Your Desire, Your Temptation: First Sunday of Lent (A)

<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria Math","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Homily for the First Sunday of Lent (A) (01^st March, 2020) on the Gospel </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt 0.5in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gen 2:7-9.3:1-7;</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 50:3-6.12-14.17 (R. v.3);</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rom 5:12-19 or 5:12.17-19;</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 5pt 0.5in;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt 4:1-11</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">An Irishman moves into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry, walks into the pub and promptly orders three beers. The bartender raises his eyebrows but serves the man three beers, which he drinks quietly at a table, alone. The next evening the man again orders and drinks three beers at a time, several times. Soon the entire town is whispering about the Man Who Orders Three Beers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, a week later, the bartender broaches the subject on behalf of the town. “I don’t mean to pry, but folks around here are wondering why you always order three beers?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“‘Tis odd, isn’t it? the man replies. “You see, I have two brothers, and one went to America, and the other to Australia. We promised each other that we would always order an extra two beers whenever we drank as a way of keeping up the family bond.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then, one day, the man comes in and orders only two beers. Word flies around town. Prayers are offered for the soul of one of the brothers. The next day, the bartender says to the man, “Folks around here, me first of all, want to offer condolences to you on the sudden death of your brother. You know, the two beers and all...”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The man ponders this for a moment, then replies, “You’ll be happy to hear that my two brothers are alive and well. It’s just that I, myself, have decided to give up drinking for Lent</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/fb/YEAR%20A%202019-2020/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter/First%20Sunday%20of%20Lent%20(A)%20(2020).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; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[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 5pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Topic: Your Desire, Your Temptation</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><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/AVvXsEiBtZRNnrPWuNL3ADUeyFSYm0TG5_9yxF4rv1T2Grof0mUsQv5v8eXqt1uPAwY9J-PjjldX2yDTBZctqM4Zl5U-035K_0OsJYBOdrQAJUqWK2bN7IiT9xmBnnu_EAT6yOdcORm5S0zeGbY/s1600/Temptations+of+Jesus.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/AVvXsEiBtZRNnrPWuNL3ADUeyFSYm0TG5_9yxF4rv1T2Grof0mUsQv5v8eXqt1uPAwY9J-PjjldX2yDTBZctqM4Zl5U-035K_0OsJYBOdrQAJUqWK2bN7IiT9xmBnnu_EAT6yOdcORm5S0zeGbY/s1600/Temptations+of+Jesus.png" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel, the tempter tempted Jesus. Note that the tempter did not tempt Jesus immediately he went into the wilderness despite the fact that the bible tells us that Jesus was led into the wilderness for that purpose. The devil (tempter) waited for the appropriate time. This did not happen until Jesus had fasted forty days and forty nights and was very hungry. Any hungry person ought to desire food. The tempter cashed in on this natural desire: “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The devil even backed his temptation with scriptural passages: “…it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone’” (v. 6, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 91:11-12</b>). In Saint Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians he wrote: “… even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Cor 11:14</b>). It is very important to note that the ability to quote the scripture is not and will never be a sign of being 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; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Looking at all the temptations of Jesus at the face level it will be difficult if not impossible for one to see anything evil in them just like the suggestion he made to Adam and Eve in the first reading: “… You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God ….” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gen 3:4-5</b>). The first reading went further: “… the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gen 3:6</b>). The serpent is very crafty (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gen 3:1</b>); as a result, will not allow anyone see the consequences of what he asks one to do because he knows that if he allows anyone see this it will be very difficult if not impossible for him to get anybody. Our watchword as Christians should be ‘Do not negotiate with the devil for anything; he has nothing good for anybody’ (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Cor 6:14</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; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is need for every Christian to fortify him/herself always but in a special way during this season through fasting and prayer. Following Jesus, our Teacher, everyone is called to prayer and fasting. Fasting does not simply imply abstaining from food. Similarly prayer is much more than vocal prayers. They mean much more than these. As we struggle to abstain from food it is also more important to abstain from every form of sin. Again, as we say our vocal prayers we should remember that prayer is communication. No healthy communication is one-way. God expects us also to listen to Him. In the words of St John Chrysostom “Prayer is a precious way of communicating with God, it gladdens the soul and gives repose to its afflictions. You should not think of prayer as being a matter of words. It is a desire for God, and indescribable devotion ….” (The Divine Office, II, 1997, pp. 21-22).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The period of Lent is a special period for us. It is time to hearken to the word of God through the apostle James:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 4:7-8, 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; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My dear one in the Lord, “Our pilgrim life here on earth cannot be without temptation for it is through temptation that we make progress and it is only by being tempted that we come to know ourselves. We cannot win our crown unless we overcame, and we cannot overcame unless we enter the contest and there is no contest unless we have an enemy and temptations he brings” (St. Augustine on the Psalms. In The Divine Office, II, p. 95). Take time to fast and pray with your desires. They will help you know how the tempter will cash in on them to tempt you. It is not bad for one to desire for anything good but let our desire/s not lead us into sin. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 15pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Readings</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: 2Tim 4:1-8; Jas 1:12-16; 4:1-10; 1Pt 5:1-11; Eph 4:25-5:2; 6:10-20; 1Jn 2:29-3:10.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thought for today</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">: The tempter’s snare lies most in your desire/s (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 1:14</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lord God, help us to triumph in every temptation of this life so as to win the unfading crown of glory through Christ our Lord </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">– Amen (cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Pt 5:4</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; 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; text-indent: 0in;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; 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; 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; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; 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text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; 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; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt; 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; 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; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<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;"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/fb/YEAR%20A%202019-2020/Lent%20&amp;%20Easter/First%20Sunday%20of%20Lent%20(A)%20(2020).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; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Thomas, T., (2010). <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spice up your homilies</i></b>. Mumbai: St Pauls, pp. 20-21.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> </div> </div>

