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Repentance bears fruits: Second Sunday of Advent, (A) (08th December, 2019).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 05:47

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Homily (Reflection) for
the Second Sunday of Advent, (A) (08</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> December, 2019) on the Gospel</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Is 11:1-10;</span><br />

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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Topic:</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Repentance bears fruits</b>.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZTgx3kMnXM/XeyAZ9IluGI/AAAAAAAAFlo/r3nVYZkjRi4PEX1GCprU11JVQVJ79Q9VwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/08.12.2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="217" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZTgx3kMnXM/XeyAZ9IluGI/AAAAAAAAFlo/r3nVYZkjRi4PEX1GCprU11JVQVJ79Q9VwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/08.12.2019.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Jews had seen a good number of
prophets before the time of John the Baptist. So his appearance in the
wilderness could be seen by some as one of those things that take place and
therefore paid little or no attention to his message. In line with this,
hearing the word of God is so much common today that sometimes we do not pay
attention to the message.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In today’s gospel, John queried the Pharisees and Sadducees:
“…You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Sin
begets death, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 6:23</b>. The
Pharisees and Sadducees are the leaders. People ought to emulate them, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 7:48</b>. They suffered so much to
convert people only to make them candidates of hell, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 23:15</b>. Again, they neglected the most important religious
duties like “justice and mercy and faith” for the things that will attract
people’s attention and praise, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt
23:23</b>. They were full of extortion, rapacity and wickedness, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 11:39; Matt 23:25</b>. Jesus likened
them to whitewashed tombs because although they parade themselves as the best
but they were full of evil, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt
23:27</b>. They were not comfortable seeing people going to God, may be they
thought that the keys were in their hands, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk
2:16, Lk 15:2</b>. They ought to be avoided, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 12:1</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Truly, we are all called to true repentance because our
lives like that of the Pharisees and Sadducees are not good enough. True
repentance is not barren. Hence John went on: “Bear fruit worthy of repentance”.
Such fruits must be evident in our relationship with God and our brothers and
sisters. God expects fruits, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk
11:13; Matt 21:19</b>. It is not enough to parade oneself as a born again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Repentance is central not just in John’s teaching but in
Jesus’ as well, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 1:14-15</b>.
However, despite the importance of repentance, no explanation was offered
because their original hearers knew what they were talking about. Repentance
for the Jews according to William Barclay in his work <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The daily study bible, 1</i></b>,
“was central to all religious faith and to all relationship with God”. And for
the Rabbis, repentance brings healing upon the world, the great mediatorial
bond between God and man, cf. p.52. Repentance for them is the gateway back to
God: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">‘Who is like God a teacher of sinners
that they may repent?’ They asked Wisdom, ‘What shall be the punishment of the
sinner?’ Wisdom answered: ‘Misfortune pursues sinners’ (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Proverbs 13:21</b>). They asked Prophecy. It replied: ‘The soul that
sins shall die’ (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ezekiel 18: 4</b>).
They asked the Law. It replied: ‘Let him bring a sacrifice’ (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leviticus 1: 4</b>). They asked God, and he
replied: ‘Let him repent and obtain his atonement. My children, what do I ask
of you? Seek me and live.’ p.52. [cf. Am 5:4]. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Repentance in Hebrew (Jewish) is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">teshubah</i> from the noun <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shub</i>
meaning to turn. Therefore, “Repentance is a turning away from evil and turning
towards God,” p. 52. In Greek, it is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">metanoia</i>
which means a change of heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Jews have nine conditions for true repentance; they are
based on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Isaiah 1:16</b>. “1. Wash
yourselves; 2. make yourselves clean; 3. remove the evil of your doings from
before my eyes, 4. cease to do evil, 5. learn to do good, 6. seek justice, 7. correct
oppression; 8. defend the fatherless, 9. plead for the widow.” p.54. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The question now is whether we still consider repentance
important. Sometimes our church or the group/s we belong to in the church or
even the position we occupy either in the church or in the society seem to be
more important to us than God. The advice of John is still as important today
as ever: “Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our
ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to
Abraham”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The period of Advent is a period of turning back to God from
the various directions that we have turned, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 53:6</b>. We are called to repent from our evil ways. The people who
came to John confessed their sins. Do you remember the last time you made a good
confession? As we repent, the teaching of the rabbis that if one has something
unclean in his or her hands, even if he or she washes his or her hands in all
the rivers in the world, they remain dirty because the source of its dirtiness
is still there is very much true. God wants us to part with not just sin but
also with whatever that leads us into sin so that there will be enough space
for the King of kings and Lord of lords in our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">John the Baptist went on to warn, “...the ax is lying at the
root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut
down and thrown into the fire”. It is left for us to choose whether to bear
fruit or not. This is the right time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Ezek 33:10-20; Lk 13:6-9; Hos 14:
1-2; Jer 31: 18-20.</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thought for today</b>: <span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">If you have repented, how fruitful are you;
if not, what holds you back?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let us pray</span></b>: God our Father, give
us the grace and courage to hearken to the voice of your Son – Amen.</span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Maranatha!
Come Lord Jesus!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You
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Repentance bears fruits: Second Sunday of Advent, (A) (08th December, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for the Second Sunday of Advent, (A) (08 th December, 2019) on the Gospel Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2.7-8.12-13.17. (...

