DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

SATURDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (B)

Mystery of the day: Joyful 

"Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21)

Dearest friend(s) in Christ good morning and best wishes from us here in this One, Big and Happy Family- The ARCHIVE.

We are grateful to God for His love and benevolence upon us throughout this week. It is all about "His Grace" that we make it to this day. May His name be praised both now and forevermore.  Amen.

On this great day, our brother St. James presents before us the greatest of all treasures - The Word.  He further stated the manner in which we should receive it and then highlight the fruit that comes with it - Eternal life.

"Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21)

However, the Word of God remains the light that brightens our path. That which gives us hope in moment of adversity. The sick regains healing on hearing of the Word. The blind receives sight with its proclamation. Distress souls find comfort. It is this same Word that the barren womb becomes fertile. Above all, Evangelist John announced the transformation of this Word into flesh and its dwelling among us now and always - Emmanuel (cf. John 1:1ff.)

Beloved in Christ, there is a pertinent question for you and I this morning to ponder on and find answer:

 On hearing the Word, how do you receive it?

Let the exhortation given to us by St. James prepares us well to receive this WORD OF LIFE with meekness. For through it we will be saved and Life will no longer be the same again. 

Remember, there is "Power in God's Word."

Peace be with you!

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you. 

Let us pray

Almighty and eternal God. We are grateful to You for the wonders of our being. We thank You for the air we breath, the rain that wets the land, and the sunshine that warms us. We ask thee O! Lord to bless and keep us. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen 

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

FRIDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (B)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful 

"Blessed are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." (Luke 8:15)

The Word of God remains a light unto our paths. Through the Word we all acquired identity in God as sons and daughters. Therefore these Words must be kept at heart, else we miss the right path. 

Today from the table of the Word, Evangelist Matthew in the gospel pericope brings to limelight our Lord's teaching on "listening to the Word." (cf. Matthew 13:18-23)

This teaching provokes some pertinent questions among us. What are those distractions that steal the Word of God from our hearts?

Is it troubles or difficulties in life? Searching for comfort zone? Friendship or companion? etc. With all these and many others we are exhorted to hold on to the Word of God as a treasure. 

"Blessed are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." (Luke 8:15)

Let our minds be free from all manner of distractions and let’s look beyond what we see at the present time. Let our lives also be molded after God's Word, in doing this we hope to find fulfilment in this life, and a sure hope of life beyond.

Peace be with you! 

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you. 

Let us pray 

Almighty and eternal God, we are grateful to You for Your faithfulness and love. Thank You for bringing us to the end of this week in joy. As we are looking ahead of next week sustain us in Your grace. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen 

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THIRSDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR (B)

Mystery of the day: Luminous

"Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom." (Matthew 11:25)

The image of a child is embedded in docility and obedience. Today, Evangelist Matthew reminded us of the Words of our Lord as He thanked His Father for revealing the secert of the Kingdom to little ones. 

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom." (Matthew 11:25)

The essence of this message is an invitation to docility and obedience to the detects and commands of God. 

It is only in doing this, that the Word of God will have a place in our hearts and at the same time bear fruits; fruits that will last.

Howevere, most times we find ourselves carried away with the level of knowledge we acquired believing that it is all about our efforts.  Not knowing that is "all about God ." 

We swim in  Ocean of fame and glory which God has decorated us with our of His benevolence. The flute of praise keeps on singing on our behalf because He decreed so. Not that we can afford all these on our own accord but through His amazing grace.

In the light of this, we are invited to a life of simplicity and docility. Becoming nothing but beggars before God. For when we are being taught and nurtured with the Word of God, the secret of the Kingdom will be revealed to us. 

Then with this, we will be alive to testify the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 

Peace be with you!

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you. 

Let us pray

Almighty and everlasting God, You created us to Yourself to love, serve and to be with you at last. May our daily lives be modelled after Your Word and may we be satisfied with Your blessings.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (B)

Mystery of the day: Glorious 

"...then you shall realise that I am the LORD, your God!" (Exodus 16: 12)

Right from creation, the love of God upon man goes beyond every calculation. It is incomparable and without season.  Though man may be engulfed with adversities, His love still holds for us.

Take a look at our different stories, the "ups" and "downs" of life we all go through, the hurdles we are passing each day. The tears we shed at times, etc. All these are just for a short while and cannot be compared with the love God has showered upon us. For when we count our blessings and name them one by one, we certainly come to terms that "God is God."

St. Paul in his epistle to the Church in Rome avers that all the suffering of the present life cannot be compared with the glory that is destined to be revealed to us. (cf. Romans 8:18)

Therefore, dearest friends in the Lord no matter the situation we may pass through, let us be optimistic in God for He cannot appoint to disappoint us. 