Your Desire, Your Temptation: First Sunday of Lent (A)

Homily for the First Sunday of Lent (A) (01 st March, 2020) on the Gospel Gen 2:7-9.3:1-7; Ps 50:3-6.12-14.17 (R. v.3); Rom 5:12...

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Time of grace: Saturday after Ash Wednesday

<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 Saturday after Ash Wednesday (29^th February, 2020) 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;">Is 58:9-14;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 85:1-6. (R. v.11);<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 5:27-32</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;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topic: Time of grace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Very often we write people off for both the reasons that are real and the imaginary ones. And such records are seldom revised. In today’s gospel, the Pharisees and their scribes complained against Jesus and His disciples eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners. As we know, these groups were written off. However, Jesus replied them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 5:31-32</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;">On the other hand, we sometimes write ourselves off. We think that we have committed so much that we can no longer be forgiven. But this is not true. God lovingly invites all, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 1:18</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;">Lent is a special time of grace. God is calling on us all just as Levi was called in today’s gospel. We are expected to respond following his example; he left everything and followed Jesus with great joy. We should not harden our hearts, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 95:8</b>. Levi’s joy was made manifest especially in the great banquet he gave in his house.<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, be ashamed of sin and not of the fact that we all are sinners, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 3:23; 1Jn 1:10</b>. Let us rise and follow Jesus who has paid fully for our sins, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Pt 1:18; 1Cor 6:20. 7:23; 2Pt 2:1</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;">: Matt 10:37-39.<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;"> Get up, leave everything, and follow 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%;"> Lord, give us a heart like Levi’s to be able to leave everything and follow you with joy – 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%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a></div> <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;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div> <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;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><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%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313</span></span></b></div> <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;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 10%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><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="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;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302</span></span></b></div> <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;">Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Time of grace: Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Homily (Reflection) for Saturday after Ash Wednesday (29 th February, 2020) on the Gospel   Is 58:9-14; Ps 85:1-6. (R. v.11); ...

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Why... fast?: Friday after Ash Wednesday

<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 Friday after Ash Wednesday (28^th February, 2020) 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;">Is 58:1-9;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 50:3-6.18-19. (R. v.19);<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 9:14-15</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;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topic: Why... fast? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></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;">John’s disciples came to Jesus in today’s gospel with this question, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 9:14</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;">As we enter the third day of Lent, it is important to be very careful lest one might work for an unintended employer. The question asked by John’s disciples shows among other things their understanding of fasting. They see it as a mere fulfilment of the Law. Hence probably they wanted Jesus to command His disciples to fast.<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;">Although we have noted on Ash Wednesday that fasting is one of the pillars of Lent but why do we fast? One’s body is his or her greatest enemy and as a result there is need for constant battle to win this enemy. Hence, in his first letter to the Corinthians Saint Paul wrote, “I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 9:27</b>). He also wrote “if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 8:13</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;">Jesus warned us that the gate that leads to life is narrow, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 7:13</b>. We ought to fast for our own spiritual good and neither because we are told to nor just fast because others are fasting. Jesus fasted forty days and nights in the wilderness. We ought to follow in His footsteps if we want to be glorified with Him, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 8:17; Jn 14:6</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;">Remember Jesus condemned these Pharisees who fasted with John’s disciples, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 23:25, 27</b>. If anyone wishes to fast meritoriously before God he or she must avoid the mistakes of the Pharisees, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 6:16-17</b>. We ought to fast to put a smile on someone’s face without trumpeting, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 58:6-7</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;">: Is 58:1-14; </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Rom 7:14-25</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;"> Fast meritoriously before God.<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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> Lord, help us in our fight against our greatest enemy – 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%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a></div> <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;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; 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line-height: 10%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><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="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;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302</span></span></b></div> <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;">Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Why... fast?: Friday after Ash Wednesday

