DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE 11th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (C)

Mystery of the day: Luminous

Sirach 48:1-14; Matthew 6:7-15

Theme: Lord teach us how to pray

 "In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words." (Matthew 6:7)

Obviously, there is a fundamental question on which pattern or model of prayer is pleasing to God. While some will opt for "Prayer by fire", others consider meditative or inclusive prayers where one dialogue with God.

In the light of this, that Christ our Lord and Master presents before us the proper model of prayer in today's gospel pericope saying: 

"In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words." (Matthew 6:7). 

This forms the introduction to the traditional "Lord's Prayer." The prayer is found in two forms: a shorter form in Luke 11:2-4; which is probably the original form of it. And a longer version which is the gospel reading of today (Matthew 6:9-13). This version of course according to biblical scholars was expanded for liturgical use in the worshiping community. 

However, we are being invited to pray bearing in mind that, it is not how loud our voices are, or heaping of empty phrases as Gentiles does will make our prayers to be heard. Rather, we need to converse with God using the four major keys which contains in the Lord's Prayer: "ACTS" that is Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication. In using this pattern as the Lord given, we will be in real dialogue with our Heavely Father. 

Peace, be with you!

Let us pray

Almighty and eternal God, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ who taught us the way to holiness and how to communicate with You. We beseech Thee to grant us the spirit of docility to pray in faith and not in words. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                       16062022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE 11th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (C)

Mystery of the day: Glorious

2 Kings 2:1, 6-14; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Theme: The Lord who sees in secret will bless you in secret.

 "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them;..." (Matthew 6:1)

Sadly, we are in the age where charity is being done to attract fame and glory. An era where "hundreds of naira" are shared to the needy, while "thousands of naira" are spent on publicity. A penny given, and then taken a selfie-photograph to tell the world how charitable we are. 

So sad, that this gesture is being doneost often for the sake of attracting teaming fans to support the ambition of entering political corridor to vie for one post of the other; or seeking for recognition in the society.

In the light of this, that Evangelist Matthew in today's gospel pericope presents before us the exhortation of our Lord: "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them;..." (Matthew 6:1).

This however, is in conformity with one of my Thoughtful Thinking which goes thus: "Charity should not be exercised when we want to speak about God, but let God be spoken about when we exercise it."

As Christians we are obliged to assist one another, in any way we can; but not to publicize the action. For when the action is being put on air, the beneficiary becomes embarrassed of the act. Let us try to assist in secret, for the good Lord who sees in secret will reward us in secret. Peace! Be with you.

Let us prayer

Merciful Lord, thank You for the wonders of Your creation. As we continue to enjoy the work of Your hands, grant us we pray the grace to be good to others, not for fame and praise of men; but as a seed sown for eternal harvest. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE          15062022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF THE 11th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (C)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

I kings 21:17-29; Matthew 5:43-48

Theme: Loving our persecutors

 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, .." (Matthew 5:43-44)

The love of one's enemy is one of the hard teachings found in Christianity. Tracing it to the teachings of the Old Testament account, there is no Old Testament books or Rabbinic text which instructs us to "hate our enemies", but the Old Testament restrict love of neighbour to the fellow Israelites (cf. Leviticus 19:17ff.) and demands extermination of those conquered in the war for fear of attraction to their cult (cf. Deuteronomy 7:2).

In the light of this scenario, the Gospel reading of today which serves as the antithesis of the Sermon of the Mount called to mind the need to forgive one another as long as we are seeking God's forgiveness. 

 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, .." (Matthew 5:43-44)

As the Psalmist says: " If God were to mark our iniquities, who would be survive?" (Psalm 130:3).

In allusion to this, the story of Ahab the King of Israel who through his wife Jezebel killed Naboth the Jezreelite to inherit his vineyard (cf. 1 Kings 21:1-16), continued with a call to "let go" that is forgiveness in today's first reading, as God forgave him saying, "I will not bring the evil in his days" (I Kings 21:29). This is God in action, and invitation to us to forgive no matter how hurtful it may be. 

Though it is a strong teching, but we need to make sincere effort to let go, for in letting go of the wrongs others inflicted on us, that we can receive in abundance the forgiving touch of the Divine. Peace be with you!

Let us pray

Eternal God, thank You for the gift of Your Son who reconciled us. Grant we pray the grace to forgive others as we continuously seeking for the forgiveness of our trespasses. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE               14062022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE 10TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (C)

Mystery of the day: Luminous

I Kings 19:9, 11-16; Matthew 5:27-32

  Theme:... goodness beyond measure.

"You visit the earth, give it water; you fill it with riches. God’s ever-flowing river brims over to prepare the grain." (Psalm 65:10abcd)

The goodness of the Lord upon humankind is beyond measure. Getting to bed after the fatigue of daily task, and rising with re-filled energy the next day; finding oneself at the cross-road of life, and suddenly hope breezed in; receiving solace amidst trauma of life and so long the list are products of God's love and faithfulness. 

In the light of this, the Psalmist today reechoed this Divine gesture with these words: 

"You visit the earth, give it water; you fill it with riches. God’s ever-flowing river brims over to prepare the grain." (Psalm 65:10abcd). 

