The Word was made flesh: Seventh day in the Octave of Christmas (31st December).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 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%;">Homily (Reflection) for the Seventh day in the Octave of Christmas (31^st December)</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1Jn 2:18-21;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 95:1-2.11-13. (R. v. 11)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jn 1:1-18</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: The Word was made flesh</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hvCipAptCLmIZHSGui0EwFoD4sBVfSFNY7lgeIhDKOuWjJDeVnFYqf7o6x5GPvR-Th6Gj7OALXSUAHhRH9bnDdLgTmb4c_d8qGrUJd2PiJbKXte-W4JRHacH44GnaSj_pzrwHm9Cahs/s1600/31.12.2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hvCipAptCLmIZHSGui0EwFoD4sBVfSFNY7lgeIhDKOuWjJDeVnFYqf7o6x5GPvR-Th6Gj7OALXSUAHhRH9bnDdLgTmb4c_d8qGrUJd2PiJbKXte-W4JRHacH44GnaSj_pzrwHm9Cahs/s1600/31.12.2016.jpg" /></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;">Today is the Seventh day in the Octave of Christmas. And today’s gospel explains to us a little the mystery of incarnation. Christ has come in human likeness and is now living among us, His creatures in the form of slave, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:14; Phil 2:7</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;">These and many more notwithstanding, many do not see this period beyond the time for vacation, shopping, and so on. For these, Christ has no place in Christmas. Hence the gospel reads: “He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:10-11</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;">We must not lose sight of the fact that all we enjoy are gifts we received from Him, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:16; 1Cor 4:7</b>. It is wrong to take a gift and reject the giver.<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 gospel reads further: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">...to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:12-13</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 enjoy this season, it is important to remember that God has given us his only Son. Whoever wants to benefit from this must receive Him as he or she should. <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 2:3-11.<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;"> Do you </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">receive the gift of Jesus Christ</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: 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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> God help us to receive your Son and may we also believe in Him – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <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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The Word was made flesh: Seventh day in the Octave of Christmas (31st December).

Homily (Reflection) for the Seventh day in the Octave of Christmas (31 st December) 1Jn 2:18-21; Ps 95:1-2.11-13. (R. v. 11) Jn ...

