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Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time (I)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 06:01

Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the
Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time (I) (30th August,
2021) on the Gospel<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

1Thess 4:13-18;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 95:1.3-5.11-13. (R. v.13);<o:p></o:p>

Lk 4:16-30.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9R6iy3DpZ8HXWsQQjnLqg9W9TC6qBKbj25t1Nxarp31xZVKBxjPcv0IgM_yLo2RjKMannBbnYnF48_jP106Br1i7m9JmmwvoqkV46IgMMRnhkyxmEvrtFAo0gS0nw3LD_K4sDH5swjk/s239/30.08.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="211" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9R6iy3DpZ8HXWsQQjnLqg9W9TC6qBKbj25t1Nxarp31xZVKBxjPcv0IgM_yLo2RjKMannBbnYnF48_jP106Br1i7m9JmmwvoqkV46IgMMRnhkyxmEvrtFAo0gS0nw3LD_K4sDH5swjk/s0/30.08.2021.jpg" width="211" /></a></div> Jesus went to the synagogue in Nazareth where He was brought
up on the Sabbath. After reading from prophet Isaiah, He said to His audience,
“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” All in the synagogue
spoke well of Him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from His
mouth. Nevertheless, they queried, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” The hitch of
being Joseph’s son reached the point of intending to hurl Him off the cliff but
Jesus went away through their midst.<o:p></o:p>

There is a story of an old man who refused the help offered
him by a man with a jeep and another in a canoe when the dam burst. He waited for
God until he was finally drowned. Standing before God, he queried, ‘How could
you let me drown! I trusted you!’ God told him that He sent a jeep and a canoe
but he rejected both.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Twenty-Second%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</a><o:p></o:p>

The
Nazarenes together with
other Jews had prayed and waited for the Messiah for a very long time before
the coming of Jesus yet they rejected Him. They
expect a saviour whose background will be unknown, cf. Jn 7:27.<o:p></o:p>

Again,
in Nigeria we suffer a number of things not because we do not have those to fix
them but they are rejected because of their background. This cut across every
sphere of life. We either accept our saviours or move from bad to worse.<o:p></o:p>

Bible Readings: 1Cor 1:18-31; Acts
13:13-41.<o:p></o:p>

Thought for today: Accept and live or reject and die.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ,
by the rejection you suffered in the hands of your brothers and sisters, help
us to accept others as we should – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+

<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Twenty-Second%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</a> Thomas,
T. (2010). Spice up your homilies. Mumbai: St Pauls, pp. 105-106.<o:p></o:p>

</div>

Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time (I)

Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time (I) ( 30 th August, 2021 ) on the Gospel 1Thess 4:13-18;...

Twenty-Second Sunday of the Year (B)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 04:12

Homily (Reflection) for
the Twenty-Second Sunday of the Year (B) (29th August, 2021) on the Gospel

Deut
4:1-2.6-8;

Ps
14:2-5 (R. V. 1);

Jas
1:17-18.21-22.27;

Mk 7:1-8.14-15.21-23.

One woman normally spins
bitter leaves around her head before putting them into the pot. After observing
her with keen interest for some time, her children enquired why that and she
told them that it prevents the leaves from making the soup bitter. They took that
as a dogma based on the source of the information and that it has survived many
generations. The children began to doubt the veracity of the ritual when she
refused to prepare soup with bitter leaves that were not prepared. According to
her, the ritual could only work after the leaves have been prepared at least a
little. One day however the woman as she struggled to finish cooking on time used
bitter leaves that were poorly prepared after observing the normal rituals. Unfortunately
the soup turned out to be as bitter as whatever one can think of. Her children
wondered and asked their mother why the ritual did not work. She told them that
the preparation of the bitter leaves did not meet the required standard for the
tradition work. Hum!

Topic: Traditions – God’s and the Elders.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0bopCnKuFPTG_jg7w594z4X6Q-x4Q3SO7j2FZE43_YEwupyXzCFjPUX2yGr1VOQEKNF1jlT6JHkDHJBGgU_2TL2EtedEVuTfkFzVDKStvXz380zraxVU3IfHmGGf27tYvAd8yy5Qlk4/s179/29.08.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="179" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0bopCnKuFPTG_jg7w594z4X6Q-x4Q3SO7j2FZE43_YEwupyXzCFjPUX2yGr1VOQEKNF1jlT6JHkDHJBGgU_2TL2EtedEVuTfkFzVDKStvXz380zraxVU3IfHmGGf27tYvAd8yy5Qlk4/s0/29.08.2021.jpg" width="179" /></a></div> The New Webster’s Dictionary of the
English Language (2000), defines tradition as “a cultural continuity
transmitted in the form of social attitudes, beliefs, principles and
conventions of behaviour etc deriving from past experiences and helping to
shape the present” (p. 1046). Not every tradition is bad but in some cultures
today, human traditions are generally seen as opposing to God’s commandments.

