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Repent: Homily (Reflection) for Monday after Epiphany of the Lord (4th January, 2016)

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for Monday after Epiphany
of the Lord (4<sup>th</sup> January, 2016)</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;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1Jn 3:22-4:6;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 2:7-8.10-11. (R. v. 8)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt
4:12-17.23-25</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><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: Repent</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel Jesus began His Galilean ministry with the
central message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 4:17</b>). <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues
and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every
sickness among the people. All the sick, those who were afflicted with various
diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, were brought to
Jesus and He cured them (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 4:24</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;">Jesus calls on all of us to repent and also to bring our
problems, disappointments, heartbreaks, joys, sorrows, and on to Him. He has
come to reconcile us with the Father and also to take our infirmities and our
diseases away, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 2:16</b>; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 8:17</b>. We should listen to Jesus and
be healed of our infirmities, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk
5:15</b>.<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 53:1, 3-7.<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;"> Come to Jesus.<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 help us listen to your word and be
healed of our infirmities – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear child of God, <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Help to increase the number of God’s children by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SHARING </b>our reflections with all your
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we plead with you to continue to
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Repent: Homily (Reflection) for Monday after Epiphany of the Lord (4th January, 2016)

Homily (Reflection) for Monday after Epiphany of the Lord (4 th January, 2016) 1Jn 3:22-4:6; Ps 2:7-8.10-11. (R. v. 8) Matt 4:12-17....

Your reign will not be eternal: Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (A,B,C) (3rd January, 2016)

