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For barn or for burning: Memorial of Saint Martha, (29th July, 2017).

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Martha, (29<sup>th</sup> July, 2017) on the Gospel and the Memorial<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary
Time (I)</b>)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ex 24:3-8;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 49:1-2.5-6.14-15. (R. v.14);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLz4gAAFjQzDLioL-eSSWw8Zhi6HI2KDCMa6ZdDisTJAarLviYNJVmbas9ROBljr0c01Hgra5snyZWAbVbJM7Bt6fYhHYFnI1es5tockAlUDQLGvVFSGb1g0tSISq-exRRkFBrUCyvGk/s1600/29.07.2017.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLz4gAAFjQzDLioL-eSSWw8Zhi6HI2KDCMa6ZdDisTJAarLviYNJVmbas9ROBljr0c01Hgra5snyZWAbVbJM7Bt6fYhHYFnI1es5tockAlUDQLGvVFSGb1g0tSISq-exRRkFBrUCyvGk/s1600/29.07.2017.png" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Saint Martha
was a native of Bethany and sister to Lazarus and Mary, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 11: 1,5,19</b>. She believed in Jesus
Christ and also witnessed His resurrection of her brother, Lazarus, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 11:17-27, 38-44</b>. Jesus loved Martha
and her siblings, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 11:5</b>. The
gospels recorded Jesus’ three visits to them, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 26:6-13; Lk 10:38-42; Jn 11:1-44</b>. She was known for her
hospitality and service, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 12:2</b>.
Martha is the patron saint of housewives, waiters, waitresses, servants and
cooks.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: For barn or for burning</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">We read the parable of the weeds in today’s gospel. When
everybody was sleeping, the enemy sowed weeds among the wheat. The servants
wanted to uproot the weeds immediately but the master said to them,</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along
with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest... I will tell the
reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but
gather the wheat into my barn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just like in the parable of the sower, both the wheat and the
weeds exist within. We see God in this parable as a very patient God. However,
let no one be deceived. That God hasn’t punished does not mean He will never
punish. Saint Peter rightly writes, “The Lord is not slow about his promise as
some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should
perish, but that all should reach repentance” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Pt 3:9; cf. Ezek 33:11</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spiritual drowsiness is very dangerous. The enemy sowed the
weeds when everyone was sleeping. In the same vein, the devil always has it
very easy when the children of God are sleeping. We must stop sleeping, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Thess 5:6</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, let nobody count him/herself as a child of God when
he/she is not. Saint John writes, “... whoever does not do right is not of God,
nor he who does not love his brother” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn
3:10</b>). We ought to imitate Saint Martha who showed exemplary love for
others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: 1Jn 2:29–3:10.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Work towards barn or burning</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

For barn or for burning: Memorial of Saint Martha, (29th July, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Martha, (29 th July, 2017) on the Gospel and the Memorial ( Saturday of the Sixteenth ...

Prepare the ground: Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (28th July, 2017).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 04:46

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the
Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (28<sup>th</sup> July, 2017) on the Gospel</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ex 20:1-17;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Prepare the ground</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ynv06Udd_mwLFJqMLr4gE_BNZR8R4PqYqgnNLk4auaIvDFi-f0ly_Kk_BlhRkdgsoqpqqZHahfAWLerDfZqDLRT1ZBWlteAOwMKcM0v21VJ-r4Jy1PmoBGPycpnNpWN0k1HH63kCJAY/s1600/28.07.2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ynv06Udd_mwLFJqMLr4gE_BNZR8R4PqYqgnNLk4auaIvDFi-f0ly_Kk_BlhRkdgsoqpqqZHahfAWLerDfZqDLRT1ZBWlteAOwMKcM0v21VJ-r4Jy1PmoBGPycpnNpWN0k1HH63kCJAY/s1600/28.07.2017.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today’s gospel is the explanation of the parable of the sower
we read two days ago. The seed on the path is one who hears the word of God and
does not understand it, the evil one takes it away. When one receives the word
with joy but without root, he/she easily falls away when trouble or persecution
arises on account of the word. This is the seed on the rocky ground. The seed
among thorns is the one who hears the word but the earthly worries and lure of
wealth choke the word. And one who hears the word and understands it is the
seed on good soil. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The emphasis is on understanding the word and not on hearing.
Borrowing the words of Saint Paul, people have heard the word of God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 10:18</b>. However, to what extent it
has been understood is a subject of another discussion. Those Christ called blessed
are not the ones who only hear the word of God but those who hear it and do (keep)
it, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 8:21</b>. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">11:28</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everyone has roles to play in hearing and understanding the
word of God. They include listening and asking pertinent questions, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut 32:7; Matt 10:14; Mk 9:7; Lk 9:35</b>.
The unfolding of God’s words gives light; it imparts understanding to the
simple, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 119:130</b>. Everyone who
wants life must therefore humbly turn to God. He has the words of eternal life,
cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 6:68</b>. It is the LORD who gives
wisdom, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 2:6</b>. And “Happy is
the man or woman who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 3:13</b>). Every person can make his/her
soil better for the word of God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Eph 6:10-17.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">People die for want of knowledge, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hos 4:6</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, give us your Spirit, the
spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit
of knowledge and the fear of the LORD – Amen (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 11:2</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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Prepare the ground: Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (28th July, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (28 th July, 2017) on the Gospel Ex 20:1-17; Ps 18:8...

