint Francis was conformed to Christ in poverty and humility, grant that, by walking in Francis’ footsteps, we may follow your Son, and, through joyful charity, come to be united with you. 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.

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