Give without charge: Memorial of Saint Ambrose, B.D. (07th December, 2019).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Memorials 05:38

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Ambrose, B.D. (07<sup>th</sup> December, 2019) on the Gospel and the
Memorial<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLMNwahLcL0/Xesstfcxd6I/AAAAAAAAFlc/hqV5vTxB-G8SI8Vutpiy0UTZmBXe8duSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Saint%2BAmbrose.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="104" data-original-width="140" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLMNwahLcL0/Xesstfcxd6I/AAAAAAAAFlc/hqV5vTxB-G8SI8Vutpiy0UTZmBXe8duSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Saint%2BAmbrose.png" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint Ambrose was born about 339 at Trier and was
elected Bishop when he was still a catechumen. He accepted the position after
hesitation. Ambrose became a famous preacher and defender of the faith. He
received Saint Augustine into the Church. He fought paganism and also protected
the Church against political power. Saint Ambrose was a Christian bishop of
great faith and energy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Give without charge</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel, Jesus empowered his twelve apostles to
cast out unclean spirits and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness. These
twelve were sent out with clear instruction: “As you go, proclaim the good
news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You
received without payment; give without payment</b>”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is important to remind ourselves that we all possess
variety of gifts from the same God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor
12:4; Eph 4:11</b>. Despite the fact that our gifts differ, they are given to
us to be used, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 12:6</b>. These
gifts are to be used not for the enrichment of the caretakers but for the good
of all, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 12:7</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you go about your business today, this season, and all the
days of your life remember that there lies your own gift from God. Do not steal
or cheat or take advantage of others using the gift/s you received from God as
arms. Rather give it/them freely to others without charge. Remember, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You received without payment; give without payment</b>”.
Saint Ambrose we celebrate today followed this injunction. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: 1Cor 12:1-31.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: What do you receive from God and how do you use them?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">: May the Holy Spirit of God help us
to understand the gifts we have been given and to use them for the common good
(cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 2:12</b>) – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Give without charge: Memorial of Saint Ambrose, B.D. (07th December, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Ambrose, B.D. (07 th December, 2019) on the Gospel and the Memorial Is 30:19-21.23-...

Your faith: Friday of the First Week of Advent (06th December, 2019).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 05:48

<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the
First Week of Advent (06<sup>th</sup> December, 2019) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Your faith</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhNXIlIFe74/XendcwVl-OI/AAAAAAAAFlQ/IogDw2mW4yIY1jeqyvZyQHRfVSYXGk3AgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/06.12.2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="251" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhNXIlIFe74/XendcwVl-OI/AAAAAAAAFlQ/IogDw2mW4yIY1jeqyvZyQHRfVSYXGk3AgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/06.12.2019.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although the two blind men who followed Jesus were crying
loudly: “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt
9:27</b>) but when he entered the house and the blind men came to him, he asked
them: “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 9:28</b>). Could it be that the blind men would shout for help
without having faith that Jesus could do it? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just like the blind men who came to Jesus in today’s gospel,
we come to Jesus with different forms of problems. But it is important that we
keep our faith even when we say, we are greatly afflicted, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 116:10</b>. God assures us that whatever
we ask in prayer, we will receive, if only we have faith, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 21:22</b>; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 11:22</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear friends, surely you may have asked for a particular
thing for a long time but that does not mean that God has changed. He can do
that for you and will certainly do that but there is need to be steadfast, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 18:8</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Heb 11:1-40.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Stop wavering. He is very near.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, we believe; please help our
unbelief – Amen (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 9:24</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Your faith: Friday of the First Week of Advent (06th December, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the First Week of Advent (06 th December, 2019) on the Gospel Is 29:17-24; Ps 26:1.4.13-14 (...

