SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG MAY 27TH, 2023) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

 

LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR PENTECOST SUNDAY, YEAR A

First Reading: Acts 2:1-11

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104:1ab; 24ac; 29bc-30; 31 and 34 (R. cf. 30)

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7;12-13

Gospel: John 20:19-23

Udeh Vincentsavio

MY REFLECTION

Through these readings, we are reminded of the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.

St. Paul tells us that the Spirit is not the spirit of confusion. Though there are a variety of gifts, it is one Spirit that gives them and it is for the common good. The gifts of the Spirit should not be used for self-gratification but to expand God's work through collaboration with others. 

In the first reading, Christ's promise to His disciples is fulfilled. With the Holy Spirit, they were able to speak with boldness (no longer behind doors for fear of the Jews) and when they spoke, people of different tribes understood them. This was only made possible by the Holy Spirit. We too can ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with His gifts so we can operate in different capacities for the good of our neighbors and the Church at large.

Janefrances Udeh 

MY REFLECTION

John 20:19-23 recounts a pivotal moment in Christian history, following the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this passage, the disciples were gathered in a locked room, gripped by fear and uncertainty. Suddenly, Jesus appeared in their midst and extended peace to his troubled followers. He showed them his wounds, signifying the reality of his resurrection, and commissioned them with a profound task: to carry on his work of redemption and forgiveness.

This passage holds immense significance in Christianity today. Firstly, it emphasizes the transformative power of Christ's resurrection. Despite their fear and doubt, the disciples' encounter with the risen Lord filled them with indescribable joy and purpose. It reveals the assurance that through Christ, death is conquered, and new life is made possible for all who believe. This assurance remains foundational to the Christian faith, inspiring hope amidst adversity and serving as a catalyst for spreading the Gospel.

Furthermore, Jesus' act of breathing the Holy Spirit upon the disciples conveys the empowering presence of God within us as Christians. This moment signifies the birth of the Church and the inauguration of a new era, where the disciples were granted authority to forgive sins. It reminds us today of our role as ambassadors of God's forgiveness and agents of reconciliation. The passage calls us to embrace the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, extending grace, mercy, and forgiveness to others, just as Christ has done for us.

In this passage, we learn valuable lessons. To start with, fear and doubt can be dispelled through encounters with the risen Christ. We are reminded that even in times of uncertainty, Christ's presence brings peace and reassurance. Secondly, we are called to be active participants in God's redemptive work. As recipients of forgiveness, we are entrusted with the task of extending that forgiveness to others.

Finally, the passage highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit's empowering presence in our lives. By relying on the Spirit's guidance and strength, we can faithfully fulfill our calling as disciples of Christ.

In conclusion, the passage captures a profound moment of transformation and commissioning in the early Christian community. Its significance resonates in Christianity today, reminding us of the power of Christ's resurrection, the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, and our responsibility to extend forgiveness and reconciliation to others. It teaches us to overcome fear, embrace our calling, and be vessels of God's love in the world.

Rosemary Ibazebo

MY REFLECTION

You send forth your Spirit, and they are created, and You renew the face of the earth.

This is one of the most popular Catholic prayers that I say every day, and yet, do I recognize the meaning of the prayer? Do I just rattle out the words while my mind is elsewhere, or really pray for the renewal of the face of the earth by the Holy Spirit?

Just as the book of Genesis tells us about the action of the Spirit in the creation and renewal of the earth, so the Spirit renews us daily if we dispose ourselves to His workings. No wonder St Paul tells us in Romans 12 not to be conformed to the standards of the world, but to be transformed by a renewal of our minds. 

We need to constantly ask for the renewal of our minds by the Holy Spirit, and our preparation for Pentecost shouldn't just end here as if the outpouring of the gifts of the Spirit is a once-in-a-year affair, but we must constantly dispose ourselves to the Spirit's working and gifts, such that His fruits are seen in us.

Come, Holy Spirit, and fill our hearts. Amen.

Osiegbu Anthony

MY REFLECTION

The readings and psalms are centered on the Holy Spirit, the 3rd person of the Trinity. The greatest of God's gifts to man after dying for our sins was for Him to send His Spirit to remain with us FOREVER all through our life on earth. 

I will love to base my reflection more on the Gospel Reading. Prior to this part of the Gospel, Jesus had already made a promise when he said “I will ask the Father and he will give you ‘another Paraclete’ to be with you always”. That promise he fulfilled not long after his death and resurrection when he said "receive the Holy Spirit". 

I am left to remember Christ's birth when he was called Emmanuel which means "God with us."

To compare and contrast when he was to leave, he gave the Holy Spirit to us which is "God in us" meaning we now carry God in our hearts by virtue of the Holy Spirit living in us.

Now when I have God in me I remember the words of St. Paul, "The spirit you have received is not the spirit of fear or timidity..."

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we, like the apostles, can receive the courage we need to boldly speak to others about God’s love for them. Through this Advocate of Love, we can come to better recognize and understand the truth of our identity as one who has been sent. We too have been commissioned by Jesus Christ to take his message of love out into the world. The infilling of the Holy Spirit leads us closer to Jesus Christ. This Gift enables us to encounter the world through Jesus’ mandate to love.

We, like the apostles, can be conformed to Jesus not just through our fulfilling his command to love but through our spiritual participation in his suffering, death and resurrection as well. This type of participation is what makes us like him which is exactly what he expects of us as Christians - to be like him. I pray also that we become vulnerable and open to the Spirit of God that He may use us as He wishes, for the Glory of God. Amen.

Uzoegbu Henrietta

MY REFLECTION

The First Reading makes me understand, that the Apostles were gathered, which means, they were expecting the Holy Spirit, which emphasizes preparedness. How prepared are we to receive the Holy Spirit? 

And when they received the Holy Spirit, it fell on everyone, thereby telling you and I, that in God's kingdom, there is no discrimination or segregation.

In the Second Reading, we are told that it is the same Spirit that brings varieties of gifts, service and work. All these mentioned, means that we are to cherish, appreciate and use whatever the Spirit has given us or whatever the Spirit has given our fellow brothers and sisters for the expansion and evangelization of God's kingdom.

Chinwe Ann

MY REFLECTION

TOGETHERNESS

The readings from my perspective, are all about promoting oneness and togetherness irrespective of the fact that we are of different religions, politics, races, tribes and intellectuals.

The First Reading is about Christ fulfilling his promise to his disciples who faithfully obeyed his command, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Advocate comes."

So, today, Christ rewarded his disciples for their faithful obedience and steadfastness to prayer, by sending them the Advocate who helped them to communicate and preach to the people who could not even listen to them and they understood them in their different languages.

We pray that the Holy Spirit we receive, enables us to break every barrier within our spirituality and that we won't be selfish with the gift of the Spirit nor abuse it in any way. Amen.