FR REMI HOMILIES/REFLECTIONS AND SERMONS

Homily for Tuesday of the 17th week in Ordinary time year II  July 30 2024 Jeremiah 14:17-22; Psalm 79; Mathew 13:36-43 Repentance attracts mercy In yesterday's reading, God conveyed to Jeremiah that Israel had become worthless due to her neglect of her "natural habitat." Much like the prodigal son, we often recognize the error of our ways only when we face the severe consequences of our actions. We may persist on a misguided path until we reach its futile end. In today's first reading, Israel comes to her senses. Her plea for mercy is marked by an acknowledgment of her insignificance, foolishness, wickedness, and the unparalleled supremacy of God. This is a crucial lesson for us. While it is true that God is merciful and always welcomes back a sinner who returns to their senses, we must not misconstrue this as God condoning our sins. God's patience is an opportunity for repentance, not a license for obstinacy. The key lies in seeking mercy. True repentance involv...

HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE SEVENTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR I (STS. MARTHA MARY AND LAZARUS - JULY 29, 2024) Jer.13:1-11; Dt.32; Luke 10:38-42 Do not be dismayed: Trust God still Today we celebrate the memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Not much is said of them in the scripture. The faith of Martha and Mary was instrumental in the raising of their brother Lazarus back to life. First they believed that Jesus is able to heal the sick and so when Lazarus was sick, they sent message to Jesus for him to come heal his friend. The statement of Martha and Mary “Lord if you have been here my brother would not have died”, showed that Jesus was expected to have arrived earlier than he actually did. Truly, message was sent to Jesus when Lazarus was sick, for him to come and heal him. The obvious delay of Jesus did not upset Martha and Mary or make them hostile to Jesus for coming “late”. They could have welcomed Jesus with a countenance filled with disappointment at his lateness or th...

Homily for the 17th Sunday in ordinary time year B July 28 2024 2kgs 4:42-44; Psalm 145; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-5 Overcomin the fear of Insufficiency  It is prudent to assess one's capacity before undertaking any project. Embarking on a project without adequate resources often leads to abandonment and subsequent embarrassment. While this principle is generally sound, today's readings teach us that it should not be applied to acts of charity. Planning and executing charity based solely on one's capacity limits the potential of God's abundance. To truly answer the call to give, we need not be sufficient, but willing. The God of abundance will bless our willingness and make it sufficient. As the psalmist proclaims, "You open your hand, Lord, and you satisfy us." Today's first reading and gospel share a common theme. In both narratives, the master instructs that food be distributed to many, despite the servant's reluctance due to the limited supply. How...

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II (JULY 27 2024) Jer.7:1-7; Ps.24; Matthew 13:24-30 Evil does exist: keep overcoming it When God created us, he charged us to be fruitful. Being fruitful means to expand God’s kingdom here on earth. We constantly face interruptions from within and from outside towards fulfilling this God-given purpose. In the gospel reading of yesterday (Matthew 13:18-23) Jesus taught us that lack of openness to God’s Word constitutes distraction from within towards being fruitful. Hence, while others seeds could not grow, those that fell on good soil produced fruits in many folds. The different soils represent the different dispositions of our hearts. In today’s gospel, Jesus gives another parable about the kingdom of God. This parable draws our attention to those distractions from outside that want to make us fruitless. In this parable, an enemy sowed weeds alongside the good seeds in a man’s field. We know that weeds daunt the growth of pla...

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II (STS. JOACHIM AND ANNE JULY 26 2024 Jer.3:14-17; Jer.31; Matthew 3:18-23 Tenets of Parenting Today, we celebrate the memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Clearly no reference is made to them in the scripture. But that does not mean that they are unimportant; rather it goes to show that everything is not in the Bible. The bible is not a historical book but an account of God’s gradual revelation of himself and man’s growing attempts to behold this revelation. However, Jesus says that it is from the fruits that a tree is known. We celebrate this couple for their obvious good work in training a child that God found worthy of being His mother. It is not the case that it was the training that they gave the Blessed Virgin Mary that qualified her to be the mother of God; rather, by bringing her up in uprightness, they  cooperated with the grace of God in her life. The submissiveness of Mary to...

Homily for Thursday of the 16th week in Ordinary time year II July 25 2024 Feast of Saint James St. James, one of the first four Apostles called by Christ Jesus, was the son of Zebedee and the brother of John. He was privileged to witness significant events in Christ's public life, including the Transfiguration and the agony in the Garden. Due to their fervent zeal, Jesus named James and his brother John the "Sons of Thunder." James carried out his apostolate in Judaea and Samaria, preached the Gospel in Spain, and upon returning to Jerusalem, was martyred by beheading under Herod Agrippa around 42 A.D. He was the first Apostle to suffer martyrdom. His remains were later brought to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, which became a renowned pilgrimage site and a sanctuary of faith for all of Europe. In today's Gospel, James and John, with the assistance of their mother, requested to sit at Jesus' right and left in His kingdom. Jesus responded, "Are you able to d...