The Word of God: Thursday of the First Week of Advent (05th December, 2019).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 05:37

<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of
the First Week of Advent (05<sup>th</sup> December, 2019) on the Gospel</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: The Word of God</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8M54lOK6GM/XeiJVTsCduI/AAAAAAAAFlE/k0kjMxpyeYgEmGp3bTyU2A_459PRTp3bgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/05.12.2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="152" data-original-width="164" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8M54lOK6GM/XeiJVTsCduI/AAAAAAAAFlE/k0kjMxpyeYgEmGp3bTyU2A_459PRTp3bgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/05.12.2019.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Considering how often people go to church and other religious
exercises, read and preach the word of God among other things, one may tend to
conclude that heaven has come at last. But at the same time, evil of different
kinds keeps increasing everyday in the world. Hence, Jesus’ warning in the
gospel: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 7:21</b>). We also read: “Blessed ...
are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 11:28</b>). Again, “You are my friends if you do what I command you”
(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 15:14</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The word of God is “living and active, sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and
marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heb 4:12</b>). Saint Peter also wrote: “You
have been born anew, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the
living and abiding word of God” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Pt
1:23</b>). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can we then say that the word of God has either changed or
has lost its vitality? Never, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom
9:4-6</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In his letter to the Ephesians, Saint Paul admonishes us to
“... take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 6:17</b>). But many
Christians have rejected the word of God because of other things like
traditions, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 7:13; Matt 15:6; 2Tim
4:9-11</b>. But for the apostles, it is wrong to leave the word of God for any
other thing, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 6:2</b>. We ought to
accept the word of God as the Thessalonians did “not as the word of men but as
what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Thess 2:13</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Jas 1:19-27; Rom 2:1-16; 9:1-18.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> What is God’s word to you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray: </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">God, give us the grace to receive
your word as what it really is. And may it be our guiding principle through
Christ our Lord – Amen.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

The Word of God: Thursday of the First Week of Advent (05th December, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the First Week of Advent (05 th December, 2019) on the Gospel Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1.8-9.19-2...

Pope's Prayer Intention for December 2019

thepulpitonline.com 0 News, Teachings 04:51

<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 110%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let us pray with the Holy
Father:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wdu78heT1AQ/XectK_4a8AI/AAAAAAAAFk0/emvz-BJLsR4XR9Z-g3SZtJx3REV8fJS_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Pope%2BFrancis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wdu78heT1AQ/XectK_4a8AI/AAAAAAAAFk0/emvz-BJLsR4XR9Z-g3SZtJx3REV8fJS_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Pope%2BFrancis.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 110%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Prayer Intention for December
2019<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Universal: </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The Future of the Very Young.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 110%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">That every country determine to take the necessary measures to make the
future of the very young, especially those who suffer, a priority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b></div>
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Pope's Prayer Intention for December 2019

Let us pray with the Holy Father: Prayer Intention for December 2019 Universal: The Future of the Very Young. That ...

Bring them to Jesus: Wednesday of the First Week of Advent (04th December, 2019).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 04:47