Among the Jews, tradition includes
the following:

...never eat without washing their arms
as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat
without first sprinkling [bathing] themselves. There are also many other
observances which have been handed down to them to keep, concerning the washing
of cups and pots and bronze dishes (Mk
7:3-4, TNJB).

Could it be that Jesus is against
these – washing of arms, and bathing before eating, washing cups, pots, and
bronze dishes? In the gospel according to Saint Luke when the people were
surprised that He did not first wash His hands He said:

Now you Pharisees clean the outside of
the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You
fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give for
alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you (Lk 11:39-41).

And in today’s gospel we also read: “You
abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition” (Mk 7:8). Christians ought to live
according to the commandments of God because we are new creatures in Christ,
cf. 2Cor 5:17. This implies dying to
sin, cf. Rom 6:11; 8:1. We are to be
saved by living our lives as Christians not according to the human traditions.
Saint Paul writes:

yet we know that a person is justified
not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come
to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ,
and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the
works of law.  But if, in our effort to
be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ
then a servant of sin? Certainly not! (Gal
2:16-17).

Saint Paul also warns in his letter
to the Colossians: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy
and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental
spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ” (Col 2:8).

There is a story of a visitor who
“was being shown around [during Communist times] by a party official. The
visitor said, ‘Are you Catholic?’ and the official answered, ‘believing, but
not practising.’ The visitor later asked, ‘Are you a communist?’ The official
smiled and said, ‘Practising, but not believing’” (Fuller, G. (2010). Stories
for all seasons. Mumbai: St Pauls, pp. 90-91). Christians ought to
assess every human tradition with God’s and not the other way round as we see
in many communities today. Just like the party official who took the visitor
around, some Christians today believe in paganism but are not practicing it and
others practice Christianity but do not believe in it. And many more are pagans
both in belief and in practice yet they parade themselves Christians.

Like the woman in our introduction,
many never question anything that is said to have been received from the
elders. Joseph Addison rightly points out that “Tradition is an important help
to history, but its statements should be carefully scrutinized before we rely
on them” (The New Webster’s Dictionary
of the English Language, p. QD-92).
Every tradition must be subjected to the scrutiny of God’s commandments and
whichever one that falls short must be dropped and those who do not oppose
God’s commandments can be used as means of evangelization.

Bible
Reading: Matt 23: 1-36; Lk 11:37-52; Gal 2:11-14.<o:p></o:p>

Thought
for today: What guides you – God’s or man’s traditions?

Let
us Pray: Our Father in heaven, give us your grace that will enable
us follow wholeheartedly the dictates of your commandments – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+

Twenty-Second Sunday of the Year (B)

Homily (Reflection) for the Twenty-Second Sunday of the Year (B) (29 th August, 2021) on the Gospel Deut 4:1-2.6-8; Ps 14:2-5 (R....

Memorial of Saint Augustine, B.D.

thepulpitonline.com 0 Memorials 00:54

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Augustine, B.D., (28th August, 2021) on the Gospel and the
Memorial<o:p></o:p>

1Thess 4:9-11;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 97:1.7-9. (R. v.9);<o:p></o:p>

