SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (19TH SEPTEMBER, 2026)

 INSPIRING REFLECTIONS FROM MEMBERS

TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

1st Reading: (Isaiah 55:6-9)
RESPONSORIAL PSALM  (145:2-3. 8—9. 17-18 (R.18a)
2nd Reading: (Philippians 1:20c-24.27a)
Gospel: (Matthew 20: 1-16)

Nzeakor Eugenia Ikeanyi. 

REFLECTION 

So The Last Will Be The First And The First Last.

Greetings Brethren!

God has spoken to us yet again.

In the first reading, Prophet Isaiah advised us to seek the Lord while He is still near to us, we should try to find God's face while it is still possible. It is not only when you are in problems or in need that you seek God's face. You seek God's face by forsaking your evil ways, obeying the Heavenly principles and living Christ-like life.

In the second reading, St Paul is telling us how important it is to live for Christ, how important it is for us to honor the Lord with our body. 1st Cor. 3:16 tells us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, meaning that even this our body is not even ours, it belongs to the Holy Spirit of God, so we are meant to keep it always worthy of indwelling of the Spirit of God. 

In the Gospel, the householder used what he has for charity. He found the needy ones and helped them with what he has. He didn't bother checking whether they merited it or not, he simply rendered helping hands on them. 

The question is, do you help those you are better than? Do you truly love and care for the people around you? All these and many more you are to ask yourself and then take a self examination. 

Live every moment of your life as if it's your last moment on earth.

It is not easy but with God all things are possible.

Blessings always!

Augustine Udofa

REFLECTION 

1st Reading: This reading is advising me to seek the Lord while He can be found, and call upon Him while He is near. In other words, the reading is asking me to stop procrastinating, renounce my sinful ways, embrace the mercy of God and not to continue to take God for granted, for God's ways and thoughts are certainly not mine. For when I can say "nothing can happen, something can actually happen".

The Book of Numbers 21:4-9 is a good example of the fact that God's ways and thoughts aren't mine. Now, God was steadily doing something positively in the life of the Israelites. But instead of appreciation, they lost their senses and assumed that God's ways and thoughts are theirs and started complaining against God and His servant. They paid the price.

2nd Reading: We should honour God with our bodies because our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (God). That's why St. Paul says in Romans 14:8 - 'if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die we belong to the Lord. We must therefore glorify God with our bodies and let our manners be in accordance with the Gospel of Christ Jesus.'

Glory to Jesus, honour to Mary and Joseph.

Francisca Ekwegbalu

REFLECTION 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BEGRUDGE GOD'S GENEROSITY?

 Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard teaches that God’s generosity is not measured by human ideas of fairness or merit. 

To begrudge God’s generosity means to become resentful when God blesses others, especially when we feel they have received more than they deserve.

The parable reminds us that God’s grace is a gift, not a reward we earn.

Instead of comparing ourselves with others, we are called to rejoice in God’s goodness to everyone.

Sometimes, like the workers who laboured all day, we may look at another person’s blessing and think, “Why should they receive so much when I have worked so hard?” This attitude can make us forget the blessings we ourselves have received.

God invites us to move from comparison to gratitude. His generosity toward another person does not diminish His love for us.

When we learn to celebrate the blessings of others, we reflect the heart of a God whose grace is abundant and freely given.

Lord, free my heart from jealousy and comparison. Help me to be grateful for Your blessings and joyful when You bless others. Amen.

Angela Igbinazaka 

REFLECTION 

The first reading shows the big difference between how weak we are as humans and how merciful God is.

God calls anyone who has done wrong to make a real change and turn away completely. To forsake means to leave something totally, not just manage it a little.

This change must happen in two places: in our actions (what we do) and in our thoughts (how we think). God does not just want us to behave better on the outside; He wants to change the thinking inside us that makes us behave badly.

When we do this, God responds in two ways: He shows mercy by not giving us the punishment we deserve, and He gives full forgiveness by giving us the pardon we do not deserve.

For example, a businessman who cheated his partners cannot just start a new business and say he has repented. True repentance is going back to say sorry, paying back what he stole, and leaving behind the dishonest thinking that made him cheat in the first place. That is when he will receive God's forgiveness.

God says, "My thoughts are not your thoughts." The way humans think is different. We trade favour for favour, we want revenge, and we are limited by our past hurts. We often think God is like us.