Still often in parables: Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (27th July, 2017).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 02:52

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of
the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (27<sup>th</sup> July, 2017) on the
Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Still often in parables</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today’s gospel is a continuation of yesterday’s gospel. In this
gospel, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” Jesus’
reply reads in part,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom
of heaven, but to them it has not been given.... The reason I speak to them in
parables is that ‘seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen,
nor do they understand.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">According to the New Jerusalem Bible, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A deliberate and culpable insensibility which is both the
cause and the explanation of the withdrawal of grace.... By the use of symbols
and images, therefore, Jesus challenges them to reflect and themselves seek to
penetrate more deeply into the understanding of the kingdom.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Sixteenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I).docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Life Application Study Bible also reads, “When speaking in
parables, Jesus is not hiding truth from sincere seekers, because those who
were receptive to spiritual truth understood the illustrations. To others they
were only stories without meaning.”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Sixteenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I).docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God’s word is the word of life, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Phil 2:16</b>. However, it still sounds like parables to many. There is
need to listen attentively, ask questions where necessary, and humbly pray to God
for wisdom, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 4:10; Jas 1:5</b>. Interpretation
of God’s word requires divine intervention, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Pt 1:20-21</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Matt 25:14-30.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.7in;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Sixteenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I).docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The New Jerusalem Bible: Standard
edition (1985). London: Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">

<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.7in;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Sixteenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I).docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Life Application Study Bible: New
living translation (2007). Illinois: Tandale House Publishers, Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>

Still often in parables: Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (27th July, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (27 th July, 2017) on the Gospel Ex 19:1-2.9-11.16-20...

The defaulter: Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (26th July, 2017).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Memorials 04:26

<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of
Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (26</span></b><sup><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">th</span></sup><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> July, 2017) on the
Gospel and the Memorial<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">

<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary
Time (I)</b>)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMu9Kws_RAEuPhB9AVOBhMrYmLi4oA6gE1DvHrBKObgC3FL4k16u8A_k67UcEq5j3JPdTkvU9id0Wv4HgKCg_-D-KKGFhJxAsy7TYwLFq7wCbgC7NDX8GVX1VxfwvB8OQuBd1fxRkGuY/s1600/26.07.2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMu9Kws_RAEuPhB9AVOBhMrYmLi4oA6gE1DvHrBKObgC3FL4k16u8A_k67UcEq5j3JPdTkvU9id0Wv4HgKCg_-D-KKGFhJxAsy7TYwLFq7wCbgC7NDX8GVX1VxfwvB8OQuBd1fxRkGuY/s1600/26.07.2016.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint Joachim, also spelled Joaquin</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Sixteenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I).docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
meaning “he whom Yahweh has set up” was the husband of Saint Anne and the
father of Mary, the mother of Jesus, according to the Catholic, Orthodox, and
Anglican traditions. Saints Joachim and Anne are not mentioned in the Bible. The
story about them first appeared in the apocryphal Gospel of James.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Sixteenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I).docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
It was alleged that Mary was promised to them by an angel, was consecrated to
God, and she remained a virgin all her life. Saints Joachim and Anne are role
models for parents.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Sixteenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I).docx" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[3]</span></span></span></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: The defaulter</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus taught the people using many parables. We see in
today’s gospel the parable of the sower. As the sower sowed the seeds, some
fell on the path, some on rocky ground, some among the thorns, and the rest on
good soil. Only those who fell on good soil were able to grow to maturity “and
brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who is to blame for those seeds that fell on wrong soil types?
We have three most possible culprits – the sower, the seed, and the soil types.
It is very easy to see it as the consequence of sheer carelessness of the sower.
But it will not be right because he must have sowed for the seeds to bear
fruits. Hence, Saint Paul asks, “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?
Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock
without getting some of the milk?” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor
9:7</b>). The seeds have no other option than to fall where they are sowed. The
soil type is the next. Jesus warns, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you
in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 7:15</b>). Most certainly, the wrong soil types must have
presented themselves to the sower as good soil. We must be sober and watchful. Our
adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to
devour, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Pt 5:8</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have been transformed to bear fruits for God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 7:4</b>. We must ensure that we are
doing this task. Jesus warns, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my
recompense, to repay every one for what he has done” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rev 22:12</b>; cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 16:27</b>).
Saints Joachim and Anne we celebrate today are good examples. They lived as good
Christian parents. The parable continues from tomorrow’s gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Matt 3:1-10.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Sixteenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I).docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=22"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=22</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.7in;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Sixteenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I).docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joachim"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joachim</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">

