Give God time to speak: 18th December: Weekdays of Advent on the Gospel

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for 18^th December: Weekdays of Advent 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 /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jer 23:5-8;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 71:1-2.12-13.18-19. (R. cf. v.7);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt 1:18-24</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 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%;">Topic: Give God time to speak</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p0XLl0hSyRQ/XBh31Z_0pfI/AAAAAAAAEng/bUF643qT22AAF22QBxprQN7O0JWS_b5dwCLcBGAs/s1600/18.12.2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p0XLl0hSyRQ/XBh31Z_0pfI/AAAAAAAAEng/bUF643qT22AAF22QBxprQN7O0JWS_b5dwCLcBGAs/s1600/18.12.2018.png" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today’s gospel tells us how Jesus Christ was conceived in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Holy Spirit. Mary’s husband, Joseph, did not act impulsively. Hence the bible rightly calls him “a righteous man”. He was unwilling to shame her publicly and was still planning how best to dismiss her quietly when the angel of the Lord came with this message:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 1:20-21</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And in obedience to the angel of the Lord, Joseph took Mary as his wife. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lots of questions come to mind at this time: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 49.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -13.5pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">i. What would have been the fate of Mary and Jesus Christ had Joseph acted rashly? Certainly, the story would not have been the same. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt 49.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -13.5pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ii. Again, how many times have you acted rashly only to regret your actions later?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we come closer to the memorial of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ may we ask the Blessed Joseph to help us obtain that righteous person’s heart he has to enable us act rationally instead of rashly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 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;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Ezek 11:14-21.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 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;"> God has words for you always but you must give Him time to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord as we approach the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, give us heart of flesh as you promised us (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ezek 11:19; 36:26</b>) – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <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> <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%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><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%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; 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Give God time to speak: 18th December: Weekdays of Advent on the Gospel

Homily (Reflection) for 18 th December: Weekdays of Advent on the Gospel   Jer 23:5-8; Ps 71:1-2.12-13.18-19. (R. cf. v.7); M...

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Leave it Better: 17th December (Weekdays of Advent on the Gospel)

<br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 15pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Homily (Reflection) for 17^th December: Weekdays of Advent 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 /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gen 49:2.8-10;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 71:1-4.7-8.17. (R. cf. v. 7);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt 1: 1-17</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 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%;">Topic: Leave it Better</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bj-foQ4ng0/XBcjF06BBsI/AAAAAAAAEnU/ap_R15e-g-wooOhtE590_qYe8ssygKXggCLcBGAs/s1600/Leave%2Bit%2Bbetter.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/-2bj-foQ4ng0/XBcjF06BBsI/AAAAAAAAEnU/ap_R15e-g-wooOhtE590_qYe8ssygKXggCLcBGAs/s1600/Leave%2Bit%2Bbetter.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One might wonder why the pains Saint Matthew took to trace the genealogy of Jesus Christ back Abraham. The book of Deuteronomy reads about Israel: “... you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on earth to be his people, his treasured possession” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut 7:6</b>). And the call of Abraham in the book of Genesis marks the beginning of His election of Israelites as His chosen nation, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gen 12</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Think of how one feels when being referred to as a son or a daughter of a successful man or woman. Or better still from a noble and successful family. In the same way, the Jews pride themselves as the Lord’s chosen. Hence in their culture, there is serious importance in genealogy as we can see in the bible, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gen 4:17ff</b>; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5:1-32</b>. The inability to trace one’s origin to Abraham or at least to David raises serious question mark as to being a genuine Israelite. So, today’s gospel in part is an attempt to show that Christ is the long awaited Messiah as prophesied, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Kg 11:36; Lk 1:27; Is 22:22</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the truths we know is that today begets tomorrow. As a result, take everything you do very serious. In other words, do your best at all times. The life you live today may uplift or shame others tomorrow. So Leave the history Better than you met it.<o:p></o:p></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;"><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;">: Phil 2:12-18.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 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;"> Leave everything better than you meet them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> God help us to make this world a better place – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><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; 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line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><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="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302 </span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">       </span>Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; 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Leave it Better: 17th December (Weekdays of Advent on the Gospel)

  Homily (Reflection) for 17 th December: Weekdays of Advent on the Gospel   Gen 49:2.8-10; Ps 71:1-4.7-8.17. (R. cf. v. 7); ...

