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Lies beget lies: Easter Monday (Octave of Easter: Monday) (22nd April, 2019).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 05:25

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for Easter Monday
(Octave of Easter: Monday) (22<sup>nd</sup> April, 2019) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Lies beget lies</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had left the tomb with fear
and great joy to give the apostles the good news when Jesus met them. And He
said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee;
there they will see me.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the other hand, when the chief priests heard about Jesus’
resurrection, they met with the elders before bribing the guards with large sum
of money and instructed them thus, “You must say, ‘His disciples came by night
and stole him away while we were asleep.’” The guards were also assured of
their safety should the governor come to hear of it. And this false story is
regrettably still told among the Jews to this day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The chief priests and their cohorts put up lies just to have
Jesus put to death. Now, they are faced with another reality, the resurrection
of Jesus. We see them in today’s gospel still bent on covering the Truth, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 14:6</b>. No wonder Jesus warns, “Truly,
I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter
the kingdom of heaven” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 18:3</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge
of the truth” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Tim 2:4</b>). Saint Paul
also wrote, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 6:17</b>).
No matter how hard a man tries, the word of God cannot be fettered, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Tim 2:9</b>. And let no one add or subtract
from God’s word, (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 30:6</b>). We
must speak the truth to one another, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph
4:25</b>. Lies only beget lies to the point of stupidity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Eph 6:10-20;
Prov 30:1-9</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>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> His word endures forever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> God, give us your grace to be always
open to truth – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<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>
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Lies beget lies: Easter Monday (Octave of Easter: Monday) (22nd April, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Easter Monday (Octave of Easter: Monday) (22 nd April, 2019) on the Gospel Acts 2:14.22-33; Ps 15:1-2....

After Lent, What Next?: Easter Sunday (21st April, 2019).

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Homily (Reflection) for Easter Sunday (21</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;">
April, 2019) on the Gospel and the celebration<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Acts 10:34.37-43;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ps 117:1-2.16-17.22-23. (R.v. 24);</span><br />

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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There is a story of a man who was picked up in a gutter on
Good Friday. He left his house very early in the morning. His wife, children,
and friends found it very difficult to believe that it was the man that they
saw in such a state. Although he was notorious for taking too much alcohol but
all through the period of Lent he was a different man. He did not test alcohol
at all the whole period of Lent. When he regained consciousness they asked him
why he took to drinking again. And he told them that the joy in his heart was
unimaginable when the priest said on Maundy (Holy) Thursday that the forty (40)
days of Lent were over. He went on to tell them that he needed to refill
because his body lacks liquid (alcohol). According to him, his body was badly
dehydrated all the period of Lent that at a point he was thinking if the Lent
would never end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Topic:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> After </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lent</span>,
What Next?</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mary had gone to the tomb on the
first day of the week may be to meditate on the passion and death of Christ.
When she saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb the gospel reads:
“... she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus
loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do
not know where they have laid him’” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn
20:2</b>). Mary Magdalene like others thought that the story had ended. But our
salvation story did not end with the suffering and death of Christ Jesus.
Hence, St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians wrote<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;">: <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If there is no resurrection of the
dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then
our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. If Christ
has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then
those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have
hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 15:13-14, 17-19</b>)<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;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For forty days, we were in the period of Lent. All these while,
not even alleluia did come out of our mouths consciously. It is during the
period of Lent that one will come to know that alleluia is not all that common.
But now that it is over what is the next thing? The answer to this depends </span>on
the meaning or one’s understanding of Lent. I know that some might wonder what
on earth led us to discuss Lent on Easter day after having just spent forty
(40) days excluding Sundays in it. Easter comes after Lenten period. And during
the period of Lent, many people did a lot of good deeds – almsgiving,
abstaining from vices, devotions, among others. Some even denied themselves
many things that are not sinful just for God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Every Christian who took part in the Lenten season can be
better seen as a graduate although without any paper-certificate. The period of
Lent is a school, a period of training. In this school just like in every other
form of school, the students gather as much skills as possible for the life
after school. Graduates come out with new skills and in the same vein
Christians must have gathered a lot of skills (virtues) during Lent. We should
not allow any of these virtues to leave otherwise we risk spending forty days
in the wilderness without anything to show for it just like the man we saw in
the introductory part of this homily who waited for the Lent to be over so as
to go back to drinking. Saint Peter warns, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like
a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to
devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers
and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And
after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace... will
himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Pt 5:8-9</b>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Christ suffered, died and resurrected for us to benefit as
well as to imitate, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Pt 2:21</b>. We
all are to resurrect cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 24:15</b>,
but the destination is determined by the quality of lives we live now: “those
who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil,
to the resurrection of judgment” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jn. 5:29</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">). Do not
celebrate the end of Lent by going back </span>to your old ways of life. We are
to witness to the resurrection of Christ with our lives and perhaps our words
if it is necessary, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 1:22</b>.
The struggle is not yet over until it is over. We are still in the battle field
(world).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">1Cor 15:12-34; Heb 4:1-13; 1Pt 5:6-11</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>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thought for today:</b>
Prepare now for your resurrection (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn.
5:29</b>).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let us pray:</span></b><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;">Risen Christ, help us live the life that will lead
us to the resurrection of life and not to judgement</span> – Amen. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Happy Easter to you
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">May God bless you all+</span></span></div>

