FR REMI HOMILIES/REFLECTIONS AND SERMONS

Homily for Tuesday of the 4th week in the ordinary time  Hebrews 12:1-4; Mark 5:21-43 "Christian life compares to a race" "Cure of the woman with heamorrhage" The first reading compares Christian life to a race. It says: "Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,  let us also lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us" (Heb 12:1). For every race, there is always a goal to attain. In this Christian context, Jesus is the ultimate goal to be reached. Having a great cloud of witnesses, every Christian must with perseverance and steadfastness pursue the course marked out for him. He mustn't run outside of the tracks designed for him in order to faithfully attain the price. So also, every Christian must abide by God's commandments enshrined in the word of God and the precepts of the church.  In the vein that Jesus endured the cross and disregarded its shame for th

Homily for Monday of the 4th week in Ordinary time Hebrews 11: 32-40; Mark 5:1-20 The cure of the Demoniac  In the first reading of today's liturgy,  the author of the letter to the Hebrews speaks of the exemplary faith of the ancestors of the Jewish people e.g Gideon, Barack, Samson, Jepthah, David,  Samuel and the prophets etc (Heb 11:33).  It acknowledged the truth that through faith these Jewish ancestors conquered kingdoms, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, won strength out of weakness, etc. However, they suffered and were persecuted, tormented, mocked, flogged, chained, imprisoned,  stoned, killed by the sword, etc. But their faith never wavered.  Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Old testament believers lived and died in faith e.g Abraham, Noah, Moses etc. We must also live and die in faith. For by faith Mary, Joseph, Simeon and Anna, the Apostles, the Martyrs, the Confessors, the Virgins, the Bishops, priests, religious and lay people of all the Christian ce

HOMILY FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Zep.2:3; 3:12-13; 1Cor.1:26-31; Matt.5:1-12a Theme: Only a Virtuous life is Durable! By nature, man has these desires for greatness and to be accepted/loved by others. These desires, consciously or unconsciously influence his actions and behaviour. If not properly guided, man can seek illegitimate means to meet this engrave desires. It on this note that the liturgy of today, gives us the secret for true greatness and true acceptability and love. We live in a world where vices, of different kinds, have been employed by the majority as the weapon for satisfying the desires for greatness and love. Today, people no longer hide the fact that they became great through unwholesome means. Yet they are celebrated, loved and respected by many. They are proudly chosen by some others as mentors; those who aspire to become great like them. This unfortunate experience seems to remove the feeling of guilt that ought to be associated with anything illegitimat

Homily for Saturday of  the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time.  Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas (The Angelic Doctor of the Church).  Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19. Luke 1:69-70,71-72,73-75. Mark 4:35-41.  The first reading teaches us that just as Abraham got divine approval as a result of his faith in God, so too shall we have divine approval if we also have faith in God. Going further, we are told of Abraham's faith that was justified by his action when he was ready to offer Isaac, his son, to God aa a burnt offering. If only we had faith as strong as Abraham's faith, who moved in obedience to God. When the oceans rise and thunders roar, as we have it in today's Gospel, Jesus will calm the strong winds in our lives. The fact that with the presence of Jesus in the boat, the disciples were confronted with the problems of life, it simply means that the Christian life is not a problem-free life. However, it is not the problem, but our response to our problems that define us. Thanks to the discip

Homily for Friday of the 3rd week in Ordinary Time Hebrews 10:32-39; Mark 4:26-34 "Keep your heart fixed on God" "Every Project of God has the power of growth"  In the first reading of today, the author of the letter to the Hebrews wrote to the Jewish Christians, saying "Recall those earlier days when after you had been enlightened,  you endured a hard struggle with sufferings" (Heb 10:32). The concept "enlightened" means "baptism", while "sufferings"  refers to "persecution". It recalled the courage, sacrifice and endurance they put forward upon suffering earthly losses, because they knew they had better possession and an abiding one in heaven (Heb 10: 34&10:36). Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, our gazed must always be fixed on the heavenly crown, hence, as pilgrims journeying to their heavenly homeland, we must with endurance, perseverance and needful sacrifices, amidst the difficulties and challenges t

