The Pulpit Online

Shepherds and Hired Labourers: Memorial of Saint Ambrose, B.D., (07th December, 2017) .

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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 Memorial
of Saint Ambrose, B.D., (07<sup>th</sup> December, 2017) on the Gospel and the Memorial</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcJZwtoPcSqTD3O5sQU4e54CX1H5KazdW-lFlI2C3sLKSIOoiRC3AZ_sp896otepSJbzsMA8G-fXxlsrjP-pjA36NXFAW6sM77jIGlVK4LY1pn945kpiupykfVkN-kI1jjHqwU3UaWL0/s1600/07.12.2017.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="104" data-original-width="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcJZwtoPcSqTD3O5sQU4e54CX1H5KazdW-lFlI2C3sLKSIOoiRC3AZ_sp896otepSJbzsMA8G-fXxlsrjP-pjA36NXFAW6sM77jIGlVK4LY1pn945kpiupykfVkN-kI1jjHqwU3UaWL0/s1600/07.12.2017.png" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint Ambrose was born about 339 at Trier and was elected
Bishop when he was still a catechumen. He accepted the position after
hesitation. Ambrose became a famous preacher and defender of the faith. He
received Saint Augustine into the Church. He fought paganism and also protected
the Church against political power. Saint Ambrose was a Christian bishop of
great faith and energy.<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%;">Topic: Shepherds and Hired Labourers</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the Jewish culture, the word shepherd does not simply designate one who takes
care of the ‘sheep’. It also and most importantly designates any person in
leadership position. Functions of a shepherd include feeding the flock, gathering
the lambs in his arms, carrying them in his bosom, and gently leading those
that are with young, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 40:11</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
absence of a shepherd and/or the presence of a bad one spells doom for the
sheep, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Zech 10:2</b>. Hence, in the
prophet Ezekiel we read, “...they were scattered, because there was no
shepherd; and they became food for all the wild beasts” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ezek 34:5</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And
in today’s gospel, Jesus tells us: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd
lays down his life for the sheep” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn
10:11</b>). However, “The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own
the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away – and the
wolf snatches them” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 10:12</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
has assigned to each and every person respective functions, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 12:4-11</b>. We ought to do everything
to His glory, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 10:31</b>. All
must be careful to be at the duty post. God threatens, “Woe to my worthless
shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword smite his arm and his right eye!
Let his arm be wholly withered, his right eye utterly blinded!” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Zech 11:17</b>). Again,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">...because
my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild
animals, since there was no shepherd; and because my shepherds have not
searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed
my sheep; therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the
Lord, I am against the shepherds; and I will demand my sheep at their hand... (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ezek 34:8-10</b>)</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<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%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Ezek 34:1-31; Zech 11:4-17</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;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Be the shepherd of the sheep entrusted to you</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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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%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Good shepherd, give us the grace to follow your example in shepherding
the sheep under us to the point of laying our lives for them</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> – Amen.<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;">You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><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: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Shepherds and Hired Labourers: Memorial of Saint Ambrose, B.D., (07th December, 2017) .

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Ambrose, B.D., (07 th December, 2017) on the Gospel and the Memorial Eph 3:8-12; ...

Bring them to Jesus: Wednesday of the First Week of Advent (II) (06th December, 2017)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 06:25

