Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

<p> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (09^th June, 2021) on the Gospel</span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 50%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 50%;"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">2Cor 3:4-11;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Ps 98:5-9. (R. v.9);<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Matt 5:17-19</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Towards only one</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFngfFxwgjGgdk8TJ79XSpfAvmpRrzKMCzcXGOhi5XiJnsC01NR4-yeTmiEyLtA7MAdE5KAcALN9J37MLcWnhRVGcvT9898g6pUG2JmIDnjOfgxozoYTGlWO9JP5Ep3YF6hs3MU6m-Gmo/s246/09.06.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFngfFxwgjGgdk8TJ79XSpfAvmpRrzKMCzcXGOhi5XiJnsC01NR4-yeTmiEyLtA7MAdE5KAcALN9J37MLcWnhRVGcvT9898g6pUG2JmIDnjOfgxozoYTGlWO9JP5Ep3YF6hs3MU6m-Gmo/s0/09.06.2021.jpg" /></a></div><br />In the Jewish culture, another name for the Scripture (Old Testament) is the law and the prophets. Jesus said in today’s gospel,<o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 2pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">God who gave the Law through Moses and the prophecies through the prophets is same who spoke in the gospel. As a result, Jesus came not to destroy but to make whole (fulfil), cf. <b>Acts 3:18; Lk 24:44</b>. We read from Saint Paul, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (<b>2Tim 3:16</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Many incumbents seem to have set the agenda of condemning their predecessors. Probably, they think that by doing so they will deceive the people for ever. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Just as the God who spoke through the Law and the prophets is the same God we listen to in the gospels, it is the same God who made us all, cf. <b>Mal 2:10; Matt 23:9</b>. He has His purposes for each of us and also fulfils them, cf. <b>Ps 138:8. 57:2</b>. And He makes out the best out of everything for those who love him, cf. <b>Rom 8:28</b>. Christ came to fulfil and not to destroy. We ought to use our positions to fulfil and never to destroy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: 1Cor 10:23-33.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Fulfil and do not destroy others.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, help us make others better and never destroy them – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Visit our website: </span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 10%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">       Email: </span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span>

Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

  Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (09 th June, 2021) on the Gospel   2Cor 3:4-11; Ps 98:5-9....

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Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

<p> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; text-align: center;">(<b>08^th June, 2021</b>)<b> on the Gospel</b></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 50%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 50%;"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">2Cor 1:18-22;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Ps 118:129-133.135. (R. v.135);<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Matt 5:13-16</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Not just to be</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70dZpqZVw-nc2Ntr7Ea3gK2Qf_CSr49LJxRaBbmJijLTGS77H8qol3NR20R4-elmFDtLBs4e5GWEvL3vID2UgffztNDc2wJGXPKIhNi6mGWY3fNmsu5RJzULbimOdFPzZQqs9js2L2Tk/s228/08.06.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70dZpqZVw-nc2Ntr7Ea3gK2Qf_CSr49LJxRaBbmJijLTGS77H8qol3NR20R4-elmFDtLBs4e5GWEvL3vID2UgffztNDc2wJGXPKIhNi6mGWY3fNmsu5RJzULbimOdFPzZQqs9js2L2Tk/s0/08.06.2021.jpg" /></a></div><br />Jesus explained call to be His followers in today’s gospel with two imageries; salt of the earth and light of the world. The importance of these commodities cannot be neglected even in our daily lives. However, there is a follow-up to Jesus’ teaching that we are the salt of the earth: “but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot”. Again, Jesus referred to His followers as the light of the world and a city built on a hill which cannot be hid. He concluded,<o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 2pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">These teachings call for sober reflection on our call as Christians. In the words of Saint Peter this call made 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>1Pt 2:9</b>). And for Saint Paul, “... if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (<b>2Cor 5:17; cf. Rom 7:4</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Just as salt ought to be salty and light ought to give light Christians ought to live out their call. No Christian can either make the world tasty or give light for others to see without living the life. Whoever fails will be thrown away. No one is called just to answer Christ follower but to live as such, cf. <b>Jn 15:16</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: 1Pt 2:1-17.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Christianity is not a name be a way of life.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"> God help us to be Christians in deeds and not just in name – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Visit our website: </span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 10%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">       Email: </span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span>

Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

  Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) ( 08 th June, 2021 ) on the Gospel   2Cor 1:18-22; Ps 118:1...