We think that because our boss, spouse, or society has rejected us, God has also rejected us. We wrongly think God acts like a man. For example, a lady who has had several abortions may think, "God can never use me again." That is human thinking based on shame. God's thinking is different, He can forgive her and make her a counselor to help other young women, using her past pain to help others.

The picture of the heavens being higher than the earth shows that God's plans are far better and higher than our own plans. His ways are not just different, they are higher, better, and more powerful.

What we see as God saying "no" is often God redirecting us to something better. What we call delay is often God preparing us for the right time.

For example, you may have applied for a promotion or a visa and were refused. To you, it looks like failure. But from God's higher view, He saw danger ahead maybe that department would soon sack workers, or that country would bring you suffering. So He protected you. You were praying for God to open a door, but God was protecting you from a trap behind that door.

So stop trying to control God. Truly turn away from sin, leave behind your own small plans, and trust His higher and loving control over your life.

Egwuatu Simon-Derah

REFLECTION 

When Grace Defies Human Calculation.

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8).

The readings today challenge us to surrender our human calculations to the surprising generosity of God.

In the vineyard, some worked all day while others arrived at the last hour, yet all received the same wage, and this I called "a picture of grace, not human competition".

In our generation, we often measure life by salary, titles, possessions, achievements, followers, and recognition. Even among Christians, we sometimes ask, “Why should that person be blessed when I have struggled for so long?”

But God does not distribute grace according to our human mathematics; His generosity is rooted in love and mercy.

Paul reminds us that whether in life or death, our deepest purpose must remain Christ, not personal achievement.

A contemporary Christian is therefore called to celebrate another person’s success without feeling diminished by it. When another rises, we need not fall; when another receives mercy, our own portion of God’s love is not reduced. The world needs Christians who can replace envy with gratitude, 

comparison with contentment, and competition with compassion.

Let us therefore seek the Lord while He may be found, trust His wisdom, and faithfully serve in whatever vineyard He has placed us.

For in God’s kingdom, the greatest wealth is not what we receive, but the grace to love, serve, and remain faithful.

 Shalom.

Bibiana Uzoigwe

REFLECTION 

The striking line for me today is "Seek Seek the Lord while He is still to be found."

 

The first reading is opening our minds to the urgency or "now"- syndrome of holding on to God in total surrender.

 

To seek the Lord while He may be found means that now, while we are still breathing, alive, and energised, there is a need for us to give our all in total surrender to the Almighty.

We must avoid every form of procrastination, because we do not know the time or the hour when life may suddenly put us on hold.

There may come a time when the opportunities we have today—to pray, to repent, to forgive, to reconcile, to serve, to love, and to draw closer to God—may no longer be available to us.

The invitation is therefore not for tomorrow; it is for now."

We must consciously avoid the "I will do it later" - syndrome. We often say, “I will do it tomorrow. I will pray more tomorrow. I will reconcile tomorrow. I will return to God tomorrow." Most times we even make excuses to justify our decision - "I am tired! "Work was hectic! God will understand and so on. Unfortunately, tomorrow is not promised to anyone. We are just being hopeful as Christians and Children of God. 

Isaiah reminds us that God is near, and the time to seek Him is now. Our relationship with God should not be postponed until we are in trouble, until we are old, or until life leaves us with no other option.

While our hearts still beats, let us surrender. While He may be found, let us return to Him.

This verse should be our wake up call

“Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near.”

— Isaiah 55:6

Hmmmm.... the greatest tragedy is not that we did not find God, but that we kept postponing the search when He was already near.

Shalom

SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG– SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2026) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

 

Laity Reflections for 24th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A

1st Reading: Sirach 27:30;28:7

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2;3-4;9-10;11-12 (R. 8)

2nd Reading: Romans 14:7-9

Gospel Acclamation: John 13:34

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Saturday of the Word of God, September 5, 2026

SELECTED REFLECTIONS FOR THE WEEK

“When we share God’s Word, we plant seeds of hope — even the smallest word can change a heart.”

 TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

FIRST READING: Wisdom 13:1-9

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 104:1-2a, 5-6, 10 and 12, 24 and 35c ℟. (31b)

SECOND READING: Colossians 1:15-20

GOSPEL: Matthew 6:24-34

UZO JOSEPHINE CHIKA

Do Not Worry!!

