DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Tuesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful 

Table of the Word: 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; Luke 4:31-37.

Theme: Be spiritual...

“The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God; the spiritual man judges all things.” (1 Corinthians 2:10-16)

The spirit is life. It is life because it permeates into every facet of our beings. It decipher the innermost part of man and gives man the breath. That is why God is spirit, which manifested in the third person of Triun God.

In our reflection today, we join our brother St. Paul - the apostle of Gentiles to meditate on what it means to be spiritual. As he says:

The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God; the spiritual man judges all things.” (1 Corinthians 2:10-16).

This teaching invites us to the deeper understanding of spirituality. He defines the attribute of one who is a spiritual man/woman, and he/she who is not. For a spiritual man discerns and judges all things, but unspirutual fellow has no such capacity and dwells in an emptiness. 

In the the gospel reading, Evangelist Luke gives account of how the man with unclean spirit recognized Jesus and his authority. (cf. Luke 4:31-37)

Beloved in Christ, is your spirit at work or dormant, can it recognize Jesus? Even that of the posssed man had the impetus to recognize Him and his power.

Therefore, work out to possess authentic spirit, a spirit of recognising Jesus even in the pitiable condition of life, a spirit to discern and judge all things. With this, we will now come to the understanding of who Jesus the Son of God really is. 

Finally, to be spiritually minded is life and peace as proclaimed by St. Paul. (Romans 8:6) Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Almighty God, we worship You for the wonders of Your being. Accept we pray the homage of our lips. Grant us O! Lord the grace to decipher the work of the Spirit in us so that we may recognize Your Son in the event of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                30082022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Monday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)

Mystery of the day: Joyful 

Celebration:The Passion of Saint John the Baptist

St John's fearless condemnation of Herod's unlawful marriage incurred the hatred of the king's bride, Herodias. She had him imprisoned and finally killed. St John the Baptist teaches us to be strong in carrying out the mission God has given us.

Table of the Word: Jeremiah 1:17-19; Mark  6:17-29

Theme:  The battle is not ours but of the Lords

"They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the LORD, to deliver you." (Jeremiah 1:19)

The protective hand of God is always upon us, our resting and rising all determined by our God. Many will stand against us, but they will not succeed, that is the foundation of today's reflection as proclaimed through the prophecy of Jeremaiah:

"They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the LORD, to deliver you." (Jeremiah 1:19)

The battle in question refers to defence of justice and righteousness; but not a case of wickedness.  That is why the words of the Beatitude according to Evangelist Matthew has this to say:

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10) 

As St. John the Baptist who bore witness to the Truth was crowned with glory. King Herod thought he has done the worst, but God who always reward His children gave John the Baptist a bigger reward beyond what Herod gave to Herodias' daughter (cf. Mark 6:17-29). 

Therefore, no matter what we undergo in the course of standing for the truth, we will certainly triumph, for God is always with us.

Finally, beloved in Christ, the battle is indeed not ours but of the Lords (Exodus 14:14) Let our hearts go with Him in our day-to-day struggle. He will never put us to shame, just trust in Him, defend the cause of justice then the crown of glory will be yours. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

O God, who willed that Saint John the Baptist should go ahead of your Son both in his birth and in his death, grant that as he died a Martyr for truth and justice, we, too, may fight hard for the confession of what you teach. 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.

© The ARCHIVE                29082022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Thursday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)

Mystery of the day: Luminous 

Table of the Word: Ezekiel 36:23-28; Matthew 22:1-14

Theme:  His love for us endures forever.

“You shall dwell in the land which I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.” (Ezekiel 36:28)

God is love, and there is no better description of His personality than this. He loves beyond measure, not as man loves.His love goes beyond boundaries, it is in and out of season. He does not consider our frailties and inadequacies. 

He looked beyond human calculation. For man, there is limit, and for Him there is no end. 

In the light of this scenario, that Prophet Ezekiel reechoed today in the first reading the solemn promised of God to His children:

“You shall dwell in the land which I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.” (Ezekiel 36:28)

His promise is always fulfilled, He has never for once promised and fail, and absolutely no disappointment in his appointment.

