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Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter

thepulpitonline.com 1 Weekday Homilies 04:38

Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of
the Seventh Week of Easter (22nd May, 2021) on the Gospel

Acts 28:16-20.30-31;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 10:4-5.7. (R. cf. v. 7);<o:p></o:p>

Jn 21:20-25.<o:p></o:p>

Topic: Follow me (Jn
21:22).<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DtD_KkXjRQZ2JfFog4kE67W_KGO_OD42oLv2D9KJLn4kv8GjkljRDfSY-7Tuw_ABrusDpaQVacJQh-wcUN4qtBjRyy-mYqzUTnK-OEaQDhE24DcRBpuXRVUrgwsYTTfubORp5TDyfys/s259/22.05.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DtD_KkXjRQZ2JfFog4kE67W_KGO_OD42oLv2D9KJLn4kv8GjkljRDfSY-7Tuw_ABrusDpaQVacJQh-wcUN4qtBjRyy-mYqzUTnK-OEaQDhE24DcRBpuXRVUrgwsYTTfubORp5TDyfys/s0/22.05.2021.jpg" /></a></div> Jesus foretold the kind of death by which Peter would glorify
God in yesterday’s gospel. And Peter in today’s gospel asked Jesus about John,
“Lord, what about him?” Jesus replied him, “If it is my will that he remain
until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” <o:p></o:p>

Just like Peter, often we are worried about the things that
have nothing to do with our call. It is important to focus on the command,
“Follow me!” On our adherence or disobedience to this lie our safety and
damnation.<o:p></o:p>

Thought for today: Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead (Matt 8:22).<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord, give us the grace to be
faithful to our call to the end – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

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Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter (22 nd May, 2021) on the Gospel Acts 28:16-20.30-31; Ps 10:4-5.7. ...

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 04:38

Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the
Seventh Week of Easter (21st May, 2021) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Acts 25:13-21;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 102:1-2.11-12.19-20. (R. v. 19);<o:p></o:p>

Jn 21:15-19.<o:p></o:p>

Topic: Enough love for God.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyzSDBFosJipJr3BMGLcPYe2uVFz4eEy-VfLJZ8v-HrhftB4aRTrWJgj1iojuWdNX3P46wZwVjvaYBRkR8CDSWKcKQXhBOQoTYb4AGqPfSdioK7We3-LsKZx0vtPsqzQKFLard1ZyZNA/s284/21.05.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyzSDBFosJipJr3BMGLcPYe2uVFz4eEy-VfLJZ8v-HrhftB4aRTrWJgj1iojuWdNX3P46wZwVjvaYBRkR8CDSWKcKQXhBOQoTYb4AGqPfSdioK7We3-LsKZx0vtPsqzQKFLard1ZyZNA/s0/21.05.2021.jpg" /></a></div> What God requires of us is very clear: “The LORD is our God,
the LORD alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with
all you soul, and with all your might” (Deut
6:4b-5; cf. Mk 12:29-33). God wants all to fear Him, to walk in all His
ways, to love Him, and to serve Him with our whole heart and soul, cf. Deut 10:12. 26:16. 30:2. And both our
survival and progress depend on our compliance, cf. Deut 30:6, 9-10.<o:p></o:p>

In the Jewish culture, certain numbers mean more than amount
or quantity. The number three (3) is one of them. It signifies completeness and
stability.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter/Seventh%20Week%20of%20Easter%20(2021).docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; 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]</a>
And while confirming His choice of Peter as the visible head of His church,
Jesus asked him three times in today’s gospel, “Do you love me?” Jesus demanded
for Peter’s whole and firm love because God has no place for half-measures or
part-time disciples, cf. Matt 10:37; Lk
9:62; Rev 3:16. He always give
us the best and demands nothing but the best in return, cf. Jn 15:13; 1Jn 4:10. <o:p></o:p>

We ought to be ever ready to submit everything to the will of
God not minding the circumstances. He is demanding our whole self. <o:p></o:p>

Thought for today: God requires your whole self.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: God, help us to love you above every
other thing including our lives – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

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<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter/Seventh%20Week%20of%20Easter%20(2021).docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; 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]</a> <a href="http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/judaism-numbers/">http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/judaism-numbers/</a>
<o:p></o:p>

</div>

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter (21 st May, 2021) on the Gospel Acts 25:13-21; Ps 102:1-2.11-12.19-2...