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Shared responsibility: Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (A) (30th December).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 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%;">Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (A) (30^th December)</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sir 3:2-6.12-14 or Col 3:12-21;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 127:1-5. (R. cf. 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 2:13-15.19-23</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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd68TmX8kP3O2u_IzFfEdUBUXbBrn9kwmT0VD-TIxf1HyPPEMILeOrj5cgku68uBYjtOW0Ih4RmUznS-cSNdtRjkt80MOU_gNMuqvjVDMkYL7DN30cISR7gDcn2-jxndXiPiK8IW41JOs/s1600/30.12.2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd68TmX8kP3O2u_IzFfEdUBUXbBrn9kwmT0VD-TIxf1HyPPEMILeOrj5cgku68uBYjtOW0Ih4RmUznS-cSNdtRjkt80MOU_gNMuqvjVDMkYL7DN30cISR7gDcn2-jxndXiPiK8IW41JOs/s1600/30.12.2016.png" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Holy Family</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> consists of </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_Jesus" title="Child Jesus"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Jesus</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blessed_Virgin_Mary" title="Blessed Virgin Mary"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Blessed Virgin Mary</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, and </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph" title="Saint Joseph"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Saint Joseph</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. Veneration of the Holy Family formally began in the 17th century by Saint </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_de_Laval" title="François de Laval"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">François de Laval</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, the first bishop of New France, who founded a </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confraternity" title="Confraternity"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Confraternity</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. And the <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Feast of the Holy Family</span> is a </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgy" title="Liturgy"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">liturgical</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> celebration in the </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church" title="Catholic Church"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Catholic Church</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> in honour of the trio. Since the </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysterii_Paschalis" title="Mysterii Paschalis"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">1969 revision</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> of the </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Roman_Calendar" title="General Roman Calendar"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">General Roman Calendar</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, the feast is celebrated on the Sunday between </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" title="Christmas"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Christmas</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_Day" title="New Year's Day"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">New Year's Day</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (both exclusive), or on 30 December when both Christmas Day and </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_Day" title="New Year's Day"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">New Year's Day</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (<span style="font-size: 14pt;">the </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solemnity_of_Mary,_Mother_of_God" title="Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> are Sundays</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons/Octave%20of%20Christmas%20(2016).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;"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<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%;">Topic: Shared responsibility</span></b><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: 4pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel, Saint Joseph in obedience to the message of an angel took Mary and Jesus to Egypt. And after the death of Herod, he brought them back to the land of Israel and settled in Nazareth also in obedience to the message through an angel.<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;">Saint Joseph, the head of the family (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 5:23</b>) protected the holy family from danger. He was ever obedient to the will of God made known to him through His angel while carrying out this function. Mary and Jesus obeyed him as they ought.<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 celebrate the feast of the holy family, it is necessary to look briefly at some of the things expected from every member of the family. Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reads, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, be subject to your husbands....Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her... (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 5:21-22.25-26</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;">In his letter to the Colossians he also admonished all, “Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Col 3:19-21; cf. Eph 6:1-4</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 honour the holy family today, we must remember always that this family is the model for every Christian family. It is necessary for every one of us to consider how he/she is fulfilling his/her duties in the family. For a family to be what it should be, husband, wife, and child/ren must work together. None of them can do it alone as we see in the holy family. It is a shared responsibility. The bible also tells us that Jesus was obedient to Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 2:51</b>. Let us emulate the holy family and make the world a better place starting from our respective families.<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;">: 1Cor 7:1-16; Eph 5:21-33; Col 3:18–4:1.<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;"> Being responsible in your family.<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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, the author of every Christian family, give every man, woman, and child the grace to fulfil his/her obligations in the family – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <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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font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span> <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/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons/Octave%20of%20Christmas%20(2016).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;"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Family"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Family</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>

Shared responsibility: Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (A) (30th December).

Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (A) (30 th December) Sir 3:2-6.12-14 or Col 3:12-21;...

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Consecrated to God: Fifth day in the Octave of Christmas (29th December).

<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 Fifth day in the Octave of Christmas (29^th December)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1Jn 2:3-11;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 95:1-3.5-6. (R. v. 11);<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lk 2:22-35</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<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%;">Topic: Consecrated to God</span></b><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-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today’s gospel narrates how Jesus was presented in the temple according to the law of Moses, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lev 12:1-4</b>. God directed that every first-born male must be consecrated to Him, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ex 13:2, 12</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxY82jKfw4vPDgjmDlvJxm3k2ITDgQkWPxRGVc6kw-hpDTIQAPGXhhL4xwVO7Odn6IdYCcNNw8aTN38UwtfSrVN4dJJFIfy5Zh3GW7ThqnuG44C7-C5JJMTwWtoPeisZ3kbBw2rOCC-Q/s1600/29.12.2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxY82jKfw4vPDgjmDlvJxm3k2ITDgQkWPxRGVc6kw-hpDTIQAPGXhhL4xwVO7Odn6IdYCcNNw8aTN38UwtfSrVN4dJJFIfy5Zh3GW7ThqnuG44C7-C5JJMTwWtoPeisZ3kbBw2rOCC-Q/s1600/29.12.2016.png" /></a></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;">However it is not only the first-born males that are consecrated to God. He also said of all Israelites: “You shall be people consecrated to me” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ex 22:31</b>). And the entire Israelites were truly consecrated Him, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ex 19:14</b>. Hence we read in the book of Deuteronomy: “...you are a people holy to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, out of all the peoples that are on the face of the earth” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut 7:6</b>). And God loves those who are consecrated to Him and who follow in His steps, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut 33:3</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;">We all are also consecrated to the Lord. Hence we read of all Christians in the first letter of Saint Peter: “...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” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Pt 2:9</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;">Dear child of God, consecration does not go with benefits only, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut 33:3</b>. It has responsibilities also, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut 14:21;</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">26:18; 2Chr 7:14</b>. So remember always that God loves you so much because you are His apple but never forget to do your own part as a child of God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 3:8</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-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;">: Ex 13:11-16.<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;"> You are dedicated/consecrated to God.<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%;"> May God help us live out our call as children of God – 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> <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> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; 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Consecrated to God: Fifth day in the Octave of Christmas (29th December).

