Determining factor: Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (21st March, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (21^st March, 2018) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dan 3:14-20.24-25.28;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dan 3:52-56 (R. v. 52);<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 8:31-42</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;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topic: Determining factor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></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/AVvXsEgkKtmpDQgMTTbJpciAAIx2CsjyhWpz7QNAu6MLwvD9VSb5_KPWEcVz3HlEFWVZ5117i2R97Pxsg55kDZFi1FrCZKbxYPs6H4udam_Iqqlm1wGKC-lfOBJc3DF_U634RbhyphenhyphentOxrgMD_9U4/s1600/21.03.2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKtmpDQgMTTbJpciAAIx2CsjyhWpz7QNAu6MLwvD9VSb5_KPWEcVz3HlEFWVZ5117i2R97Pxsg55kDZFi1FrCZKbxYPs6H4udam_Iqqlm1wGKC-lfOBJc3DF_U634RbhyphenhyphentOxrgMD_9U4/s1600/21.03.2018.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Imagine one promising a president’s son or daughter freedom from slavery yet he/she still goes wherever he/she wants. This may help us understand the scenario in today’s gospel in which Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They protested, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free?’”<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 explained, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever.” In line with this, Saint Paul wrote to the Romans, “you were slaves of sin” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 6:20</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;">Nobody is free in a sense, one must either be the slave of God or of the enemy, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 6:22; 7:4; Matt 11:28-30</b>. Like the Jews who were surprised to hear that they were slaves, it is possible that some do not know where they belong.<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;">That one is baptized (born-again) is not enough. Surely, the sacrament of baptism makes one among other things a child of God. However, it is important to remember that one can lose this position, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 6:18; Gal 5:1</b>. It is important also to remember as we make choices that “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 6:23</b>). We are to live as free men and women, yet without using our freedom as a pretext for evil; but to live as servants of God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Pt 2:16</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 11:28-30; 1Pt 2:11-17.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Are you free or a captive?<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, we ask you to make us free indeed – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; 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Determining factor: Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (21st March, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (21 st March, 2018) on the Gospel   Dan 3:14-20.24-25.28; Dan 3:52-5...

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We are going away: Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (20th March, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (20^th March, 2018) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Num 21:4-9;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 101:2-3.16-21 (R. v. 2);<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 8:21-30</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;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topic: We are going away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></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/AVvXsEhIEzMi_ORhlf3JMTmXz6Joz6pQDMVZGngo9hl7nPug4UdYJBQLLgWRyPkWHJNWlxFyp7IManPz2wLfxi-OXRbCOl2zx6q-RD7rK_U18FI5rDoEFhAixyLZi5uPIdIPe0-bI7Ikz1q6Ul4/s1600/20.03.2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEzMi_ORhlf3JMTmXz6Joz6pQDMVZGngo9hl7nPug4UdYJBQLLgWRyPkWHJNWlxFyp7IManPz2wLfxi-OXRbCOl2zx6q-RD7rK_U18FI5rDoEFhAixyLZi5uPIdIPe0-bI7Ikz1q6Ul4/s1600/20.03.2018.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus said to the Jews in today’s gospel “I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” Although the Jews did not understand Him yet Jesus went on, <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;">You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.<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;">Today’s gospel reads further, <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;">When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realise that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.<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;">About Christians we read in the gospel, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 15:19</b>). Again, “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 15:10</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;">So like Jesus the head, we the body are not of the world, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Col 1:18</b>. However, the big question is whether God is still with us or not. The best way to answer this is through the life we live. The Father is always with the Son because the Son always does what is pleasing to Him. Do we always please God through our actions? If yes, God is still with us, if not we must repent now because we are also going away. And the life we live now determines where we are going – heaven or hell, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dan 12:2</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;">: Jn 15:18 – 16:4.<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%;">Is God still with you?</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 we pray you to help us do you will always – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; 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We are going away: Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (20th March, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (20 th March, 2018) on the Gospel   Num 21:4-9; Ps 101:2-3.16-21 (R. v...

