21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE YEAR B
1st Reading:
Joshua 24: 1-2a. 15-17.18b
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 34: 1-2. 15-16. 17-18. 19-20. 21-22 (R. 8a)
2nd Reading: Ephesians 5:21-32
Gospel Reading: John 6:60-69
My reflection
If I do not have reasons to serve the Lord, I should appreciate Him for making my 5 sense organs to be very active.
Our God is good in all-around
We should take things of God serious.
According to the Gospel, let us ask ourselves this question :
*What will become of me if I leave God?*
Our God is the only way, the truth, and life.
Whoever walks in His way will have life/light, Amen.
Adesola Fidelis Oluwasegun
MY REFLECTION
Today's readings invite us to reflect on the choices we make in life and their consequences. In the first reading from Joshua, we hear the famous declaration: 'As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.' This statement comes after Joshua presents the Israelites with a choice: to serve the Lord or to serve the false gods of the surrounding nations. Joshua's declaration is a powerful witness to the faith and trust he has in God.
In the second reading from Ephesians, we hear about the importance of living a life of love and mutual respect. Paul writes: 'Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.' This passage highlights the need for humility and selflessness in our relationships with others.
In the Gospel reading from John, we hear about the aftermath of Jesus' teaching on the Bread of Life. Many of his disciples find his words difficult to accept and leave him. Jesus asks the Twelve if they will also leave, but Peter responds: 'Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.'
As we reflect on these passages, we are challenged to consider our own choices and commitments. Will we choose to serve the Lord and follow Him, even when it's difficult? Will we prioritize love and respect in our relationships with others? Will we stay with Jesus, even when his teachings are hard to accept?
May we be inspired by Joshua's declaration and Peter's confession of faith. May we choose to serve the Lord and follow Him, and may God gives us his strength to live out our commitments with courage and humility. AMEN
CHOOSE THIS DAY TO SERVE GOD!
It needs to be stated clearly that, the decision to stay committed and loyal to God, is one that is never imposed on anyone, for it is not in the nature of our God to impose Himself on anyone.
The fact remains that, God has chosen and created us in His own image and likeness, and He is ever ready to be our Lord and God, but then, we ourselves are expected to choose Him in freedom and total surrender to His will and plans for us.
Today in our world, many have withdrawn their commitment and many others have stopped following Jesus because, they are unwilling to submit themselves to the discipline of discipleship.
But then, if we turn away from Jesus today and refuse to follow Him, where else shall we go, and what shall become of us when our life here on earth comes to end?
Let it be known today that, life without Christ is meaningless, and unless we strive to remain rooted in Christ, our lives here on earth would be worthless and unrewarding.
Loyalty Is A Choice, Let Us Make It!
Why did God make me?
God made me to *KNOW HIM, LOVE HIM, SERVE HIM, IN THIS WORLD AND TO BE HAPPY WITH HIM IN THE NEXT*
I love the Catholic Church.
Our purpose in this life and the next lies in the why? If you don't know your why, you may live an unfulfilled life.
The Catholic Church teaches us the purpose of our coming to this earth.
Today, many motivational speakers have built livelihood on the platform of telling people on how to discover their purpose.
Thank God that I am a Catholic.
I am to KNOW GOD. Knowledge of God personally should be the core for every human being. St. Paul exclaimed his desire to know God. The pursuit to know God is continuous and not a destination. Praise God, Jesus is the visible image of God. Knowledge of Jesus is the knowledge of God.
Our second purpose of having breathe in our nostrils is to LOVE GOD. The love of God must compel us in all we do. Why am I still in existence if I am not consumed with the love of God? God loves us first and He still loves us. He proved His love by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ His only begotten son.
I can't serve the man that I don't know. I can't serve the man I don't love. Genuine service springs from the place of knowledge and love.
Joshua had a first hand knowledge of the person of God. He walked with his master Moses and he saw the handiwork of God as an eye witness.
Joshua made a decision with his family to serve God.
May God grant us grace. Amen.
My reflection from the first reading.
Joshua has decided to serve the true and living God.
As Catholics we should present ourselves to God , with all our hearts.
Not saying I will serve God with mouth.
But accept it fully , when temptation comes, trials like Job in the Bible, let's still say the words of Joshua "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord".
The second reading is still reminding us of our duties as husband and wives, condemning domestic violence in marriage, because if a man loves himself and his wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, there won't be fighting.
So husband should love their wives, he who loves his wife loves himself, no fighting.
Wives should also be humble and give all respect to their husbands to avoid fighting, know that the man is the head of the family.
They are now one flesh 1+1=1
"Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life'.
It is a mystery, no one can come to me unless God permits.
Only Jesus can save , why do we run up and down for solutions when Jesus is in the church.
My Reflection for the Word of God
Just as Joshua summoned the Israelites in the first reading to choose between serving of God or to worship other gods, God is summoning us today to choose between worshipping Him in total submission or to worship other gods that will give us nothing but doom. Today we all have a choice to make.
For us to give our services to God Almighty, we have to start giving our primary responsibilities in the family, which as a Husband, your the head of the family and you should act as one. Love your wife and children. Provide for them, care for them, love them , be sincere to them and let them feel that you're the father and head of the family.
Likewise as a wife, love your husband, respect him, support him and also care for your children.
And as children also, it is our responsibility also to love and respect our parents. Listen to them and care for them in their old age.
This teachings shouldn't be hard for us that it will make us backslide or withdraw back just as the other followers of Christ did, but let us taste and see that the Lord is good just as the Psalmist says. The words of God are Spirit and life and it has eternal life.
May the Good Lord continue to strengthen us in adhering to his Words, Amen.
