FR REMI HOMILIES/REFLECTIONS AND SERMONS

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH YEAR B 31ST DECEMBER 2023 Gen.15:1-6; 21:1-3; Ps.105; Heb.11:8.11-12.17-19; Lk.2:22-40 AN IMPROVED FAMILY CATECHESIS Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. We celebrate them as the ideal model for every family on earth. Experience reveals that with the increasing number of Churches in our societies, evil thrives daily such as: increase rate of divorce, growing acceptance in the use of contraceptives and reproductive technologies that are contrary to the teaching of the Church, growing demand for same sex unions, single parenting, and so on. With all of these, we are experiencing a gradual de-Christianization of our society. To re-Christianize our society, we must begin from the family because the family is the first and vital cell of the society, the pillar and manufacturer of acceptable behaviours in the society. The documents of the Church are full of teachings on the fund...

REFECTION/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY SIXTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS 30TH DECEMBER 2023 1John 2:12-17; Ps.96; Luke 2:36-40 Preserving the Joy of Christmas In the gospel reading of today, Anna the prophetess represents all who wait upon the Lord. Like Anna, we are never disappointed. No matter how long it takes, the Lord is always true to his promises. Today, Anna is seen giving thanks and showing the new born king to all as a sign that her long years of prayer were not in vain. Similarly, we rejoice at Christmas because the Lord has come to redeem us. It is to us who have been redeemed by the coming of the Messiah that the first reading is addressed. John, in his first letter, gives us the secret to preserving the joy of the Lord’s presence in and with us: Do not love the world or the things in the world. This is because the demand of the world is contrary to the demands of our Christian faith. So, to love the world will mean to turn against God. When we turn against the Lord, we loo...

REFECTION/HOMILY FOR FRIDAY, FIFTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS 29TH DECEMBER 2023 1John 2:3-12; Ps.96; Luke 2:22-35 Love God by keeping His Commandments Usually when people gather joyfully at the celebration of someone they have known, it is taken for granted that they love the person and so have come to celebrate with him or her. We are still in the season of Christmas wherein we rejoice at the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It could be taken for granted that it is because we love Christ and desire the salvation he has come to win for us, that is why we are joyful. However, in the first reading of today, St. John tells us that it is not the mere act of celebrating that proves that we know and love the Lord. St. John is not oblivious of the fact that it is very possible for one to join in the celebration of Christmas without a heart of welcome to the baby Jesus. So, if we must celebrate Christmas meaningfully – a celebration that truly speaks of our unity with the Lord, we must...

HOMILY ON THE FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS 1John 1:5-2:2; Ps.124; Matthew 2:13-18 The Consequence of Divine Connection Today, the Church honours the memory of the little children who were massacred by the order of King Herod. The existence of the new-born king threatened King Herod when he learnt of it from the Magi. He did not understand that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world; so he thought that the earlier he eliminated this new-born king, the better. Unable to locate the particular child, he ordered that all male children under the angel of age in the town of Bethlehem and its environs be slaughtered. He was not able to kill the new-born king, but he was able to kill many babies. These babies are innocent on account of their age and on the fact that they did nothing to warrant their death. Their death was as a result of the relationship they had with Jesus. First, only male children were killed because Jesus was male; second, only those under the age of two were killed because that...

REFLECTION/HOMILY ON THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST 27TH DECEMBER 2023 1John 1:1-4; Ps.97; John 20:2-8 The Power of Friendship Today we celebrate the feast of St. John the Apostle who is often identified as the beloved disciple of Jesus Christ. It is not certain why he is so called but one thing is clear that this beloved disciple was always with the Lord. He was a faithful friend who not only formed part of the inner circle of Jesus but remained committed to the Lord during His passion and after His death. John was devoted to the Lord not only because he believed him to be the Messiah but also because he saw the Lord as a friend. His gospel is the most theological of all the gospels as it is most centered on understanding Jesus as God. The gospel explores varieties of images as a means of expressing the relationship between Jesus and God. For example, one of the unique features of John’s gospel is the frequent use of the emphatic “I am” (ego eimi) on the lips of Jesus. ...

