Quo Vadis – Heaven or Hell?: Twenty-Sixth Sunday of the Year (B) (30th September, 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-Sixth Sunday of the Year (B) (30</span>^{<span style="font-size: small;">th</span>}<span style="font-size: large;"> September, 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;">Num 11:25-29;</span></div> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ps 18:8.10.12-14 (R. V. 9);</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Jas 5:1-6;</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 9:38-43. 45. 47-48 (9:38-48)</b>.</span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ngozi, a little girl of about five years old had watched her mother with keen interest while preparing meals especially as she opens pots that has been on fire for a long time without using anything to protect her hands. One day, she enquired from her mother the secret behind the magic (act). In response, her mother told her that fire does not hurt elderly people. And without questing further, Ngozi assimilated her mother’s reply as it was given. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After some weeks, Ngozi was at their neighbour’s house playing with her mates while their mother was cooking at the kitchen. And the kitchen in which she was cooking has no walls so the children could see virtually everything going on. At a point, the woman opened the pot to see how the cooking was going but she could not bear the heat of the cover that made her to scream and threw the cover on the floor. Ngozi full of amazement asked her play mates (mostly children of the woman), ‘So your mother is still a little girl?’</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;"> Quo Vadis – Heaven or Hell</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">?<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></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/AVvXsEjwF5MiWtZ9Seu4iVF0qUoR19os5D3C626wg_AT9lihMs4km5HYjWVppv6PrD0EwoFhsMp99QCzcbCmd5S6qF8y8BsREewelGQ0Aqfw_uJE6T_wdH-qUuir_lbwB2Fp7LFMGCWvfuBRzKc/s1600/30.09.2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwF5MiWtZ9Seu4iVF0qUoR19os5D3C626wg_AT9lihMs4km5HYjWVppv6PrD0EwoFhsMp99QCzcbCmd5S6qF8y8BsREewelGQ0Aqfw_uJE6T_wdH-qUuir_lbwB2Fp7LFMGCWvfuBRzKc/s1600/30.09.2018.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Today’s gospel can be divided into two: teaching about Another Exorcist using Jesus’ name and teaching about Temptations to Sin. But we shall concentrate on the second one – Temptations to Sin</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; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Often people offer assorted reasons why they indulged in one sin or another. In today’s gospel however, we see how grievous is the consequences of sin in Jesus teaching, <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; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ‘<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out</b>.’ (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 9:43, 45, 47-48. LASB, NLT</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; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This teaching can be reframed in many ways for easier assimilation like: If earthly life, health, money, marriage, children, parents, friends, property, connection, and so on will cause you to sin, cut it/them out. It is better to enter the Kingdom of God without them than to have them and be thrown into hell fire, ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out. Jesus warns,<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; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their lives? (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 16:25-26</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; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our lives here on earth affect others either positively or negatively. Hence, Jesus began the second part of the gospel in this way, <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; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 9:42</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;"><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;">The woman we saw in our introductory story could not endure the steam from her pot and the temperature of the cover of her pot, that are under her control. How can one endure the fires of hell? Jesus warns us of the fires of hell that were prepared for the devil and his angels, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 25:41</b>. Prophet Nahum rightly asked, “Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken asunder by him” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Nah 1:6</b>). It is therefore left for each and every one of us to choose where to go – heaven or hell</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<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;">Matt 7:13-14; 10:16-33; 16:24-27; 2Pt 2:1-22</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> Where are you preparing for – heaven or hell?</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, help us to live the life that will earn us the kingdom prepared for your blessed from the foundation of the world – 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; 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Quo Vadis – Heaven or Hell?: Twenty-Sixth Sunday of the Year (B) (30th September, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday of the Year (B) (30 th September, 2018) on the Gospel Num 11:25-29; Ps 18:8.10.12-1...