Homily (Reflection) for the Fifth day in the Octave of Christmas (29 th December) 1Jn 2:3-11; Ps 95:1-3.5-6. (R. v. 11); Lk 2:22...

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Herod’s anger: Feast of Holy Innocents (28th December).

<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 Feast of Holy Innocents (28^th December) <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">(Octave of Christmas) on the Gospel and the Feast</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1Jn 1:5–2:2;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 123:2-5.7-8. (R. 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 2:13-18</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOkxjdDFqIkF2dAJy99mk7pUl1J8hFMhtJUUR0-q8dyOS1Vrr2zI1CQ8Zt24MZ8hrz-m3ioOW8FIOOZe6-znD6SdZQ_z32qVSyrmJaFu9UohXqIzpqaN9N0_ukqNUp5GUOA3tdiUNpsc/s1600/28.12.2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOkxjdDFqIkF2dAJy99mk7pUl1J8hFMhtJUUR0-q8dyOS1Vrr2zI1CQ8Zt24MZ8hrz-m3ioOW8FIOOZe6-znD6SdZQ_z32qVSyrmJaFu9UohXqIzpqaN9N0_ukqNUp5GUOA3tdiUNpsc/s1600/28.12.2016.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The</span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Feast of Holy Innocents commemorates the children Herod the Great, the Roman-appointed King of the Jews killed. He directed the Magi from the east who were searching for Jesus to Bethlehem, and requested them to let him know the newborn king when they found him. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod. Saint </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph" title="Saint Joseph"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Joseph</span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> also took the child and his mother to Egypt as directed by an angel. And when Herod realized that he had been tricked by the Magi, he was furious, and gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old or under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. The number of the infants is not certain and some historians even doubt its authenticity. The Holy Innocents, although Jewish, have been claimed as </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_martyrs" title="Christian martyrs"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">martyrs for Christianity</span></a><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons/Octave%20of%20Christmas%20(2016).docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><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-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. <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: Herod’s anger</span></b><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-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the gospel according to Saint Matthew, King Herod was frightened when he heard that a king was born, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt2:3</b>. He saw him as a rival. As a result, he ordered for the massacre of every male child in and around Bethlehem who were 2 years old or under as we read in today’s gospel. <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;">These Holy Innocents committed no offence. And in fact, no offence was committed. Yet they were killed in such gruesome manner without any atom of mercy. <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;">May be you have suffered Herod’s anger in one way or another. And surely it was too painful because of the fact that you are innocent. Or even you may still be suffering or nursing such pains.<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;">On the other hand, has anybody suffered Herod’s anger in your own hands? And what have you done about it or hope to achieve through that?<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;">If you have suffered unjustly or still suffering like the Holy Innocents, look unto God. And if others have suffered or are still suffering in your hands, make amends today. It is very important. Remember, God is coming to reward all according what each has done, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rev 22:12</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-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;">: Eph 4:25 – 5:2.<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;"> Has anyone suffered unjustly in your hands?<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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> May God help us bring healing to all those who suffer – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <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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mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div style="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>+234 905 655 4466<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div style="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;">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> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; 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> <!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" /> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /> <!--[endif]--><br /> <div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"> <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/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons/Octave%20of%20Christmas%20(2016).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;"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_the_Innocents"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_the_Innocents</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>

Herod’s anger: Feast of Holy Innocents (28th December).

Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Holy Innocents (28 th December) (Octave of Christmas) on the Gospel and the Feast 1Jn 1:5–2:...

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...he saw and believed (Jn 20:8): Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist (27th December).

<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 Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist (27^th December) <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Octave of Christmas) on the Gospel and the Feast <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1Jn 1:1-4;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 96:1-2.5-6.11-12. (R. v. 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; line-height: 110%;">Jn 20:2-8</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxmP3aMPCoouUEI2mRrPkZQMFLJC9SHP-0ov8q1i5RTm1oL8l4qYvx2amwp8b2Jf4bEua2a5n593OQ7DZcgn3hylgr-kbCb5mIu2PdejFX3Y-KhLljyBW-mGrZZ2V24F649HUokVDHi8/s1600/27.12.2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxmP3aMPCoouUEI2mRrPkZQMFLJC9SHP-0ov8q1i5RTm1oL8l4qYvx2amwp8b2Jf4bEua2a5n593OQ7DZcgn3hylgr-kbCb5mIu2PdejFX3Y-KhLljyBW-mGrZZ2V24F649HUokVDHi8/s1600/27.12.2016.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint John the Apostle was son of Zebedee and Salome, and one of the Twelve Apostles. He was called to be an Apostle by our Lord in the first year of His public ministry. Saint John is considered the same person as John the Evangelist, John of Patmos and the Beloved Disciple. Saint James the Great was his elder brother. Jesus referred to the duo as “Boanerges,” (sons of thunder). He is believed to be the longest living apostle and the only not to die a martyr's death. John was the only one of the Twelve Apostles who did not forsake the Saviour in the hour of His Passion and He made him the guardian of His Mother at the foot of the cross. After the Assumption of Mary, he went to Ephesus. He was later banished to the Greek Island of Patmos. John is known as the author of the Gospel of John and four other books in the New Testament - the three Epistles of John and the Book of Revelation. He died in Ephesus after AD 98 and is the patron saint of love, loyalty, friendships, and authors.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons/Octave%20of%20Christmas.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;"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <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%;">Topic: ...he saw and believed</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 20:8</b>).<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel pericope, Mary Magdalene ran to Peter and John and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we did not know where they have laid him.” The duo set out for the tomb. Although John outran Peter, Peter first entered the tomb. John later entered the tomb. He saw and believed. <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;">While discussing with Nicodemus, Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 3:11</b>). And in his first letter, Saint John wrote, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We declare to you ... what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life – this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it ...so that you also may have fellowship ...with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn 1:1-3</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;">Saint John testified that “the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn 4:14</b>). And only those who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:12</b>. Let no one wait to see before he/she believes because, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 20:29</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-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><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;">: Jn 20:25-29; 1Jn 4:7-12.<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;"> ...the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:14</b>).<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-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, open our eyes to see your Son who dwells among us – Amen (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:14</b>).</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;">Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist – pray for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <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="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; 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; 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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: blue;">[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=228"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=228</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>

...he saw and believed (Jn 20:8): Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist (27th December).

Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist (27 th December) (Octave of Christmas) on the Gospel and the...

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Beware: Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr (26th December).