REFLECTION/HOMILY ON THE FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN FIRST MARTYR 26TH DECEMBER 2023 Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps.31; Matthew 10:17:22 Be Consistent with the Truth Today, just immediately after celebrating the Nativity of the Lord, the life and martyrdom of St. Stephen is presented before us as the first example of one who practiced authentic Christianity at the greatest cost. Prior to the today’s first reading, Stephen was chosen as one of the upright men in the community to supervise the equitable distribution of food to the Hellenist’s widows. To have been chosen means that he enjoyed the admiration of men. He was a man of integrity. However, soon there was a problem when Stephen decided to grow higher in the use of his gifts. Apart from the just distribution of food to widows, Stephen was now able to perform great signs and wonders among the people. Not until then did he begin to attract the persecution of men. Still, Stephen could not be intimidated by the jealousy of men. In the midst of th...

Sermon/Homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day) 25th December 2023 Isaiah 52:7-10. Psalm 98:1,2-3ab,3cd-4,5-6. Hebrews 1:1-6. John 1:1-18. Theme: And the Word Became Flesh. The announcer of the Word could begin the presentation of the theme from the second reading that God manifested himself in stages to the people of Israel. "God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days, he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the ages" (Heb.1:1-2). We are a highly privileged generation for God to be speaking through his Son to us, whose coming into the world as man from the womb of the Blesed Virgin Mary, we are celebrating today. In today's Gospel, St. John stresses how the Incarnation of the Word has been the highest of all God's revelations. Today's Gospel tells us: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in t...

Sermon/Homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord - Vigil Mass 24th December 2023 Isaiah 9:2-7. Psalm 96:1-2a,2b-3,11-12a,12b-13. Titus 2:11-14. Luke 2:1-14. Theme: A Child Is Born to Us. On this particular night, we experience the darkness that covered the world before the coming of the child promised by the prophet Isaiah. Had Christ not come, all of us would have been wolf children spiritually. "We dwelt in a land of deep darkness" (Isa.9:2). We were under the yoke of his burden" (Isa.9:4) of our sins, and the rod of the oppressor was on our back (cf.Isa.9:4). The "boots of the tramping warriors" (Isa.9:5) followed us, and our garments were rolled in blood (cf.Isa.9:6). This is our picture as painted by Prophet Isaiah in the first reading. In the midst of our painful and sad situation, there is hope. God never abandoned us. Concerning our hope, Isaiah writes, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land...

Reflection/Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent. Year B 24th December 2023 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8b-12,14a-16. Psalm 89:2-3,4-5,27,29. Romans 16:26-27. Luke 1:26-38. Theme: Jesus, the Promised Messiah. In the first reading, we have the prophecy of Nathan that the descendants of David will inherit an eternal kingdom. This promise came about as a result of David's good intention to build a house of worship for God. He said to prophet Nathan: "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent" (2 Sam.7:2). At first, Nathan gave no objection. Later, the word of God came to Nathan, saying, "Go and tell my servant David, ... the Lord will make you a house. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever" (2 Sam.1:11,16). Here is not meant by the temple built by Solomon at Jerusalem. That temple did not last forever. What is meant is a spiritual temple, a spiritual kingdom. Only that can las...

