The Spirit of truth: Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter (24th May, 2017).

<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 Sixth Week of Easter (24^th May, 2017) 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;">Acts 17:15.22–18:1;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 148:1-2.11-14. (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;">Jn 16:12-15</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: The Spirit of truth</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 today’s gospel Jesus said to His disciples,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAfu27QDRevriC6WhpcJc7eIT0LyOav0iFqS_zZ_j6wFNn2bL9NGzpSrkeiwfEaYbjdtNReyQbt9vGC_XK9gI-mA3wIM8ESM9YHokgi3z2bfdfDgOmxnJ1T9vwr2ERUoX6IWkNbNKDMU/s1600/24.05.2017.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/AVvXsEgpAfu27QDRevriC6WhpcJc7eIT0LyOav0iFqS_zZ_j6wFNn2bL9NGzpSrkeiwfEaYbjdtNReyQbt9vGC_XK9gI-mA3wIM8ESM9YHokgi3z2bfdfDgOmxnJ1T9vwr2ERUoX6IWkNbNKDMU/s1600/24.05.2017.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. <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;">Note how the Holy Spirit guides Christ’s disciples into all the truth and how He glorifies Christ. Remember that Christ is the Truth, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 14:6</b>. And in today’s gospel, we see that the Holy Spirit leads Christ’s disciples into all the truth by not speaking on His own but what is Christ’s. Again, He glorifies Christ by declaring what is Christ’s.<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;">I would like us to pick two things from today’s gospel. Since Christ is the truth, a decision to speak what is not Christ’s, is a decision to lie. Again, one can only glorify Christ by declaring what is Christ’s. <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 now ask ourselves individually and collectively whether we lead others to Christ by speaking the truth or to somewhere else. Again, who do we glorify – Christ or something else? Why do we say that Christ or the Holy Spirit or the Blessed Virgin Mary said what we know they did not say and will never say? Let us remind ourselves that whoever leads anyone astray will never go scot-free, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 18:6; Mk 9:42</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;">: Matt 18:6-9; 2Cor 1:16-20.<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;"> Leading others to where?<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 God help us lead our brothers and sisters into all the truth and glorify Christ by doing so – 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 Spirit of truth: Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter (24th May, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter (24 th May, 2017) on the Gospel   Acts 17:15.22–18:1; Ps 148:1-2.1...

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...He will prove the world wrong (Jn 16:8): Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter (23rd May, 2017).

<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 Sixth Week of Easter (23^rd May, 2017) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Acts 16:22-34;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ps 138:1-3.7-8. (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;">Jn 16:5-11</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: ...He will prove the world wrong </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 16:8</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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiEoVZwC8_UADBm6wbLJfjT4Xaa2EGPpgFZd3xbud69-XzhDtDRzLzhIBnXCx3LZ9cf_B50nMVuZd-_WNHO2CcGmafk2hCWw8Jbx0YVSzJcsPtzMJmMNdb7Wnk97WOSnve5laeVE51L8/s1600/23.05.2017.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/AVvXsEhJiEoVZwC8_UADBm6wbLJfjT4Xaa2EGPpgFZd3xbud69-XzhDtDRzLzhIBnXCx3LZ9cf_B50nMVuZd-_WNHO2CcGmafk2hCWw8Jbx0YVSzJcsPtzMJmMNdb7Wnk97WOSnve5laeVE51L8/s1600/23.05.2017.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Holy Spirit is very important in our lives as individuals and as the body of Christ (the Church), cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 12:27; Eph 4:30. 5:23; Jn 14:16</b>. However, many commit a lot of atrocities both in their utterances and deeds in the name of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes one wonders if the fruits of the Holy Spirit enumerated by the apostle Paul are still anything to go by: “...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gal 5:22-23</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";">What does one gain from all these other than material things that will expire sooner than we imagine (cf. <strong>1Jn 2:17</strong>)? We all must give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Pt 4:5</b>. This judge knows the secrets of every heart and will repay every person according their deeds, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 44:21; Prov 24:12</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";">Although “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 21:2</b>). Many have uncountable reasons why they commit atrocities in the name of God. And “Because sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the sons of men is fully set to do evil” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eccl 8:11</b>). We are sure that it must certainly come, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Pt 3:9-10</b>. Whoever fails to follow God, multiplies his/her sorrows, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 16:4</b>. Jesus is telling us in today’s gospel, “And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 16:8</b>). We must be careful because God will not judge with the world’s standard, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 11:3</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;">: Gal 5:16-26; 2Pt 3:1-13.<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%; 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;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">...joy comes with the morning (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 30:5</b>)</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%;"> Lord, “Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit” – Amen (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 51:12</b>).<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="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; 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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<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%; 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; line-height: 110%; 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; 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...He will prove the world wrong (Jn 16:8): Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter (23rd May, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter (23 rd May, 2017) on the Gospel Acts 16:22-34; Ps 138:1-3.7-8. (R. v.7); ...

