FR REMI HOMILIES/REFLECTIONS AND SERMONS

HOMILY ON THE 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER (GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY) Acts 2:14a.36-41; Ps.23; 1Peter 2:20b-25; John 10:1-10 “ _I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn.10:10b) Theme: Jesus: the Shepherd that truly Pastures On this Good Shepherd Sunday, we are called upon to carefully examine to whom we want to entrust our souls. This decision is key because it determines everything about us both in this life and in the life to come. The one who takes charge of our souls, invariably controls our life. Jesus uses the imagery of Shepherd and sheep to guide us in making this all-important decision. The concern of the shepherd is always about the sheep, irrespective of what this concern may be. There are many things a shepherd can do with a sheep. But there is only one thing a sheep desires from a shepherd. What a shepherd does with the sheep reveals the value he has placed on the sheep. A shepherd could desire a sheep for food, economic reasons or to pasture it for good. Of these t...

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF EASTER  Acts 9:31-42; Ps.116; John 6:60-69 The Fruits of walking in the way of the Lord In the first reading of today, two miracles were worked by the power of the risen Christ through the instrumentality of Peter: Aeneas who has been bedridden for eight years was healed; Tabitha was brought back to life again. The healing of the sick and raising of the dead were signs that were associated with Jesus. For these signs to also be associated with the disciples was a clear testimony to the fact that power of the risen Christ was still with the Church. Jesus’ resurrection and ascension did not translate into his absence from the Church. While the authorities continued to persecute the Church, the common people would have been skeptical if the disciples will be able to continue with the mission of Christ. This skepticism must have been heightened by those unfortunate times when the disciples attempted to perform some works but could not until Jesus ...

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF EASTER Acts 9:1-20; Ps.117; John 6:52-59 Theme: Enlightened for Christ The first reading of today presents us with the conversion of St. Paul. Although it is properly called conversion, but the conversion was more of an enlightenment on what is right than a movement from wrong to right. While Saul went to the high priest to obtain letters to the synagogues of Damascus to enable him legally arrest Christians, he thought of it as the right thing to do. Christians were seen as violators of the Jewish laws and customs. Consequently, as a devoted Jew, Saul took it upon himself to preserve the laws and customs given by God to Moses and handed on by his forefathers. Saul had a noble intention but lacked the right knowledge. Therefore, the conversion of Saul can be likened to a counselling experience on what is truly right. There were many Jews persecuting Christians at that time. We may begin to wonder why the Lord specifically chose to encounter Saul. The...

Homily for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter 27th April 2023 Acts 8:26-40. Psalm 66:8-9,16-17,20. John 6:44-51. In the first reading, we have the story of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch. He was a man of great authority who was reading the Scripture but did not understand what he was reading.  Philip, the deacon, was directed by an angel of the Lord to go and meet the Ethiopian, and through this meeting, Philip guided the Ethiopian in understanding what he was reading in the Scripture. The passage the Ethiopian was reading was referring to the Suffering Servant in the Book of Isaiah. After the explanation by Philip, the Ethiopian asks for baptism. He was baptized and "went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 8:39). We must admit that it is not easy to understand the Scriptures. Like the Ethiopian, we need a guide.  Scriptures can be read and understood in different ways. Scriptures need to be authentically interpreted to  understand their true meaning. The Magisterium...

HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF EASTER Acts 8:1b-8; Ps.66; John 6:35-40 Persecution is no obstruction One who does not love cannot bring others to Christ and Christ to others because witnessing is never without persecution. In today’s first reading, a fierce persecution against the Hellenist Christians took place. The goal of the persecution was to scatter the assembly of believers so that they will no longer speak in the name of Christ. True to the expectation of the persecutors, the believers scattered about as they ran for their lives. But because the Lord has promised victory through the power of his resurrection, their fled did not bring an end to their mission. They fled but planted the gospel in places they found themselves. Thus persecution was turned into cross-pollination. From the earliest times, the Holy Spirit has always turned persecution into manure for evangelization. Dear Christian, you will be persecuted but you can never be defeated. In every age, God looks f...

HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST 1Peter 5:5b-14; Ps. 89; Mark 16:15-20 The Face of Jesus in times of Persecution The gospel of Mark is generally considered to be the oldest of the four gospels. In fact, Scripture scholars hold that the other gospels relied on the gospel of Mark as source and that explains why all the other gospels are longer than that of Mark. If you are writing commentary on a work, it is most likely that your commentary will be more elaborate than the work itself. In writing, Evangelist Mark was preoccupied with revealing the identity of Jesus. In the prologue (1:1-15), he introduces Jesus to the reader and also reveals his identity as Christ, the Son of God. The gospel is divided into two parts. In the first part (1:16-10:52), the fundamental question of who Jesus is, is answered. Amongst so many attempts, Peter eventually said: “You are the Messiah” (8:29). It is in the second part of the gospel (11:1-16:20) that the true identity of Jesus is finally...

 HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF EASTER APRIL 2023 Acts 6:8-15; Ps.119; John 6:22-29 Theme: Do not resist the Good The dispute about the daily distribution of food threatened the unity of the believers and so attracted the prompt action of the disciples. But it seems that some persons were not at home with the restoration of peace in the community. Today, we read about Stephen, one of the seven deacons selected for the daily distribution of food. It is said that he was full of grace and power, and did great wonders and signs among the people. This means that Stephen did his work well. Yet, some members of the synagogue made case with him. It has become a common experience to find people who delight in the disorganization of any assembly. Sometimes, they pretend to be fighting a just cause but the manner they go about it reveals that they have ulterior motives. Such people will always see problem where there is no problem. They try to present themselves as the only “messiahs” b...

 HOMILY ON THE 3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A Acts 2:14.22-33; Ps.16; 1Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35 “ _Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us” (cf.Lk.24:32a)_  From Complaint to Testimony: Retelling the Story The message of today’s readings is: if we would take our complaint to the Word of God, they will become testimonies. Complaint and testimony are both stories but with different endings. No matter how beautiful the beginning of the story of a complaint may, it is surely going to have a sorrowful end. While no matter how sad the story of a testimony may be, a joyful end is sure. After the death of Christ, while he was in the grave, everything about Him became a story that was told in the whole of Jerusalem. For those who had closely associated with Jesus, this story was told in form of a complaint because their hope for following Jesus was being dashed. What they expected was never realized; and now that the story had ended with Jesus’ death, it became a complaint. This was th...

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER Acts 6:1-7; Ps.33; John 6:16-21 We must do our part well Yesterday, we saw an end to the external challenge the apostles had with the authorities. Today, we read of an internal challenge; wahala no dey finish! As the early Christian community grew in number, there was an obvious need for a structure that would aid the effective administration of the community. Without proper administration, the people will be not be organized enough to live out the Christian identity. The apostles were able to realize this need for a structure because they had listening ears. They listened to the murmuring between the Hellenists and the Hebrews as regards the sharing of food. The controversy was still at the stage of murmuring yet the apostles quickly addressed the matter. We need such agility today. The more we allow issues to linger, the worse they may become and more difficult to handle. *We must be responsible enough to realize that time does not hea...

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER Acts 5:34-42; Ps.27; John 6:1-15 Remain with the Lord As the angry men in council deliberated on how best to deal with the apostles for defiling their orders, Gamaliel offered a piece of advice that remains valid till this day. His position can be summarized as: whatever is not of God will not stand the test of time; whatever is of God is unstoppable. Know this and know peace! Whatever is not of God, irrespective of the blossoming it experiences, the attractiveness is ensues, the pleasure it gives, is bound to end is disarray. On the other hand, whatever is of God, irrespective of the oppression melted against it, no matter how unpopular and unattractive it may be, it is bound to stand the test of time. Beloved, the point here is that only God can give true life; so, only what is connected to God truly survives. This truth was demonstrated in the gospel reading of today. The multitude connected themselves to Jesus by remaining with him and...

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER Acts 5:27-33; Ps.34; John 3:31-36 Preserving your God-given freedom Yesterday we saw that the Word of God sets free. But what is the nature of this freedom? Although an angel of the Lord delivered the apostles from the prison bars, this freedom of the Word of God is not essentially in physical terms; it is a freedom that puts away everything that could inhibit us from preaching and living out the Word of God. When we get to the level whereby nothing both from within and outside us can stop us from associating with the Word of God, then we are truly free. In the first reading of today, we come to fully understand the freedom the Word of God brought upon the apostles. Again the authorities summoned and queried them to defiling their warnings not to speak anymore in the name of Jesus. While the authorities were spelling out the gravity of their offence, the apostles courageous defended their actions. The apostles were not threatened by the ...

HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER Acts 5:17-26; Ps.34; John 3:16-21 Theme: The Word of God sets Free In the first reading of today, the high priest and the Sadducees persecuted the apostles not merely for their connectivity with Jesus but also for continuing the mission of Jesus. These unrepentant authorities, plagued with guilty conscience, needed to continually convince themselves (and others) that they acted rightly by killing Jesus Christ. So, they never found comfortable anything, person or event that resonances the name and works of Jesus Christ. Darkness attempted to completely put off light so that left with no other choice, the world will embrace darkness as light. So in the first reading, they put the apostles in prison for speaking and doing the works of Christ. Putting them in prison was to stop them. However, an angel of the Lord set them free in a remarkable way. They were led out of the prison while the prison remained securely locked with sentries standi...

