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Sons and Daughters of God?: Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent (9th March, 2016).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 01:57

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topic: Sons and Daughters 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;">In reply to the Jews who were condemning Him for curing the
man who had been ill for thirty-eight years Jesus said, “My Father is still
working, and I also am working.” The Jews judged this statement blasphemous and
sought all the more to kill Him. And today’s gospel reads further, “Very truly,
I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father
doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 5:19</b>). Jesus goes on proving His
divinity through His works, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 10:
32, 38</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 said to the Jews, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your
father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in
the truth, because there is no truth in him.... Whoever is from God hears the
words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 8:44, 49</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 us friends because He has made known to us all He
heard from the Father, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 15:15</b>.
And for us to remain His friends, we must do what He taught us, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 15:14</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;">We must consider what we do. Are they the things God asks of us
or not? If they are we are really sons and daughters of God but if not then we
must redefine our paternity. The gospel concludes with these words, “I can do
nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgement is just, because I seek
to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 5:30</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;">: Jn 8:31-59.<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;"> Going to church does not make one 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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, help us to show that we are
truly your children by our actions – 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%;">Sharing is caring</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. You are free to share our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">daily reflections</b> with your friends and
loved ones. They need them.<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;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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Sons and Daughters of God?: Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent (9th March, 2016).

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent (9 th March, 2016) on the Gospel Is 49:8-15; Ps 144:8-9.13-14.17-...

We always have God: Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent (8th March, 2016).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 03:08

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topic: We always have 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;">In today’s gospel, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a Jewish festival.
And in Jerusalem was a pool with five porticoes in which people with different ailments
gathered. One man there had been ill for thirty-eight years. Jesus said to him,
“Do you want to be made well?” And the sick man replied, “Sir, I have no one to
put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my
way, someone else steps down ahead of me.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like this sick man we often see ourselves complaining that we
are alone. Yet God has said to us, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have
called you by name, you are mine,” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is
43:1</b>). And God is ever faithful in all his words and gracious in all his
deeds, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 145:13</b>. To further
confirm His faithfulness, He also said, “Can a woman forget her sucking child,
that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may
forget, yet I will not forget you” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is
49:15</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 said to the sick man, “Stand up, take your mat and walk”
after thirty-eight years. The gospel reads further, “At once the man was made
well, and he took up his mat and began to walk”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That one has been in a challenging condition for a long time
does not mean that God is no longer God. He is ever faithful. God promised to
be with us even in the time of trouble to rescue us and to honour us, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 91:15</b>. He will surely manifest
Himself but at His own time, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Thess
2:6</b>; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 102:13</b>. So do not shiver
because people are against you, God who is with us is greater, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Job 33:12</b>. We need just to call on Him
and wait for His assured answer, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jer
33:3</b>. But we must keep our faith intact, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 18:8</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;">: Ps 91; Ps 102.<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;"> God is always with us, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 8:10; Matt 1:23</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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, always assist us in situations
that challenge us – 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%;">Sharing is caring</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. You are free to share our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">daily reflections</b> with your friends and
loved ones. They need them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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We always have God: Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent (8th March, 2016).

Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent (8 th March, 2016) on the Gospel Ezek 47:1-9.12; Ps 45:2-3.5-6.8-9 ...

Believe the word: Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent (7th March, 2016).

thepulpitonline.com 1 Weekday Homilies 04:15

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topic: Believe the word.<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;">Jesus returned to Galilee in today’s gospel after spending
two days with the Samaritans, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn
4:39-40</b>. They welcomed Him because they had seen all He did in Jerusalem
during the festival. When a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum heard
about Jesus, he came and begged Him to come down and heal his son. The gospel
reads, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then Jesus said to him, ‘Unless you see signs and wonders you
will not believe.’ The official said to him, ‘Sir, come down before my little
boy dies.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your son will live.’ The man believed the
word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 4:48-50</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;">While the official was still on his way he received the news that
his son recovered the very moment Jesus told him that his son would live. The official
and his whole family believed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That question Jesus asked the official is very crucial today
because it looks as if many today are waiting for signs and wonders to be
convinced. Although many today would take Jesus to their house after telling
them to go just to be sure but immediately Jesus told the official to go home
he believed Him without hesitation.<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 ought to accept and keep the word of God. It opens the
door for God to come in and to dwell in us, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 14:23</b>. One needs faith to be able to do this, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heb 11:6</b>. Looking for signs and wonders
could lead one farther away from God. One must be very careful of what he/she
is after.<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 18:1-8.<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;"> God’s word seeks our faith.<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%;"> Our Father and Lord help us keep our
faith in you to the end – 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%;">Sharing is caring</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. You are free to share our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">daily reflections</b> with your friends and
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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>