<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 Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr (26^th December) <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Octave of Christmas) on the Gospel and the Feast</span></span></b></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Acts 6:8-10. 7:54-59;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 30:3-4.6.8.16-17. (R. v. 6)<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 10:17-22</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB27lpELwI2b1znIcgj0zDflR8hGLrUNY0r6KiC5SsDLeMWNbHR-6TC6N_yNpjqIwX8e_p9883t7gOuY4jl4SsodDvrGfNe5cjof-HnwU9uTz4W-RpAzMYZX8LN8XRbTPRhs8bU3OF0eE/s1600/26.12.2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB27lpELwI2b1znIcgj0zDflR8hGLrUNY0r6KiC5SsDLeMWNbHR-6TC6N_yNpjqIwX8e_p9883t7gOuY4jl4SsodDvrGfNe5cjof-HnwU9uTz4W-RpAzMYZX8LN8XRbTPRhs8bU3OF0eE/s1600/26.12.2016.jpg" /></a></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 primary source of information about Saint Stephen is the Acts of the Apostles. <b>Stephen</b> or <b>Stephan</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">,</span> a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, is the </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protomartyr" title="Protomartyr"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">first Christian martyr</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deacon" title="Deacon"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">deacon</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 7:54-59</b>. Stephen is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as one of the Greek-speaking </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistic_Jew" title="Hellenistic Jew"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hellenistic Jews</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> selected to participate in a fairer distribution of welfare to the Greek-speaking widows, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 6:5</b>. He was accused of </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blasphemy" title="Blasphemy"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">blasphemy</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and his </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martyrdom" title="Martyrdom"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">martyrdom</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> was witnessed by </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_of_Tarsus" title="Saul of Tarsus"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saul of Tarsus</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (Saint Paul), a </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharisee" title="Pharisee"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pharisee</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> who would later himself become a follower of Jesus, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 8:1</b>.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons/Octave%20of%20Christmas.docx" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><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: blue;">[i]</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: Beware </span></b><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: 3pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just yesterday we popped champagnes among other things that the long-awaited saviour was born. And today, we celebrate the first person who died for this saviour. He warns us in today’s gospel: “Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 10:17-18</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;">This warning tells us among other things that to be a Christian is not all rosy. A call to be a Christian is a call to be a martyr no matter the circumstance one finds him/herself. At the face of every persecution that might come one’s way, one must bear witness to the new born king, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 21:13</b>. Again, for anybody to be saved, he or she must endure to the end, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 10:22</b>. Saint Stephen is a very good example.<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;">So my dear one, as we celebrate our saviour’s birthday we must also contemplate what it means to be Christ’s follower. Each of us must be ready for anything that pleases our newborn King to befall us. Beware, anyone who wants to live an authentic Christian life must be ready for persecution even from those one least expects, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 10:21; Mk 13:12</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-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 4:12-19.<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;"> Tighten your belt and lace your shoes for the race.<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-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 newborn King help us live out our call as Christians no matter what it may cost – Amen.</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;">Saint Stephen – pray for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <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="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; 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; 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margin: 0in 0in 0pt; 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<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div style="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>+234 905 655 4466<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div style="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;">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> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; 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> <br /> <div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"> <!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" /> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /> <!--[endif]--> <div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;"> <div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.7in;"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons/Octave%20of%20Christmas.docx" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><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: blue;">[i]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Stephen"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Stephen</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div> </div> </div>

Beware: Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr (26th December).

Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr (26 th December) (Octave of Christmas) on the Gospel and the Feast ...

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Your gift to the newborn Christ: Nativity of the Lord (Mass during the Day).