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Truly righteous: Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of B.V.M. (19th March, 2018)

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of B.V.M. (19^th March, 2018) on the Gospel and the Solemnity<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;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"></span></b> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">2Sam 7:4-5. 12-14.16;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ps 89:2-5.27.29 (R. v. 37); <o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Rom 4:13.16-18.22;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt 1:16.18-21.24 or Lk 2:41-51</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJrITXRYPo0rTYeEwj5TT2YquqhKEB5bM6I9BjT9YqfML6moSAS_SAMnEHNasq5dkEy0o2149OLfaZGR3XJFNNVQWt9qMvGVeas8XmNYaH4EzyZ6Thwoid9UpQuV9vwf10pODDAOHY5I/s1600/19.03.2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJrITXRYPo0rTYeEwj5TT2YquqhKEB5bM6I9BjT9YqfML6moSAS_SAMnEHNasq5dkEy0o2149OLfaZGR3XJFNNVQWt9qMvGVeas8XmNYaH4EzyZ6Thwoid9UpQuV9vwf10pODDAOHY5I/s1600/19.03.2018.png" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 4pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Saint Joseph, spouse of the </span></span></b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blessed_Virgin_Mary" title="Blessed Virgin Mary"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Blessed Virgin Mary</span></span></b></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> and f</span><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">oster-father of </span></b></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Christ" title="Jesus Christ"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jesus Christ</span></span></b></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> is the p</span><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">rince and patron of the Universal Church.</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> According to </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">apocryphal, he was born in Bethlehem and died in Nazareth. He was a simple village carpenter and is venerated in the Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, Lutheranism, Methodism, Eastern Orthodox Church, and Oriental Orthodox Church. Saint Joseph is also the patron of unborn children, fathers, immigrants, workers, employment, carpenters, realtors, against doubt and hesitation, and of a happy death, Canada, Croatia, Korea, Vietnam, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines, and many others. </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_XXIII" title="Pope John XXIII"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pope John XXIII</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> added his name to the </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_of_the_Mass" title="Canon of the Mass"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Canon of the Mass</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">. </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Francis" title="Pope Francis"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pope Francis</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> had his name added to the three other </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucharistic_Prayer" title="Eucharistic Prayer"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Eucharistic Prayers</span></span></a><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2017-2018)/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter%20(2018)/Fifth%20Week%20of%20Lent.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[1]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Topic: Truly righteous.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The gospel (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 1:16.18-21.24a</b>) tells us about the great saint we are celebrating. Mary the mother of Jesus who had been engaged to Joseph was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. The gospel goes further, “being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.” And in a dream the angel of the Lord told him how it all happened and instructed him to take his wife. And, “When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.”<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%;">In the life of Saint Joseph we see in action, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #292929; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Think before acting</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. If he was impulsive in his action, he wouldn’t have had the time he needed to plan on what to do. And it was legitimate for him to expose Mary to public ridicule and shameful death, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lev 20:10</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-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">We have a lot of lessons to learn from the life of Saint Joseph. Although according to laws we have right to a lot of things yet we must be careful lest we hurt our brothers and sisters. One’s right can be forfeited for a higher right, cf.</span> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Matt 19:12</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. Again, we are called to do God’s will and not ours, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Tim 2:26; Heb 13:21</b>. Joseph is a wonderful example. He took Mary as commanded by God contrary to his own decision. Do we do God’s will or ours? We must follow the example of Saint Joseph to be truly righteous.<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;">: Rom 9:19-29; 2Tim 2:14-26.<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;"> We are called to be </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">righteous</span></b><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 all the graces we need to be truly righteous – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Saint Joseph – Pray for us</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<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%; 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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="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 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: footnote-list;"> <!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br /> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /> <!--[endif]--> <br /> <div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.7in;"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2017-2018)/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter%20(2018)/Fifth%20Week%20of%20Lent.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[1]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph</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>

Truly righteous: Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of B.V.M. (19th March, 2018)

Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of B.V.M. (19 th March, 2018) on the Gospel and the Solemnity   2Sam ...