After Lent, What Next?: Easter Sunday (21st April, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Easter Sunday (21 st April, 2019) on the Gospel and the celebration Acts 10:34.37-43; Ps 117:1-2.16-17.22-2...

Remember His words: Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil) (C) (20th April, 2019).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Solemnities and Feasts 05:58

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Homily (Reflection) for Holy Saturday (Easter
Vigil) (C) (20</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> April, 2019) on the Gospel and the celebration<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">R. 1: Gen 1:1-2:2 or 1:26-31;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ps 103:1-2.5-6.10.12-14.24.35 (R. cf.
v.30) or Ps 32:4-7.12-13.20.22. (R. v. 5).</span><br />

<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Epistle: Rom 6:3-11;</span><br />

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gospel:
Lk 24:1-12</b>.</span></span><br />
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Readings from the Old Testament can be reduced according to
circumstances. Minimum of three (3) is recommended. But in special cases, the
readings can still be reduced to two. However, the third reading (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ex 14:15-15:1</b>) is compulsory.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We join the Church who awaits at
the Lord’s tomb meditating on Christ’s suffering and death. Easter celebration
begins with a tone of joy. The priest/s and other ministers wear white
vestments. Everyone who takes part in this vigil comes with a candle. The
Easter Vigil is made up of four parts, namely: brief service of light, liturgy
of the word, Baptism and/renewal of Baptismal vows, and liturgy of the Holy
Eucharist.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Before the commencement of the vigil, every light in the
church is put off and a large fire is prepared at a suitable place outside the
church where the first part of the celebration, service of light, begins. The
absence of light in the church signifies that the Lord (the light of the world)
is still lying in the tomb, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 8:12;
9:5</b>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Topic:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b><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;">Remember His words</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguebMpjA_O6ZP0qCGC-2_uhu_Gc6TiPqHRC9gLNfbojgv4iDQUGNC1mJ6OfS8AYvQkfpK5ps3n8FkL6MKPIKJQnwITH0UJE0kfvDpJ4OgstHUOtBzOvNoby_fSiWgSvmYKedfBkcdtOFA/s1600/20.04.2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguebMpjA_O6ZP0qCGC-2_uhu_Gc6TiPqHRC9gLNfbojgv4iDQUGNC1mJ6OfS8AYvQkfpK5ps3n8FkL6MKPIKJQnwITH0UJE0kfvDpJ4OgstHUOtBzOvNoby_fSiWgSvmYKedfBkcdtOFA/s1600/20.04.2019.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Women in today’s gospel went to the
tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with the spices they had prepared. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They found the tomb open and the body of Jesus
missing. While they were perplexed about the ‘disappearance’ of the body of
Jesus, two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them and said to them,</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Why do you look for the living among
the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was
still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be
crucified, and on the third day rise again (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 24:5-7</b>).</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The story of these women seemed to the apostles and all
present an idle tale, and as a result did not believe them. However, “Peter got
up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by
themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.”</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Jesus’ arrest, unjust trial, condemnation, and most shameful
death seemed to have wiped out of the women’s mind all that Jesus had told them
about His death. It was the angels they saw at the tomb that reminded them His words.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we might
have a lot of wonderful things on our heads about Him: the first fruit from the
dead, (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 26:23</b>), the
resurrection and the life (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 11:25</b>),
Jesus with all authority in heaven and on earth, (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 28:18</b>), to whom nothing is impossible, (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 1:37; 18:27</b>), who is with us always,
to the close of the age, (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 28:20</b>),
and so on. Yet sometimes we find ourselves in states worse than that of the women;
after all they searched for Him where He was buried. Today we see Christians
even the spiritual heads engage themselves in double dealings. Righteousness has
no partnership with iniquity, neither does light has fellowship with darkness,
cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Cor 6:14</b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">If we know the power of His resurrection, we ought to remain
with God no matter the state we find ourselves as rightly advised by Saint
Paul, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 7:24</b>. With the risen
Christ on our side, “we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our
foes” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 60:12; 108:13</b>). God is the
shield that saves the upright in heart, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 7:10</b>. And with God is the best of everything in superabundance,
cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Job 12:13; 2Cor 9:8</b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Easter comes only after Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy
Saturday. One must remember always as he/she goes through Holy Thursdays, Good
Fridays, and Holy Saturdays of his/her life that Easter is around the corner.
Saint Paul rightly wrote, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">If we have died with him, then we shall
live with him. If we persevere, then we shall reign with him. If we disown him,
then he will disown us, If we are faithless, he is faithful still, for he
cannot disown his own self (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Tim 2:11-13,
NJB</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;">Let no one therefore make him/herself an enemy of the cross
of Christ, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Phil 3:18</b>. We are
certain that God who raised Jesus will surely raise us up, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 6:14</b>. Befriending anything other
than God makes one His enemy, (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas
4:4</b>) thereby looking for the living among the dead. In every situation, we
must remember that Jesus has conquered and is able and willing to save us from
every situation, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 18:6-8</b>. Let
us therefore remember Jesus and His words always.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Hag 2:1-9; Jer 46:27-28; Matt 28:16-20;
1Cor 15: 1-58</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>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Lord Jesus, </span>help us search for you
always where and when you may be found (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 55:6</b>) – Amen. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

