FR REMI HOMILIES/REFLECTIONS AND SERMONS

Homily for Monday of the 31st Week in the Ordinary Time, year II Philippians 2:1-4; Luke 14:12-14. It is commonly said: "We are only as strong as we are united, weak as we are divided". The essence of unity in community life can never be underestimated. Unity is a genuine symbol of strength. Where there is unity, it is said, there is always victory. Just as the saying goes: "United we stand, divided we fall".   St. Paul in the First Reading appeals to the Philippians and us to be united: "If there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, ...., complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind" (Phil.2:1-2). Unity means everything for Christ. He prayed at the Last Supper for his followers to be united, saying, "that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me, and I am in you" (John 17:21). United we stand, divided we fall. When we live in unity, we will be able to "Do nothi...

Homily for Saturday of the 30th Week in the Ordinary Time Philippians 1:18b-26; Luke 14:1,7-11 It is said that a rejoicing heart soon makes a praising tongue. The First Reading of today from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians. St. Paul begins our First Reading with the need to rejoice. What is the cause of his rejoicing? He tells us in the First Reading: "Christ is proclaimed; and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I shall rejoice" (Phil.1:18). It does not matter who proclaims Christ, the most important thing is for Paul to rejoice once Christ is proclaimed. This too should be a source of rejoicing too for every Christian. Our rejoicing must know no bounds because through the proclamation of Christ in the world we are granted the grace of transformation by which Chris is honoured in our bodies, as we turn away from sin and as such we can declare with St. Paul: "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil.1:21). Christ Jesus, the source of our rejoicing te...

Homily for the 31st Sunday in the ordinary time, year C Wisdom 11:22-12:2; Ps.145; 2Thess.1:11-2:2; Luke 19:1-10 Theme: We cannot please God unless we are humble Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. It is the act of a great man always willing to be little. In the gospel reading of last Sunday, Jesus told a parable of how two men prayed differently in the temple; one was proud, the other was humble. In the gospel reading of yesterday, Jesus went to dine in the house of the ruler of the Pharisees and watched how invitees took places of honour. In these two gospels, Jesus taught on humility and ended his teaching as follows: for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. In today’s gospel, Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus gave him another opportunity, this time, to practically teach on this all-important theme of humility. We can neither please God nor attract his attention unless we are humble. The first re...

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II  FEAST OF SAINTS SIMON & JUDE  Eph.2:19-22; Luke 6:12-19 The gospel reading of today is Luke’s account of Jesus’ selection of his twelve apostles. It is only in Luke’s account that this selection was done after Jesus had spent some time in prayer. This variance does not suggest a contradiction in presentation or that the account of the other synoptic gospels is less authentic; rather, it was the case that Luke had a special interest in highlighting the prayerfulness of Jesus. Other synoptic gospels had their focus too especially in relation to their audience. Today too, we celebrate the feast of two of the selected apostles: Simon and Jude. Interestingly not much is recorded about them. It is interesting because it is in this little record that so much can be said and learnt from them. God calls us to win souls for him but through different paths. Not all of Jesus’ disciples were popular yet they remained collabo...

Homily for Thursday of the 30th week in the Ordinary Time, year II  Ephesians 6:10-20; Luke 13:31-35 In the First Reading, St. Paul speaks of a spiritual war: "For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph.6:12). To combat the forces of darkness, St. Paul encourages us to put on the full armour of God which are good works: truth, righteousness, Gospel of peace, God's word, faith and above all prayer. He admonishes us to "Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication" (Eph.6:18). The devil and his agents are always at work. For us to overcome them, we must persevere in prayers and good deeds. In today's Gospel, some Pharisees were worried concerning the safety of Jesus and wanted him to leave Galilee for fear of Herod not to kill him. Jesus was not afraid. Jesus s...

Homily for Wednesday of the 30th week in the Ordinary Time Ephesians 6:1-9; Luke 13:22-30 In today's Gospel, someone said to Jesus, "Lord will those who are saved be few?" (Luke 13:23). Jesus does not give a direct answer to the question. Knowing the number of those that will be saved is not important what is important is how one can be saved. On how one can be saved, Jesus said, "Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able" (Luke 13:23). To be saved one must make every possible effort. Salvation is never automatic but it is the result and reward for our struggles which is blessed through God's grace. Thus, we must keep on striving if we must be saved. To be saved is worth striving for. In striving, we must exert ourselves to the full, we must strain every nerve, we must struggle with the devil and our sinful nature. St. Paul in the First Reading teaches us on what needs to be done in entering through the...