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They want to see Jesus: Fifth Sunday of Lent (B) (18th March, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent (B) (18^th March, 2018) on the Gospel <o:p></o:p></span></b></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jer 31:31-34;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 50:3-4.12-15 (R. v. 12);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Heb 5:7-9;<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 12:20-33</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A newly consecrated Bishop once asked during the Episcopal conference whether he could talk. Although it was not certain whether he asked that just to make them laugh however the question threw them into light mood after which the president of the conference asked him why he asked the question and he replied, ‘Because I am just a newly consecrated auxiliary bishop’. The president went further and asked him as ‘just a newly consecrated auxiliary bishop’ whether he is a member of the Bishops Conference and he said yes. And the president told him: “You are a member because you are a bishop. And every member can air his view”.<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;"></span></b></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Topic: They want to see Jesus</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><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/AVvXsEjDQz4Dp2aICyC-hGdiWQ25s0TkjowpCIVgCojJPeGh9STAsCUjBzJZOcy6Bv8eU5JtCDJqhUcB1Y-yLcqcr-seaz9V34jJNjCP35WD5M6_7hsH4ohbsDCZNLrTai30DhUKAg5MApiTAdg/s1600/18.03.2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQz4Dp2aICyC-hGdiWQ25s0TkjowpCIVgCojJPeGh9STAsCUjBzJZOcy6Bv8eU5JtCDJqhUcB1Y-yLcqcr-seaz9V34jJNjCP35WD5M6_7hsH4ohbsDCZNLrTai30DhUKAg5MApiTAdg/s1600/18.03.2018.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first verse of today’s gospel reads, “Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 12:20</b>). The festival in question was that one Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly. Those Greeks who were present at the festival were also the Greeks who came to Philip and made this request, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 12:21</b>). Although the gospel did not tell us why they wanted to see Jesus but meeting with Jesus could do much more than one could imagine. Hence the Psalmist said, “Come and see what God has done” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 66:5</b>). And when Andrew and the other disciple asked Jesus of where he lived he invited them thus, “Come and see” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:39</b>). Philip also invited Nathaniel to Jesus with the same words, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:46</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; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the gospel according to Matthew, while commissioning his disciples Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 28:19</b>). Often we see this and similar passages as directed to those who are called in a special way to serve God and humanity in various capacities in the church. A question came to me as I reflect on today’s gospel, ‘What about others?’ This is based on the fact that Jesus said to his disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 1:8</b>). In other words, the Holy Spirit gave the disciples the power to be Christ’s witnesses. And every Christian receives gifts of the Holy Spirit at Baptism and Confirmation, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 2:38-39; 2Tim 1:6-7</b>. What are they for? <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-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Very easy for one to defend himself/herself by saying that nobody has approached him/her saying, ‘I or we want to see Jesus’. In the gospel according to Matthew we read, “... whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 18:6; cf. Matt 18:14; Mk 9:42 Lk 17:2</b>). Again, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 5:16</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; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although no one may have asked us, ‘I or we want to see Jesus’ but certainly many look up to us to show them Jesus. We can either help them see Jesus or take them farther away from Jesus. Hence, in the first letter of Saint Peter we also read, “Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in case they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Pt 2:12</b>; cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 5:16</b>). Saint Paul extended this to what we eat, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 14:15</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, we all have the power to be Christ’s witnesses. Let nobody think like the Auxiliary Bishop we saw in our introductory story who thought he could not speak in the Bishops conference because he was a newly consecrated Auxiliary Bishop. We all are members of Christ’s body, the church, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 5: 23, 30</b>. Every member of Christ’s body has this special task of not just making people see Jesus Christ but also helping them to understand him better. Every member of Christ’s body can either help or hinder others in their search for Jesus Christ. Let us conclude with Christ’s own words: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 12:30; Lk 11:23</b>). Let us gather with and for Christ for we have been bought at a price, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 7:23</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; text-indent: 0in;"> <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; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Readings</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Matt 5:13-16; 28:19-20; Dan 12:1-3; Acts 1:6-11; Rom 14: 13-23; 15:1-6; 1Pt 2:11-17.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="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;">Thought for today</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">: Do you take people to Jesus Christ or out of Jesus Christ?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; 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; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lord, forgive us for the many times we have led people away from you. Give us the grace to lead others to you </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">– Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.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;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; 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text-indent: 0in;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; 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="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; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

They want to see Jesus: Fifth Sunday of Lent (B) (18th March, 2018).

