DIVINE WHISPER with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

SATURDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

Mystery of the day: Joyful

The Word: "Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up." (Hosea 6:1-6).

Table of the Word: 

I R.: Hosea 6:1-6

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4.18-19.20-21ab (See Hosea 6:6)

Verse before the Gospel: See Psalm 95:7d.8a

Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Theme: I desire mercy and not sacrifice.

Inspiration: Every sick person desires healing and restoration. But when healing does not come, mind blowing question surfaces. Where is God? But most often we suddenly forget that: "every event in life is a lesson."

Thus implies that, God often writes in a crooked line. That is, He does whatsoever He Wills. Our distress, tribulations and ugly situations does not mean to pull us down but to strengthen us. It is in this same spirit that, Prophet Hosea proclaimed:

"Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up." (Hosea 6:1-6).

This points to God's ever readiness to heal us of our infirmities, infirmties of hardshisp, distress, hatred, envy, etc. at His appointed time.

He desire to be merciful upon us and not in our "ill-burnt offering of sin." Trust and obey, He will not fail us. Healing upon us we pray O! Lord. Peace be with you!

Thought for the day

"If you have no mercy toward others, how can you ask God to have mercy on you?" - St. John Chrysostom 

Let us pray

Rejoicing in this annual celebration of our Lenten observance, we pray, O Lord, that, with our hearts set on the paschal mysteries, we may be gladdened by their full effects. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

DIVINE WHISPER with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

FRIDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT 

The Word:  "Take away all iniquity: receive graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride on horses, nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘you are our gods.’ For in you the fatherless finds mercy.” (Hosea 14:2-3).

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

Table of the Word: I R.: Hosea 14:1-9

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 81:6c-8a.8bc-9.10-11ab.14and 17 (R. see 11a.9b)

Verse before the Gospel: Matthew 4:17

Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

Theme: Be Renewed.

Inspiration: Every spiritual renewal goes with renouncing of the former ways, stripping-off the old-self and putting on of the new-self. It can as well be seen in the light of renewal where walk awy from our confirt zone to where Gid will lead me.

In our reflection today, we have seen a call for total renewal from Israelites as Prophet Hosea says: "Take away all iniquity: receive graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride on horses, nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘you are our gods.’ For in you the fatherless finds mercy.” (Hos. 14:2-3). This clarion call was to bring to our consciousness the need to be spiritually renewed by deserting former ways and seek for the way of the Lord as Israel renounced theirs today  (cf. Hos. 14:1-9). In another place St. Paul exhorts us thus: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Rom. 12:2). This admonition has to do with an act of renouncing our former ways and take up a new path in Jesus.

To buttress this, the Psalmist prays: “Send out your breath and life… and you renew the face of the earth.” (Ps. 104:30) This should be our daily prayer, as we continue our Lenten walk. We ought to be conscious of our thoughts, words and actions; and once in a while pause to reflect on how is it pleasing to our God. Peace be with you!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“Let us make a firm resolution during Lent: to detach our hearts from earthly things, and seek only the love of God.” - St. Teresa of Avila.

Let us pray                            

We call on your loving kindness and trust inyour mercy, O Lord, that since we have from you all that we are, through your grace we may seek what is right and have strength to do the good we desire. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

© ARCHIVE 28032025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LENTEN DIGEST with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT 

The Word:  "Obedience" a virtue which the sacred Scripture adorns with high esteem is better than sacrifice. (cf. 1 Samuel 15:22-23).

Mystery of the day: Luminous

Table of the Word: I R.: Jeremiah 7:23-28

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2.6-7abc.7d-9 (R. 7d-8a)

Verse before the Gospel: Joel 2:12-13

Gospel: Luke 11:14-23

Theme: Obey my voice...

Inspiration:On our tabloid today, we wish to reflect on "Obedience" a virtue which the sacred Scripture adorns with high esteem which is better than sacrifice. (cf. 1 Sam. 15:22-23). The fundamental question is, obedience to who or what? Is it to obey our carnal feelings? To obey what offends God?

More still, is it a matter of obeying with the hope to be raised to the status of fame and glory which will not last the day? No. The obedience here has to do with God and all constituted authorities. It is on this note that the Lord invited us through the prophecy of Jeremiah to reflect today as Prophet Jeremiah announced:Thus says the LORD: “This command I gave my people, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you." (Jer. 7:23ff.)