Matt 25:14-30.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyJFO14VRd5pCM8IjDK8RXjRTuxbNiszrRNlzUSyPYstOqV65LtHB_Ou6WOgmf_t64EaFXO6yPqyKdrkRWIePgPqJUgKXyLXZIbmtpO2UsKBdbrGs4Ww-3kbY-BfVB30mrA_F1vRuodw/s262/28.08.2021.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="192" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyJFO14VRd5pCM8IjDK8RXjRTuxbNiszrRNlzUSyPYstOqV65LtHB_Ou6WOgmf_t64EaFXO6yPqyKdrkRWIePgPqJUgKXyLXZIbmtpO2UsKBdbrGs4Ww-3kbY-BfVB30mrA_F1vRuodw/s0/28.08.2021.png" width="192" /></a></div> Saint Augustine of Hippo (13th November 354 – 28th August
430)<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Twenty-First%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</a>
was son of <a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1">Saint Monica</a>. Although he was brought up a Christian
and also one of the most intelligent men who ever lived, he spent many years in
wicked living and in false beliefs (Manichaeism and neo-Platonism). Through the
<a href="http://www.catholic.org/prayers">prayers</a>
of his mother and the preaching of Saint Ambrose, he became convinced that <a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=2927">Christianity</a> was the one true religion. But he was not
converted immediately because he thought he could never live a pure life. On
hearing that two men were converted after reading the <a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=7101">life</a>
of Saint Anthony, he was filled with bitter sorrow
and cried to God, “How long more, O Lord? Why does not this hour put an
end to my sins?” He was baptized in 386, became a priest, a bishop, a famous <a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=2678">Catholic</a> writer, Founder of religious priests. Augustine is
recognized as a saint in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Christian Church, and
the Anglican Communion and as a preeminent Doctor of the Church. He overcame
strong heresies, was very devout, practiced great <a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=9553">poverty</a>, and was also charitable. Augustine preached
very often and prayed with great fervour <a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=10046">right</a>
up until his death. He is the patron of
the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustinians" title="Augustinians">Augustinians</a>, brewers, printers, theologians, the alleviation of
sore eyes, and a number of cities and dioceses. Among his most important works
are <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_City_of_God_(book)" title="The City of God (book)">The City of
God</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confessions_(Augustine)" title="Confessions (Augustine)">Confessions</a>. <a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Twenty-First%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</a><o:p></o:p>

Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven in today’s gospel to a
man who before going on a journey entrusted his property to his slaves. He gave
five talents to one, to another two, and to another one; to each according to
his ability. The one who received five and the other who received two traded
with theirs immediately and doubled them. On the contrary, the slave who
received one talent dug a hole and hid it. On the master’s return, the slave
who received five talents and the one who received two received the same
verdict, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a
few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your
master.” However, when the one who received one talent came forward, he
reported,<o:p></o:p>

<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;">Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you
did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and
I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>

The one talent was taken away and given to the one with ten.
And the slave was thrown into the outer darkness, a place of weeping and
gnashing of teeth.<o:p></o:p>

Their master expected each to yield fruits according to the
talents given, cf. Lk 12:48. Hence
the one who doubled five talents and the other who doubled two received the
same reward. In the same vein, each of us is required to produce fruits according
to the number of talents received.<o:p></o:p>

Bible Reading: Lk 12:41-48.<o:p></o:p>

Thought for today: Use your talents.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord, give us the grace to make the
best use of all the talents you have given us – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

Saint Augustine – Pray for us.<o:p></o:p>

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<o:p> </o:p>

To Contact
and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p>

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<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Twenty-First%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""></a>Sources: <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo</a>
<o:p></o:p>

</div>

<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Twenty-First%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""></a>               
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2] <a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=418">http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=418</a><o:p></o:p>

</div>

Memorial of Saint Augustine, B.D.

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Augustine, B.D., (28 th August, 2021) on the Gospel and the Memorial 1Thess 4:9-11; ...

Memorial of Saint Monica

thepulpitonline.com 0 Memorials 04:37

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Monica (27th August, 2021) on the Gospel and the Memorial

1Thess 4:1-8;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 96:1-2.5-6.10-12. (R. v. 12);<o:p></o:p>

Matt 25:1-13.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtpqu2YCPHe7u6vUwjwucBjDm8JAalpAiu-rcvFeMaDZm7rr6hRCFYLXBPRGlSGgqgR8cqnYorkjjxBQTSe8oALe6XRIlhSR-lLr7brTJlE-_J6RoucBxmUtK7wj5ZirN1dczWFetrp4/s225/27.08.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="162" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtpqu2YCPHe7u6vUwjwucBjDm8JAalpAiu-rcvFeMaDZm7rr6hRCFYLXBPRGlSGgqgR8cqnYorkjjxBQTSe8oALe6XRIlhSR-lLr7brTJlE-_J6RoucBxmUtK7wj5ZirN1dczWFetrp4/s0/27.08.2021.jpg" width="162" /></a></div> Saint Monica was born in 331 AD in Thagaste and was
married to a pagan, Patricius at a very tender age. Her children were Saint
Augustine (August 28), Navigius, and Perpetua. She endured her husband’s and
her mother’s-in-law bad temper.  Although
Patricius criticized her for her charity and piety, but he always respected
her. She later won him and her mother-in-law to Christianity. She stopped
Augustine from eating and sleeping in her house when he accepted the Manichean
heresy and was living immoral life. Monica readmitted him after a vision that
assured her that Augustine would return to the faith. She stayed too close to
Augustine with prayers and fasting than he wanted. Augustine tricked her and
left for Rome. On her arrival, she learnt that he had left for Milan. She did
not give-up. In Milan, Augustine came under the influence of the bishop, Saint
Ambrose, who also became Monica’s spiritual director. Saint Ambrose baptized
Augustine and several of his friends at Easter, 387. Soon after, they left for
Africa. She became ill and suffered severely for nine days and died in 387 AD
in Ostia Antica. She is the patron Saint of Alcoholics, Married women, and
Mothers.<o:p></o:p>