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<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
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">May God bless you all+</span></span></div>

Remember His words: Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil) (C) (20th April, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil) (C) (20 th April, 2019) on the Gospel and the celebration R. 1: Gen 1:1-2:2 or ...

Behold the man, your King (cf. Jn 19:5, 14): Good Friday (Celebration of the Lord’s Passion) (19th April, 2019).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Solemnities and Feasts 06:42

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Homily (Reflection) for Good Friday
(Celebration of the Lord’s Passion) (19</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> April, 2019) on the Passion
and the celebration<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Is 52:13–53:12;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ps 30:2.6.12-13.15-17.25. (R. Lk
23:46);</span><br />

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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The sacraments are not celebrated today or tomorrow. The
altar should be completely bare, without cloths, candles, or cross. Today’s
celebration consists of three parts: liturgy of the word, veneration of the
cross, and Holy Communion</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/fb/YEAR%20C%202018%20-%202019/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter/Good%20Friday%202019..docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">.
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Topic:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b><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;">Behold the man, your King </span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">cf.
Jn 19:5, 14</b>)</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWM20SVFCmcmzHTzoY8zfmKFqHkAW5kBtB_mdMeTk0vDn17MAec8PNHWwHN-I5z2M8fcGkoEP1uJGGWYlpn3atB8y-mbt47CYd97YOSY-4d1bNGWbeepqqbzMNLGrFXjtDGwlOSQDPvI/s1600/19.04.2019.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWM20SVFCmcmzHTzoY8zfmKFqHkAW5kBtB_mdMeTk0vDn17MAec8PNHWwHN-I5z2M8fcGkoEP1uJGGWYlpn3atB8y-mbt47CYd97YOSY-4d1bNGWbeepqqbzMNLGrFXjtDGwlOSQDPvI/s1600/19.04.2019.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In today’s Passion, we see Jesus’
arrest, His unjust trial, Peter’s denial, His condemnation, death on the cross
between two thieves, the piercing of His side, and His burial. During Jesus’
trial, when Pilate brought Him out to the Jews to show that he did not see any
offence against Him and said to them, “Here is the man!” the chief priests and
the police shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” And when he said to them, “Here
is your King!” they cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In the gospel according to Saint John, Jesus tells us that “The
thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 10:10</b>) yet they preferred a thief instead of the author of life,
cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 18:40</b>. Christ came and
brought light to all in darkness of sin; those who dwelt in a land of deep
darkness, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 9:2</b>;<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Matt 4:16</b>. Hence He tells us, “I am
the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will
have the light of life” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 8:12</b>).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The naked King ruling from a tree will be unveiled in this
celebration with the invitation, “This is the wood of the cross, on which hung
the Saviour of the world.” We are to either follow the chief priests to shout,
“Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” or to adore Him humbly saying
“Come, let us worship”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest
rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno’s damage. One
ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the
ground at the base of a tree.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the
bird with a stick. When he struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under
their dead mother’s wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending
disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered
them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.
She would have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the
blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had
remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover
of her wings would live...</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/fb/YEAR%20C%202018%20-%202019/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter/Good%20Friday%202019..docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Like this little bird, Jesus willingly accepted the most
ignoble suffering and death for us to live. The Passion narrative tells us that
the soldiers and the police “stepped back and fell to the ground” when Jesus
told them that He was the one they were looking for. Nothing prevented Him from
going away other than His love for us. He knew that the hour of our liberation
had come. Hence He tells us, “No one takes it [my life] from me, but I lay it
down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it
again; this charge I have received from my Father” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 10:18</b>).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">May we never go back to the yoke of slavery from which Jesus
had set us free, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gal 5:1</b>.
Whoever follows Jesus will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of
life. However, anyone who prefers darkness is condemned, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 3: 18, 19</b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Jn 3:11-21; </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">1Pt 3:8-22.</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thought for today:</b>
Christ died to set us free<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
<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>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To
Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b><br />