Homily for Wednesday of the 16th week in Ordinary time year II July 24 2024 Understanding God through Listening  For the past two days, the gospel readings have focused on the theme of listening. Yesterday, Jesus elevated those who listen to Him to the status of being His mother, brothers, and sisters. But what does this listening entail? Jesus answers this question in today's gospel through the parable of the sower. In this parable, the same seeds react differently when they encounter various types of soil. The seed represents the Word of God, and the different soils symbolize the various dispositions of our hearts. Listening is not merely hearing someone speak; it involves properly disposing one's heart to wholeheartedly receive what is being said. The Word of God is alive and active everywhere, destined to bring about transformation when it meets an open heart. When the heart is not open, the Word does not force itself, and transformation is hindered. It is possible to hear ...

HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 16th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II JULY 23 2024 Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps.85; Matthew 12:46-50 Jesus belongs to all The most powerful tool Jesus employed in establishing his Father’s kingdom here on earth is teaching. Jesus was always teaching. He didn’t establish a school with students, neither did he draw out a syllabus. Instead, he would turn every encounter with people to an opportunity to teach them. Such was the case in today’s gospel reading. Mary set out to look for her son. Perhaps she was bordered by the long hours he has been away from home, or his health or even the growing opposition to the Son’s ministry. Infact rumours went round that Jesus was losing his mind. No caring mother or relative will be blind to such situation. The moment Jesus heard that his mother and brethren came for him, he turned the situation to an opportunity to teach. He taught them that his belongingness is not tied only to those with whom he shared blood relation but much m...

Homily for Monday of the 16th week in Ordinary time year II  July  22 2024 Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene  Pope Francis has aptly referred to St. Mary Magdalene as the Apostle to the Apostles. According to St. Luke's Gospel, she was delivered from seven demons, and in response, she demonstrated unwavering love and gratitude to God. She was among the women who accompanied Jesus as He preached the Gospel through towns and villages, and she remained with Him even at the foot of the Cross. In today's Gospel, following the death of our Lord, Mary Magdalene visited the tomb on the first day of the week. Her profound love was rewarded as she became the first person to witness the Risen Lord. She was then entrusted with the mission of announcing Christ's resurrection to the Apostles. We, like Mary Magdalene, are called to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as God loves us. This commandment is the greatest and encapsulates all the laws. Simpl...

Homily for the 16th Sunday in ordinary time year B July 21 2024 Oggi è la sedicesima domenica del tempo ordinario. La Chiesa ci invita a celebrare Christo, Il vero re e pastore compassionevole che redime e ristora il suo populo al padre.  La nostra prima lettura è una profezia messianica, cioè una profezia sulla venuta di Cristo, il messia. La dispersione di un popolo è un segno che qualcosa è andato storto. È un segno di cattiva leadership e fallimento del sistema. Così, come pecore senza pastore, le masse povere devono disperdersi in cerca di sopravvivenza. Questa è l'immagine che vediamo nella prima lettura di oggi dal libro del profeta Geremia. È anche un'immagine evidente in tutto il mondo oggi. Il mondo soffre a causa del fallimento della leadership. Molti leader sono diventati egoisti e individualisti, ingrassando a spese del popolo. Molti leader hanno abbandonato la loro responsabilità ultima di prendersi cura delle persone a loro affidate. Pertanto, la prima lettura po...

Homily for Saturday of the 15th week in Ordinary time year II July 20 2024 Micah 2:1-5; Psalm 10; Mathew 12:14-21 Oppress no one Today's readings offer both assurance and warning: the Lord stands with the poor and fights for their justice. To the poor, He promises justice even in the face of severe cruelty; to the rich, He warns against the illusion that their wealth places them above the law, allowing them to oppress the poor without consequence. This raises an important question: who are the rich and who are the poor?  While financial status is a common measure, it is not the only one. A financially poor person can be rich in certain situations, and a wealthy person can be poor in others. Being rich means having opportunities in specific circumstances, while being poor means lacking those opportunities.  Thus, anyone who uses their privileged position to exploit or make life difficult for another is guilty of oppression, regardless of their financial status. For example, a b...