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Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) </span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">07^th June, 2021</b>)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 50%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">2Cor 1:1-7;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Ps 33:2-9. (R. v.9); <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Matt 5:1-12</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: The blessed ones</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQPPuj7XYrmZI3TiqJc5me3AluHN7e6ABViEMrxtmZ9jzAnlVCJVkbU-GiPQb6kEd57P2j9TgR81GmimtNFa0TVAIEE8j14PcpDTROCOW96GNkBQfQI4YO_F9BooO0IpkQPuCyspTgQY/s275/07.06.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQPPuj7XYrmZI3TiqJc5me3AluHN7e6ABViEMrxtmZ9jzAnlVCJVkbU-GiPQb6kEd57P2j9TgR81GmimtNFa0TVAIEE8j14PcpDTROCOW96GNkBQfQI4YO_F9BooO0IpkQPuCyspTgQY/s0/07.06.2021.jpg" /></a></div><br />In today’s gospel, when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up the mountain, sat down and gave them a lesson on those who are really blessed. Those who make up the list are: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Jesus concluded His teaching with these words,<o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 2pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">This teaching of Jesus is often referred to as the Sermon on the Mount or the Beatitudes. The word beatitude is from the Latin word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beatitudo</i> meaning condition or statement of blessedness. Often the words, “Happy,” “fortunate,” and “favoured” are used to translate it, but none of these offers the full meaning of the word, beatitude.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Tenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Supreme blessedness is also sometimes used to translate it.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Tenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">As we go through the list of those who are supremely blessed as given by Jesus, were you able to find yourself anywhere? Whoever does not make this list has missed everything because our homeland is in heaven, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Phil 3:20</b>. And the full meaning of blessedness is truly beyond words, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 2:9</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">1Cor 2:6-16</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Live a blessed life.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"> God, help us to achieve the true blessedness in heaven – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Visit our website: </span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 10%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">       </span>Email: </span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span> <div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" /> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /> <!--[endif]--> <div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Tenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/beatitudes/">http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/beatitudes/</a> <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Tenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="https://www.google.com.ng/#q=beatitudes+definition">https://www.google.com.ng/#q=beatitudes+definition</a> <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> </div>

Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

  Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) ( 07 th June, 2021 ) on the Gospel   2Cor 1:1-7; Ps 33:2-9. ...

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Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (B)

