DIVINE WHISPER with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF THE 20TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR 

Theme: Silence in the face of evil

The Word: "You are but a man, and no god, though you consider yourself as wise as a god.” (Ezekiel 28:2)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful 

Celebration of the day: St. Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church

(1090-1153). Born in . A Cistercian abbot and great preacher, he fought for the peace and unity of the Church against schism. He wrote many treatises on the Blessed Virgin and Jesus Christ, as well as many works of theology and ascetism. Obedience and love for the Church was his primary concern.

Table of the Word: I R.: Ezekiel 28:1-10

Resp. Psalm: Dt 32:26-27ab.27cd-28.30.35cd-36ab

Verse before the Gospel:  2 Corinthians 8:9

Gospel: Matthew 19:23-30

Inspiration: 

Dearest friends in Christ God's blessings upon you and your family. Today we universally celebrate the memorial of one of the outstanding figures in monasticism: St. Bernard. He was known for obedience and love for the Church which characterized by humility and docility.

In the course of today's liturgy of the Word, the first reading taken from the Prophecy of Ezekiel bring to our consciousness the consequences of pride and disobedience to the detects and ordinances of God as God spoke through Ezekiel saying: "You are but a man, and no god, though you consider yourself as wise as a god.” (Ezekiel 28:2)

As God's wonderful creature we are humans and subject to His power, and our weakness, error and mortality solely depend on God for strength.

But when we put-off pride and depend on ourselves we will become arrogant thus becoming blind to our true nature. We ought to be aware that our knowledge and understanding are finite in nature, while God's wisdom is infinite and beyond human comprehension.

In the light of this, putting humility away from our day-to-day living experience,  we tend towards what is referred to as "self-deification" that is elevating ourselves to god-like status which leads to idolatry and neglect of the true God. 

Therfore, we are called to exhibit humility, be accountable while seeking for wisdom and proper discernment in God for He is sovereign over all creatures in creation. 

The psalmist in her respose gives the summary of God's sovereignty:  "I kill and I make alive." (see Deuteronomy:26-27ab.27cd-28.30.35cd-36ab); while the gospel pericope in the same vein invites us all to embrace the virtue of abandonment to God's will bearing in mind that all that we have, who we are and where we find ourselves are all gratituos gifts from God. 

Finally, let us be humble, else something we least expected will certainly humble us. Peace be with you!

Let us pray            

O God, who made of the Abbot Saint Bernard a man consumed with zeal for your house and a light shining and burning in your Church, grant, through his intercession, that we may be on fire with the same spirit and walk always as children of light. 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

© The ARCHIVE                       20082024

 

DIVINE WHISPER with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

SATURDAY OF THE NINETEENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR 

Theme: ...get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! 

The Word: "... for I have no pleasure in the death of any one, says the Lord GOD; so turn, and live." (Ezekiel 18:32)

Mystery of the day: Joyful 

Celebration of the day:  Commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

Table of the Word: I R.:  Ezekiel 18:1-10.13.30-32

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 51:12-13.14-15.18-19 (R. 12a)

Verse before the Gospel:  Matthew 11:25

Gospel: Matthew 19:13-15

Inspiration:   

The theme of today's reflection revolves around a change of heart and putting on a new one so as to be rewarded by God. Prophet Ezekiel in his prophecy reminded the Israelites that God has no pleasure in the death of anyone, but to turn, and live." (cf. Ezekiel 18:32) This therefore expresses God's mercy and desire for humanity's salvation.

It also depicts God's compassion when he said: I take no pleasure in anyone's death. Secondly, it calls for conversion and life-giving choice that is emphasizing our free will and responsibility to respond to God's invitation.

However,  there is a pertinent question for each and everyone of us this morning, that is; What is the status of our relationship with our God which is defined by our peaceful coexistence with our neighbours? Since God is an invisible reality where we can not touch or feel but His existence is expressed in our day-to-day living experience with one another. 

Can one says on our behalf he deserves "Green card" or being recommended for "yellow" worst still "red" to be totally eliminated from the scene. That is why the Psalmist cried out this morning in its antiphon: "Create a pure heart for me, O God." (Psalm 51:12a) This appeal reflects the weakness and short-coming of a man, who request from God the grace to live above sin. We ought to make sincere effort and quick to approach God with a contrite of heart and readiness for amends. This child-like attitude of docility,  humility and total obedience is expected of us so as to be touched by our God despite opposition by the disciples (cf. Matthew 19:13-15) 

Finally, let us be conscious of our weaknesses and short-comings so as to be fully dependent on God who is the source of our strength; in doing this we shall be who God wants us to be and not who we want to be. Peace be with you!

Let us pray            

Almighty ever-living God, we are grateful for yet another beautiful day You have given to us, grant we pray the grace of self-denial and freedom from sin so that we may embrace Your mercy and choose life in You. 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

© The ARCHIVE                       17082024

 

DIVINE WHISPER with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE NINETEENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR 

Theme: Blessed among all women.

The Word: "Mary has been taken up into heaven; the host of angels rejoices."