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Do not rob Peter: Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete) (C) (16th December, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete) (C) (16^th December, 2018) on the Gospel and the Season <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Zeph 3:14-18;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is 12:2-6 (R.V. 6);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Phil 4:4-7;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lk 3:10-18</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Topic: Do not rob Peter</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K50g8KLlXYI/XBXGktAduCI/AAAAAAAAEnI/dm9UTcoAG4EHSe_cI186QCCDk21aRTzhwCLcBGAs/s1600/16.12.2018.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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K50g8KLlXYI/XBXGktAduCI/AAAAAAAAEnI/dm9UTcoAG4EHSe_cI186QCCDk21aRTzhwCLcBGAs/s1600/16.12.2018.png" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today is also known as Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. Recall that rose or pink vestment can be used today instead of violet or purple. We are called to rejoice because our salvation is close at hand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint Paul calls on us all to lead a life worthy of our calling, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 4:1</b>; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Pt 3:8-12</b>. And every Christian is given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 4:7; 1Cor 12:12-31</b>. As a result, each Christian is expected to fulfil both the general as well as more specifics duties. To whom much is given much is also expected, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 12:48</b>. Hence, while John the Baptist was preparing the people through his proclamation, the crowds asked him: “What then should we do?” and he replied “... ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise’” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 3:11</b>). Afterwards, when the tax collectors put the same question to him he told them to “Collect no more than the amount prescribed ...” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 3:13</b>). And to the soldiers who also asked the same question he said: “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 3:14</b>). The tax collectors and the soldiers beyond sharing what they have with their brothers and sisters must also do their work well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just as we are in a special period of preparation for Christ called Advent John the Baptist was preparing the people in today’s gospel for the Messiah, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:19-23</b>. The call to rejoice is not just a spiritual thing. To be a Christian is not synonymous with to be sad. Christians like other humans are made up of body and soul. And Jesus did not neglect any part as replete in the bible, (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 6:37; 7:24-30; 32-35</b> among so many). Therefore rejoicing ought not be just spiritual.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And like the crowds, the tax collectors, and the soldiers our main concern should be: ‘What then should we do?’ And that answer given by John the Baptist is still valid today as ever: ‘Share with others whatever you have’ because love is the mark of our discipleship, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 13:35</b>. Hence Saint James rightly queries: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,’ and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 2:15-16</b>)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And in his first letter, Saint John also asked, “... if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn 3:17</b>)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are to make others see our salvation and rejoice. To do this, we must feed the hungry and quench the thirst of the thirsty, (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 32:6</b>) because this is what God wants of us this season and always: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 2pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">[To] ... loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke .... to share your [our] bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your [our] house; when you [we] see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself [ourselves] from your [our] own kin (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 58:6-7</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every Christian is a light in and for the world, (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 5:14</b>). This light can only shine if we pour ourselves out for the hungry and satisfy the desires of the afflicted, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 58:10</b>. Christ became poor just to enrich us and expects us to do likewise for our brothers and sisters, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Cor 8:9</b>. But as we feed the hungry, clothe the naked and so on; we must not rob Peter just to pay Paul. Do not steal from one to feed or clothe another.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <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;">: Is 58:1-14; Matt 25:31-46; 1Cor 7:1-40. 12:12-31; Jas 2:14-26; </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">1Jn 3:11-24</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> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Silent Prayer:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Each person can make at least one person to rejoice today. And you need not look for another person to do it, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 14:16</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <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;"> God, as we wait with joy the coming of your Son and our </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord Jesus Christ, help us to make those we will meet today and forever rejoice – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><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 0.5in;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313</span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 10%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><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="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302 </span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">       </span>Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Do not rob Peter: Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete) (C) (16th December, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete) (C) (16 th December, 2018) on the Gospel and the Season Zeph 3:14-18; ...