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II (JULY 19, 2024) Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; Ps. 38; Matthew 12:1-8 Preservation of Life As part of keeping the Sabbath day holy, the Jews were forbidden from plucking grains. This is a way of saying that farmers should not go to their farms on Sabbath day for farming activities. Plucking of grain was seen as harvesting of grain which is a farming activity in itself. It is against this background that the Pharisees observed with displeasure and quickly pointed out to Jesus the “misdeed” of the disciples – they were plucking grains on a Sabbath day. Let us also consider this “misdeed” from another perspective. The disciples were familiar with the law of the Sabbath and how it forbade them from plucking grains. If ever one dares to disobey a law, surely not before the authority. To disobey a law before an authority is to slight the authority too. So, the Pharisees may not only have perceived a disobedience to the Sabbath Law...

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II (JULY 18, 2024) Isaiah 26:7-9,12, 16-19; Ps. 102; Matthew 11:28-30 God is concerned about our distresses The experience of troubles in life is a stark reality; everyone has his/her own share of it. It seems as if in our prayers there can never be a time when we will not have something to pray for. This can be very disturbing especially with the intense suffering that come with many troubles. In all of our troubles, sufferings and confusion, Jesus says to us today that he is aware of what we pass through. This is consoling because our conception of God assures that God is too good to watch his children suffer untold hardship. However, Jesus wants us to understand that he is always ready to give us rest. The rest Jesus gives us could either be to entirely take away certain troubles tormenting us or to assist us in bearing some difficulties so that we are not consumed by them. Jesus also gives us rest by preventing us fro...

HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II (JULY 17 2024) Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16; Ps. 94; Matthew 11:25-27 To the humble, God is truly revealed In the first reading of today, Assyria is condemned because she trusted in her might and ascribed to herself all that the Lord had done for and through her. She became a god unto herself. By this very fact, she became foolish, for Ps. 14:1 puts it clearly: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’…”. She was foolish, for although she was great, she forgot that the Lord made her great. Failure to acknowledge the presence and workings of God in our lives will make us think and feel that we can do without Him. In the prayer made by Jesus to his heavenly Father in the gospel, we see that God is attracted towards humility. He is moved when we acknowledge and live by the truth of our dependence on him, for only then can we be prayerful; the proud is never motivated to pray. The image of infants is used to depict the humil...

Homily for Tuesday of the 15th week in Ordinary time year II July 16 2024 Isaiah 7:1-9; Psalm 48; Mathew 11:20-24 Jesus expressed disappointment with the cities where He had performed most of His mighty works, as they were neither receptive nor responsive. The extraordinary works of God, which surpass human expectations and capabilities, are intended to communicate His awesomeness and holiness to us. Through His magnificent presence and actions among us, God seeks to draw us closer to Him, for indeed, He is "something more than gold." Regrettably, these cities chose merely to be entertained by God's mighty works. They failed to be moved in their hearts to abandon their former ways and did not recognize the greatness of God before them. It may surprise us to realize that we too sometimes fail to perceive God's greatness. Acknowledging God's greatness goes beyond worship; it necessarily involves being drawn to Him. Just as people leave their jobs for better-paying o...

Homily for Monday of the 15th week in Ordinary time year II July 15 2024 Isaiah 1:10-17; Psalm 50; Mathew 10:34-11:1 In today's first reading, Prophet Isaiah addresses the people of Israel and Judah, not Sodom and Gomorrah. He uses the terms "rulers of Sodom" and "people of Gomorrah" to highlight the extent of immorality that had engulfed Israel and Judah, making them detestable to the Lord. Isaiah's prophecy came at a time when the people were lamenting. Besieged by their enemies and devoid of hope for a bright future, they cried out to the Lord in the Temple, expecting an oracle of salvation—a miracle, as we might call it today. Instead, they received condemnation from the Lord, which was both surprising and unexpected. The condemnation stemmed from their immorality and deeds, which amounted to a rejection of God. They believed that attending Temple worship and offering sacrifices would appease God, making Him indifferent to their daily actions. They ass...

Homily for Sunday of the 15th week in Ordinary time year B July 14 2024 Amos: 7:12-15; Psalm 85; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13 When embarking on a journey, people often strive to prepare for every possible scenario, leaving nothing to chance. Yet, they frequently return home having used only a fraction of what they brought, questioning the necessity of their extensive preparations. Conversely, some prefer to travel with only the essentials, confident that they can acquire any additional needs upon reaching their destination. In today's gospel reading, Jesus provides the twelve disciples with remarkably minimalist instructions for their journey. He advises them to take nothing except a staff for walking and sandals for their feet, emphasizing their reliance on God's provision and the hospitality of those they encounter. What relevance does this gospel reading hold for us today? We are all, in a sense, sent on a mission by the Lord, akin to Amos in the first reading and the tw...