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of
the First Week of Advent (II) (06<sup>th</sup> December, 2017) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Bring them to Jesus</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although today’s gospel is made up of two sections – the
curing of many people (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 15:29-31</b>)
and the feeding of the four thousand (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt
15:32-37</b>), but one thing common is that they all came to Jesus with their needs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheW6wc3AkrnXdjoXhVHGlTOSOMJLCLccBUKu-IjpFFz2aRNdHjWE9bYbiMdv12IEXmM4y-56grL9Yzl6AmmoQNNuMMcxQhAlH4mqL7fCyNUiysjCnJMMMD2F1wBSv1nEHMHX01bztXik/s1600/07.08.2017.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheW6wc3AkrnXdjoXhVHGlTOSOMJLCLccBUKu-IjpFFz2aRNdHjWE9bYbiMdv12IEXmM4y-56grL9Yzl6AmmoQNNuMMcxQhAlH4mqL7fCyNUiysjCnJMMMD2F1wBSv1nEHMHX01bztXik/s1600/07.08.2017.png" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Needless to ask whether you have any need because it is obvious.
But where do you take these to – Jesus or some other place/s. Sometimes one
wonders whether God has suddenly lost the ability to know our needs or that
there is anything impossible or too hard for God, (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 18:27; Jer 32:17)</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;">My dearest in the Lord, as we prepare for the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ, it is important to be ready to meet him and to be with him.
Wait for him with all your needs, worries, troubles, confusions, crisis, joys,
pains, and so on. Above all, wait for him with your faith intact, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 18:8</b>. Again, as we prepare for his
coming, it is important to be ready to meet him with our lives and not our
words for he knows us through and through even when we did not utter a word,
cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut 2:7,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Ps 44:21; Ps 103:14; Ps 138:6; Nah 1:7; 1Jn
3:20</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;">: Lk 12: 22-34.<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;"> To whom do you turn in times of need</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.<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;">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;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Bring them to Jesus: Wednesday of the First Week of Advent (II) (06th December, 2017)

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the First Week of Advent (II) (06 th December, 2017) on the Gospel Is 25:6-10; Ps 22 (R. ...

Blessed eyes and ears: Tuesday of the First Week of Advent (II) (05th December, 2017).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 05:52

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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 Tuesday of
the First Week of Advent (II) (05<sup>th</sup> December, 2017) on the Gospel</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Blessed eyes and ears</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS23uaORZiR68ZvL2Xi1GTNyggcRVxOJU7Hqt0zx0dCe6pTU23LPCgoXNa1py5NKxYWfTSk1JDiuWy6qB87IjV5P2p7jZL5pT7zWiJPZhgfKYntE2aaOjpfLj4MjK8jdc8qD1GdWwwObM/s1600/05.12.2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="266" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS23uaORZiR68ZvL2Xi1GTNyggcRVxOJU7Hqt0zx0dCe6pTU23LPCgoXNa1py5NKxYWfTSk1JDiuWy6qB87IjV5P2p7jZL5pT7zWiJPZhgfKYntE2aaOjpfLj4MjK8jdc8qD1GdWwwObM/s200/05.12.2017.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel, Jesus turned to His disciples and said to
them privately:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blessed are your eyes that see what you see! For I tell you
that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We often play down on
our vocation as Christians. On this Saint Peter in his first letter wrote: <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 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. Once you were not a people, but
now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have
received mercy (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Pt 2:9-10</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;">Saint John also wrote: “See what love the Father has given
us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are ...” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn 3:1</b>). Jesus too said: “... I thank
you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things
from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes,
Father, for such was your gracious will” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk
10:21</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ, it is important
to call to mind how noble our call is. Again, we ought to be very humble
because no one achieved anything on his/her own. Hence, Saint Paul wrote, “Not
that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our
competence is from God” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Cor 3:5; cf.
2Cor 5:18; 2Cor 4:7</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: 1Pt 2:11-17; 1Cor 1:18-31.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.<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;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">

</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Blessed eyes and ears: Tuesday of the First Week of Advent (II) (05th December, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the First Week of Advent (II) (05 th December, 2017) on the Gospel Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2.7-...

What shocked Jesus: Monday of the First Week of Advent (II) (04th December, 2017).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 05:49

