Never forget the oil: Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (II) (31st August, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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 Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (II) (31^st August, 2018) on the Gospel</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1Cor 1:17-25;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 32:1-2.4-5.10-11. (R. v. 5);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt 25:1-13</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Never forget the oil</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszdJbvTJ0JTnulJe1Kh-uU5PGn1oBnzOUW6kdiL4tRBe8nOByMSs4tJc0HM6nNFit5Ad78zHmvDeEgKGxKJYlG1WLtSHA7lY4WihA7_kzjTrS03jb9iceBfOoITz_eZ9nQB0WZbnF-7k/s1600/31.08.2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszdJbvTJ0JTnulJe1Kh-uU5PGn1oBnzOUW6kdiL4tRBe8nOByMSs4tJc0HM6nNFit5Ad78zHmvDeEgKGxKJYlG1WLtSHA7lY4WihA7_kzjTrS03jb9iceBfOoITz_eZ9nQB0WZbnF-7k/s1600/31.08.2018.png" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to ten bridesmaids who went to meet the bridegroom with their lamps. The five wise ones took their oil also. When the bridegroom delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. However, they were called at midnight to meet the bridegroom. The foolish ones begged the wise ones for oil when their lamps were going out. They were asked to go and get theirs. And while they were out, the bridegroom entered into the wedding banquet with those who were ready and the door shut. The foolish ones later came and pleaded unsuccessfully to be let in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 8:12; cf. Jn 9:5.12:46</b>). He is the true light that enlightens every man/woman, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 1:9</b>. God has called us<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>out of darkness into His marvellous light, cf.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> 1Pt 2:9</b>. Every Christian is a son/daughter of light and of the day, and not of the night or of darkness, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Thes 5:5</b>. His disciples are “the light of the world” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 5:14</b>). Despite all these, Jesus warns “be careful lest the light in you be darkness” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 11:35</b>). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Both the wise and the foolish have their lamps. They all became drowsy and slept. However, when they were called to meet the bridegroom, it became clear who is who. Truly, God “has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light”, cf.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Col 1:12</b>. But for one to be admitted, he/she must carry also the oil, one’s good deeds, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 5:8-10</b>. We are urged to become sons and daughters of light now by believing in Him, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 12:35-36</b>. Whoever fails is condemned like the foolish bridesmaids, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 16:16; Jn 3:18-19</b>. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Lamp without oil is useless; it cannot give light, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 5:15</b>.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Lk 11: 33-36; Eph 5:1-20; 1Pt 2:1-10.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Do you have enough </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">oil?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> God, give us the grace to carry both our lamps and the oil – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313 </span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> </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> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 10%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br /> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302 </span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">       </span>Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Never forget the oil: Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (II) (31st August, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (II) (31 st August, 2018) on the Gospel   1Cor 1:17-25; ...

Read more »

Ever on guard: Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (II) (30th August, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (II) (30^th August, 2018) on the Gospel <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 50%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1Cor 1:1-9;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ps 144:2-7. (R. cf. v.1);<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt 24:42-51</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Ever on guard</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jesus warns in today’s gospel that the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-UyfoUJ4kOJIsNdFkSo98MUJjG_lx_3hA-F989eTMbSlnWRMOaYnvRGUWy23MAludxlykqm-Rg_QMw7b4UeQVjDSsAb30fKbE2a9WnFjt00uh3VWfXcdlyGHVV3-zJJd4DZ4q0LPYcI/s1600/30.08.2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-UyfoUJ4kOJIsNdFkSo98MUJjG_lx_3hA-F989eTMbSlnWRMOaYnvRGUWy23MAludxlykqm-Rg_QMw7b4UeQVjDSsAb30fKbE2a9WnFjt00uh3VWfXcdlyGHVV3-zJJd4DZ4q0LPYcI/s1600/30.08.2018.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Keep awake ... for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.... if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Blessed is the faithful and wise slave whom the master finds at work when he comes. His master will put him/her in charge of all his possessions. But the wicked slave who thinks the master is delayed and begins to beat others, and eats and drinks with drunkards will be caught unawares. He will cut such off and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Many do postpone when to give their lives entirely to God. Regrettably, those who are fortunate to see the proposed dates keep proposing new ones forgetting that no one is sure of seeing the next second, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 4:14</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The riches of God’s kindness and forbearance and patience is meant to lead us to repentance, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 2:4; 2Pt 3:9</b>. We ought to accept God’s olive branch now because no one knows when the time will be up. Again, as His kindness is great so also is His justice, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 2:5-11</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 8pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Rom 2:1-16; Jas 4:13-17.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <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;"> Today is the right time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, help us to turn fully to you without any further delay – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><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> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> </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> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313 <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> </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> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 10%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tel: +234 813 305 0302 <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">       </span>Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Ever on guard: Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (II) (30th August, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (II) (30 th August, 2018) on the Gospel   1Cor 1:1-9; Ps...