SERMON/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT 23RD DECEMBER 2023 Malachi 3:1-4; 4:5-6; Ps.25; Luke 1:57-66  “God is Merciful” When the angel of the Lord visited Zechariah to inform him that the wife will conceive and bear a son, the angel categorically mentioned the name that will be given to the child. The same was true when the angel visited the Blessed Virgin Mary and Joseph in a dream. The choosing of name for John and Jesus is connected to their purpose on earth. Everything about them was speaking about their mission; and so, from the very moment of their birth, their lives radiated their mission. The name John means “God is merciful” or “God has shown favour”. Indeed the life of John speaks of the mercy of God. In his mercy, God remembered Zechariah and Elizabeth at their old age with the gift of John. She who was once called barren is now playing host to neighbours and relatives who have come to rejoice at her childbirth. The birth of John also signified the mercy o...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT 22ND DECEMBER 2023 1Samuel 1:24-28; 1Sam.2; Luke: 1:46-56 A Life of Thanksgiving The readings of today tell us that we are in for thanksgiving. For us to do this very well, we need to first be conscious of what has happened to us and also see the connection between God’s hands and the happenings in our lives. When we are able to understand that it has been God, then we can understand the need to give thanks. In the first reading, Hannah came back to the temple; this time, with her son. She was able to see a connection between her earlier presence in the temple, praying for a child, and her ability to conceive and bear a son after so many years. In her thanksgiving, she came to fulfil her vow to the Lord. One thing we learn from Hannah is that we must see the handiwork of God in our lives as an invitation to draw closer to him. Each time God fulfils his promise of blessing us, let us also recommit ourselves to our baptismal promises...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT 21ST DECEMBER 2023 Song of Solomon 2:8-14 or Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Ps.33; Luke 1:39-45 Little acts of Kindness The visit of the angel to Mary left her with two knowledge that were beyond human imagination: first, she is the mother of the expected Messiah and this has happened without the biological intervention of a man; second, her kinswoman Elizabeth whom people concluded was barren and who has exceeded the age of childbearing, is now six months pregnant. Most probably, Mary must have had other friends and relatives but she chose to go to Elizabeth to whom this grace of God is particularly concerned. Here, Mary teaches us how to handle information. One cankerworm that is eating deep into the fabrics of human relationship is gossip. To gossip means to talk behind someone (of whom the issue at hand concerns), before another person who is not directly involved. What makes gossip wrong is not what is said but to whom and how it was s...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT 20TH DECEMBER 2023 Isaiah 7:10-14; Ps.24; Luke 1:26-38 Embracing Daily Conversion In the gospel reading of today, we find an interaction between man and the divine, between Mary and the Angel Gabriel. It was a unique experience for Mary. The visit and message of the angel first caused Mary to be greatly troubled because she did not understand what it was all about. The message of the angel meant that henceforth, Mary will now share deeply in the life of the Lord. The kind of conversion Mary experienced here is not one that involves a movement from sin to purity or from darkness to light; but one of from light to brighter light. The Lord had a plan for Mary but that plan rested on Mary’s virtue of purity. She thought that her virginity would constituted a hindrance to the realization of the message of the angel; little did she know that it was on her virginity that Christian faith and theology will rest. If Mary was not a virgin,...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK OF ADVENT  19TH DECEMBER 2023 Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps.71; Luke 1:5-25 Jesus comes to make the Impossible Possible As Jesus’ coming draws near, the aroma (foretaste) of his mission is perceived in today’s readings. Particularly, Jesus came to save man by gaining for him pardon for sins and reconciliation with God the Father. This is something only God can do. If another could do that which Christ came to do, then his coming will bear no uniqueness. Now, sin is ultimately an offence against God. This is something all men are guilty of. Therefore, man cannot be of help to his fellow men. Only God can forgive sins. In the first reading of today, an angel of the Lord appeared to a woman who was married to Manoah and was barren. Her situation was one that no one could help. When the angel made known to the woman the coming and mission of a son through her, she believed because she recognized the speaker to be a man of God whose countenance ...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT 18TH DECEMER 2023 Jer.23:5-8; Ps.72; Matthew 1:18-24 The Essence of Retreat Since yesterday, we have entered the second part of the season of advent in which we begin to anticipate the coming of Christ at Christmas. Hitherto, we have been dwelling on his second coming. Today, the gospel reading provides us with information about the divinity of Jesus Christ. Jesus is regarded as the son of Joseph but Joseph was clearly not responsible for Jesus’ conception that was why he wanted to send Mary away when he discovered that she was already pregnant before coming to live with him. The mystery of the intertwine between Jesus’ humanity and his divinity speaks of the power of God to work even through human acts. So, we need to trust God always even when things may not make sense to us. From every senselessness, God is able to make the best sense. Coming back to the person of Joseph, he teaches us how to avoid making rash judgment. Seeing M...