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria Math","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of the
Epiphany </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">of</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria Math","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> the
Lord (A,B,C) (3<sup>rd</sup> January, 2016) on the Gospel and the Solemnity </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria Math","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b> </div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is
60: 1-6;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 71:1-2.7-8.10-13 (R. cf.
v.11)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eph 3:2-3.5-6;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Matt 2:1-12.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZt0kK0fyPlfqy0QIeQM2Xvfv7d_tRUlhTop_wi-XFvQXvivYn8Ft2tCevZGwcz9R8OAtyvBNRJOkemRL2rEOWIxi6EYBBq0iIz0xEG-UAADl5WsCaztsGyFYqEsW31YjyEOidoYLlba4H/s1600/03.01.2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZt0kK0fyPlfqy0QIeQM2Xvfv7d_tRUlhTop_wi-XFvQXvivYn8Ft2tCevZGwcz9R8OAtyvBNRJOkemRL2rEOWIxi6EYBBq0iIz0xEG-UAADl5WsCaztsGyFYqEsW31YjyEOidoYLlba4H/s320/03.01.2016.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">While reflecting on this gospel, I remembered one of
the games we played during our childhood days. The game can be played by two or
more children. No matter the number, only one of them stands at a time with
sand placed round his or her legs. The rest will gradually reduce the sand that
was placed around his or her legs while singing: “</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">onye kwụrụ ọtọ, egbutuo ya, sọ m bụ eze ga-akwụ ọtọ</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">”, meaning that whoever stands must be brought down
except ‘I’, the king. This certainly might serve as a reminder of the good
olden days? Such is life. We have left the stage for others just like those
before us did and the children on the stage now must in turn leave it for
others whether they like it or not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topic: </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Your reign will not be eternal</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wise men from the </span></span><a href="file://east/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">East</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> came to Jerusalem and asked:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“‘Where is the child who has been <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">born king of the Jews</b>? For we observed his star at its rising, and
have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened,
and all Jerusalem with him” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 2:2-3</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today is the solemnity of the manifestation of Jesus,
the newborn king, to the whole world. This brought joy and sadness, calmness
and agitation, peace and upset, and so on. One gift with different effects on the
recipients, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 4:10</b>; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 5:15; 6:23; Heb 6:4</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you ever looked back to see what you were
yesterday? No matter what you are today, do not forget what you were yesterday.
There was a time you were not, today you are, and tomorrow you will not. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These men from the East saw a star and followed it.
They are rightly called wise ones because they recognized the star of the new
born king when they saw it. The said star could not have been visible to the
wise men alone but they were the people who recognized it. It might do us good if
we reflect on whether we have ever seen any star.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Which star are we talking about? I remember those days
we spent time looking upwards with the intention of seeing the star that led
the wise men. While one points to one direction the rest will also be pointing to
other directions. Sometimes, we solve the problem with a quarrel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No doubt, it might sound funny solving a
problem with a problem (quarrel). Well, it worked for us. When one hears or
reads about the star that made the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">magi</b>
leave the East, one’s mind might go to those luminous bodies very far away. You
might be right but in this homily, we shall shift our minds a little beat so as
to get the message better. Looking into the sky might not affect our lives in
any way. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">People are gifted differently,
cf. 1Cor 12:4; Eph 4:11; Heb 2:4. In many fields, we have stars.</b> Therefore,
let us not think that the star is just something very far away. You have yours,
I have mine, and the rest have theirs. But when one sees someone’s star, what
does he or she do? We all do not have the same star, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 12:1-31</b>. But we are called to use our stars for the collective
good, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 10:24</b>. At the
appearance of other’s star/s, do you act like the wise men, like the chief
priests and scribes of the people or like Herod and his likes, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 2:2-6</b>?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While reflecting on this gospel pericope, one of the
questions that came to me is what happened to that star that made the wise men ask
questions about the newborn King? Well, the scripture did not say anything on
that but I see <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the disappearance of the
star as an opportunity for Herod and others in Jerusalem to recognize the Saviour.
However, they did not make anything good out of it, cf. Jn 1:11; Acts 13:26-28.</b>
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Herod’s reign has both a beginning and an end. If we
can always be conscious of the fact that whatever we are today we were not
yesterday, and will not be tomorrow, why do we waste opportunities creating
what will hunt both the ‘creator’ and others? What we create out of today will
either save or destroy us tomorrow. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
must be conscious of the legacy we leave behind. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My dear brothers
and sisters in the Lord always remember that what you are today, you were not
yesterday, and will not be tomorrow and make the best out of today. Again, do
not waste your time trying to stop other buds from coming up for fear of taking
over from you. You will not reign forever. Despite all the atrocities Herod
committed he did not reign forever. Encourage others to come up. One star will
be even brighter with other star/s beside it. The more you struggle to stop
others from coming up, the more enemies you create for yourself and whatever is
yours and more dangerous your retirement will be. Furthermore, be happy when
you see other people’s stars. This will bring out your own star/s. When you try
to stop or cover-up others’ stars, you will end up covering yours. Every star that
deserves the name is of God and as a result, no mortal can stop it. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">E jighị aka ekpuchi ọnwa</i>”, meaning that
no one can cover the moon with mere hands, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 13:1</b>; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 7:7</b>; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">11:12</b>. Do not fight against God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 9:4</b>; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 5:35, 39</b>.<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; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Readings</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Gen 37; Gen 41:37-57; Gen 45; Matt 2: 13-23; Acts
13: 26-52; Deut 11; 1Sam 17; 1Sam 18; 1Sam 31; 2Sam 2; 2Sam 5. 1Cor 12:1-31<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;">Thought for today: </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Whatever you are today, you were not yesterday, and will
not be forever. What you create out of today will either save or destroy you tomorrow.
<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; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let us Pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Heavenly father, help us to remember always how
short our span is, to know that no material thing will be eternal, and to make
out of all your gifts what will save and not what will destroy. We ask this
through Christ, our Lord – Amen!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May the star that led the wise men from the East to
the new born King be your guide now and forever + AMEN!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear child of God, <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Help to increase the number of God’s children by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SHARING </b>our reflections with all your friends and by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RECOMMENDING</b> them to Google if they
worth it. We also need your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">COMMENTS</b>
to help us know how we are doing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we plead with you to
continue to reflect with us daily on any of these media:<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: 50%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">                                                                                           </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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Your reign will not be eternal: Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (A,B,C) (3rd January, 2016)

Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (A,B,C) (3 rd January, 2016) on the Gospel and the Solemnity Is 6...

