1ST READING: Joshua 5:9a, 10-12
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 34:2-3.4-5.6-7 (R. 9a)
2ND READING: 5:17-21
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Luke 15:15
GOSPEL READING: Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32x
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| FABIAN DANIA |
Taste and see that the Lord is good!!!
Looking at this response alongside the Gospel reading, what comes to my mind is, "why are you still far away; why do you prefer the swine's pod to the Lord's pudding?"
The call to repentance is a call to leave the far country and return to the house where love awaits us. May we indeed taste of the Lord's goodness and remain faithful to him to the end. Amen 🙏
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| BIBIANA UZONWANNE |
The Responsorial Psalms for me calls us to trust God beyond words or religion only then can we see and experience the goodness of God.
Come to think of it. Why is it that in a crowd of any Christian or Catholic program say revival even the Eucharistic celebration only but a few experience the miracle of God.
This is because some came just as a routine, some came invited as in *"mo gbo, mo ya (I hear, I branch)"*, some came expectant and well prepared.
Do you think all these persons will have same encounter? Of course not.
Some will go just as they came -empty. Some will go back with their burdens because of disbelief, and some will go renewed and refreshed. (Just as started in the parable of the sower)
Today, we are called to always come before the presence of God with expectations already believing that we have received what we asked of God - that is TRUST . No wonder the scriptures says that only in truth and in Spirit can we worship God.
Dear friends in Christ, today we are called to desist to go to church or any church gathering to mark attendance or as a routine. Also, this saying "body present, absent minded" shouldn't be found in us rather we should be a full-bodied individual with soul and spirit ignited as one (A Spiritual being in full reverence) so that we can be immense into the awesomeness and wholesome presence of God and experience deeply the goodness of God.
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| NWATU JENNIFER CHIOMA |
This man receives sinners and eats with them...
Just like the Pharisees, we, too, have many times neglected our responsibility to care for others or see their needs, putting only our needs before us.
Jesus was all about doing the one thing that he considered important, instructing and teaching the people, helping them live better.
Jesus directs the Pharisees better even upon hearing their words, instead of ignoring them, or abusing them, He used the opportunity to teach them also, those who thought they knew but indeed were ignorant of their duties as teachers, Jesus taught them simply using the parable of the "prodigal son"...
Unlike the Pharisees who sought for ways to bring Jesus down, we are charged with the responsibility of caring for others while sharing our gifts with them.
Let's stay alert always to keep our human weaknesses in check in other that we don't become instruments preventing the growth of others.
May God help us always. Amen
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| SOLOMON ETSEGBE |
This is my reflection from today's Saturday of the word of God......
The Israelites entered the Promised Land and celebrated Passover, marking a new beginning. This event signifies a fresh start for the Israelites. Psalm 34 invites us to experience God's goodness and mercy, encouraging one of us to "taste and see that the Lord is good." Through Christ, God reconciles us to Himself, making us new creations and ambassadors of His love, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5. The Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 illustrates *God's unconditional love and forgiveness*. Ultimately, *God's love and forgiveness are always available to us*, and we are called to share this love with others.
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| OLUBUNMI AKINBODE SHAIRE |
MY REFLECTION:
The second reading speaks of the reconciliation that God has brought for us. In the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we see how God has gone to take away our faults and give us a new beginning. Sin estranges us from God and makes us live apart from God, who is the source and goal of our lives. In Christ, God opens to us the door of reconciliation. Like the father in the Gospel parable, God's heart of mercy is always open to take us back. The appeal is: "Be reconciled to God." But there can be no reconciliation with God without reconciliation with our fellow human beings beginning from the family, to our places of work or studies, to the market and to everywhere we encounter people. Why harden your heart to a brother or a sister or a neighbour or even a stranger who has offended you? As we seek forgiveness from God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, let us remember to extend the same forgiveness to those who have offended us.
May God grant us His Grace to always act upon His words. Amen
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| IBE FRANCESCA TIWA |
LIFE IS BETTER LIVED WITH GOD!
In our journey through life, times and occasions may arise when we would be tempted to desire a life of freedom outside of God’s presence, for as it is often said, the grass always looks greener on the other side.
But no matter what happens, let us always remember that, since God has made us for Himself, then, it would mean that outside of God, we can never find true joy and peace elsewhere.
when the prodigal son approached his father in today’s Gospel passage, he obviously thought that his life and fortunes would be better spent outside of his father’s house.
Unfortunately for him, his calculations failed him and realizing the error in his earlier decision, he humbly told himself the truth, took a decision to return to his father’s house and was happily received by his gracious father.
Today, like the prodigal son, we are invited to evaluate how we have related with our God thus far, and if in any way we have gone out of His presence, this season of lent, is the right time to return home!
There Is No Joy Outside God's Presence!
