FR REMI HOMILIES/REFLECTIONS AND SERMONS

Homily for Friday of the 26th week in Ordinary time, year II  (Memorial of St. Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church).  Job 38:1,12-21; 40:3-5. Luke 10:13-16. In today's liturgy of the word, in the First Reading, God responded to Job out of the whirlwind and asked Job many questions concerning the origin and structure of the universe. "Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep?" (Job 38:16). Job replied the Lord: "Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you" (Job 40:3). Job has no answer to God's questions about the origins and structures of the universe. Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, the saga of Job demonstrates to us the manner in which God teaches His servants and educates them to enjoy His goodness. Sometimes it may appear punitive in the eyes of humans but in the plans of God, it is chastisement and discipline.  The Gospel reading demonstrates Jesus' pronouncement of woe on Chor azin a

Homily for the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael (September 29) Daniel  7:9-10,13-14. Psalm 138:1-2a,2bcd-3,4-5. John 1:47-51. Today the Holy Mother Church celebrates the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.  There exist Archangels and angels. Archangel means chief messenger while Angel means messenger. They are pure spirits or supernatural beings who possess supernatural powers. Day by day they behold the presence of God, praising and worshipping God in eternity.  T he first reading of today's celebration acknowledges this truth: "a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousands stood before him" (Dan.7:10). "His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignity which shall never pass away, nor will his empire ever be destroyed". Michael means "Who is like God?" There is no one who can do what God can do. He is the archangel who defend God's friends against Satan and all his evil spirits. Holy Scriptur

Homily for Wednesday of the 26th week in the ordinary time, year II Job 9:1-2,14-16; Lk 9:57-62 The Devil promised himself that in the day of affliction and agony, Job would revile God and utter ill of him. Instead, Job acknowledged the wisdom and greatness of God before his friends. Though much were the miseries and agonies Job underwent yet in his state of misfortune he showered praises on the power and presence of God in the universe.  Job declared before his friends: "God does great things beyond understanding, and marvellous things without number" (Job 9:10). "He is wise in heart and mighty in strength" (Job 9:4). He is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent to all there is in the world. Job raised questions in confirmation of God's power. He contended: "God snatches away; who can stop? Who will say to him, what are you doing?" (Job:12). Who has resisted him, and succeeded?" (Job 9:4). Going forward, Job submits the honest truth: "How can a

Homily for Tuesday of the 26th week in the ordinary time, year II (memorial of St. Vincent De Paul) Job 3:1-3,11-17,20-23; Lk 9:51-56 Theme: Suffering is a stepping stone to the crown The first reading in today's liturgy of the word brings to us a further description of the response of Job to the pain, misery, and anguish he found himself. Spoken about here is a man whose family and servants were wiped out by sudden tragedies, whose wealth vanished in a twinkling of an eye and was reduced to nothing. A man whose body ended up becoming the seat of a fierce and foul disease, who found himself in a pool of suffering and sorrow. The question is, what kind of response do we expect from a man wallowing in such a diminished state of life?  Job in his misfortune did not curse God but rather cursed the day of his birth. He said, "May the day perish when I was born and the night that told the story of a boy conceived. Why did I not die new-born or perish or perish as I left the womb?&qu

Homily for Monday of the 26th week in the ordinary time, year II (memorial of ss. Cosmas and Damian Sept 26) Job 1:6-22; Luke 9: 46-50 Today, the liturgy of words as seen in the first reading begins with the Book of Job. A Book that comprises the trial of a righteous man.  The Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job. There is no one like him on earth, blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil" (Job 1:8). Job was a righteous man yet unbearable calamities befell him.  First, was casting away of his oxen and murder of his servant (Job 1:14-15). The second was fire consuming his sheep and servants (Job 1:16). The third, was the attack by the Chaldeans, who stole the camels and killed the servants (Job 1:17). Lastly, was the collapse of the building that killed his sons and daughters.  What a tragedy! However, very interesting was the reaction of Job to all these calamities. He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I s

Homily for the 26th Sunday in the ordinary time, year C Amos 6: 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31 THE CARE FOR THE POOR: A FUNDAMENTAL OPTION In the Gospel reading of today, we heard the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. It reads: "There was a rich man, who was dressed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and block his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades...he was being tormented" (Lk 16:19-23). From a critical outlook into the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, we can make certain deductions which have moral significant implications. *Name: we observed that the rich man was unnamed whereas the poor man was named Lazarus. Many theologians and scholars have argued that Jesus' narration

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 25th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II Eccle.11:19-12:8; Luke 9:43b-45 For three consecutive days now, the first reading has dwelt on the vanity of the world. Today, we are advised on the right attitude to have towards “passing things”. The fact that everything will pass away calls for sober reflection but that should not translate into a negative or estrangement approach to the things of this world. In clear terms, the first reading exalts us to enjoin our youth. “Youth” here does not just denote a certain age bracket, but also includes our present moment in this world. In another language, we are called to enjoy this world while it lasts or while we last in it. A child whose parents have provided all that the child will ever need, is said to be born with a silver spoon. When God created the world, he charged man with the responsibility of tilling it. That is, the world was created for our use; for our enjoyment – the world is our “silver spoon”. Remove vexatio