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent (B) (18 th March, 2018) on the Gospel Jer 31:31-34; Ps 50:3-4.12-15 (R. v. 12); Heb 5:7-9; ...

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Yet to hear His last: Feast of Saint Patrick, Bp, (17th March, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Saint Patrick, Bp, (17^th March, 2018) on the Gospel and the Feast<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;">1Pt 4:7b-11;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 96:1-3.7-8.9-10. (R. 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;">Lk 5:1-11</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">According to the Confession of Patrick, Saint Patrick (Apostle of Ireland) was captured by Irish pirates from his home in Great Britain when he was about 16, and taken as a slave to Ireland. He reunited with his family after six years and later returned to northern and western Ireland as a missionary and later a bishop.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 4pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTls0XYu0bb5GYR_w6y6xQfwjhBCmpqOoLB3NMMQGniDHDJiL9zdkVx_zI3FG0INcMcdPBPNHJTgFyTvcvTF3Plb9YZZj4DivMjWjCMTT3cUtJu-6Iw1wzEc9vtm30_HXg5TvQGoRO07Q/s1600/17.03.2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTls0XYu0bb5GYR_w6y6xQfwjhBCmpqOoLB3NMMQGniDHDJiL9zdkVx_zI3FG0INcMcdPBPNHJTgFyTvcvTF3Plb9YZZj4DivMjWjCMTT3cUtJu-6Iw1wzEc9vtm30_HXg5TvQGoRO07Q/s1600/17.03.2018.png" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is the patron of Ireland, Nigeria, Montserrat, Archdiocese of New York, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, Boston, Rolla, Missouri (USA), Loíza, Puerto Rico, Murcia (Spain), Clann Giolla Phádraig, engineers, paralegals, and Archdiocese of Melbourne. He is also invoked against snakes, and sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Saint Patrick is venerated today, 17 March, which is said to be the date of his death</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2017-2018)/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter%20(2018)/Fourth%20Week%20of%20Lent.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: #2e7061;">[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;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topic: Yet to hear His last.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></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 Peter, Andrew, James, and John were washing their nets after all night fishing without success when Jesus came, entered into Peter’s boat and taught the people from there. After His teaching Jesus said to them, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Although Peter expressed their ordeals, he went on to say “Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” And “When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.” Peter pleaded with Jesus to leave them yet He said to them, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”<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 Patrick also had his own ordeals. Yet after regaining his freedom and became a priest, he went back to the land of his captivity and preached the gospel tirelessly. His apostolate was so much felt that he is not celebrated in Ireland by the church alone but also by the entire country. <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 has history dented with lots of things including setbacks, mistakes, anxieties, disappointments, difficulties, and so on. Some of us have even terribly resigned to fate and cannot see any future again. Today’s gospel and the life of the Saint Patrick encourage us to listen to Jesus as He instructs us. Let no one be tied down by his/her past. God has better plans for you and me. He will do a new thing in our lives, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 43:19; Jer 31:22</b>. He only demands us to obey Him like Peter and his colleagues and continue to move on after the example of Saint Patrick. If we do these, we will be amazed at what God will turn our weaknesses and disappointments into.<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;">: Is 43:1-21.<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;"> Allow God to use you.<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 the good Lord help us surrender our lives to Him – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint Patrick – Pray for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <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;">You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><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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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; 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="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><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: 0in 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: 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%20II%20(2017-2018)/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter%20(2018)/Fourth%20Week%20of%20Lent.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: #2e7061;">[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/Saint_Patrick"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick</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>

Yet to hear His last: Feast of Saint Patrick, Bp, (17th March, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Saint Patrick, Bp, (17 th March, 2018) on the Gospel and the Feast   1Pt 4:7b-11; Ps 96:1-3...