However, Christ our Master in His life has taught us what it means to be obedient; despite His Heavenly glory, power and fame, He emptied Himself took human form with humility, and became obedient to the point of death – even death on the cross - kenosis (cf. Phil. 2:7-8). This virtue of obedience is enshrined in love, for if we truly profess our love to God we have to keep to heart His detects and ordinances. As imitators of Christ, we are obliged to keep God’s law in our daily living experience through our thoughts, words and actions. Then in doing this without any feeling of pride or arrogant we stand to experience the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living; as God is ever ready to assist us in every way.

Finally, let us try our best to respond positively to this wonderful call for salvation; for when we do this, the steadfastness of God's love will enrich us. Peace be with you!

 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

 “If a man finds it very hard to forgive injuries, let him look at a crucifix, and think that Christ shed all His Blood for him, and not only forgave His enemies, but even prayed His Heavenly Father to forgive them also. Let him remember that when he says the ‘Our Father,’ everyday, instead of asking pardon for his sins, he is calling down vengeance on himself.”

-         St. Philip Neri

Let us pray                            

We call on your loving kindness and trust inyour mercy, O Lord, that since we have from you all that we are, through your grace we may seek what is right and have strength to do the good we desire.  Through Christ our Lord. Amen

© ARCHIVE 27032025

LENTEN DIGEST with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT 

The Word:  "...give heed to the statutes and the ordinances which I teach you, and do them; that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, gives you." (Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9).

Mystery of the day: Glorious

Table of the Word: I R.: Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 147:12-13.15-16.19-20 (R. 12a)

Verse before the Gospel: see John 6:63c.68c

Gospel: Matthew 5:1717-19

Theme: God's Ordinances

Inspiration:

"... give heed to the statutes and the ordinances which I teach you, and do them; that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, gives you." (Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9).

Dearest friend(s) in Christ, good morning to you with God's choicest blessing. It is yet a new dawn the Lord has given to us.

In the light of beholding this great opportunity, God through   Moses, the great leader of Israelites admonished us to take cognizance of the detects and ordinances God has placed before us saying: "... give heed to the statutes and the ordinances which I teach you, and do them; that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, gives you." (Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9).

This admonition goes with blessing for life longevity, betterment and fortune which we all long for. But let us be rest assured that, the promise is beyond the ephemeral existence before us; but that eternal life of being with God. Adherence to these ordinances and detects will certainly put us on the right track with God throughout our  earthly pilgrimage.

Finally, "keep the law of God, and God will keep you alive." Peace be with you!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

 “If a man finds it very hard to forgive injuries, let him look at a crucifix, and think that Christ shed all His Blood for him, and not only forgave His enemies, but even prayed His Heavenly Father to forgive them also. Let him remember that when he says the ‘Our Father,’ everyday, instead of asking pardon for his sins, he is calling down vengeance on himself.”

-         St. Philip Neri

Let us pray                            

O God, our founder and ruler, drive away the sins that assail us, that we may always be pleasing to you and ever safe under your protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

© ARCHIVE 26032025

 

LENTEN DIGEST with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

MONDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT 

The Word: “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and cure the leper.” (see2 Kings 5:1-15)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Table of the Word: I R.:2 Kings 5:1-15

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 42:2.3; 43:3.4 (R. 42:3)

Verse before the Gospel: see Psalm 130:5.7

Gospel: Luke 4:24-30

Theme: Faith in little things.

Inspiration:According to James Hudson Taylor“Little things are little things but faithfulness in it makes it great.”Most often what we consider to be little following human calculations are great in the sight of God. Biblically, the image of children are used in teaching us lessons on humility. Why using children? Whom we consider to be ignorant and naïve. But God chooses this image for a purpose to teach us that, what the world consider to be filthy and worthless, He can transform it into an object of glory. Among such is the story of David, Joseph, Elizabeth who was barren, and the rest of other related events. In another place, the scripture also reaffirmed that God chooses the weak of the world to shame the strong and thoughtless to shame the intelligent (cf. I Cor. 1:27).

In today’s liturgy of the Word, we can see some elements of pride in Naaman, when Prophet Elisha sent a message to him. In anger Naaman replied: “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and cure the leper.” (see2 Kgs. 5:1-15). Here, out of pride, we can see lack of faith in him. His disregard to the instruction of the prophet, maybe as a result of his position or expectation. This act is what the scripture exhorts: “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.”(Lk.16:10). For Naaman, his expectation betrayed him, as he felt that the prophet has to perform series of rites for his healing.

However, this is one of the major problems facing our spiritual lives. We often tend to expect our blessings to come in the form of a thunder, until we believe that we are serving a mighty God. Abraham believed in God despite the uncertainties of his journey that is why the book of Habakkuk says: “The righteous live by their faith.” (Hab.2:4). And St. Paul while addressing the Church in Corinth says:  “For we walk by faith,not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7).