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 04:39

Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter (20th
May, 2021) on the Gospel

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 15:1-2.5.7-11. (R. v.1);<o:p></o:p>

Jn 17:20-26.<o:p></o:p>

Topic: Knowing the Father.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnd8BhBRb3jLPa_mfbf3vdgqo95_X2Ek-Y7c20qkUuNTNZMaIOaRQftk8gnTx305wiap-HQBYmASjPAX852gayclFqjfMdhiRCfftHr2r5i6g0KzDWvjpTLgpYKIRDqSaIPc0dFzYTagc/s250/20.05.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnd8BhBRb3jLPa_mfbf3vdgqo95_X2Ek-Y7c20qkUuNTNZMaIOaRQftk8gnTx305wiap-HQBYmASjPAX852gayclFqjfMdhiRCfftHr2r5i6g0KzDWvjpTLgpYKIRDqSaIPc0dFzYTagc/s0/20.05.2021.jpg" /></a></div> Today’s gospel is the concluding part of Jesus’ prayer for
His disciples. And the concluding verse reads, “I made your name known to them,
and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be
in them, and I in them.” Jesus’ determination to make the Father’s name known
to His disciples and the Father’s love it brings about could make one ask,
‘What does it mean to know the Father?’<o:p></o:p>

While speaking to the Jews Jesus said, “But you have not
known him; I know him... I do know him and I keep his word” (Jn 8:55). Again, the first letter of
Saint John reads, <o:p></o:p>

Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his
commandments. Whoever says, ‘I have come to know him,’ but does not obey his
commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist (1Jn 2:3-4).<o:p></o:p>

Knowing the Father is far beyond one’s ability to say that
His name is God. It demands living as His child. Hence Saint Paul condemned the
attitudes of those who paraded themselves as Jews but never lived as Jews with
this quotation, “For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among
the Gentiles because of you’” (Rom 2:24;
cf. Is 52:5; Ezek 36:20-22). Whoever says that he/she knows God but does
not live it out will not be saved, cf. Jas
2:14.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord, give us the grace to know you
and to live it out – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

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Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter (20 th May, 2021) on the Gospel Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Ps 15:1-2.5.7...

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 05:01

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of
the Seventh Week of Easter (19th May, 2021) on the Gospel

Acts 20:28-38;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 67:29-30.33-36. (R. v. 33);<o:p></o:p>

Jn 17:11b-19.<o:p></o:p>

Topic: Transformation by the Word.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4C2tVZhAlhvQSAxTdixEOQi7D5aT8RCtxibO74OPtJHx7B7x9LEnw5TycTSuIiFhagrtEUGLy9LYiGxYL9X9YsoljcKhw75sOWF0B1O4lY2pf057I4jtMwuDiWm12R17QOlnkqs4h_as/s259/19.05.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4C2tVZhAlhvQSAxTdixEOQi7D5aT8RCtxibO74OPtJHx7B7x9LEnw5TycTSuIiFhagrtEUGLy9LYiGxYL9X9YsoljcKhw75sOWF0B1O4lY2pf057I4jtMwuDiWm12R17QOlnkqs4h_as/s0/19.05.2021.jpg" /></a></div> In the Psalms, judges and rulers were referred to as gods,
cf. Ps 58:1. 82:6. Jesus later explained
in the gospel why they were designated as such: “it uses the word ‘gods’ of
those people to whom the word of God was addressed...” (Jn 10:35, TNJB).<o:p></o:p>

Today’s gospel is a continuation of Jesus’ prayer for His
disciples. It reads in part,<o:p></o:p>

<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;">I have given them your word, and the world has hated them
because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.
I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect
them from the evil one.</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>

Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh, cf. Jn 1:14; Rev 19:13. As He does not
belong to the world, all who received Him (the Word of God) are transformed
into new creatures, cf. Jn 1:12; 2Cor
5:17; Gal 6:15; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10. They shall all be as He is, cf. 1Jn 3:2. Hence, Jesus said that those
He had given the Word do not belong to the world as He does not belong to the
world.<o:p></o:p>

The Word of God in question is living and active, cf. Heb 4:12. It is spirit and life, cf. Jn 6:63. Saint Paul skilfully described
it as the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, and rightly admonished
all to accept it, Eph 6:17. But the word
of God will not bring about the desired transformation unless one receives it as
what it is, and also avoid any thing that will discredit it, cf. 1Thess 2:13; Tit 2:5; Lk 11:28. In summary, all must accept and live the word. <o:p></o:p>

Thought for today: Every Christian is a new creature, cf. Col 3:10; Eph 4:24.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord, help us to be always conscious
of the fact that we are new creatures and to live our lives accordingly – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

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Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter (19 th May, 2021) on the Gospel Acts 20:28-38; Ps 67:29-30.33-36....

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 04:46

Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of
the Seventh Week of Easter (18th May, 2021) on the Gospel

Acts 20:17-27;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 67:10-11.20-21. (R. v.33);<o:p></o:p>

Jn 17:1-11a.<o:p></o:p>

Topic: Eternal life is God’s gift.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6M-i-W9Szuq0W_JSe_OTX7svaZm-EajcCAIQFmSTfWpOgL6T6RxZalVvhHmkVCQVs9tWFr_R_HDFeK4oEXrbY9YprfxiC_v5Ey0q-v25fz8C49j9ucBsDPvwAJHD-214a_bG65ff_Oic/s318/18.05.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6M-i-W9Szuq0W_JSe_OTX7svaZm-EajcCAIQFmSTfWpOgL6T6RxZalVvhHmkVCQVs9tWFr_R_HDFeK4oEXrbY9YprfxiC_v5Ey0q-v25fz8C49j9ucBsDPvwAJHD-214a_bG65ff_Oic/s0/18.05.2021.jpg" /></a></div> The Jews believed that whoever desires eternal life must work
for it. Hence, the rich young man asked Jesus, “Teacher, what good deed must I
do, to have eternal life?” (Matt 19:16;
cf. Mk 10:17; Lk 18:18). A lawyer also asked the same question, cf. Lk 10:25.<o:p></o:p>

And in today’s gospel which is the beginning of Jesus’ prayer
for His disciples we read, <o:p></o:p>

Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son
may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give
eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that
they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”<o:p></o:p>

However, the first letter of Saint John reads, “He who says ‘I
know him’ but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him”
(1Jn 2:4). Again, “He who believes
in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life,
but the wrath of God rests upon him” (Jn
3:36). And Saint Peter declared that Jesus has the words of eternal life,
cf. Jn 6:68.<o:p></o:p>

Dear friends, “...the wages of sin is death, but the free
gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). It is important to remember always that God has given us
eternal life, and this life is in his Son, cf. 1Jn 5:11; 1Jn 5:20. Therefore, whoever desires eternal life must
truly believe in Him, cf. Jn 3:16; cf. Jn
6:47.<o:p></o:p>

Thought for today: God has promised us eternal life, cf. 1Jn 2:25; Tit 1:2.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord, help us work out our own salvation
with fear and trembling – Amen (cf. Phil
2:12).<o:p></o:p>

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Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter (18 th May, 2021) on the Gospel Acts 20:17-27; Ps 67:10-11.20-21. (...

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 04:02

Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the
Seventh Week of Easter (17th May, 2021) on the Gospel

Acts 19:1-8;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 67:2-7. (R. v.33); <o:p></o:p>