Homily (Reflection) for Friday after Ash Wednesday (28 th February, 2020) on the Gospel   Is 58:1-9; Ps 50:3-6.18-19. (R. v.19);...

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After two days: Thursday after Ash Wednesday.

<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 Thursday after Ash Wednesday (27^th February, 2020) 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;">Deut 30:15-20;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 1:1-4.6. (Ps 39:5);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lk 9:22-25</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: After two days</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;">Jesus foretold His death in today’s gospel saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 9:22</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;">Afterwards, He warned, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 9:23</b>). Elsewhere He also warned, “you will be hated by all for my name's sake” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 10:22a; Mk 13:13a</b>). Although these warnings are scary He also consoles, “But he who endures to the end will be saved” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 10:22b; Mk 13:13b</b>). In the gospel according to Saint John we also read, “I will raise him up at the last day” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 6:44</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 last two verses of today’s gospel ought to ring like bell always in our ears: “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 9:24-25</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;">Trying to please the world is very dangerous. Hence James warns, “Unfaithful creatures! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 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;">Christ’s story did not end in great suffering, rejection, and death but in His resurrection on the third day. The third day comes after first two days (tribulations). Christians must live for the third day because there are so many good things reserved for that day, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 15:13-14</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-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Gal 5:16-26.<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;"> Live for the third day.<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%;">Let us pray:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"> God grant us your grace to live for the world to come – 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%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a></div> <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;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; 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After two days: Thursday after Ash Wednesday.

Homily (Reflection) for Thursday after Ash Wednesday (27 th February, 2020) on the Gospel   Deut 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-4.6. (Ps 39:5)...

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Pray, Fast, and Give Alms: Ash Wednesday, A,B,C