True Humility: Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saints Basil and Gregory, (Weekday of the Christmas Season) (2nd January, 2016)

Unknown 0 Memorials, Weekday Homilies 00:20

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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 the Memorial
of Saints Basil and Gregory, Bs, Ds <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">(Weekday of the Christmas Season)</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(2<sup>nd</sup>
January, 2016)</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1Jn 2:22-28;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 97:1-4. (R. v. 3)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jn 1:19-28</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazprRX_A5Lry9hkign0PHPkpE_o6y4bfdVhJfispl_oPoXQOH3aYINIkaWWoEbW7qOeB20xIVMy_riylu28weCLGYaGd3LU6966ji97PfWd6F0LfABqo_Y4ueC0aPjtguzyhjudpHm0Dy/s1600/2-1-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazprRX_A5Lry9hkign0PHPkpE_o6y4bfdVhJfispl_oPoXQOH3aYINIkaWWoEbW7qOeB20xIVMy_riylu28weCLGYaGd3LU6966ji97PfWd6F0LfABqo_Y4ueC0aPjtguzyhjudpHm0Dy/s320/2-1-16.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint Basil and Saint Gregory had a lot in common. They were
born about the year 330AD in Cappadocia. Both followed the monastic life for
some years before becoming bishops of Caesarea and Constantinople respectively.
They also fought Arian heresy. Saint Basil died on 1<sup>st</sup> January, 379
and Saint Gregory died on 25 January 389 or 390. They were life-long friends.<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%;"></span></b></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%;"></span></b></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%;"></span></b></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%;"></span></b></span> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: True Humility</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel, we see the testimony of John the Baptist. And
in this account, Saint John the Baptist’s witness was adorned with his humility.
He could have accepted being either the Messiah, Elijah, or the prophet without
being suspected because the people were filled with expectation, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 3:15</b>. Yet he declined those
personalities that could have fetched him great respect, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:20, 21</b>. He accepted being the
fulfilment of the Isaiah’s prophesy: “I am the voice of one crying out in the
wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:23</b>). <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How many today can toe the path of John the Baptist by accepting
who he/she is? Yet about him Jesus said: “Truly, I say to you, among those born
of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist...” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 11:11</b>; cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 7:28</b>). Remember that “whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 23:12</b>; cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 14:11; 18:14</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;">As we begin a New Year, may we learn how to accept ourselves,
our backgrounds, our neighbours, and so on just like the Saints we celebrate
today. Sometimes one might think that the easiest way to succeed is to put on
false self but it only plunges beyond one’s position. People who worth you will
certainly respect and accept you as you are but you must respect and accept
yourself first. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">True Humility </b>is one
accepting him/herself. This does not mean that one should not look for ways of
improving.<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;">: Lk 14:7-14.<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;"> Accept who you are (Be humble).<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%;"> May your grace O Lord help us accept
ourselves as we are – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<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%;">Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen
– Pray for us.</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear child of God, <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Help to increase the number of God’s children by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SHARING </b>our reflections with all your
friends and by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RECOMMENDING</b> them to
Google if they worth it. We also need your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">comments</b>
to help us know how we are doing.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we plead with you to continue to
reflect with us daily on any of these media:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God bless you+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

True Humility: Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saints Basil and Gregory, (Weekday of the Christmas Season) (2nd January, 2016)

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saints Basil and Gregory, Bs, Ds (Weekday of the Christmas Season) (2 nd January, 2016) 1Jn...