Read more »

Terrible is a bad adviser: Memorial of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (29th August, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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 the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (29^th August, 2018) 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;">Jer 1:17-19;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 70:1-6.15.17. (R. v.15);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mk 6:17-29</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRrPZJ-Gkup4LRlm4v3eObu2xZMwPL1EXQAVy0al6aXTaq8ne7m1s0mCv6P1YTHoT4dEvrLNYEqKCiPPaOQtrPgLYew7R3sGi6WeCVGEu0lbwpSUTOig4-XSmb3DPlPTaj_Dx9IHG9PY/s1600/29.08.2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRrPZJ-Gkup4LRlm4v3eObu2xZMwPL1EXQAVy0al6aXTaq8ne7m1s0mCv6P1YTHoT4dEvrLNYEqKCiPPaOQtrPgLYew7R3sGi6WeCVGEu0lbwpSUTOig4-XSmb3DPlPTaj_Dx9IHG9PY/s1600/29.08.2018.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">According to the Synoptic Gospels, Herod, who was tetrarch, or sub-king, of Galilee under the Roman Empire, had imprisoned John the Baptist because he reproved him for divorcing his wife (Phasaelis) and unlawfully taking Herodias, the wife of his brother Herod Philip I as wife (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 14:3-4; Mk 6:17-18; Lk 9:7-9</b>). On Herod's birthday, Herodias's daughter danced before Herod and his guests. Her dancing pleased Herod so much that in his drunkenness he promised to give her anything she desired, up to half of his kingdom. Through the instigation of her mother, she preferred the head of John the Baptist on a dish. Though Herod was deeply grieved but her request prevailed because of Herod’s oath and for his guests, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 6: 26-28</b>.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2017-2018)/Ordinary%20Time%20(II)%20(2018)/Twenty-First%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(II)%20(2018).docx" 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: 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><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Terrible is a bad adviser</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Think about the offer Herod made to Herodias’ daughter; even half of his kingdom. It could have been probably an opportunity to be the youngest girl to rule such a vast kingdom, to spur young girls to use their talents positively, to raise the dignity of women when they counted not quite better than commodities, and so on. But because of her mother’s terrible advice, she turned her back on all these and many more to become a murderer; killed one who brought them the message of salvation, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 13:</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">26.47; Eph 1:13</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The book of Proverbs extols advice, “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 12:15</b>). Again, “By insolence the heedless make strife, but wisdom is with those who take advice” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 13:10</b>). The author also advices, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 19:20</b>). We also read elsewhere, “Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who will no longer take advice” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eccl 4:13</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We see in today’s gospel the power of advice (words). It is very important to listen to advice but it is more important to consider them before putting them into use, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 1:19</b>. Just one foolish advice turned Herodias’ daughter into a terrible monster. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Advisers must be very careful of what they give in the name of advice. One piece of advice can turn an angel into a demon and vice versa. And while giving advice, we must always remember that there is great reward for good advisers, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dan 12:3</b>. On the other hand, there is terrible punishment for bad advisers, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 18:6; Mk 9:42; Lk 17:2</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <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;">: Prov 18:2-8; </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Eccl 4:9-16</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> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <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;"> Give and also take only good advice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> God, enlighten us to identify the good and the bad advice; and strengthen us to accept only the good ones – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Saint John the Baptist</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> – Pray for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313 </span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> </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> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 10%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br /> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302 </span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">       </span>Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <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;"> <div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.7in;"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2017-2018)/Ordinary%20Time%20(II)%20(2018)/Twenty-First%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(II)%20(2018).docx" 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: 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><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beheading_of_St._John_the_Baptist"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beheading_of_St._John_the_Baptist</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>

Terrible is a bad adviser: Memorial of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (29th August, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (29 th August, 2018) on the Gospel and the Memorial   ...