 Worry; is a mental process where you think about negative or unpleasant events that might happen in the future.

The gospel reading made us to understand that worry doesn't solve a problem but rather escalate it!

Jesus Christ made an illustration about the flowers of the field, despite they do not spin but they are beautiful...

Then just imagine us His beloved children ❤️

 I pray God gives us the grace to lay our burden on his feet to handle. 🙏

PETER CHIBUNDU  

Greetings to my dear readers, I want to go straightforward to the Gospel reading.

I cherished today's reflection because it gave us the scenario of our wellbeing. You will agree with me that the readings emphasis more on magnanimity of our Saviour, He brings to our knowledge for those who have forgotten so soon about the necessities of life.

Many at times, we think we can do things on our own but when we cannot be able to get what we want, we became bothered, that is were Jesus comes in , telling us if He can feeds the birds and other animals what happens to us that we are his imaigo that is , we that He created with His image and likeness.

My dear brethren, do not bother yourself about the worries of life , Jesus we provide if only you can trust in His magnificent being .

I pray that the good Lord will continue to help us to realize His magnanimity towards us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour Amen 🙏 

Peace be with us.

OLUBUNMI AKINBODE SHAIRE

Sometimes we become so captivated by God’s gifts for example our success, relationships, possessions and the beauty around us, that we forget the Giver. Creation is meant to lead us beyond what we see, to the invisible God who gives all things their existence. True wisdom is not merely admiring His works, but recognizing His presence through them.

May everything we see and receive never replace God in our lives, but always lead our hearts back to Him. Amen.

FABIAN DANIA

Not only is the whole of creation God's handiwork, He also holds creation in His hands and is aware of all that goes on in the world. 

He is aware of the challenges we face, He is aware of the hardships, He is aware of the good times, He knows what what gives us joy, He knows all what we need. 

But then... Why do I still feel like He abandons me? why do I think that the world is simply running on autopilot without the wisdom of the creator to guide it? 

God calls me to trust Him and to submit to Him in all things, both when I understand and when I do not. 

Lord, help me to submit to your wisdom and to trust your direction as you steer the affairs of this world. Amen.

NICHOLAS OMONJEVA

You can't serve God and mammon. 

I was sincerely thinking that the direct opposite to the service of God is serving Satan but this gospel changed my perspective. 

Mammon is the god of money, riches and material things. Mammon is the spirit of things having us, rather than us having things. The god of Mammon is the god of this age. 

It is so powerful that the incarnate Word put it side by side with the worship of God. 

“Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”

Contentment is the only antidote to overcome the forces from mammon.

EGHE OKONOFUA

Care for Creation Sunday  

This Sunday, the Church calls us to celebrate and embrace the Care for Creation. 

But what does this mean for us, and what do the readings challenge us to do?

Worship extends beyond humanity: Our adoration of God does not stop with our fellow human beings, it embraces everything God created.

Honoring the Creator through His creation: Loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind; the First Commandment, requires us to treat every part of His creation with reverence and care.

Daily actions reflect our spiritual health: Spiritual devotion loses its meaning if our habits contradict or go against it. Littering our streets, throwing sweet wrappers out of car windows, open defecation, urinating in public spaces, and passively blaming the government for environmental degradation all undermine the worship we offer to God.

Diligence in environmental stewardship: We are called to be actively, diligently concerned with the state of our immediate environment and the health of the earth as a whole.

As the Responsorial Psalm echoes, "May the Lord rejoice in his works." How do we bring joy to the Lord? By doing our absolute best to preserve, protect, and cherish what God lovingly spoke into existence in Genesis.

As St. Francis of Assisi beautifully prayed in the CANTICLE OF BROTHER SUN AND SISTER MOON:

Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, Who is the day through whom You give us light.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour, Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.

 Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.

 Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, And fair and stormy, all weather's moods, by which You cherish all that You have made. 

Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water, So useful, humble, precious and pure.

Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You my Lord through our Sister, Mother Earth who sustains and governs us, producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.

May we see in ourselves and in all created things a gift through which God enables us to offer Him deeper praise.

May His word remain cherished in our hearts through all we taste, feel, and see. Amen.

 St. Jude Thaddeus... Pray for us.

SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD ( 29TH AUGUST 2026)

SELECTED REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS ACROSS THE GROUPS

SUNDAY AUGUST 30, 2026 TWENTY - SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR A

1st Reading: (Jeremiah 20:7-9)

RESPONSORIAL PSALM  (Ps 63:2.3-4.5-6.8–9 (R. cf.2ab)

2nd Reading: (Romans 12:1-2)

Gospel: (Matthew 16:21-27)

Nathaniel Onwuasoegwu

In today's readings, we have been called to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. 

As a living sacrifice, like Jeremiah in the first reading. 

As a living sacrifice, like Jesus in the gospel. 

What does it mean to be a living sacrifice, yet holy and acceptable to God? 

Being a living sacrifice means that we have chosen to be on the side of God rather than on the side of men. 

To go with Jesus is to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow him. 

This is what modern-day Christianity is not ready to accept. 

In the new Christian world, we want to follow Jesus, but not when it comes with suffering. 

Today's Christianity is all about prosperity. 

Breakthrough. 

Today, Christianity has fallen in love with prosperity.

We compete for wealth.

Holiness is hardly talked about.

We have fallen in love with materialism.

We seek wealth and must get it at all costs.

For us Catholics, it should not be the same.

We must listen to St Augustine, who has this to say;

"To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement." 

-- Saint Augustine -

Our only model remains Jesus.

Let us not just speak about him; let our actions reflect him 

Today, so many are not ready to be a living sacrifice.

Ave!!

Bro Stanley Oregie

"For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?"

These very words are at the heart of Jesus' call to discipleship. While it is not possible to gain the whole world, Jesus insists that not even the whole world is worth the value of a life. Hmmm! What this means is that if I put a life and the whole world on a balance, a life weighs far more than the whole world. But the foolishness of man becomes more apparent when I realise that what I mostly spend my life chasing is usually just a pinch of "the whole world". The serious question I must stop to ask myself then is: is the chase really worth it?

Jesus goes further to raise an even more crucial question: "What shall a man give in return for his life?" In other words, given that I gained "the whole world", I can't present it to God in exchange for my life when an account is made for it. So, all my cars, estates, degrees, wealth and babes for which I tell lies, kill, blackmail and cheat cannot stand in exchange for my life. 

Why, then, don't I see that when I spend my life in pursuit of the "whole world" at the expense of my life, I am actually giving so much for so little?

Lord, remove the blinders from my eyes that I may seek your purpose and will in all things. Amen.

Nzeakor Eugenia Ikeanyi

But He Turned And Said To Peter, Get Behind Me, Satan! You Are A Hindrance To Me.

Greetings brethren!

God's word has come to us yet again.

In the first reading, Jeremiah felt deceived by God. He felt that God called him to do His work by speaking and converting the Israelites to God, and at the same time God abandoned him, and the people now make mockery of him. He now assumed the word of God as a reproach and derision to him. But was it really so? The answer is no.

The second reading appeals to us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, Holy and acceptable to God. It is only when we do so that we now worship God in the Spirit. It is also urging us not to live to the standard of this world, because we do not belong to this world. As children of the Most High God, we are to be living up to the Heavenly standard, doing God's will and keeping the Heavenly principles at every given point in time.

In the Gospel, Jesus told His disciples all that He must suffer at the hands of the elders. Peter rebuked Him for saying that. Jesus proves to Peter that He must undergo all that in order for us to obtain salvation.

Dear brethren, if our Lord Jesus Christ could undergo all that for man's sake, what makes you and l think we can escape it if we must be at the right hand of Jesus after our lives here on Earth?

If Jesus is your role model in faith, then do not be scared of the persecutions of this life; they help to prepare us for our salvation. 

It is not easy, but with God, all things are possible.

Blessings always

Awotoye Mathew

My Sharing 

Today, Jesus reminds us that following Him is not always a journey of comfort, but a journey of faith, sacrifice, obedience, and trust in God’s will.

Peter loved Jesus and wanted to protect Him from suffering, yet his good intention was not aligned with God’s plan. This teaches us that sometimes, what we think is best may not be what God has planned for us. We must therefore learn to trust God, even when His ways are difficult to understand.

When Jesus says; Take up your cross and follow me, He reminds us that every Christian has a cross to carry. It may be a difficult season, a sacrifice, a disappointment, a responsibility, or a trial that tests our faith. But we should never forget that the cross is not the end; the resurrection is coming.