This implies that, there is nothing impossible before God. We need to build up our faith in Him, not as we saw in the first reading of today where Ahab the servant of Elijah out of doubt came back to tell Elijah: "There is nothing." in contrast to the assurance given to him by Elijah. (cf. 1 Kings 18:41-46). "Elijah said: "Go up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of the rushing of rain." (1 Kings 18:41).

However, no matter how difficult our situations may seem to be, let us doubt not the powerful hand of God upon us. For He provides for the earth; drench its furrows, level it, soften it with showers and bless its growth. May these words find a place in our hearts now and always. Peace, be with you.

Let us pray

Almighty and everliving God, we are grateful for the love and care showered upon us despite our shortcomings. Grant we pray that even in our doubt we can still find you, and that the desert of our lives may experience flow of fountain. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                    09062022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE 10TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (C)

Mystery of the day: Glorious

I Kings 17:7-16; Matthew 5:13 - 16

Theme: Choose thou this day...

"If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." (I Kings 18:21).

One of the greatest freedoms God has endowed man with, is the "freedom of will."  Man is being given the unction to choose right from wrong, light from darkness, cold from heat through the intellect of senses. 

Sadly, most often, man finds himself at the mercy of temporal pleasure in expense of His creator. For St. Paul, the apostle of Gentiles has this to say:

"For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing." (Romans 7:19) 

Our shortcomings bring about doubt of what God can do, thus, the author of the first reading of today narrated the challenge experienced by Prophet Elijah in the hands of Baalian's Prophets, which prompted him to say: 

"If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." (I Kings 18:21).

The story was quite an interesting one, which explains what it means to have a "raw faith" devoid of iota of doubt.  For true God had to send down fire to set ablaze the water-soaked offering upon the altar (cf. I Kings 18:38).

However, the fundamental question is: How strong is your faith in God? When life turns blue, where do you run to? Do you even remember that God can do it? Or you are being tempted to seek for help outside God. 

Beloved in Christ, as we journey towards the eternal home, let our faith be built in Him alone, for He is the only answer to our problems.

Peace, be with you!

Let us pray

Almighty and eternal God, we praise and bless Your Holy Name. Grant we pray, O! Lord the grace to understand the mystery of our existence, so that we may always turn to You every now and them. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                08062022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF THE 10TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (C)

I Kings 17:7-16; Matthew 5:13 - 16

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

Theme: Living out our call to be Christ-Like.

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father." (Matthew 5:16)

At the Sacrament of baptism, we were initiated into the Body of Christ, with a gift of lighted candle (which represented Christ as the light of the world), and a white linen to model our lives in purity. This call entails self-emptiness and sacrifice, so as to be worthy of the name "Christian." 

In our reflection today, the Church invites us to live out our Christian calling as Christ in the Gospel pericope according to Evangelist Matthew says:

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father." (Matthew 5:16).

The image of light here portrayed goodness and love for one another; as the light dispels darkness, so is love and goodness brings about a healthy community.

Thus, our failure to keep our light burning in charity and concern for one another as that poor widow of Zarephath who shared her last meal with Prophet Elijah (cf. I Kings 17:7-16), will lead us to envy, anxiety and distress. 

This kind gesture of her, opened the reservoir of God's riches to her despite the famine in the land.  As her jar of flour and pitcher of oil did not dry up, our generosity for one another, leaning shoulder for the weak, comforted  words for those in distress and every other good works will benefit our lots here and after. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Eternal Word, we thank You for the gift of our call as Christians. We beseech Thee, to grant us the grace and faith in You, that our daily journey to home eternal may yield us a bountiful harvest at the end. Through  Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE            07062022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

MONDAY OF THE 10TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (C)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Celebration: Memorial of Mary Mother of the Church.

Theme:... and she untied the knot of Eve's disobedience by her obedience.

Today, marks the first day in the second part of the Ordinary Time of the year. Incidentally, the memorial of Mary Mother of the Church for this year falls on this day. A very good beginning, and timely where the Church - bride of Christ in this part of the world is experiencing series of attack. We are not in any way doubting the Maternal intercession of our dear Mother, whose patronage and assistance has never failed us. 

She has been the harbinger of goodness to humanity, mediates and then in a motherly manner request favours from her Son on our behalf as she did at the wedding feast in Cana (cf. John 2:1-11). 

This kind gesture of her, recalled the words of the first century Church man and second generation disciple from the Apostle John - St. Irenaeus of Lyon who avers:  "...the knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary.  What the virgin Eve had bound in unbelief, the Virgin Mary loosed through faith." (Against Heresies, 3.22.4, Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons.)

Today, as we celebrate this great feast, which was instituted by Pope St. Paul VI.Though the title "Mater Ecclesiae" first appeared in the 4th century writings of St. Ambrose of Milan as rediscovered by Hugo Rahner. Pope Benedict XIV also used the title in 1748, and Pope Leo XIII in 1885. It was Pope St.John Paul II who placed the title in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the current Pontiff, Francis inserted this title into the Roman Calendar. This, it becomes, an annual memorial throughout the universal Church.

 

However, in the light of this celebration, we invoke her maternal intercession upon our country Nigeria at this moment of crisis, that peace may return and everyone may live in accord with one another. Peace, be with you!

Let us pray

Dearest Saviour, while hanging on the cross, you gave your mother Mary to be the mother of John, let your children here in Nigeria experience the maternal intercssion of your Mother as we celebrate her today. So that we may once again be filled with sense of stillness.We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

© The ARCHIVE   06062022