SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG JULY 29TH, 2023) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR THE 17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5;7-12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:57 and 72;76-77;127-128;129-130 (R. 97a)
Second Reading: Romans 8:28-30
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 11:25
Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52

George Ngwee

MY REFLECTION

Being sincere with ourselves

From our First Reading today, we understand that Solomon recognized his inefficiency and asked God to help him. 

In our society today, a lot of us fail to recognize God's hands in all we do and at a point, in order to satisfy our inordinate quest for power, we rush to take positions we know we cannot fit in. We need to acknowledge God's hands in all we do because from our Second Reading, He made us know that He works for our good when we acknowledge Him.

Finally, we should understand we are God's treasure keepers, and we have to call on Him when we think we are lost. Because He will always guide us to perfection. 

Shalom!

Aidoo Benedict

MY REFLECTION

Looking carefully at the Gospel Reading of today, I am told that the believer should pursue God's kingdom and His righteousness. 

Just like this man who sold all that he had to purchase the field and the merchant who sold all that he had to purchase that precious pearl, there is the need to let go of some of the things that are so dear to us in order to have access to God's kingdom. You would realize that, if there was extra money, there would not be the need for the selling to purchase by the man and the merchant. This tells me that, those things that stand in our way to have our full communion with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit should be taken away.

Finally, one would need that wisdom Solomon asked from the 1st Reading, to determine what goes away for what. Sometimes, the things we have may not necessarily be evil in themselves, but there will be a need to keep them aside since anything that hinders us from having God is not worth it. 

And so we beg the Lord to grant us the zeal to seek His kingdom always; and when we find it, grant us the wisdom to know what we have to leave behind to have access to it, Amen.

Ucheegbunam OkeyMaria

MY REFLECTION

Matthew 13:44

The man in the Gospel Reading of today discovered the most valuable property, went home, gathered many lesser ones he already had, sold them and purchased the property. 

Beloved, let us, like this man, recognize the value of God's kingdom, gather all the valuable things of this world, i.e. the three Ps- Power, Possession and Pleasure, and let them go for the sake of the kingdom of God. Peace be with you!

Nzeakor Eugenia

MY REFLECTION

Greetings brethren!

The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous.

The First Reading reminds us of King Solomon who, on the Lord's request, decided to ask for wisdom on how to lead his people aright and to be able to see to the welfare of everyone under his kingship. This is a clear message and challenge to everyone of us, especially those in authority. That position you are occupying is for the service of the people. How are you managing it? It is not an opportunity for you to enrich yourself and your family without minding if the people you are meant to be representing and serving are benefiting from your service or passing through hell under your leadership, just like the people of Nigeria today.

The Second Reading is letting us know that if God has called you according to His purpose, He shall preserve you in the image of His son, justify and finally glorify you. Mind you, you must merit it.

In the Gospel, we are reminded that the angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous. Where do you belong? Our journey does not end in this life, we are heading to our permanent homes and there are two choices of homes for us to make. Are you going to be in a place prepared for the devil and his followers or where God has prepared for us, for our eternal life?

Dear brethren, prepare for your departure, live every moment of your life as if it were your last moment on earth. Remain blessed!

Adunbiola Simon

MY REFLECTION

The kingdom of God is a treasure that is more valuable than anyone can think of. All effort and sacrifices must be made to acquire it.

Jesus speaks of the narrow gate (Matt. 7:13)...

One must discard any obstacle on the way that might act as a hindrance. At the end of time, there will be the judgement that will qualify one either to enter into the eternal kingdom or not. One parable in today's Gospel portrays this fact clearly.

At the close of age, the angels will come and separate the good from the bad and each will be rewarded accordingly and completely.

"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Rom. 8:18)

I want to end my reflection with this quote "God plants his dreams in our hearts to fulfil his purpose on earth".

Eghe Okonofua

MY REFLECTION

Wisdom is profitable to direct.

God is wisdom and true wisdom comes from the knowledge of God. Seek ye first the kingdom and all else will follow. Consequently, with wisdom, every other good thing we need to survive will come as shown in the First Reading today.

Solomon sought understanding and discernment and God added everything desirable to it. Those of us who despise or, in milder terms, feel too disinterested in reading the Bible and seeking God do not really know what we are doing.

In the gospel, I ask myself and encourage you to ask yourself too, Am I useful to God?; Is praying in the morning and saying "thank you God" all I do for the day?; Do I feel that God should be appreciative because I have done my duty of greeting Him and putting him first?; Does that alone entail being useful?; Is that enough to qualify us to stand amongst the good fish gathered or will it place us in the set of bad fish that is not useful and discarded?

If you do not find joy in the things of God, his Word, going to Church, listening to revelations about Him, reading the Bible and discussing things of faith, it is time to ask yourself "why?"

If you claim to be a Christian and fight with anyone who says there is a better religion than Christianity, yet you find it difficult to seek God in any way possible, then your Christianity is of no use. You cannot say you love someone if you cannot get involved in their affairs.