Homily for Saturday of the 14th week in Ordinary time year II July 13 2024 Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 93; Mathew 10:24-33 Jesus has been equipping His disciples with guidelines for effective evangelization. Today, He reveals the ultimate goal of these instructions. First, Jesus emphasizes that a disciple is never above the teacher; at most, the disciple can be like the teacher. This teaches us that only Jesus deserves our ultimate discipleship, as He alone is Almighty. If the Almighty is our limit, then we can be considered unlimited. Let us remain conscious of this divine affinity, especially in the face of persecution. It is worthwhile to endure suffering for bearing the name of Christ. I solemnly assure you, God will never forsake you. Jesus further encourages transparency in adhering to the tenets of the gospel. We are transparent when our actions and inactions, whether public or private, are justifiable. If publicity threatens our clandestine actions, we may need to retrace our steps. Le...

Homily for Friday of the 14th week in Ordinary time year II July 12 2024 Hosea 14:1-9; Psalm 51; Mathew 10:16-23 Repaying Unfaithfulness with Faithfulness Despite Israel's sinfulness, the Lord does not wait for her to repent before reaching out. He passionately calls her to Himself for restoration. While God has nothing to gain from Israel's repentance, Israel stands to gain everything from her intimacy with the Lord. Yet, it is the Lord who extends His hand of fellowship towards Israel, repaying her unfaithfulness with faithfulness. This is a challenging practice for humans. Love between individuals grows when reciprocated. When one partner loves without being loved in return, the relationship can become frustrating and unhealthy. In the gospel reading, Jesus tells His disciples that to succeed in their mission, they must be prepared to endure cruelty from those they minister to. Despite their sacrifices to bring the gospel to people's doorsteps, the message will not alway...

Homily for Thursday of the 14th week in Ordinary time year II July 11 2024 Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9; Psalm 80; Mathew 10:7-15 Our God is compassion and love Temptation can be very alluring, but after succumbing to it, we often feel embarrassed. Each time we sin, we regret our actions or words. Despite this regret, we sometimes find ourselves repeating the same sins, which can be both embarrassing and frustrating. This frustration has led some individuals to distance themselves from the Sacrament of Reconciliation, feeling tired of confessing the same sins repeatedly and doubting their ability to avoid sinning again. Today's first reading reassures us of God's compassion. Even when we are frustrated by our failings, God is never frustrated with us; He does not give up on us. God loved Israel from its infancy, a time when Israel was innocent and incapable of making decisions. Therefore, God's love is not motivated by anything Israel has done; His love is unconditional. In the first ...

Homily for Wednesday of the 14th week in Ordinary time year II July 10 2024 Hosea 10:1-4, 7-8; Psalm 105; Matthew 10:1-7 We bear the name of God  Today's gospel reading introduces us to the names of Jesus Christ's disciples and highlights the authority He bestowed upon them—authority to cast out unclean spirits and heal every disease and infirmity. Names are significant as they designate identity. Being called by our name indicates that the caller knows us personally. This is why when a stranger calls us by our name, we often wonder how they know us. When God calls us, it is not arbitrary. He calls us by our names because He knows us intimately. In Isaiah 43:1, God tells us that He has called us by our names because we belong to Him. Jesus knew the personalities and conditions of His disciples before calling them. God's calling by our names signifies not just familiarity but a deep, personal interest in each of us. Unlike a manager who can only attend to one person or group...

Homily for Tuesday of the 14th week in Ordinary time year II July 9 2024 Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13; Psalm 115; Mathew 9:32-38 The Sovereignty of the Divine  At times, one might perceive Christianity as an onerous path, as it seemingly restricts us from heeding our innate desires and passions. Embracing God's will requires a conscious renunciation of secular temptations. The initial scripture reading confronts us with the human tendency to neglect God's preeminence, seeking fulfillment independently. Through Prophet Hosea, the Almighty unequivocally states that life devoid of His presence equates to self-destruction. Analogous to fish perishing outside their aquatic habitat, we are reminded, "Apart from me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5). The concept of spiritual demise is juxtaposed with the life-affirming union with the Divine in the gospel narrative. Under Jesus' dominion, we are liberated from the erratic influences of evil. The co-regency of Christ and malevolence i...

