DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY  THE 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (A)

MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Glorious 

CELEBRATION OF THE DAY:  

St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

(349-407). Born in Antioch. He was a great genius, whose powerful eloquence earned him the name Chrysostom, "the golden-mouthed". He entered monastic life and then became a priest. As Archbishop of Constantinople, he distinguished himself for his preaching and his abundant writings about Catholic doctrine and Christian life. He died in exile. 

TABLE OF THE WORD: Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 6:20-26.

THEME: Where lies your treasure?

THE WORD: 

"If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:1-2)

St. Paul in his second letter to Timothy avers:  "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness..."(2 Timothy 3:16)

At this  point he gives the basic essence of the scripture in the light of Christian living. In the same manner while addressing the Colossians' Church reaffirmed this by calling to mind the essence of our Christian calling. For if through baptism we were all buried in Christ, then in His resurrection we will live. Thus, our calling demands thinking about heavenly realities as he says: 

"If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:1-2)

INSPIRATION 

Today's central text often employed to mean something like, “think about heaven,” “seek things that are of a Godly quality,” or “set your minds on things that are good, peaceful, divine, rather than things that will bring you down.”

Beloved in Christ, the fundamental question posed before us this morning is: "Where lies our treasure?" For the scripture has said it all:  "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21) 

In the first place what and what are our treasures? Do we treasure heavenly things or our minds are settled on ephemeral realities where moth can destroy in a twinkle of an eye? Our Christian calling put before us things that are above which will certainly lead us to the kingdom.  That is why St. Paul further says:

"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." ((Colossians 3:3-8)

However, we can only become the heir of the kingdom only when we put off old self and put on a new man, for every new wine needs a new wine skin.  

Finally, we pray through the intercession of St. John Chrysostom for grace to look beyond this world so that at the end we may see Jesus as truly is. 

Peace be with you! 

PRAYER

O God, strength of those who hope in you, who willed that the Bishop Saint John Chrysostom should be illustrious by his wonderful eloquence and his experience of suffering, grant us, we pray, that, instructed by his teachings, we may be strengthened through the example of his invincible patience. 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.

+ May the Lord in His infinite mercy bless and keep us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

(c) The ARCHIVE                        13092023

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF  THE 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (A)

MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Sorrowful 

CELEBRATION OF THE DAY:  Ferial 

TABLE OF THE WORD: Colossians 2:6-15; Luke 6:12-19.

THEME: ... Live, be rooted and be built up in Him.

THE WORD: 

"As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7) 

INSPIRATION 

By the virtue of baptism we are being called into one fold of Christ’s body as priests, prophets and Kings. Thus, we are bound to live, be rooted and be built up in Him through a unified relationship with one another. This could only be achieved if we establish our lives in faith as St. Paul in his epistle to the Colossians Church says: 

As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7) 

And here, he invites us to a life of thanksgiving in Jesus no matter the situation we may find ourselves. 

We are obliged to build the body of Christ through faith in moment of despair, loving one another without cost and seeing beyond one's weakness and inadequacy.

Finally, let us in love and joy live, be rooted and be built up in Christ who is the image of the invisible God. 

Peace be with you! 

PRAYER

O God, we are grateful to You for Your love and mercy. We pray may you grant us the grace to live, be rooted and be built up in You as the source of our strength; so that we may in faith live out our Christian calling. 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.

+ May the Lord in His infinite mercy bless and keep us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

(c) The ARCHIVE                        12092023

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

SATURDAY OF  THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (A)

MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Joyful 

CELEBRATION OF THE DAY:  St.  Peter Claver, Priest.
(1581-1654) A native of Spain, young Jesuit Peter Claver left his homeland forever in 1610 to be a missionary in the colonies of the New World. He sailed into Cartagena (now in Colombia), a rich port city washed by the Caribbean. He was ordained there in 1615. He was canonized in 1888, and Pope Leo XIII declared him the worldwide patron of missionary work among black slaves. 

TABLE OF THE WORD: Colossians 1:21-23;  Luke 6:1-5.

THEME: He has reconciled you...

THE WORD: 

"You, who once were estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in Christ’s body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, provided that you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast,..." (Colossians 1:21-22) 

The unfathomable love of God is beyond every human calculation and understanding,  it goes beyond tribe, sex and culture. His love for us is unconditional and same in all seasons.