Topic: Never forget the oil. <o:p></o:p>

In today’s gospel, Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to
ten bridesmaids who went to meet the bridegroom with their lamps. Only the five
wise ones took their oil also. When the bridegroom delayed, they all became
drowsy and slept. However, they were called at midnight to meet the bridegroom.
The foolish begged the wise for oil when their lamps were going out. They were
asked to go and get theirs. And while they were out, the bridegroom entered
into the wedding banquet with those who were ready and the door shut. The
foolish ones later came and pleaded unsuccessfully to be let in. <o:p></o:p>

Jesus is the light of the world. Whoever follows Him will not
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life, cf. Jn 8:12. 9:5.12:46). He is the true light that enlightens everybody,
cf. Jn 1:9. God has called us out of darkness into His marvellous
light, cf. 1Pt 2:9. Every Christian
is a son/daughter of light and of the day, and not of the night or of darkness,
cf. 1Thes 5:5. His followers are “the
light of the world” (Matt 5:14). Despite
all these, Jesus warns “be careful lest the light in you be darkness” (Lk 11:35). <o:p></o:p>

Both the wise and the foolish have their lamps. They all
became drowsy and slept. However, when they were called to meet the bridegroom,
it became clear who is who. Truly, God “has qualified us to share in the
inheritance of the saints in light”, cf.
Col 1:12. But for one to be admitted, he/she must carry also the oil, one’s
good deeds, cf. Eph 5:8-10. We are
urged to become sons and daughters of light now by believing in Him, cf. Jn 12:35-36. Whoever fails is condemned
like the foolish bridesmaids, cf. Mk 16:16;
Jn 3:18-19. Lamp without oil
is useless; it cannot give light, cf. Matt
5:15. <o:p></o:p>

Bible Reading: Lk 11: 33-36; Eph 5:1-20; 1Pt 2:1-10.<o:p></o:p>

Thought for today: Do you have enough oil?<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: God, give us the grace to carry both
our lamps and the oil – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

Saint Monica – Pray for us.<o:p></o:p>

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Memorial of Saint Monica

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Monica (27 th August, 2021) on the Gospel and the Memorial 1Thess 4:1-8; Ps 96:1-2....

Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (I)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 05:19

Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of
the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (I) (26th
August, 2021) on the Gospel

1Thess 3:7-13;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 90:3-4.12-14.17. (R. v.14);<o:p></o:p>

Matt 24:42-51.<o:p></o:p>

Topic: Ever on guard. <o:p></o:p>

<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;">Keep awake ... for you do not know on what day your Lord is
coming.... if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the
thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house
be broken into.</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>

Blessed is the faithful and wise slave whom the master finds
at work when he comes. His master will put him/her in charge of all his
possessions. But the wicked slave who thinks the master is delayed and begins
to beat others, and eats and drinks with drunkards will be caught unawares. He will
cut such off and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.<o:p></o:p>

Many do postpone when to give their lives entirely to God. Regrettably,
those who are fortunate to see the proposed dates keep proposing new ones
forgetting that no one is sure of seeing the next second, cf. Jas 4:14.<o:p></o:p>

The riches of God’s kindness and forbearance and patience are
meant to lead us to repentance, cf. Rom
2:4; 2Pt 3:9. We ought to accept God’s olive branch now because no one
knows when the time will be up. Again, as His kindness is great so also is His
justice, cf. Rom 2:5-11.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord, help us to turn fully to you
without any further delay – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

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Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (I)

Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (I) ( 26 th August, 2021 ) on the Gospel 1Thess 3:7-13;...

Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (I)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 05:26

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of
the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (I) (25th
August, 2021) on the Gospel

1Thess 2:9-13;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 138:7-12. (R.v.1);<o:p></o:p>

Matt 23:27-32.<o:p></o:p>

Topic: Whitewashed tombs.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNCZplIFsjf1m9jZcdH9MFX53Me9tDEUsPGgY8JgXE1I9YfWIlNK-sSxe0XZoKaYnJoZ95OZGoPi80WzxScqvqFXH6jv8K0HIhW5hZE8Avz1qbCpzAg3TMvO1bOf4yPzrxzaiDwLGJdc/s198/25.08.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="198" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNCZplIFsjf1m9jZcdH9MFX53Me9tDEUsPGgY8JgXE1I9YfWIlNK-sSxe0XZoKaYnJoZ95OZGoPi80WzxScqvqFXH6jv8K0HIhW5hZE8Avz1qbCpzAg3TMvO1bOf4yPzrxzaiDwLGJdc/s0/25.08.2021.jpg" width="198" /></a></div> Jesus likened the scribes and the Pharisees in today’s gospel
as whitewashed tombs that look beautiful outside but full of bones of the dead
and all sorts of filth inside. They appeared righteous but full of hypocrisy
and lawlessness.<o:p></o:p>

Consider our call as Christians properly described as salt of
the earth and light of the world. But for each to be relevant, salt must keep
its taste and light give light from its stand. Otherwise they will be useless,
cf. Matt 5:13-15). <o:p></o:p>

We often forget that call to be a Christian is a call to a way
of life; a call “to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live
sober, upright, and godly lives in this world” (Tit 2:12; cf. 1Pt 4:3). Christians are not theirs because they have
been bought with a price, cf. 1Cor
6:19-20. 7:23; Rom 14:7. They have been crucified with Christ and therefore
dead to sin, cf. Rom 6:11; Gal 2:20.
Christians are created for good works, cf. Eph
2:10. They do not repay evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one
another and to all, cf. 1Thess 5:15.<o:p></o:p>

Christian living and non-Christian living oppose each other,
cf. Gal 5:17. Saint Paul advised in 2Corinthians 6:14, “Do not be mismatched
with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness?
Or what fellowship is there between light and darkness?” And in Romans, we
read, “We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body
might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin” (Rom 6:6).<o:p></o:p>

Based on these and many more, dear brothers and sisters, are
we really Christians or whitewashed tombs? May we “Seek the LORD while he may
be found, call upon him while he is near” (Is
55:6). <o:p></o:p>

Bible Reading: Rom 6:1-23; 14:7-9; Jas 1:19-27.<o:p></o:p>

Thought for today: ...you also must consider yourselves dead to sin (Rom 6:11).<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord, help us purge entirely every
sort of filth within us – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

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Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (I)

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (I) ( 25 th August, 2021 ) on the Gospel 1Thess 2:9-13...

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Ap.

thepulpitonline.com 0 Solemnities and Feasts 05:19

Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of
Saint Bartholomew, Ap. (24th August, 2021) on the Gospel and the
Feast

Rev 21:9-14;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 144:10-13.17-18. (R. cf. v. 12);<o:p></o:p>

Jn 1:45-51.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfoXF6se4K1Bur6KxHfvRud6-BUVcoEns4oio3907nplNUYVaPKQC0vSnrAtGcm0dVvC0RhTLUhTqyZhfT2IPZIELrSF8Lwywj1nTiW-XAhk8VeyeND1YvUpQ6BFLAvPABqixEt-pOEQ/s197/24.08.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="160" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfoXF6se4K1Bur6KxHfvRud6-BUVcoEns4oio3907nplNUYVaPKQC0vSnrAtGcm0dVvC0RhTLUhTqyZhfT2IPZIELrSF8Lwywj1nTiW-XAhk8VeyeND1YvUpQ6BFLAvPABqixEt-pOEQ/s0/24.08.2021.jpg" width="160" /></a></div> Saint Bartholomew, born at Cana in Galilee, (cf. Jn 21:2) was mentioned in the synoptic
gospels and Acts of the Apostles as one of the twelve apostles, cf. Matt 10:3; Mk 3:18; Lk 6:14; Acts 1:13.
Scholars believe he is the same as Nathaniel mentioned in the gospel according
to Saint John, of whom Jesus said “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is
no deceit!” (Jn 1:47). According to Roman
Martyrology, he preached in India, Mesopotamia, Persia, Egypt, and Greater
Armenia, where he was flayed and beheaded by King Astyages.<o:p></o:p>