New Year with Mary, Mother of God: Homily (Reflection) for the Octave of Christmas: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (A, B, C) (1st January, 2016)

Unknown 0 Solemnities and Feasts 02:34

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Homily (Reflection) for
the Octave of Christmas: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (A, B, C) (1</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;">
January, 2016)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 50%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Num
6:22-27;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ps
66:2-3.5.6.8 (R. v. 2)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Gal
4:4-7;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 2:16-21</b>.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pAXXUf7d4v6PuiO7O2FVTuOOeNTu_YjZReb7a0g3UTp7VW0tqh3dgN5-Y_2PjSOqLdlqkxlyOhgE8lGrAtm1j1RmETVTJrDVun7fsqGXxJyWm_DlYEj__yEql4TriBSFt-LBz3RBj0hx/s1600/01.01.2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pAXXUf7d4v6PuiO7O2FVTuOOeNTu_YjZReb7a0g3UTp7VW0tqh3dgN5-Y_2PjSOqLdlqkxlyOhgE8lGrAtm1j1RmETVTJrDVun7fsqGXxJyWm_DlYEj__yEql4TriBSFt-LBz3RBj0hx/s320/01.01.2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 46.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As we step into 2016,
there is need to appraise the year 2015 to see to what extent one was able to
actualize his/her dreams (resolutions) among other things. Are there reasons to
thank God for? Bearing in mind the problems we face in the world, where do we run
to because our leaders seem to be more confused than the people they lead? </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 15pt 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 46.2pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topic: New Year with Mary, Mother of God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The title of the solemnity we celebrate was
declared as an article of faith in 431AD by the Council of Ephesus and is among
the titles of Mary that have generated so much controversy. I do not intend to
go into the controversy in this homily. But suffice it to say that unless one
doubts the divinity of Christ, one cannot doubt the divine maternity of Mary.
If Jesus Christ is God and Mary is the mother of Jesus, we cannot but conclude that
Mary is mother of God. Hence, she is rightly called the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: #181818; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">theotokos</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #181818; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span></b><span style="color: #181818; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">meaning God’s bearer that was first expressed
in the bible by Saint Elizabeth in these words: “And why has this happened to
me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 1:43</b>). The first letter of Saint John reads: “By this you know
the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in
the flesh is of God” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn 4:2</b>). No one
who denies the divine maternity of Mary can be said to be truly a Christian
because it is another way of denying that Jesus is God. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Being all-powerful and all-knowing,
God could have saved us without the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Yet out of limitless
options, the Word took fresh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary to live
among us, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:14</b>. This, he
planned from the time of our first parents, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gen. 3:15</b> and was fulfilled at the appropriate time, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gal 4:4</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sin of Adam and Eve destroyed
the relationship with God that man was enjoying and as a result was thrown out
of the presence of God who is light, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn
1:5</b>. And the world remained in darkness until the coming of Jesus Christ,
the light of the world, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 8:12</b>.
Jesus took flesh “to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow
of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 1:79, cf. Is 9:2</b>). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The situation of the world today no
doubt is both precarious and confusing one. We need God who is both the light
and the source of light. It will be good if we step into the New Year with
Mary, the Mother of God who is God’s best channel. Let us call unto her for
peace and security in the whole world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Today’s gospel reads: “The shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it
had been told them.” <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 2:20</b>. If we turn
to God through Mary with sincere hearts, like the shepherds, we will have every
cause to glorify and praise God for what God has done and for all he will do in
the world through her. She is the mother of God. The world really needs her maternal
protection. Borrowing some words from the Blessed Apostle: “See to it that no
one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human
tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not
according to Christ” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Col 2:8</b>).
Jesus Christ is God and we know that God cannot contradict Himself, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 31:5, 1Cor 1:9, 2Cor 1:18</b>. God who
asks us to honour our parents, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ex
20:12; Deut 5:16; Matt 15:4; Matt 19:19; Mk 7:10</b> will not despise His own
mother. Hence despite the fact that His time had not reached to perform miracle
He obeyed her at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 2:1-12</b>. Again, when they found him in the temple, “... he went
down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 2:51</b>). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Stepping into New Year normally goes
with setting of goals or targets for the year. Although for some, it is useless
to do so. But it is a good thing to make resolutions because anyone without aim
is aimless and anyone who does not plan how to succeed plans how to fail. Some
of us however have the problem of setting unworkable goals. Let us follow the
example of Mary while making the New Year resolutions. “… Mary … pondered them
in her heart.” <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk. 2: 19</b>, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk. 2: 51</b>. Ponder on the goal/goals you
are setting for yourself. Again, do not set so many of them; the fewer, the
better. Finally, take pains and write them down. Keep it where you will be
seeing it from time to time. It will help you to know how you move. </span></div>
<br />
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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-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible
Reading</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Gen. 3: 1-15; </span>Gal. 4:4-7; Jn 1:1-34; 2:1-12;
1Jn 4:1-21.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
<br />
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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;">Silent Prayer:</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Plan the year 2016 with </span>God
following the example of Mary.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Let
us humbly call on Mary: The Memorare</b>: </span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Remember
O most gracious Virgin Mary,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">that
never was it known,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">that
anyone who fled to thy protection,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">implored
thy aid or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Inspired
by this confidence,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
fly unto thee O Virgin of virgins, my mother,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">to
thee I come, before thee I stand,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">sinful
and sorrowful, O mother of the Word incarnate,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">despise
not my petitions but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amen</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May the newborn King through the
intercession of His mother and our mother (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 19:26-27</b>), Blessed Virgin Mary, bless the year 2016 and the rest
of our days for us <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">+ AMEN!</b></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Wishing you grace-filled New Year</span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear
child of God, <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Help to increase the number of God’s
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them to Google if they worth it. We also need your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">comments</b> to help us know how we are doing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">And we
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">God bless you+</span>