<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%;">Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the
First Week of Advent (II) </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">04<sup>th</sup> December, 2017</b>)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: What shocked Jesus</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBQ_bbtDZYZkBvWBzuingiXYRX0TNO0Ek54MFzQVt_k9keALAepDJmyvGtICt3La1XP9FEbIDmnn23m46gucseIudZ3TL0f6hr8i4SokzTPOEhWajxEkEmbhiPuJmF5fXm9SSBwJLWeY/s1600/04.12.2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBQ_bbtDZYZkBvWBzuingiXYRX0TNO0Ek54MFzQVt_k9keALAepDJmyvGtICt3La1XP9FEbIDmnn23m46gucseIudZ3TL0f6hr8i4SokzTPOEhWajxEkEmbhiPuJmF5fXm9SSBwJLWeY/s1600/04.12.2017.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the gospel, a centurion came up to Jesus and said: “...
Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 8:6</b>). One would expect the
centurion to rejoice when Jesus said He would come to his house and cure his
servant but he said: “... Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof;
but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 8:8</b>). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are so much to be picked from this gospel but we shall focus
on just two. First, the centurion knew the value of human being. Hence, he left
everything in search of solution to his servant’s illness. The servant could no
longer do his duties towards his master yet the centurion still value him so
much. How much do you value others? Christians are called to value everybody,
cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 10:25-37</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again, in the centurion was great faith. Hence, Jesus said in
amazement: “... Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith”
(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 8:10</b>). Do Christians still
have such faith or like Naaman who went away angrily saying: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">... I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand
and call on the name of the Lord his God, and he would wave his hand over the
spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus,
better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean? (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Kgs 5:11-12</b>) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God wants us to come to him today and all the days of our
lives for his benevolence but we must do this with faith and humility like the
centurion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</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-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; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">2Kgs 5:1-19; </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Lk 10:25-37</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Do you go to God with faith and humility?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-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; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Lord, as we embark on this journey of
faith in preparation for your Son’s coming, may we do so with faith and
humility – Amen</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">!</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.<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;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

What shocked Jesus: Monday of the First Week of Advent (II) (04th December, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the First Week of Advent (II) ( 04 th December, 2017 ) on the Gospel Is 2:1-5; Ps 121:1-2.4...

Life of Advent: First Sunday of Advent, (B) (03rd December, 2017)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 04:07