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of
the First Week of Advent (04<sup>th</sup> December, 2019) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Bring them to Jesus</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dI5rcIhd_UI/XecsIWHg8QI/AAAAAAAAFks/s9as-9zayBwZRtycYJVLoz2Jg-jhGGkqACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/04.12.2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="261" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dI5rcIhd_UI/XecsIWHg8QI/AAAAAAAAFks/s9as-9zayBwZRtycYJVLoz2Jg-jhGGkqACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/04.12.2019.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although today’s gospel is made up of two sections – the
curing of many people (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 15:29-31</b>)
and the feeding of the four thousand (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt
15:32-37</b>), but one thing common is that they all came to Jesus with their
needs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Needless to ask whether you have any need because it is
obvious. But where do you take these to – Jesus or some other place/s.
Sometimes one wonders whether God has suddenly lost the ability to know our
needs or that there is anything impossible or too hard for God, (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 18:27; Jer 32:17)</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My dearest in the Lord, as we prepare for the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ, it is important to be ready to meet him and to be with him.
Wait for him with all your needs, worries, troubles, confusions, crisis, joys,
pains, and so on. Above all, wait for him with your faith intact, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 18:8</b>. Again, as we prepare for his
coming, it is important to be ready to meet him with our lives and not our
words for he knows us through and through even when we did not utter a word,
cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut 2:7,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Ps 44:21; Ps 103:14; Ps 138:6; Nah 1:7; 1Jn
3:20</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Lk 12: 22-34.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> To whom do you turn in times of need</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> God, our father we have come to you
with our problems. As we lay them before you may we never go back with any of
them – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To Contact
and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302 </span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Bring them to Jesus: Wednesday of the First Week of Advent (04th December, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the First Week of Advent (04 th December, 2019) on the Gospel Is 25:6-10; Ps 22 (R. v.6);...

Blessed eyes and ears: Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, P. (03rd December, 2019).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Memorials 04:52

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Francis Xavier, P. (03<sup>rd</sup> December, 2019) on the Gospel and
the Memorial</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqkYN_9nUwU/XeXb823geHI/AAAAAAAAFkg/6D360VQexuwHMGHKOKTfdquHgKNnAodsACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Saint%2BFrancis%2BXavier%252C%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqkYN_9nUwU/XeXb823geHI/AAAAAAAAFkg/6D360VQexuwHMGHKOKTfdquHgKNnAodsACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Saint%2BFrancis%2BXavier%252C%2B.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint Francis Xavier was “born in 1506, in Spain, he
was an original member of the Society of Jesus with St Ignatius – he took vows
of poverty and chastity, and committed himself to evangelise the pagans. He is
one of the greatest of all Christian missionaries, preaching in Goa, South East
Asia, Japan – where he landed in 1549. He learned Japanese, and formed a Church
that endured long drawn-out persecution. He died while on his way from Goa to
China, in 1552. Not only was his preaching effective in drawing people to
Christ, but he was able to organise the communities so that they could survive
when he left them.”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2019-2020)/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons%20(2019-2020)/First%20Week%20of%20Advent%20(II)%20(2019).docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Blessed eyes and ears</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel, Jesus turned to His disciples and said to
them privately:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blessed are your eyes that see what you see! For I tell you
that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We often play down on
our vocation as Christians. On this Saint Peter in his first letter wrote: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">...you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called
you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were not a people, but
now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have
received mercy (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Pt 2:9-10</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint John also wrote: “See what love the Father has given
us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are ...” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn 3:1</b>). Jesus too said: “... I thank
you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things
from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes,
Father, for such was your gracious will” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk
10:21</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ, it is important
to call to mind how noble our call is. Again, we ought to be very humble
because no one achieved anything on his/her own, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 4:7</b>. Hence, Saint Paul wrote, “Not that we are competent of
ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Cor 3:5; cf. 2Cor 5:18; 2Cor 4:7</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: 1Pt 2:11-17; 1Cor 1:18-31.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> To what extend do you live as a Christian.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, as we prepare for the coming
of your Son and our Lord Jesus Christ, help us to live fully as your children –
Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />

<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.7in;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2019-2020)/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons%20(2019-2020)/First%20Week%20of%20Advent%20(II)%20(2019).docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> The
Weekday Missal: A New Edition (1995). London: HarperCollins Religious, p.1811.<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>

Blessed eyes and ears: Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, P. (03rd December, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, P. (03 rd December, 2019) on the Gospel and the Memorial Is 11:1-10...