Today in our reflection He whispers to us all saying:

"...then you shall realise that I am the LORD, your God!" (Exodus 16: 12).

Finally, may His love be upon us as we put our trust in Him. 

Peace be with you!

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you. 

Let us pray

Eternal Father, yours is the world and all that is in it. We are grateful to you for the love care and provision. Sustain us in this earthly life and bless our daily struggle with success.  Through Christ our Lord.  AMEN 

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR (B)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful 

    Psalm 85:2-4.5-6.7-8 (R. 8a)

"Let us see, O Lord, your mercy."  (Psalm 85:8a)

Good morning beloved in Christ. Together let us thank God for His infinite mercy and love. He has been there for us, and will continue to be with us.

Most often in our life situations we do neglect what is paramount, what could rightly described as "primary" in our lives, and that is the "Omnipotency of our God."  When we meet at the crossroad of life, when life spells blue, when all hope seems to have gone. Do we look up to God as the answer to our difficulties? Or we rely on our connection and self-emptiness which cannot bake bread. 

The Scripture keeps on reminding us that our help only comes from God who made Heaven and Earth. No other place than that. (cf. Psalm 121:1ff.)

However, as the Psalmist in our today's reflection invites us to look unto God: "Let us see, O Lord, your mercy."  (Psalm 85:8a)

May we not loose sight of God. Though He writes in a mysterious handwriting, thoughtful reflectionis required for its understanding. 

Finally, may He grant us the grace to look beyond every situation and hang our trust solely on Him.

Peace be with you!

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you. 

Let us pray

O God, we thank You for leading us this far. As we forge ahead sustain us in Your love and Mercy. And grant us contentment of heart. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen 

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

MONDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME YEAR (B)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

"The Lord will fight for you and you have to do is to keep still." (Exodus 14:14)

Beloved in Christ good morning and happy new week to you. We welcome ourselves to this beautiful week. It is indeed "God over everything ."

For our reflection today, we bear our minds to the wonders God did for His people Israelites, which even till this moment He is still working on our behalf.

The Book of Exodus 14:4ff. gives us an account of how the Israelites triumphantly left Egypt. 

In the same spirit, God is whispering to us at the beginning of this new week:

"I will fight your battle, be still." (cf. Exodus 14:14)

The similar promise He has already made through Prophet Isaiah: 

"I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground." (Isaiah 42:16).

Be still and know that He is God as the psalmist will tell us. There is absolutely nothing that God cannot do for us. Everything in existence is the product of our Omnipotent God. He is over all that we can feel, see and touch.

Our daily struggles is nothing but a push forward to our success. It is not to pull us down but to enable us to see the finger of God in every event.

He is ever present with us. Cheer up! It is well with us. 

Peace be with you! 

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you. 

Let us pray 

Almighty and everlasting God, we are grateful to You for the wonders of our beings. For all that we are enjoying, the pains that come our way we thank You. As we journey along, sustain us in Your love and give us the grace to trust solely in You. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen 

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

SATURDAY OF THE 15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (B)

"For his mercy endures for ever." (Psalm 136: 1b)

Dearest friend(s) in Christ good morning and happy weekend from us here in the house - The ARCHIVE the very house God Himself built. 

Indeed, it has been God all the way. Have you taken time to go through your diary this week? Have you seen the marvels God has done for us? The heavy down pour to wet the land, the sunshine to brighten the day, the whispering of the birds which serves as music for the soul, the dance of the trees which captures our imaginations. We went out and returned in safety, we retire to bed and woke up without alarm, the comfort received when in distress, the reception of what we ask for from the Lord, etc. With all these benevolence from God we join the Psalmist from the Table of the Word to proclaim:

"O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures for ever. He remembered us in our distress, for his mercy endures for ever. And he snatched us away from our foes, for his mercy endures for ever." (Psalm 136:1 and 23-24)

This cry of joy reminded us of the "Passover of the Israelites" from the dry shrod of the land of Egypt.  On that beautiful night where God made everything to standstill for His children. (cf. Exodus 12:37- 42). To sum it all, Christ our Lord and Master is always there to hold the situation until we are victorious for our hope cannot be dashed out. (cf. Matthew 12:21)

Peace be with you!

Fada PIUSRALPH prays for you 🙏 

Let us pray 

Eternal Word who became flesh and dwelt among us, we give You glory for Your benevolence upon us. We are grateful for everything.  Kindly sustain us in Your blessing and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.