Jn 16:29-33.<o:p></o:p>

Topic: Christ has conquered.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmEsbwXplvEDY1J-SaI5lsIKbpjKOnbS1A_scc5Ja4DPjqsI2Mk5BzW773hAFjaPtaj2paISf0Aj6jf5FLlbDqC1aRdMfcVUOyis4KxHftjHNzZ9d642WthiDjlDOTRCtly1-HaUOAls/s225/17.05.2021.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/AVvXsEglmEsbwXplvEDY1J-SaI5lsIKbpjKOnbS1A_scc5Ja4DPjqsI2Mk5BzW773hAFjaPtaj2paISf0Aj6jf5FLlbDqC1aRdMfcVUOyis4KxHftjHNzZ9d642WthiDjlDOTRCtly1-HaUOAls/s0/17.05.2021.jpg" /></a></div> In today’s gospel, Jesus’ disciples were happy that
Jesus spoke plainly. This made them know that Jesus is all-knowing and also
believed that He is God sent. Jesus foretold the impending scandal, “Do you now
believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered,
each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because
the Father is with me.” He made these known to them so that in Him they might
have peace but in the world persecution. Jesus also consoled them, “But take
courage; I have conquered the world!” <o:p></o:p>

Even when not a single person remained with Jesus, the Father
is always with Him. Jesus told us His secret, “And he who sent me is with me;
he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him” (Jn 8:29). <o:p></o:p>

God created each and every one of us ultimately to overcome
the world just as Jesus did, cf. Gen
1:28. But no one can succeed without Him, cf. Jn 15:5. Hence the Psalmist confessed, “With God we shall do
valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes” (Ps 60:12, cf. Ps 108:13). <o:p></o:p>

Friends, in every circumstance let us remember that God is
always with His people, cf. Matt 28:20.
Again, nothing is impossible with this God who is always with us, cf. Matt 19:26; Mk 10:27; Lk 1:37. We are
only to remain with Him faithfully in whatever state we are called, cf. 1Cor 7:24. And finally, remember that “Unless
the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the LORD
watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Ps 127:1).<o:p></o:p>

Bible Reading: Ps 60.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: May God help us recognize His works
in and around us – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

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Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter (17 th May, 2021) on the Gospel Acts 19:1-8; Ps 67:2-7. (R. v.33); ...

Seventh Sunday of Easter (B)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 05:30

Homily (Reflection) for the Seventh Sunday
of Easter (B) (16th May, 2021) on the Gospel

Acts 1:15-17.20-26;

Ps
102:1-2.11-12.19-20 (R. V. 19);

1Jn 4:11-16;

Jn
17:11-19.

Probably, you have heard about the
football competition among different denominations. Every denomination came in
good numbers to cheer their team up. And among the spectators was Jesus. The
Catholic team was the first to gain the upper hand in the match; Jesus happily
hailed and urged them to forge ahead. At a point, the Anglican team was leading.
Surprisingly, the same Jesus hailed the Anglican team and encouraged them to do
even more. In fact, no team in that competition lacked the support of Jesus
whenever it was doing well.

One of the spectators who was very
keen observing Jesus, in his confusion mustered courage, went to Him and asked:
“Sir, I have noticed that no team lacked your support whenever it is doing
well. Please, where do you belong?” Jesus looked at him with eyes full of love
and said to him: I support my children? “Your children?” retorted the
man. “Who are your children – Catholics or Anglicans, etc because you supported
every team that performed well?”

Topic: We all are Children of God.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcfJd1xrK9HtRb_HJA4IaHgLJ-mijQARpChrJ9zgJq-eKNch6PLvYUPh_h7hix0xvq4F5G7YSgCTGzbJTJGoty8TA4XPCDGq0YtoWi6X-e8g3eC4ZjsdoYOJcbMM4UNEgAMFubCT6fww/s234/16.05.2021.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcfJd1xrK9HtRb_HJA4IaHgLJ-mijQARpChrJ9zgJq-eKNch6PLvYUPh_h7hix0xvq4F5G7YSgCTGzbJTJGoty8TA4XPCDGq0YtoWi6X-e8g3eC4ZjsdoYOJcbMM4UNEgAMFubCT6fww/s0/16.05.2021.png" /></a></div> Today’s gospel forms part of Jesus’
prayer for His disciples. This has no parallel. The first verse reads in part:
“... protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one” (Jn 17:11). In this prayer, Jesus expressed His desire for all His
disciples to live like brothers and sisters. Recall that we are from one father
and the same creator, cf. Mal 2:10. <o:p></o:p>