Amidst this kind gesture, there is also an obligation on our part, in order to benefited wholly from this ocean of love. 

The gospel acclamation gives us an in-depth explanation of our obligation thus:

"Today, harden not your hearts, but listen to the voice of the Lord." (Ps 95:7d.8a)

We need an open ear to understand the detects and ordinances placed before us, our hearts need to be melted to absorb the Word as Prophet Ezekiel proclaimed.

Finally, may we be conscious of the Word which is alive and active in our hearts. Let us not be only the hearers but also the doers.

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Eternal Word, Your Word remains a light unto our path, it dispels the darkness that engulf us. Grant us we pray the grace to crave for it always and radiate this experience of your love to wherever man is found. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                18082022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Wednesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)

Mystery of the day: Glorious 

Table of the Word: Ezekiel 34:1-11; Matthew 20:1-16

Theme: Be Shepherd.

"For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out." (Ezekiel 34:11)

Beloved in Christ, the call to shepherd the flock of Christ is for every baptised Christians. Though some may think that, only priests, teachers of faith (catechists), evangelists or people of this magnitude with special call are the shepherd. Absolutely, no. The call is for all, but in different cadre. The father of the house, has within his reach sheep entrusted to his care namely: the wife, children and other members of that household, so same with the mother or wife as the case may be. A teacher whose duty is to teach and direct pupils or students in his care has the responsibility to see to the welfare of these people without an iota of sentiment. Some pastors are victims of this ill-development even in the temple, where the flock are being shepherd for sordid money as St. Peter warns:

"shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness." (I Peter 5:2)

Sadly, in most cases the reverse is the case as the shepherd himself turn around to be wolf against his sheep. He feeds from the sweat and tears of his sheep. The loud cry of his sheep becomes a canticle or psalm for him.

Today, these beautiful words of reminder is being reechoed in our hears, inviting us to revamp our strength in shepherding the flock entrusted to our care. And our failure to do the needful, then we will be relieved from the service as Prophet Ezekiel announced today in the first reading:

For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out." (Ezekiel 34:11)

May we go about seeking for the missing sheep under our care, bandaging the  wounded ones, feeding those hungry, quenching their thirst in the desert, so that when the Chief Shepherd appears we may be rewarded accordingly. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Eternal Word and good Shepherd, we thank You for the love and care we have received. We beg of Thee to forgive us of our trespasses and failings against the flock entrusted to our care. And grant us the grace to be more shepherd than we were and are.Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                17082022

: 

Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                17082022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful 

Table of the Word: Ezekiel 28:1-10; Matthew 19:23-30

Theme: Pride goes before fall.

"Because your heart is proud, and you have said, 'I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas, ..." (Ezekiel 28:2)

The glory of every man is bestowed only by God. Fame and honour fade when there is a derailed from its source through pride and self-glorification. But he who holds God as the first and the last of every crown stands to enjoy the aura of a dignified state. 

Today, in the first reading Prophet Ezekiel presented before us an account of yet another foolish man, who did not see God as the source of his strength. 

"Because your heart is proud, and you have said, 'I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas, ..." (Ezekiel 28:2)

In human calculations, he sees himself as "all" and "all", the beginning and the end; and suddenly forgets that God is the author and finisher of his being. 

To buttress this point,  St. Paul in his second epistle to the Corinthian Church recounted the loss Christ accepted for our gain saying:

"Though Jesus Christ was rich, yet for our sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Beloved in Christ, how do we reciprocate this kind gesture of our Creator? Is it by using what He has blessed us with, to suppress others? To inflict pains? Judge others unjustly? Telling the poor "your life is in my hand." Above all, we only think as humans and not God. He has the final say. Let us not forget in haste also, the story of that Biblical rich fool, who had all at his beck and call, but his hope in himself was thwarted by his Creator.

