DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME YEAR II

Celebration for the day: The Conversion of St Paul the Apostle

The conversion of Saul of Tarsus, while he was on his way to Damascus to persecute more Christians, is one of the most touching miracles of the history of the early Church. It shows us how faith comes from grace and from man's free cooperation. The doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ receives proof and a clear illustration when Christ says, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' We should realize that the best way to hasten the unity of all Christians is to foster our own daily personal conversion.

Mystery of the day: Luminous 

Table of the Word:  Acts 22:3-16; Ps 117; Mark 16:15-18

The WORD: 
Jesus said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation."  (see  Mark 16:15-18)

Theme: Be my witness.

Inspiration: 

     Dearest friend(s) in Christ, God out of His love created us to love and serve Him and at last we may see Him as He really is when we behold the beatific vision. Through the Sacrament of baptism we all shared in the three munera as priests, prophets and Kings. 

    In the light of today's celebration - the feast of conversion of St. Paul, we are being reminded of our Christian calling as today's gospel reading says: 

Jesus said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation."  (see  Mark 16:15-18)

    With this we are being called to exercise our Christian virtues; not as St. Paul before his conversion on the way to Dasmascus who was persecuting Christians, we on our own path have in one way or the other failed in our Christian calling. Thus, becoming Saul before confession. We therefore need to live up to the gospel values by bearing witness to the Truth which is Christ the Lord. 

    In our day-to-day living, let us create Temple where we encounter God out of what we are doing, where we find ourselves and according the detect of our calling. Let our daily struggle becomes a Temple where we can encounter God. Are you a teacher, doctor, preacher, palm wine tapper, barber or you are in one occupation or the other let God be encountered there, it is in doing this that we can bear authentic witness to the gospel values.

     Finally, beloved in Christ as we solemnly celebrate this greatvfeast let us on our path make sincere effort to live out our Christian calling not only by words by actions. Peace! Be with you!

Let us pray

O God, who taught the whole world through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Paul, draw us, we pray, nearer to you through the example of him whose conversion we celebrate today, and so make us witnesses to your truth in the world. 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.  

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