Jesus also challenges us to ask ourselves: What is the value of gaining everything in this world if we lose our soul? Wealth, success, recognition, and material possessions are temporary, but our relationship with God has eternal value.

May we have the courage to choose God’s will over our own desires, remain faithful in difficult seasons, and never allow the struggles of life to separate us from Christ.

Ekenemaria Eze

In the Gospel reading, Jesus rebukes Peter with the words, “ _Get behind me, Satan,”_ after Peter rejected the idea of a suffering Messiah. Although Peter had rightly confessed Jesus as the Son of God, he still understood the Messiah in worldly terms as a conquering king. Jesus reminds him that discipleship means following Christ’s way, not trying to lead Him according to human expectations.

Peter’s experience is a caution to all who exercise authority in the Church, in families, and in education: even those called to lead can become stumbling blocks when they place human ideas above God’s will. Yet, by God’s grace, failure can be overcome. Like Peter, the Church can also be tempted to measure success by worldly standards, but Christ teaches that true discipleship may involve suffering, sacrifice, and apparent failure. Jesus therefore went to Jerusalem, fully aware of the suffering that awaited Him, because faithfulness to His mission mattered more than worldly success.

Jude Okoro

REFLECTION

The readings of tomorrow invite each and every one of us to surrender ourselves completely to God, remain faithful to Him even when the journey becomes difficult, and be willing to make sacrifices to live according to His will.

Dear friends in Christ, the first Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah teaches us that serving God is not, and will not be, easy. Despite the Prophet experiencing rejection and suffering, he did not abandon his mission because God's word burns within him. Dear friends in Christ, this attitude of the prophet should remind us that our commitment to God must remain strong even when we face difficulties and challenges.

And that is why, like the Responsorial Psalm, we must always express a deep thirst and longing for God in all we do; just as a dry land thirsts for water, our souls must continually need God's presence, love and guidance in all our endeavours.

That is why we are called, just like St Paul, to offer our lives to God as a living sacrifice, and encouraged not to follow the ways of the world, but to allow God to transform our minds and help us discern what is good and pleasing to Him always.

Nevertheless, we are encouraged to follow Christ, and following him involves carrying our cross daily; Christ also teaches us that true discipleship requires sacrifice, self-denial, and putting God's will before our own desires. Gaining worldly success means little if we lose sight of our relationship with God.

Therefore, friends in Christ, let us challenge ourselves today by asking ourselves: are we truly willing to follow God even when it is difficult? Let us know that our faith is not only about receiving blessings from God, but it is also about trusting Him during trials, making sacrifices, renewing our minds, and remaining faithful to His will.

Finally, dear friends, let God grant us the courage to carry our crosses, the strength to remain faithful in difficult moments, and the grace to offer our lives completely to God. Amen.

Today is a day of salvation; oh, oh, that today you listen to his voice; harden not your hearts. May God bless his words in our hearts through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SOCIAL FRIDAY, AUGUST,2026.

CELEBRATING OUR AUGUST CELEBRANTS ACROSS THE FORUMS 

At OCCF, we celebrate our members collectively at the end of the month. 

We collate their intentions and have our Spiritual Director (Rev. Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ) and his assistant (Rev. Fr. Toby Ndiukwu) offer the Holy Mass for them. 

We wish them more blessed and beautiful years ahead. 

Meet our celebrants for the month of August 🎉🎊

NDUKAIFE FIDELIS

DATE OF BIRTH: 1st August

STATE: Anambra

MARITAL STATUS: Married 

ANNA AZOTI

DATE OF BIRTH: 9th August

STATE OF ORIGIN: Abia 

MARITAL STATUS: Married

NATHANIEL ONWUASOEGWU

DATE OF BIRTH: 2nd August 

STATE OF ORIGIN: Imo

MARITAL STATUS: Married

GENEVIEVE NWANERI

DATE OF BIRTH: 3rd August 

STATE OF ORIGIN:Imo

MARITAL STATUS: Single

AYO-OGBOR TITILAYO AUGUSTINA

DATE OF BIRTH: 8th August 

STATE OF ORIGIN: Edo 

MARITAL STATUS: Widow

NZEAKOR EUGENIA IKEANYI

DATE OF BIRTH: 28th August 

STATE OF ORIGIN: Anambra

MARITAL STATUS- Married 

ADAKOLE ANITA ADA 

DATE OF BIRTH: 5th August 

STATE OF ORIGIN: Benue 

MARITAL STATUS: Single 

ADEYANJU ADENIKE REGINA OYINLOYE

DATE OF BIRTH:15th August

STATE OF ORIGIN:Osun 

MARITAL STATUS: Married 

SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG, AUGUST 22ND, 2026)

 INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS ACROSS THE GROUPS

SUNDAY AUGUST 23, 2026.