HOMILY FOR THE FRIDAY OF THE 25TH WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II (MEMORIAL OF ST. PIUS OF PIETRICINA (Padre Pio) Ecclesiastes 3:1-11; Luke 9:18-22 Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, the Book of Ecclesiastes reminds us today of the need for us to use our time wisely and judiciously for there is time for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven (Eccl 3:1). We recollect that we are born in time; we live and work in time, and we die in time. Although, for the worldly-minded, time is money, power, prestige, fame, property, wealth, or something else. The worldly-minded allocates time for worldly goals. This the preacher tells us that vanity of vanities, all is vanity. However, for the believer in God, time is eternity. Its essentiality is found in the moment of communion with God, right from the inception of our lives till the end. Hence, time must be used judiciously and wisely for the glorification of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ sets the pace for Christians on the use o

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 25th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II Eccle.1:2-11; Luke 9:7-9 Vanity of Vanities! The first reading of today speaks of the vanity of all things. It particularly mentioned the vanity of the toil of man and even the vanity of life itself, for a generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. How are we to understand this and learn from it? Does vanity mean that human toil and life itself are of no use or importance? Does it therefore mean that we should not work nor attempt to preserve life in anyway? No! Vanity does not mean that the world is useless or unimportant, it rather speaks of the inability of the world to give us true happiness or saved us. Through toil, we satisfy our needs and wants; through toil, we earn money to preserve our lives and those of our families. Yet, the satisfaction we derive cannot guarantee us salvation nor true happiness. Even when the product of our toil is used to preserve life, it cannot save it. Therefore

Homily for the Feast of St. Matthew (Apostle and Evangelist).  Ephesians 4:1-7,11-13.  Matthew 9:9-13. Today the Holy Mother Church celebrates the feast of St. Matthew, an apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ and also an evangelist. St. Matthew also known as Levi was called to discipleship by the Lord as he was sitting at his tax office (Matt.9:9) as we have it in today's Gospel. The tax collectors of the time of Jesus are considered 'enemies of state', 'legal robbers', 'covenant breakers', 'racketeers', etc. It is to this breed that Matthew belongs. No wonder the Pharisees on seeing this, said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" (Matt.9:). But Jesus saw in him an Apostle and Evangelist who will later preach the faith in the East and was martyred on account of the Gospel. Though he collects taxes, defrauding almost everyone, but as Jesus called, he listened to Jesus, left everything and followed Him. W

Proverbs 21:1-6,10-13; Luke 8:19-21 The first reading taken from the Book of Proverbs instructs us that the Lord God is very interested in the happenings of the heart. Even if the thoughts of the heart are not open to the perception of the human senses, they are open to the understanding of God.  The Book of Proverb  tells us: "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;  he turns it whenever he will" ((Prov 21:1). Just like one can direct the flow of water from the tank, so also can the Lord God direct the hearts of kings and that of each of us in accordance with his will.  It continues, :"All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart" (Prov 21:2). Many atimes in our selfish motives, we aportion rightness to ourselves and blame others for whatever that is wrong. We may decieve ourselves and others, feeling we are right whereas we are wrong according to the judgement of God. People may feel we are promoting God

Homily for Monday of the 25th week in the Ordinary Time Proverbs 3:27-34; Luke 8:16-18. The First Reading today begins from the Book of Proverbs. It begins with our relationship with our neighbours. Do not say to your neighbour, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it" --- when you have it with you (Prov.3:28). The good we can do today should never be postponed till tomorrow because we are not sure of seeing tomorrow. He gives twice who gives quickly. The deferred gift loses its bloom. It is in doing good always that we become a lighted lamp that cannot be covered with a vessel, or put under a bed (cf.Luke 8:16). Jesus categorically tells us in today's Gospel that we are light of the world. Called to be the 'candles in the dark', we are mandated to shine brightly and dispel the darkness caused by human sin and pride. We are the light of the world. We must shine that light always and everywhere. We must be kind to all we come across especially to the needy aro

Homily for the 25th Sunday in the ordinary time year C Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13 The Gospel of the 25th Sunday of the year speaks to us of the parable of the crafty steward.  We are told: "There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property (Lk 16:1).  From the outlook of things, this steward must have been an important person to be entrusted with the properties of the rich man. He must have been the manager of the rich man's property. He must have enjoyed so much trust from the master. He must have also been enjoying absolute freedom in the economic management of the rich man's property. But many atimes this kind of freedom of management breeds mismanagement and corruption when not well guided. This explained the reason why he was being accused of squandering the rich man's property with sustainable charges. When the rich man even summoned him and said to him "what is this I hear about