Reflection/Homily for 3rd Sunday of Advent Year B 17thDecember 2023 Isaiah 61:1-2a,10-11. Luke 1:46-48,49-50,53-54. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24. John 1:6-8,19-28. Theme: Live in Joy! The third Sunday of Advent is known as the Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word "rejoice," and this imperative is taken from the entrance antiphon of today's liturgy, which begins with "rejoice." The first words of the second reading also set the theme for this Sunday. St. Paul tells the Thessalonians, "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thess.5:16-17). The Christian is a cheerful person: he is happy because Christ has shown him the meaning of life. Rich or poor, sick or healthy, the Christian should always be happy. For a Christian to rejoice and be truly happy, St. Paul says he must hold fast to what is good and abstain from every form of evil (cf.1 Thess.5:20). In the first reading ...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF ADVENT 16TH DECEMBER 2023 Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11b; Ps.80; Matthew 17:10-13 Keying into the Mission of Elijah Generally, the people expected the coming of the Messiah. Part of the signs that will precede this coming was the return of Elijah as taught by the Scribes. So, the people waited to see Elijah as a sign that the coming of the Messiah was imminent. From the question put forth by the disciples to Jesus in today’s gospel, it is obvious that they too had this line of expectation of events. Now, the events of today’s gospel took place as they were descending the mountain where Jesus was transfigured. The prominent thing about the transfiguration was the voice that came from heaven confirming the divinity of Jesus Christ. This means that Jesus is the expected Messiah. But the disciples could not understand why the expected chains of events was not followed. Could the Scribes had lied to them about the return of Elijah? Jesus clarified tha...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF ADVENT 15TH DECEMBER 2023 Isaiah 48:17-19; Ps.1; Matthew 11:16:-9 *Rather focus on repentance* The gospel reading of today reveals one escapist route usually employed by those who do not want to positively respond to God’s invitation to repentance: fault finding. God’s invitation to embrace his life is always extended to us through his instruments/ministers. God has and will always raise up men to speak his mind to the people. These men are not chosen on account of their perfection but on account of God’s choice. However important the way of life of the minister is, it does not constitute a justification for rejecting the gospel message when it does not tally according to our expectation or the message. We should undergo repentance not because the minister is perfect but because God is perfect and the validity of the message is not dependent on the holiness of the preacher. God’s word is meant to pierce not pacify us. When we go about alw...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF ADVENT 14TH DECEMBER 2023 Isaiah 41:13-20; Ps.145; Matthew 11:11-15 *Love is Perfected in Heaven* Persecutions are temptations to abandon our Christian faith. When we resist, we are expressing our desire to remain with the Lord. Every effort we make to do God’s will is an act of love. John Baptist is a very good example. The gospel reading of today says that he is the greatest of all those born of women. The source of John’s greatness was his love for God which manifested in the great sufferings he endured. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, he was a prophet, he preached God’s Word boldly, he was holy, he was prayerful, he fasted a lot and when he was not fasting, he ate only locusts and wild honey. Finally, he experienced martyrdom. What a great sign of love! Yet, John cannot stand the least in the kingdom of heaven. Who is this least, and what greater things could he/she had done than John? Well, the least of the kingdom of heaven is...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF ADVENT (ST. LUCY) 13TH DECEMBER 2023 Isaiah 40:25-31; Ps.103; Matt.11:28-30 “I will give you REST” Imagine a tattered young man selling a book titled: “Five Ways to become Millionaire”. People will obviously see him as a joker. If his book can do what it claims, then the sellers should be a clear testimony. In the gospel reading of today, Jesus invited his listeners to come to him with their troubles and difficulties and he will give them rest. The question now is: “was Jesus himself actually having rest at that time?” This is someone who was always as logger heads with the Scribes and the Pharisees; this is someone whose crucifixion was being planned; the disciples have not even understood him well; yet he is promising rest to those who come to him. Well, we may hold on to the above impression if we define the “rest” promised by Jesus as a complete absence of trouble in life. This cannot be what Jesus met because he himself clearly ha...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF ADVENT 12TH DECEMBER 2023  Isaiah 40:1-11; Ps.96; Matthew 18:12-14 God’s love is salvific In the first reading, we see that God is not unapproachable or difficult to appease. When our repentance is genuine, God is quick to forgiving and showing mercy. God does not reprimand us out of anger or revenge; his goal is not to bring about our condemnation but to bring to our consciousness the truth that we constantly denied through life of sin. The moment we show sin of remorse, God is quick to take it up from there. Thus, He sent prophet Isaiah to quickly and richly speak of his comfort for his people. God’s mercy goes with restoration – recovery of all that was lost due to sin. Beloved in Christ, both the first reading and the responsorial psalm tell us that the Lord comes with might. What is this might? It is not in terms of physical strength but in terms of his abundant mercy. Forgiveness is a thing of the strong; it is the weak that ac...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF ADVENT 11TH DECEMBER 2023 Isaiah 35:1-10; Ps.85; Luke 5:17-26 *Have God-fearing Friends* In the gospel reading of today, four friends showed resilient spirit as they struggled against all odds to bring their crippled friend to Jesus. Clearly, this was faith at work. The determination of the four friends cannot have been unaccompanied by the determination of the crippled man himself; if not he would not have allowed the friends to carry him up and down in search of Jesus for healing. Again, the five of them believed that Jesus is able to heal the paralyzed man; they not only believed, they clearly had no other option but Jesus. However, what is most interesting is that these friends had the willingness and interest to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus. Today, advent is giving us an opportunity to access the kind of friends we have. What do our friends influence us to do? To sin against God or to draw closer to God? What exactly do we d...