It is in the light of this that St. Paul in his exhortation to the Church in Colossians reaffirmed this by saying:

"You, who once were estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in Christ’s body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, provided that you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast,..." (Colossians 1:21-22) 

It is out of love that God sent His Son as a ransom for the reconciliation of humanity with the divinity. For we were in darkest of darkness when we lost the original Grace, we were separated from the Divinty; but with the sending of Jesus we were all reinstated into the Divine plan of salvation. 

INSPIRATION 

Most often we tend to trust in our weaknesses, suddenly forget that our sufficiency comes only from God. In our weaknesses God is always there to assist us. We cannot get there without Him, for we may know the way but not the situation of the destination as He Himself is all knowing. Taking cognizance of the fact that He knows the end from the beginning from the end.

Let our minds be focused on God that despite our shortcomings His will grace speak for us and reconcile us back to the Father as children of light. 

Peace be with you! 

PRAYER

O God, who made Saint Peter Claver a slave of slaves and strengthened him with wonderful charity and patience as he came to their help, grant, through his intercession, that, seeking the things of Jesus Christ, we may love our neighbour in deeds and in truth. 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.

+ May the Lord in His infinite mercy bless and keep us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

(c) The ARCHIVE                        10092023

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF  THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (A)

MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Luminous 

CELEBRATION OF THE DAY: Ferial 

TABLE OF THE WORD: Colossians 1:9-14;  Luke 5:1-11

THEME: Put out into the deep..

THE WORD: 

"Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." ” (Luke 5:4-11) 

In the course of Christ’s public ministry,  every event brings about a revelation of the Divine will about man's salvation. 

In today gospel pericope, we have seen the manifestation of God's possibility amidst every impossibility. Here Evangelist Luke recounted the incident which let to this, as the disciples were already hopeless having spent the entire night without a catch. 

"Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." ” (Luke 5:4-11) 

Probably they were about paddling home as the day could not bear fruit, but with intervention of Christ their story changed leaving them in the state of great bewilderment. 

INSPIRATION

Beloved in Christ, in our day-to-day struggle do we involve God or we are relying on our effort only? Every encounter with the Lord spells blossom and fruitfulness.  As we have seen in today gospel where the disciples happen to encounter Jesus, their net had a wonderful catch; an event which teaches us the supremacy of God over every creatures in creation. 

Therfore, there is no situation that God cannot handle in our lives, it may take years, months, but lose no hope for God is over the problem. Put your trust solely in Him, fear not for He will certainly give you a huge catch provided you are ready to launch in your net in faith.

Peace be with you! 

PRAYER

Almighty and eternal God we thank You for the many blesaings You have given us, grant we pray the grace to launch in our net with faith so that our needs will be provided.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.

+ May the Lord in His infinite mercy bless and keep us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

(c) The ARCHIVE                        07092023

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

TUESDAY OF  THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (A)

MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Sorrowful 

CELEBRATION OF THE DAY: Ferial 

TABLE OF THE WORD:    1 Thessalonians 5:1-6.9-11;  Luke 4:31-37.

THEME: The authoritative teaching of Jesus.

THE WORD: 

•  "And they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” (Luke 4:36) 

Before Christ and during His public ministry there were teachers and prophets who taught and prophesied but to an extent they made no outstanding different; that is why the scribes and Pharisees acknowledged Him as one who teaches with clear difference and authority.

As the Scripture says, when He entered Capernaum a city of Galilee, apart from humans who acknowledged His supreme authority the demon who has tormented a certain young man also acknowledged Him saying: 

"Ah! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." (Luke 4:34) 

His acknowledgement came with worship as the Holy One of God. 

INSPIRATION

Beloved in Christ, in our life and relationship with God, do we acknowledge His attributes of Omniscience (all-knowing), Omnipresence (abiding presence) and Omnipotence (all-powerful). These three attributes of His are the answers to our problems. When we are lost in thought and situation of life - He knows it all; at the moment of despair, trials and challenges of life - His abiding presence urges us on and when we are too weak to go further -as a shepherd He gives us a leaning shoulder for support as all powerful God.

Then, why then worry of the situation that God Himself has conquered? Let us in our thoughts, words and actions acknowledged His supremacy as all and all. It is in doing this that even if we walk in the darkest of night we will fear no evil for He is with us. (cf. Psalm 23). Peace be with you! 

PRAYER

Merciful Lord, we thqnk You for the maby blessings that come our, Your revelation to us in many ways and occasions. Grqnt us dearest Lord the grace to acknowledge Your ever abiding presence wherever we find ourselves. 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.

