SATURDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (SATWOG, JANUARY 13TH, 2024) INSPIRING REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS

LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR THE 2ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

First Reading: 1 Samuel 3:3b-10;19

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 40:2 and 4ab;7-8a;8b-9;10 (R.cf. 8a and 9a)
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a;17-20
Gospel Acclamation: John 1:41;17b
Gospel: John 1:35-42

Irene Egbuniwe

MY REFLECTION

Are you approachable?

Do those under your care dread coming to you to express themselves, seek guidance?

Eli was patient with Samuel even as the boy dey worry am, e go patiently tell am go sleep, till the 3rd time e head come clear. Then Holy Spirit direct am, so e come reason am say e be like say na God dey call this my boy so e come tell Samuel the 3rd time wen e come disturb am wetin to say if e hear the voice again.

Many need your patient guidance especially the children no be only to dey send dem go errands especially parish boys/girls.

I thank God for my beloved Baba late Msgr. Osigweh who, when as a child under his care, would after every morning mass and chores give me some bible quotations from the book of Sirach centred on (freewill, sexual sin, a time for everything) to read and reflect on, ask me to go pray 15 decades of the rosary at the Marian grotto.

Then, I felt 'e dey punish me' but growing up till now I am grateful for those daily spiritual exercise that guided me as I grew up, made me who I am today as they shaped decisions I made as I recall those bible passages and try to imbibe them.

I recall whenever I had any dream or issues Baba would patiently listen and guide me. 

May his soul continue to rest in perfect peace, Amen. 

BE APPROACHABLE

GUIDE WELL ALL ENTRUSTED TO YOUR CARE, RECALL SAY ON THE LAST DAY YOU GO GIVE ACCOUNT FOR THEM.

Agreed, as humans we need rest and can be tired but pass the message across well so that child especially doesn't withdraw and gets lost seeking answers from a wrong person.

HOLY SPIRIT HELP US, AMEN 🙏

Oki Nkechi Joy

MY REFLECTION

My reflection today is based on the first reading– 1st Samuel 3:3-10;19

Titled: Be In The Presence Of God To Hear Him Call.

You have to be in the presence of God when He calls.

Eli, was in the presence of God spiritually, that was why he understood the voice that was calling Samuel, and instructed Samuel when the voice calls again, to say, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

...and boom! Then came the transformation in Samuel's life in verse 19, "the Lord was with Samuel as he grew up and he let none of his words fall to the ground."

After hearing from God, you can never remain the same. There must be a transformation in your life. We can see that after Samuel's encounter with God, after listening to God speak to him, there was a huge transformation in his life and from that day onwards, he kept witnessing for God.

LESSON: As Baptised Christians, we too are expected to be in the presence of God always, and be able to listen to His voice when He speaks to us.

Okposio Joy

MY REFLECTION

The gospel tells us about vocation. A kind of vocation that knows how to sacrifice and love for our brethren.

In our context, loving someone propels us to know more about the person’s identity and so it is with us in our relationship with the Lord.

As we get to know Him, our hearts are ignited by His love which burst forth to others through us.

How do I sustain my intimacy with the Lord?

What are my concrete ways?

Oise Chigbue

MY REFLECTION

"I delight to do your will O my God: your instruction lies deep within me."

Samuel may have heard God's call and voice within him and not from outside him. He was open to God so that his spiritual ear could hear the voice of God.

The word is written in our hearts, we just have to reach within and listen.

We must empty ourselves and struggle to live holy lives so that when God calls, we can hear.

Victor Ofor

MY REFLECTION

The readings are a wake-up call. They urge us to listen to God’s voice, meditate on His word, proclaim His greatness, and trust in His power to transform our lives. His instructions should be in our hearts, and His grace should guide us every step of the way. We are not our own but a temple of the Holy Spirit, bought with a price.

"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good," Psalm‬ ‭34:8‬a

Jesus, the ‘Living Bread’, invites us to come and see (John 1:39). Let us go into His presence and be changed by the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. There is no time to waste. Let us seize this moment and live as true disciples of Christ.