<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.7in;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Sixteenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I).docx" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[3]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=22"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=22</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
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The defaulter: Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (26th July, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (26 th July, 2017) on the Gospel an...

A follower of Christ: Feast of Saint James, Ap. (25th July, 2017)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Solemnities and Feasts 02:52

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of
Saint James, Ap. (25<sup>th</sup> July, 2017) on the Gospel and the Feast<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga61tRqsb-QgAe8XTPPDsFV1hpJQPTtmwHV7Th__h_ARsbYhrv0LMY0RFtksDf2mbB1Tn33WL8zXZivrPoYhK8Gx0AlPdMv-4Y9wIK_COTog5JC1pAoz1mDZuGmZ8QbONPnwnRmRY7EhA/s1600/25.07.2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga61tRqsb-QgAe8XTPPDsFV1hpJQPTtmwHV7Th__h_ARsbYhrv0LMY0RFtksDf2mbB1Tn33WL8zXZivrPoYhK8Gx0AlPdMv-4Y9wIK_COTog5JC1pAoz1mDZuGmZ8QbONPnwnRmRY7EhA/s1600/25.07.2017.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Saint James </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">was<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> son of
Zebedee and Salome, and brother of Saint John, cf. <b>Matt 4:21</b>. He was a
fisherman and one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, cf. <b>Matt 4:21; Lk
5:10; Matt 10:2</b>. Saint James is also referred to as James the Greater to
distinguish him from the other apostle James, son of Alphaeus, cf. <b>Acts 1:13;
Matt 10:3</b>. Jesus nicknamed </span>James and his brother, John, Boanerges,
meaning, sons of thunder, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 3:17</b>.
He was killed with the sword by King Herod in c. 44 AD, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 12:2</b>. And according to tradition, he
was the first apostle to be martyred.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: A follower of Christ</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The mother of James and John came to Jesus with the duo and
made this request, “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your
right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” They even promised their
readiness to drink the cup He was about to drink. Yet Jesus told them that those
positions were reserved for those the Father had prepared them for. Their
action infuriated the rest. Jesus gave them this teaching,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but
whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes
to be first among you must be your slave.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Following Christ involves a process of formation that results
in transformation. Hence, the gospel reads, “And he appointed twelve, whom he
also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the
message” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 3:14</b>). In the letters
of Saint Paul, he talked about old and new selves, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 6:6-11; Eph 4:17-24</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel, we see Saint James among others being
transformed. We also see a similar thing in the gospel according to Luke when
they wanted to call down fire from heaven, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 9:51-55</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We celebrate him today because he assimilated this process of
transformation unlike those who went away, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 6:66</b>. Now the question is, ‘Do you assimilate this process or do
you go away?’<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Rom 12:1-8;
15:1-6</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> We follow Christ to learn from Him, cf.</span> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Matt
11:29</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

A follower of Christ: Feast of Saint James, Ap. (25th July, 2017)

Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Saint James, Ap. (25 th July, 2017) on the Gospel and the Feast 2Cor 4:7-15; Ps 125. (R. ...