<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 Ash Wednesday, A,B,C (26^th February, 2020) on the Gospel and the Celebration<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;">Joel 2:12-18;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 50:3-6.12-14.17 (R. v.3);<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2Cor 5:20–6:2;<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 6:1-6.16-18</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/AVvXsEiEviNX-410ExSwr2Y2zoMfEaU7zqsaiRuv6WBfocpUmtF89adrMAJT_NgfzUt90zyHiy6XIJKnSQdetroZMM4BBy3nQiGLIzbsbhst2LPyYq73y0zmct7myUkgalWkN1ghz2GU48bQ778/s1600/26.02.2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEviNX-410ExSwr2Y2zoMfEaU7zqsaiRuv6WBfocpUmtF89adrMAJT_NgfzUt90zyHiy6XIJKnSQdetroZMM4BBy3nQiGLIzbsbhst2LPyYq73y0zmct7myUkgalWkN1ghz2GU48bQ778/s1600/26.02.2020.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a season of repentance, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The ashes symbolize the nothingness of man. As the priest places the ash on those who come forward, he says: “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel” or “Remember, man, you are dust and to dust you will return”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2019-2020)/Lent%20and%20Easter%20(2020)/Ash%20Wednesday%20-%20Saturday%20after%20Ash%20Wednesday%20(2020).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;">. Ashes also symbolize grief for sin. And it can be administered to all who come forward and is made from the palm branches blessed the previous year's Palm Sunday. Ashes may also be delivered by a priest or any other person to those who are sick or shut-in</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2019-2020)/Lent%20and%20Easter%20(2020)/Ash%20Wednesday%20-%20Saturday%20after%20Ash%20Wednesday%20(2020).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="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[2]</span></span></span><!--[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-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ash Wednesday falls between 4^th February and 10^th March and is observed by many Western Christians, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Roman Catholics. We are called to imitate Christ who spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2019-2020)/Lent%20and%20Easter%20(2020)/Ash%20Wednesday%20-%20Saturday%20after%20Ash%20Wednesday%20(2020).docx" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[3]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 4:1-2; Lk 4:2; Mk 1:12-13</b>. Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting for those from 18 – 59 years and abstinence for those from 14 years upwards.<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: Pray, Fast, and Give Alms</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; tab-stops: 153.0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s gospel Jesus calls us to true almsgiving, prayer, and fasting that can be rewarded in heaven. It is important to note that they are interrelated. We are called to watch and pray, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mk 14:38;</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 26:41</b>. As one communicates with God through prayer, God helps him or her see others as his or her brothers and sisters and also to know their needs. Again God helps us go beyond knowing their needs to assisting them, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 2:15-16</b>. Helping one’s brothers and sisters is almsgiving. And one cannot help unless he or she deprives him/herself something, fasting, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Cor 8:15</b>. However, fasting does not simply mean a reduction in our food, but the elimination of our evil habits</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2019-2020)/Lent%20and%20Easter%20(2020)/Ash%20Wednesday%20-%20Saturday%20after%20Ash%20Wednesday%20(2020).docx" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" 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;">[4]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”. And this is necessary for everybody regardless of the ages because without holiness “no one will see the Lord”, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heb 12:14</b>.<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%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></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;">Although each and every one of us must have been praying, fasting and giving alms, we can do better. In the words of Pope Saint Leo the Great, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whatever steps forward we make, there is not one of us who is not always bound to do better. All of us must strive hard and do so on Easter day no one should remain bound by the vices of his former nature</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2019-2020)/Lent%20and%20Easter%20(2020)/Ash%20Wednesday%20-%20Saturday%20after%20Ash%20Wednesday%20(2020).docx" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" 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;">[5]</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-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The success of Lent hangs on these.<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 begin the season of Lent, let us communicate with God often through prayer. We must also bear in mind that all of us are brothers and sisters and that whatever one has is for all, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eph 4:6; Mal 2:10; 1Cor 10:24; 12:7</b>. The good or the evil you do to your brother or sister is done directly to God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 25:40,45</b>. And we do not need trumpets for prayers, fasting, or almsgiving lest we miss the reward. God sees everything and will certainly reward all, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Job 28:24; 34:21; Ps 33:13; Matt 6:4, 6, 18.</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;">: Jas 2:14-26; 2Cor 8:1-15.<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;"> This is a holy season.<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 make the best out of this Lent – 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%;"><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; 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font-size: 14pt; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></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%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><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="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;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302</span></span></b></div> <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;">Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <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 0.2in; text-indent: 0.5in;"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2019-2020)/Lent%20and%20Easter%20(2020)/Ash%20Wednesday%20-%20Saturday%20after%20Ash%20Wednesday%20(2020).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-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Sunday missal: A new edition (1995). London: HarperCollinsReligious, p. 167.<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(2019-2020)/Lent%20and%20Easter%20(2020)/Ash%20Wednesday%20-%20Saturday%20after%20Ash%20Wednesday%20(2020).docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[2]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/ashwed.php"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/ashwed.php</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> </div> <div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.7in;"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20II%20(2019-2020)/Lent%20and%20Easter%20(2020)/Ash%20Wednesday%20-%20Saturday%20after%20Ash%20Wednesday%20(2020).docx" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2e7061;">[3]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ash_Wednesday"><span style="color: #2e7061; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ash_Wednesday</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> </div> <div id="ftn4" 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(2019-2020)/Lent%20and%20Easter%20(2020)/Ash%20Wednesday%20-%20Saturday%20after%20Ash%20Wednesday%20(2020).docx" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" 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;">[4]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Pope Saint Leo the Great. Sermon 6 on Lent, 1-2. In The divine office: The liturgy of the hours according to the roman rite, II (1997). <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">p.14</span>.<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> </div> <div id="ftn5" 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(2019-2020)/Lent%20and%20Easter%20(2020)/Ash%20Wednesday%20-%20Saturday%20after%20Ash%20Wednesday%20(2020).docx" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" 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;">[5]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Pope Saint Leo the Great. Sermon 6 on Lent, 1-2, <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">p.14.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> </div> </div>

Pray, Fast, and Give Alms: Ash Wednesday, A,B,C

Homily (Reflection) for Ash Wednesday, A,B,C (26 th February, 2020) on the Gospel and the Celebration   Joel 2:12-18; Ps 50:3-6....