What shocked Jesus: Monday of the First Week of Advent (02nd December, 2019).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 07:15

<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the
First Week of Advent </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">02<sup>nd</sup> December, 2019</b>)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: What shocked Jesus</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6Du-KE368E/XeSr-swuXHI/AAAAAAAAFkU/nxez4uQceaYGAJzsZK2RnCY7yIX-GHBJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/02.12.2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6Du-KE368E/XeSr-swuXHI/AAAAAAAAFkU/nxez4uQceaYGAJzsZK2RnCY7yIX-GHBJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/02.12.2019.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the gospel, a centurion came up to Jesus and said: “...
Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 8:6</b>). One would expect the
centurion to rejoice when Jesus said He would come to his house and cure his
servant but he said: “... Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof;
but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 8:8</b>). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are so much to be picked from this gospel but we shall
focus on just two. First, the centurion knew the value of human being. Hence,
he left everything in search of solution to his servant’s illness. The servant
could no longer do his duties towards his master yet the centurion still value
him so much. How much do you value others? Christians are called to value
everybody, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 10:25-37</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again, in the centurion was great faith. Hence, Jesus said in
amazement: “... Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith”
(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 8:10</b>). Do Christians still
have such faith or like Naaman who went away angrily saying: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">... I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand
and call on the name of the Lord his God, and he would wave his hand over the
spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus,
better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean? (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Kgs 5:11-12</b>) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God wants us to come to him today and all the days of our
lives for his benevolence but we must do this with faith and humility like the
centurion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Readings</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">2Kgs 5:1-19; </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Lk 10:25-37</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Do you go to God with faith and humility?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Lord, as we embark on this journey of
faith in preparation for your Son’s coming, may we do so with faith and
humility – Amen</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">!</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

What shocked Jesus: Monday of the First Week of Advent (02nd December, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the First Week of Advent ( 02 nd December, 2019 ) on the Gospel Is 4:2-6; Ps 121:1-2.4-5.6-...

Preparedness for the Lord: First Sunday of Advent, (A) (01st December, 2019).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 07:13

<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Homily (Reflection) for
the First Sunday of Advent, (A) (01</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> December, 2019) on the Gospel</span></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Is 2:1-5;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ps 122:1-2.4-5.6-7.8-9.
(R. v.1);</span><br />

