SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG DECEMBER 11TH, 2022) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

 Laity Reflections for 3rd Sunday in Advent, Year A

First Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6a.10

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 146:6c-7.8-9a.9bc-10 (R. cf. 1s 35:4)

Second Reading: James 5:7-10

Alleluia: Luke 4:18

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11

Chisom Nwamara

MY REFLECTION

My reflection is from the Gospel Reading...

The passage serves as a corrective to the message of John the Baptist. Through his words and actions, Jesus is giving the right understanding of his mission which people can confidently relate with. He is the face of God's mercy, he is concerned with liberating captives and restoring the fullness of life to people.

Jesus also said no person born of a woman is greater than John, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. Although, John preached about the kingdom of God, he died before it was inaugurated through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Hence, from the human perspective, John was the greatest born of a woman but his dignity did not compare with the least of those who would find the entrance to the kingdom of God.

As today is called "Gaudete Sunday" (Gaudete means "Rejoice"), we are called to rejoice at the nearness of the Lord's coming.

Odey Dominic

MY REFLECTION

Today’s Gospel reading has two parts. First, John sends his disciples to ask Jesus if He is truly the promised and awaited Messiah. Of which, they came and ask Jesus, “Are You the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

Jesus, instead of giving a straight answer, tells the messengers of John to go and tell what they hear and see around them. All the signs of the presence of the Messiah are already present in their hearing and seeing. They only need to open their eyes to see and their hearts to be touched and transformed.

In the second part, Jesus presents a fine profile of John: "He is neither like a shaken reed nor like a man dressed in fine clothing. He is a prophet and more than a prophet. He is the ultimate messenger who will prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. He is the greatest person born of a woman."

John’s life is his message and his message reflects his life. A man of God, he is well aware of his identity and mission. He fulfills it in the best manner.

Ngozi Nlewedim

MY REFLECTION

"Go and tell what you hear and see: ... the blind receive their sight ...!"

What do I see and hear? Do I see the signs of God's kingdom breaking through in the world around me? What does it look like? Do I only seek Jesus when I am struggling or desperate? Do I regularly spend time with Jesus?

Thank God, Jesus is always there for us, waiting for us to come to Him. We often take this for granted until life gets difficult. Jesus is not only our Savior; He is our friend and our guide. He is always with us and He will continue to bless and guide us. May we have the faith to trust Jesus always. Amen.

Garuba Patience

MY REFLECTION

The first reading encourages all facing challenges to be patient because their divine triumph is near.

The second reading calls us all to live in peace with one another while we wait patiently for the coming of the Lord.

In the gospel reading, Jesus proclaimed John as his forerunner.

LESSON LEARNED

No matter the ups and downs of life, we should never lose hope because the Lord is always there to help us at His divine moment with a divine touch.

MY REFLECTION

In today's second reading Saint James said, "Be patient brethren, until the coming of the Lord." He said we should establish our hearts for the coming of the lord is at hand. We should not grumble against one another so that we may not be judged, for, behold, the judge is standing at the door.

In today's Gospel reading, Prophet Isaiah is telling us that God is referring to us as Lebanon, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. That we shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. He said that we should say to those who have a fearful heart, "be strong and fear not."

Prophet Isaiah, also, said, "...Everlasting joy shall be upon our head and we shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."

Faleye Dora (Mrs)

MY REFLECTION

My reflection is from 2nd reading...

The patience of waiting is referred to the farmer who plants and waits patiently for the crops to grow and he rejoices at the end because he harvests bountifully. Same as the shepherd that lost a sheep out of 100 and left the 99 in search of that one, who rejoices after seeing the lost sheep. Now, when things are not working as planned, let's try to be patient and believe because, in the end, we shall rejoice.

This Sunday's readings talks about the 2nd coming of Christ and how prepared are we if Christ comes now? Are we Christians that rejoice when we fall to sin instead to be disturbed and restless, finding a way to reconcile so that when Christ comes, he will rejoice with us and take us along?