<p> <b style="text-align: center;">Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (B) (06^th June, 2021) on the Gospel and the Solemnity</b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 50%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b> </b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">Ex 24:3-8;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">Ps 115:12-13.15-18 (R. V. 13);</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">Heb 9:11-15;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b>Mk 14:12-16.22-26</b>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihVMCj8aq_DsfxCLE8Ybi6f4qMIuM3LZ9q3naIjpQbrk7m4uyuLFmdqq2ZFnHMDMd7rGxoOSn5R8lo4YAUl6aEQzTZ64_xqTvOEP3s8CmD2Q7k-7vS4qxr5DazL0YmYoLyh2yA6K9coU/s224/06.06.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihVMCj8aq_DsfxCLE8Ybi6f4qMIuM3LZ9q3naIjpQbrk7m4uyuLFmdqq2ZFnHMDMd7rGxoOSn5R8lo4YAUl6aEQzTZ64_xqTvOEP3s8CmD2Q7k-7vS4qxr5DazL0YmYoLyh2yA6K9coU/s0/06.06.2021.jpg" /></a></div><br />The universal Church celebrates today the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). It is also known as the Holy Eucharist among so many other names. We celebrate our belief based on the scripture that the Holy Eucharist is the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, cf. <b>Mk 14:22, 24; 1Cor 10:16</b>. The dogmatic constitution on the Church of the Vatican II (Lumen Gentium) rightly calls the Holy Eucharist “the source and summit of the Christian life” (no. 11).<p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Note that in some parts of the world like Europe, this solemnity is accompanied by Eucharistic procession but in other parts the Eucharistic procession is shifted to the solemnity of Christ the king because of the rainy season.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b>Topic: Christ’s Body and Blood </b>(<b>cf. Mk 14:22, 24</b>). </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">“The old covenant was sealed with the blood of the sacrifice which Moses sprinkled on the people. The new covenant was sealed with the blood of Christ who offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to God” (<b><i>The Sunday Missal: A new edition</i></b> (1995). London: HarperCollinsReligious, p. 576). <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;">Today’s gospel reads in part:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4pt 0in 0.0001pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;">While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body’. Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many (<b>Mk 14:22-24</b>).</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;">We are celebrating the solemnity of Christ's giving of His body and blood for our both spiritual and temporal nourishment. The body and blood of Christ is the foretaste of the heavenly banquet. Hence, we read from the book of Revelation those words we proclaim at every Mass “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (<b>Rev. 19:9</b>). In the Eucharistic celebration, we obey the Lord’s command: “… Do this in remembrance of me” (<b>Lk 22:19; cf. 1Cor 11:24, 25</b>). The Holy Eucharist is therefore the re-enactment of that supreme sacrifice on mount Calvary, cf. <b>1Cor 10:16</b>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;">In our everyday life, some are asked to abstain from some food item/s not as a result of hatred but out of love. This is because doing the contrary will worsen their state of health. In the same way, the reception of the Holy Communion can be both beneficial as well as harmful to the recipients. Hence, St Paul sternly warns: </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.7in; text-align: justify;">Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord.<b>Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup</b>. <b>For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgement against themselves</b>. <b>For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died</b>. But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged (<b>1Cor 11: 27-31</b>).</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;">But if eating of the body and drinking of the blood of Jesus Christ might bring damnation, is it not better not to eat and drink at all? Jesus has the answer:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.7in; text-align: justify;">‘<b>Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you</b>. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them (<b>Jn 6:53-56</b>).</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;">No matter how “holy” one thinks he or she is, no one is worthy to receive the body and blood of the Lord. Accordingly, we always express this unworthiness just before the reception of Holy Communion: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed”, cf. <b>Matt 8:8</b>. Bearing this in mind, <b>GOOD CONFESSION</b> is sine qua non for all who wants to receive worthily. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;">Out of love for us, Jesus instituted this sacrament and also sealed it with his death on the cross, cf. <b>Rom 5: 6-11</b>. Just as Christ gives us His body and blood for our salvation, each of us ought to give his or her own body and blood for the good of others, cf. <b>Jn 13:15</b>. This must be out of love lest it will be in vain, cf. <b>1Cor 13:3</b>. So as we eat the body and drink the blood of our Lord, we must ask ourselves how far we have allowed ourselves to be broken for the good of others because we are the body of Christ and individually members of the body of Christ, cf. <b>Eph 5:23</b>; <b>1Cor 12:27</b>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Let us conclude with this: One day, a mad woman sitting outside the church watched with keen interest every part of the Mass. Occasionally, she muttered some unintelligible words, laughed and sometimes very calm. When it was time for the reception of the Holy Communion, the mad woman was shocked to see a woman named Mgbeke stood up. With bare hands the mad woman cleaned her eyes as if to confirm that she was seeing correctly. She was shaking her head in disapproval as Mgbeke moved to join the line of those who would receive the Holy Communion. At a point, she began to murmur in her dialect (Igbo): ‘Mgbeke echedị na ihe nụnwa bụ bisikiti? Ka o che na ọ bụ chịngọm? Ọ madịkwọ na a na-akwado akwado tupu e jee nata ya? Ewo!, ewo!, asịkwọnụ na ụkọchukwu maara onye Mgbeke bụ, ọ gaghị enye ya ihenụnwa. Hei, ọ ka na-ejekwọ, ọ na-ejesikwọ ike, ọ na-ejesikwọ ike, o rue, o sekpuru, o mepee ọnụ ya, e nye ya, o loo-o-o. Ewo! Jesu ndo, Ị hụsiela anya n’aka ụmụ mmadụ’ (For those who do not understand Igbo language: the mad woman could not understood why Mgbeke of all people should receive the Holy Communion. She wondered whether Mgbeke thought that Holy Communion was biscuit or chewing gum. As she watched, she also commented on her movement to the altar, her kneeling down, opening of her mouth, receiving the Holy Communion, and her swallowing it. According to her if the priest knew Mgbeke, he would not have given her the Holy Communion).</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b>Bible Reading</b>: Lk 22:14-23; Jn 6:22-71; 1Cor 6:12-20; 1Cor 10:1-22; <b>1Cor 11:23-32</b>; 1Cor 12:12-31; 1Cor 13:1-13; 2Cor 6:14-7:1; Rom 7:1-6; Eph 4:1-16; Rev 19:5-9.<b><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b>Silent Prayer:</b> Should that same mad woman who spoke about Mgbeke speak about you, what will she say – that you are another Mgbeke, worse than Mgbeke, or...?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b>Let us Pray</b>: Eucharistic Jesus, help us to receive you out of the love we have for you. May we break ourselves and let our blood flow for the salvation of our brothers and sisters just as you did for us – Amen.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b>May the Body and Blood of Christ bring us to life everlasting – AMEN!</b><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b>For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Visit our website: </b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/">www.thepulpitonline.com</a></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Like us on Facebook:</b> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</a> </p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Follow us on Twitter:</b> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</a> </p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Send us Email:</b> <a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</a></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b>To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Tel: +234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Email: </b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</a></p> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span>

