DIVINE WHISPER with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Mystery of the Day: Joyful

Table of the Word: I R: Isaiah 58:9-14

Resp. Psalm: 86

Verse before the Gospel: Ezekiel 33:11

Gospel: Luke 5:27-32

Theme: Follow Me.

Inspiration: The theme above forms the central message of today’s gospel pericope when Christ met with Matthew, the Levi and a tax collector. Though Evangelist Luke did not make him known as “Matthew” and Mark in his gospel identified him as son of Alpheus, and Matthew himself in his account made himself known as the tax collector. 

However, we are being told in today’s gospel reading that, when Christ called him (Matthew), he got up, left everything and followed him. In this penitential season, this same call is what God has placed before us through the Church, for us to let go those things that build walls against our relationship with God and our fellow humans.

The first reading taken from the prophecy of Isaiah draws our attention to those areas of our lives which put us in the right track such as: giving alms to the poor, keeping the holy day sacred, etc. These admonitions follow words of blessing from the Lord saying: “Then you will call and the Lord will answer, you will cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!” (Isaiah 58:9).

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, this is yet another opportunity for us to give a positive response to this divine call; by letting go those things that mar our relationship with God. Though due to the pleasure, and nit "satisfaction" we derive from these things, it may be a bit difficult to leave them behind. But let us be reminded that there is “no crown without cross”. If we really need the mercy of God, something must be left behind.

Therefore, as we journey with the Lord these forty days, let us pray to God to assist us with the grace to give a positive response to this universal call to holiness. O! That today you would listen to His voice, harden not your hearts. Peace be with you!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“We can appease God by following the instructions which he Himself has given us: God is satisfied by our deeds; we are cleansed from our sins by the merits of mercy”

-        St. Cyprian of Carthage

Let us pray

Abide graciously, O Lord, with us that no dangers may bring affliction to us who trust in you, our protector. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

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