DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

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

MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Sorrowful 

CELEBRATION OF THE DAY: St. Bruno,  Priest

(1035-1101). Born in Cologne and educated in Paris. He became a priest and taught Theology in Rheims (France). When he was fifty years old, he founded a monastery of absolute contemplative life which gave origin to the Carthusian Order.

TABLE OF THE WORD: Baruch 1:15-22; Luke 10:13-16.

THEME:  We have sinned.  

THE WORD

"...we have sinned before the Lord, and have disobeyed him, and have not heeded the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in the statutes of the Lord which he set before us."(Baruch 1:16-17)

INSPIRATION 

The term "sin" is an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. In summary it is a derailment from the right path. And whenever we have derailed from this path, the part of righteousness there is need to acknowledge our failings so as to be re-launched into the friendship with Jesus.

 

First of all, before the acknowledgement of our weaknesses (sin) set in, our heart being the seat of judgement has a great role to play. That is why in today's first reading Prophet Baruch on behalf of the people publicly acknowledged their failings and short-comings by saying: 

"...we have sinned before the Lord, and have disobeyed him, and have not heeded the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in the statutes of the Lord which he set before us."(Baruch 1:16-17)

In the light of this, forgiveness cannot take place without acknowledging the sin itself with a contrite heart. And while approaching the confessional, we need this mindset of accepting the fact that we have sin and not playing the part of part of a defendant, that is giving excuse why we sinned, that is act of  justifying our sinful act.

Just as Baruch today and the Psalmist (cf. Psalm 51) who acknowledged the fact that his sin is always before him. It is in this way that we will always be conscious of the fact that when we sin, we have lost friendship with God.

In order to be reconciled, we must be face-to-face with the shame of shame as in the case of the prodigal son (cf. Luke 15:11-32).

To buttress this, the psalmist in today's psalm pleaded with God that for the sake of His glory, our sins should be forgiven. (cf. Psalm 79:9bc).

Finally beloved in Christ as we keep on pushing along this ephemeral path of life let us make sincere effort in keeping to the detects and ordinances of God. For it is in doing this that we can be reconciled, washed-off of our dirt and being purified as God's own. Today, harden not your hearts, but listen to the voice of the Lord. Peace be with you!

PRAYER

Eternal Word, through the power of Your Word we have gained salvation. Thank You for the wonders of our being, grant us we pray the grace to be docile to these Words so that we may attain eternal bliss at the end. 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                        06102023.