SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG, NOVEMBER 4TH, 2023) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR THE 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

First Reading: Malachi 1:14b-2:2b;8-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 131:1;2;3
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9;13
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 23:9b;10b
Gospel: Matthew 22:1-12

Philips Okoye

MY REFLECTION

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the readings today are still directly connected with God's admonitions to me. 

In the first reading, I am being called to be conscious and cautious of how I live my christian life, side-by-side the laws/commandments of God.

I am being made to understand the need of doing away with false and pretentious Christian life. A true Christian life should be such that, it is upright in face of all circumstances. 

I learnt the need to desist from a life of deceit, and completely do away with manipulative christian life. And also, how I live my life should be such that could be seen as law and guide, to others.

St. Paul, in the second reading, teaches me the reasons why my christian life ought to be example for others to emulate.

I learnt the need to persevere in living in uprightness, so as to foster the acceptance of the gospel of Christ. In addition , I must ensure I strive in making the acceptance and practice of the teachings of Christ’s Gospel, easy for others. I must always encourage others so they don't get scared of the Gospel in anyway.

And Christ in the Gospel reading, teaches me about the need to desist from a Christian life of double standards.

I learnt that an ostentatious Christian life, is not only misleading, but destructive as well. Making a public show of my christian life so as to gain public admiration and acknowledgement, will end up being damaging to my Christian life.

On this, I must ensure that God is always the focal point of my christian life. Hence the need to direct everything about my christan life to HIM who sees in secret and in the open. 

My christian life must be a purposeful and meaningful one in being that light of Christ, which is focused on God, enabling others see HIM and be attracted to HIM, like I am attracted.

As we strive brothers and sisters, let's always allow God be the focus, and take preeminence in our Christian life. This we ask through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Precious Nwanya

MY REFLECTION

One thing is necessary if one strive to live out the true Christian leadership, and that is 'a hunger for souls'.

This hunger is stirred by the Holy Spirit when we continually seek to love God with the heart, soul and mind, like the gospel reading explained last Sunday.

It is this intimacy that brings the revelation of what is most important to God, every human being. Loving God, doing His bidding, both in word and action must become our daily longing; our food. If I see in the next person a soul most precious to the One I love, nothing will make me desire anything less, than what St Paul explained in the Second reading, and I do believe that St. Paul held the Psalm to His heart simply because God was His focus. Little wonder he was able to say, as we sing in that lenten hymn, 'my richest gains I count but loss!'

My eyes must be fixed on God if we are to make progress in our Christian journey and help my brothers and sisters along the way. My heart must always resign in humility and wait on the dictates of God, with feet ready to move especially when His instruction seems base. 

Only in being intentional with our life in God here on earth, can we truly live the Christian life and win that imperishable crown of glory.

May the Holy Spirit continually inspire us with holy desires and help us not to be resistant to grace, Amen.

Fabian Dania

MY REFLECTION

I am particularly struck by these words: "Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another?"

The idea of a universal brotherhood is one thing we cannot completely run away from, especially if we are to be true Christians. The Gospel makes it even more clear– we have one teacher, one master and we are all called to the service of one another. God help us, Amen!

Emmanuel Ojo

MY REFLECTION

BY THEIR FRUITS, which is at work in you believers.

By their fruits, the earliest Christ's followers were called CHRIST-LIKE a.k.a Christians.

By their fruits, the Apostles' knowledge of God's kingdom was traced only from Jesus.

By His fruits, the people could boldly say that John was more than just a prophet.

By His fruits, Christ divine and true identity as the son of God was revealed.

What does your fruit tell people about you?

Can people thank God for your fruits?

Paul thanked God for the Thessalonians because his efforts in spreading the word of God, was yielding a very positive and noticeable result.

Let us, therefore, strive through the Word we receive regularly, like the seed that fell on good soil, and bring forth abundant fruits in hundreds and possibly thousands.

May God make us fruitful, Amen 🙏

Aleke Emmanuel

MY REFLECTION

My reflection is from the Holy Gospel...

God is telling us two things- what to do and what we should not do.

 What are the things we should do?

The things we should do, are the things of God which the preachers teach such as loving one another, being a brothers' keeper, sensitive to a neighbor's problem(s) and coming to his or her aid, e.t.c. That tells us that what many preachers preach are good and that is why Jesus said, "do what they preach but don't what they do".

The second thing Jesus is telling us to do, is that we should not do what preachers do. This tells us that many preachers do not practice what they preach. They preach the ways of God but live by the standards of men.

It is my prayer that God will give us the the grace to put into practice what our preachers preach, through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Nathaniel Onwuasoegwu

MY REFLECTION

Men Lord it over men.

There is so much deception. Men already have intentions. We can quote the bible, speak in tongues, cure the sick and yet, we do not know the Master.

One can be gifted and yet do not use it for the glory of God. 

Men have taken delight in preaching the word in order to use the work to glorify themselves, and become a demi-god to others yet do not know the Master. 

They give out fasting to others yet, do not fast; they give out prayers yet do not pray. There is much attention to self rather than the master. Men's attention!

We want positions, titles and attention while preaching Christ. In summary, Christ want us to keep it simple and just emulate his works; that’s all!

May we look up to Christ always, Amen!