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Angels of God: Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels (29th September, 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 Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels (29^th September, 2018) on the Gospel and the Feast<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dan 7:9-10.13-14 or Rev 12:7-12;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 137:1-5. (R. v.1);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jn 1:47-51</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVf0IPO_Vk-k1CoJSNci45UPsNahGmGCyY3IArPtxHOFH00JFMArh5aSh20GxCy5hqnwLH5RWQFshC5pfKXfqRC_ZO4tTMSeejQ1t7mGZZyUEl4jUxLZsoJIYrVwu03xF3lu6zBTFRioQ/s1600/29.09.2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVf0IPO_Vk-k1CoJSNci45UPsNahGmGCyY3IArPtxHOFH00JFMArh5aSh20GxCy5hqnwLH5RWQFshC5pfKXfqRC_ZO4tTMSeejQ1t7mGZZyUEl4jUxLZsoJIYrVwu03xF3lu6zBTFRioQ/s1600/29.09.2016.png" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Sacred Scriptures revealed the proper names of only three Angels: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. The title “Archangel” is given only to Saint Michael, but the sacred tradition and the liturgy of the Church attribute the same title to Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael. These are spoken of as Archangels simply because they were entrusted with extraordinary missions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Michael</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> means “Who is as God?” His name is a battle cry; both shield and weapon in the struggle, and an eternal trophy of victory. The name of Archangel Michael first appeared in the prophet Daniel, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dan 10:13</b>. He also appeared in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dan 10:21. 12:1; Jude 1:9, and Rev 12:7</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The name <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gabriel</b> means “Man of God” or “Strength of God”. Gabriel announced the coming of Saint John the Baptist, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 1:11-19</b>. He also announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she would conceive of the Holy Spirit, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 1:26-37</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 4pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Raphael</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> means “God heals,” or the “Divine healer.” In the book of Tobit chapters 5 through 12, Raphael was of immense help especially to Tobit, Tobias, and Sarah. He acted in human form, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tob 5:5-14; Heb 13:2</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-Fifth%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><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: Angels of 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;">In today’s gospel, when Jesus described Nathaniel as “an Israelite in whom there is no deceit,” he queried, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus told him that He saw him under the fig tree before Philip called him. Nathaniel replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” And Jesus said to him,<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;">Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.... Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.<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;">As we celebrate the Archangels, it is important to understand the name <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">angel</b> in a broader sense. One can be certain that the name refers to a spirit who is God’s servant in heaven if it is qualified or based on the circumstances, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gen 28:12. 32:1; Ps 91:11; Lk 12:8</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 often think of angels only as spirits who are God’s servants in heaven. However, the bible tells us that it refers to much more. The book of Revelation reveals that the devil has his own angels, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rev 12:7</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;">Jesus said that those who are considered worthy of a place in heave are like angels and are children of God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 20:35-36</b>. Angels of God are spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heb 1:14</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;">Angels of God are our friends and our companions on our journey. We can call on them for assistance. The Psalmist wrote, “He has given his angels charge over you to guard you in all your ways” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 91:11</b>). So, we can invoke them whenever we need divine assistance. More also, we are to be angels of God not of devil 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;">: Ps 91:1-16.<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 are an angel.<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, as we celebrate your archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, help us to be true servants of yours – 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%;">Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael – 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; 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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-Fifth%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://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/archangels.asp"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">https://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/archangels.asp</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>

Angels of God: Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels (29th September, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels (29 th September, 2018) on the Gospel and the Fea...

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Knowing Jesus: Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (28th September, 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-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (28^th September, 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;">Eccl 3:1-11;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 143:1-4. (R. v.1);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lk 9:18-22</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <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: Knowing Jesus</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;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsUf1nmsZTn8vncL_H2FSz7o3vU4dqqHllrFZk-g_s1wSZ7DRfhmwn4F6hkTrzNbppWYnX3c3s76rzDYI_-eUfPLBQ2zru5j7ih6HEtPutUwl_CU1JyezNUfnBky1aKt0KdwvPf4jGFM/s1600/28.09.2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsUf1nmsZTn8vncL_H2FSz7o3vU4dqqHllrFZk-g_s1wSZ7DRfhmwn4F6hkTrzNbppWYnX3c3s76rzDYI_-eUfPLBQ2zru5j7ih6HEtPutUwl_CU1JyezNUfnBky1aKt0KdwvPf4jGFM/s1600/28.09.2018.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel Jesus asked His disciples while praying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They thought He was John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the ancient prophets. He asked further, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “The Messiah of God.” He also foretold His death and resurrection.<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 timing of these questions (when Jesus was praying), says a lot about their necessity. Jesus came that we may have life in abundance, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 10:10</b>. However, believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God is the key, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 20:31</b>. The letter to the Hebrews reads, “...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>).<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;">Believing in God only needs our cooperation; “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 6:44</b>). We ought to beseech God earnestly to draw us to Himself. <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;">: Heb 11:4-7.<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;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Who is Jesus?<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, draw us to yourself that we may believe in you – 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; 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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; 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Knowing Jesus: Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (28th September, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (28 th September, 2018) on the Gospel   Eccl 3:1-11; ...