New Year with Mary, Mother of God: Homily (Reflection) for the Octave of Christmas: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (A, B, C) (1st January, 2016)

Homily (Reflection) for the Octave of Christmas: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (A, B, C) (1 st January, 2016) Num 6:22-27; Ps...

The Word was made flesh: Homily (Reflection) for the Seventh day in the Octave of Christmas (31st December, 2015)

Unknown 0 Weekday Homilies 02:21

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for the Seventh day in the Octave of Christmas (31<sup>st</sup>
December, 2015)</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1Jn 2:18-21;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 95:1-2.11-13. (R. v. 11)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jn 1:1-18</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLWvJZOksBo_LoaK8scPu_nZLyYWCya48Wc8fnuyEBzi1EStNjJ0eJivuViaAZVb_gdxnNwzyBUjacYOeB43BBiw9tQqmUtzIrDz4Y1lsXmXzgbhbVXcubRImThiFiUrejcpS1a0VLPZ-/s1600/31-12-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLWvJZOksBo_LoaK8scPu_nZLyYWCya48Wc8fnuyEBzi1EStNjJ0eJivuViaAZVb_gdxnNwzyBUjacYOeB43BBiw9tQqmUtzIrDz4Y1lsXmXzgbhbVXcubRImThiFiUrejcpS1a0VLPZ-/s400/31-12-2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></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: The Word was made flesh</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today is the Seventh day in the Octave of Christmas. And today’s
gospel explains to us a little the mystery of incarnation. Christ has come in
human likeness and is now living among us, His creatures in the form of slave, cf.
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:14; Phil 2:7</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These and many more notwithstanding, many do not see this
period beyond the time for vacation, shopping, and so on. For these Christ has
no place in Christmas. Hence the gospel reads: “He was in the world, and the
world came into being through him; yet the world did know him. He came to what
was his own, and his own people did not accept him” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:10-11</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We must not lose sight of the fact that all we enjoy are gifts
we received from Him, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:16; 1Cor
4:7</b>. It is wrong to take a gift and reject the giver.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gospel reads further: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.7in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">...to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave
power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of
the flesh or of the will of man, but of God (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:12-13</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we enjoy this season, it is important to remember that God
has given us his only Son. Whoever wants to benefit from this must receive Him as
he or she should. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Phil 2:3-11.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<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%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Do you </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">receive the gift of Jesus Christ</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> God help us to receive your Son and
may we also believe in Him – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear child of God, <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Help to increase the number of God’s children by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SHARING </b>our reflections with all your
friends and by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RECOMMENDING</b> them to
Google if they worth it. We also need your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">comments</b>
to help us know how we are doing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we plead with you to continue to
reflect with us daily on any of these media:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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The Word was made flesh: Homily (Reflection) for the Seventh day in the Octave of Christmas (31st December, 2015)