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Problem of Recognition: Saturday of the Second Week of Advent (15th December, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of the Second Week of Advent (15^th December, 2018) 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 /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sir 48:1-4.9-11;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 79: 2-3.15-16.18-19. (R. v. 4);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt 17:10-13</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 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%;">Topic: Problem of Recognition</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-awzd-AzBuyU/XBR4Thjz9PI/AAAAAAAAEm8/fDrbyXGVcBQttsySWpl5glCE8IER4AXEQCLcBGAs/s1600/15.12.2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="262" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-awzd-AzBuyU/XBR4Thjz9PI/AAAAAAAAEm8/fDrbyXGVcBQttsySWpl5glCE8IER4AXEQCLcBGAs/s1600/15.12.2018.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is an Igbo adage that a slave ought to know that he or she will be buried just the same way slaves are buried. While Jesus and His disciples were descending from the mountain after His transfiguration, they raised a question on why the scribes said that Elijah would come first. Remember that Jesus also answered this question in the gospel of Thursday of the second week of Advent, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 11:11-15</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And Jesus told them that Elijah had already come and they did with him what pleased them because they did not recognise him. In the same vein, that the same fate awaits Him who is the long awaited Messiah. I believe you still remember the story of the monk sent by the bishop to a monastery as their new abbot who was subjected to the most menial jobs in the monastery until he was discovered? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please, be very careful the way you treat that man or woman, boy or girl, and so on you meet today and all the days of your life because you may not have known him or her. Again, if others look down on you, do not grudge or fight over it, just face your God and do your best. God will surely lift you up at the appointed time.<o:p></o:p></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;"><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;">: Matt 18:1-5.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 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;"> Be careful how you treat others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> May we see beyond the creatures we meet to He who made them all – Amen.<o:p></o:p></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%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><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; 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Problem of Recognition: Saturday of the Second Week of Advent (15th December, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of the Second Week of Advent (15 th December, 2018) on the Gospel   Sir 48:1-4.9-11; Ps 79: 2-3...

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Utmost Importance: Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, P.D., (14th December, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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 John of the Cross, P.D., (14^th December, 2018) 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 /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is 48:17-19;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 1:1-4.6. (R. cf. Jn 8:12);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt 11:16-19</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 4pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GO-bDYCrZts/XBMfXwlWoHI/AAAAAAAAEmw/UBFXH9txMRsk4xQ3gO5tluZmMeeJR8cWQCLcBGAs/s1600/Saint%2BJohn%2Bof%2Bthe%2BCross.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="191" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GO-bDYCrZts/XBMfXwlWoHI/AAAAAAAAEmw/UBFXH9txMRsk4xQ3gO5tluZmMeeJR8cWQCLcBGAs/s1600/Saint%2BJohn%2Bof%2Bthe%2BCross.png" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint John of the Cross was born in Spain in 1542. He became a Carmelite and was ordained a priest in 1567. Saint Theresa of Avila encouraged him to undertake the reform of his Order. He was strenuously opposed and suffered many trials and setbacks. He led a life of prayer which bore fruit in a number of writings that are classics of the mystical life which include <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Ascent of Mount Carmel</b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Dark Night of the Soul</b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Spiritual Canticle</b>, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Living Flame of Love</b>. His outstanding homilies, austerity of life, poetic genius and charity remain living examples.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2018-2019)/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons/Second%20Week%20of%20Advent%20(I)%20(2018).docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><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;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 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%;">Topic: Utmost Importance</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus compares this generation with children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn” (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 11:16-17</b>). This comparison was based on their inability to accept both John the Baptist and the Messiah irrespective of their life styles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 15pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May be you have been worrying what you will do to please one person or the other. I want to remind you that we are still in that generation Jesus spoke about in today’s gospel or even in a worse one. Both Jesus and His forerunner were not bothered about this but that of Utmost Importance, doing the will of God. Saint John of the Cross we celebrate today also followed the same path. So, listen to God and not to men, (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 4:19</b>) learn how to please God and not men, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Thess 4:1</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 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;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Acts 4:1-22.<o:p></o:p></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;"><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 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Utmost Important</b> to you?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, help us to listen to you and to please you alone – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 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%;">Saint John of the Cross – Pray for us</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></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%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><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%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt; 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line-height: 110%;"> </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> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 10%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt;"> <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;"><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="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302 </span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">       </span>Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"> <!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" /> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /> <!--[endif]--> <div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.7in;"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2018-2019)/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons/Second%20Week%20of%20Advent%20(I)%20(2018).docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><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;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> The Weekday Missal: A new edition (1995). HarperCollins Religious: London. <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">p.1831. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> </div> </div>

