SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG OCTOBER, 7TH, 2023) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR THE 27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

First Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 80:9 and 11; 12-13;14-15 and 17b; 18-19 (R.2)
Second Reading: Philippians 4:6-9
Gospel Acclamation: John 15:16
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43

Okolo Samuel

MY REFLECTION

What do you do with the opportunity you have right now?

The Church is a clinic and a spiritual health counsel center, where we are reminded of what opportunities God has given us, how to make best use of these opportunities and when best to apply resources at our disposal.

We may lose these opportunities or make wrong use of them if the prince of this world have darkened our understanding. This is why we must rely on the Word of God and the intimacy availed to us by prayers.

We may judge these tenants as wicked as they have been painted, until we discover that by our rebellion, our faithlessness and our poverty of knowledge and understanding, we also thread same line.

To utilize your vineyards well, you must sow seeds and bear lasting fruits. If you have no fruits or vines to offer the master of the Harvest, you may resort to killing his messengers with your heresy, kill his son with your immorality, stone some with your pride and selfishness.

But the servant who have fruits or has borne massive fruits, will be happy to show off and offer in gratitude, his proceeds to the Master.

Do not join those who wrecked their faith due to their failure to work diligently on their faith (vineyard), in fear and trembling.

To bear fruit, you need the Word (manual on how and what) and u need intimacy (prayers and the Holy Spirit).

Anne Aikpokhio

MY REFLECTION

God's Call To Righteousness

Through the readings, God is calling us back to righteousness. We are the present house of Israel and men/women of Judah today. 

God has given us everything even to the extent of sacrificing is only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to bridge the gap between us and God and to reconcile us back to Him.

So my dear friends, mo matter what we are going through, let us not give up. Rather, we should offer our petitions to Him, who understand that which we are going through, in thanksgiving and praise.

So, let us as children of light, embrace all those things that are honourable, lovely, pure, gracious, excellent and worthy of praise. So that our ways before God will be cordial and upright.

May God help us in Jesus' name, Amen.

Nnanna Ogbonna

MY REFLECTION

Let me start from the second reading...

In the second reading, St. Paul teaches us how to solve one of the problems we face as man, which is "worrying". All of us face this in various degrees. Our attitude when faced with worry is to go into the mode of prayer and thanksgiving handing everything to God. If we call ourselves good servants, this is what is expected of us. 

Also, we should always remember that we have limits hence, we should trust in God's ways. His ways of doing things will always be different from ours because He is Almighty.

When Paul and Silas were thrown into prison, I guess they were worried about what will happen next but despite their worries, they took what I will call 'a counter intuitive approach'– praying and singing, and God came into the picture.

In the gospel and the first reading, God is warning us about what the final fate of the wicked will be. He expects us to be fruitful– living a life of justice, equity and fairness. These virtues engender peaceful coexistence but when we turn to evil– maltreatment the poor, the widows and other evils of our time, we will surely meet a miserable end.

We ask the Lord to give us the grace not to yield wild vines but yield fruits for the owner of the vineyard, the Lord of Host. Remember that in His days, justice shall reign and peace till the moon is no more. We should try to enthrone a just and morally upright society, Amen.

Patrick Anyanwu

MY REFLECTION

When The Owner Of The Vineyard Comes, What Will He Do To The Tenants?

The very many times I have heard or listened to this parable, makes me feel like I am pinned down by these very words, as they directly speak to me. I feel staged at the corner because my actions, words, and inactions are exactly the same as those of the tenants, as they relate to the mercy and magnanimity of God towards me.

For so long a time, God has invested in me; He chose me, planted me in the richest of soils, pruned me, tilled, dug around, manured and always watered me with the expectation of a fruitful yield but severally, I have responded negatively.

Now, the thought of what he will do to me afterwards, pricks me conscientiously.

I ask myself...

How long do I have to live off the goodness and mercies of God without producing a good harvest?

How often will I use the resources God has provided and not let others benefit from them?

How will I continue to enjoy the grace of God and not let others partake of this gratuitous love of God?

The great Apostle, Paul, reminds me today to stick to acts and actions that are true, pure, just, lovely, gracious, and worthy of praise. For my actions reflect on a large scale, that which I have received. These attributes are signs that the time and energy put into my growth is worth it.

Ayo-Ogbor Titilayo

MY REFLECTION

My understanding of the second reading is that through prayer, supplication and thanksgiving, we can attain peace which surpasses all understanding and for us to know that this peace will guard our hearts and minds.

Our natural human desire for acceptance, status and possessions can create tension within us. If on the other hand, we perceive our needs are not going to be met, we may experience anxiety and stress. How can you be anxious for nothing in the face of such situations? Managing stress for a Christian begins with understanding yourself and knowing what the scripture teaches about the nature of God. To understand your self means to know the basic nature, the potential of your strength and the limits of your weaknesses. This is no small task because self deception can prevent clear discernment according to Jeremiah 17:9.

An understanding of the nature of God comes from His self revelation in the scripture and in Christ. So, let us always meditate on the word of God and the peace of God will always remain with us, Amen.

Ucheegbunam OkeyMaria

MY REFLECTION

From Isaiah 5:4...

O Nigeria! The One who created and established you is speaking to you today through Prophet Isaiah, 'what more shall I do for you that I have not done? I have blessed you with rich human and natural resources to make yourself better and conducive for all your inhabitants but you have chosen to do the opposite. Don't forget that I am coming soon with my judgement.'

O you sons/daughters! How much resources have your parents invested in you so that you become useful to the family and the society at large? Why have you chosen to be foolish and wayward? Also, remember that I am coming soon.

Child of God! What seeds/gifts has God planted in you to use for His glory, for your own good and for the good of others? Have you caused them to germinate and bear good fruits? If no, remember also that the Lord is coming soon.