SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG SEPTEMBER, 2ND, 2023) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

 

LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR THE 22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

First Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 63:2;3-4;5-6;8-9 (R. cf 2ab)
Second Reading: Romans 12:1-2
Gospel Acclamation: Ephesians 1:17-18
Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27

Ibe Francisca Tiwa

MY REFLECTION

DO NOT WELCOME DISTRACTIONS!

Whoever truly desires to go very far in life must, as a matter of fact, understand his or her purpose here on earth and then work hard not to entertain distractions from that very purpose.

More than not, many of us Christians welcome all sorts of suggestions and as a result, we end up not just confusing ourselves, but also making a mess of the purpose of our existence.

In today's Gospel passage, after Jesus had talked about His mission as the Messiah and predicted the kind of death that awaited Him, Peter took Him aside to talk Him out of what had been prepared for Him.

However, since Jesus clearly understood His mission and purpose, He was quick to reject Peter's input and then insisted on embracing the lot marked out for Him for our salvation.

Today, we are admonished to be focused on our mission and no matter how tasking or demanding they may be, let us strive never to settle for the easy way out and then lose everything.

Be Focused On Your Assignment!

Benjamin Adewale Ajai

MY REFLECTION

God's rewards are very enticing.

We are always easily seduced by His power and wonderful works. We always yearn to be blessed, assisted and guarded by His grace and power. But like Peter who rejected the concept of a weak messiah, we also tend to evaluate God in our own earthly levels.

We forget often that following Christ means we have to also carry our crosses and walk along the rough and crooked road, bearing in mind that no matter how sweet the prospect is, in the end, it will not be a piece of cake. 

This is what the readings tell us– we should not be deceived that discipleship in Jesus is all a bed of roses. We should rather note that even roses have thorns.

Elom Ignatius Onwe

MY REFLECTION

No wonder people say heaven is priceless! Though, just a few price it.

It is difficult to follow this man, Jesus.

Just last Sunday, Jesus conferred on Peter mandates of his kingdom- to teach , lead and governor his church and now the same Jesus is calling him Satan. What an irony?

Hmmmm wait a minute...

Honestly, our reasoning, our thoughts, our perspective on things around us are clearly different from his (Jesus Christ).

It could be visibly seen that the difference between Peter's encounter with Jesus last Sunday and this Sunday was the presence of the Holy Spirit. Last Sunday he was seduced and influenced by Holy spirit and so, acknowledged Jesus as the son of God. Now, Peter is running away from suffering because he thinks like a man.

Consider environment like ours where truth is crippled, honesty is betrayed, moral values sold, people give you names like 'Nwa Maria' or Holy of Holies all because you want to promote your faith or stand on the side of the truth and you allow Jesus to seduce you. Anyway, the humiliation no be here; insults too many, suffering immeasurable. That was the cry of prophet Jeremiah in our first reading but Jesus assured us in the Gospel that "anyone who wants to save his life will lose it, But he who loses his life for his sake, will find it." 

Could you allow yourself to be seduced and influenced by Jesus? Possibly carry our daily cross and follow him?

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God 🙏

Eric Ugwuogbo

MY REFLECTION

My reflection is from the First Reading...

"O Lord, you have deceived me and I was deceived."

To start with, this part really got me laughing because I love the way Jeremiah spoke his mind before God. No soothing!

However, he must have gotten the wrong memo or had his will infused into God's message/calling. He had obviously expected a different outcome or experience as God's prophet.

One great lesson here though, is that he finally accepted God's Will and allowed his Word take root deep within him so that even if he tried, he was unable to stop proclaiming God's message. 

As one ready to carry his cross and follow Christ, one must avoid coming with expectations as expectations often lead to disappointments.

One must also approach God's calling with an open mind and 'read the manual' because what we experience are all written there.

Don't wish "That I may know him and the power of his resurrection" and then forget to "... share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."

May God's Word take root in our hearts, Amen