John commented on the suggestion made by Caiaphas in these words:
“...being the high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die
for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God” (Jn 11:51-52). Hence, we know that Jesus
died for all, cf. Rom 5:6.8; 1Cor 15:3;
2Cor 5: 14-15.<o:p></o:p>

In the gospel according to Saint John,
the main characteristic of a child of God is love, cf. Jn 13:35. In line with this, Saint Paul admonishes us “... to do
good to one another and to all” (1Thess
5:15). And in his letter to the Romans, Saint Paul also tells us what I
prefer to term a healthy competition that ought to be found among the children
of God: “love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honour” (Rom 12:10). And again, in his first letter to the Corinthians he
also admonishes, “Let all that you do be done in love” (1Cor 16:14). And anyone who could do great things but could not
love is likened to “... a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1Cor 13:1). <o:p></o:p>

There are a number of qualities
Christians should have:<o:p></o:p>

As God’s
chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a
complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven
you, so you also must forgive. Above
all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect
harmony” (Col 3:12-14; cf. 1Pt 4:8).
<o:p></o:p>

It is disheartening that today love is hardly found even in the
smallest Christian communities. Yet, every one claims to be better than others
irrespective of Saint Paul’s admonition that every Christian should always
consider others better than him/herself, cf. Phil 2:3. The energy we dissipate today in arguing and looking for
those who are better qualified to be children of God seems to be more than what
is needed to live as children of God. We tend also to forget that it is out of
love that the Father allowed us to be called children of God; and so we are,
cf. 1Jn 3:1. It is no body’s right.
It is a gift freely given by God Himself to whoever He chooses, cf. Acts 11:1-11. And “it is the Spirit
himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom 8:16). Unlike what many would think
or want it to be, in God there is neither partiality nor distinction, cf. Rom 2:11; 3:22. <o:p></o:p>

My dear brothers and sisters, being a
child of God goes beyond the boundaries we make. Borrowing the words of Saint
John “Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is
born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is
love” (1Jn 4:7-8). And anyone who
does not love others is a child of devil, cf. 1Jn 3:10. One’s love for God can be made manifest in the love for
others, cf. 1Jn 4:20. God expects us
to do good to everybody whether the beneficiary is a Christian or not, belongs
to the same denomination or not, and at all times. <o:p></o:p>

Have you ever imagined how it will be like when every child of God
lives as God wants? One cannot but express his or her joy with the Psalmist:
“... Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” (Ps 133:1). God is of peace and not
confusion, cf. 1Cor 14:33.<o:p></o:p>

Bible Reading: 1Pt 3:8 – 4:11; Acts 11:1-18; Rom 2:1-16; 1Cor
13:1-13.<o:p></o:p>

Thought for today:
What reigns in you as a child of God?

Let us pray: God, as we have received from you the gift of
becoming your children, may we live as we should – Amen.

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Seventh Sunday of Easter (B)

Homily (Reflection) for the Seventh Sunday of Easter (B) (16 th May, 2021) on the Gospel Acts 1:15-17.20-26; Ps 102:1-2.11-12.19-20 (...

Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 05:04

Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of
the Sixth Week of Easter (15th May, 2021) on the Gospel

Acts 18:23-28;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 46:2-3.8-10. (R. v. 8);<o:p></o:p>

Jn 16:23-28.<o:p></o:p>

Topic: In the presence of God.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf54mfH1oeu-mnkoU2Th6gRDCvQeFausQ3R3PPIjhOt_Sgo9BQVXYfX_JcPfu7YOnrzuUvh5N5W8DFTvlTh_d4schCk4pOyRsD6Q8_2xX5OAscxNWTLVFRB6aihOR99hNswTzI9Sk69wU/s155/15.05.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="147" data-original-width="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf54mfH1oeu-mnkoU2Th6gRDCvQeFausQ3R3PPIjhOt_Sgo9BQVXYfX_JcPfu7YOnrzuUvh5N5W8DFTvlTh_d4schCk4pOyRsD6Q8_2xX5OAscxNWTLVFRB6aihOR99hNswTzI9Sk69wU/s0/15.05.2021.jpg" /></a></div> Today’s gospel refers to that day when Christ’s disciples
will have joy nobody can take away, cf. Jn
16:22. That is when all the troubles and worries of this world are gone. <o:p></o:p>