21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 22:19-23

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 137(138):1-3,6,8.

SECOND READING: Romans 11:33-36

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Matthew 16:18

GOSPEL: Matthew 16:13-20

OKOLO CHIGOZIE HENRY 

My reflection is coming from the first reading. The Lord sent prophet Isaiah to go and warn  Shebna. This warning came after Shebna felt so important of himself, by carving a tomb for himself out of a rocky hillside. 

God detest PRIDE and DISOBEDIENCE. GOD will throw Shebna away for being a disgrace. God will hand over the key of authority to Eliakim son of Hilkiah . 

This message is telling us that nothing should come before God, not even us, affluence, influence or ambition. We should place God above every thing. 

Happy Saturday. 

JOY NNEOMA UDEH

The Gospel reminds us that knowing Jesus goes beyond what other people say about Him. Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter boldly answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Peter’s answer came from his faith and from God’s revelation. Jesus then gave Peter a special responsibility, telling him that he would be the rock on which His Church would be built.

For me, the question Jesus asked Peter is also a question for each of us: Who is Jesus to us? Is He simply someone we hear about in church, or is He truly our Lord, our Saviour and the one we trust with our life?

God can work through ordinary people. Peter was not perfect, but Jesus still chose him and entrusted him with an important mission.

Sometimes, we may feel unqualified or unworthy, but God does not always choose the perfect; He chooses people who are willing to trust Him and follow His call.

May we come to know Jesus more deeply, trust Him more completely, and have the courage to profess our faith in Him, just as Peter did. Amen.

USHIE PASCHAL 

From the gospel reading of Jesus asking His disciples 'who do people say I am?', Christ wanted to know what they are hearing from outside and what they themselves think about Him. I will say Jesus was having a moment of truth or retreat with His disciples, of which they all said different things and it was linked to great prophets who spoke the truth to power , who didn't care if their lives were at stakes. And then, Peter said 'You are the Messiah or saviour'. Christ said to Peter 'You have said the right thing but it's not flesh or blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven'.

God is Great and He can use anyone to pass His massage. God knew Peter was a sinner and He still used him to reveal the truth, just like the first reading where God told Sheba 'I will bring my servant Eliakim and robe him with your best outfit. He can do what He feel like and no one can stop Him.'

Who people say you are matters a lot , can someone vouch for you? We live our lives as if people aren't watching, we do what we like without thinking of the consequences, then if tomorrow nobody vouches for us, we say the world is wicked. We should try and be there for people not because we want it in return but because that's what a true religion is asking of.

Don't stain your name because people won't forget how  you made them feel especially in the wrong way. Live a life where people can say 'that man or woman is a God-sent'. If Christ was living a reckless life, I don't think Christianity will stand today. If you check very well, it's because we are Christians and we follow Christ, that's why the world looks safer.

'Whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven.' Many times, we ask 'is it in the Bible?'. This should clear the air of those asking such questions. As long as it is a good thing we agreed on, then heaven has stamped it . Some said Christmas is a pagan tradition. The question is 'are we celebrating any pagan gods or are we celebrating the birth of Jesus our saviour?'. Since it was agreed, heaven stamped it because it's a good thing. Each time we agree on something good either in the family or community or church, just know heaven is happy with it.

The second reading tells us that God's ways are not our ways, we can never know His mind. The word of God tells us that God's foolishness is wiser than human knowledge. When you want to start bragging, just know you are only dust, that's the more reason why we have to worship HIM because He is the alpha and omega, no one can advice Him. Therefore, keep working with God because God is reality. 

In the first reading, Shebna was acting up, and God almighty told him 'I will bring you down from your position and give it to a servant I love'. That's who He is , if you live on pride, God will humble you because He is your creator. You see how God can raise or use anyone He likes. The beauty of God is immeasurable, something you can't understand. God said 'I will make Eliakim great and give him the keys to the throne'. You can only complain but there is nothing you can do because the mighty one has spoken and if you try to fight it, then you know how it will end . When placed on a throne, please learn to show people love , don't let it enter your head , be available and approachable . Listen to their complaints and God will give you wisdom to run it . 

