SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG OCTOBER 28TH, 2023) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR THE 30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

First Reading: Exodus 22:21-27
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 18:2-3a; 3bc-4; 57 and 51ab (R.2)
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10
Gospel Acclamation: John 14:23
Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40

Comfort Mary Edewor

MY REFLECTION

 "You shall love your God and your neighbor as yourself."

The above statement by Jesus, is indeed the summary of the law, i.e the Ten Commandments. When love has been made perfect in anyone, there can be no danger of offending God in anyway.

In the first reading, we see how God himself emphasizes the consequences of lack of love in particular, in relation to the voiceless and vulnerable in society. Only the one who has no love would think of hurting a widow, an orphan or other vulnerable persons.

The love of God has been poured into our hearts and so no one needs anyone to teach them how to love. Loving others like yourself, necessarily means considering the welfare of other people before yours. This can also involve some sacrifice which many may find too difficult to do.

I make bold to say that any seeming act of love that costs you nothing, is worthless. I also believe that loving our neighbors because of God is a demonstration of our love for God too.

We should continue to pray for the strength to always relate to one another in love as Jesus taught us that we may remain in His friendship all our lives.

Jude Akiti

MY REFLECTION

Love In Relationships With The Perfection And Fulfillment Of The Divine Laws. 

Greetings my dearly beloved in Christ...

God in His nature is love and His love is also exacted in His justice. As we see in the first reading, God in this passage is giving His people laws to live by. This laws gives us more insights of the divine traits and character. This further shows that God wants us to live by His prospects therefore, becoming more like Him in our actions. This process of divine admonishment helps us to form godly attributes and virtues, which in turn, will help in shaping our lives towards the right direction.

In the old testament going against these laws is considered an abomination. These laws are the basic constitution of Israel and strictly enforced by the administrators of the land, as breaking them will attract 'the covenantal curses'. The law as given by God, is a guide to living a good life up to God’s standards. They produce key virtues in line with divine prospects and principles; no wonder St. Paul called it a 'tutor' (Galatians 3:24).

The first statement in both the first and second reading complement each other and points out to us, a very vital and impactful message about our Christian duty; which is imbedded in love– placing others first and living up good examples for other to see and follow. We should not condemn sinners or discriminate and totally segregate ourselves from people who do not share the same faith or religious beliefs with us. We should realize that doing this creates a vacuum, making it harder to bring them to the light of Christ.

We should always remember that when we were yet sinners Christ loved, accepted and died for us. Just like the Israelites in Egypt, Christ redeemed us from the slavery of sin and death. All these was made possible in the manifestation of love (John 3:16), the greatest virtue. We are called to extend this same love to all, including the sinners amidst us. Though, not unevenly (2 Corinthians 6:14) but charismatically, with the sole intention of saving the soul from darkness into the light of Christ.

This is one sure way of showing the love of God and anyone who lacks it, lacks the Trinity as stated in the Gospel acclamation.

The law is prominent in the first reading while the second reading, makes reference to the Holy Spirit. In correlation of both, we see that the law is a set of codes for our remembrance. It is external and has to do with the mind, but the Holy spirit in fulfillment, takes the place of the written law, perfects its understanding in our lives and beyond codes for our consciousness. His divine instructions becomes part of us, alive and active in our heart, to instruct, inspire and also empower us (the believer) to do God’s will with joy even in the midst of much afflictions.

In summary, we should always remember that in our pursuit and perseverance to live up to God’s standards, we must have and rely on the Holy Spirit to help and guide us. Because with the Spirit it becomes easy to fulfil the law the right way and in accordance with divine principles and prospects as enacted by Christ in the new covenant, in which we have been called as Christians to emulate. Today’s Gospel makes it clear that the Holy Spirit comes to help us live in accordance to God’s will, when we fulfil the first law, which is loving God with all our heart and soul, and our neighbours as ourselves. Therefore, making love the pinnacle virtue and utmost criteria to amounting multiple graces to fulfil all divine principles and ordinances, making us true citizens of God’s kingdom here on earth and in the world to come, all to God’s glory.