Homily for the memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus  Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, today the Holy Mother Church celebrates two great disciples and co-workers of St. Paul. Both were Bishops: Timothy was the Bishop of Ephesus, whereas Titus was the Bishop of Crete. The amicable and cordial relationship with St. Paul is beautifully expressed in Paul's pastoral letters. Amidst these St. Paul wrote two pastoral letters to Timothy and one to Titus.  Pauls's letter to Timothy is filled with practical instructions about the life of the local Church (cf 1 Tim 15:15) with the primal ambition to promote holiness and spread the message of salvation to all people ( cf 1 Tim 2:1-7, 3:2-13, 4:10). Themes such as church leadership (1 Tim 3:1-13), prayer for those in authority (1Tim 2:1-2) the danger of false teachings 1 Tim 4:1-5, 6:3-10), etc are key issues in Paul's pastoral letter to Timothy.  In Paul's pastoral letter to Titus, he urges Titus to appoint worthy elders to t

Homily for the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle Acts 9:1-22; Mark 16:15-18 Born at Tarsus in Cilicia about 10A.D. of a Jewish family of the tribe of Benjamin, Paul, was a Roman citizen. Educated in a religious doctrine of the school of the Pharisees by Gamaliel. Saul who became Paul, was a bitter persecutor of the infant church. The reading of today from the acts of the apostles communicates the conversion of Paul. An irreversible moment in the life of the persecutor who breathed fury against the early Christian community, the Church. A key moment in this encounter is the response of Jesus to the question of Saul: “who are you?”. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5). Rooted in this response is the Apostles’ teaching on the church as the body of Christ. Jesus. Although Christ had ascended into heaven, he continues to be present on earth, in the church. He is the church. This experience guided St. Paul and the Apostles in the teaching that the church through the Holy Spiri

Homily for Tuesday of the 3rd week in Ordinary Time (Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor) Hebrews 10:1-10; Mark 3:31-35 The first reading of today's liturgy informs us of how impossible it is for the blood of bulls and goatsbto take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, see, God I have comebto do your will, O God (in the scroll of the book it stands written)" (Heb 10:4-7).  Beloved in Christ, the death of Christ cancelled the sacrifices and offerings of the Old Testament. Jesus from the beginning embrace the Father's salvific plan and mission for humanity. In John 4:34, he said, "My food is to do the will of he who sent me".  Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, St Paul encourages us to always participate in the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. We just be crucified with Chris

Homily for Monday of the 3rd week of ordinary time Hebrews 9:15,24-28; Mark 3:2-30 The first reading of today's liturgy tells us that "Christ, through his death (Heb 9:26), is the Mediator, the bringer of a new covenant, so that the people who were called to an eternal inheritance may actually receive what was promised" (Heb 9:15). Hence, he cancelled the sins that infringed on the only covenant. By entering the heavenly sanctuary, not a man-made sanctuary, he appeared in the actual presence of God, and as the high priest made his appearance once and for all...to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself.  Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, it is convenient to understand why at the last supper, Jesus took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Take this all of you and drink from it, this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins (Mt 26:27-28). St.

HOMILY FOR THE 3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Isaiah 9:1-4; 1Cor.1:10-13.17; Matt.4:12-23 Theme: You are the light of the World In John 8:12, Jesus described himself as the light of the world. The liturgy of today dwells on this description of Jesus as the light of the world. Before the coming of Jesus, was the light in darkness? If yes, what kind of darkness enveloped the world and man? Obviously, we are not taking about physical darkness, neither are we referring to darkness ensuing from physical blindness. Thus, understanding the answers to these and similar questions will enable us to see if we are in darkness today or not. The gospel reading records that at the advent of Jesus’ public ministry, light was said to have come. Interestingly, Isaiah had prophesied long before then, as contained in the first reading, that light will come upon those to whom Jesus will minister. The thrust of Jesus’ ministry was and remains to take men away from darkness into light. It is true that light was