<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/fb/YEAR%20C%202018%20-%202019/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter/Good%20Friday%202019..docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
The Sunday Missal: A new edition (1995). London: HarperColliinsReligious. <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">p.258.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">

<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/fb/YEAR%20C%202018%20-%202019/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter/Good%20Friday%202019..docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
Sagayanathan, A. (2009). <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Launching pad:
Stories for Sunday homilies – A, B & C</b>. Bangalore: Asian Trading
Corporation, pp<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. 271-272.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>

Behold the man, your King (cf. Jn 19:5, 14): Good Friday (Celebration of the Lord’s Passion) (19th April, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Good Friday (Celebration of the Lord’s Passion) (19 th April, 2019) on the Passion and the celebration Is 52...

Christ’s legacies: Maundy (Holy) Thursday (Mass of the Lord’s Supper) (18th April, 2019).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Solemnities and Feasts 04:12

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Homily (Reflection) for Maundy (Holy) Thursday
(Mass of the Lord’s Supper) (18</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> April, 2019) on the Gospel and the
celebration<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 2pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ex 12:1-8.11-14;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ps 115:12-13.15-18.
(R. cf. 1Cor 10:16);</span><br />

</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">General norms for the Liturgical
Year number 18 reads:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> “</b>Christ
accomplished the work of redemption and the perfect glorification of God
principally through his Paschal mystery, in which dying he destroyed our death
and rising he restored our life [cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom
5:8; 1Thess 5:10</b>]. Hence, the Sacred Easter Triduum of the Lord’s Passion
and Resurrection shines forth as the culmination of the whole liturgical year.”
Sacred Easter Triduum refers to Holy (Maundy) Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy
Saturday. These days are considered the three most sacred days and are
otherwise known as the Paschal Triduum. It begins with the Mass of the Lord’s
Supper.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Sacred Easter
Triduum, the Church makes present and fulfils the mystery of Christ’s passing
from the world to the Father, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn
16:28</b>. Before the beginning of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the
tabernacle is completely empty. Gloria is sung and the church bells may be rung
and then are silent until the Gloria of the Easter Vigil. The feet of selected people
are washed. After the Post Communion prayer, the Holy Eucharist is transferred
to an appropriate place (Altar of Repose). Every faithful is expected to spend
time with the Lord who calls us to stay awake and remain with him in adoration,
cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 26:38</b>. The altar is later completely
stripped. Crucifixes are either removed from the church or veiled. Christ has
been delivered into the hands of sinners to suffer the most ignoble death for
us to live, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 26:45</b>; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Thess 5:10, 1Jn 4:9</b>. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Topic:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b><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;">Christ’s legacies</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></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/AVvXsEg8_jxyL9Hvu8JxCeAapgGY6JL1uzJllEhn0NPVUqHgfzkn7AEOpE13Eaf2gMDSf0_8Iq8cAfhmx7KxLzzfsbquHUEVXxxvhQdNIwTPC2hFS-5lzZlOx4wKqDY8i3lI0ndoxUU8QyjlzJM/s1600/18.04.2019.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_jxyL9Hvu8JxCeAapgGY6JL1uzJllEhn0NPVUqHgfzkn7AEOpE13Eaf2gMDSf0_8Iq8cAfhmx7KxLzzfsbquHUEVXxxvhQdNIwTPC2hFS-5lzZlOx4wKqDY8i3lI0ndoxUU8QyjlzJM/s1600/18.04.2019.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We celebrate among others three mysteries:
the institution of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the institution of the
ministerial priesthood, and the command to be others’ slave, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 10:44</b>. The Holy Eucharist is the