+ May the Lord in His infinite mercy bless and keep us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

(c) The ARCHIVE                        05092023

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

MONDAY OF  THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (A)

MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Joyful 

CELEBRATION OF THE DAY: Ferial 

TABLE OF THE WORD:   1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Luke 4:18

THEME: Life beyond the grave.

THE WORD: 

•  "God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14) 

St. Paul in his exhortation to the Thessalonians' Church reminded them of the need not to grief over the dead as pagans does, rather they should grief with hope that after this mortal life there is life beyond the grave. For as we were all baptized into Christ death, with His resurrection He has given us sure hope of life that is better than this ephemeral existence. 

However, the first preface of Christian death reaffirmed this saying: "Indeed for Your faithful, Lord, life is changed and not ended, and when this earthly deelling turns to dust; as an eternal dwelling is made ready for them in heaven."

INSPIRATION

One of the fascinating facts about death is the separation that occurs between the dead and the bereaved.Thus, separation leaves one with untold pains, irreplaceable loss and vacuum difficult to fill. 

Amidst this pains, let our faith not be shaken but to be built only in God who is the beginning and the end. 

Certainly, we may be left with scars of pain after the demise of our loved ones, we may still find it difficult to accept the reality of their demise, but one thing is sure we must all die in death so as to live in Christ. Peace be with you! 

PRAYER

Eternal Word, in gratitude we thank You for the many blessings we receive from You. Grant we pray the grace to put our faith in You that after this earthly dwelling we will behold that beatific vision You promised us. 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.

+ May the Lord in His infinite mercy bless and keep us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

(c) The ARCHIVE                        04092023

DIVINE BEDTIME WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

22nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (A)

MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Glorious 

TABLE OF THE WORD: Jeremiah 20:7-9; Psalm 63:2.3-4.5-6.8-9 (R. cf. 2ab); Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27

THEME: Be seduced!

THE WORD:

"O LORD, you have deceived me, and I was deceived; you are stronger than I, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all the day; every one mocks me." (Jeremiah 20:7)

Juxtaposing the three readings of today together,  one can possibly deduce that the call to discipleship through water of baptism goes with sharing in the passion of our Lord. That is to say, without which our hope would be futile. It is in the light of this, that ProphetJeremiah in the first reading poured out his mind with lamentation over how God has seduced or deceived him; for he least expected what he was experiencing at that point in time. (cf. Jeremiah 20:7-9).

The second reading following the Pauline's epistle to the Romans' Church reminded us of our personality in Christ being described as "God's altar." (cf. Romans 12:1-2) Here St. Paul invites us to a life of holiness in Christ to shun all form of impurities which may dent the divine image we were all created. (cf. Genesis 1:26). 

The gospel pericope gives the general understanding of what it means to follow Christ. Reflecting with Evangelist Matthew, he gives a walking definition of what Christianity is all about; that it is not about eating and drinking but by self denial and daily carrying of our crosses in perseverance. (Matthew 16:21-27)

INSPIRATION

Beloved in Christ, as we have retire on this weekly Easter (the Lord's day) after the fatigue of daily Crosses and tribulations, after taking stock of today's experience. What do we have to say? How heavy was our Crosses? No matter how it was, God's abiding presence is with us. We cannot be absolutely free as Christians without partaking in His passion. That is why the palmist says: 

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I'll fear no evil, for Thou art with me." (cf. Psalm 23).

Each and everyone of us have experience one kind of trial or the other  ranging from betrayal, hatred, envy, insult, false accusation etc. This of course is similar to the suffering Prophet Jeremiah experienced, for in human calculation he thought his prophetic ministry will be that which will be free from suffering. But he never knew that God writes in crooked lines, by implication no matter what we are passing through His hand is always there to hold us from falling.

Finally, as St. Paul admonished us today, while carrying our daily Crosses let us try as much as possible to conform to the pattern of any age but to the gospel ideals which Christ gave us. Let us in perseverance bear the thorns of this life, for amidst this we are more than conquerors and the future glory awaiting us cannot be compared in any way to the present suffering. Then, let us be seduced by God.

Peace be with you! 

PRAYER

God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that by deepening our sense of reverence, you may nurture in us what is good and, by your watchful care, keep safe what you have nurtured.Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

+ May the Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.

(c) The ARCHIVE                       030982023