DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Wednesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)

Mystery of the day: Glorious

Texts: Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21; Matthew 13:44-46

Theme: The battle is not yours, says the Lord of Host.

"...they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, says the LORD. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless." (Jeremiah 15:20-21) 

The text of Exodus 14:14 is the fulfilment of the prophecy of Jeremiah in today's first reading: "The Lord will fight for you and all you have to do is to keep still.". Indeed, the battle is not ours, but of the Lords; whose hands is upon us day and night. When we lie down, He watches over us, at dawn He wakes us up. On our journey, He goes ahead to prepare the way. The Psalmist today cried out: "God is my refuge in the day of my distress." (Psalm 59:17d). It is on this note, that Prophet Jeremaiah reminded us:

"...they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, says the LORD. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless." (Jeremiah 15:20-21).

Beloved in Christ, what is it that you are going through? What discomfort engulfed you? Are you being persecuted or envied? "Fear not" says the Lord, for they will fight against you but they shall not prevail over you. Our day-to-day struggles and challenges cannot gulped us up, for God's promise to deliver us from the hand of our enemies shall surely prevail. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Eternal God, we thank You for the wonders of our being and the necessities of life. We glorify You for all the creatures in creation. We beseech Thee O! Lord to enlighten our minds so that we may experience the effect of Your love for us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                 27072022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Celebration: Feast of St. James

Texts: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Matthew 20:20-28

Theme: With God, we are more than conquerors

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies." (2 Corinthians 4:7ff.)

The challenges and tribulations of man cannot be quantified. The wind of life tosses him to and fro, sometimes his eyes refuse sleep, as the night becomes too long with no hope of dawn. When the dawn eventually sets in, tribulations return with greetings. Amidst these situations, St. Paul in his letter to the Cburch in Rome reminded us that, what we are passing through cannot be compared to the future glory awaiting us. (cf. Romans 8:18)

In the light of this, that the first reading from the liturgy of the word reassures us of God's continuous love and care for us in difficult moments.

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies." (2 Corinthians 4:7ff.)

As we are being pushed by the situation of life, let our trust hang solely on God, for He is ever ready and conscious of our problems.

To crown it all, the psalmist reechoeed the joy of a farmer on return from harvest, with the bountiful harvest, the pains of tilling, weeding and nurturing of the crops are forgotten. 

"Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap." (Psalm 126). 

And he went further to describe God's love of His people through His salvific power over the Israelites from their captives.

"When the LORD brought back the exiles of Sion, we thought we were dreaming. Then was our mouth filled with laughter; on our tongues, songs of joy."

Therefore, beloved in Christ, as we celebrate the feast of St. James today, one of the leading figures in the college of the apostles who bore witness to Christ despite challenges and tribulations, even to the point of his death. Let us rejoice and be glad, for we are not alone in the crowd for the hand of God is upon us. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Almighty and eternal God, great is Your faithfulness and love. We beseech Thee to give us the grace to hold on to You as the beginning and end of it all, so that when the wind of life blows we will deal not fall way, but lean on you. Through Cbrist our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                 25072022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Tuesday of the 16th Week of Ordinary Time of the year (C).

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

Text: Micah 7:14-15.18-20; Matthew 12:46-50

Theme: The steadfastness love of God

"You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old." (Micah 7:20)

The steadfastness love of God can never ceased, as it is renewed every morning keeping in mind the promise He made to Abraham His friend and our father in faith, and His faithfulness to Jacob. Man despite how sincere he looks while making promise, will certainly fail one day, but God can never fail no matter what. His Words are true and His faithfulness cannot be doubted. 

In the light of this, that Prophet Micah in the first reading reminded God of His promise:

"You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old." (Micah 7:20).

In our nation today, these words of Prophet Micah is needed to re-rebuild this broken walls of our living, to restore us back to the original state, where lion and lamb commune together, where darkness has no power over light.

He reminded us also of the benevolence attribute of God as a shepherd, and thus pray:

"Shepherd your people, Lord, with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, who dwell alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land;..." (Micah 7:14-15). 

This is a recap of the words of the Psalmist who affirmed the shepherding role of God, stressing that with Him we shall lack nothing (cf. Psalm 23:1ff.).

Therefore, beloved in Christ, let us put ourselves under the mantle love of God, no matter the situation we may find ourselves. For He knows our cares and worries and is ever ready to restore us back to wholeness. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray 

Eternal God, we are grateful to You for the wonder of Your creation. We acknowledge Your love and care upon us. We beseech Thee O! Lord the grace to be more faithful to You and trusting that our tears will be wiped away. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE               19072022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Monday of the 16th Week of Ordinary Time of the year (C).

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Text: Micah 6:1-4.6-8; Matthew 12:38-42

Theme: The desire of God from us

"... and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8).

The traditional teaching of the Church on the essence of creation of man is to love and serve God, so that on the last day we will see God as He really is. And these requirements need total dedication and commitment. That is why Propohet Micah in the first reading of today reiterates the obligation of man thus: 

"... and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8).

Why the mention of justice and love here? These two virtues are the foundation which hold our relationship with the creator, for God Himself is a just judge as well as "love" itself.