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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 First Sunday of
Advent, (B) (03</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">rd</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> December, 2017) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Is
63:16-17.64:1.3-8;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Ps 79:2-3.15-16.18-19
(R. v.4);</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">1Cor 1:3-9;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 13:33-37</b>.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1lRSVO83oKEZ8w4hd4hfiw4kiaXQHo-N1m6ksm2SvN8caYyOwFFu__bbTwcVcnD5sOxW5q39-jeCZhR8-tbBcuNuL7YmHEV1plfdDSZp-DTzVMzkTGLluFszBpUKVECDKgpfI_ck7ks/s1600/03.12.2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1lRSVO83oKEZ8w4hd4hfiw4kiaXQHo-N1m6ksm2SvN8caYyOwFFu__bbTwcVcnD5sOxW5q39-jeCZhR8-tbBcuNuL7YmHEV1plfdDSZp-DTzVMzkTGLluFszBpUKVECDKgpfI_ck7ks/s1600/03.12.2017.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Today is both
the New Year day and the first Sunday of the Year according to the Church’s
calendar known as the Liturgical year or calendar. Liturgical year is divided
into seasons. These seasons include Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary
time of the year. They (the seasons) are set aside to celebrate various events
in Jesus’ life.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The Liturgical year begins with the Evening prayer I of the
First Sunday of Advent which is the evening prayer of the Saturday preceding
the First Sunday of Advent and ends on Saturday of the 34th week of the Ordinary
Time. The development of the Liturgical year was a complex one involving many
traditions and cultures. The Liturgical year is all about the story of our
salvation. It guides us as we journey from this valley of tears to the eternal
Kingdom.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The word Advent
is from the Latin word adventus meaning arrival, approach, or coming.
Generally, the First Sunday of Advent falls between November 27 and December 3
whereas the Fourth Sunday of Advent falls between 18th and 24th December. The
season of Advent consists of four (4) Sundays but not necessarily four weeks.
During the season of Advent, the liturgical colour is violet or purple with the
exception of Third Sunday of Advent called Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday when rose
or pink vestment can be used. Gloria is not said during Mass. The season of
Advent is divided into two – from the Evening Prayer I of the First Sunday of
Advent to 16th December and from 17th December to 24th December. Advent is
sometimes called the little Lent because in most Eastern Orthodox and other
Eastern Christian Churches, it is also a time of fasting known as the Nativity
or Advent Fast which lasts for forty days.</span></div>
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</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></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Life of Advent</b>.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There is a story in Gerard Fuller’s
book, Stories for all seasons, about a discussion between a monk and an Abbot:</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“A monk asked, ‘Abbot, what has
God’s wisdom taught you? Did you become divine?’</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">‘Not at all.’</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">‘Did you become a saint?’</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">‘No, as you can clearly see.’</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">‘What then, O Abbot?’</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">‘I became awake!’</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As we begin the season of Advent which is also the beginning
of the liturgical year as already noted, the gospel charges us thus:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Be on your guard, stay awake, because
you never know when the time will come. It is like a man travelling abroad: he
has gone from his home, and left his servants in charge, each with his own work
to do; and he has told the doorkeeper to stay awake (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 13:33-34</b>).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Saint Paul admonishes us in these words: “... once you were
darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 5:8</b>). From the beginning of the
world, there is a separation between light and darkness, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gen 1:4, 18</b>. And as Christians, we are
children of Light. We are charged not to “... sleep, as others do, but let us
keep awake and be sober” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Thess 5:6</b>).
And the gospel also warns us of the consequences of not being awake: “So stay
awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, evening,
midnight, cockcrow or dawn; if he comes unexpectedly, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">he must not find you asleep</b> (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk
13:35-36</b>).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We need God who turns darkness into light, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Sam 22:29; Ps 18:28; Is 42:16</b> in our
lives for us to be able to be awake. Hence the psalmist said: “... Unless the
LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the LORD
watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 127:1</b>). Only those who are awake and can see seek the light, cf.
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 26:18</b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The period of Advent is a time of stocktaking. It is a time
for each and every one of us to check how far he/she lives as a child of light
we are called to be, a time to make amends. The book of Revelations urges us to
be “Awake, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death ...” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rev 3:2</b>). The season of Advent is a
time for all who have strayed in any way to come back to God. Saint Paul admonishes
us: “the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works
of darkness and put on the armour of light” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 13:12</b>). In his first letter to the Thessalonians he also wrote:
“But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a
thief. For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of the
night or of darkness” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Thess 5:5</b>).
In his first letter Saint Peter calls us: “... 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>). However, “If we say we have
fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according
to the truth” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn 1:6</b>). We must
walk as the children of light, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph
5:8</b>. And should “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but
instead expose them” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 5:11</b>). For
God “... has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to
the kingdom of his beloved Son” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Col
1:13</b>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Finally, my dear beloved, the season of Advent is a time of
preparation not just for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a
time to prepare ourselves most importantly for the coming of Jesus as the Judge
of the living and the dead either at one’s death or at the end of the world. We
also prepare during Advent to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. We are to
prepare for Christ who lives in our lives through His graces, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 6:19, Rev 3:20</b>. We are also called
to prepare for the coming of our Lord in a spirit of waiting, conversion, hope
and prayer. How well do we prepare for these or are we sleeping as we should
not (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Thess 5:6</b>)? Christians are
called to live the life of advent which is the life of being awake for Christ
also tells us all: “Stay awake!” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk
13:37</b>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Ps 104:1-35; Lk 12:35-40; Matt
24:42-44; 2Cor 4:1-7; 1Thes 4:13-5:11.</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thought for today:</b> <span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Do you
live the life of Advent?</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let
us pray</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span>God, as we begin
this New Year which is new opportunity to live as your children, may we always
be awake doing what you want of us. And may we never be found asleep – Amen. </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">May God bless you all+</span></span></div>

Life of Advent: First Sunday of Advent, (B) (03rd December, 2017)

Homily (Reflection) for the First Sunday of Advent, (B) (03 rd December, 2017) on the Gospel Is 63:16-17.64:1.3-8; Ps 79:2-3.15-16.18...

Pope's Prayer Intention for DECEMBER 2017

thepulpitonline.com 0 News, Teachings 12:22

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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;">Let us pray with the Holy
Father:</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;"><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;">Prayer Intention for DECEMBER
2017<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;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<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;">Theme:</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;"> The Elderly.<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;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 110%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<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 the elderly, sustained by families and Christian communities, may
apply their wisdom and experience to spreading the faith and forming the new
generations.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/THE%20POPE%20Prayer%20Inentions%20for%202017.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/THE%20POPE%20Prayer%20Inentions%20for%202017.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: 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;"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.apostleshipofprayer.org/2017-intentions/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">http://www.apostleshipofprayer.org/2017-intentions/</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>

Pope's Prayer Intention for DECEMBER 2017

Let us pray with the Holy Father: Prayer Intention for DECEMBER 2017 Theme: The Elderly. That the elderly, sus...