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God sustains His people: Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter (22nd May, 2017).

<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 Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter (22^nd May, 2017) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Acts 16:11-15;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 149:1-6.9. (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;">Jn 15:26–16:4</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 sustains His people</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/AVvXsEhJCqo-z8cXmACDZMccmHbHVaVs5c98V5_7gry1FF-r_K_d8YJaLuvgBkpP4X31HH-SJcwRdux4A1bHOm_V-q9fUJZ_6tO_XSyXP8Gn061XdtvlbJgZrF5WtwzlNqSrP0P359calTFhkQM/s1600/19.09.2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCqo-z8cXmACDZMccmHbHVaVs5c98V5_7gry1FF-r_K_d8YJaLuvgBkpP4X31HH-SJcwRdux4A1bHOm_V-q9fUJZ_6tO_XSyXP8Gn061XdtvlbJgZrF5WtwzlNqSrP0P359calTFhkQM/s1600/19.09.2016.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In today’s gospel, Jesus told His disciples things as they would be to prevent them from stumbling:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; 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="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me.<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;">When we juxtapose Christ’s message with what many give today in God’s name, one wonders. We tend to forget often that this work is God’s, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 14:10</b>. And the task of protecting the flock is also the Lord’s, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Sam 17:47; 2Ch 20:15</b>. As a result, there is no need for all the false promises, prophesies, messages, and so on we give and hear today. Jesus promised to be with always, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 14:18; Matt 28:20</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;">: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Ps 25</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 is not yet tired for the work</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><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, lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long – Amen (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 25:5</b>) – 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; 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%; 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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></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 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<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%; 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; 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God sustains His people: Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter (22nd May, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter (22 nd May, 2017) on the Gospel Acts 16:11-15; Ps 149:1-6.9. (R. v.4); ...

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Wants the Holy Spirit?: Sixth Sunday of Easter, (A) (21st May, 2017) .

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Homily (Reflection) for Sixth Sunday of Easter, (A) (21</span>^{<span style="font-size: small;">st</span>}<span style="font-size: large;"> May, 2017) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Acts 8:5-8.14-17;</span></div> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ps. 65:1-7.16.20 (R. v. 1);</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">1Pt 3:15-18;</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 14:15-21</b>.</span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A philanthropist noticed that the number of people who gathered to benefit from his generosity is steadily increasing. Although he came home with huge sum of money, different food stuff, among other things but he thought of what would be their fate when he leave the world. As a result, while addressing them he expressed his desire to make them self-reliant. Since a good number of them pointed accusing fingers to lack of job opportunities, he promised to help them find something doing. They were very happy to hear all these. He went on to tell them that he would do this by helping them in their farms, building of acquisition centres for them and by taking some to the city. On hearing of farms and skill acquisition centres many left him accusing him of insulting them. Even most of those whom he took to the city wanted the money without working for it. </span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Topic:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Wants the Holy Spirit?</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95lb17Emqv4Yb10lnN9WmQ4Wu8ZiAq4cqKvBeXMAanYdPa-gMo-Fiet9wE7mZmko0J2R0mN6knMxxL1qyhk-OOiFAhYkv2-B6Rxahe3k7AHZHBlJ3mi6mQNo4hrMZVnig2kHhH5ggJ2U/s1600/21.05.2017.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/AVvXsEj95lb17Emqv4Yb10lnN9WmQ4Wu8ZiAq4cqKvBeXMAanYdPa-gMo-Fiet9wE7mZmko0J2R0mN6knMxxL1qyhk-OOiFAhYkv2-B6Rxahe3k7AHZHBlJ3mi6mQNo4hrMZVnig2kHhH5ggJ2U/s1600/21.05.2017.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Next two Sundays is the Solemnity of that day the disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost). In preparation for this, many parishes, societies, and even individuals do a lot of things which include the Novena to the Holy Spirit. However, it is important to ask ourselves, do we just want to fulfil one of those rituals or does it mean that we want that same Spirit our fathers in faith received that made them truly Christians? We read from the Acts of the Apostles: “</span>But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 1:8</b>). Peter who could not stand before the maids when filled with the Holy Spirit was able to talk to the rulers and the elders to their faces, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 4:8; Mk 14:66-71</b>.</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Holy Spirit is very important hence David prayed: “Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 51:11</b>). It is important to know that Holy Spirit can be one’s enemy; hence prophet Isaiah wrote: “But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 63:10</b>). Saint Paul wrote: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 6:19</b>). In his letter to the Ephesians he warns: “… do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 4:30</b>).</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We read from the gospel: </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 14:15-17</b>).</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This quotation points to the fact that the Holy Spirit is God’s gift to those who love him. Saint Peter and other apostles say in Acts of the Apostles: “And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 5:32</b>). </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Dear friends, whoever wants the Holy Spirit must ask the Father who is ever ready to give the Holy Spirit to whoever truly asks for it, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 11:13</b>. And the gift of the Holy Spirit cannot be obtained through dubious means as Simon the magician thought, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 8:18-19</b>. Again, it is freely given by the Father to whoever is ready for it, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 10:45</b>. So as we prepare for the solemnity of Pentecost let us not prepare for the gifts as the people we saw in our introductory story but let us prepare for the Holy Spirit by working on our lives. The choice is ours.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Rom 12:1-21; Is 63:7-14</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thought for today:</b> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do you really want to receive the Holy Spirit?</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Lord, help us to be ready for the Holy Spirit so that as we prepare for the celebration of that day the apostles received Him, may we also be ready for Him</span> – Amen. </span></span></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><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></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; 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Wants the Holy Spirit?: Sixth Sunday of Easter, (A) (21st May, 2017) .