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (B)

  Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (B) (06 th June, 2021) on the Gospel and the Solemnity   Ex 24:...

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Memorial of Saint Boniface, B.M.

<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Boniface, B.M. </span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">05^th June, 2021</b>)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> on the Gospel and the Memorial</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 50%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tob 12:1.5-15.20;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tob 13:2.6-8. (R. v.1);<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Mk 12:38-44</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 4pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6J1UpF6SSo-qePV9ws3WhtbyjaXmcrMtEKQ55sjnxnFxmWQ2EysUE7USSL_k7ne3ZRaFvnrZWZraiFIda8gIxspZ7P1_-vZbFYn7Au-CyKEXRqq2P1uJQIjgcn4g3jLDDvaKN-CiX2mk/s240/05.06.2021.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6J1UpF6SSo-qePV9ws3WhtbyjaXmcrMtEKQ55sjnxnFxmWQ2EysUE7USSL_k7ne3ZRaFvnrZWZraiFIda8gIxspZ7P1_-vZbFYn7Au-CyKEXRqq2P1uJQIjgcn4g3jLDDvaKN-CiX2mk/s0/05.06.2021.png" /></a></div><br />Saint Boniface (c. 675–754)<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Ninth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>, known as the apostle of the Germans, was an English Benedictine monk who gave up being elected abbot to devote his life to the conversion of the Germanic tribes. On his first missionary journey in 719 at the request of Pope Gregory II, paganism was a way of life. What Christianity he did find had either lapsed into paganism or was mixed with error. The clergy were mainly responsible for these latter conditions since they were in many instances uneducated, lax and questionably obedient to their bishops. In particular instances their very ordinations were questionable. The Holy Father instructed him to reform the German Church and gave him letters to the religious and civil leaders. He was made a regional bishop and authorized to organize the whole German Church. In the Frankish kingdom, he met great problems because of lay interference in bishops’ elections, the worldliness of the clergy and lack of papal control. During a final mission to the Frisians, Boniface and 53 companions were massacred while he was preparing converts for confirmation.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Ninth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Widow’s mite</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Often people talk about widow’s mite especially while giving. We see that widow in today’s gospel. As Jesus watched the crowd putting money into the treasury, “Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 12: 41-42</b>).</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Jesus said to His disciples, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 4pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 12:43-44</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">William Barclay rightly draws some lessons from this poor widow’s offering: Real giving must be sacrificial. The amount of the gift never matters so much as its cost to the giver, not the size of the gift, but the sacrifice. Again, Real giving has a certain recklessness in it<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Ninth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Therefore, an offering cannot be correctly tagged ‘widows mite’ based on the amount but based on what the giver has. Hence, Saint Paul writes: “the gift is acceptable according to what one has–not according to what one does not have” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Cor 8:12</b>). Give in relation to what God has blessed you with. We are celebrating Saint Boniface today because he offered himself entirely.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; 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;">1Cor 12:1-30; 2Cor 8:1-15; Heb 12:14-28; 13:5-6; Ps 49:5-20</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Do you give to God sacrificially?</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God our Father, help us to offer to you and to our neighbours in relation to what we have</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"> – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Saint Boniface – Pray for us</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Visit our website: </span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 10%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">       </span>Email: </span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span> <div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" /> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /> <!--[endif]--> <div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Ninth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="https://www.biography.com/people/st-boniface-9219073">https://www.biography.com/people/st-boniface-9219073</a> <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Ninth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-boniface/">https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-boniface/</a> <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Ninth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Barclay, W. (2006). <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The daily study bible: The gospel of Mark</i></b>. Bangalore: Theological Publications in India, pp. 302-303.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> </div>