'Who do people say I am?' should be our reflection each day, as long as you are doing good and you don't live a double standard life even if people say you are bad, God will surely raise people that will speak the truth about you.

JANEFRANCESS UDEH 

MY REFLECTION

The Gospel reading  is a reminder to us that knowing Jesus is not just about what others say about Him, but about having a personal encounter and relationship with Him. Peter’s answer, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” came from a place of faith and God's revelation.

Jesus chose Peter, despite his weaknesses, and entrusted him with a great responsibility. This shows that God does not look for perfect people; He chooses those who are willing to trust Him and serve His purpose.

May we always seek to know Christ deeply, profess our faith boldly, and allow Him to build His Church through our lives. Just like Peter, may we become instruments of God’s love, truth, and mercy in the world.

©️ *Janefrances Regina Udeh*

FRANCISCA EKWEGBALU

My reflection will be centered on the question of Jesus to His Apostles “But you, who do you say I am”?

Ultimately, "who do you say I am " is not a question answered once in a lifetime, but one answered continuously through how we trust, how we love,  how we obey, and how we live our daily lives.

This moment in Mathew 16 marks a profound shift from public opinion to deeply personal conviction.

With this question, Jesus is saying to His Apostles and all of us, *I don't just want to know what you have heard about me; I want to know who I am to you*

This question serves as a mirror asking us where our faith truly lives.

It challenges us to move from knowing about God to truly knowing Him. 

No matter how much of the word of God I know, it cannot replace the quiet, personal answer of my own heart.

The world around us constantly offers its own definitions, noise, and opinions. 

Jesus' question forces moment of silence where we must decide if our convictions are grounded in our own lived experience with Him, rather than the shifting cultural currents.

At its core, this question is an invitation to intimacy with Jesus.

By this question, He opens the door for us to discover who we are in Him.

Peter's declaration was immediately followed by Jesus giving Peter his true identity and mission. 

When we truly recognize who Christ is, we finally understand our own calling and purpose.

In our daily lives, may we continue to respond to this question through deep faith, trust, love and obedience, through Christ our Lord. Amen 🙏

OKPALA MALACHY UCHENNA

MY REFLECTION

The Second reading reminds me of the solemn words (Through him, with him, and in him…) proclaimed during the consecration at Mass. Who among us can bargain with the mercy and grace of God?

Brethren, everything we offer Him was already His to begin with; grace is a free, unmerited gift rather than a transaction.

The Second reading also teaches me that, God's wisdom is far above human understanding. No matter our gifts, talents, or efforts, we can never repay Him. We can only receive His goodness with open, grateful hearts.

*N:B*: The precepts of the Lord are right, and it gladdens the heart. ✨

May the Lord bless his words in our heart. 

SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG– AUGUST 15TH, 2026) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

 

Laity Reflections for 20th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A

1st Reading: Isaiah 56:1,6-7

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 67: 2-3;5;6;8 (R. 4)

2nd Reading: Romans 11:13-15;29-32

Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 4:23

Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28

SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD, 25 JULY , 2026

Selected Reflections for the Week

19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR (A)

FIRST READING: 1 Kings 19:9a.11-13a

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 85:8ab and 9.10-11.12-13 (R. 7)

SECOND READING: Romans 9:1—5

GOSPEL: Matthew 14:22-33

OLUBUNMI AKINBODE SHAIRE

We are reminded of hope in the midst of lifeless situations. God promises not just restoration but renewal from within—placing His Spirit in us so we can truly live again.

It reminds us that no condition is too dead, no situation too lost. When God steps in, He brings life, purpose, and restoration. Our role is to trust Him, even when things feel buried or beyond repair.

I believe that God can revive every “dead” area of MY life—He is still in the business of restoration.🙏

EBONINE TOCHUKWU JOACHIM MCD

Faith expressed in calmness
In the 1st reading, we observed that God did not come to Elijah neither in the fire nor in the storm, but he came to him in the gentle wind.

So also, in the gospel, 1st, Jesus retreats in a quiet place to pray, also we see Jesus calming his apostles, 'do not fear'. And with his presence the disturbing oceanic wave became calm. Peter walked to Jesus on the sea, but immediately distractions came through the noise of the stormy ocean, he panicked and began to sink.