Utmost Importance: Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, P.D., (14th December, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, P.D., (14 th December, 2018) on the Gospel and the Memorial   Is 4...

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Be careful: Memorial of Saint Lucy (13th December, 2018).

<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";">Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Lucy (13^th December, 2018) 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 /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Is 41:13-20;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ps 144:1.9-13. (R. v.8);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt 11:11-15</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jv86bh9A4So/XBHXEboUBlI/AAAAAAAAEmk/CiA9OpIgAG4PLhO4xbBfUnESjiaA0mfEQCLcBGAs/s1600/Saint%2BLucy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jv86bh9A4So/XBHXEboUBlI/AAAAAAAAEmk/CiA9OpIgAG4PLhO4xbBfUnESjiaA0mfEQCLcBGAs/s1600/Saint%2BLucy.png" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lucy’s history has been lost and all we really know for certain is that this brave woman lived in Syracuse and lost her life during the persecution of Christians in the early fourth century. Lucy can mean ‘light’ or ‘lucid.’ A legend that has passed the test of time tells the story of a young Christian woman who vowed to live her life in service of Christ. Her mother tried to arrange a marriage for her with a pagan. After her mother’s miraculous healing, she persuaded her mother to give the dowry money to the poor and allow her to commit her life to God. In anger, the rejected bridegroom was deeply angered and betrayed Lucy's faith to the governor Paschasius. The governor tried unsuccessfully to defile her at a brothel. Lucy was not burnt when she was set ablaze. She was finally killed by the swords. Lucy is the patron saint of the blind.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2018-2019)/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons/Second%20Week%20of%20Advent%20(I)%20(2018).docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[1]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 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%;">Topic: Be careful</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The prophet Malachi reads: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mal 4:5</b>). And based on this prophesy, although the Israelites were waiting for the Messiah, they were expecting to receive Elijah first, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 9:11</b>. However, Jesus tells us in today’s gospel that the Elijah they were waiting for had come and gone but unnoticed, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 11:14</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As we expect God to do one thing or the other either for us or for others, it is very important that we open our eyes to be able to see God at work. Otherwise, that might go unnoticed just like the Elijah who came but the Jews did not recognise him. Again, many have missed opportunities because they never came as they expected them. Hence I say to you: ‘<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Be careful</b>’ lest you miss again and probably the last one. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 8pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Mal 4:1-5.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 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;"> God is at work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> God, give us the grace to see your hand at work in us and around us – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 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%;">Saint Lucy – Pray for us</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></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%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><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%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313 </span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; 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line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br /> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tel: +234 813 305 0302 </span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">       </span>Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"> <!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br /> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /> <!--[endif]--> <br /> <div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.7in;"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2018-2019)/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons/Second%20Week%20of%20Advent%20(I)%20(2018).docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[1]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=75"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=75</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> </div> </div>

Be careful: Memorial of Saint Lucy (13th December, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Lucy (13 th December, 2018) on the Gospel and the Memorial   Is 41:13-20; Ps 144:1.9-13....