Homily (Reflection) for the Seventh day in the Octave of Christmas (31 st December, 2015) 1Jn 2:18-21; Ps 95:1-2.11-13. (R. v. 11) J...

Anna’s worship: Homily (Reflection) for the Sixth day in the Octave of Christmas (30th December, 2015)

Unknown 0 Weekday Homilies 01:45

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for the Sixth day in the Octave of Christmas (30<sup>th</sup>
December, 2015)</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;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1Jn 2:12-17;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 95:7-10. (R. v. 11)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lk 2:36-40</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><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: Anna’s worship</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel, we read about the role of a prophetess,
Anna the daughter of Phanuel during the presentation of Jesus in the temple. A
little we know about this woman is a good material for our Christian
reflection. She lived with her husband for just seven years before becoming a
widow and had been a widow to the age of eight-four. The gospel also tells us
that even in such a challenging situation “She never left the temple but
worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 2:37</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are many challenges we face in life. In these
challenging situations, Saint Paul admonishes us in his letter to the
Philippians thus: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">...let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ,
so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you
stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of
the gospel (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Phil 1:27</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;">And in his second letter to his son Timothy we also read: “preach
the word, be urgent in season and out of season...” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Tim 4:2</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;">We are expected to worship God like Anna both when people are
looking at us and when none is looking (night and day) with fasting and prayer.
We must be victorious always no matter the challenging situation we are in, cf.
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 8:37-39</b>.<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;">: Rom 8:31-39.<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;"> Be who you are.<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%;"> May God help us to be His true
children always – Amen.<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 help us to live as people
consecrated to you – Amen<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%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear child of God, <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Help to increase the number of God’s children by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SHARING </b>our reflections with all your
friends and by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RECOMMENDING</b> them to
Google if they worth it. We also need your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">comments</b>
to help us know how we are doing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we plead with you to continue to
reflect with us daily on any of these media:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<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;">God bless you+</span>

Anna’s worship: Homily (Reflection) for the Sixth day in the Octave of Christmas (30th December, 2015)

Homily (Reflection) for the Sixth day in the Octave of Christmas (30 th December, 2015) 1Jn 2:12-17; Ps 95:7-10. (R. v. 11) Lk 2:36-...

Consecrated to God: Homily (Reflection) for the Fifth day in the Octave of Christmas (29th December, 2015)

Unknown 0 Weekday Homilies 05:09

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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 the Fifth day
in the Octave of Christmas (29<sup>th</sup> December, 2015)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1Jn 2:3-11;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 95:1-3.5-6. (R. v. 11)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lk 2:22-35</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><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: Consecrated to God</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today’s gospel narrates how Jesus was presented in the temple
according to the law of Moses, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lev
12:1-4</b>. God directed that every first-born male must be consecrated to Him,
cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ex 13:2, 12</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But it is not only the first-born males that were consecrated
to God. God also said of all Israelites: “You shall be men consecrated to me” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ex 22:31</b>). And the entire Israelites
were truly consecrated Him, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ex 19:14</b>.
Hence we read in the book of Deuteronomy: “...you are a people holy to the LORD
your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his own
possession, out of all the peoples that are on the face of the earth” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut 7:6</b>). God loves those who are consecrated
to Him and who follow in His steps, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut
33:3</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all are also consecrated to the Lord. Hence we read in the
first letter of Saint Peter: “...you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him
who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Pt 2:9</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But dear child of God, consecration does not go with benefits
only. It has responsibilities also, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut
14:21;</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">26:18</b>. So remember always
that God loves you so much because you are His apple but never forget to do
your own part as a child of God.<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;">: Ex 13:11-16.<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;"> You are dedicated/consecrated to God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> God help us to live as people
consecrated to you – Amen<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear child of God, <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Help to increase the number of God’s children by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SHARING </b>our reflections with all your
friends and by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RECOMMENDING</b> them to
Google if they worth it. We also need your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">comments</b>
to help us know how we are doing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we plead with you to continue to
reflect with us daily on any of these media:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<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%;">+234(0) 813 305 0302</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SMS ONLY, anytime</b>); <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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Consecrated to God: Homily (Reflection) for the Fifth day in the Octave of Christmas (29th December, 2015)