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Contradictory priorities: Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (II).

<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 Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (II) (25^th February, 2020) 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;">Jas 4:1-10;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 54:7-11.23. (R. v.23);<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 9:30-37</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: Contradictory priorities</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, All-knowing God, in today’s gospel foretold again of His death and resurrection because He knew how scandalous His death would be. The gospel told us that His disciples did not understand what He said and were afraid to ask Him but did not give us any reason.<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;">Going further today’s gospel reads, <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;">Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.<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 that as Jesus was telling them what was to come they were busy arguing about another thing. That is, they did not even pay attention. Jesus went further, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” And during the Last Supper it was evident that this teaching was yet to sink. Hence, Peter said no to Jesus washing his feet, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 13:8</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;">Christians like the apostles are chosen by Jesus and not the contrary, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 15:16</b>. This selection was made out of the world, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 15:19. Jn 17:6</b>. And the ways of the world and God’s are against each other, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gal 5:17</b>. Although we are called to toe the part of God but often we see ourselves torn apart between the two contradictory priorities. Irrespective of the war between them, we ought to set our minds on the things of the Spirit (God) so as to receive good rewards from God who called us, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 8:5; 1Pt 1:17; 1Cor 3:8</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;">: Mk 13:1-17; Rom 8:1-17.<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;"> Work for the reward you want.<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 Himself teach us the path to true greatness and grant us the courage to walk through it – 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%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a></div> <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;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div> <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;">Follow us on Twitter:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><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%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313</span></span></b></div> <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;">Send us Email:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></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%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><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="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;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302</span></span></b></div> <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;">Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

Contradictory priorities: Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (II).

Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (II) (25 th February, 2020) on the Gospel   Jas 4:1-10; Ps ...

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The only assured support: Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (II).

<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 Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (II) (24^th February, 2020) 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;">Jas 3:13-18;<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ps 18:8-10.15. (R. v.9); <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 9:14-29</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: The only assured support</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: 4pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">In today’s gospel, Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, and John after His transfiguration and saw His other disciples standing helplessly before an evil spirit. The spirit had often thrown the boy into the fire and into the water to destroy him. We recall that the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jn 10:10</b>. The boy’s father prayed like a man without faith: “but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” Jesus replied, “If you are able! – All things can be done for the one who believes.” Realising his mistake the boy’s father cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And seeing the crowd that came running together, Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit in a unique way, “You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">and never enter him again</b>!” After the evil spirit had left, Jesus helped the boy whom the people thought was dead to stand on his feet</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 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 condition of the boy in today’s gospel as described by his father was truly a pathetic one. And the evil spirit would have remained in him because Jesus’ disciples could not rescue the situation.<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%;">Problems take people to different places even sometimes to the detriment of their faith. However, God assures us, “fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is 41:10; cf. Jer 1:8</b>). God keeps His promises forever, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Sam 22:31; Ps 18:30</b>. And even when all those we trust in are as helpless as Jesus’ disciples in today’s gospel, God remains God with whom nothing is impossible, cf.</span> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;">Mt 19:26</span></b><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 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%;">Is 41:1-13</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;"> Our help is in the name of the LORD, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 124:8</b>.<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, we plead with you to increase our faith – 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%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our website: </span></span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></span></a></div> <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;">Like us on Facebook:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; 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margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 10%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p></span> </div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><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="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;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302</span></span></b></div> <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;">Email: </span></span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May God bless you all+<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

The only assured support: Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (II).

Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (II) (24 th February, 2020) on the Gospel   Jas 3:13-18; Ps ...

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Between oneself and God: Seventh Sunday of the Year (A)

