FR REMI HOMILIES/REFLECTIONS AND SERMONS

Homily for Tuesday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time year II Titus 2:1-8,11-14; Luke 17:7-10. St. Paul admonished Titus in yesterday's First Reading concerning those in position of authority in the Church especially Bishops and priests. Today's First Reading he addresses the lay faithful made up of the family which is the domestic Church. He instructed Titus to teach what befits sound doctrine; his teaching must never discredit God's word. He urges us to be models of good deeds that will be emulated by Christians and non-Christians as well as young and old alike. It is a call to live devoutly, humbly and with integrity; to live simply and carry out our daily duties not for external recognition, praise or reward but by the simple desire to meet the needs and demands of those around us without counting the cost or even being reminded to do the good we ought to do. It is in doing what we ought to do without seeking reward that the word of Jesus in today's Gospel becomes ap

Homily for Monday of the 32nd week in the Ordinary Time, year II Titus 1:1-9; Luke 17:1-6. Theme:  Leadership qualities  It is commonly said: "The supreme quality of a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it no real success is attainable... He must know the way, go the way, and shows the way". The First Reading starts from the Letter of St. Paul to one of his young disciples, Titus. As an elder, St. Paul chastises him on how to designate elders (bishop) in every town as he (Paul) was directing him. A bishop according to Paul must be "God's steward, blameless, not arrogant or quick-tempered or violent or greedy for gain, must be hospitable, a lover of goodness, master of himself, upright, holy and self-controlled" (Tit.1:7-8). These are qualities demanded from every Christian also especially those in positions of authority like Bishops, priests, deacons, religious brothers and sisters, and even catechists. It is in exhibiting a high moral standard that we

Homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38 THEME: THE AFFIRMATION OF LIFE AFTER DEATH There was a gathering of children from different parts of the world, and a teacher asked what each child would like to be in future. Some children from advanced countries were the first to put up their hands. One confidently said: “I want to be a Lawyer”; another said, “I want to be a Doctor.” But one of the children coming from a developing country where infant mortality was very high gently raised her hand and when the teacher pointed at her to speak up, she simply said, “I want to be alive.” A strange answer, this may sound funny and unbelievable. However, given the surrounding in which this child was growing up, there is some wisdom in the answer. If you are giving the same question: “What will you like to be after death”? There will be all kinds of answers. Some will say: “I do not know.” Others will say, “I will like to be

Homily for Saturday of the 31st week in the ordinary time. year II Philippians' 4:10-19; Luke 16:9-15 Theme: How do you utilize your resources? The gospel reading of today is a continuation of that of yesterday. Jesus told his disciples a story in which a dishonest steward is praised for being astute. Today, Jesus continues to draw out virtues that are worthy of emulation from the action of the steward namely: using unrighteous mammon to make friends for yourselves. The premises on which this is built is the fact that mammon will not last forever and that there are things greater and of more value than mammon. Money is nothing compared to companionship both with God and with fellow humans. So as the steward used the money at his disposal to build human relationship, it is something commendable. Now, the one way money can enhance relationship is when it is used as instrument of charity. So when Jesus asked that we make friends with unrighteous mammon, he is invariably asking us to d

Homily for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, year II (St. Charles Borromeo) Philippians 3:17-21; 4:1; Lk.16:1-8 In the first reading of today, St. Paul writes: "Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me" (Phil 3:17). This is a strong acknowledgment from St. Paul that exemplary life matters.  For Christianity is not a religion of ethical codes, precepts and maxims but a religion manifest in one's practical life. It a religion that speaks primarily of the life of Christ Jesus and secondarily of the lives of the followers of Christ. Beloved in Christ, following the position of St. Paul, it is pertinent to note that the preacher's words are immaterial if they are not enforced and illustrated by his life.  Friends in Christ, can you confidently say that your way of life as at now is a genuine Gospel for others to follow. Does your way of life lead others to glorify God? St. Paul reminds us that as Christians "Our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil 3:20). He

Homily for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Philippians 3:3-8; Luke 15:1-10 Theme: *DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF KNOWING CHRIST JESUS?  *HOW DO YOU TREAT SINNERS? In the first reading, St. Paul writes: "I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Phil 3:8). Obviously,  all that St. Paul initially regarded as glory before his conversion, he now counts as nothing because he had come to know Christ Jesus. St. Paul used to find glory in many priveleges before his conversion: He was proud of being circumcised on the 8th day, proud of belonging to Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, proud to be born of a Hebrew origin and became a Pharisee. However,  when he encountered Christ Jesus, he submitted completely to the faith of the church and mission of preaching the Gospel. Hence, for St. Paul, if anyone must boast of anything, let him boast of Christ Jesus, the Lord ( 1Cor 1:31). Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, as a C

Homily for the memorial of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls).  Wisdom 3:1-9c  Psalm 23:1-3,4,5,6  Romans 5:5-11 Matthew 5:1-12a Lyrics: When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my Soul Chorus: It is well (it is well) With my Soul (with my Soul) It is well, it is well with my Soul Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, we celebrated "All Saints", those  who already enjoy God's life and happiness in full in heaven. Today we commemorate "All Soul" those who are in dare need of our prayers as they are in  Purgatory, still being purified of the remains of sin. Thus, we remember all our loved ones, all those who began this journey with us but have now transited, those marked with the sign of the cross,, that God in his infinite mercy and compassion may harken to our prayers and grant them liberation. The Church therefore is composed of those in heaven (