Read more »

Nothing is hidden from God: Memorial of Saint Augustine, B.D., (28th August, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Augustine, B.D., (28^th August, 2018) on the Gospel and the Memorial</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><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 /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2Thess 2:1-3.14-17;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 95:10-13. (R. v.13);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt 23:23-26</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 4pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTjPiPGQuGMIRnp1qSZLAkUMjsGcRTThyDtLYkQ35RsPYpRgy7RfACdad_kXoqtpoenw1a_ec2LLz_DPoaPLCiORdvCtUn66m0_Ba7A1FrJ2ia4DMfKPE_GHTRzi8rmpazMg-aeKaZk4/s1600/28.08.2018.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/AVvXsEiZTjPiPGQuGMIRnp1qSZLAkUMjsGcRTThyDtLYkQ35RsPYpRgy7RfACdad_kXoqtpoenw1a_ec2LLz_DPoaPLCiORdvCtUn66m0_Ba7A1FrJ2ia4DMfKPE_GHTRzi8rmpazMg-aeKaZk4/s1600/28.08.2018.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint Augustine of Hippo </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(13^th November 354 – 28^th August 430)</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2017-2018)/Ordinary%20Time%20(II)%20(2018)/Twenty-First%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(II)%20(2018).docx" 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: 12.5pt; 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><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> was </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">son of </span></span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint Monica</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Although he was brought up a Christian and also one of the most intelligent men who ever lived, he spent many years in wicked living and in false beliefs (Manichaeism and neo-Platonism). Through the </span></span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/prayers"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">prayers</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> of his mother and the preaching of Saint Ambrose, he became convinced that </span></span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=2927"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christianity</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> was the one true religion. But he was not converted immediately because he thought he could never live a pure life. On hearing that two men were converted after reading the </span></span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=7101"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">life</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> of Saint<span style="color: #333333;"> Anthony, he was filled with bitter sorrow and cried to God, “How long more, O Lord? Why does not this </span>hour put an end to my sins?” He was baptized in 386, became a priest, a bishop, a famous </span></span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=2678"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Catholic</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> writer, Founder of religious priests. Augustine is recognized as a saint in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Christian Church, and the Anglican Communion and as a preeminent Doctor of the Church. He overcame strong heresies, was very devout, practiced great </span></span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=9553"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">poverty</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">,</span><span style="font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> and was also charitable. Augustine preached very often and prayed with great fervour </span></span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=10046"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">right</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> up until his death. </span><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;">He is the patron of the </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustinians" title="Augustinians"><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri;">Augustinians</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, brewers, printers, theologians, the alleviation of sore eyes, and a number of cities and dioceses. Among his most important works are </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_City_of_God_(book)" title="The City of God (book)"><i><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri;">The City of God</span></span></i></a><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confessions_(Augustine)" title="Confessions (Augustine)"><i><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri;">Confessions</span></span></i></a><i><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span></span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2017-2018)/Ordinary%20Time%20(II)%20(2018)/Twenty-First%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(II)%20(2018).docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; 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: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Nothing is hidden from God</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus further denounced the scribes and the Pharisees, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind leaders! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This corroborates with the words of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prophet Micah</b> in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">chapter 6 verse 8</b>, “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Many erroneously think like the scribes and the Pharisees that by doing tithing and other offerings they hide their atrocities from God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Activities in churches today also downplay these weightier matters of the law. Almost every bit of energy is geared towards offerings. There are several strategies for achieving this and new ones are coming up daily. Yet little or no effort is channelled towards conversion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unfortunately, no one can hide his/her sins from God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 69:5. 139:15; Heb 4:13</b>. He will bring everything to light, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 4:5</b>. Hence Jesus tells us, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known” including our sins (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 12:2</b>). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is need for total transformation, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 12:2</b>. We ought to avoid “eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 6:6</b>). Let no one be deceived; everyone will reap what he/she sows, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gal 6:7</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, Saint Augustine we celebrate today was brought back to the true faith through the prayers of his mother and the preaching of Saint Ambrose. The story would have been different if these did not perform their roles well. Augustine attested to this in these words, “If I am your child, it is because you gave me such a mother.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <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 12:9-21.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Do not please humans.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> May God help us serve Him with our whole being – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Saint Augustine – Pray for us</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313 </span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> </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> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 10%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302 </span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">       </span>Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <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;"> <div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.7in;"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2017-2018)/Ordinary%20Time%20(II)%20(2018)/Twenty-First%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(II)%20(2018).docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sources</i>: </span></span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><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;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo</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%20II%20(2017-2018)/Ordinary%20Time%20(II)%20(2018)/Twenty-First%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(II)%20(2018).docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">                </span></span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><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;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=418"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=418</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> </div> </div>

Nothing is hidden from God: Memorial of Saint Augustine, B.D., (28th August, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Augustine, B.D., (28 th August, 2018) on the Gospel and the Memorial   2Thess 2:1-3.1...