The essence of justice is reechoed and emphasized again by the Psalmist when he said:

 "To one whose way is blameless, I will show the salvation of God." (Psalm 50:23bc)

Beloved in Christ Jesus, it is a fact beyond doubt that, God desires our salvation. He is longing to have us back without any defilement. Let us therefore, put in our best in our day-to-day effort to walk uprightly before Him, act justly and then love without counting the cost. 

Finally, when we do these there is certainty that we will behold Him as He really is on the last day. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray 

Almighty and merciful God, we are grateful to You for the love and care. Grant we beseech Thee the grace to walk uprightly before You and to put on the cloak of justice and love wherever we find ourselves. Through Cbrist our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE               18072022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Saturday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time of the year (C).

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Celebration: Memorial of Blessed Virgin Mary 

Text:    Micah 2:1-5; Matthew 12:14-21

Theme: Do not forget the poor, O Lord!

"Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil upon their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand." (Micah 2:1-2)

Most often we tend to believe that, we have everything at our beck and call. We see ourselves as the beginning and the end based on self-evaluation, status we have or are being occupied; the connections we have, and suddenly forget that, all that we have, where we are and whom we think we are; are all precious gift of God to us for the service of others.

In the course of today's liturgy of the word, we hear Prophet Micah in the first reading foretelling the punishment on those who trust in their whims and caprices for the downfall of others saying:

"Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil upon their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand." (Micah 2:1-2)

Why do we take pleasure in being awake to plan either for the downfall of one another or revenge over hurt metted upon us? 

Let us be reminded that, the silence of God, no matter how long it may seems in human calculation cannot be taken for granted. For at the appointed time, God will certainly vindicate His children. Hear it out as God says:

"Behold, against this family I am devising evil, from which you cannot remove your necks; and you shall not walk haughtily, for it will be an evil time. In that day they shall take up a taunt song against you, and wail with bitter lamentation, ...." (Micah 2:1-5)

And the psalmist on the other hand says: "Do not forget the poor, O Lord!" (Psalm:12b). This is a great assurance for us, that no matter the plan of our enemies, to bring us down, to trample on our rights, God will never abandon us to their tricks and plans. 

But on our own part, we need to trust solely in God and not in our power; for God is and always there for us. He has already promised that He will avenge our cause and pay them in their due coin. (Romans12:19).

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray 

Dearest Lord, we are grateful to You for the gift of life and every beautiful things that come our ways. Grant we beg Thee the courage to trust only in You alone and not in our strength. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE               16072022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Friday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time of the year (C).

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

Celebration: Memorial of St. Bonaventure 

Text: Isaiah 38:1-6.21-22.7-8; Matthew 12:1-8

Theme: Remember your servant.

“Remember now, O Lord, I beseech you, how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” (cf. Isaiah 38:3)

The attribute of every faithful servant lies in obedience to the detect and ordinances of his master. So was Hezekiah in today's first reading who having received the shocking news of his death by Prophet Isaiah the son of Amos cried out to God:

“Remember now, O Lord, I beseech you, how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” (cf. Isaiah 38:1-6.21-22.7-8)

These words of Hezekiah is an invitation to a life of piety, making sincere effort to work before the Lord without blame. It is a call to self-denial and examination. 

However, on account of his faithful stewardship, God gave him more fifteen years. 

Beloved in Christ, what can we hold on as stewardship to God for the day of days when our Creator will invite us to account for our stewardship? What can we say we did as Hezekiah? Now, is the time to reconsider our motives in thoughts, words and actions.

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray 

Merciful Lord, be merciful to us as we strive to keep Your law. Grant we pray the grace to be closer to You always in our thoughts, words and actions. We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE               15072022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Thursday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time of the year (C).

Mystery of the day: Luminous

Text: Isaiah 26:7-9.12.16-19; Matthew 11:28-30

Theme: Come to me...

"Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, says the Lord." (Matthew 11:28).

The invitation "come to me" puts us on the reminder that, man by nature is solely dependent on God, whom we live, move and have our beings. Man right from moment of creation has been fragile, weak and insufficient in his dealing; on account of this shortcomings that Christ invites us to follow Him, so that we may be equipped and comforted in our distress.

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, says the Lord." (Matthew 11:28).

The burden of life is so severe that, we on ourselves cannot bear it alone. We need the grace of God to urges us on.

On the other hand, the Psalmist in its response reeechoed God's love and mercy upon us saying:

"The Lord looked down from heaven to the earth." (Psalm 102:20b).

His paternal gesture upon us gives us hope amidst distress, peace of mind in our discomfort and joy in sadness. 

Beloved in Christ, as you are setting out this morning, present before Him who knows it all your cares and worries. Let us be reminded that, God who created us without us, cannot save us with us as rightly puts by St. Augustine.

Therefore, let us build up our faith and trust solely on Him, He will never fail us. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray 

Almighty and eternal God, we are grateful to You for the wonders of creation. We beseech Thee, O! Lord to give us the grace to come in terms with our weaknesses, while relying on You as the source of our strength. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE               14072022