SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG JANUARY 28TH, 2023) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

 

LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

First Reading: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146:7.5-9a.9bc-10 (R. Matthew 5:3)

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Alleluia: Matthew 5:12a

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a

Okolo Ikechukwu

MY REFLECTION

Boasting here is priding in the finished work of Christ....

It is more of taking advantage of the life, passion, death and resurrection of Christ and gaining dominion by the power of his Holy Ghost.

When you stand to speak to brethren and you rely so much on your academic qualifications, your wealth and social status and even your title as a priest, Knight or Catechist, you seldom do nothing. You will deliver fantastic sermons and powerful grammatical coinage but since spirits don't hear grammar, you only spoke in the flesh and flesh will clap for you but the people leave and their spirit is not revived. Notwithstanding, when you forget your title and come in the priesthood of Jesus, in the title of his Name which is a strong tower, and by his Holy Spirit and power, you will go about doing good.

The point here is whom are you conscious of when u boast? Self, title, qualifications or the Holy Ghost?

Benjamin Wale Ajai

MY REFLECTION

 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

The 3 readings are related in terms of poverty, humanity and righteousness.

We are called to give up hatred of fellow humans, the love of worldly possessions, pride, selfishness, impiety, corruption, vileness and immortality, in general. 

Renouncing worldly possessions do not mean we should not own property or wealth. What this means in essence, is that we should not use our abilities, connections, wealth and resources to trample on others' rights and well-being out of our selfish purposes. But, we, Christians, should resolve to embrace righteousness and use our qualities instead, for the service of humanity to the glory of God Almighty.

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.”

Beautiful Lia

MY REFLECTION

Today, the first reading gives us a road map for discipleship. The Psalm sings of God's Faithfulness and Kindness. The second reading reminds us that the world might consider our path as a foolish one. In the Gospel Jesus gives us the Beatitudes, which lay out what it mean to follow Him.

WHAT IS BEATITUDES?

Beatitude, from the Latin beatus translated 'Blessed'. 

A Beatitude basically is God's blessing on something so he will say, Blessed are the poor, the meek, those who are pure in heart those who are merciful, the peacemakers etc.

APPLICATION

Child of God, it is  painful that humanity treasures quick enjoyment more than taking pains that would bring lasting joy. Rather than labouring in dignified jobs. People would cheat, rob, steal, engage in ritual killing or drugs trafficking in order to make it fast. Man can offer us what is called 'Creature Comfort ' that does not last but God makes us pass through the wilderness in order to bring us to the promised land.

CONCLUSION

The Beatitudes of Christ shows that the blessing of sorrow, lies in the consolation we receive from God. 

Sorrow strips off beloved possessions but reveals the treasures of the love of God. In this reflection, we have discovered that Joy is hidden in sorrow, life in death, wealth in poverty and Glory in humiliation. 

May God gives us the Grace to be among the Blessed on the last day through Christ our Lord Amen.

Joseph Stephen

MY REFLECTION

Pride goes before a fall

That opening statement is enough to call our consciousness to the dangers that awaits he who thinks all he owns or accomplish is by his making.

Pharaoh of Egypt  hardened his heart against the will of God and paid the ultimate price with his life.

St. Peter while walking on the sea upon Christ’s invitation began to sink. DO YOU KNOW WHY THIS IS?

It’s because for a moment, Peter lost sight of Jesus and began to focus on himself. Not in the physical essence of Jesus standing before him on the waters, but the Grace and Authority that accompanies the invitation of Christ. Perhaps Peter began to nurture a seed of pride in his heart as the only disciple walking on the sea with Christ at the time, and guess what, *He began to sink.

These two scenarios and more conform with the admonition of St. Paul in the 2nd reading. He tells us that we are to Trust in the wisdom of God above all things.

If we check several accounts in the Holy Bible, many events concerning God were executed in ways that seemed funny and laughable to man...

When Elijah  asked the prophets of Baal to pour water on the altar, people saw it as being foolish, but Elijah knew that with God, IT IS POSSIBLE.

Christ is the source of all things (Cf. 1 Corinthians 8:6), He is the Vine and we are the branches; cutoff from Him then we can do NOTHING.

OUR ONLY PRIDE SHOULD THAT WE ARE IN CHRIST AND THAT CHRIST IS IN US, for outside Him, WE ARE NOTHING.

I conclude with this nice extract from the Popular Wale Adenuga Production's Catchphrase in SUPER STORY: We are NOTHING but pencils in the hand of the Creator

Shalom 🙏

Igwe Mary Benita

MY REFLECTION

Lord make me a practical instrument for you.

Use me O Lord.

When I boast, may it be of you O Lord 🙏

The second reading is calling us today to put away pride and shame and then make boast of him. He is the source of our life, without him we are nothing.

God chose and made us that we might come to know and understand him. Therefore, we should worship him and make boast, not about other gods but about him.

The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are poor in spirit; those who understand that pride, selfishness, jealousy and things of the world doesn't matter; those who are more humble and humane and those who obey the laws and commands of the Lord.

Maureen Obiageli

MY REFLECTION

The summary of today's reading dwelt on humility. The prophet Zephaniah preached about a day of doom and destruction, when Judah will be punished for her worship of other gods.

The Lord will also punish other nations. Although, Jerusalem is doomed, in time the city will be restored, with humble and righteous people living there. In a nutshell, these passage passes a massage of Jerusalem's doom and redemption.

The second reading is telling us about the power and wisdom of God, whereby, the foolish is exalted in place of the wise, to shame the latter; and also in the same vain, God raises the weak as against the strong and it is only God who can do this.

The gospel tells us about what some theologians themed "the beatitudes or sermon on the mount". In summary, the sermon on the mount talks about the character, duties, privileges, and destiny of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven.

May God help us to be humble to be in our dealings with our fellow brothers and sisters, and may He grant us wisdom to navigate this turbulent world and imbue in us with the characters that will make us children and citizens of heaven, through Jesus Christ, our Lord Amen.

Shalom!