Homily (Reflection) for the Fifth day in the Octave of Christmas (29 th December, 2015) 1Jn 2:3-11; Ps 95:1-3.5-6. (R. v. 11) Lk 2:2...

Herod’s anger: Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Holy Innocents (28th December, 2015)

Unknown 0 Solemnities and Feasts 04:33

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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 the Feast of
Holy Innocents (28<sup>th</sup> December, 2015) <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></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%;">(Octave of Christmas) on the Gospel and the Feast</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1Jn 1:5–2:2;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 123:2-5.7-8. (R. v. 7);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt 2:13-18</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The</span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Feast of Holy Innocents commemorates the children Herod the Great,
the Roman-appointed King of the Jews killed. He directed the Magi from the east
who were searching for Jesus to Bethlehem, and requested them to let him know the
newborn king when they found him. But they were warned in a dream not to go
back to Herod. Saint </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph" title="Saint Joseph"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Joseph</span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> also took
the child and his mother to Egypt as directed by an angel. And when Herod
realized that he had been tricked by the Magi, he was furious, and gave orders
to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old or
under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. The number of the
infants is not certain and some historians even doubt its authenticity. The
Holy Innocents, although Jewish, have been claimed as </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_martyrs" title="Christian martyrs"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">martyrs for Christianity</span></a><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons/Octave%20of%20Christmas.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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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: Herod’s anger</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the gospel according to Saint Matthew, King Herod was
frightened when he heard that a king was born, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt2:3</b>. He saw him as a rival. As a result, he ordered for the
massacre of every male child in and around Bethlehem who were 2 years old or
under as we read in today’s gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These Holy Innocents committed no offence. And in fact, no
offence was committed. Yet they were killed in such gruesome manner without any
atom of mercy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May be you have suffered Herod’s anger in one way or another.
And surely it was too painful because of the fact that you are innocent. Or
even you may still be suffering or nursing such pains.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the other hand, has anybody suffered Herod’s anger in your
own hands? And what have you done about it or hope to achieve through that?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you have suffered unjustly or still suffering like the
Holy Innocents, look unto God. And if others have suffered or are still
suffering in your hands, make amends today. It is very important. Remember, God
is coming to reward all according what each has done, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rev 22:12</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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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;">: Eph 4:25 – 5:2.<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;"> Has anyone suffered qunjustly in your hands?<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%;"> May God help us bring healing to all
those who suffer – Amen.<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%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear child of God, <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Help to increase the number of God’s children by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SHARING </b>our reflections with all your
friends and by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RECOMMENDING</b> them to
Google if they worth it. We also need your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">comments</b>
to help us know how we are doing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we plead with you to continue to
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God bless you+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II/Advent%20and%20Xmas%20Seasons/Octave%20of%20Christmas.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;"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_the_Innocents"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_the_Innocents</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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Herod’s anger: Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Holy Innocents (28th December, 2015)

Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Holy Innocents (28 th December, 2015) (Octave of Christmas) on the Gospel and the Feast 1Jn 1:5...