 Homily for Tuesday of the 2nd week of Easter  Acts 4:32-37; Ps.93; John 3:7b-15 A united Christian Community It is easier for people to be united when they have a common purpose. When there is no common purpose, it can be very difficult for people to see themselves as one even under the umbrella of common humanity. But the problem with uniting under a common purpose is that such people may segregate themselves from others who do not share in their purpose. Should this principle be applied to the practice of Christianity? The first reading of today gives an answer. We are told that the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul. This means that people were united on the basis of their common believe in Jesus Christ. This belief made them see themselves as one. This belief also made them over look other cultural, financial, educational, identities that hitherto united or separated them. All of these no longer mattered; what mattered now was their common conviction...

HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF EASTER (APRIL 17, 2023) Acts 4:23-31; Ps.2; John 3:1-8 Renewed by the Holy Spirit Whatever performs work would often time be in need of renewal. For machines, this renewal is in form of servicing. For man, in relation to the body, renewal takes the form of rest, changing environment, going on vacation and so on. The readings of today bring to our consciousness the fact that man must also pay attention to his spiritual renewal. While the gospel reading tells us how we can attain spiritual renewal, the first reading enlightens us on what spiritual renewal can do for us. In the gospel reading, Jesus revealed to Nichodemus that unless one is born anew (renewed), he cannot enter the kingdom of God. While Nichodemus thought that this involved entering ones mother’s womb a second time, Jesus clarified that spiritual renewal comes through encounter with the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that renews us spiritually. When the Spirit renews us, we become m...

Confession and Forgiveness (HOMILY ON THE 2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY) APRIL 2023 Acts 2:42-47; Ps.118; 1Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31  Confession and Forgiveness While still very much in the euphoria of the Easter Joy, we are called upon today to reflect on the Mercy of God. The Mercy of God has a lot to do with the season of Easter. Without the Divine Mercy, the source of Easter Joy will not be understood neither will the lesson be well learnt and lived out. First, the passion and death of Jesus was occasioned by the calumny of men. During the Holy Week, we saw how everyone was involved in this calumny; including the disciples. The resurrection of Christ meant victory over wickedness and betrayal. But what do we do with such victory? We live in a world where people no longer want their perceived enemies to die but to live and see them prosper; so that they can rub off their prosperity on the faces these perceived enemies. Sometimes, we spend so much time begging God fo...

Homily for Easter Saturday Acts 4:13-21. Psalm 118:1,14-15ab,15c-18,19-21. Mark 16:9-15. In the first reading, the boldness of Peter and John got the Jewish authorities confused on what to do with them. Knowing fully well that a miracle was performed by them in the name of the Risen Lord, they charged Peter and John to speak no more in the name of Jesus. To this, Peter and John replied, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we can not but speak of what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20). When we find ourselves in the situation of Peter and John, to whom do owe our allegiance? To God or to human authorities? We must always stand for the truth, no matter the threat to our lives. It is only the truth that will set us free. In today's Gospel, we see how the Apostles doubted the resurrection of Christ Jesus despite hearing from Mary Magdalene and the other two disciples the Risen Lord appeared to. The way they all...

Homily for Easter Friday Acts 4:1-12. Psalm 118:1-2,4,22-24,25-27a. John 21:1-14. In the first reading, Peter and John were brought the council assembled into Jerusalem. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter spoke concerning the power behind the healing of the lame man from birth. In his speech, he once testified to the Risen Lord, saying, "By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the cornerstone" (Acts 4:10-11). Peter and John are examples of how true disciples of Christ who are filled with the Holy Spirit should always act. We should never shun any situation that calls us to stand for the truth. In today's Gospel, seven of Christ's disciples returned to their former profession of fishing, and He appeared to them when they least expected. They laboured all through the night and caught nothing but with ...

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE OCTAVE OF EASTER Acts 3:11-26; Ps.8 & 5; Luke 24:35-48 For the sake of God alone One of the laws of the 48 laws of power says: Never outshine your master. To outshine one’s master means to try to use your present opportunity to apportion to oneself the glory that is due to the one who has helped you obtain the opportunity. This makes it a form of disloyalty. In the first reading of today, Peter and John were not disloyal to their master Jesus Christ. Yesterday we read how through the power of the risen Christ, they were able to make the lame man walk. Now, the lame man and the people around could only understand that Peter and John have made a lame man walk. They could not understand that it was the power of the risen Christ that was at work. So, while the lame man clung to Peter and John, the people ran to them. These gestures already suggest the desire to worship or adore Peter and John as though they made the lame man work by their own powers. However,...

