SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG MARCH 11TH, 2023) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

 

LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR THE 3RD SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR A

First Reading: Exodus 17:3-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2;6-7abc;7d-9 (R.cf. 7d; 8a)
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-2;5-8
Gospel Acclamation: John 4:42;15
Gospel: John 4:5-42

Chioke Agatha 

MY REFLECTION

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart.

The Israelites in the wilderness hardened their hearts and put their God Lord to test.

We hear the word of God every now and then but never have we believed them. We allow the tribulations of this life to divide our attention. If only minds could be seen or read, you will be surprised to see or know that many do not pay attention to the homily during mass or even when the word of God is on.

The people of Israel were actually following Moses not because they heard the word or believed the word but because they wanted to leave the land of Egypt. An adage in Igbo will say, "if you are told what to do to make money, a poor man will say let him remain poor’’. I am sure if the Israelites were to know what it will take them to make it to the promised land, most of them would have preferred staying in Egypt because we don’t like to suffer for anything. Imagine what Moses must have endured in their hands.

Let us learn to trust God always and know that he is never going to disappoint us. Imagine even in our sinful state he still loves us unconditionally that he went as far as giving us his only son to die and redeem us from eternal destruction.

This is yet time for us to turn to him and accept him as the Samaritan woman did in the Gospel. Open your heart that the word will sink. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Give him chance in your life and fulfill his purpose of creating you and that we will live with him in heaven.

If you drink the water that he gives, you will never be thirsty.

Lord, it is only by your grace that we can do it, fill us with your grace that we shall open our hearts and listen to your word.

Kwaghsende Timothy

MY REFLECTION

"Give me this water, that I may not thirst"- Where does true satisfaction lie?

At Meribah, Moses, who was a prefiguration of Jesus, provided water for the Jews who were unsatisfied- they forgot the love God showed them right from Egypt.

In the gospel reading, the Samaritan woman is eager after conversing with Jesus, she wants to receive this water Jesus gives: at least, she won't have to come to the well again. Like the Samaritan woman, we are always seeking that satisfaction whether at a meal, in our academics, in our businesses, or in our relationships.

Jesus, in the gospel reading, reminds us that this yearning is due to our insensitivity- "if you knew the gift of God!" Through the Samaritan woman's encounter, Jesus is calling on us to remember God's love, the same love that made God empty himself to die on a tree, and His wonders in your life.

Remember how good God has been to you in the past. Only then will you find true satisfaction IN DOING THE WILL OF GOD. Not until you realize this, will your anxieties cease. Just as Jesus' weariness was extinguished in doing His Father's will; and you will not thirst till you find eternal life.

My prayer for you is that you recall this gift of God (Jesus) saying, "...we believe, for we have heard for ourselves."

I end with the words of the Psalmist: O that today you would listen to His voice, harden not your heart.

Olatayo Segun V.

MY REFLECTION

We have all experienced thirst, we all know what happens to our fields when it doesn't rain. 

The first reading and the Gospel reading speak to me about water. Jesus in the Gospel speaks of a new and everlasting water, a new life that He is about to give us. 

Secondly, I want to break the Gospel reading into three

✔️Indifference

✔️Evangelism

✔️Testimony

We should not be tribalistic in our approach to helping people around. The woman laid emphasis on the issue between the Jews and Samaritans.

When the woman encountered Jesus, she went and brought more people to Jesus. How many times have we won souls for Christ through His blessings or our behaviour?

Finally, the woman testified to her people about the wonders of God. We should always be thankful at all times.

Glory to Jesus....🙏🏾

Ushie Paschal

MY REFLECTION

Tribal and religious war is making the world blind. The question is, "What are we preaching at the altar of God?"

Water is life! Imagine if I asked for water, and you are asking me how an Hausa man can ask of water from a calabar man, forgetting that water is life. It’s only when we have killed that tribalism in us that we can have a safe world (Nigeria). Sadly, tribalism continues to trend among us because we keep on telling the younger generations that some set of people are our enemies. We can have a sound society when, as adults, we free our minds from such ideologies and see everyone as human beings, irrespective of their tribe or religion. I urge us all to be loving and don’t allow people sow evil into our hearts.

The coming of Christ made the world a good place, and that was why the Pharisees didn’t like him. He was sowing good seeds in people's minds; he was telling them the need to love no matter your status in life. Christ spoke to the Samaritan woman with love, that was why she was happy and accepted Christ.

Christ died for us all. Irrespective of your tribe or religion, if you believe, he wants you to be saved. So, you too are called to save lives and make life meaningful for your neighbours during and after Lent. You can be the reason someone is happy each time they see a new day.

"Does God still exist?" was the question people asked during the presidential election in Nigeria. Hopes were dashed and shattered. It was as if our prayers and fasting was useless. dear friend, God is still awesome. He is all knowing. Just like the Israelite were asking when they were thirsty despite what God did for them. Indeed, through Moses God gave them water from a rock. 

 

Things may be very difficult and not going your way, you have prayed and fasted with almsgiving yet nothing seems to be improving. Remember that God knows and will come at the right time.

Dear brethren, don’t sow seed of hatred, tribalism and religious war into the hearts of children. We must teach our children to accept everyone as God's child with love.

Don’t give up in your struggle or the struggle of your loved ones. Learn to be an intercessor for them . Even with your last breath, let your words be, "Jesus I trust in you, thank you."

Shalom!

Anthony Onumajuru

MY REFLECTION

Many of us have organized thanksgiving in the past to thank God for several wonders and miracles God did for us.

 

As insatiable as man is, we easily forget all the good things God is doing in our lives.

Like the Israelites, after the crossing of the sea, at the slightest temptation we start giving God target, start looking for solution houses and sharp sharp miracle centers. 

Let us always learn to call on God in prayers and present our petitions before Him, He has done it before and He is ever ready to do it again and again. 

Glory be to Jesus...