sacrament of love. It is the celebration of Christ’s giving of Himself for us
which is the greatest form of love, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn
15:13</b>. Therefore participation in the Holy Eucharist is participation in Christ’s
love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">However, receiving the Holy Eucharist is not a mark of being
a good Christian. Jesus tells us, “By this all men will know that you are my
disciples, if you have love for one another” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 13:35</b>). Again, Judas received it before all of us and we know
what it brought for him, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 13:21-27</b>.
Participating in Christ’s love and the call to love others are inseparable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You know that among the Gentiles those
whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are
tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become
great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you
must be slave of all (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 10:42-44</b>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Jesus is both the
victim and the priest, and in giving the new commandment, he was also both the
teacher and the instructional material. It is important to note that in the
Jewish tradition, it is the function of slaves to wash others’ feet. So, the
washing of feet in this Mass is a symbolical representation of the humility of
Christ, who “... came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a
ransom for many” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 20:28</b>, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 10:45</b>). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In one parish, the catechist after selecting people for the
washing of the feet submitted their names to the parish priest. Among these was
a man who opposes everything the parish priest says and does. On seeing this, he
quickly asked the catechist, ‘Why not include Satan in the list?’ Remember that
Christ washed the feet of all the apostles including that of Judas. If we
select only those we considered as our friends, what are we doing? (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 5:46; Lk 6:32</b>)</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Again, one priest during the meeting of the bishop with his
priests referred to the bishop as an unworthy bishop and the bishop reacted
quickly. For the bishop, the priest just insulted him but the priest reminded him
that he (the bishop) had referred to himself during the consecration and while
addressing them as an unworthy bishop (servant). And the bishop retorted “But
you mean the one you just said.” “So you never meant what you have been
saying?” queried the priest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Saint Augustine rightly admonishes us to approach the Holy
Eucharist humbly, ponder worthily so great a favour, and be aware that we must
be ready to do for others what Christ first did for us (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Divine Office II, 1974, p. 277</b>). Christ is saying to all of us: </span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You call me Teacher and Lord–and
you are right for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have
washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you
an example, that you also should do as I have done to you (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 13:13-15</b>).</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Pray for ministerial priests in a special way today because
the Holy Eucharist cannot be celebrated without ministerial priest. Hence, we
celebrate today also the ordination of the first set of ministerial priests – the
apostles by Christ himself. Once more, pray for priests today. Finally, I need
your prayers most.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Jn 6:22-71; Matt 5:43-48;
22:34-40;</span> <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">1Jn 4:7-21; 1Thess 5:1-10.</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thought for today:</b>
Christ has given us Himself as a sign of His love and also asks us to love each
other<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span>Lord, as we celebrate your Supper,
soak us always in your love to be able to love you in the Holy Eucharist and
others as you love us – Amen. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<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>
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Christ’s legacies: Maundy (Holy) Thursday (Mass of the Lord’s Supper) (18th April, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Maundy (Holy) Thursday (Mass of the Lord’s Supper) (18 th April, 2019) on the Gospel and the celebration Ex ...