Mystery of the day: Luminous 

Celebration of the day:  The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This feast was celebrated in the liturgy of the Eastern World from the sixth century and, in , from the seventh century. On November 1, 1950 Pope Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption. He solemnly proclaimed that the belief whereby the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the close of her earthly career, was taken up body and soul, into the glory of heaven, really forms part of the deposit of faith, received from the apostles. This feast confirms us in the theological virtue of hope whereby we seek our sanctification and that of the others in the midst of our ordinary duties. At the same time we are encouraged to look at our goal in heaven.

Table of the Word: I R.:  Revelation11:19;12:1-6.10

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 45

2 R.: I Corinthians  15:20-26

Verse before the Gospel:  Mary has been taken up into heaven; the host of angels rejoices.

Gospel: Luke  1:39-56

Inspiration:  Beloved in Christ happy solemnity to you. Today, we joyfully in the same spirit with the Universal Church celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of our Lady. A unique celebration which called to mind the taking up of the body and soul of our Lady to Heaven. The term "Assumption" refers to the taking up of the Virgin Mary, body and soul, into heavenly glory (not explicitly mentioned in Scripture, but affirmed by Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions). This unique event in the Church's history is different from Ascension which is specifically refers to Jesus Christ's departure from earth, bodily rising into heaven, and taking His seat at the right hand of God (cf. Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:9-11)

However, in Christ Ascension:

- It marks the end of Jesus' earthly ministry and the beginning of His heavenly reign

- it emphasizes Jesus' divinity, power, and glory

While Assumption:

- Celebrates Mary's perfect cooperation with God's plan, her sinless life, and her role as Mother of God

- Emphasizes Mary's unique role, her closeness to God, and her intercession for humanity.

In our reflection today, we will focus attention exclusively on the theology behind this celebration,  spiritual impulses as well as its symbolism in our salvation history. 

Today's solemnity highlited:

Mary's dignity and glory: That is her unique role as the Mother of God and her perfect cooperation with God's plan, leading to her bodily assumption into heaven.

Faith and hope: The event inspires us to live with faith and hope, knowing that our ultimate goal is to join Mary and the saints in eternal life with God.

Purity and sinlessness: Mary's sinless life and assumption into heaven serve as a model for us to strive for purity and holiness in our own lives. Other outstanding features of this celebration are: her intercession and motherly love and care; it gives us Heavenly orientation, highlighted our Lady's role in the salvation history of man; it serves as an invitation to deepened devotion to her and it foreshadows eschatological implication.

Beloved in Christ Jesus, as we celebrate this unique event, let us reflect on the spiritual significance of it, which has an eschatological dimension. That is, our departure from this ephemeral world to the world beyond where we will see Jesus as truly is.

Every now and then we ought to be ready, by making sincere effort as children of Mother Mary to imitate her heroic virtues of humility, obedience, abandonment to God's will, compassion etc. 

It is only in doing this that we will certainly be on the road to holiness.

Finally, as the first reading puts before us the powerful intercession of Our Mother Mary who conquered dragon thatbwanted to devour the baby (cf. Revelation11:19;12:1-6.10) let us keep her in mind always by seeking for her intercession, then we will never go disappointed. Peace be with you!

Let us pray            

Almighty ever-living God, who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of your Son, body and soul into heavenly glory, grant, we pray, that, always attentive to the things that are above, we may merit to be sharers of her glory. 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

© The ARCHIVE                       15082024

 

DIVINE WHISPER with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG,SMMM

SATURDAY OF THE EIGHTEENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR 

Theme: ...and nothing will be impossible to you.

The Word: "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you." (see Matthew 17:14-20)

Mystery of the day: Joyful 

Celebration of the day:  St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

(3rd century). A Roman deacon, he died four days after Pope Sixtus II, during the persecution of Valerian. Arrested by the prefect and called on to deliver up the property of the Church, his answer was to point to a crowd of poor people. "Here are the true treasures of the Church", he said. He was roasted to death on a gridiron. 

Table of the Word: I R.: Habakkuk 1:12-2:4

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 9:8-9.10-11.12-13 (R. 11b)

Verse before the Gospel:   2 Timothy 1:10

Gospel: Matthew 17:14-20

Inspiration: "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you." (Matthew 17:20)

This is an extract from the last part of today's gospel pericope with its parallel in Luke 17:6. Here our Lord emphasized  the power of faith, even if it's as small as a mustard seed. The idea is that with genuine faith, one can accomplish extraordinary things, like moving mountains.

By implication our Lord meant that with little faith one can make great accomplishments. It can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and finally with faith, nothing is impossible.

However,  the image of the mustard seed used here represents a small amount of faith, but one that can grow and have a profound impact. This teaching encourages believers to have confidence in their faith, even when it seems small or insignificant.