Believe the word: Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent (7th March, 2016).

Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent (7 th March, 2016) on the Gospel Is 65:17-21; Ps 29:2.4-6.11-13 (R.v...

We deserve pity: Fourth Sunday of Lent (C) (6th March, 2016).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 05:06

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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 Fourth Sunday
of Lent (C) (6</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> March, 2016) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Josh 5:9-12;<span style="mso-tab-count: 7;">                        </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">OR</b> <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">    </span>1Sam
16:1.6-7.10-13;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ps 33:2-7. (R.v.9);<span style="mso-tab-count: 5;">                      </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">   </span>Ps 22. (R.v. 1);</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">2Cor 5:17-21;<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;">            </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">      </span> <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">   </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">          </span>Eph 5:8-14;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lk
15:1-3.11-32.<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">        </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 
</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">      </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">          </span>Jn 9:1-41 or Jn 9:1.6-9.13-17.34-38.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A priest was preparing to throw himself over a cliff. On the
way he stopped at the house of a priest friend to say goodbye. He told him the
story of his sad life: how little he had loved God and served the people. How
he had broken every commandment there was. And now his guilt was too great even
for God to forgive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">His friend reasoned with him, “But you know that the mercy
of God is immeasurably great. And he always offers us his love. We must only
accept it.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But the priest was still inconsolable, “my soul,” he said, “is
like a bucket full of holes. As soon as God fills it with forgiveness, it leaks
out.”</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfaGKKE7TZwuxARob4z26Z3KFpAGUD-XOmGXcTBtn1mHZaF0RO-NrBIOWuW0kSBaPP0HTs9xHOltZ7ihKexAspwqFEInejWI0r6JjMzl5BKsgOGOjKxzcsWujh3i8g2ecwoQI-8BhrIE/s1600/06.03.2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfaGKKE7TZwuxARob4z26Z3KFpAGUD-XOmGXcTBtn1mHZaF0RO-NrBIOWuW0kSBaPP0HTs9xHOltZ7ihKexAspwqFEInejWI0r6JjMzl5BKsgOGOjKxzcsWujh3i8g2ecwoQI-8BhrIE/s1600/06.03.2016.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">His friend took him by the hand and said, “Perhaps your soul
is like a bucket full of holes. But when it is thrown into the ocean of God’s
mercy, it does not matter how many holes are in it. The mercy of God, like the
sea water, will be inside and outside the bucket, surrounding it from all
sides.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/fb/Year%20C%202015-2016/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter%20on%20the%20Gospels/Fourth%20Sunday%20of%20Lent%20(C)..docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">’”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Topic:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> We deserve pity</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In today’s gospel, the Pharisees
and the scribes were upset because Jesus welcomed and ate with sinners. In
response, Jesus used a number of parables of which the parable of the loving father
(the prodigal son) is just one of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The loving father had two sons. The
younger one took his own share of their father’s wealth to a distant land and squandered
it after which things got really bad. When he returned to his father for forgiveness
he was immediately reinstated to his princely position instead of being treated
as a hired servant. Their father celebrated his return although his elder brother
who was in the field got so angry that he refused to enter the house. He felt their
father was unfair. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Some like the elder son do think that God is inconsiderate. How
could He be so blind to all one is going through just because of Him? Yet His
arms are ever wide-open welcoming sinners. Some even see themselves as losers since