Complicated case: Wednesday of the Holy Week (17th April, 2019).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 03:58

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of
the Holy Week (17<sup>th</sup> April, 2019) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Complicated case</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/AVvXsEhJji7K-BVw3UJoN2tz_uX9fWHA6EdhF6zwELoYqBRb16nSnWW4sGvy-bSFDwZp-E4INyWjDLlQJWUGyvuWEHCX9Qf6IfFQhdamcJoHJd9Plzdhrbaf_L0CvCb4xmS3yEVnUoBvd_T3yMo/s1600/17.04.2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJji7K-BVw3UJoN2tz_uX9fWHA6EdhF6zwELoYqBRb16nSnWW4sGvy-bSFDwZp-E4INyWjDLlQJWUGyvuWEHCX9Qf6IfFQhdamcJoHJd9Plzdhrbaf_L0CvCb4xmS3yEVnUoBvd_T3yMo/s1600/17.04.2019.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday, we identified hardened heart as the most deadly disease.
In today’s gospel, Judas was paid thirty pieces of silver by the chief priests
for the betrayal of Jesus. He was already strategizing on how to execute this
plan before Jesus’ Passover with them (the apostles).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And while at table, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you
will betray me.” The gospel captured the apostles’ feelings in these words,
“And they became greatly distressed.” No need adding with the exception of the
betrayer. They asked Him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” Jesus replied,
“The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.” He also
warned of the impending danger, “The Son of Man goes as it is written of him,
but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been
better for that one not to have been born.” Judas had the courage to ask Him,
“Surely not I Rabbi?” Jesus replied, “You have said so.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Judas in today’s gospel tried to cover up his hardened heart
with hypocrisy thereby complicating the matter. And none of the other apostles
knew what he had in mind otherwise their reaction would have been more serious
than when they felt that James and John were trying to hijack the apostolic
college, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 20:20-24</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you ever hidden your true self? And what did you hope to
achieve? There is need for us to open up. This makes it easier for us to
receive the needed help, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 11:28</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Ps 85; Col 3:1-17.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Hypocrisy worsens situations?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, help us to be open to You and
to our brothers and sisters – 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>
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<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
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Complicated case: Wednesday of the Holy Week (17th April, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Holy Week (17 th April, 2019) on the Gospel Is 50:4-9; Ps 68:8-10.21-22.31.33-34 (R. ...

Most deadly disease: Tuesday of the Holy Week (16th April, 2019).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 05:06

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of
the Holy Week (16<sup>th</sup> April, 2019) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Most deadly disease</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7H4fKohNmG-aF4Lbvijc80M3HCPH6x3WgiMZUpTeXAbml_ZN_Cp8xTqqpnUj11kBC467cRHwkPSLykAZEow9W-NIJQGYe6fKVKxsYTwUtBLehbZx2ZGHb85QiWPA7jBbnRiG9Zfb65Y/s1600/16.04.2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7H4fKohNmG-aF4Lbvijc80M3HCPH6x3WgiMZUpTeXAbml_ZN_Cp8xTqqpnUj11kBC467cRHwkPSLykAZEow9W-NIJQGYe6fKVKxsYTwUtBLehbZx2ZGHb85QiWPA7jBbnRiG9Zfb65Y/s1600/16.04.2019.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the things Jesus repeated a number of times is the
role one of His apostles would play in His death. In today’s gospel He also
said, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The reaction of His
disciples and especially the question asked by John led Jesus into being more
direct. He replied “‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I
have dipped it in the dish.’ So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave
it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, despite all these Judas did not move an inch. What
could have been his problem? The gospel describes him as a thief, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 12:6</b>. Money according to the book of
Ecclesiastes “answers everything” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eccl
10:19</b>). Yet “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money; nor he
who loves wealth, with gain: this also is vanity” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eccl 5:10</b>). Through the prophet Isaiah God invites us to come to
Him and be satisfied at no cost. cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is
55:1</b>. He worries why we spend our energy in useless things, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 55:2</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Word of God is preached today more than ever. And the
central message of every gospel that deserves the name is “... repent, and
believe in the gospel” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 1:15; cf. Mk
1:4</b>). Yet we find it difficult to accept the gospel especially when it
touches the area we consider sacred like the Pharisees, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 16:1-14</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hardening of the heart kills more than any other deadly
disease. Judas among others suffered this. Dear friends, let us harden our
hearts no longer but repent and believe the gospel (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 95:8</b>). The money Judas pursued to the extent of betraying Jesus was
worthless for him, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 27:3-5</b>.
What do you think you will gain from whatever prevents you from accepting the
gospel?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Is 55:1-13.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Nothing is better than God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, give us your grace to keep all
your commandments – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<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>
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Most deadly disease: Tuesday of the Holy Week (16th April, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Holy Week (16 th April, 2019) on the Gospel Is 49:1-6; Ps 70:1-6.15.17 (R. v. 15); J...