Memorial of Saint Boniface, B.M.

  Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Boniface, B.M. ( 05 th June, 2021 ) on the Gospel and the Memorial   Tob 12:1.5-15.20;...

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Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

<p> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (04^th June, 2021) on the Gospel</span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 50%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 50%;"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tob 11:5-17;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Ps 145:2.7-10. (R. v.2);<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Mk 12:35-37</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: He calls Him Lord</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbx_M9G0SlD91lcXukk8jeZScaUZ2BDWqlfdv5TTzqPGPk61gOQhjapv993h0RYgnmkbKcoXX3gDm9rA4X6zaLCZZ1CIwxWABNAHhimnE0Tu9yTJVVekqWMf0y8Y4rdjOiCKGF9yVf1do/s159/04.06.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbx_M9G0SlD91lcXukk8jeZScaUZ2BDWqlfdv5TTzqPGPk61gOQhjapv993h0RYgnmkbKcoXX3gDm9rA4X6zaLCZZ1CIwxWABNAHhimnE0Tu9yTJVVekqWMf0y8Y4rdjOiCKGF9yVf1do/s0/04.06.2021.jpg" /></a></div><br />There are figures the Jews hold in very high esteem. They include King David. And Jesus said while teaching in today’s gospel, “How can the scribes say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, by the Holy Spirit, declared, ‘The Lord said to my Lord.... David himself calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?’”<o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Just like the Jews, we also hold a lot of things very high. How many of these can gain for us eternal life? Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me” (<b>Jn 14:6</b>).  He is the Lord of all, cf. <b>Acts 10:36</b>. Saint John the Baptist pointed Him out as the Lamb of God, cf. <b>Jn 1:29.36</b>. And an angel in the Book of Revelation described this Lamb thus, “he is Lord of lords and King of kings” (<b>Rev 17:14</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">We ought to be careful lest we misplace creatures for the creator. In Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans we read, “if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (<b>Rom 10:9</b>). It is the Holy Spirit that helps one to confess that “Jesus is Lord” (<b>1Cor 12:3</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Rom 10:5-13.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am (<b>Jn 8:58</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, give us the grace never to forget that your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Visit our website: </span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 10%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">       Email: </span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span>

Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

  Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (04 th June, 2021) on the Gospel   Tob 11:5-17; Ps 145:2.7-10...

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Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Mm