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Knowing one’s identity: Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent (16th March, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent (16^th March, 2018) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wis 2:1.12-22;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 33:16.18.19-21.23. (R. v. 19);<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 7:1-2.10.25-30</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topic: Knowing one’s identity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></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/AVvXsEhy7icwbDEE8zAfJ9ldeeMTf-sfMKdWzaJKrOZGudUke-fXV_iuPOLfs9-E0IzZ-n_YdnoI7qvj9-Vel0efV8NWFJ0XY338lPu7tIbfzRUzyLYIeQ7D6o4nhsEk3_Meg-z0a29GodGMWTE/s1600/16.03.2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7icwbDEE8zAfJ9ldeeMTf-sfMKdWzaJKrOZGudUke-fXV_iuPOLfs9-E0IzZ-n_YdnoI7qvj9-Vel0efV8NWFJ0XY338lPu7tIbfzRUzyLYIeQ7D6o4nhsEk3_Meg-z0a29GodGMWTE/s1600/16.03.2018.png" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gospel tells us how Jesus went to the festival of Booths (Tabernacles). In the temple people were discussing about Jesus’ identity. Jesus cried out while teaching, <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;">You know me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 7:28-29</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-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In all the gospels, Jesus is always certain of His identity. Hence, although most of the Jews including His own brothers never believed in Him yet He was never deterred (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 7:5</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes people wait for those to discover them and/or to give them opportunity. Remember the true saying, where there is a will there is a way. What each person needs most is self-realisation and not those to discover and/or to give opportunity. One should thank God however if he/she has the privilege of having people who understand him/her but if not that is not the end of the road. Saint Paul likened what we have to treasures in earthen vessels, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Cor 4:7</b>. Jesus never waited for any human being not even His brothers. Break your shell, come out, and rise to better the world.<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 2:1-13.<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;"> You are much more than what you think.<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 discover who we are and to live them out – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </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;">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; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></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;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="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; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><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;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 10%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></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;">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; 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: 0in 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>

Knowing one’s identity: Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent (16th March, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent (16 th March, 2018) on the Gospel   Wis 2:1.12-22; Ps 33:16.18.19-21.2...

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True testimonies: Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent (15th March, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent (15^th March, 2018) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ex 32:7-14;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 105:19-23. (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 5:31-47</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;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topic: True testimonies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></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;">We remember the popular saying, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vox populi Vox Dei</i></b> meaning that the voice of people is the voice of God. And it is normally very hard for one to make any person see a loophole in this saying.<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/AVvXsEitPDD3bTUBkz2RMOoLjXP6oNrLPSv5tBUVHQfIvCN2THTYxmh-JeLbc-RZ4b_9bHTJ99hk4ZyQH3f2R6lQmc-1cMYql3PBBiqP5KlEdjEfHUJpfV7o7mqlCLa3hs6eYeXlT_CQzDYrz-s/s1600/15.03.2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPDD3bTUBkz2RMOoLjXP6oNrLPSv5tBUVHQfIvCN2THTYxmh-JeLbc-RZ4b_9bHTJ99hk4ZyQH3f2R6lQmc-1cMYql3PBBiqP5KlEdjEfHUJpfV7o7mqlCLa3hs6eYeXlT_CQzDYrz-s/s1600/15.03.2018.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;">In today’s gospel however, Jesus tells us, “I do not accept glory from human beings.” Although He knew that John correctly testified to the truth yet He only made reference to that just for the salvation of the people.<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;">Quite contrary to what we see today Jesus goes on, <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;">But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 5:36-37a</b>). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The prophet Jeremiah warns “Let everyone beware of his neighbour, and put no trust in any brother; for every brother is a supplanter, and every neighbour goes about as a slanderer” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jer 9:4; cf. Mic 7:5</b>). In the gospel we read, “When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 2:23-24</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 remember that “the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 8:7</b>). God “is a sun and shield; he bestows favour and honour. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 84:11; cf. Ps 62:7</b>). God and what we do are the true testimonies. So let us trust in God and do our work. We must “seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is 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%; 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;">: Pss 84; 146.<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;"> Trust in the Lord and do His works.<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 a heart that can trust you entirely – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </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;">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; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></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;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; 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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: 0in 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>

True testimonies: Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent (15th March, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent (15 th March, 2018) on the Gospel   Ex 32:7-14; Ps 105:19-23. (R. v....

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