Homily for Saturday of the 2nd week in ordinary time Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14;  The first reading speaks to us of the tabernacle or rent set up in the Temple of Jerusalem. It says: "For a tent was constructed, the first one, in which were the lampstand, the table and the bread of the presence; it is called the Holy place. Behind the second  curtain was a tent called the Holy of Holies" (Heb 9:2-3).  In the Old Covenant, in the Temple of Jerusalem, a curtain hung between the Holy place and the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, only but once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people using the blood of bulls and goats.  However in the New Covenant, Jesus is the high priest who enters the Holy of Holies which is heaven, and rather than the blood of goats and calves (Heb 9:12), he poured "his own blood" (Heb 9:12). This is evedent at the death of Jesus on the cross of Calvary, "the Curtain of the temple was torn in two, from

Homily for Thursday of the 2nd week in ordinary time  Hebrews 7:25---8:6; Mark 3:7-12. The first reading tells us that "Jesus is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them" (Heb 7:25).  Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus is our saviour. He is the only one who can save us from sin because he is the one who can interceed for us with God; he is the only one without sin. He is "holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens" (Heb 7:26).  Jesus is both priest and victim (Heb 7:27). Our union with Jesus can be attained based on our participation in his priesthood and victimhood. Whenever we gather in prayer to re-enact the Holy sacrifice of Christ Jesus at Mass, we are not repeating what Jesus did at Calvary but sharing in the blessings Jesus gained for us by his suffering, death and resurrection. The Gospel reading of today's liturgy tells us that Jesus is

Homily for Wednesday of the 2nd week of ordinary time Mark 3:1-6 . Cure of the man with the withered hand The Gospel reading of today's liturgy speaks to us of the cure of the man with a withered hand. We are told that when he entered the synagogue, there was a man with a withered hand. The people watched him to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath that they might accuse him. Jesus said to man with the withered hand , "Come forward". He asked: "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to Kill?" (Mk 3:14). Hands are essential parts of the human person; instrumental for work, charity and service. The absence of these essential parts weary the human person from comfortably performing works of charity and service. Hence, the man with the withered hand within the context of the synagogue must have been passing through these challenges. Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, a Christian can be spiritually withered when he lacks the spi

Homily for Tuesday of the 2nd week of ordinary time Mark 2: 23-28 The Gospel of today's liturgy speaks of the disagreement that arose between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding the Sabbath. It says: "On the Sabbath, Jesus was going through the grain fields; and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of gain. The Pharisees said to him, Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" (Mk 2:23-24).  Plucking heads of grain was not forbidden in the Jewish law rather putting out a sickle to your neighbour's standing grain (Deut 23:25). The substantial accusation of the Pharisees was not the above rather the plucking the heads of grain on a Sabbath day.  This is born out of the interpretation of the law which says: "Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord God. You shall not work...(Ex 20:8-10). What constitute work for the Pharisees? Carrying

Homily for Monday of the 2nd week in ordinary time Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark2:18-22 The first reading tells us convincingly that Jesus Christ with his whole life and sacrifice on the cross fulfilled all that was written in the messianic tradition of divine revelation.  He brought to fulfilment the ritual service of the priests of the Old Covenant. Hence, in him is is the fulfilment of God's eternal design for the institution of the priesthood in the history of the Covenant.  It says that Jesus Christ is priest "having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek" (Heb 5:10).  Through the liturgy, which is an exercise of the priestly office of Christ, the Church continues to ceaselessly interceed for the salvation of the whole world. The letter to the Hebrew says: " Every high priest chosen from among the mortals is put incharge of things partaining to God... to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins (Heb 5:1). Thus, for every priest, the appoint

Homily for Saturday of the 1st week of ordinary time Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 2:13-17. In the first reading of today’s liturgy, the author of the letter to the Hebrews educates using the functionality of the “word of God”. It holds: "The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb.4:12-13). Dearest friends in Christ, the "activeness" of the word of God is suggestive of its organic and dynamic nature; it is not passive but animated and spirited. It's suggestive of its capacity to be present in life and history; it alludes to its growth capacity and functionality.  By its active nature, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the word of God interacts with our consciences in other to deepen our faith in the judgment of what is pleasing before God. This is because as a double-edged sword, the word of God can permeate the