Homily for Tuesday of the 30th Week in the Ordinary Time Ephesians 5:21-33; Luke 13:18-21 Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, St. Paul advises us in the First Reading, "Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord" (Eph.5:22). Often times, most husbands will quote this passage for their wives. In similar manner, St. Paul instructs husbands too, "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her" (Eph 5:26). However, if husbands truly want their wives to be subject to them, as to the Lord, they must first love their wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her. Concerning respect and love between husband and wife, we learn about genuine love which is sincere, tolerant and accommodates all. If our love is genuine, we will respect the true worth of every person and sacrificially care for them. If our love is not able to grow daily and become very large as to accept, harbor and tolerate every kind of person, jus...

Homily for Monday in the 30th Week of the Ordinary Time Ephesians 4:32--5:8; Luke 13: 10-17. Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, St. Paul instructs us in the first reading: "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Eph.4:32). These beautiful words of St. Paul evoke the obligation in us to be kind to one another in imitation of God who is always kind to us, notwithstanding our unworthiness born out of our depravities against Him. Friends in Christ, we must with immediate alacrity spurn iniquity, corruption and evil in our association with one another, for it is an unpleasant means of being unkind to each other. Our kindness should be reflective of how we forgive one another for our wrongdoings. It should be modelled after Jesus who in the Gospel of today demonstrated kindness and compassion to a woman who had suffered the spirit of infirmity for eighteen years. In the Gospel reading of today, Jesus on the Sabbath day heal...

Homily for 30th Sunday in the Ordinary Time, Year C. (Mission Sunday).  Sirach 35:12c-14,16-18b; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18; Luke 18:9-14. Theme: Prayer from the Heart. Last Sunday, Jesus taught the importance of the power of trusting and persevering in prayer. Today He is teaching us on true and honest prayer, the prayer of a humble person which is always pleasing to God. In the First Reading, the Book of Sirach says, "The Lord is the judge, and with him is no partiality. He will not show partiality in the case of a poor man; and he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged" (Sir.35:12-13). The Lord answers the prayers of all, but the oppressed, the orphan, the widow, the ones who can least help themselves, are always his concern. The best prayer is that of loyal, willing service. The prayer of the humble man will be answered. The Book of Sirach reminds us of this fact, "The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, and he will not be consoled until it reaches the Lord...

Homily for Sarurday of the 29th week in ordinary time year II 22nd September 2022 In the first reading of today, St. Paul tells us: "Each of us was given grace, according to the measure of Christ's gift" (Eph 4:7). By implication, grace had been outpoured into all Christians immaterial of your status: big or small, humblest Christian or greatest Apostle, either prophets, evangelist, pastors, teachers, etc. No one can claim not to have been imbued by the grace of Christ Jesus. Hence, the need to be useful and functional as a Christian. Obviously, there are diversities of graces given in varied capacities but all for the same purpose and grand unity which Jesus prayed for.  St. Paul recommends that we must then grow in the grace of God, and live out this grace given to us by Christ as matured and responsible Christians, ambassadors of Christ. He declares: we must "come to the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full st...

Homily for Friday of the 29th week in the ordinary time, year II Ephesians 4:1-6; Luke 12:54-59 In the first reading of today St. Paul reminds us that our calling is a high calling. Hence, our words, thoughts and actions in all ramifications must be reflective of our vocations. He writes: "I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness..." (Eph 4:1-2).  Friends in Christ, it is no news to say that we were called by God out of darkness into his wonderful light, into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ, into holiness and righteousness, into God's own glory, family, peace and excellence. Therefore, it is fitting that our attitude manifest in truth the Christian identity and vision.  For St. Paul this attitude must collectively be demonstrated in the spirit of unity. He recommends, "Maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph 4:3). Beloved in Christ, ...

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 29TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II Eph.3:14-21; Luke 12:49-53 In the first reading of today, St Paul offers to God a prayer point that we should all make our own prayer point today. Which is that God may grant us the grace to comprehend the love of Christ for all humanity.  A sacrificial love that surpasses every other love. Comprehending this great love of God, we will come to the resolution that we will not live for ourselves anymore but rather for Christ Jesus. Our lives, going forward, should be a reciprocity for the love of Christ Jesus to us. In the Gospel reading of today, dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus divulges the purpose of his mission for the whole earth, which is a mission of renewal and transformation through baptism. A  renewal that will be comprehensive and profound; leaving no situation unattended.  Jesus declared to his disciples, "I came to cast fire upon the earth"  (Luke 12:49). One may ask: How can Jesus...

Homily for Wednesday of the 29th week in the ordinary time, year II Eph.3:2-12; Luke 12:39-48 Stewardship: An act of service and accountability. Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, in the first reading of today from the St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians. St. Paul acknowledged that it was by the special grace of God that he was made a minister of the word of God to the Gentile community. For St. Paul, his stewardship was an avenue of service, to bring the Gentiles to become sharers in the salvation availed by Christ Jesus. It was a gracious opportunity. Hence, St. Paul recommends a judicious use of gracious opportunities like such.  In the same vein, the Gospel reading of today apparently signals the decadence prevalent within political corridor, where politicians make promises that are devoid of recurrent accountability. This is so because they do not perceive their positions as platforms of service to humanity. Hence, they act with impunity and lack of accountability.  F...