<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 Nativity of the Lord (Mass during the Day) (A, B, C) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4pt 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is 52:7-10;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 97:1-6. (R.v. 3);<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;">Heb 1:1-6;<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;">Jn 1:1-18</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:1-5.9-14</b>.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take a moment to reflect on how you will feel if on your birthday, one or some of your guests vow to make things go wrong. What they do and/or say testify that they are out just to ruin your day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="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;">Topic: Your gift to the newborn Christ</span></b><span style="font-size: 15pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </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;">Birthday is one of the most common anniversaries we have. It is normally a great day for the celebrant, and probably family members and friends who normally invite friends and well-wishers to celebrate with them. As the invitees make out time to honour the invitation they also consider the gift to offer to the celebrant. As a result of this, the celebrant normally receives varied gifts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbwbqEQwZ2yFHpKJsmi6CWpnh-U_kWu3m9SZ6uvZFtOwgLf9RGtpcLMl4L0l8ISBq7TjaJW3eGPnevAvEV4PnNNe1pIKnNwb1ozoFRqGMFnD2V-L_TL8DiiPcuF_FB5uEj_rPycYAh-c/s1600/25.12.2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbwbqEQwZ2yFHpKJsmi6CWpnh-U_kWu3m9SZ6uvZFtOwgLf9RGtpcLMl4L0l8ISBq7TjaJW3eGPnevAvEV4PnNNe1pIKnNwb1ozoFRqGMFnD2V-L_TL8DiiPcuF_FB5uEj_rPycYAh-c/s1600/25.12.2016.png" /></a></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 celebrate today the Birthday of birthdays. We are celebrating today that the Word was made flesh for our salvation. Despite the fact that the hair has been made, different styles of clothing sewn, shoes bought, houses built, cars bought, and so on and on just for this period, we are also to prepare birthday gifts for Him who was born for us. All these things mentioned and many more are for ourselves not for Him. Gifts say so much about both the giver and how he or she values the receiver.<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;">Today’s gospel pericope reads in part: “All things came into being through him, without him not one thing came into being…. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn. 1:3, 16</b>). In reply to his disciples, John the Baptist said: "No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 3:27</b>). And Saint Paul questioned, “What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 4:7</b>). Since we received everything from God, not even offering everything to him will make us think that we have done much. Hence, Jesus taught us: “… when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 17:10</b>). We are nothing before God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 4:2</b>. According to St Ambrose, “Every soul who has believed both conceives and generates the Word of God and recognizes his works” just as Mary believed and conceived. We celebrate life which is light for all peoples, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 2:32</b>. And as we celebrate Christ’s birthday, he expects us to offer our lives which ought to be light for others, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 5:14</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;">Just as John the Baptist came as a witness to Christ's first coming which we celebrate today, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt. 3:11; Mk 1:7; Lk 3:15-16; Jn 1:6-9</b>, we ought to be witnesses that He has come, that He is with us, and that He will come again with our lives. We are called to witness to Christ until He comes again, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 8:38; Lk 9:26</b>. In this alone we shall find peace and joy. Nothing outside God can offer us anything good. Saint Paul tells us: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Phil 4:4</b>). And for the Psalmist, it is in the Lord that we are to boast, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 34:2</b>. Let us celebrate this Christmas as Christ’s witnesses. Through prophet Jeremiah God said: “but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practice steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, says the LORD” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jer 9:24</b>). And the book of Ecclesiastes reads, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 4pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eccl 11:9</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;">Looking at some public places and even private homes also, one will know that something is happening. The actual end of the Advent season is yet to come. Christmas is not the end. How one plan to celebrate Christmas says it all how much one understands the mystery we are celebrating, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Nativity</b> of the Lord. Most often we see it just from the social point of view. One can either be a source of pride or of shame to Christ on this birthday. We can ask ourselves whether we present basket of flowers or of shame to Christ.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>What one does during this Christmas period and not just what one say says it all. We are all invited to Christ’s birthday. Every host regrets inviting one or those who will mar the event. Will Christ regret offering you this rare invitation? Christmas is Christ's feast as well as ours. He has come to take our sins away, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn 3:5</b>. Prepare your own gift now if you have not. You still can prepare a better one if the one you prepared is not good enough for the newborn King.<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;">Do not forget the poor out there as you look for Christ to present your gift/s. That man or woman or child out there in need of your help is the Christ we are celebrating his birthday. Do not look for another one, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 25: 40, 45</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-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;">: Acts 17:28; Rev. 21:1-8; Matt 10: 32-33; Lk 17:7-10.<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%;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> What do you have for Christ?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 5pt 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;"> Newborn King, give us the grace to be good birthday gifts to you – 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> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <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;">The Word became flesh – and lived among us! (Jn 1:14).<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 5pt 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;">May the peace and the love of the newborn King be with you now and forever +</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"> <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="line-height: 110%; 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Your gift to the newborn Christ: Nativity of the Lord (Mass during the Day).

Homily (Reflection) for the Nativity of the Lord (Mass during the Day) (A, B, C) on the Gospel Is 52:7-10; Ps 97:1-6. (R.v. 3); H...

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