Read more »

Woe to you...: Memorial of Saint Monica (27th August, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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 Monica (27^th August, 2018) 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;">2Thess 1:1-5.11-12;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 95:1-5. (R. v.3); <o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Matt 23:13-22.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C-0zwyFk3K6SajeuuQApBOIRRO9s3ktThWAU0iHE-fBMKnxL80KYHgLUQRVP-QyBwSEffs7Qvg5K5qnLni8DT_NAJOUOudqT5yJSL8mRF-J5L3SxzS4Vb7Ga8cWH_CGAwhdQ9BFsoRA/s1600/27.08.2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="126" data-original-width="131" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C-0zwyFk3K6SajeuuQApBOIRRO9s3ktThWAU0iHE-fBMKnxL80KYHgLUQRVP-QyBwSEffs7Qvg5K5qnLni8DT_NAJOUOudqT5yJSL8mRF-J5L3SxzS4Vb7Ga8cWH_CGAwhdQ9BFsoRA/s200/27.08.2018.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint Monica was born on 331 AD in Thagaste and was married to a pagan, Patricius at a very tender age. Her children were Saint Augustine (August 28), Navigius, and Perpetua. She endured her husband’s and her mother’s-in-law bad temper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Although Patricius criticized her for her charity and piety, but he always respected her. She later won him and her mother-in-law to Christianity. She stopped Augustine from eating and sleeping in her house when he accepted the Manichean heresy and was living immoral life. Monica readmitted him after a vision that assured her that Augustine would return to the faith. She stayed too close to Augustine with prayers and fasting than he wanted. Augustine tricked her and left for Rome. On her arrival, she learnt that he had left for Milan. She did not give-up. In Milan, Augustine came under the influence of the bishop, Saint Ambrose, who also became Monica’s spiritual director. Saint Ambrose baptized Augustine and several of his friends at Easter, 387. Soon after, they left for Africa. She became ill and suffered severely for nine days and died on 387 AD in Ostia Antica. She is the patron Saint of Alcoholics, Married women, and Mothers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Topic: Woe to you...</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today’s gospel is a continuation of last Saturday’s gospel in which Jesus urged His listeners to do and to follow what the scribes and the Pharisees taught because they occupied Moses’ seat. He also warned them against following their example because they did not practice what they taught.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel, Jesus summarized them by naming them hypocrites. He denounced them and also proclaimed woes on them. Their sins include locking people out of the kingdom of heaven, suffering so much to make a convert only to make him/her worse child of hell than themselves, and also feeding the people with false teachings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ensure that no one is prevented from following God through your actions, words, and omissions. We celebrate the memorial of Saint Monica who did not prevent anybody from following God instead she brought people to Christ. Every person can be a good channel for the salvation of others. Saint John warns, “Look to yourselves, that you may not lose what you have worked for, but may win a full reward” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Jn 1:8</b>). There will be woes to anyone who fails to be a channel of salvation to others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <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%;">2Jn 7-11</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> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thought for today:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> You ought to be a channel of salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, help us to be your sincere children – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Saint Monica </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">– Pray for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Visit our website: </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></a> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><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%;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><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%;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313 </span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Send us Email:</span></b><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%;"><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a> </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> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 10%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302 </span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">       </span>Email: </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a></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> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Woe to you...: Memorial of Saint Monica (27th August, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Monica (27 th August, 2018) on the Gospel and the Memorial   2Thess 1:1-5.11-12; P...

Read more »

Wants to leave?: Twenty-First Sunday of the Year (B) (26th August, 2018).