Topic: We are merely channels. <o:p></o:p>

In today’s gospel, Philip found Nathaniel and said to him,
“We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote,
Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” He queried, “Can anything good come out of
Nazareth?” Philip simply answered, “Come and see.” This simple invitation led
him to exclaim, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”<o:p></o:p>

Philip only invited Bartholomew to come and experience Jesus.
He only served as a channel through which the gospel reached him. On the
contrary, we often create bigger problems trying to convince others. Many are
professional and international liars all in the name of preaching the gospel.
However, when one looks closely one thing is always clear, either the disciples
are for themselves or for the father of lies, and never for Christ, cf. Jn 8:44.<o:p></o:p>

As we celebrate Saint Bartholomew, it is important to remind
ourselves that we have only one teacher and that we all are brothers and
sisters, cf. Matt 23:8. The work of
spreading the Good News is God’s. We are only mere instruments. Hence, Saint
Paul acknowledged, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1Cor 3:6). Losing sight of this brings
about divisions which is contrary to the mind of Christ, cf. Jn 17:21. We ought to take others to
Christ who is our Teacher and Master, never to ourselves or the devil, cf. Matt 10:24-25.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: May God almighty give us the grace
to know Him better – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

Saint Bartholomew – Pray for us.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

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and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p>

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Ap.

Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Ap. (24 th August, 2021) on the Gospel and the Feast Rev 21:9-14; Ps 144:...

Monday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (I)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Weekday Homilies 04:23

Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the
Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (I) (23rd August,
2021) on the Gospel

1Thess 1:1-5.8-10;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 149:1-6.9. (R. v.4);<o:p></o:p>

Matt 23:13-22.<o:p></o:p>

Topic: Woe to you....<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhds9crb_TceodyuoUyCYdSw4j3igvnzJG0Ygnt2TRLKMbTzmNVf_cwbEKNL71loY1P25nT5gNVBvZ2KvXVXL1orIjY3oE4KG_JNQ6icFI_9YMthqO28nM5MSjJdpmZRmGzDsojNrMK7GM/s275/23.08.2021.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhds9crb_TceodyuoUyCYdSw4j3igvnzJG0Ygnt2TRLKMbTzmNVf_cwbEKNL71loY1P25nT5gNVBvZ2KvXVXL1orIjY3oE4KG_JNQ6icFI_9YMthqO28nM5MSjJdpmZRmGzDsojNrMK7GM/s0/23.08.2021.png" width="275" /></a></div> In today’s gospel, Jesus summarized the scribes and the Pharisees
as hypocrites. He denounced them and also proclaimed woes on them. Their sins
include locking people out of the kingdom of heaven, suffering so much to make
a convert only to make him/her worse child of hell than themselves, and also
feeding the people with false teachings.<o:p></o:p>

Ensure that no one is prevented from following God through
your actions, words, and omissions. Every person can be a good channel for the
salvation of others. Saint John warns, “Look to yourselves, that you may not
lose what you have worked for, but may win a full reward” (2Jn 1:8). There will be woes to anyone who fails to be a channel of
salvation to others.<o:p></o:p>

Bible Readings: 2Jn 7-11.<o:p></o:p>

Thought for today: You are a channel of salvation.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord, help us to be your sincere
children – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

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Monday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (I)

Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (I) ( 23 rd August, 2021 ) on the Gospel 1Thess 1:1-5.8-1...

Twenty-First Sunday of the Year (B)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 05:08

Homily (Reflection) for
the Twenty-First Sunday of the Year (B) (22nd August, 2021) on the Gospel

Josh
24:1-2.15-18;

Ps
33:2-3.16-23 (R. V. 9);

Eph
5:21-32;

Jn 6: 60-69.

A young girl in
her teens who dropped out of school in Senior Secondary School 1 (SSS1)
approached a priest with her intention to go back to school at least to
complete her secondary education but was financially handicapped. Moved with
pity, the priest decided to assist her actualize her dream. Plans were already
in the advanced stage for her to go back to school when she told the priest
that she was no longer interested in going back to school but would like to
register for Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in one of the
centres where different forms of examination malpractice are institutionalized.
Hence, “good results” are assured provided one can afford the bill. And
students continually leave schools where there is insistence on hard work to
those organised crime-centres even sometimes on the advice, approval,
cooperation, or even insistence of the parents. Efforts to dissuade her were
futile. The priest even visited her parents to see if they could help convince
their daughter to go back to school but their reactions especially that of the
mother showed they were solidly behind their daughter’s decision.