<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: 12.5pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homily (Reflection) for the Seventh Sunday of the Year (A) (23^rd February, 2020) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lev 19:1-2. 17-18;</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ps 102:1-4.8.10.12-13 (R. v.8);</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">1Cor 3:16-23;</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 5:38-48</b>.</span></span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 46.2pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You must have heard the story of a notorious wife beater. He was later converted to Christianity and accordingly was instructed on the way of the Lord. One day his wife provoked him. He had raised his hand before someone called him Brother Peter. He stopped with his hand still in the air and turned towards the voice. The voice went on to remind him that he has become a new person in Christ. His hand remained in the air for minutes as if suspended by something before lowering it. He murmured bitterly as he went away: “Christianity has turned a man into a woman”. That voice was that of his parish priest who came to see how he was doing in the new way of life. They later discussed for long<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 46.2pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Topic: Between oneself and God</b>. </span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin: 2pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just like last Sunday’s gospel, today’s gospel can be divided into two parts: the teaching Concerning Retaliation (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 5:38-42</b>) and Love of Enemies (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 5:43-48</b>). Although the homily as we have noted is on the gospel as a whole but specifically it will focus more on the first part.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By nature, it seems that human beings are inclined toward defending themselves; each person protecting him/herself and whatever one considers as his or hers. Whenever one cannot stand against the perceived traitor/s he or she at least runs away. Sometimes some even go against the will of God just to do this. This self and whatever one considers dear to him or her that we naturally tend towards protecting are what we ought to have denied to become Christians. Christ enjoins us thus: “… If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 9:23, cf. Matt 10:38; 16:24; Mk 8:34</b>). If we do not deny this body, different passions at war in it will lead us astray, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jas 4:1</b>. This is because where one’s treasure is, there will his or her heart be also, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 6:21</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So to be a Christian, one ought to surrender his or her will to God. It will no longer be question of what does one or community wants but what does God wants, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 5:29</b>. Hence St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians writes: “You are not your own” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1Cor 6:19</b>). No true Christian can talk of his or hers not even one’s self. Everything ought to have been consecrated to God at conversion. We are just mere custodians of whatever we possess here on earth, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Cor 4:7</b>. God has put his seal upon us at Baptism and given us his Holy Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2Cor 1:22</b>. This God’s seal on Christians which is the mark of ownership is to remind us of all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, not to follow after our own heart and our own eyes, which we are inclined to go after wantonly, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Num 15:39</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saint Paul citing the Book of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deuteronomy chapter 32 verse 35</b> wrote: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rom 12:19</b>; cf.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Heb 10:30</b>). God whose properties we are will surely fight for us but it will be at His own time not ours. It is not right to take the place of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 10pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The declaration Joshua made is still relevant today: <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 3pt 0in 0pt 0.7in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And if you be unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Josh 24:15</b>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We should remember always what Jesus asks us: “… what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matt 16:26</b>). There is an Igbo adage: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ọ</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">kp</span>ọ</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> onye kp</span>ọ</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> ya</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> literally meaning a person who leads his or her guide. We tend to see ourselves as more knowledgeable and powerful than God who created us. To be a Christian, one has to decide: </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Between oneself and God</b>. That is either you follow God or yourself. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is important to take a definitive stand today. It is either one is for God or one is not. There is no midway, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rev 3:16</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is only when one surrenders his or her will before God that one can say with the Psalmist: “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust without a fear. What can flesh do to me?” (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ps 56:4, cf. v. 11</b>). And then does one’s spirit rejoices in God who will be his or her Saviour, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lk 1:47</b>. We have died and our life is hid with Christ in God, cf. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Col 3:3</b>. As a result, what that man who was well-known for beating his wife said must be true in our lives. </span>Christ must turn us into whatever that is good.</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin: 6pt 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-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: 2Chr 20:1-30; Prov 20:22; 25:21-22; Matt 10:34-39; 16:24-27; Lk 14:25-33; Ps 23</span>.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin: 6pt 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;">Silent Prayer:</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span>Remember that you are God’s and allow Him to act on your behalf, cf. 2Chr 20:17.</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin: 6pt 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-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let us Pray</span></b>: <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Lord, may we always be conscious of the fact that you are God and that it is you who made us. May we live entirely as the sheep of your pasture – Amen.<o:p></o:p></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="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.</span></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Visit our website: </span></b><a href="http://www.thepulpitonline.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">www.thepulpitonline.com</span></a></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Like us on Facebook:</b> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Follow us on Twitter:</b> </span></span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </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: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313</span></span></b></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Send us Email:</b> </span></span><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a></div> <br /> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><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="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tel: +234 813 305 0302</span></span></b></div> <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-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Email: </span></b><a href="mailto:fromthepulpitonline@gmail.com"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">thepulpitonline@gmail.com</span></a></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">May God bless you all+</span></div>

Between oneself and God: Seventh Sunday of the Year (A)

Homily (Reflection) for the Seventh Sunday of the Year (A) (23 rd February, 2020) on the Gospel Lev 19:1-2. 17-18; Ps 102:1-4.8....

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