<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Mm (03^rd June, 2021) on the Gospel and the Memorial<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 50%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tob 6:10-11; 7:1.9-14; 8:4-9;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Ps 127:1-5. (R. cf. v.1);<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Mk 12:28-34</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 4pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04TYmVeRO87XNHguS1gKyD_LSZhLAD9xPSbJalruvNQhkcMyrAoMkomooN4bNd1ZwxqQVgXk3amufWOiVC_4M1kLnpX578EW6hTMJwuDZO0Oz8VvGK8V6oqf2xLec4ydL5pdbELi73I4/s299/03.06.2021.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04TYmVeRO87XNHguS1gKyD_LSZhLAD9xPSbJalruvNQhkcMyrAoMkomooN4bNd1ZwxqQVgXk3amufWOiVC_4M1kLnpX578EW6hTMJwuDZO0Oz8VvGK8V6oqf2xLec4ydL5pdbELi73I4/s0/03.06.2021.png" /></a></div><br />King Mutesa of Uganda peacefully received the White Fathers in 1879. Before long a number of the young pages in the king’s court had become Catholics. However, on the death of Mutesa, his son Mwanga, a corrupt man who ritually engaged in pedophilic practices with the younger pages, took the throne. When he murdered a visiting Anglican Bishop, his chief page, Joseph Mukasa, a Catholic who went to great length to protect the younger boys from the king’s lust, denounced the king’s actions and was beheaded on November 15, 1885. The 25 year old Charles Lwanga, a man wholly dedicated to the Christian instruction of the younger boys, became the chief page, and just as forcibly protected them from the king’s advances. On the night of the martyrdom of Joseph Mukasa, realizing that their own lives were in danger, Lwanga and some of the other pages went to the White Fathers to receive baptism. Another 100 catechumens were baptized in the week following Joseph Mukasa’s death. The following May, King Mwanga learned that one of the boys was learning catechism. He was furious and ordered all the pages to be questioned to separate the Christians from the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The Christians, 15 in all, between the ages of 13 and 25, stepped forward. They were bound together and taken on a two day walk to Namugongo where they were to be burned at the stake. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, on the way, Matthias Kalemba, one of the eldest boys, exclaimed, “God will rescue me. But you will not see how he does it, because he will take my soul and leave you only my body.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The executioners cut him to pieces and left him to die alone on the road. On June 3, 1886, the Feast of the Ascension, Charles Lwanga was separated from the others and burned at the stake. Just before the flames reached his heart, he looked up and said in a loud voice, “Katonda! – My God!,” and died. His companions were all burned together the same day all the while praying and singing hymns until they died. There were 22 protomartyrs in all and the last, a young man named John Mary, was beheaded by King Mwanga on January 27, 1887. These martyrs died between November 15, 1885 – January 27, 1887. They were beatified in 1920 and canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1964. St. Charles Lwanga is the patron saint of African Catholic Youth Action.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Ninth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Answered wisely</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">In today’s gospel, a scribe after seeing that Jesus answered the Sadducees well asked Him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus cited two well-known Old Testament passages for him,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 2pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">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.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut 6:4-5; Lev 19:18</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">The scribe replied, “You are right, Teacher” and also repeated the answer given by Jesus. We read further, “When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">The kingdom of God is promised to those who love God, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 1:12.2:5</b>. Faith is necessary because without it nobody can please God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heb 11:6</b>. And faith comes from what is heard, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 10:17</b>. However, not all who hear the word of God has faith. Hence Saint James warns, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 1:22</b>). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">God made promises not to those who know His commandments but to the doers, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ex 15:26. 19:5; Deut 7: 9,12; 1Kg 6:12; Jn 15:14; 1Cor 7:19</b>. As a result, the scribe who answered wisely needs to act wisely too to make the kingdom of God just like the martyrs we celebrate today. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">So, let no one think that he/she will make heaven just by knowing the word of God. Heaven is for those who hear and do the word of God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 2:24</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Jas 1:19-27.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Whoever is not inside the kingdom is outside it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, grant me a place in your house forever – Amen (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 27:4</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions – Pray for us</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Visit our website: </span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 10%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">       </span>Email: </span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span> <div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" /> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /> <!--[endif]--> <div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Ninth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=488">http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=488</a> <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> </div>

Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Mm

  Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Mm (03 rd June, 2021) on the Gospel and the Memorial   T...

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Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