God is present and talks to us in our moments of quietude. He calls us to cultivate the habit of silence, calmness, quietude; there we shall encounter him, in that moment he speaks to us, in that moment we discover ourselves. A noisy person is always distracted and cannot feel God within him nor hear the voice of God speak to him and will not know the plans of God in his life.

Even in stormy times of our life, let's learn to be calm and seek God's will, then we will hear him bid us come to him, there we will feel his presence and discover his true plan even amidst challenges.

It's an exercise of faith- faith in calmness

Do not be afraid (Mtt. 14:27).
Be Still and know that I am the Lord (Psalm 46:10).

God bless us🙌

OKPALA UCHENNA MALACHY

In what way do you seek for God's intervention? Do you call on him when you are only in your most difficult moments or when you're pressured of life's struggles?

The gospel reading teaches me that, even when my faith fails, God never abandon me. He's always ever ready to extend his hands to pull me back.

So, whenever we are too overwhelmed with life's challenges, we shouldn't hesitate to call on the name of the Lord just as Peter..

Again, Peter cry "Love save me" is a reminder that, Prayer does not always have to be eloquent or lengthen. 

N:B: God always listen to honest prayer.

He doesn't wait for us to have a perfect, unshakable faith before He helps us; He reaches out precisely at the moment our human strength gives way.

May God continue to increase our faith in him and grant us Peace 🙏

May the Lord bless his words in our heart.. Amen

DORA FALEYE

My reflection from 1st reading and the gospel.

Hmm the storm of life!
This can be any terrifying experience one may face in life. Elijah encounter God in a gentle still voice when he was going through a rough experience while the Apostles of Christ were struggling with the storm and they encountered Jesus walking on the water.

Today we face a lot of terrifying experiences and we ask ourselves how do we find peace in this situation? Christ want us to have faith in him, he will give us part of him to make us carry on and be close to him. When we focus on Christ his words gives us joy and peace, we are able to overcome any challenges of life. But when we loses focus we face more difficulties and lost faith. Always remember to love your neighbor and wish them well according to the 2nd reading, this make us a fulfill person in Christ.

ANGELA IGBINAZAKA

The first reading revealed to me about the presence of God and where I can find him. Do I seek him in the noisy marketplace or buses or playgrounds? I have perceived today that in the little corner of my room that is quiet and clean God can be there. In the chapel where the tabernacle of the Lord is dwelling I can also find him there. And that also buttresses the message of the gospel when Peter seek to meet Jesus Christ upon the sea but as soon as he allowed fear to grip him he started sinking. Hence I too must keep my gaze on Jesus to avoid drowning in my daily challenges and life’s struggles believing that the Jesus who walked upon water by defying the law of nature will definitely take care of my life.

What is it that is drifting you away from focusing on Jesus who is the author and the finisher of your faith? Remain steadfast and persevere in trusting God because he is still in the business of settling our needs.

CHIKA NWAOZUZU

My Reflection:

Imagine the sense of great happiness the disciples must have felt seeing Jesus fed five thousand men excluding women and children with just five loaves of bread and two fish,i am sure they were on top of the world knowing and seeing their master perform such an unseen and unheard miracle before. Yet some few hours later,they found themselves terrified by the wind and waves of the sea. 

My brethren,it is 💯% possible for faith to fade away when the storms of today becomes louder than the miracles and testimonies of yesterdays. But in that very terrible moment in their dark hour, Jesus comes to them walking on the sea. They did not recognise him at first because of fear, instead,they thought he was a ghost. Jesus then spoke up "Take courage,it is I, do not be afraid". Here Jesus did not first calm the storm that confronted them, rather he calmed the storm of fear in their hearts before turning to the physical storm of the sea. 

When we are in the midst of our storms, Jesus always comes to calm our hearts with his words Take courage I am with you. Remembering the words of God in Is 43vs1-----; that he is with us in the storms of our lives.. All that is required of us is to know whom to call just as Peter recognised that, it's only Jesus that could save him and called him. The question here now is "Whom do we call in the midst of our storms of life?

Jesus or who?.

Let us remember that, each time we call on Jesus, the response from the responsorial psalms of today becomes our cup and portion. Not only will God show us his mercy, his salvation is also assured for us. May the name of our Lord and God be praised now and forever. Amen.