Homily for Friday of the 1st Week of Ordinary Time Hebrews 4:1-5,11; Mark 2:1-12 Theme: The Place of Rest In the following words, the first reading of today’s liturgy admonishes us as pilgrim on the realization of the place of rest: "While the promise of entering his rest remains, let us fear lest any of you be judged to have failed to reach it" (Heb.4:1).  The place of rest was the place of fulfilment, a realization of God's promises. The people of Israel lost it as a result of disobedience and lack of faith. The place of rest for the people of Israel was for them to enter the promised land of Canaan and this foreshadowed the promise given to us as Christians to enter heaven. There is an analogy between us, Christians in this life and the people of Israel in the desert. While the people of Israel failed to have this rest as a result of lack of faith, we as Christians have the same need for faith, otherwise the same penalty which the people of Israel incurred will be our

Homily for Thursday of the 1st week of ordinary time Hebrews 3:7-14; Mark 1:40-45 The first reading of today's liturgy quoting Psalm 95 says: " O that today you would listen to his voice do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as on that day of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors put me to the test, though they had seen my works for forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, they always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways. As I swore in my anger: they shall not enter my rest" (Heb 3:7-11). Beloved in Christ, the heart is at the centre of man's existence. It alludes to the spiritual interiorly of man, the inner man, the man of conscience, the image and likeness he has with God. It is the heart that harkens to the voice of God. The voice of God in this context is significantly perceived in the "Word of God" (Scriptures). Hence, the heart of man is kept awake and active by listening to the voic

Homily for Wednesday of the 1st week of ordinary time Hebrew 2:14-18; Mark 1:29-39 Theme: Jesus destroys the power of the devil The first reading of today's liturgy tells us that Jesus destroyed the power of the devil; through his incarnation, death on the cross and resurrection, he gave us eternal life. It says: "Since, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death" (Heb 2:14-15). Beloved in Christ, Jesus is the true and perfect man. Without Jesus, humanity would still have been held captive under the power of the devil. St. John tells us: " Christ went down into the depths of death so that the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live" (JN 5:25).  Hence the risen Christ holds the keys of "Death and Hades", so that at t

Homily for Tuesday of the 1st week in the ordinary time  Hebrews 2:5-12; Mark 1:21-28 Theme: Jesus, the restorer of man's glory Man, created in God's image and likeness, is undoubtedly, God's real masterpiece, the living synthesis of God's cosmic wonders, the one destined to be the minister of all created things. Blessed with high intellectual capacity, he comprehends and dominates the whole universe.  The first reading of today's liturgy, reflecting on the greatness of man, wonders in the words of Psalm 8: "God, what is man that you are mindful of him, mortal man that you care for him? You have made him little less than the angels; you crown him with glory and splendor. You have put him in commands of everything" (Heb 2:6-8). However, man had disfigured himself.  Endowed with knowledge, man had invented destruction, and prioritized slavery rather than freedom. Hatred rather than love. Although, he controls the world, he can't control himself. He had b

Homily for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Matthew 3:13-17. The feast of the Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas season. From tomorrow the liturgy of the Catholic Church continues with the ordinary season of the year leading to Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent. The First Reading describes the call, the gift of the Spirit and the mission of the "servant of the Lord". St. Peter in the Second Reading tells us how the servant of the Lord, Christ Jesus carried out his mission. "He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him" (Acts 10:34-38). In today's Gospel, we recall the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist at River Jordan. We see the height of humility in Jesus, coming to John the Baptist for baptism. Absolutely in no need of baptism since he is without sin and the perfect Son of God, Jesus descends the River Jordan to be baptised by John. John p

HOMILY FOR THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Isa.60:1-6; Eph.3:2-3a.5-6; Matt.2:1-12 Today we celebrate the manifestation of Christ to the world. This is what Epiphany means. Manifestation has to do with making known publicly. It became necessarily that Jesus’ presence in the world be manifested though the people had always expected the messiah, because the Messiah was born both in uncommon way and through uncommon people. The whole of Jesus’ earthly ministry was Epiphany because, all through, Jesus was manifesting Himself and mission to the world. In the manifestation of Jesus lies an invitation to become his disciple. Epiphany is also the mission Christ has entrusted to us and His Church; it is our bounden duty to continually manifest Christ to the world. On the last day, we will be judged on the basis of how well we have manifested Christ to the world. The celebration of today which marks the beginning of the official manifestation of Christ, serves as a guide to us who must always manifest