Reflection/Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent Year B 10th December 2023 Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11. Psalm 85:9ab,10,11-12,13-14. 2 Peter 3:8-14. Mark 1:1-8. Theme: Conversion and New World. In the first reading, prophet Isaiah invites the people of Israel, exiled in Babylon, to prepare to welcome the Lord  who is coming to free them. Their slavery which was a result of their sins, is about to end. God will save them, but on their part, they must welcome this liberation, cross the desert, and begin a new life in a new land. The prophet says: "A voice cries out: 'In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord'" (Isa.49:3). Advent is a time of preparing the way of the Lord. We must prepare a way in ourselves, in our thoughts, words, and deeds. The word "way" means a journey to be undertaken, which can bring us closer to God. The Gospel continues the same theme of preparing for the coming of the Lord. Another prophet, John the Baptist, invites the people of Israel to...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK OF ADVENT 9TH DECEMBER 2023 Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps.147; Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8 *Be Compassionate to Others* In the gospel reading of today, Jesus is found doing his father’s business. He went about enlightening the hearts of men and only thereafter did he heal their diseases and infirmities. He sets the priority right by attending to the people’s need in the other of importance. The opening of the eyes of our minds is far more important than the opening of our physical eyes because God is seen only by the eyes of the mind. So, by his teaching and healing, Jesus was making God known to the people. It however became obvious to Jesus that even after doing so much, there were still much more to be done. He needed helpers. It is because there is work to be done that is why labourers are needed. It is very important we note this. It is not because there are labourers that is why work is created to keep them busy. Therefore, when God call...

Reflection/Homily for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8th December 2023  Genesis 3:9-15,20. Psalm 98:1,2-3ab,3cd-4. Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12. Luke 26b-38. The Solemnity celebrates Mary as the virgin who is "full of grace" (Luke 1:28), as the Archangel Gabriel said at the Annunciation. From the earliest times, the Catholic Church expressed and developed the belief that Mary was conceived without original sin, but it was only in 1854 that Pope Pius IX proclaimed it a dogma. We give thanks to God for having chosen the Blessed Virgin Mary as the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our mother, and having preserved her from sin. Mary is the sign of victory over the serpent. She is the woman mentioned in today's first reading, "I will make you and the woman hate each other; her offspring and yours will always be enemies. Her offspring will crush your head, and you will bite her offspring's heel" (Gen.3:15). Mary is the new Eve fr...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT 7TH 12 2023 Isaiah 26:1-6; Ps.118; Matthew 7:21-27 God’s Word strengthens us to overcome sin In this season of advent, we are anticipating the coming of the Messiah. Yesterday, we saw that this anticipation is with great expectation. Today, the gospel reading teaches us that our anticipation must grow beyond a mere psychological disposition. For our expectation to be concretely meaningful, it must be at some cost. That is, we anticipate the Lord not by merely waiting for him but by preparing to receive him. It is relatively easy to choose to psychologically anticipate the Lord. Anyone can do it. Where the matter lies is to concretely prepare for him. For this reason, Jesus says that not all those who call him Lord, Lord, shall enter his kingdom but those who were busy doing what will make him to be please with them. A child who sits and waits for the mother to return from the market without carrying out the chores given him/her...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK OF ADVENT 6TH DECEMBER 2023 Isaiah 25:6-10a; Ps.23; Matt.15:29-37 The Salvation of God is Holistic The first reading of today forms part of the Apocalypse of Isaiah (24:1-27:13). This was a period following the return of the people from Exile. During their exilic experience, they prayed for freedom and hoped that when they are free, they will have no more troubles. Unfortunately, after returning from exile, they still faced molestation from non-Jewish settlers around them. The trouble-free life they had anticipated was not in sight at all. At this, they cried to God for a holistic restoration – one that would shake the whole world order. In the first reading of today, Isaiah assured the people that the expected Messiah will bring about the holistic restoration they hope for. Holistic restoration here means to provide all that is needed for a happy life both spiritual and material. Consequently, Isaiah assured the people the Messiah will b...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK OF ADVENT 5TH DECEMBER 2023  Isaiah 11:1:10; Ps.72; Luke 10:21-24 Our God comes to surprise us Prior to the prophecy of Isaiah, there was no expectation from the people of a messiah. The best way the Jews of old understood God’s blessings was in terms of what God is able to do for the land. This include granting them victory and giving them resourceful kings. This understanding of God’s blessings on the Land also fueled how they came to understand when God was not happy with them. If they lose at the battle field, then God may not be happy with them. If they get a bad king, then they may be punished by God for their sins. God favours the land of the righteous but punishes the land of the ungodly. When David reigned as king and ruled like none before him, the people saw it as the best thing God can ever do for them. After David, they never wished for a greater king but simply prayed that consequent kings would imitate David. David became...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK OF ADVENT 4TH DECEMBER 2023 Isaiah 2:1-5; Ps.122; Matt.8:5-11 Love begets Loyalty! In the first reading of today, the Prophet Isaiah invites us all to the mountain of the Lord for it is the highest of all mountains. Usually, the beauty and glory of mountains lie in their heights. To say that the Lord’s mountain is the highest means that the glory of the Lord cannot be compared to any other. So, Isaiah is inviting us to what stands as the best. To come to the mountain of the Lord is not about locating the highest mountain in the world; it is not even just about coming to the house of the Lord. Isaiah explained that when we walk in the light of the Lord, we will be approaching the highest of all mountains. To walk in God’s light necessarily demands that we move away from the darkness of sin and selfishness. This movement towards the light will remove the blinders in our eyes that make us see ourselves as rivals. With the Lord enlightening us, ...