Homily for Monday of the  14th week in Ordinary time year II June 8 2024 Hosea 2:14, 15-16,19-20; Psalm 145, Mathew 9:18-26 Exemplifying audacious Faith Today's gospel narrative offers compelling instances of audacious faith exhibited by two distinct individuals. The first account is of a ruler who approached Jesus, not with a plea for healing the ailing, but with an extraordinary request for the resurrection of his deceased daughter. Such a plea could only stem from a profound belief in Jesus' ability to restore life. Upon Jesus' arrival at the ruler's residence, he encountered a crowd in mourning and informed them that the child was merely asleep. This declaration was met with laughter, despite their tears. Their reaction suggests familiarity with Jesus' miraculous healings, yet the concept of resurrecting the dead seemed beyond their expectations. Initially, they might have harbored hopes that Jesus would arrive sooner. Nevertheless, the ruler's faith remaine...

Homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary time year B July 7 2024 Ezekiel 2:2-5; Psalm 123; 2Cor 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6 In today's readings, a profound message is conveyed to both the congregation and the ministers. The essence of the prophetic ministry is not measured by the acceptance of the Word but by the faithfulness in delivering it. The Lord, through Ezekiel, reminds us that success in ministry is not about the response of the people but about the integrity of the message delivered. The homily emphasizes that a minister's worth is not diminished by rejection or personal weaknesses. Instead, these challenges serve as reminders of our shared humanity and the need for compassion. The minister is called not to seek approval but to remain steadfast in truth, regardless of the reception. The Gospel presents the challenge of familiarity, where Jesus himself is not spared from being underestimated due to his known background. This serves as a lesson to value the message over the messe...

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II (JULY 06 2024) Amos 9:11-15; Ps. 85; Matthew 9:14-17 The Truth Restores The first reading of today concludes the prophecy of Amos. It is often seen as an addition to the prophecy of Amos after the return from exile. Unlike the impending doom that has characterized the prophecy of Amos, this concluding part gives a positive ending. The rich who marginalize the poor vehemently turned down God’s warning and invitation to repentance through Prophet Amos. And so, they went into exile on account of their sins and stubbornness. The restoration of Israel comes after the return from exile. This gives us a perfect picture of God’s intention for us all. God is never interested in the death of anyone; not even a sinner. We may think that we are the ones asking for God’s redemption, but in truth, it is God who never seizes to seek an opportunity to save us. He has made us in his image and likeness; and so, He ultimately does not w...

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II (JULY 05, 2024) Amos 8:4-6.9-12; Ps.119; Matthew 9:9-13 The strong needs to support the weak Yesterday, we saw that God understands us best and always gives us what is most important. In today’s gospel, Jesus saw Matthew but not as others did. While others saw him as a tax collector who joined forces with the Roman Government to oppress the people and who would also increase the people’s tax for his personal gain, Jesus saw a candidate for conversion. Because, Jesus saw Matthew differently, he acted differently towards him: Jesus called him. Jesus called him not to condole his vices but to transform him. When the Pharisees saw this, their attention was focused on the sinfulness of Matthew and not on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Their complaint rather revealed that they did not have a good understanding of who Jesus is and what he can do. They knew that Jesus is capable of performing miracles but they never knew th...

Homily for Tuesday of the 13th week in Ordinary time year II July 2 2024 Amos 3:1-8, 4:11-12, psalm 5, Mathew 8:23-27 The Sufficiency of Divine Presence  Unconsciousness defines sleep, rendering one incapable of decision-making or action. Imagine a scenario where a slumbering policeman is unable to assist during a nocturnal burglary. Similarly, in the gospel account, we find Jesus asleep in a boat, a testament to His complete humanity. Yet, it is remarkable that even as a tempest threatened to engulf the vessel, Jesus remained in slumber. The disciples, aware of His miraculous powers, held firm in their belief that He could intervene. Their plea, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing," reflects a faith contingent on awakening the dormant Messiah. Life's tumultuous episodes often parallel the disciples' predicament, compelling us to 'rouse' Jesus within our tribulations. Despite our convictions of His ability to aid, His silence seems interminable. Jesus' admoni...

Homily for Monday of the 13th week in ordinary time year II June 29 2024 Amos 2:6-10, 13-16; Psalm 50; Mathew 8:18-22 Divine summon and our dedication  A visionary leader equips their followers with the foresight to anticipate the challenges of a new venture, coupled with the reassurance of triumph. In today's gospel, Jesus candidly outlines the sacrifices entailed in discipleship to a Scribe who expressed a desire to follow Him. The motivations of the Scribe remain unclear, yet it is evident that the journey of discipleship would not mirror the prestige associated with his current role. Christianity calls for a life of service, and without a heart for service, one may find the faith unfulfilling. Jesus remarked that the Son of Man had no place to rest His head, posing a paradox: How could one so dedicated to benevolence lack even the most basic provisions? The underlying lesson is the asymmetry of kindness; the good we do may not always be reciprocated. Christian living demands a ...