they have little or nothing to show for their steadfastness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">God warns, </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt 0.7in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">... when a righteous man turns away
from his righteousness and commits iniquity and does the same abominable things
that the wicked man does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds which he
has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the
sin he has committed, he shall die (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ezek
18:24; cf. Ezek 3:20; 18:26</b>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">And nobody knows when God will ask for each and every one of
us, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 24:42; Mk 13:33, 35</b>. Also
we read from the letter of Saint James, “whereas you do not know about
tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time
and then vanishes” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 4:14</b>).</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The book of Proverbs admonishes us, “Let not your heart envy
sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 23:17</b>). Nobody in his or her right
senses will abandon his/her princely state and leaves the house he/she is
living in unless for something better. Sin is a disease, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 13:15; Jn 5:14</b>. And a sick person
deserves pity. Hence, the loving father rightly pleaded with the elder son,
“Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to
celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to
life; he was lost and has been found” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk
15:31-32</b>). Those who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak,
and not to please themselves, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom
15:1</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In this parable also, we see the danger of what I prefer to
call autonomous or self-styled spirituality (one being in charge of his/her
spiritual life). The younger son never had problems until he left for a distant
land. In our introductory story we see a priest who would have ended it all if not
for the intervention of his priest friend. We will surely end up in problems if
we do not listen to good pieces of advice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Again, it is not easy to make a u-turn. Although we do not
pray for more prodigal sons and daughters but whoever turns back ought to be
received not just by God but by all of us with arms wide-open. Many prodigal
sons and daughters die daily in distant lands. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">And again, we all are prodigal sons and daughters of which I
am number one. Hence we read from prophet Isaiah, “All we like sheep have gone
astray; we have turned everyone to his own way” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 53:6</b>). Similarly, we read from the book of Ecclesiastes, “Surely
there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eccl 7:20</b>).</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Finally, fellow prodigal sons and daughters, wait no more. You
may have broken every commandment, it is time to return to our Loving Father. The
mercy of God is much bigger than all our sins. Let us go back and sin no more,
cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 5:14; 1Cor 15:34</b>.</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;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Ezek 3:16-27; </span>18:1-32; Jas 4:13-17<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></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;">Thought for today:</b>
You deserve to live.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span>Lord help us to emerge victorious in
our battle against sin – Amen. </span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Note</b>: We reflected
on this gospel with theme: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God is
waiting</b> last two Saturdays (27</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> February, 2016). You may read
it if you have not or to refresh your memory. For easy access, click on this
link: </span></span><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/2016/02/god-is-waiting-saturday-of-second-week.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://www.thepulpitonline.com/2016/02/god-is-waiting-saturday-of-second-week.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sharing</b> is caring. You are very free to share our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">daily reflections</b> with your friends and
loved ones. They need them.</span></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For
more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">God bless you+</span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">

