DIVINE WHISPER with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

Ash Wednesday

Mystery of the Day: Sorrowful 

Table of the Word: I R: Joel 2:12-18 

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 51

2 R: 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2

Verse before the Gospel: Psalm 95:8

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Theme: Remember that you are dust.

Inspiration: Today marks the beginning of the forty long and penitential walk with the Lord. The first reading from the prophecy of Joel (2:12-18) invites us to rend our hearts and return to the Lord with fasting, weeping and mourning over our misdeeds (cf. Joel 2:12). This mercy and grace-filled invitation is what the Church celebrates this season. God does not in any pleases with the death of a sinner rather his repentance (cf. Ezekiel 18:23). This prophecy underscores the Jewish term “tešubâh” – meaning a radical re-direction of one’s life which is the central message and spirit of this season.

On the other hand, the gospel pericope according to Matthew (6:1-6, 16-18) brings to our consciousness the need to extend a leaning shoulder to our brothers and sisters in a very special way. It also places a caveat before us not to do it as an outward sign of show, or how wealthy we are, but as a sign of sharing in the passion of Christ.

Today, the Holy Mother Church further reminded us of our frailty, and urging us to seek for God’s grace to amend our ways. With the dramatic action of signing our foreheads with ashes, we being reminded that we are only pilgrims in this ephemeral world and in need of God’s mercy. Finally, may the good Lord in His mercy continue to lead us through our journey with Him these forty days of Lenten Fast, Prayer and Almsgiving. PEACE BE WITH YOU!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“At the time that we deprive ourselves of anything which gives us pleasure to do, we are practicing a fast which is very pleasing to God because fasting does not consist solely of privations in the way of eating and drinking, but of denying ourselves what pleases us most.”

 – St. Jean Baptiste Mariae Vianney

Let us pray

Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting this campaign of Christian service, so that as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint. 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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