<p> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (02^nd June, 2021) on the Gospel</span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 50%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 50%;"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tob 3:1-11.16-17;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Ps 24:2-9. (R. v.1);<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Mk 12:18-27</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: After this world</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK7vnOHLkShDtj1ISjlFlysvMAJBpTIW653WNETPZB0I60bLS7c9kCvhTPa_XkPrqlyIBQNMbRbw_SzupmOg4xxt3wpaK57Ostk9HYpaDamuxEOoqwSRzJuTrCRnOrOrHWSpjIWTp8U4/s305/02.06.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK7vnOHLkShDtj1ISjlFlysvMAJBpTIW653WNETPZB0I60bLS7c9kCvhTPa_XkPrqlyIBQNMbRbw_SzupmOg4xxt3wpaK57Ostk9HYpaDamuxEOoqwSRzJuTrCRnOrOrHWSpjIWTp8U4/s0/02.06.2021.jpg" /></a></div><br />The Sadducees came to Jesus in today’s gospel and asked whose wife a woman who married seven brothers according to the Law of Moses would be in the resurrection, cf. <b>Deut 25:5-10</b>. Jesus said to them,<o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 2pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">God lamented that His children are dying for want of knowledge, cf. <b>Hos 4:6</b>. This knowledge must be properly understood as that of God which helps us live lives worthy of Him, cf. <b>Col 1:9-10</b>. This is because “the wisdom of this world is folly with God” (<b>1Cor 3:19a</b>). No one should allow his/her mind to be blinded by the god of this world to prevent him/her from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, cf. <b>2Cor 4:4</b>. This world is passing away, cf. <b>1Cor 7:31</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: 1Cor 3:1-19.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> You are a child of resurrection, cf. <b>Lk 20:36</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"> May God help us to know Christ and the power of His resurrection – Amen (<b>Phil 3:10</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Visit our website: </span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 10%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">       Email: </span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span>

Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

  Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (02 nd June, 2021) on the Gospel   Tob 3:1-11.16-17; Ps 24...

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Memorial of Saint Justin, M.

<p> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Justin, M. (01^st June, 2021) on the Gospel and the Memorial</span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 50%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 50%;"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tob 2:9-14;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Ps 111:1-2.7-9. (R. cf. v.7);<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Mk 12:13-17</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 4pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8yDrObgIFv8Sy5zmy8DcuUtHs06qEogtHbxpgtpEWSUgY5wkQ5TLhpbo_deLjBbWhNg5pEF04_NwVL28h7uz3w50J0iPf7iXWugzCPdEdW3t9sJf7ZzEiFL_pxRLIM5LX7a5M3vlqc4/s215/01.06.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8yDrObgIFv8Sy5zmy8DcuUtHs06qEogtHbxpgtpEWSUgY5wkQ5TLhpbo_deLjBbWhNg5pEF04_NwVL28h7uz3w50J0iPf7iXWugzCPdEdW3t9sJf7ZzEiFL_pxRLIM5LX7a5M3vlqc4/s0/01.06.2021.jpg" /></a></div><br />Saint Justin was born in Nablus in Samaria at the beginning of the second century. A philosopher and on his conversion to the faith wrote in defence of religion. His only works now extant are his two Apologies and his Dialogue addressed to Trypho. He opened a school in Rome and took part in public disputations. He suffered a martyr’s death with his companions during the time of Marcus Aurelius, about the year 165.<o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: The things that are Caesar’s</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Many people are involved in lots of syncretistic practices. Often they claim to be doing what Christ asks of us; “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (<b>Mk 12:17</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">In today’s gospel we see what such people quote out of context. The chief priests, the scribes and the elders sent some of the Pharisees and some Herodians to trap Jesus. They said to Him, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 2pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show difference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. <b>Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?</b> (<b>Mk 12:14-15</b>)</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Their question was about paying taxes and never about syncretistic practices. The Lord through prophet Ezekiel describes the righteous in part as people who do not lift up their eyes to the idols, cf. <b>Ezek 18:6.12.15</b>. We remember that idols are the work of human hands, cf. <b>Ps 115:4</b>. And God does not approve of giving His glory to any other thing, cf. <b>Is 42:8</b>. Accordingly, whoever engages in idol worship provokes God and stirs Him to jealousy, cf. <b>Deut 32:21</b>. Hence, He warns us never to defile ourselves with idols, cf. <b>Ezek 20:18</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">We must be careful lest we lose our very selves in the bid of gaining the world. Such venture profits us nothing, cf. <b>Mk 8:36; Lk 9:25</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Ps 135:1-21.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> God </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">created us for His glory (cf. <b>Is 43:7</b>)</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, you created us for your glory. Help us to fulfil your divine plan in our lives – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Saint Justin – Pray for us</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Visit our website: </span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 10%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">       Email: </span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span>

Memorial of Saint Justin, M.

  Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Justin, M. (01 st June, 2021) on the Gospel and the Memorial   Tob 2:9-14; Ps 111:1-2...

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