EIGHTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR ( C )
1st Reading: (Sirach 27:4-7)
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 92: 1-2. 12-13.14-15 (R. see la)
2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 54-58
Gospel Acclamation: Philippians 2: 15d-16a
Gospel Reading: Luke 6:39-45
Catechist Joan Chukwuma Amadi
The second reading is about our imperishable and immortal body which begins with our death. Death is the ultimate test we face daily. It is what we owe God. Concerning death, St. Paul tells us, "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" (1 Cor.15:54-55). The sting of death is sin. Sin brought death into the world. Death has been swallowed up in victory through the death and resurrection of Christ. From this victory won by Christ, Paul concludes that by our own efforts, feeble as they may seem, are never in vain. We have been created for eternity. Therefore, let us make effort to die in God's friendship, to rise in glory with Christ
Sin Kills the Soul of Man, keeping the Law which is mere rituals without understanding the Spirit or Giver of the Law (ie. Intimacy) will make your rituals carnal and a carnal man can never please God because he interpretes the Law from the Flesh, from human logic, human emotions and human perception which is very limited and most times in opposition with the Spirit.... This will make you either quench the Spirit or grief the Spirit.
Intimacy keeps us in tune with the Holy Spirit and makes discernment clearer so much that you act not out of ritual but from what the Holy Spirit is saying per time.... Hence David describes it as "He who dwells in the Secret Place"... Only those can really call God their God....and Jesus warns "Only the Sheep who belongs to Him, listens to Him and knows His Voice because He knows them and they know Him"
Same Mass that brings Heaven to Earth can be carnally attended and you will be in the danger of hell because you didn't wear the right Garment(The Holy Ghost)....
The Law can bring you into sin and death without the Holy Spirit and Intimacy.... Infact it makes you think you can or u are living Holy by your power and intelligence... It is by Grace not by Works that no man should boast
Anne Aikpokhio
My Reflection
Being Judgemental
Many of us Christian always feel that we are better off than others . "Self Righteousness". Like the issue of the Pharisee and the tax collector.
Hence we try to condemn people that we feel we are better than in the practice of our faith.
The gospel reading, admonishes Us to always look inward, to ascertain if we are actually better than the people we correct. We should work on our attitude, character and the way we behave as Christians. So that when we correct, it will not be a case of being Judgemental. We should remove the log in our eyes first, before trying to remove the speck in the other person's eye.
Is our behaviours or our characters actually pointing people to God or chasing them away from the church. Most times, it is a case of kettle calling the pot black.
Let us check ourselves inwardly. Thereby bearing good fruits for God's kingdom
May God makes us a practical and Fruitful Christian, in word and deed, Spiritually and physically. Amen
Onuoha Godson
Praise God.
The lord is telling me to remove hypocrisy in my life. As a child of God, we should be our brothers keeper not our brothers accuser. Guilde your heart from evil thoughts, do not hate people. Do not judge or stereotype people without any undertaking of what they go through.
Lastly, be a good person. Don't speak good of them in thier front and backbite behind. If you have an issue with a fellow brother or sister, meet them, talk about and resolve it so it won't linger. Lent is starting soon, alot of us will fast with malice, fast with quarrel, fast with hatred. Who are we deceiving?
May God bless us and make us good people. Amen
Cynthia Oluchi
"The Power of Self-Reflection"
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Tomorrow's readings encourage us to reflect on our lives, examining our thoughts, words, and actions. The first reading from Sirach reminds us that our outward behavior reveals our inner character. "The fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree; so the expression of a thought discloses the cultivation of a man's mind." (Sirach 27:6)
In essence, our words and actions mirror what's happening within our hearts and minds. This is a potent reminder to be mindful of our thoughts, words, and actions, as they reflect our true nature.
The Gospel reading from Luke takes this idea further. Jesus teaches us to examine ourselves before correcting others. "Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye, but fail to notice the log in your own eye?" (Luke 6:41)
This is a call to humility and self-awareness. We must recognize our own flaws and weaknesses before pointing out those of others. This is no easy task, but it's crucial for building strong relationships and growing in our faith.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us that our ultimate goal is to live a life pleasing to God. "Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57)
So, how can we cultivate a heart that produces good fruit? Here are three key takeaways:
1. Practice self-reflection: Regularly examine your thoughts, words, and actions. Ask yourself, "What's coming from my heart?"
2. Be humble: Recognize your own flaws and weaknesses before trying to correct others.
3. Seek God's guidance: Ask God to help you cultivate a heart that produces good fruit.
In conclusion, today's readings invite us to reflect on our lives and cultivate hearts that produce good fruit. May we take these words to heart and strive to live a life pleasing to God.
May God bless us all.
The mind is like a container which is able to receive, store, process and give out. What it stores, processes and gives out depends on what it receives. This reading calls me to examine what I feed and fill my mind with. What do I listen to, what do I read, what kind of discussions do I take part in..... All these and more determine what will come out of me.
May we be enabled to guard our hearts and minds again being filled with evil. Amen!!!