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Hurt not: Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, P., (27th September, 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 Vincent de Paul, P., (27^th September, 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;">Eccl 1:2-11;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 89:3-6.12-14.17. (R. v.1);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lk 9:7-9</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 4pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzfVncHiTjqZYJu3rGVnJ62Rxl3f2NNRSIZMu1BchEuZ4DLDCB_QYS-tgVDpAKlZlQpGoMPMeRd3vdh5syt73Wqyj0aKtKie83zbv0IUsNBC36nAnwDEhTI9hrENpePolzZAqFZY9Ftg/s1600/27.09.2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzfVncHiTjqZYJu3rGVnJ62Rxl3f2NNRSIZMu1BchEuZ4DLDCB_QYS-tgVDpAKlZlQpGoMPMeRd3vdh5syt73Wqyj0aKtKie83zbv0IUsNBC36nAnwDEhTI9hrENpePolzZAqFZY9Ftg/s1600/27.09.2018.png" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint Vincent de Paul was born to a poor peasant family in Pouy on 24^th April, 1581. He was hired as a tutor based on his brilliant performance in his studies. His earnings helped him in the study of theology at the University of Toulose. He was ordained in 1600 and remained in Toulose for a time. In 1605, he was captured and sold into slavery. He escaped after two years and returned to France. While studying in Rome, he was a chaplain to the Count of Goigny and also in charge of distributing money to the deserving poor. He spent his life preaching missions to and providing relief to the poor and also established hospitals for them. Later, he extended his ministry to convicts. He founded the Ladies of Charity, and the Congregation of Priests of the Mission (Vincentians) to help him carry on the ministry. Saint Vincent helped in the reformation of the clergy and the seminary formation. He died in Paris on September 27, 1660. Pope Benedict XIII beatified him on August 13, 1729 and was canonized by Pope Leo XIII on June 16, 1737. He is the patron of charities; horses; hospitals; leprosy; lost articles; Madagascar; prisoners; Richmond, Virginia; spiritual help; Saint Vincent de Paul Societies; Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory; Vincentian Service Corps; volunteers.</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-Fifth%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><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: Hurt not</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;">When Herod heard about Jesus, he was perplexed because some said that John had been raised from the dead. Herod wondered because he beheaded John.<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 reads, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 15:3</b>). And He will repay everyone according to their deeds, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 16:27; Rev 22:12</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;">Herod’s worry confirmed God’s words, “There is no peace...for the wicked” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 48:22; cf. Is 57:21; Gen 50:15</b>). Again, “the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 24:20</b>). God also threatened to send curses, confusion, and frustration upon the wicked, and in all they undertake until they are destroyed and perish on account of the evil they do, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut 28:20</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 must wash ourselves; make ourselves clean; remove the evil of our doings and cease to do evil, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 1:16</b>. Our life is like a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 4:14</b>. The book of Proverbs rightly warns, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prov 27:1</b>). We of perpetrate evils on the grounds of the condition we are in. Saint Vincent de Paul met with different challenges ranging from poverty, enslavement, and so on. He did not hurt anybody. Hurt not today that you may have peace tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </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;">: Jas 4:13-17.<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;"> Prepare a peaceful tomorrow.<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 heart of flesh to love you and our neighbours – 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 Vincent de Paul – 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; 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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;"></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-Fifth%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="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=326"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=326</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>

Hurt not: Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, P., (27th September, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, P., (27 th September, 2018) on the Gospel and the Memorial   Eccl 1:...

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Call to duty: Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (26th September, 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 Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (26^th September, 2018) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prov 30:5-9;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 118:29.72.89.101.104.163. (R. v. 105);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lk 9:1-6</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <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: Call to duty</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="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mx_IhF0loUytIe03Y_wto-ujDASr898uGBQDnoZhOe6azwax21lcLzkzgv725W5f-d1RWzLSTbimXSujVzbceFhpW8yFdnyeIORR2DoPZWI6Ft4efuXR6jjcS_bOyq2f2oKOBtrhIS8/s1600/26.09.2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mx_IhF0loUytIe03Y_wto-ujDASr898uGBQDnoZhOe6azwax21lcLzkzgv725W5f-d1RWzLSTbimXSujVzbceFhpW8yFdnyeIORR2DoPZWI6Ft4efuXR6jjcS_bOyq2f2oKOBtrhIS8/s1600/26.09.2018.png" /></a></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;">In today’s gospel Jesus sent the twelve out with the authority over the unclean spirits. He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money – not even an extra tunic” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 9:3</b>). They should stay in any house where they are welcomed until they leave the place and should shake off the dust on their feet while leaving the place where they are not welcomed. The twelve preached the good news and also cured the diseased.<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;">Considering Jesus’ instruction to the twelve it looks as if God was about to repeat what He did during the Israelites’ journey to the promise land; they spent forty years in the wilderness yet their clothes did not worn out, and their sandals did not worn off their feet; cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deut 29:5</b>. He also provided bread, meat, and water for them all through their journey, cf.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Ex 15:23-25; 16:4, 10-15, 21, 35</b>;<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> 17:2-6</b>. Otherwise, how could they survive?<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 a parallel passage, there is a clue to how Jesus wanted them to survive: labourers deserve their food (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 10:10</b>). And in Luke, Jesus sheds more light, “Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid.... eat what is set before you” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 10:7,8</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;">Jesus is telling us in today’s gospel that we all have our respective tasks with regard to the spreading of the gospel. The faithful is to provide for their ministers. If ministers of God leave their work in search of bread, bag, money, tunics and so on surely they will find these but not without inflicting serious injuries to the souls they are to pasture. Simply put, souls will be lost. And dearest ministers of God remember Pauline maxim, “If anyone will not work, let him not eat” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Thess 3:10</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;">: 2Thess 3:6-15.<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 have a role in the spreading of the gospel.<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 do our parts in your vineyard – 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; 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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>

Call to duty: Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (26th September, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (26 th September, 2018) on the Gospel   Prov 30:5-...

