DIVINE WHISPER with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 

Mystery of the day: Luminous 

Celebration of the day: Ferial 

Table of the Word

RI. Genesis 8:6-13.20-22 

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 102:16-18.19-21.29 and 22-23 (R. 20b)

Gospel: Mark 8:27-33

Theme: Who do men say that I am?

Reflection:

Today's reflection revolves around the theme of God's promise and plan. Here both Genesis and Mark invite us to reflect on our own understanding of divine promises and plans. Just as Noah had to trust in God’s covenant even in the aftermath of the flood, and Peter had to reconcile his perception of Jesus with the reality of Christ’s mission, we too are challenged to align our perspectives with God's vision. Trust, renewal, and obedience to God’s will are central themes that unite these passages, urging us to find hope and purpose in His greater plan, even when it is not fully comprehensible to us.

In our day-to-day living experience we get along with the life challenging situations not minding its effect on us just because He (God) lives. His continuing and abiding presence offer us hope amidst uncertainty because His promises and plans never fail.

Today, we have seen how Peter was disposed for the promptings of the Holy Spirit, thus enable him to confess Jesus as "Christ" meaning Messiah (cf. Mark 8:27-33). His confession was based on his personal encounter with Jesus who is a teacher, shepherd and healer. He was convince that no one can possess these attributes except He who is of God. 

Finally, we who are Christ followers are to live out gospel values which will answer the thought provoking question posed by Jesus:  "Who do men say that I am?" It is in doing this that we will confess as Peter did, that He is "the Christ."

Peace be with you and + May the Lord bless His words in our hearts. Amen.

Let us pray

Merciful Lord, we give you glory for all that You have done for us. As we behold the dawn of this day, grant us we pray the grace  to be steadfast in our resolution to confess you as Christ the Lord. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen

© The ARCHIVE  20022025

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 116:12-13.14-15.18-19 (R. cf. 17a)

Gospel: Mark 8:22-26

Theme: Divine Restoration and Healing. 

Reflection:

Today's themes for reflection are essential aspects of the Christian life, reflecting God's desire to redeem, restore, and make whole His children. Recalling the words of the psalmist who said: "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake." (Psalm 23:3). And Prophet Isaiah in the third Book of Isaiah proclaimed:  "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound." (Isaiah 61:1-3). It is in the same spirit that St. Peter having seen the need for Divine restoration and healing prays that the God of all grace who called us to His eternal glory may perfect, establish and settle us to wholeness (cf. 1 Peter 5:10). 

Consequent upon this, today's readings pay great allusion to these themes, emphasizing the concern of God to restore us despite our shortcomings and inadequacies. In the first reading, after God must have regretted creating man, but out of love for mankind He saved the human race through Noah whom He was delighted with (cf. Genesis 8:6-13.20-22). 

On the other hand, the gospel pericope singled out the theme of restoration as its major concern as  Christ restored the blind man to wholeness by regaining his sight (cf. Mark 8:22-26).

However, on our own part the concept of restoration and healing within the context of our living experience has diverse forms or aspects ranging from spiritual restoration which has to do with our reconciliation with our God by acknowledging our failings. Another aspect is a relational restoration which involves restoring broken relationship with one another and healing of wounded minds; and emotional healing - that is seeking for peace of mind, comfort and liberation from emotional trauma. 

Above all, the virtue of forgiveness is the bedrock of all restoration and healing. As Christ Himself exhorted His disciples in the Lord's prayer when he said: "... forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespasses against us." By implication our failure to forgive one another is a barrier to receive forgiveness from God which leads to our healing and restoration. 

In conclusion, these two readings exhorted to a life of trusting God's transformative work, restoration and healing of our infirmities. In reciprocation to this kind gesture and undeserved favour we need to forgive one another, mend broken tryst and make up every doubt about us. It is in doing this that we will certainly be healed abd restored, for God says: "I will RESTORE health to you, and I will HEAL your wounds" (Jeremiah 30:7).

Peace be with you and + May the Lord bless His words in our hearts. Amen.

Let us pray

Almighty and merciful God,  we thank You for Your love and mercy. We pray for total restoration abd healing of our infirmities.  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  20022025