Beloved in Christ, until when we look at every event in the eyes of faith, it is there and then that we would come to the realization that mighty things happen with a gentle breeze. We ought to allow the spirit to speak to us, in moment of difficulties through prayer and meditation. In doing this, we will overcome every doubt that may engulf us. Peace be with you!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

 “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary,. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”

-         St. Thomas Aquinas

Let us pray                            

May your right hand, we ask, O Lord, protect us that make entreaty to you: graciously purify us and give us instruction, that finding solace in this life, we may reach the good things to come. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

© ARCHIVE 24032025

LENTEN DIGEST with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT 

The Word: “I will arise and go to my father, and I willsay to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.”(Luke 15:18)

Mystery of the day: Joyful

Table of the Word: I R.:Micah 7:14-15.18-20

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2.3-4.910.11-12 (R.8a)

Verse before the Gospel: Luke 15:18

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3.11-32

Theme: Perfect Contrition.

Inspiration:The concept of contrition remains the first step towards the act of reconciliation. Every now andthen God invites us to Himself despite our short-comings. The action of contrition requires repentance for all our sins, a desire for God over our transgression, believing that through the Cross of Jesus we are redeemed.

Biblically, the following texts make allusion to this term: Psalm 34:18; 51:17; Isaiah 57:15, which “smitten” as in Isaiah 66:2 gives meaning to it. The term is often used alongside with the heart as “contrite heart” that is “broken heart.” 

In a nut shell, the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia defined contrition as a grief experienced as a consequence of the revelation of sin made by the preaching of law (cf. Jer. 23:29).

However, Psalm 51 really gives a clear picture on this, when Prophet Nathan came to rebuke David for taking Bathsheba. In the like manner, that Prophet Micah on behalf of the people in the course of today’s first reading say this prayer for forgiveness having acknowledged the sin of the people (cf. Micah 7:14-15.18-20). 

In the gospel pericope, we have seen the man who squandered the share of his living, expressing remorse over his attitude and accepting to return to his father: “I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.”(Luke 15:18)

Obviously, many fall into sins but never think of making true contrition as David or the young man in the gospel did, God showed His mercy to every sinner who approached Him with a contrite of heart. In fact, sin in itself do not draw God’s mercy and forgiveness, but true contrition in humility by acknowledging our weakness and shortcomings open the fountain of His mercy for forgiveness and reconciliation.

As we continue our Lenten spiritual experience, we are exhorted to acknowledge our failings with contrite of heart, letting go the hurt by others, and then approach sacrament of reconciliation. It is at this Temple of Mercy that we will be dressed with the best of the robes, with ring and treated with the feast of fatted calf. Peace be with you!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

 “The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works. You do the truth and come to the light.”

-         St. Augustine

Let us pray                            

Bestow upon us, Lord, abundance of grace and protection; grant health of mind and body; grant fullness of fraternal charity, and make us always devoted to you.Through Christ our Lord. Amen

© ARCHIVE 22032025

 

 

 

 

LENTEN DIGEST with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT 

The Word: “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son; that whoever believes in him should have eternal life.”(John 3:16)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful

Table of the Word: I R.:Genesis 37:3-4.1217-28

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 105:16-17.18-19.20-21 (R. 5a)

Verse before the Gospel: John 3:16

Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43.45-46

Theme:  God’s Love

Inspiration: The love of God upon us cannot in any way be measured, as it transcends mere words. In our daily living experience, many see this great attribute (love) of God in its letters, others misinterpret it wrongly and some make effort to live it out in concrete terms through their relationship with one another. In the light of this that today’s liturgy of the Word revolves the virtue of love.

Firstly, we see this attribute being displayed by Israel who showered Joseph with love because he was the child of his old age. Thus, generating envy in the minds of his siblings. Secondly, the gospel pericope presents us with the love of God upon humanity by giving His only Son as a ransom for human race as depicted in the parable (cf. Matt.21:33-43.45-46). The gospel acclamation on the other way round gives us the resumé of what real love is as Evangelist John says: “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son; that whoever believes in him should have eternal life.”(John 3:16).

In reciprocation of this kind gesture, the Book of Deuteronomy reminded us of theneed to love our God with our whole heart, and with all our souls and with all our might (cf. Deut. 6:5)

However, the fundamental question is how much do we love? Is our love conditional? Does it surpasses

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

 “He who trusts in himself is lost. He who trusts in God can do all things.”

-         St. Alphonsus Liguori

Let us pray                            

Grant us, O Lord, we pray, health of mind and body, that by constancy in good deeds they may always merit the defense of your protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

© ARCHIVE 21032025