Finally, let us learn form the fig tree that there is nothing, absolutely nothing that last forever, except God Himself and His Words. And something must certainly humble a man. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Holy, Immortal and Invincible God, we give You glory and honour for Your faithfulness and love. Grant us we pray the grace to be humble before You through our fellow men. Let our actions be geared toward the sanctification of our souls and the glory of Your name. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                16082022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)

Mystery of the day: Joyful 

Celebration: The Solemnity of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This feast was celebrated in the liturgy of the Eastern World from the sixth century and, in Rome, from the seventh century. On November 1, 1950 Pope Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption. He solemnly proclaimed that the belief whereby the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the close of her earthly career, was taken up body and soul, into the glory of heaven, really forms part of the deposit of faith, received from the apostles. This feast confirms us in the theological virtue of hope whereby we seek our sanctification and that of the others in the midst of our ordinary duties. At the same time we are encouraged to look at our goal in heaven.

Table of the Word: Revelation 11:19;12:1-6.10; I Corinthians 15:20-26; Luke 1:39-56.

Theme:... and the Word became Flesh.

"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." (Luke 1:45)

The Solemnity of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the Holy days of Obligation, which is liturgically ranked as one of the highest celebrations after Sunday - the weekly Easter. As a Holy day of Obligation, we are obliged to observe it with all amount of solemnity and meditation on the Marian mystery of Assumption.

The readings of the day gives an in-depth explanation of the Marian mystery in relation to the salvation economy of man, her docility and acceptance to be the harbinger of God's Son and Saviour of the world. 

However, taking a look at an extract of today's gospel, Elizabeth proclaimed:

"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." (Luke 1:45)

A call on us to continue relyng on her maternal intercession as the queen of Heaven and earth. She knows our needs and is ever ready to recourse to our needs as the case of wedding at Cana. (cf. John 2:1-11).

The favourite Memorare testify to her Maternal assistance which has never failed us. As the second Eve, who is and ever ready to interceed for the salvation of man, reminded us of the need to be faithful to the Word of God in obedience as she did; when she treasures the Word in her heart.

Finally, let us hold on to God, while relying on the Maternal intercession of our dear Mother Mary. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

O God, who, looking on the lowliness of the Blessed Virgin Mary, raised her to this grace, that your Only Begotten Son was born of her according to the flesh and that she was crowned this day with surpassing glory, grant through her prayers, that, saved by the mystery of your redemption, we may merit to be exalted by you on high. 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.

© The ARCHIVE                15082022

DIVINE WHISPER with FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Tuesday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful 

Table of the Word: Ezekiel 2:8-3:4; Matthew 18:1-5.10.12-14

Theme: You must be child-like.

"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:1ff.)

Most often, Christ employs the image of children in the course of His teaching to bring home the message. Not that there are no images to be used, but He did that for a purpose. What then is the purpose of this illustration using child-like character?

In a child we find: innoncency, docility, dependency, curiosity and authnticity of behaviour; and no absolute pretence. 

These and many are the background where our Lord based His teaching on.

In our reflection today, Evangelist Matthew gave an account of the invitation of Christ to His disciples to turn and become like children, even though they have passed the stage.

"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:1ff.)

However, this teaching arouses in many minds thought provoking questions on: How can we become like children having left the infant stage?. As a matter of fact, the invitation is a call to docility, humility, dependency and authenticity of behaviour.

If we are to be child-like, we ought to be humble like little children and docile to the detects and ordinances of the Lord.

To buttress this point, the Psalmist in the course of today's liturgy of the Word has this to say:

"I rejoice in the way of your precepts, as though all riches were mine." (Psalm 119:14.)

How many of us rejoice over the precepts of the Lord as children could do? For a child who is being advised creates no room for argument. Rather, he listen to the instruction and carry it to the latter. In reverse, an adult will ask: Why?, When? and How?.

Finally, let us pray for child-like attitude so that we can understand the sacred mysteries of God and be prudent in our actions. Peace! Be with you.

Let us pray

Father of mercy, we give You thanks for the many blessings You shower upon us. Grant we pray the docility and humility of children so that we may gain wisdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

© The ARCHIVE                09082022