Be alert at all times (Lk 21:36): Saturday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (02nd December, 2017)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 05:10

<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of
the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (02<sup>nd</sup> December, 2017) on
the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Be alert at all times (Lk
21:36)</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the liturgical year ends today, Jesus admonishes 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;">Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with
dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch
you unexpectedly, like a trap....Be alert at all times, praying that you may
have the strength to escape all these things that will take place...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are grateful to God that we are alive to see the end of
this liturgical year. Many died during the course of this year. To Him be glory
forever and ever – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we thank Him for this rare opportunity, it is important to
check if we get anything out of this year. How many sins were you able to
overcome this year? Or are you as you were at the beginning of the year or most
regrettably worse?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God expects us to offer Him a broken and contrite heart today,
cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 51:17; 95:7-8</b>. We must be very
careful of the deceitfulness of sin, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heb
3:13</b>. Saint Paul rightly tells us that the sting of death is sin and the
wages of sin is death, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 15:56; Rom
6:23</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, one must be either the slave of sin, which leads to
death or of obedience, which leads to righteousness, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 6:16</b>. When the Son of Man will send His angels to gather out of
His kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 13:41</b>), hope you will not be among them?<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 5:3-20; </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Rom
6:1-23</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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</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;">: ...</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">the wages of
sin is death (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 6:23</b>)</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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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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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>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Be alert at all times (Lk 21:36): Saturday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (02nd December, 2017)

Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (02 nd December, 2017) on the Gospel Dan 7:15-2...

Perceiving the signs: Friday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (01st December, 2017).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 05:39

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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
Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (01<sup>st</sup> December, 2017) on the
Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Perceiving the signs</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd_5UychbYWLQqeSDoD-TDPh_6ScrW2WFlMELv9bCeQfZLtFUrQNY2Tuk_dv6nMrDsgdGy0miu-bmpTr8OK-7jNb184FuVW8HnzZ9OO9QLEIjCRKZa4kVZFkstsXff3iLNfHzD2zewOc/s1600/01.12.2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd_5UychbYWLQqeSDoD-TDPh_6ScrW2WFlMELv9bCeQfZLtFUrQNY2Tuk_dv6nMrDsgdGy0miu-bmpTr8OK-7jNb184FuVW8HnzZ9OO9QLEIjCRKZa4kVZFkstsXff3iLNfHzD2zewOc/s1600/01.12.2017.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus also said to His disciples, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they
sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near.
So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of
God is near. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some may find it very difficult seeing these things because
although we see a lot but we hardly perceive, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 13:14</b>. And like the Jews, we say that we are seeing. Jesus
cautioned, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We
see,’ your guilt remains” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 9:41</b>).
Everything that happens in the world is a lesson for us. However, we often miss
them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When things go for others the way we wish they go for us, we crave
to become them. Sometimes, we question why things go for us this or that way. However,
when things go for others the way we do not desire, rarely does anybody search
for the reason/s why he/she is not in their shoes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is only the grace of God that has lead us this far, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 15:10; Eph 1:7</b>. Only by His grace can
we trample down our foes, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Zech 10:5</b>.
We ought to humbly wonder always with David, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is
my house, that you have brought me thus far? (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Sam 7:18; 1Chr 17:16</b>) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</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;">: Eccl 1:1-11.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</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;"> Learn from every lesson</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</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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</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%;"> Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my
house, that you have brought me thus far? (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Sam
7:18</b>) God, I thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">

</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Perceiving the signs: Friday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (01st December, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (01 st December, 2017) on the Gospel Dan 7:2-14; ...

Shepherds and Hired Labourers: Memorial of Saint Ambrose, B.D., (07th December, 2017) .

Bring them to Jesus: Wednesday of the First Week of Advent (II) (06th December, 2017)

Blessed eyes and ears: Tuesday of the First Week of Advent (II) (05th December, 2017).

What shocked Jesus: Monday of the First Week of Advent (II) (04th December, 2017).

Life of Advent: First Sunday of Advent, (B) (03rd December, 2017)

Pope's Prayer Intention for DECEMBER 2017

Be alert at all times (Lk 21:36): Saturday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (02nd December, 2017)

Perceiving the signs: Friday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (01st December, 2017).

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