May the good Lord bless us with the gifts and the fruits of the Holy spirit, to enable us genuinely increase in love, through Christ Our Lord, Amen 🙏

Nkechi Joy Oki

MY REFLECTION

The Bible teaches that love means being nice, patient, and thinking of others. It is about treating people well and not being mean or selfish. God's love is really caring and does not depend on anything, and we should treat others the way we want to be treated.

This reminds me of the kind of love that existed in the 80s/90s...

I once lived in a compound where our parents could entrust us to the care of our neighbours while they were away. Those neighbours would in turn take proper care of us like we were their biological children. This same act been taught to me since childhood, I tried exhibiting within my neighbourhood, but some parents feel scared and insecure.

Love is supposed to be selfless giving and selfless identification of my neighbour's needs.

Here is a story of what happened recently at my place in Ikorodu where I currently live...

I was at home not feeling well, but came out to have a feel of the environment. Then I saw how the children were playing together in love, in such a way I had never seen in a long time (ever since I was a kid). Then it dawned on me to give them a token to enjoy the moment.

I promised to get some items for them, and when I finally did, they shared with love. Except for one family, who saw me later in the evening, while others were thanking me; their mother asked if I was celebrating my birthday and why I gave the children gifts.

Trust me, I really felt bad, and quickly went to our group platform to explain myself for the gifts I gave the children. My outburst made some of the neighbours to approach me and apologize on her behalf with the excuse that  the woman always think everyone is diabolic because we are surrounded by 'white garment' people.

Then I understood...

But in love, even diabolic bows to the power of love.

Raphael Chukwudi 

MY REFLECTION

A second like it; Love your neighbors as yourself...

The first reading shows how important the second greatest commandment is, but to ponder on, let us divert to how we have treated those around us especially the poor...

In our country today, the poor keeps on suffering and the rich keep getting rich. People are marginalized unneccesarily, thereby, leaving the poor and vulnerable unable to survive. The youths take to cyber crimes all to alleviate their families from been poor.

God, in the first reading, stated what will happen to those who trample on the poor- His wrath is over heated and soon, will pour on the wicked, for the cries of the poor has reached him. Woe to the man whom God's wrath will fall upon!

The second reading leads us to ponder on our attitudes and how often have have imitated Christ, by being an example to others. Let us not let the things of the world lead us astray, all because we want to make it. Let our faith be strong and do what is right.

Remember, the greatest of all commandments, is ove of God and love of man.

But we can only love God by loving man– loving our neighbours, brothers, sisters, father, mother, strangers and even the poor.

To some, experience has made us not to love our neighbors but to be wary of them. Whichever way, let us spread the love for God in our lives, and in that of our neighbors. Peace!!!

Stephen Udofia

MY REFLECTION

One Love❣️

The Gospel passage from Matthew 22:34-40, illuminates the integral nature of love in the Christian faith: the interconnectedness of love for God and love for one's neighbor. Jesus elevates these two commandments as the foundational principles guiding moral and ethical conduct. The directive to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind," signifies the devout connection with the divine, while the mandate to "love your neighbor as yourself," emphasizes empathy, compassion, and kindness towards others. This reveals the horizontal and vertical dimensions of love, conveying a unified love that cannot be compartmentalized. Love for God and love for neighbor are indivisible expressions of a singular love. Loving God and loving one's neighbor, are not mutually exclusive but rather, complementary.

During my NYSC I lived in the midst of a quarreling family. One Sunday morning, we all woke up to their usual fights and the husband (who happens to be a Pastor) said to the wife: "You are lucky, that I am leaving for church now, when I return, I will deal with you and show you that I am the man of this house." Then, the wife replied: "You are not ashamed to climb the pulpit and preach about God. Nonsense man! I will be waiting for you in this house when you return."

While heading to Mass that morning, I pondered on this event and came to understand that loving God necessitates embracing not just friends and family but, significantly, our ENEMIES. Love isn't solitary; it flourishes in life's experiences. As Christians, our duty surpasses loving the lovable; it challenges us to love even adversaries— the ultimate test of Christian love. 

May we receive grace to live out authentic Christian charity, remaining steadfast in Christ's teachings, Amen.