Homily for Easter Wednesday Acts 3:1-10. Psalm 105:1-2,3-4,6-6,8-9. Luke 24:13-35. We have in the first reading the miracle of the lame man from birth. This miracle was performed by Peter and John in the name of the Risen Lord. Peter and John were on their way to the temple at the hour of prayer (Acts 3:1) to go and pray. In going to pray, they were already disposed to encounter God. No wonder, when the lame man asked for alms, Peter simply said, "I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk" (Acts 3:6). And the lame man walked and leapt and praised God. Are we faithful to our time of prayers, especially as priests and religious? Let us make conscious effort daily to be committed to our prayers, especially at the time of those prayers. Jesus again appeared to two of his disciples in today's Gospel on their way to Emmaus. He walked along with them, but they did not recognise him because they were downcast as ...

Homily for Easter Tuesday Acts 2:36-41. Psalm 33:4-6,18-19,20,22. John 20:11-18. In the first reading, we have the at end of Peter's sermon, which was centred on Christ's resurrection, that there were added that day about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41). The people who heard God's word through Peter were caught to the heart, and they immediately asked Peter what they must do to be converted? The word of God was for them, according to St. Paul "is a double-edged sword." When we hear God's word, what is the effect in our lives? When we encounter God, to what extent does it transform us? In today's Gospel, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene from whom He had driven out seven demons (Mark 16:9). With her conversion, her love for Jesus knew no bound. She loved much, and for this, she enjoyed the privilege of being the first person Jesus appeared to after his resurrection. Her love for Jesus made her seek Jesus. Being a great seeker of Jesus, she found the Risen L...

Homily for Easter Sunday. Year A.  Acts 10:34a,37-43. Psalm 118:1-2,15c-17,22-23. Colossians 3:1-4. John 20:1-9. Theme: Raised from the Dead Today, we celebrate the central fact of history, namely, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Easter is the greatest feast of the Christian year. There is none like it. The birth of Jesus at Christmas is incredibly magnificent. But Christmas is only "mission begun," while Easter is "mission accomplished." "Therefore, Easter is not only one feast among others, but the "Feast of feasts," the "Solemnity of solemnities," just as the Eucharist is the "Sacrament of sacraments" (The Great Sacrament). St. Athanasius calls Easter the "Great Sunday," and the Eastern Churches call Holy Week the "Great Week." The mystery of the Resurrection, in which Christ crush death, permeates with its powerful energy our old time, until all is subjected to him" (CCC 1169). As Jesus emerg...

HOMILY FOR THE VIGIL OF EASTER, YEAR A Romans 6:3-11; Ps.118; Matthew 28:1-10 The Power of the Risen Christ When Jesus refused to appear in the house of Martha and Mary at the time their brother Lazarus was sick, people mocked Martha and Mary for their closeness to Jesus when Lazarus eventually died. It made no sense that Jesus could not do for his friends what he had been doing for others unknown or unconnected to Him. Similar mockery was repeated during the trial of Jesus. The Jesus who saved the woman caught in adultery from the condemnation of the Jews, could not save himself. The Jesus who claimed that can destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, is not strong enough to save himself. The Jesus who has been confronting the authorities is now helpless in their den. The Jesus who claimed to be the Son of God could not command angels from above to come defend Him. The Jesus who turned water into wine and promised the Samaritan woman everlasting water, cried of thirst on the cr...

HOMILY FOR EASTER MONDAY Acts 2:14, 22-32; Ps.16; Matthew 28:8-15 The Glory of the Resurrection is undeniable Publicity is key to any business and indeed any event. This is because the patronage of others is important if the establish venture is to be successful. Little wonder some persons and bodies form the habit of televising their charitable acts so that they may create a public image of good and generous. This is not the case with the glory of the resurrection. Whatever is of God does not rest on public opinion. In the gospel reading of today, the Chief priests bribed the soldiers to lie that Jesus did not resurrect and to rather say that it was the disciples who came to steal the body while they (the soldiers) were asleep. If the testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ was to be dependent on the publicity of men, then the fake rumour that the soldiers told would have crumbled the resurrection testimony. God did not prevent the soldiers from spreading lies, instead, He prove...

Homily for Good Friday of the passion of the Lord  Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Ps.31; Heb.4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42 Lessons from Good Friday At last He has been caught! The Jesus who had been confronting and reprimanding the Scribes and the Pharisees; the Jesus who worked miracles even on Sabbath day (not minding that it infuriated the authorities), the Jesus who had the capacity to know the thought of men and always knew when questions were put forward to Him just to test him; the Jesus whom the authorities have often time wanted to arrest and persecute but for fear of the crowds who held Him to be a prophet; the Jesus who had often slipped through the crowds when He was about to be arrested; the Jesus who had made possible all that was thought impossible, including raising the dead; this Jesus has finally been caught. He’s been publicly scourged and humiliated. He’s labeled a criminal and He carried this label to the grave. It is disheartening that the last identity given to this m...