Homily (Reflection) for Sixth Sunday of Easter, (A) (21 st May, 2017) on the Gospel Acts 8:5-8.14-17; Ps. 65:1-7.16.20 (R. v. 1); ...

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The consequence: Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter (20th May, 2017).

<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 Fifth Week of Easter (20^th May, 2017) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Acts 16:1-10;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 100:1-2.3.5. (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;">Jn 15:18-21</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: The consequence</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;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaRHeOWbhjCzMQhr76RtyqQ92h8hgAGJAti_5CYMW-LaTJ7NHQKoLseaWITVmnLswafiec39NZgOOj5Dk3eeXuHrBcqUs6khikkdN33LFb6NbjYFTH8AqKdRM39RZYb4RVjU-dzyR0g4/s1600/20.05.2017.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/AVvXsEhvaRHeOWbhjCzMQhr76RtyqQ92h8hgAGJAti_5CYMW-LaTJ7NHQKoLseaWITVmnLswafiec39NZgOOj5Dk3eeXuHrBcqUs6khikkdN33LFb6NbjYFTH8AqKdRM39RZYb4RVjU-dzyR0g4/s1600/20.05.2017.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many think that once one becomes a Christian, it earns him/her the respect of the entire whole. And some are ready today to buy it at any price. However, Jesus repeatedly foretold of the troubles that might befall His disciples on account of His name, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 10:16-25; Mk 13:9-13; Lk 21:12-17; Jn 16:2-4</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;">And in today’s gospel He is also telling us,<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;">If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 15:18,20</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;">It is better we prepare ourselves for the task lest we become Christians just for this present life. In the words of Saint Paul, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 15:19</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%;">Although God can reward His faithful servants in this present life, but ultimately our hope is in the world to come, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Tim 4:8; 1Cor 2:9</b>. We must remember always the words of Apostle James, </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 4:4</b>). The Psalmist wrote, “The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 25:14</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;">: Jas 4:1-10; Ps 25:1-22.<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;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">...friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 25:14</b>)</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: 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, give us the grace to bear all that will befall us on account of your name – 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; 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%; 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The consequence: Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter (20th May, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter (20 th May, 2017) on the Gospel Acts 16:1-10; Ps 100:1-2.3.5. (R. v. 1...

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Christ’s commandments: Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter (19th May, 2017).

<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 Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter (19^th May, 2017) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Acts 15:22-31;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 56:8-12. (R. v. 10);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jn 15:12-17</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: Christ’s commandments</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 is also the continuation of Jesus’ teaching that started two days ago. We remember that the condition for abiding in His love is keeping His commandments. And today, Jesus zeroed in on His commandments,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyYJojW9Xw6Ob3kDOXfyaheUi8nwVhVJxEG3KfE3O2at8BGYBF8Pc00D1Ke_Ic_xHkJ1iA73Fs1n3CqE8QRhj1b_DVpt51DeuGOsQ2ykmVYZXneowevk6Qz8ubrHKIogfiWKW1WWba7A/s1600/imagesLVJ26W6Z.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/AVvXsEgmyYJojW9Xw6Ob3kDOXfyaheUi8nwVhVJxEG3KfE3O2at8BGYBF8Pc00D1Ke_Ic_xHkJ1iA73Fs1n3CqE8QRhj1b_DVpt51DeuGOsQ2ykmVYZXneowevk6Qz8ubrHKIogfiWKW1WWba7A/s1600/imagesLVJ26W6Z.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.<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;">Jesus addressed us further, “You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.”<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;">Did you notice a change from “my commandments” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 15:10</b>) to “my commandment” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 15:12</b>)? Saint Paul wrote, “The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 13:9</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;">Christ calls on us all to love one another, not in word or speech but in deed and in truth, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn 3:18</b>. Whoever wants to abide in Christ’s love must therefore love his/her neighbours as Christ loves us.<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;">: 1Jn 4:7-21.<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;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Follow love, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Jn 1:6</b></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: 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 God teach us how to love as His Son Jesus Christ loves us all – 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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Christ’s commandments: Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter (19th May, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter (19 th May, 2017) on the Gospel Acts 15:22-31; Ps 56:8-12. (R. v. 10)...