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Come to me, (Matt 11:28): Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent (I) (12th December, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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 Second Week of Advent (I) (12^th December, 2018) 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 /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is 40:25-31;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 102:1-4.8.10. (R. v.1);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt 11:28-30</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 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%;">Topic: Come to me</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">, (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 11:28</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WYhpEy0SCUM/XBCHvmh-wHI/AAAAAAAAEmY/L5nuc8Q1Ajw02e6MsrJ55NvQERflve7rgCLcBGAs/s1600/12.12.2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="188" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WYhpEy0SCUM/XBCHvmh-wHI/AAAAAAAAEmY/L5nuc8Q1Ajw02e6MsrJ55NvQERflve7rgCLcBGAs/s1600/12.12.2018.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel, Jesus asks all who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens to come to Him and have rest. The gospel reads further: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 11:29-30</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The book of Lamentations is unambiguous that what brings about true heavy burdens is sin, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lam 1:14; </b>cf.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Hos 11:7</b>. Hence Saint Paul admonishes us not to submit again to the yoke of sin, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gal 5:1</b>. The book of Lamentation reads further: “With a yoke on our necks we are hard driven; we are weary, we are given no rest” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lam 5:5</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God asks us in today’s gospel to come to Him and have the troubling and tiring yokes removed from us, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Nah 1:13</b>. We are left with two options – either to go to God and be freed or remain with our heavy burdens.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No matter how bad you think your situation is, be certain that nothing is too hard for God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gen 18:14; Jer 32:17,27</b>. The blood of our Lord can make the best out of us, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 1:18</b>. Make the best out of your state today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 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;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Nah 1:12-15.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 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;"> Are you under any yoke?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> God, help us to be free from every yoke of sin – Amen.<o:p></o:p></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%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><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%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; 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Come to me, (Matt 11:28): Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent (I) (12th December, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent (I) (12 th December, 2018) on the Gospel   Is 40:25-31; Ps 102:1-...

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God is after us: Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent (I) (11th December, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent (I) (11^th December, 2018) 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 /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is 40:1-11;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 96:1-3.10-13. (R. Is 40:9-10);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt 18:12-14</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 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%;">Topic: God is after us</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gYcyrNdNUcE/XA82fr5ITXI/AAAAAAAAEmM/SdlAutVG4b8rl31Pc9BhvXfeSvXD-0bbwCLcBGAs/s1600/11.12.2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gYcyrNdNUcE/XA82fr5ITXI/AAAAAAAAEmM/SdlAutVG4b8rl31Pc9BhvXfeSvXD-0bbwCLcBGAs/s1600/11.12.2018.png" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus likened how God cares about us to a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep on the mountains in search of one that went astray. This passage looks ridiculous; someone leaving ninety-nine sheep just for a lost one? Every one of us is very important.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is important to remind ourselves who we are, “Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 100:3; </b>cf.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Ps 74:1; 78:52; 95:7; Ezek 34:31</b>). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whenever one leaves God’s ways, he/she is lost, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 10:6</b>. Jesus the good shepherd (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 10:11.14</b>) came to find the lost, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 15:24; Is 53:6</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is really after us because He wants us to live, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ezek 18:31</b>. Hence, He said through the prophet Ezekiel, “As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ezek 33:11</b>)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is begging us to stop sinning, (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ezek 44:6</b>) partly because although He wants all to live yet He will judge us according to our ways, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ezek 33:20. 34:17, 20, 22</b>. One can live only in God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amos 5:4; Jn 15:5</b>. God’s sheep hears His voice, and they follow Him, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 10:27</b>. He is begging us to hearken to His voice today as His sheep we are, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 95:7</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 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;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Ezek 34:11-31; </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Jn 21:15-19</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 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;"> God wants us to live.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, open our eyes to see that there is no life apart from you – Amen.<o:p></o:p></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%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><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; 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God is after us: Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent (I) (11th December, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent (I) (11 th December, 2018) on the Gospel   Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3.10...

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