<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 3pt 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/fb/Year%20C%202015-2016/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter%20on%20the%20Gospels/Fourth%20Sunday%20of%20Lent%20(C)..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-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sagayanathan, A. (2009). <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Launching
pad: Stories for Sunday homilies – A, B & C</i></b>. Bangalore: Asian
Trading Corporation, p. 266.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>

We deserve pity: Fourth Sunday of Lent (C) (6th March, 2016).

Homily (Reflection) for the Fourth Sunday of Lent (C) (6 th March, 2016) on the Gospel Josh 5:9-12; OR ...

A must watch: Saturday of the Third Week of Lent (5th March, 2016).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 02:23

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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: A must watch</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel, two men went up to the temple to pray, a
Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee, the gospel reads, “standing by
himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people:
thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a
week; I give a tenth of all my income.’” On the other hand, “the tax collector,
standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast
and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” Jesus concludes saying, “I
tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all
who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humbled themselves will be
exalted.’”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the prayer made by the Pharisee, one thing that defiled
all his deeds is pride. Most probably he had no idea of this because it comes
from within, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 7:21-23</b>. Hence it
is not an easy task helping one to realise how proud he/she is.<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 book of Proverbs reads, “Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov
16:18</b>). Again, “A man's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in
spirit will obtain honour” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 29:23</b>).
And again, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but with the humble is
wisdom” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 11:2</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The higher one goes even spiritually the more serious this enemy
attacks. Just as pride defiled the Pharisee and all the acts that supposed to
be meritorious so it also affects us. It is important to heed Saint Paul’s
advice, “Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others
better than yourselves” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Phil 2:3</b>). And
always remember that “all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the
lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the
world” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn 2:16</b>). Finally, “friendship
with the world is enmity with God” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas
4:4</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;">: Mk 7:14-23; 1Jn 1:5-10.<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;"> Pride defiles a person.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, give us your grace to conquer
the enemy within called pride – 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%;">Sharing is caring</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. You are free to share our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">daily reflections</b> with your friends and
loved ones. They need them.<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;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></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;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></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;">Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></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;">Calls/SMS: +234 905 655 4466<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></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;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">                     </span>+234 813 305 0302 <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 30%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></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>

A must watch: Saturday of the Third Week of Lent (5th March, 2016).

Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of the Third Week of Lent (5 th March, 2016) on the Gospel Hos 5:15–6:6; Ps 50:3-4.18-21 (R. ...

Although not far: Friday of the Third Week of Lent (4th March, 2016).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 04:41

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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 Friday of the
Third Week of Lent (4<sup>th</sup> March, 2016) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hos 14:2-10;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ps 80:6.8-11.14.17. (R. vv. 9.11);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mk 12:28-34</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></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";">Topic: Although not far.<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";">A scribe asked Jesus in today’s gospel, “Which commandment is
the first of all?” In reply Jesus quoted the books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus,
“The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall
love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with
all your mind, and with all your strength” (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut 6:4-5</b>). He goes further, “The second is this, ‘You shall love
your neighbour as yourself’” (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lev
19:18</b>; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">19:34</b>). The scribe agreed
with Jesus. And finally, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom
of God.”<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 scribe was neither far from the kingdom of God nor inside
it. In Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans we read, “it is not the hearers of the
law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be
justified” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 2:13</b>). Again, the
letter of Saint James exhorts us, <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 be doers of the word, and not mere hearers who deceive
themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like
those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on
going away, immediately forget what they were like (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 1:22-24</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";">We also read in the gospel, “you will know the truth, and the
truth will make you free” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 8:32</b>).
The scribe was not far because he had known the truth and was truly free to
choose life or death, blessing or curse, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut 30:19</b>. Knowledge can only bring one near to the kingdom of God
but action is required to be inside. Whoever wants to be inside must love God
with all his/her heart, soul, mind, and strength and also love his/her
neighbour as him/herself.<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;">: Jas 1:19-27.<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;"> Near or inside the kingdom 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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, help us not to be near to your
kingdom but to be inside it – 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%;">Sharing is caring</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. You are free to share our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">daily reflections</b> with your friends and
loved ones. They need them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Calls/SMS: +234 905 655 4466<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></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";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">                     </span>+234 813 305 0302 <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 30%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">God bless you+</span>

Although not far: Friday of the Third Week of Lent (4th March, 2016).

Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the Third Week of Lent (4 th March, 2016) on the Gospel Hos 14:2-10; Ps 80:6.8-11.14.17. (R. vv...

Tarnishing others: Thursday of the Third Week of Lent (3rd March, 2016).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 05:03

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topic: Tarnishing others.<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;">The people accused Jesus of casting out the demons by
Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons. Others tested Him by demanding a sign from
heaven. However, Jesus told them that no kingdom that divided against itself can
stand and the devil’s is not an exception. He also asked them of whose power
their children cast out demons because casting out demons was not carried out
by Jesus alone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">People are gifted differently, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 12:4, 27-31</b>. As a result, it is unreasonable for one to expect
all to be either good or bad in one thing or another. Each person ought to be according
to his or her gifts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Often people are given names just to tarnish their image
because they are good according to their gifts. In today’s gospel the people gained
by crediting Jesus’ power to Beelzebul? Similarly no one gains anything by tarnishing
other’s image instead we expose ourselves to difficulties because every gift is
for the common good, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 12:7; 1Pt
4:10</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 should seek the good of our neighbours, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 10:24</b>. Tarnishing one another’s image
benefits nobody. We must be happy with and for others because blessings are from
God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 12:15</b>; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 11:12</b>. We will enjoy the best of God’s
gifts in a happy and peaceful atmosphere. Tarnishing others is like putting off
a candle lighted by God to light up others paths.<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 8:49-50; Rom 12:9-21.<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;"> Do not tarnish other’s image.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, help us to accept the fact that
we are gifted differently – 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%;">Sharing is caring</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. You are free to share our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">daily reflections</b> with your friends and
loved ones. They need them.<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;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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Tarnishing others: Thursday of the Third Week of Lent (3rd March, 2016).

Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Third Week of Lent (3 rd March, 2016) on the Gospel Jer 7:23-28; Ps 94:1-2.6-9. (R. v....

Pope's Prayer Intentions for March 2016

thepulpitonline.com 0 News 04:03

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 110%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let us pray with the Holy Father:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KLHqJ3clq0p32M9N82goJkLcGQCBE6W7dt3Wfc3IMOpvQR6gbHqGsVuUb68uKIliImSPCxGcBJJcJTqCpaoqEwg-auTXkMuCAAZgCZpt9Xk-1MFakN1HAtI1x8DPLb3Jq1LIN_bYs9w/s1600/Pope+Francis.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KLHqJ3clq0p32M9N82goJkLcGQCBE6W7dt3Wfc3IMOpvQR6gbHqGsVuUb68uKIliImSPCxGcBJJcJTqCpaoqEwg-auTXkMuCAAZgCZpt9Xk-1MFakN1HAtI1x8DPLb3Jq1LIN_bYs9w/s1600/Pope+Francis.png" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Prayer Intentions for March 2016<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Universal:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Families in Difficulty<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">That families in need may receive the necessary support and that
children may grow up in healthy and peaceful environments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Evangelization:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Persecuted Christians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">That those Christians who, on account of their faith, are discriminated
against or are being persecuted, may remain strong and faithful to the Gospel,
thanks to the incessant prayer of the Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Source: <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; 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;"><a href="http://apostleshipofprayer.org/2016-intentions/"><span style="color: blue;">http://apostleshipofprayer.org/2016-intentions/</span></a> </span>

Pope's Prayer Intentions for March 2016

Let us pray with the Holy Father: Prayer Intentions for March 2016 Universal: Families in Difficulty That families in need m...

Measure of greatness: Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent (2nd March, 2016).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 02:54

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topic: Measure of greatness.<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;">Jesus tells us in today’s gospel that His coming is to fulfil
the law and the prophets. To show that nothing is negligible in the word of God
He goes on to say, “not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from
the law until all is accomplished.” Jesus concludes saying, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these
commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the
kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great
in the kingdom of heaven (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 5:19</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The prophet Daniel reads, “And those who are wise shall shine
like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness,
like the stars forever and ever” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dan
12:3</b>). One might ask, ‘Who are the wise?’ The Psalm reads, “The fear of the
LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice
it. His praise endures forever!” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps
111:10; cf. Job 28:28; Prov 9:10</b>). And the book of Proverbs goes further, “The
fear of the LORD is hatred of evil” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov
8:13</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;">The fear of the Lord leads to life, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 19:23</b>. It also prolongs life, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 10:27</b>. Its reward is riches and honour and life, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 22:4</b>. It is “a fountain of life,
that one may avoid the snares of death” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov
14:27</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;">True greatness therefore is achieved by doing the will of God
wholeheartedly. There is no half measure. Either you are in or out because “whoever
keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 2:10</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;">: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Dan 12:2-3; Jas
2:1-13</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Unless you are wise.<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 the Holy Spirit teach us the fear
of the Lord which leads to true greatness – 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%;">Sharing is caring</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. You are free to share our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">daily reflections</b> with your friends and
loved ones. They need them.<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;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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Measure of greatness: Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent (2nd March, 2016).

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent (2 nd March, 2016) on the Gospel Deut 4:1.5-9; Ps 147:12-13.15-16....