We read about that day in the first letter of Saint John, “Beloved,
we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know
that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (1Jn 3:2). And in the book of Revelation
we read more about the elects,<o:p></o:p>

They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will
not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the centre of the
throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water
of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Rev 7:16-17).<o:p></o:p>

In chapter 21, we read also that God will dwell among them
and “...will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more,
neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former
things have passed away” (Rev 21:4).
It will be all day and there will be no need of light because the Lord God will
be their light, and they shall reign forever and ever, cf. Rev 22:5; 21:23.<o:p></o:p>

Dear friends, in the presence of God there is fullness of joy
that will last forever, cf. Ps 16:11.
One either work for that or for the things that will certainly pass away, cf. 2Pt 3:10; 1Cor 2:6; Jas 1:9-10. Make
your choice now.<o:p></o:p>

Thought for today: Our nationality is in heaven (cf. Phil
3:20).<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord, remember that we are dust and
on our own we can do nothing – Amen (cf. Ps
103:14; Jn 15:5).<o:p></o:p>

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Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter (15 th May, 2021) on the Gospel Acts 18:23-28; Ps 46:2-3.8-10. (R. v...

Feast of Saint Matthias, Ap.

thepulpitonline.com 0 Solemnities and Feasts 04:39

Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of
Saint Matthias, Ap. (14th May, 2021) on the Gospel and the Feast

Acts 1:15-17.20-26;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 112:1-8. (R. cf. v. 8);<o:p></o:p>

Jn 15:9-17.<o:p></o:p>

Saint Matthias was chosen by the believers to replace
Judas Iscariot following Judas' betrayal of Jesus and his subsequent suicide,
cf. Matt 27:3-5; Acts 1:15-26. This selection was made after Christ’s ascension
into heaven but before the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. He died
c. 80 AD.  <o:p></o:p>

Topic: They have a common door.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8R5KaAwRxjLNhx-Q62e9nIwvr61KUBn25ntl-hHmyVr_YLc438sMUiwzf5XsZtxuyB1zB3vdBm2kD6V1gmHZkzBPVpU-2vtGubN5hLSygyffGHfh7Air2ITlcAjWFDaxCcLqVS2nWuk/s264/St+Matthias%252C+Ap..png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8R5KaAwRxjLNhx-Q62e9nIwvr61KUBn25ntl-hHmyVr_YLc438sMUiwzf5XsZtxuyB1zB3vdBm2kD6V1gmHZkzBPVpU-2vtGubN5hLSygyffGHfh7Air2ITlcAjWFDaxCcLqVS2nWuk/s0/St+Matthias%252C+Ap..png" /></a></div> In today’s gospel, Jesus requests us to remain in His love
likened to His Father’s love for Him. Just like the water from the sanctuary
brings total transformation and restoration to wherever it flows, Christ’s love
brings fullness of joy to all who receive it, cf. Ezek 47:8, 12. However, Christ’s love has a condition attached to
it. Jesus said, “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.” He went further
and said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved
you.”<o:p></o:p>

Jesus did not simply ask us to love each other but He gave us
a standard, His love for us. As a result one might ask, ‘How does Christ love
us?’ Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans reads, “For while we were still weak, at
the right time Christ died for the ungodly.... God proves his love for us in
that while we still were sinners Christ died for us” (Rom 5:6,8). <o:p></o:p>

For anyone to remain in Christ’s love, he/she must allow
Christ’s love to flow. That is, the person must love Him back through loving
others just as He loved us, cf. Matt
25:40, 45. And we have seen that His love for us was shown when we were
still sinners. Our love for others and Christ’s love for us share the same
door. Hence, shutting the door of love against anybody means shutting oneself
out of Christ’s love. And just as Saint Matthias was chosen to witness to the
resurrection of Christ, we all are chosen to witness to Christ’s love by loving
others as Christ loved us.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord, help us love our brothers and
sisters as you loved us – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

Saint Matthias – Pray for us.<o:p></o:p>

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Feast of Saint Matthias, Ap.

Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Saint Matthias, Ap. (14 th May, 2021) on the Gospel and the Feast Acts 1:15-17.20-26; Ps 112...

Solemnity of Ascension of the Lord, B

thepulpitonline.com 0 Solemnities and Feasts 04:59

Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of Ascension of the Lord, B, (13th
May, 2021) on the Gospel and the Solemnity<o:p></o:p>

Acts 1:1-11;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 46:2-3.6-7.8-9. (R. v.6);<o:p></o:p>

Eph 4:1-13 or Eph 4:1-7.11-13;<o:p></o:p>

Mk 16:15-20.<o:p></o:p>

Topic: Our Head is in heaven.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MfHfRRhjg8FSzUkYarYA-4LZbLtfPJEwI2P3vuYvKHjob37DG1bpIf5Fv4mPTn8YD0KHDcL1njnxgIODhf4EoxabzTSgAGdCsoaIvx8c1DhnUM_FF2VfE3pIVllkNTNFIlDX5VKkbSM/s259/13.05.2021.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MfHfRRhjg8FSzUkYarYA-4LZbLtfPJEwI2P3vuYvKHjob37DG1bpIf5Fv4mPTn8YD0KHDcL1njnxgIODhf4EoxabzTSgAGdCsoaIvx8c1DhnUM_FF2VfE3pIVllkNTNFIlDX5VKkbSM/s0/13.05.2021.png" /></a></div> In the gospel, Jesus told us unequivocally that He came down
from heaven, cf. Jn 3:13, 31; 6:38.
Again, while teaching about the sacrament of His Body and Blood Jesus also
repeated that He came down from heaven, cf. Jn 6:41, 51, 58. And Saint Paul also wrote that Christ came down
from heaven, cf. 1Cor 15:47.<o:p></o:p>

We celebrate today the ascension of Christ into heaven. And
we read in today’s gospel, “...after he had spoken to them, was taken up into
heaven and sat down at the right hand of God” (Mk 16:19).<o:p></o:p>

Christ whom we celebrate His ascension today “is the head of
the church, his body, and is himself its Saviour” (Eph 5:23). Again, “we are members of his body” (Eph 5:30; 1Cor 12:27).<o:p></o:p>

Jesus Christ ascended into heaven before us and for us, cf. Heb 6:20; Jn 14:2-3. Hence, we do not
merely celebrate today Christ’s ascension into heaven, we also “express our
Christian hope that where he, our Head, has gone before us, we, his Body, will
one day follow, to live forever in the Kingdom of our Father.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter/Sixth%20Week%20of%20Easter%20(2021).docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; 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]</a>
But we must be ready. Saint Paul wrote that when we call God, Abba (Father),<o:p></o:p>

it is that very [the Holy] Spirit bearing witness with our
spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God
and joint heirs with Christ – if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may
also be glorified with him (Rom 8:16-17).<o:p></o:p>

So dear friends, we must hearken to Saint Paul’s
admonition, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are
above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1). We read from Saint Peter, “He himself bore our sins in
his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By
his wounds you have been healed” (1Pt
2:24). And also Saint Paul in his letter to the Colossians also wrote, “he
has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you
holy and blameless and irreproachable before him” (Col 1:22). So whoever wants to ascend to where Christ is must
therefore not use his/her body which is part of Christ’s body for evil, cf. 1Cor 6:15. Are you ready?<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: God, help us to be ever ready to
ascend to where our Head has gone before us – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

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<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter/Sixth%20Week%20of%20Easter%20(2021).docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; 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]</a>
The Sunday missal: A new edition (1995). London: HarperCollins Religious, p.768.<o:p></o:p>

</div>

Solemnity of Ascension of the Lord, B

Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of Ascension of the Lord, B, (13 th May, 2021) on the Gospel and the Solemnity Acts 1:1-11; ...

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Seventh Sunday of Easter (B)

Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Feast of Saint Matthias, Ap.

Solemnity of Ascension of the Lord, B

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