DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

SATURDAY OF  THE 31st IN ORDINARY  OF THE YEAR (A)

MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Joyful 

CELEBRATION OF THE DAY: St. Martin of Tours, Bishop

(316-397). Born to pagan parents in Hungary, he was first a soldier before he was baptised. He founded a monastery in France and later became Bishop of Tours. He sent missionaries to evangelise the country and to educate the clergy.

TABLE OF THE WORD: Romans 16:3-9.16.22-27; Luke 16:9-15.

THEME:  Faith and accountability in little thing multiplies...

THE WORD

"He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches?"  (see Luke 16:9-15)

INSPIRATION

Beloved in Christ Jesus, God out of His gratuitousness has blessed us with what we need to survive on, and share with others in charity. 

    Sadly, out of our longing and insatiable state we crave for more which we can possibly survive without. We keep on complaining for this and that to an extent we don't appreciate that which God has placed at our disposals. 

    It is on account of this that Evangelist Luke reported our Lord's teaching on this subject matter, reminding us the need to be faithful and accountable with the little at our disposals, for faithfulness in it brings about multiplication. 

"He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches?" (see Luke 16:9-15)

   However,  in our day-to-day living how do we appreciate the loving gesture of God? Do we pay attention to that which He has blessed us with? Why do we longing for more than what we need? For in doing this, we are gearing towards replacing God with our desires. We cannot serve both our inordinate cravings or desires and God as the duo are two different realities; as the latter creates the former and the former solely depends on the latter. 

Finally, let us return gratitude to God for His benevolence no matter what we feel it has not come our way. For He is all-in-all, and no other desire can be satisfied other than that which is founded in Him. Be appreciative to the little at your disposal and behold it will on its own multiplied. While invoking the intercession of St. Martin of Tours whose feast we celebrate today to pray for us that we may be thankful and accountable in every little thing at our disposals. Peace be with you!

PRAYER

O God, who are glorified in the Bishop Saint Martin both by his life and death, make new, we pray, the wonders of your grace in our hearts, that neither death nor life may separate us from your love; and that we may be faithful and accountable in every little thing at our disposals. 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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