Topic: Wants to leave?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKFUpn9B8xRu9EDeoKBj3sZGIyzPNSFnBM3Ubb_N2KZ8-fdEkuWv2DNp1HNvNugjBVUgDCRLPNZRF26HjAZwxLTMCJEaeuUxoJZP3Dfbq_akIGwe8i9EngKyhm_0utibpS__4GHSTJks/s173/22.08.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="173" data-original-width="143" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKFUpn9B8xRu9EDeoKBj3sZGIyzPNSFnBM3Ubb_N2KZ8-fdEkuWv2DNp1HNvNugjBVUgDCRLPNZRF26HjAZwxLTMCJEaeuUxoJZP3Dfbq_akIGwe8i9EngKyhm_0utibpS__4GHSTJks/s0/22.08.2021.jpg" width="143" /></a></div> Jesus’ teaching in the gospel proper
to the Twentieth Sunday of year B made most of His disciples say in today’s
gospel: “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” (Jn 6:60). And Jesus being aware of their complaints goes on to
teach:

Does this offend you? Then what if you
were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit
that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are
spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe (Jn 6:61-64).

Jesus insistence on His Father’s
will (cf. Jn 4:34; 5:30; 6:38, 39)
‘caused’ Him most of the disciples He had gathered. Consequent upon this, one
would have expected Jesus to either plead with those leaving not to or changed
His teaching to suit them but He even turned to the remaining ones (the twelve)
and asked: “Do you also wish to go away?” (Jn
6:67).

Jesus came into the world to do the
will of He who sent Him, cf. Jn 6:38
and the sum of God’s word is truth; and every one of His righteous ordinances
endures forever, cf. Ps 119:160. In
the gospel according to Saint John, Jesus while praying for His disciples said:
“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (Jn 17:17). Again, Jesus also admonished us in these words: “Let
what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil”
(Matt 5:37). And again, in Saint
Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians we read:

Was I vacillating when I wanted to do
this? Do I make my plans according to ordinary human standards, ready to say
‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no’ at the same time? As surely as God is faithful, our
word to you has not been ‘Yes and No.’ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom
we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not ‘Yes and No’ ....
(2Cor 1:17-19).

Today whether the ministers of the
Word and sacraments proclaim their own words in place of God’s for their own
selfish interests calls for serious reflection. According to Saint Paul, people
who teach what they should not for their own selfish interests should be
silenced, cf. Tit 1:11. Sometimes we
tend to forget “If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and
mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own
life, he cannot be my disciple” (Lk
14:26). No one deserves the name, God’s minister, who does not place God’s
interest first in all things.

Proclaim God’s message in charity.
Proclaim the truth and not falsehood, cf. Eph
4:25. As we struggle to convert others, care must be taken to be converted
first so as not to mislead others. Those who teach others “shall be judged with
greater strictness” (Jas 3:1).

As you jump from one church to
another, what do we seek? Remember, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and
today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings...”
(Heb 13:8-9; cf. Eph 5:6). To Jesus’
question Peter wonderfully replied: “Lord, to
whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and
know that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn 6:68-69). Ministers and lay faithful must have faith as strong
as this to be able to serve God because “... without faith it is impossible to
please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and
that he rewards those who seek him” (Heb
11:6). The young girl in our introductory story wanted to have certificate
without studying for it. Do you want to have Christ without following His
footsteps? Remember in a corrupt world like ours, a lot of anomalies are
possible but not with God. Whoever wants Christ must follow Him, cf. Lk 9:23.

Bible
Reading: 2Cor 4:16-5:10; Heb 11; Jas 2:14-26; Gal 2:15-21;
Rom 3:21-31; 1Jn 2:18-28.<o:p></o:p>

Thought
for today: Face-to-face with difficult situation, what do you
do – struggle to understand and solve the problem or take to your heels?