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Abiding in Christ’s love: Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter (18th May, 2017).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 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 Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter (18^th May, 2017) on the Gospel</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Acts 15:7-21;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 95:1-3.10. (R. cf. v.3);<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 15:9-11</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: Abiding in Christ’s love</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;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMB5e6wjPPipQT760HQEqdjnjf0HdAkWOS9JwP-a67ygHV90d9dt4PTEPk3yQqieZ1IbMmzEm-yQpkIpY9wA5k-mv4FxIIaTuN9LaPH94czFdDcYxROWj_2nxhITYGWPJ_9VFZJ-D6HzA/s1600/18.05.2017.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/AVvXsEhMB5e6wjPPipQT760HQEqdjnjf0HdAkWOS9JwP-a67ygHV90d9dt4PTEPk3yQqieZ1IbMmzEm-yQpkIpY9wA5k-mv4FxIIaTuN9LaPH94czFdDcYxROWj_2nxhITYGWPJ_9VFZJ-D6HzA/s1600/18.05.2017.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In yesterday’s gospel, Jesus began a teaching on the connection between Himself, the Father, and His followers. He identified Himself as the true vine, the Father vinedresser, and His followers the branches. Today’s gospel is the continuation of the teaching. And it reads, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 15:9-10</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;">Although one can easily claim to be keeping Christ’s commandments, however Saint James rightly concludes, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">...whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For the one who said, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘You shall not commit murder. Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 2:10-11</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 therefore strive harder and harder to keep Christ’s commandments so that we can abide in His love. Remember that apart from Him, we are nothing, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 15:5</b>. In tomorrow’s gospel, Jesus will spell out His commandments.<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;">: Jas 2:8-13.<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;"> Keeping Christ’s commandments.<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 abide in your love always by keeping all your commandments – 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; 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-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; 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mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><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.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;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="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<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%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; 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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<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%; 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; line-height: 110%; 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; 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; 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Abiding in Christ’s love: Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter (18th May, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter (18 th May, 2017) on the Gospel   Acts 15:7-21; Ps 95:1-3.10. (R. c...

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Branches of the vine: Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter (17th May, 2017).

<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 Fifth Week of Easter (17^th May, 2017) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 50%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">  </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Acts 15:1-6;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ps 121:1-5. (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;">Jn 15:1-8</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: Branches of the vine</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;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfDKlryBUu1VbIZ_qfkvE-wQEboTuCKwNgRlN_hfC2qzK5Uey-90azDhzdlUj4fEiRM83bhGh1BOwXdYwdpjXgyDpdc-BJyN2qlhIgvgYiFzrHy2y-BO0JBeKL-bXHT73j3ArshjmzuY/s1600/17.05.2017.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfDKlryBUu1VbIZ_qfkvE-wQEboTuCKwNgRlN_hfC2qzK5Uey-90azDhzdlUj4fEiRM83bhGh1BOwXdYwdpjXgyDpdc-BJyN2qlhIgvgYiFzrHy2y-BO0JBeKL-bXHT73j3ArshjmzuY/s1600/17.05.2017.png" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jesus used the parable of the vine to illustrate the connection between Him and His disciples. His Father, the vinegrower prunes fruitful branches to bear more and removes unfruitful ones to wither and be thrown into the fire. His disciples were pruned by His words. And He warned,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. <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 Paul tells us that we become part of Christ (Christians) to bear fruits for God, cf.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Rom 7:4</b>. Good tree bears good fruit whereas bad one bears bad fruit, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 6:43; Matt 7:18</b>. John the Baptist warned the Pharisees and the Sadducees who came to him for baptism and in fact all of us, “Bear fruit that befits repentance” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 3:8; cf. Lk 3:8</b>). In line with today’s gospel, John the Baptist went ahead and warned, “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 3:10</b>). Jesus also gave the same warning, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 7:19</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";">Each and every one of us must therefore prove that he/she is worthy of remaining part of the vine by bearing good fruits. And the desired fruits include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gal 5:22-23a</b>. Our Father is glorified by bearing much good fruits. And He will glorify those who glorified Him, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 13:32; 2Tim 2:11-12</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;">: Matt 7:15-20; Gal 5:16-26.<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;"> One must bear fruits to live.<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 bear good fruits to remain part of the vine – 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; 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-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; 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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<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%; 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; line-height: 110%; 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; 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> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <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>

Branches of the vine: Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter (17th May, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter (17 th May, 2017) on the Gospel   Acts 15:1-6; Ps 121:1-5. (R. cf. v....

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