SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG, NOVEMBER 11TH, 2023) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR THE 32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

First Reading: Wisdom 6:12-16
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 63:2;3-4;5-6;7-8 (R.cf.2b)
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 24:42a;44
Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

Rosemary Ibazebo

MY REFLECTION

This Psalm is just so encompassing; no need for too many words.

What do we thirst for? Is it for God or for something else?

Let us imagine the way the Psalmist graphically describes how he is thirsting for God. He extols that God's loving mercy is better than life.

Do we only praise God when things are good? Or is it a habit we have cultivated, no matter the circumstances?

Let us make out time to reflect on this Psalm.

Glory to Jesus!

Emmanuel Uko

MY REFLECTION

Matthew 25:1-13 sometimes comes as if to prepare us for the rapture or our final days, but there's a lot in it for our current days too.

Talking about our current days, there are two major substances mentioned: the lamp and the oil. 

So, there is light and there is what feeds the light. No matter how bright the lamp is, it cannot sustain itself. It must be sustained by the oil. No matter how colourful or glittery the light is, it must be fed not just by another substance, but the right substance. Water is a good thing but it cannot feed the lamp as oil does.

Therefore, the question today is, what am I feeding my light? What are you feeding your lamp?

Spiritual life must be fed with the living Word of God, prayers and thanksgiving. Professional life must be fed with knowledge upgrades and mentorship. Marriage must be fed with constant love, communication and mutual connection. Above all, true success is sustained with character.

May God give us the insights to understand what oils we need to feed every aspect of our lives, Amen.

Chinwe Ann Udechukwu 

MY REFLECTION

"For you my soul is thirsting O Lord my God"- the responsorial Psalm.

Whom does your soul thirst for?

Whom does your body pines for?

Whom and where do you gaze on?

On your bed, whom do you muse and remember all night?

These are salient questions that seeks for our individual responses.

For me, I am struggling and trying my best, to always seek and thirst for that which is the reflection or image of God, "Wisdom" and I was meant to understand that those who seek her, readily finds and sees her sitting at their gate.

I will always be awake while seeking for that banquet of wisdom in order not to fall a victim of not being ready.

Nathaniel Onwuasoegwu

MY REFLECTION

The need to always prepare because we do not know what time the Master will enter...

In our days, it was a thing of joy to be a virgin.

From the gospel reading, one can be a virgin and yet be foolish like the 5 virgins?

Being a virgin means that they tried their best but it is not enough to be a virgin. It is not enough to know the Master.

We must have our oils ready always. Working with and for the Lord always is our greatest goal. Our eyes must be on him always such that we must make use of all the sacraments and all the oils such that our oil never goes dry. We must be on the look out and not sleep away like the 5 foolish virgins.

Each time our oil tries to dry off, we should refill immediately through the sacraments especially that of reconciliation. We must not stay the full day in our sinfulness without going for confession. We must be in a sense always on duty, always walking, always moving. 

The Lord will certainly come but when we do not know. Hence, we must be on guard to avoid sleeping off completely like the 5 foolish virgins.

Ave!

Angela Igbinazaka

MY REFLECTION

My Reflection cuts across the three readings...

The second reading is a comforting one, especially for those who are grieving at the moment and those who have lost hope in Christ. 

We must keep our hopes high because Christ who died and rose again, will raise all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection. Believing that we shall see our loved ones again on the day of resurrection gives me consolation when I think of the pains I am going through from losing a brother, a sister, a dear friend and now an uncle in a short space of time. 

Who am I that God has shown me great mercy, by giving me hope that I shall be with them all on the last day?

Why should I grieve like the unbelievers who do not know Christ?

One thing is certain, not one of His word will pass without fulfilling its course. 

Wisdom indeed is radiant and never fades but we must seek it, so as to guide our paths through this journey and meet us in our every thoughts. 

Finally, when we are wise in the Lord, our preparedness for His second coming will not take us by surprise rather we shall embrace Him like the wise virgins, having enough oil in our lamps to burn and shine in our paths.

Michael Umande

MY REFLECTION

From The Gospel Reading: The Parable of the Ten (10) Virgins

The parable of the ten virgins tells us how to be prepared at all times for the Lord's coming. As the saying goes "if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail."

 

That the Bridegroom came in the night, tells us that the Lord's coming will be at an hour we do not expect, hence the need to be prepared always. 

How then do we prepare for the Lord's coming? 

First, is to live in righteousness. Faith alone cannot save us, we must accompany it with good works and charity. How well do we live our lives as Christians, followers of Christ? Do we portray the goodness of Christ in our daily lives? Are we truly living in the Faith which we profess?

Jesus tells us, "let your light shine before men that they may see you and glorify your father in heaven." 

Is your light, your good works, shining at ALL times or is it for a particular moment?

We must ask ourselves if genuinely we are living the Christian life. So that on the last day, we may not be found wanting.

Secondly, we prepare for the Lord's coming by repentance. Since we're mere humans, we cannot perfectly live the true Christian life. Sometimes, we fail, we fall short of the grace of God and sink into sin. We must not remain there, we must seek repentance! Why were the other five (5) Virgins called foolish? It was not really because they failed to carry extra oil with them. Rather, it is because they only realized their need for extra oil when it was already too late. Probably, at the initial stage when the wise ones were carrying extra oil, they might have thought it unwise for them to do so, after all the bridegroom is there at home waiting for this bride and theirs, is to go and meet him. But you know "a fool will learn nothing from a wise man, but a wise man will learn much from a fool." Little did they realize that the bridegroom would take much time and they would be the ones waiting for him. But while they waited, they should have taken it as an opportunity to go get extra oil as their lamp is burning out, why did they have to wait until the midnight cry?

My dear brothers and sisters, take the Lord's delay as an opportunity for us to repent of our sins, to reconcile and renew our relationship with him because on the last day, it will be too late. You may not be too lucky like the good thief on the cross with Jesus. Make haste while the sun shines.

May the Lord bless his words in our hearts, Amen