SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG JANUARY 7TH, 2023) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

 

Laity Reflections For The Epiphany Of The Lord

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72: 1-2.7-8.10-11.12-13(R. cf. 11)

Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a.5-6

Alleluia: Matthew 2:2

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

Okonofua Eghe

MY REFLECTION

Psalm 90:12 says, "Lord teaches us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

If only king Herod knew this verse and kept it close to his heart he wouldn't be so much worried about the birth of the new king as he did, for he wanted to rule forever not knowing his death was close by - the baby Jesus had not even got close to teenagehood before Herod died.

This is how we build up emotions of hate, jealousy, and malice in our hearts just because we lack a perceived need that another has, or because we perceive a threat to our position or status; or fear losing whatever we think, by our power, we have acquired over time.

In the same way, we get jealous and hate anyone who comes close to those we have so much attached our entire lives to, such that they become a "god" to us, the kind of god we offer a libation of love, gifts, and all to. So that whenever we think of losing them, it feels like the world will collapse on us.

Do we feel this same way when we go against God's commandments?

Do we feel the same way when someone takes our time for God away from us?

Do we feel this same way, if because of one thing or the other we miss that time we designated for God alone?

Just like Herod, we have our shortfalls, we ignorantly serve ourselves, our needs, and our passions and we have one thing or more that we are so attached to, that we would almost kill for. 

But unlike Herod, we have the awareness and knowledge that each day, we can gradually let go and let God into our lives.

While there is still time, may we make the most use of it to glorify God? For, it is not about us but about Him, Our Lord.

Let us as the responsorial psalm demands, "fall prostrate before the Lord", and, in these times, "we shall see justice flourish and great peace forever."

Benjamin Adewale Ajai

MY REFLECTION

The magi received the revelation through their astrology. 

The fact God can reveal Himself through any means or person He chooses doesn't mean we shouldn't be careful of falling into the hands of fake pastors/prophets. 

The bottom line is for us to guard against any form of discrimination and marginalization in our Christianity practice. 

May we always be guided by Jesus' Star, whenever we lost our way due to our sins.

I would like to conclude by a verse of the song, "We Are One."

We Are Heirs Of The Father

We Are Joint-Heirs With The Son.

We Are People Of His Kingdom

We Are Family, We Are One.

Nwatu Jennifer

MY REFLECTION

What is your gift to the Lord?

Do you know that the importance you attach to a gift, depends greatly on your understanding of what it is?

Take for instance, if a survey was carried out in this community of ours about each person's view on gifting, you'd be amazed at the various responses.

It could come in this manner; 

"It's a way I show gratitude to the other person."

"It's a way I communicate that the other person is loved."

"It's a way I encourage the other person to continue with the good work."

"It's a way to spur others to do good or act rightly."

"It's a way I lure people into doing, what I want (negatively)", e.t.c.

Can you, then, see that our motives for gifting matter a lot?

If this is the case, how then can I go about gifting rightly? You may begin to wonder, like me. Come and see! 😁

The first reading commands us to arise and shine forth because Christ our light has come. Our shining forth can be our gifting to the Lord. Have you ever looked at it from this angle? Amidst all our troubles, worries, fears, challenges, iniquities, e.t.c. which are, indeed, the darkness the prophet talks about, we are called to shine out, so that glory may be given to God - not being indulging the beautiful things that come with our shining brightly.

I find the second reading quite thrilling, since it centres on all the privileges Christ our Light brings forth into the world.

St. Paul terms it, "A revelation".

Again, our gifting can be in like manner of St. Paul; that is, sharing our knowledge with others, helping others shine forth to God's glory.

From the gospel reading, the wise men teach us better, about gifting. 

First, they waited in anticipation, then journeyed with a joyful heart, and in adoration, they offered their gifts.

How beautiful it is, right?

Don't forget they had distractions that would have damaged all these, but were attentive to the guidance of the Spirit.

Let us keep in mind always, the likes of Herod, who would stand as a distraction, and all forms of it, in every gifting process.

Let us know that our show of love to others, with the right motive, can serve as our gifting to God.

And let us try always to give the best to God, like the wise men!

Beloved! What is your gift to the Lord?

God help us always.

Oise Chigbue

MY REFLECTION

Christianity is all-encompassing. Jesus Christ is for everyone. And where Jesus Christ resides there is the light that drives away darkness and error.

The wise men are supposedly from Arabia or Ethiopia, Persia, and India. They came that far because of the Star that they read or saw and they believed. The Star led them to believe that a great child has been born for which they left everything to adore. This helps us to better understand the letter to the Hebrews that talks about the belief of our fathers in Faith in a promise they heard and anticipated and believed but which they did not see.

These wise men heard and believed and they saw Jesus. 

Christians should, therefore, be the light and source of unity for all people. Christians are a people set apart, not to be just wealthy and make a name for themselves but bring men closer to Jesus' hearts from every corner of the world. 

These days a lot of Christians I know argue about Christianity being a western tradition and that Africans should go back to their traditions but the virtues of a Christian who is Christlike, are what is contained in the Bible, and speaks about love. It has nothing to do with westernization. 

May we develop an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit so that he can guard our thoughts and every aspect of our lives.

Earl Okezie

MY REFLECTION

For me, there are three characters in the drama, which played out in today's gospel. First are the wise men from the east who came seeking the new born king. Second is King Herod - the murderer of the innocents and the one who cunningly sought to eliminate the messiah. The other is the Star, which announced the earthly presence of God among his creatures. Now the issue is this: the wise men sought the messiah. How often do we seek the messiah even amidst the deluge of turbulence that continually seek to drown us? Herod represents the great enemy of God's people. He's always around us seeking to destroy our stars, but are we open to the voice of the holy spirit that constantly warns us to flee or to take another route? I imagine what would've happened to baby Jesus if the magi failed to hearken to God's warning concerning the true intents of Herod. Thirdly, there's a star that announces each and every one of us but we must realize that there are always some Herod trying to quench our stars. The joy of it all is that if we abide in Jesus Christ, no Herod no matter how powerful can quench our stars. Regardless of what the Herods do, our gold, frankincense and myrrh will always be presented to us. In short, let us continually search for the messiah as the three wise men for when we find and pay homage to the messiah, all Herods will be shamed and confused. But we must search for, find the messiah become stars that announce him to the world. God bless you all.

Felicity Or-ongu

MY REFLECTION

In our Gospel reading, Herod became troubled when he was told of the birth of the king of Jews. But come to think of it. How old was the child? How old was Herod that he became furious because of the birth of a new king? It shows how attached he was to being called "king" and the benefits that come with the title, the absence of the fear of God in his life, that made him conceive such evil on an infant even when it was not necessary. My brothers and sisters, let us not be like Herod but detach ourselves from the perishable things of this world and we will always be in tune with our God.