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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Today is the first day and the
first Sunday of the liturgical Year. The Church’s calendar is known as the
Liturgical year or calendar and is divided into seasons. They are Advent,
Christmas, Lent, Easter, and the Ordinary time of the year. These are set aside
to celebrate various events in Jesus’ life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">To help us reap the best out of
the season of Advent, let us consider its meaning as we celebrate the First
Sunday of Advent today. The Liturgical year begins with the Evening prayer I of
the First Sunday of Advent which is the evening prayer of the Saturday that
precedes the First Sunday of Advent and ends on Saturday of the 34</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;">
week of the Ordinary Time. The development of the Liturgical year was a complex
process involving many traditions and cultures and was developed over the years.
The Liturgical year is all about the story of our salvation. It guides us as we
journey from this valley of tears to the eternal Kingdom.</span></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOiyvyVc0ko/XeSrUEwO4DI/AAAAAAAAFkM/_2-ZW_oT7g4cppou-eCVXdoVBKbk0897QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/01.12.2019.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOiyvyVc0ko/XeSrUEwO4DI/AAAAAAAAFkM/_2-ZW_oT7g4cppou-eCVXdoVBKbk0897QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/01.12.2019.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The word Advent is from the
Latin word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">adventus</i> meaning arrival,
approach, or coming. The First Sunday of Advent falls between November 27 and
December 3 whereas the Fourth Sunday of Advent falls between 18</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;">
and 24</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> December. The season of Advent consists of four (4) Sundays
but not necessarily four full weeks. During the season of Advent, the
liturgical colour is violet or purple with the exception of Third Sunday of
Advent called Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday when rose or pink vestment can be used.
Gloria is not said during Mass. The season is divided into two – from the
Evening Prayer I of the First Sunday of Advent to 16</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> December and
from 17</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> December to 24</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> December. </span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Unlike what some
has in mind, the season of Advent is a time of preparation not just for the
celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. We prepare ourselves most importantly
for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the coming of Jesus as the Judge of
the living and the dead either at one’s death or at the end of the world</b>.
We also prepare during Advent to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist on
Christmas. We are to prepare for Christ who lives in our lives through His
graces, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 6:19, Rev 3:20</b>. We
are called to prepare for the coming of our Lord in a spirit of waiting,
conversion, hope and prayer. Advent is sometimes called the little Lent because
in most Eastern Orthodox and other Eastern Christian Churches, it is also a
time of fasting which is called Nativity Fast or Advent Fast which lasts for
forty days. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Topic:</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Preparedness for the Lord</b>.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Just as we have seen while
explaining the season of Advent, the Liturgical year is all about our lives as
Christians. It should not be seen as one of the things the Church does
annually.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The gospel calls our minds to the
importance of being ready at all times. Jesus can come at anytime. He tells us:
“Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming”.
The concluding verse also followed the same route: “Therefore you also must be
ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour”. He had also told us
earlier: “But about that day and hour no one knows … but only the Father” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 24:36</b>).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This call to be ready at all times
made me to remember what happened so many years back. That fateful day, I went
to the Christmas vigil with clothes that could be managed for a rag. My
attention was called to that but I re-assured myself that nobody would be able
to see clearly in the church because it was dark. When I was still at home and while
on the road, I thought I was wiser than Solomon because it was all dark but on
reaching the Church, the drum without my consent changed its beating. Thanks to
the generating set. It was as if everybody was looking at the “rag” that I was putting
on. I cannot remember whether I was able to get up for anything throughout the
Mass because I was ashamed of myself.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">How do you prepare for
Christmas? This period means different things for different people. For some, it
is a time for their wedding, to buy new clothing, and so on. Some have even
turned the period of Christmas from being a time of rest to a time of stress. In
the past people come back during Christmas to have rest, but today it has
become something else. For many it is a period for settling disputes which is
not necessarily bad provided peace is sought for and not making pretences because
we are preparing for the Prince and Lord of peace, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 9:6, Heb 13:20, 2Thess 3:16</b>. Will it be absurd to say that some
may be preparing the troubles they will unleash this Christmas season among
other evils?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But despite what you have prepared or still
preparing for this Christmas, it is possible for you to denounce your plans to
do evil. The season of Advent is a season for us to plan the good to do during
Christmas. For instance, in some cultures an empty crib or manger is expected
to be softened by the members of the family with straw earned by sacrifice,
prayer, and work of mercy. God wants to bless someone this Christmas through
you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we prepare for the coming of Jesus, do you
remember that vigil mass I attended unprepared and how wrong I was? Do you know
that at a point I even thought that everything including the walls of the
church and the pew I was sitting on were discussing about how stupid I was? How
will it be when one stands before God? It was not that I did not have something
better but I thought that nobody could see me just as some do evil thinking
that nobody is seeing them. Thank God I have the opportunity of making amends. But
remember that at the coming of the Son of man, the source of light, nothing
will be hidden and there will be no room for amendment. We can still make
amends today. Time will come when the beating of the drums will change as it
once changed in my own case in the church. That day, it will not be necessary
to tell one about the other because everything will be glaring. This is the
proper time, prepare for the Lord, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk
1:15.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In conclusion, the season of Advent is not just a season
that precedes Christmas but very importantly a season that prepares for it. That
is to say, there is no Christmas without an Advent. It is therefore very
important for us to prepare ourselves well as we ought to during this season
because we cannot celebrate Christmas without first celebrating Advent.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">1Cor 16:13-14; 2Cor 6: 14-7:1;
Rom 12: 9-13:10; Col 4:2-6; 1Pt 5:1-11.</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt 112.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -112.3pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thought for today</b>: <span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Will you prepare for the coming of Jesus?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let us pray</span></b>: Almighty God, give
us the grace to prepare for the memorial of the first coming of your Son, our
Lord Jesus Christ and for his second coming. Bless us all as we struggle to
walk in your light through Christ our Lord – Amen.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">May God bless you
all+</span></div>

Preparedness for the Lord: First Sunday of Advent, (A) (01st December, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for the First Sunday of Advent, (A) (01 st December, 2019) on the Gospel Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-2.4-5.6-7.8-9. (R. ...

Repentance bears fruits: Second Sunday of Advent, (A) (08th December, 2019).

Give without charge: Memorial of Saint Ambrose, B.D. (07th December, 2019).

Your faith: Friday of the First Week of Advent (06th December, 2019).

The Word of God: Thursday of the First Week of Advent (05th December, 2019).

Pope's Prayer Intention for December 2019

Bring them to Jesus: Wednesday of the First Week of Advent (04th December, 2019).

Blessed eyes and ears: Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, P. (03rd December, 2019).

What shocked Jesus: Monday of the First Week of Advent (02nd December, 2019).

Preparedness for the Lord: First Sunday of Advent, (A) (01st December, 2019).

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