It is also a call for dependency on God who is "all-in-all" whose power and sovereignty is beyond human intellect. Prophet Habakkuk in the first reading reechoes His might by saying: "Are you not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die." (Habakkuk 1:12) 

We therefore need to hold on to him in faith and trust. Recalling the words of Mother Mary Charles Walker "After considering what He did in the past I have no fear for the future." He is ever faithful and loving. The Psalmist on the other hand attest to this in its response this morning: "You will not forsake those who seek you, O Lord." (Psalm 9:11b). Today, we have also seen the interplay of this virtue in the life and time of St. Lawrence whose feast we celebrate today. 

Finally, let us trust in God's power, and tackle challenges with confidence, knowing that with faith, all things are possible. Peace be with you!

Let us pray            

O God, giver of that ardour of love for you by which Saint Lawrence was outstandingly faithful in service and glorious in martyrdom, grant that we may love what he loved and put into practice what he taught. 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

© The ARCHIVE                       10082024

 

DIVINE WHISPER with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

FRIDAY OF THE EIGHTEENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR 

Theme: Self-denial...

The Word: Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (see Matthew 16:24-28)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful 

Celebration of the day: Ferial 

Table of the Word: I R.: Nahum 1:15;2:2; 3:1-3.6-7

Resp. Psalm: Deuteronomy 32:35cd-36ab.39abcd.41 (R. 39c)

Verse before the Gospel:  Matthew 5:10

Gospel: Matthew 16:24-28

Inspiration: 

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.'" (Matthew 16:24-28)

This text captures God's invitation to let go our excesses and then journey on the path of life through self denial.

However, letting go of one's own desires and interests has to do with embracing humility and surrendering our strength and weaknesses to God. It is an act of prioritizing Jesus' teachings and will above one's own comfort; knowing fully well that nothing absolutely last forever except that which is in Christ Jesus. As the Psalmist says: "I kill and I make alive." ( Deuteronomy 32:39c)

This is being willing to sacrifice and take up one's cross while recognizing that true life is found in following Jesus, not in pursuing worldly gain.

In the course of today's liturgy of the Word,  our Lord in the first reading emphasizes that self-denial is essential for: Authentic discipleship, Spiritual growth, Eternal life, and Receiving rewards from God.

Finally, in practicing self-denial we can: Develop a deeper relationship with God, find true purpose and meaning, experience spiritual transformation and then become more like Jesus. Let us therefore remember that, self-denial is not about self-destruction, but about surrendering to God's will and finding life in Him.

Peace be with you!

Let us pray            

Almighty and eternal God, we are grateful to You for the gift of life and all the favours in it. As we journeying toward our home in You keep us we pray safe with the grace to deny ourself by accepting the path You choose for us. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

© The ARCHIVE                       09082024

 

DIVINE WHISPER with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

MONDAY OF THE EIGHTEENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR 

Theme: The compassionate God...

The Word: . "...and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick." (see Jeremiah 28:1-17)

Mystery of the day: Joyful 

Celebration of the day: The Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major

After the declaration of the dogma of the divine Maternity of the Blessed Virgin in the Council of  (year 431), Pope Sixtus III dedicated this Basilica in  in honor of the Mother of God. It was called "St Mary Major" later on. It is considered the oldest church in the West dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Table of the Word: I R.: Jeremiah 28:1-17

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 119:29.43.79.80.95.102 (R. 68b)

Verse before the Gospel:  Matthew 4:4

Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21   

Inspiration: Beloved in Christ, we gather on this day: Monday of the 18th week in Ordinary Time to celebrate our God for His love and faithfulness. 

In the course of today's liturgy of the Word we bare our minds on the contrasting true prophecy of Jeremiah and false prophecy of Hananiah. While the later cooked his message for deception God uses Jeremiah to rewrite the false prophecy of Hananiah. (cf. Jeremiah 28:1-17)

We have seen how Hananiah gave false hope to the people, honeying their bitter pills, telling them what he felt, thus taking advantage of the trust these people had on him. 

However, Jeremiah on the other hand appeared to confront this falsehood of Hananiah with the true message from God, and warning them not to be deceived. Then at the appointed time, God's sovereignty over His people comes in to play.

Beloved in Christ Jesus, we are therefore reminded of the need to seek for God's truth and wisdom, to be cautious of false teachings and promises which are scattered in our Christian communities today. Let every spirit be tested as the Scripture says:

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1). Here we are to discern, test the spirit and determine the source. In doing this, we will avoid deception, recognize false teaching, embrace truth and grow in discernment which will lead us into a deepened relationship with God.

We are therefore obliged to seek for God's truth and wisdom, so that we may be cautious of false teachings and promises. 

In the light of this, we are to be convinced that God's grace  and provision is always there to sustain us in challenging moment as He is a compassionate, healing and loving God; a gesture our Lord in the gospel pericope exemplified with the feeding of the multitude. (cf. Matthew 14:13-21 ).

Finally, we pray through the intercession of Our Mother whose feast we celebrate today that she may interceed on our behalf so that we may test every spirit for the sanctification of our souls. Peace be with you!

Let us pray            

Pardon the faults of your servants, we pray, O Lord, that we, who cannot please you by our own deeds, may be saved through the intercession of the Mother of your Son and our Lord. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.Amen

© The ARCHIVE                       05082024