Homily for Saturday of the 24th Week in the Ordinary Time, year II  1 Corinthians 15:35-37,42-49; Luke 8:4-15. St. Paul in the First Reading speaks of the implication of the resurrection. He debunks the misconception that the event of the resurrection was not a reality and is inconceivable. He declared that it is stupid to conceive the question "How are dead people raised, what sort of body do they have when they come back?". To deny the resurrection only because we do not understand how the body that is dead and  decomposed could rise again in insufficient. Hence, St. Paul argues that just like a seed sown in the ground dies and after that a living plant springs up, so also it is with the resurrection. The thing that is sown is perishable and what is raised is imperishable, what is down is weak and what is raised is powerful and embodies the spirit. The first man, the earthly man, Adam became a living soul, but the last man became a life-giving spirit.  Beloved in Christ, in

Homily for Friday of the 24th week in the ordinary time, year II 1Cor15:12-20; Luke 8:1-3 In the first reading of today, St. Paul speak of the essentiality of the resurrection of Christ from the dead.  He declared: "If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain" (1Cor15:13-14).  It is quite obvious that for St. Paul the event of the resurrection is the basis and keystone of the Christian faith. It is the foundation upon which the proof of the authenticity of the entire Christian doctrines and revelations is given. The event of the resurrection gives a definitive confirmation to the whole ensembles truths taught by Christ Jesus. It can therefore be rightly said that all the preaching of the church right from the Apostolic times, down to this present day makes its appeal to the resurrection and draws its persuasive force form it. The event of the

Homily for the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15) Hebrews 5:7-9;  John 19:25b-27. Today the Holy Mother Church celebrates the memorial of our Lady of sorrows, a celebration which follows immediately after the feast of the Triumph of the Cross. The liturgy of today as seen in the Gospel, directs our attention to the one who was found at the foot of the Cross of Calvary (Jn 19:25-27): The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. The one whom maintaining the divine plan, shared in the sufferings and redemptive work (cross) of Jesus Christ. Friends in Christ, the celebration of today brings out and deepens as well the special role of Mary in the church, which  is significantly inseparable from her union with Christ. This union flows right from the time of Christ's virginal conception up to the point of Jesus' death on the cross of calvary. It is indeed a union that became uniquely visible at a hightened sense at the passion of Christ Jesus, where the maternal he

Homily for the feast of the Triumph of the Cross (September 14) Numbers 21: 4-9; philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17 Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, today the Holy Mother Church celebrates the feast of the Triumph of the Cross to remind us of the truth of Redemption. The church rejoices today and praises God for all that Jesus obtained for us through the cross. The Responsorial Psalm of today's liturgy of the word tells us : "Never forget the deeds of the Lord" (Psalm 77:7). The deeds of the Lord are Creation, Redemption, Resurrection and Ascension. The Gospel reading of today tells us of God's deed: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whomsoever ever believes in him may not perish but have eternal life" (Jn 3:16). The purpose was for the salvation of souls and not the condemnation of the world. It is rather regrettable that many live forgetful of God's deeds. Hence, the celebration of today reminds us of the deed of

 SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM (SEPTEMBER 13) Born in the year 349 in Antioch of Syria. After Baptism at the age of 20,  he devoted himself to the study of the sacred scripture and the service of the church. Submitting himself for eleven years to the life of contemplation and asceticism,  he became a deacon and then later a priest. He was called in the year 397 to become the Patriarch of Constantinopole. He became one of the famous bishops of the first century. However, he only exercised his episcopal responsibility freely for six years. Twice he was deposed and driven into exile by Empress Eudoxia. He died on 14 September 407 and is considered a Martyr of pastoral courage.  Saint John fondly called "Chrysostom" which means "golden mouth", was popularly praised for his eloquence, clarity and firmness in preaching the word of God in a convincing manner. The word of God became a means by which St. John Chrysostom educated and enlightened the people of God. John's strenght

Homily for Monday of the 24th week in the ordinary time, year II 1Cor11:17-26; Luke7:1-10 In the first reading St. Paul speaks of the class division, individualism and segragation that plundered the unity of the church in Corinth, so much so that the essence of the Eucharistic communion is endangered.  He declares: "I have heard that there are divisions among you" (1Cor11:18). He continued. " when you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord's supper. For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk. What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter I do notncommend you!" (1Cor11:20-22). Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, Unity and Oneness is an essential  mark of the Church. Jesus payed to the father: "that they may be one even

Homily for the 24th Sunday in the ordinary time, year C Theme: To be in sin is to be spiritually lost First Reading: Exodus 32:7-11; 13-14;   Second Reading: 1Timothy 1:12-17;  Gospel: Luke 15:1-32 The Gospel reading of today presents to us a trinity of parables: the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the prodigal son. Common to these three parables is the fact that something was lost: the lost sheep, lost coin and then the prodigal son. Yes! Even the prodigal son. This is beacuse to get lost means to be separated into an unknown location.  The prodigal son can be considered lost as well because he was separated from home into an unknown location (far distant land).  Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, I do not know if you have had a personal experience of being lost before, either as a child or a young adult, separated into a location unknown to you, a location cut off from your knowledge? How did you feel? What was your experience? Have yo