SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG SEPTEMBER, 9TH, 2023) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR THE 23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

First Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2;6-7abc;7d-9 (R. 7d,8a)
Second Reading: Romans 13:8-10
Gospel Acclamation: 2 Corinthians 5:19
Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

Faleye Dora

MY REFLECTION

My sharing is from the Gospel reading, precisely, the last sentence "for where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them."

The fellowship of children of God coming together to pray and share the word of God, helps us to grow together as the body of Christ and we receive help and support from each other that makes the devil depart from us.

When we fail to fellowship with our brethren and prefer to pray alone, giving excuses of no time or busy schedules, before we know it, laziness sets in, we become weak and dry but when we find time to fellowship, we grow spiritually, become stronger and always hunger for more power from above- this keeps the enemy far away.

Fabian Dania

MY REFLECTION

Speaking and Listening

In a world where indifference and individualism is the order of the day, do I still listen to corrections?

Am I courageous enough to give a loving correction to the other person? 

Lord, forgive our hardness of heart and heal us of indifference and individualism. Give us a willing heart. Amen!

Nzeakor Eugenia

MY REFLECTION

Greetings brethren! 

His Blood l will require at your hand.

Brethren, the word of God has fallen down on us again this day.

In the first reading, God strictly gave us instructions to deliver to the wicked, His word of repentance from their wicked ways; and in a situation where we failed to deliver the word of God as instructed, we shall bear the consequences. Some of us will see someone taking the wrong way of life, we will feel less concerned, saying after all he is not my child or he is not my brother neither is he my sister. We prefer to see that soul go to ruin. God is telling you today that since you failed to lead at right the wicked ones, their blood shall be on you.

The second reading is telling us about love and its accomplishment. When you love someone, you will not hurt that person. When you love someone, you will not see any evil coming to that person and keep quiet. When you love someone, you will not plan to kill the person. When you love, you will not covert what belongs to that person. When you love someone, you will be happy when something good happens to that person. We are to understand that when we genuinely love, we have fulfilled all the laws.

The Gospel is telling us today to go to any of our brothers who sinned against us and tell him the wrong he has done against us. Most times, one might offend you without knowing that he has offended you. Without you saying it to the hearing of that person, he might not know. 

Try to settle every dispute you have with your brother. Then, when you have tried to settle your dispute with your brother in all the way possible and he refused, then leave it for God.

We shall keep striving, till we reach our final destinations. It is well!

Innocent Ifeanyichukwu

MY REFLECTION

In the first reading, God reminded us that we must be our brother's keeper, by always reminding them to be on the right track of salvation, which is portrayed in the Lord's prayer that Christ taught us (we must at all times pray, love and be a stepping stone to one another).

In the second reading, St. Paul reminded us of the importance and benefits of loving one another genuinely. We must show genuine love to anyone that crosses our path irrespective of their religion, tribe, qualifications and gender.

Furthermore, in the Gospel reading, Christ reminded us that to correct others of their mistakes, we must do it politely and with love instead of worsening the situation.

In conclusion, "LOVE CONQUERS ALL"

MY REFLECTION

For me, the central theme of the readings is 'indifference' and it outrightly puts it to us that indifference is a sin. How?

Fr Mike Schmitz gave a beautiful definition of indifference in one of his talks. He said, "Indifference is not not caring, indifference is not caring enough to help. It is not about not being moved but not being moved enough to actually do something."

The readings charge us to be ready to go all out as regards keeping/bringing others to the fold of God. It concerns me. It concerns you. It concerns us. That "neighbour" can easily be your husband/wife, son/daughter, brother/sister, uncle/aunt. 

In going all out, Jesus gives beautiful steps in the gospel because sometimes, the way we address issues, will widen the rift rather than close it. I believe to a good extent that these readings are addressed to those who do their best to remain in good standing with God. Hence, the questions...

1. I know God and His ways. But how about my neighbour?

2. I struggle to be right by God. Do I try to lead others in the right way or do I "oppress" them by my "Christian life"?

3. When I know I have offended someone, do I seek their forgiveness? Do not say it was only a joke, especially when you know that person is offended.

4. When others offend me do I point out their faults? Am I open to forgiving them?

5. How often have I used that statement, "Over my dead body"?

6. Deeper than the way St. Paul's message today is translated, "Do I love my neighbour as God loves me? And have I shown this love in forgiving them just as God has forgiven me in Christ?"

I am made for love and until I realize and begin to live by that truth, the subsequent verses of today's gospel will be unfruitful in my life. For to live without love is to be dead.

Ndukaife Fidelis

MY REFLECTION

The Gospel reading draws our attention on how to correct and reconcile with our fellow humans when they wrong us.

In this Gospel, Christ gave us the principles of reconciliation and correction. This means that, conflicts are inevitable in our society, relationships, families, parishes or offices. If they come, how do we resolve them amicably? How do we treat and approach each other when there is conflict? 

👉 We must sit and dialogue one on one and face to face using proper words.

👉 Seek the mediation of others.

👉 Seek the mediation of the community.

👉 Treat them with love the way Christ treated the Gentiles and Tax Collectors. Just as St. Paul in second reading reminds us that, "Love does no wrong to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."

May God give us the grace to forgive and seek forgiveness through mutual love, so that God will also forgive us our sins. Amen 🙏