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Proof of worth: Tuesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (25th September, 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 Tuesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (25^th September, 2018) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 50%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prov 21:1-6.10-13;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 118:1.27.30.34-35.44. (R. v.35);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lk 8:19-21</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: Proof of worth</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="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCRXtM2HmzDLKyPfOuZvBHOSAwHyMx6enFhd0XdMKh9bmTeGtgLtibsCviqda_RJHRHM_qA01kOSmKtjN9WYO7mN0G9pYZEOdc1jyl-SgQCedHBxzeVAQRt0cPqOmmWu734klRgs9d2k/s1600/25.09.2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCRXtM2HmzDLKyPfOuZvBHOSAwHyMx6enFhd0XdMKh9bmTeGtgLtibsCviqda_RJHRHM_qA01kOSmKtjN9WYO7mN0G9pYZEOdc1jyl-SgQCedHBxzeVAQRt0cPqOmmWu734klRgs9d2k/s1600/25.09.2018.jpg" /></a></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;">When Jesus was told in today’s gospel that His mother and brothers were looking for Him, He replied, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” There is need to examine the things that we count on to pave the way for us to heaven.<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;">People count on different things that include the church, status in the church, relationship with the authorities in the church, and so many much more. Jesus warns, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 7:21a</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;">He gave us the prerequisite of being His disciple, “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; cf. Lk 14:27,33</b>). Although many see this as too old to be applicable today, we are yet to receive another that either contradict or correct this.<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 will be where Jesus is neither because of the church we belong to nor the we occupy position in the church. We will make heaven only if we remain in Christ’s words, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 8:31</b>. The only way to prove our worth is doing the will of our Father who is in heaven, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 7:21b</b>. Whoever hopes in any other thing is deceiving him/herself.<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;">: Matt 7:21-27.<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;"> Doing God’s will is the key.<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%;"> God, we need your help to do your will here on earth – 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> <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;"> <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>

Proof of worth: Tuesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (25th September, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (25 th September, 2018) on the Gospel   Prov 21:1-6....

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Your stuff: Monday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (24th September, 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 Monday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (24^th September, 2018) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prov 3:27-34;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 14:2-5. (R. v.1); <o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lk 8:16-18.</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: Your stuff</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="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWYMw4XJScI4-2J9uyaFbSs5qSDOBN-SfqkUeq5IONkvfAYlxu_VtQgD4oBk0vVgHBa_FLVtrOZVyEmrHTC0MjxIH_mJSHLAPdzwloKAZJTzJ160eKY9lDXLszWsj9q1-hIG-y0k44Qg/s1600/24.09.2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWYMw4XJScI4-2J9uyaFbSs5qSDOBN-SfqkUeq5IONkvfAYlxu_VtQgD4oBk0vVgHBa_FLVtrOZVyEmrHTC0MjxIH_mJSHLAPdzwloKAZJTzJ160eKY9lDXLszWsj9q1-hIG-y0k44Qg/s1600/24.09.2018.jpg" /></a></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 said in today’s gospel, “No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light.” He also cautioned, “...to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.” These words call for reflection on who we are. <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;">Often we consider ourselves terribly helpless before both real and imaginary forces. We tend to forget that God created all things, and by His will we exist and are created, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rev 4:11</b>. God created us in His image and likeness, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gen 1:26-27.5:1; Jas 3:9</b>. And “everything created by God is good” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Tim 4:4</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;">The stuff we are made of is by no means inferior and are made by the Master Himself. Whatever we are is what God has made us to be and His intention for us is to do good works, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 2:10</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;">Before whatever that stands on our way, “...we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 8:37</b>). We must remember always God’s response to Saint Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Cor 12:9a</b>). Never feel inferior because you are not. To live fully so that others might see the light that we are, we must wake up from our slumber, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 13:11</b>. He who keeps us will neither slumber nor sleep, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 121:4</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;">: </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Eph 2:1-10</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 are of superior by superior to be superior.<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%;"> May God assist us to live our lives fully for His greater glory and for our happiness – 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;"> <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> <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> <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>

Your stuff: Monday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (24th September, 2018).

Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (24 th September, 2018) on the Gospel Prov 3:27-34; ...

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