DIVINE WHISPER with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE 15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR 

Mystery of the day: Luminous 

Celebration: Ferial

Liturgical Colour: Green

Table of the Word 

First Reading: Exodus 3:1–6, 9–12

Gospel: Matthew 11:28–30

Theme: Come to me...

Reflection 

From the Table of the Word this morning, Thursday of the 15th week in Ordinary Time of the year,  the readings draw us into the mystery of God’s self-revelation of Himself to His people and His intimate call to those who approach Him with humility and openness. Thus, I  extract the theme of our reflection: "Come to me..." a text from the gospel pericope (cf. Matthew 11:25–27).

In the first reading, God Calls from an ordinary to an extraordinary, here He revealed His identity for the first time as "I AM WHO AM" a name which summarizes His personality as Omniscience, Omnipresence and Omnipotence; the very attributes that define Him (cf. Exodus 3:1–6, 9–12). Here Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush is a moment of divine initiative. Moses, doing the ordinary work of tending sheep, finds himself on holy ground. The bush that burns without being consumed becomes a sign of the living God, mysterious, transcendent, and yet profoundly near. God reveals His concern for the suffering of His people and calls Moses to a mission he feels unworthy of. But God assures him: “I will be with you.”

In continuation of this merciful nature of God upon humanity, Christ our Messiah in the gospel reading opens His heart to humanity, especially to those weighed down by life’s burden: physical, emotional, spiritual, or moral. It is not just a general invitation, but a personal call to each of us:   “Come to me.” The invitation is personal in nature with our loads of care, and that He will give us rest for His yoke is easy, and the burden is light.  The rest He promises is not a mere escape or idleness, but peace, renewal, and healing found in communion with Him.

Beloved in Christ Jesus, every now and then God's hand is often open and ready to hold us. His unfathomable love and mercy cannot be quantified, only if we come to Him with our cares and worries in faith, then the rest will will be a story.

+ Peace be with you. 

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