<br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Homily (Reflection) for the Twenty-First Sunday of the Year (B) (26</span>^{<span style="font-size: small;">th</span>}<span style="font-size: large;"> August, 2018) on the Gospel</span></span></b></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Josh 24:1-2.15-18;</span></div> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ps 33:2-3.16-23 (R. V. 9);</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Eph 5:21-32;</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 6: 60-69</b>.</span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 4pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A young girl in her teens who dropped out of school in Senior Secondary School 1 (SSS1) approached a priest with her intention to go back to school at least to complete her secondary education but was financially handicapped. Moved with pity, the priest decided to assist her actualize her dream. Plans were already in the advanced stage for her to go back to school when she told the priest that she was no longer interested in going back to school but would like to register for Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in one of the centres where different forms of examination malpractice are institutionalized. Hence, “good results” are assured provided one can afford the bill. And students continually leave schools where there is insistence on hard work to those organised crime-centres even sometimes on the advice, approval, cooperation, or even insistence of the parents. Efforts to dissuade her were futile. The priest even visited her parents to see if they could help convince their daughter to go back to school but their reactions especially that of the mother showed they were solidly behind their daughter’s decision.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Topic:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Wants to leave?</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbswTmPCUgqxW985G2b8mYZcRxpyEZXshbCa_BeDkhjpAqSEqBhwvHY9J30hvOj4T5_N5hwO7xt8TJZr4OSxnvGdkn2lh5NracaYvEulZ7Wq7iVUdn2tmNTzjzT5IU8fdYedGAem47M8/s1600/26.08.2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbswTmPCUgqxW985G2b8mYZcRxpyEZXshbCa_BeDkhjpAqSEqBhwvHY9J30hvOj4T5_N5hwO7xt8TJZr4OSxnvGdkn2lh5NracaYvEulZ7Wq7iVUdn2tmNTzjzT5IU8fdYedGAem47M8/s1600/26.08.2018.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Last Sunday, on hearing of Jesus’ offer of His Flesh and Blood as real food and drink for all who wants to have eternal life (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 6:51</b>), the people complained: “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 6:52</b>). And Jesus emphasized:</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">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. 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 (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 6:53-55</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These words of Jesus among others (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 6: 56 – 58</b>) made most of His disciples say in today’s gospel: “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 6:60</b>). And Jesus being aware of their complaints goes on to teach:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 6:61-64</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus insistence on His Father’s will (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 4:34; 5:30; 6:38, 39</b>) ‘caused’ Him most of the disciples He had gathered around Himself; “Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn6:66</b>). Consequent upon this, one would have expected Jesus to either plead with those leaving not to or changed His teaching to suit them but He even turned to the remaining ones (the twelve) and asked: “Do you also wish to go away?” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 6:67</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus came into the world to do the will of He who sent Him, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 6:38</b> and the sum of God’s word is truth; and every one of His righteous ordinances endures forever, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 119:160</b>. In the gospel according to Saint John, Jesus while praying for His disciples said: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 17:17</b>). Again, Jesus also admonished us in these words: “Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 5:37</b>). And again, in Saint Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians we read:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to ordinary human standards, ready to say ‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no’ at the same time? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been ‘Yes and No.’ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not ‘Yes and No’ .... (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Cor 1:17-19</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today whether the ministers of the Word and sacraments proclaim their own words in place of God’s for their own selfish interests calls for serious reflection. According to Saint Paul, people who teach what they should not for their own selfish interests should be silenced, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tit 1:11</b>. Sometimes we tend to forget “If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 14:26</b>). No one deserves the name, God’s minister, who does not place God’s interest first in all things.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Proclaim God’s message in charity. Proclaim the truth and not falsehood, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 4:25</b>. As we struggle to convert others, care must be taken to be converted first so as not to mislead others. Those who teach others “shall be judged with greater strictness” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 3:1</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you jump from one church to another, what do we seek? Remember, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings...” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heb 13:8-9; cf. Eph 5:6</b>). To Jesus’ question Peter wonderfully replied: “Lord, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God</b>” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 6:68-69</b>). Ministers and lay faithful must have faith as strong as this to be able to serve God because “... without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heb 11:6</b>). The young girl in our introductory story wanted to have certificate without studying for it. Do you want to have Christ without following His footsteps? Remember in a corrupt world like ours, a lot of anomalies are possible but not with God. Whoever wants Christ must follow Him, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 9:23</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <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;">2Cor 4:16-5:10; Heb 11; Jas 2:14-26; Gal 2:15-21; Rom 3:21-31; 1Jn 2:18-28</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> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <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; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Face-to-face with difficult situation, what do you do – struggle to understand and solve the problem or take to your heels</span>?</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <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><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God, our Father and source of faith, may we always and everywhere manifest our faith especially in difficult moments</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;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">– Amen</span>. </span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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 /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <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> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313 </span></span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <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;">To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302 </span></span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <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;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">       </span>Email: </span></span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">May God bless you all+</span></span></div>

Wants to leave?: Twenty-First Sunday of the Year (B) (26th August, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for the Twenty-First Sunday of the Year (B) (26 th August, 2018) on the Gospel Josh 24:1-2.15-18; Ps 33:2-3.16-...

Read more »