Let
us Pray: God, our Father and source of faith, may we always and
everywhere manifest our faith especially in difficult moments – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

Join our WhatsApp
Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p>

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+234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p>

<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May God bless you all+

Twenty-First Sunday of the Year (B)

Homily (Reflection) for the Twenty-First Sunday of the Year (B) (22 nd August, 2021) on the Gospel Josh 24:1-2.15-18; Ps 33:2-3.1...

Memorial of Saint Pius X, PP.

thepulpitonline.com 0 Memorials 05:24

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Pius X, PP., (21st August, 2021) on the Gospel and the Memorial<o:p></o:p>

Ruth 2:1-3.8-11;4:13-17;<o:p></o:p>

Ps 128:1-5. (R. v. 4);<o:p></o:p>

Matt 23:1-12.<o:p></o:p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6_HDP1HGf2SFSIuajFIvNCjtI5jY_jMRQb4OnFXrvgHeI3W__JiuA7QmgLoh2FJx6UrtjkYsFJ-uBR9LNUaqjb_NEyrtL6e9CnaeHUeJ39oKcraR6wxWKDM7vON_qecz4KQdJw2hrJY/s253/21.08.2021.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="199" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6_HDP1HGf2SFSIuajFIvNCjtI5jY_jMRQb4OnFXrvgHeI3W__JiuA7QmgLoh2FJx6UrtjkYsFJ-uBR9LNUaqjb_NEyrtL6e9CnaeHUeJ39oKcraR6wxWKDM7vON_qecz4KQdJw2hrJY/s0/21.08.2021.png" width="199" /></a></div> Pope Saint Pius X (2nd June,
1835 – 20th August, 1914) was born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto at Riese
and became Pope in August 1903. His most important reform was to order the
codification of the first Code of Canon Law. He was particularly devoted to the
Blessed Virgin Mary. Pius X was the only pope in the 20th century
with extensive pastoral experience and implementation at the parish level,
which led him to favour the use of the vernacular language in teaching
catechesis, while the encouragement for frequent reception of Holy Communion
became a lasting innovation of his papacy. He vehemently opposed modernism,
which claimed that Roman Catholic dogma should be modernized and blended with
nineteenth-century philosophies. Pius X viewed modernism as an import of
secular errors affecting three areas of Roman Catholic belief namely, theology,
philosophy, and dogma. He combined within himself a strong sense of compassion,
benevolence and poverty, but also stubbornness and a certain stiffness. He was
the only pope in the 20th century who gave Sunday homilies in the
pulpit every week. He was canonized on 29 May 1954.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Twentieth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</a>.<o:p></o:p>

Jesus urged His listeners to do and to follow what the
scribes and the Pharisees taught because they occupied Moses’ seat. However,
they should not follow their example because they did not practice what they taught.<o:p></o:p>

<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;">They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make
their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of
honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with
respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi.</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>

The sacred office the scribes and the Pharisees occupied meant
nothing to them. Hence, Jesus often rebuked them.<o:p></o:p>

Each of us also occupies sacred office/s. I do not mean few
in the religious life. These offices mean nothing to many. Hence many hustle
for other ones they consider higher. Some mothers do not consider themselves fully
mothers because they have not been termed ‘Life members,’ Mothers of this or
that, even when there is nothing to justify such names. Fathers and youths are
not different. Even priests are not fulfilled because they have not been made pastors,
monsignori, bishops, and so on. All these are geared towards either real or imagined
honour and very far from the duties.<o:p></o:p>

We must be very careful. Jesus concludes, “All who exalt
themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.” True
honour comes after labour/duties. Saint Pius X we celebrate today did not accept
the papacy just for the honour but did his best in fulfilling the duties. <o:p></o:p>

Bible Reading: 1Pt 5:1-11.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord, help us to realise how sacred
our positions are and also give us the graces necessary to fulfil their demands
– Amen.<o:p></o:p>

Saint Pius X – Pray for us.<o:p></o:p>

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<a href="file:///C:/Users/Fr.%20Moses/Desktop/Weekday%20Homilies/Daily%20Tonic%20for%20Year%20I%20(2020-2021)/Ordinary%20Time%20(I)/Twentieth%20Week%20in%20Ordinary%20Time%20(I)%20(2021).docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Pius_X">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Pius_X</a>  <o:p></o:p>

</div>

Memorial of Saint Pius X, PP.

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Pius X, PP., ( 21 st August, 2021 ) on the Gospel and the Memorial Ruth 2:1-3.8-11;4...

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Memorial of Saint Pius X, PP.

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