Reflection/Homily for the 1st Sunday of Advent Year B 3rd December 2023 Isaiah 63:16d-17; 64:1,3b-8. Psalm 80:2ac,3b,15-16a,18-19. 1 Corinthians 1:3-9. Mark 13:33-37. Theme: The Vigilant Wait. We begin the season of Advent today and the beginning of the new liturgical year 2024. This new liturgical is cycle B, the year of St. Mark. Advent means coming or arrival. During Advent, the Catholic Church asks us to prepare for the three-dimensional coming of our Lord Jesus Christ past, present, and future. Jesus is always coming, never fully come. He comes fully only in heaven. He is always coming into our lives here on earth. He comes when we pray. He comes when we study, when we do our duties diligently. He comes through the struggle to conquer temptations, trials, and defects. He comes when we make an effort to be holy. The Advent readings invite us to be vigilant, to be ready to receive the Lord who is coming. The first reading says God is "our Father, our Redeemer from old is his na...

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 34TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 2ND DECEMBER 2023 Dan.7:15-27; Dan.3; Luke 21:34-36 Do not be carried away! Today is the last day of this liturgical year. For some time now Jesus has been talking to his disciples (and to us, by extension) about the end that is to come; the inescapable end. Today, he admonished the disciples to be watchful always so that the end does not take them by surprise. The end will be surprising only for those who did not prepare for it. Furthermore, Jesus enumerated those things that could make us “sleep” rather than keep watch for the coming of the Son of Man: dissipation, drunkenness and cares of this life. In sum, they point to being overwhelmed by the things of this world to the extent that we either doubt the second coming of Christ or we treat it with levity. The consistent talk on the end is an attempt to draw our attention in an irrevocable manner to this all-important truth. Sometimes, it is when we hear or experience t...

Reflection/Homily for Friday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time 1st December 2023  Daniel 7:2-14. Daniel 3:53,54,55,56,57,58,59. Luke 21:29-33. In the first reading, we have the apocalyptic vision of Daniel. This vision brings to our mind the end time and the ultimate realisation of the kingdom of God. These visions are not meant to frighten or scare us. They are meant to lead us us to God with a sincere conversion and true repentance. We must keep away from sin  and be prepared to meet our Lord whenever He returns. Even though we are not certain of when this will take place, the truth remains that He will come back again. Today's Gospel features the parable of the fig tree. It can tell Jesus' disciples by simple observation that summer is near. In our own time, the first rains are signs for farmers to start preparing their crops for the next farming season. To prepare adequately to give a good account of our stewardship here on earth before God, every Christian must learn how ...