SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG, NOVEMBER 18TH, 2023) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR THE 33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

First Reading: Proverbs 31:10-13;19-20;30-31
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128:1-2;3;4-5 (R. 1a)
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Gospel Acclamation: John 15:4a;5b
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

Ben Wale Ajai

MY REFLECTION

Most of the time, students in colleges always expect their lecturers to spoon-feed them with every detail of the topic, without making personal efforts to research on their own. Then, when they fail the examinations they claim they were not taught what came out.

All the readings are connected in the sense that they all depict diligence, faithfulness, vigilance and prudence. 

The first reading talked about an industrious woman who is hardworking and diligent, which makes her priceless in the eye of her husband. Christians are supposed to be like that woman so we could receive our crown from Jesus, our husband, in the end.

The second reading calls us to be vigilant and expect the unexpected, physically and spirituality, at all times, as we do not know the exact hour when the "trumpet will blow" to announce the coming of the Lord.

The gospel reading in turn, expressed prudence and faithfulness on the part of the servant who used his god-given talents to gain more for his master. He was not lazy, unfaithful, indifferent, neglectful, injudicious and neither did he procrastinate.

Emulating the attitude of this wise servant will definitely boost our worldly and heavenly yearnings as Christians.

Agnes Hanmaikyur

MY REFLECTION

The Gospel presents a situation where one is expected to utilize one's talents judiciously to receive corresponding rewards from God.

If the above is to be taken literarily, it would sometimes create a little issue. The reason being that, in our world today, most of the time, the people who seem to work the hardest do not always get a just reward for their efforts. It is rather the smart, connected and lucky people that appear to be making huge progress. For example, the child of a highly placed politician who pays less attention to studies and graduates with a third class degree is very likely going to become more gainfully and quickly employed than a hard-working first class graduate who comes from a poor background in some climes, if not most.

However, I think the reward for being hard-working and proactive here should be interpreted spiritually. In the spiritual realm, their is no partiality. Those who devote quality time to the things of God are the most likely to experience the fulfillment that comes with such commitment than those who do not. 

Glory to Jesus, Honour to Mary!!!

Nathaniel Onwuasoegwu

MY REFLECTION

My reflection is from the responsorial psalm: "Blessed are all who fear the Lord."

To fear the Lord is to have wisdom. 

To fear the Lord is to be conscious of His presence.

I have discovered that in our everyday day life we are safer with those who fear the Lord.

Is it in business? In marriage? In politics? In our social and economic life, we must look for those who have the fear of the Lord and partner with them. 

Those with fear of the Lord will never betray us.

It has worked for me and still working till date.

Even when I am in need, I look for those with the fear of the Lord. They have never disappointed.

With these reasons, I can boldly say that the Lord has blessed me with good people and I glorify Him for this gift of good people with fear of the Lord.

Ave!!!

Odah Akoh Godwin

MY REFLECTION

Starting from the first reading, we have been called to remain faithful and fear the Lord.

The second reading reminds us of his coming once again, that we should prepare ourselves, for we know not the season he is going to come, just like what happened to the foolish maidens. We should prepare ourselves for his second coming.

Nnanna Ogbonna

MY REFLECTION

In the second reading, St. Paul still reminds us of the need to be prepared to meet Jesus anytime He calls us. We can never know when our time will come. We should continue living a life of love, charity and service to our neighbors - this is a way of fearing the Lord and like we have it in the responsorial psalm, God himself will bless us.

In the gospel, the master distributed talents to his servants according to their abilities. I think a lesson we need to learn from this passage is that we need to rediscover ourselves, be ready to put in effort in what we are doing, be less envious of people and trust God.

The third servant failed to tell himself the truth that the others were more skillful than himself and thus, he should have given himself opportunity to improve. He did not trust in his master thus, he felt that he was being mistreated and he is lazy. We should remember that without good works, our faith will lead us no where. This servant had neither faith nor good works and we saw how it ended for him.

Finally, brethren, like St. Paul said, we should continue to work out our salvation in fear and trembling. Let us be intentional about going to heaven. God is a good master. He knows our abilities and I believe He will judge us uniquely according to the talents (opportunities, gifts, challenges) that have come our way.

I pray God to bless OCCF members with good wives, and may OCCF members be good wives to their husbands. We should conform to the standard of the bible in defining a good wife. A good wife fears the Lord, a good wife works and supports her husband and family. She is like the first and second servant in the gospel. She is a fruitful vine.

May this be done unto us in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Chika Nwaozuzu

MY REFLECTION

In the gospel reading, Jesus encourages us not to be afraid in putting the gifts God has blessed us with, into practice. God gave us the gifts and he owns us. All that is required of us is to apply them in life and allow the owner of the gifts to produce something with them for his own glory.

Little wonder he lavished praises on the good wife in the 1st reading by asking us a question "who can find her?". She is one who was never afraid of maximizing her talents unlike the third steward in the gospel reading. The good wife is the pride of her husband. The fear of the Lord is the foundation of the good wife because she lives a life of charity. 

Our brother Paul admonishes us in the second reading not to be worried about the times and seasons of the Lord's coming. Rather, we should stay awake and be sober at our various duty posts putting our talents into good use so that when our Lord comes unexpected, it will not be a surprise to us. 

Moreso, our openness to the many things we don't do well, gives us the gift of integrity because when people see the few things we do well, they will believe and entrust more into our hands. 

We are encouraged to take risks in life because life itself is a risk and it is only in taking risks that we will move to the fullest measures of usefulness that God has planned for us. 

We pray that God will help us to fight our fears and grant us the grace to maximize our gifts to his glory, through Christ our Lord, Amen 🙏