Are we better-off?: Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (24th July, 2017).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 03:11

<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the
Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">24<sup>th</sup> July,
2017</b>)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Are we better-off</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSi-EQg6ynYBbAxoNQZH5QFygqIwR00TkvGlt3LjO4575H0tMhPLsub5-HDXDA_UD6unmamkeuC0yZ0sTvzRNPvC0lX5IdqptiCs3YIacMnnBMAao6yAu6HcjP4OScOT0gk1v_TD3076o/s1600/23.08.2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSi-EQg6ynYBbAxoNQZH5QFygqIwR00TkvGlt3LjO4575H0tMhPLsub5-HDXDA_UD6unmamkeuC0yZ0sTvzRNPvC0lX5IdqptiCs3YIacMnnBMAao6yAu6HcjP4OScOT0gk1v_TD3076o/s1600/23.08.2016.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus in today’s gospel, “Teacher,
we wish to see a sign from you.” Jesus replied them, “An evil and adulterous
generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of
the prophet Jonah.” Both the people of Nineveh and the queen of the South will
rise up with this generation and condemn it at the judgement because they
listened to Jonah and Solomon respectively, yet something greater than Jonah
and Solomon is here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The letter to the Hebrews reads, “Long ago God spoke to our
ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he
has spoken to us by a Son...” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heb
1:1-2a</b>). It therefore warns, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">...we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so
that we do not drift away from it. For if the message declared through angels was
valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, how can
we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heb 2:1-3a</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Surely God has stronger words for our generation. Recall that
many of the scribes and Pharisees never believed that Jesus is the Son of God,
cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 13:55-56; Mk 6:3; Jn 5:18</b>. On
our part, we say that we believe but rarely do we live it out thereby deceiving
ourselves, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 1:22; Rom 2:13</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let us depart from this evil, and do good, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 34:14; 37:27</b>. We have received much and
we are expected to return accordingly, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk
12:48</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible
Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Lk 12:41-48</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Jesus is the reality</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Are we better-off?: Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (24th July, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) ( 24 th July, 2017 ) on the Gospel Ex 14:5-18; Ex 1...

Wheat and Weeds: Sixteenth Sunday of the Year (A) (23rd July, 2017).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 15:55

<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Homily (Reflection) for the Sixteenth
Sunday of the Year (A) (23</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">rd</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> July, 2017) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Wis 12:13.16-19;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ps 85:5-6.9-10.15-16
(R.V. 5);</span><br />

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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Topic</span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wheat and Weeds</b>.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5l9os6fPM6Ge3DP0gHV7wOXZOMWFfMgY5yUiB-vzqzuCve1r31tagZRTNqkxL7IDZMftWx2COJuWi2gqjQeXQVTlLK9L_4LPvtg0CxAp4t05F6wCsoJG3hXo1CXJNYWGulghKFMmdJ8Y/s1600/23.07.2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5l9os6fPM6Ge3DP0gHV7wOXZOMWFfMgY5yUiB-vzqzuCve1r31tagZRTNqkxL7IDZMftWx2COJuWi2gqjQeXQVTlLK9L_4LPvtg0CxAp4t05F6wCsoJG3hXo1CXJNYWGulghKFMmdJ8Y/s1600/23.07.2017.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In today’s gospel, the householder
planted good seeds (wheat) in his field but the evil one came and planted the
weeds. The evil one achieved his aim when everyone was asleep, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 13:25</b>. Hence, Christ warns, “Beware,
keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 13:33</b>). Saint Paul also admonishes, “… let us not sleep, as
others do, but let us keep awake and be sober” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Thess 5:6</b>). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The householder did not allow his slaves to gather the weeds
before the time of harvest. Before that time, wheat could easily be mistaken for
weed. Both were allowed to bear fruits because judgement will be based on the
fruits that each bears, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Cor 11:15;
1Pt 1:17; Rev 14:13</b>. Again, some of the seeds sown by the householder may end
up being fruitless. Jesus admonishes, “Bear fruits that befit repentance, and
do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell
you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 3:8</b>). Saint Paul asks us to walk as
the children of light that we are, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph
5:8</b>. Being a child of God without corresponding fruits is useless. Consequently
Jesus warns, “...now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree
therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 3:10</b>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">One may ask, ‘Who are the wheat and who are weeds?’ Jesus’
answer, “You will know them by their fruits” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 7:16</b>, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 7:20</b>).
For Saint John, there is a clear demarcation between the two, “The children of
God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do
what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers
and sisters” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn 3:10</b>). He also
wrote, “Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves
is born of God and knows God” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn 4:7</b>).
Again, “Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3Jn 1:11</b>). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It is a privilege to be a child of God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Jn 3:1</b>. One can either accept or
reject this. However, only to those who received and believed are given the power
to become children of God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:12</b>.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Jesus warns, “Remember then what
you received and heard; keep that, and repent. If you will not awake, I will
come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rev 3:3</b>). Again, “Blessed are those
servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he
will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them”
(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 12:37</b>). And again, “…I am coming
like a thief! Blessed is he who is awake, keeping his garments that he may not
go naked and be seen exposed!” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rev
16:15</b>). It is by being awake and producing the fruits worthy of the call
that we can be truly sons and daughters of God and will consequently shine as
lights, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Phil 2:15</b>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Matt 7:15-20; Mk 13:32-37; 1Pt 2:11-17; 1Jn
2:29-3:10</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thought for today:</b>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Are
you wheat or weed?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let
us pray:</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span>Lord, we
have been weeds in thoughts, words, actions, and/or omissions. Help us to be
wheat and also to bear desired fruits <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">– Amen</span>. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are
free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more
homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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Wheat and Weeds: Sixteenth Sunday of the Year (A) (23rd July, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for the Sixteenth Sunday of the Year (A) (23 rd July, 2017) on the Gospel Wis 12:13.16-19; Ps 85:5-6.9-10.15-16...