Homily for the Feast of St. Luke (Evangelist).  2 Timothy 4:10-17ab; Luke 10:1-9. Feast of St. Luke (Evangelist) Following the assertion of the church Historian, Eusebius, St. Luke was birthed in Antioch, Syria. He was a definitely a Gentile by birth and a physician by profession since Paul calls him in his letter to the colosians "the beloved physician" (Col.4:11; 4:14). Luke, a well educated man is the author of the third Gospel (Gospel according to St. Luke) and also of the Acts of the Apostles. He characterizes in an outstanding manner the gentleness, tenderness, tolerance and compassion of the Lord, the action of the Holy Spirit and the function of Mary as the mother of Jesus and of the Church. St. Luke collaborated fervently with St. Paul. He was one of the earliest converts to Christianity and later became the missionary companion of St. Paul, so much so that Paul in the First Reading made remark of those who abandoned him and acknowledged that "Luke alone is with...

Homily for Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time. Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch (Bishop and Martyr). Ephesians 2:1-10; Luke 12:13-21. Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, in the first reading of today, St. Paul instructs us in the following words: "You he made alive, when you were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world" (Eph.2:1).  Reminding us of the unmerited favour we received from God, whom through the person and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ ransomed us from darkness, evil, sin and death. Hence, restoring us to our original state of innocence and life in the spirit of God. By extension, our attitude in all ramification must be Christ-like. The Gospel presents to us the parable of the rich fool. Jesus warns us of the danger of ingratitude and individualism. This rich fool, so to say was not guilty as a result of his wealth but the wrong perception and use of his fortune is what categorized him a fool....

Homily for the 29th Sunday in the Ordinary Time, Year C Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:14--4:2; Luke 18:1-8. Theme: The efficacy of Prayer Prayer is the lift up of our hearts and minds to God. The readings of today help us to assess comprehensively the relevance of prayer in our lives as Christians. The first reading and the Gospel illustrates to us examples of persons who pray. On the one hand is one who prays without tiring and on the other hand is one who prays with determination. Common to both is the achievement of the  their objectives. The First Reading presents us with the scene of the people of Israel in battle with the Amalekites at Rephidim. Moses decided to pray to God on a hilltop while Joshua and his forces take on the enemy assault. As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage; when his arms fail, the advantage went to Amakek. To keep Moses praying, Aaron and Hur supported his arms, one on each side. They were thus able to keep Moses praying until sun...

Homily for Saturday of the 28th week in the ordinary time, year II Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 12:8-12 In today's first reading, from St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians, we read that God "has made Christ the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all" (Eph 1:22-23). Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus is the head of the body, the church. He is the life of the members. The life of the church depends upon its union with Christ.  It is the head that directs all the movement of the body. So it is Christ who fills all in all (Eph 1:23). The members of the body has no power of self-motion. They derive their power from the head. As the body is one organic whole, being animated by the Holy Spirit , so also the church is one by virtue of the indwelling of the Holy spirit. Thus, Christ's faithful must be one in faith, love and obedience. As the unity of the the body admits diversity of members and organs, the unity...

Homily for Friday of the 28th week in the ordinary time , year II Ephesians 1:11-14; Luke 12:1-7 In the first reading of today, St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians speaks of God's plan of salvation for humnaity. This plan of salvation consists in the "word of truth" (Eph 1:13). The substance and essence of the truth is the person of Christ Jesus, the word made flesh. For those who believe in the truth, Christ Jesus, had the seal of the Holy Spirit been marked (Eph 1:13). This we received at the sacrament of Baptism and hence God marked us out as his own property. The Holy Spirit therefore is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to 5ue praise of his glory" (Eph 1:14). If one for example wants to print a book, the one who understands the work will ask for a guarantee. One has to pay a certain amount of money as guarantee. It is the pledge that the work will be done. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee. Hence, those who have the Holy...

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 28th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II Eph.1:1-10; Ps.98; Luke 11:47-54 The first reading of today marks the advent of St. Paul’s discourse to the Ephesians. He started up by lending gratitude to God for what He has accomplished for men: He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places since the foundation of the world (Eph 1:3-4); connoting that the blessings of God are not a dividend for some good we may have performed. God chose us to be holy and blameless. Holiness, therefore, is the sign that we are divinely connected. It reminds us more that we are not derivatives of chance or accident, we are adorable to God and He has provided us with all that is required for our redemption. From the inception, God conceived of us, established us in love, and set in motion a plan to cultivate, maintain and redeem us. What other affidavit and testimony do we need to prove that we are meaningful and outstanding to God? In today's Gospel, Jesus utt...

HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 28th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II Gal.5:18-25; Ps.1; Luke 11:42-46 St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians made a point of priority the discourse on the freedom which Jesus Christ won for all on the Cross of Cavalry. Freedom from the yoke of slavery, sin and evil into becoming free born sons and daughters of God. This teaching on freedom was misinterpreted by many Galatians so much so that many of them felt that it was freedom to do whatever they like.  However, in the first reading of today, St. Paul instructs the Galatians on how to determine the two kinds of Freedom.  Freedom in the Spirit is different from freedom in the flesh.  To act freely in the flesh means to be governed by the desires of the flesh. To act freely in the Spirit means to be determined to please God.  The outcome of the Freedom in the flesh are: fornication, gross indecency, sexual irresponsibility, idolatry and society, feuds and wrangling, jealousy, bad temper an...

HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 28th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II Gal.5:1-6; Ps.119; Luke 11:37-41 In the first reading of today, St. Paul vehemently deterred the Gentiles from performing circumcision; not because circumcision was awful in itself, but because it was incorrectly raised to the level of a mandatory requirement for redemption. Demanding circumcision, according to St. Paul is tantamount to asserting the Jewish culture for other people who want to submit to the Christian faith. This would unfailingly suggest that Jesus is predominantly for the Jews and that non-Jews are second-class citizens of heaven. Such an impression will contradict the universality of salvation. Hence, for St. Paul, circumcision has no spiritual bearing. Tolerating it does not make one more sacred, just as one does not become less virtuous without it. In the Gospel reading, Jesus chastised the Pharisees who anticipated him to wash firstly before dinner. Jesus was not exceptionally against sanitary strategie...

Homily for Monday of the 28th week in the ordinary the, year II Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27,31; 5:1; Luke 11:29-32 The faculty of freedom to choose good and avoid evil is God's most precious gift to man. The  word of God tells us: "It is the will of God that man should be left in the hand of his own counsel (sirach 15:14).  True Freedom is not the ability to do whatever you want. It is the strength of character to do what is good, true, noble and right. Using an allegory of the two sons of Abraham: one from the slave-girl and the other from the free-born wife as seen in the first reading of today, St Paul sums up the doctrinal message of his letter to the Galatians. A message on freedom of the children of God. Freedom we owe to no other person than to Christ Jesus. A lasting freedom which was obtained with a great price: the precious blood of Christ Jesus. "You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, b...

Homily for the 28th Sunday in the ordinary time, year C Theme: Gratitude! Gratitude!! Gratitude!!! 2 kings 5:14-17 2 Timothy 2:8-13 Luke 17:11-19 Central to the liturgy of the word today is the theme of gratitude or thankfulness.  The sage will tell us that "gratitude is the healthiest of all emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for". It is the healthiest of all emotions because it is "an antidote for negative emotions, a neutralizer of envy, hostility, worry and irritation. "It is savouring, it is not taking things for granted; it is present-oriented". This why feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like having a present and not giving it. Hence, it liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation. The first reading of today tells us that the prophet Elisha cured Naaman, commander of the Syrian army and a Gentile, of his leprosy and he was grateful for it. In his gratitud...

Homily for Saturday of the 27th week in the ordinary time, year II Galatians 3:22-29; Luke 11:27-28 The first reading in today's liturgy of the word exposes the climax of St. Paul's letter to the Galatians. This is enshrined in the revolutionary statement that upholds the absolute equality of all human persons before God. St. Paul writes: "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female: for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28). By implication all human persons stand on exactly the same footing in the kingdom of God. As children of God there is absolute equality of human persons before God, possessing equal rights and dignity. This is as a result of the redemptive work of Christ Jesus, who has broken down the diving wall, that is, the hostility between all persons (Eph 2:14). Hence, by extension, there is no longer black or white, high caste or low caste, master or servant, first class citizen or second c...

Homily for the feast of the Holy Rosary (October 7) Today the Holy Mother church celebrates the feast of our lady of the Holy Rosary. A highly esteemed Marian devotional practice recommended in the church. There is no other devotion in the church that has been the subject of many official documents as the Rosary. From 1883 till 1966, no less than seventeen encyclicals have been devoted to the Rosary. Pope John Paul II of blessed memory published his Apostolic Letter, "Rosarium Virginis Mariae" (the Rosary of the Virgin Mary) on October 16, 2002 and declared the year October 2002 to October 2003 as the year of the Rosary. In the year 1858 and 1917 respectively, our lady herself appeared at Lourdes and Fatima with a rosary in her hands and requested its recitation. Thus, via such a maternal request, the rosary had become part and parcel of the church's Marian devotion for donkey years. The essence and benefits of the rosary cannot be underestimated. The Rosary is the compen...