Continue searching: Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene, (22nd July, 2017).

thepulpitonline.com 0 Memorials 04:31

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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Mary Magdalene, (22<sup>nd</sup> July, 2017) on the Gospel and the
Memorial<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br />

<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Songs 3:1-4 or 2Cor 5:14-17;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYI7v70Gpgx3YiJrSD9sP8ZX3Lv7vvsrMjowQ6YuG2yBEvNN_UZ1MkSnNKVII0ZqVtiHwHtIKQKiXTSMCwPaSu4e5x5Cr8fo4jjxRRB4K5UdaOpAMd4Y56Br9cZZWyFr2919wC2arKllc/s1600/22.07.2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYI7v70Gpgx3YiJrSD9sP8ZX3Lv7vvsrMjowQ6YuG2yBEvNN_UZ1MkSnNKVII0ZqVtiHwHtIKQKiXTSMCwPaSu4e5x5Cr8fo4jjxRRB4K5UdaOpAMd4Y56Br9cZZWyFr2919wC2arKllc/s1600/22.07.2016.png" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint
Mary Magdalene was mentioned at least twelve times in the Gospels and was
regarded as a prostitute or sexually immoral in the western Christianity based
on misidentification with the anonymous sinner of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Luke 7:37</b>. However, recent studies reveal that this is never scripturally
based. She is known as the ‘Apostle to the Apostles’. Jesus cast seven demons
out of her (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Luke 8:2</b>).</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Fifteenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I).docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; 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></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
She likely watched the crucifixion and was the first to witness Christ’s
resurrection. Mary Magdalene was allegedly put in a boat along with several
others, and set adrift. The boat landed in southern France, where she spent the
rest of her life in solitude, in a cave. She is the patroness of converts,
repentant sinners, sexual temptation, pharmacists, tanners and women, and many
other places and causes.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Fifteenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I).docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; 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></span></span></a></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Continue searching</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Following Mary Magdalene’s report, Peter and John ran to the tomb
and saw the empty tomb, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 20:2-3</b>.
The duo returned to their homes after seeing the empty tomb, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 20:10</b>. However, Mary stayed back
weeping outside the tomb. It was during this period that she saw two angels
inside the tomb and later Jesus Himself whom at first she thought to be a
gardener. Jesus instructed her thus, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not
yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am
ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The story would have been different if Mary had left with
others. Imagine Mary remaining at the tomb all alone. Certainly, needless to say
that it was not easy. In like manner, it is not easy for one to follow a course
irrespective of other’s views. However, it pays. Hence Jesus warns, “...he who
endures to the end will be saved” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk
13:13; cf. Matt 10:22; 24:13</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let us follow Mary Magdalene’s example and search for what we
want calling on the name of the Lord because “everyone who calls upon the name
of the Lord will be saved” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 10:13</b>).
Never stop searching until you find what you are looking for; “...everyone who
asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened”
(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 7:8</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Rom 10:5-17.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Let’s forge ahead for God’s salvation will soon
come, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 56:1</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.7in;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Fifteenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I).docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1084"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1084</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">

<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.7in;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Fifteenth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I).docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=83"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=83</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
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Continue searching: Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene, (22nd July, 2017).

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene, (22 nd July, 2017) on the Gospel and the Memorial Songs 3:1-4 or 2C...

For barn or for burning: Memorial of Saint Martha, (29th July, 2017).

Prepare the ground: Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (28th July, 2017).

Still often in parables: Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (27th July, 2017).

The defaulter: Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (26th July, 2017).

A follower of Christ: Feast of Saint James, Ap. (25th July, 2017)

Are we better-off?: Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (24th July, 2017).

Wheat and Weeds: Sixteenth Sunday of the Year (A) (23rd July, 2017).

Continue searching: Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene, (22nd July, 2017).

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