FR REMI HOMILIES/REFLECTIONS AND SERMONS

Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent year A (Gaudete Sunday) Isaiah 35:1-6,10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 Theme: Be a collaborator to Jesus in the restoration of Joy In the Gospel reading of today, we are told: "when John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing,  he sent word by his disciples and said to him, 'Are you the one who is to come or are we to wait for another?" (Mt 112-3).  This was a strange scenario that could spur one to ask:  *Was John doubting Jesus as the Messiah? *Was John having mere difficulties in comprehending the ways and methods of Jesus?  *Was John trying to convince his disciples who were jealous of Jesus and his disciples that Jesus was indeed the Messiah? Remember,  John's disciples said to John:" Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him" (Jn 3:25-26). Remember, a similar question was earlier posed by the priests and Levites to John the Baptist: ...

Homily for Saturday of the 2nd week of Advent Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11;Matthew 17:10-13 "Do not be blind to the revelations of God" The First reading speaks of one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament, the person of Prophet Elijah. Elijah means "My God is Yahweh". During the reign of King Ahab, he was popularly known to have defeated the prophets of Baal at mount Carmel, ending the Phoenician deity of fertility (1 Kings 16:29-34). The first reading tells us today: "Then Elijah arose, a prophet like fire, and his word burned like a torch" (Sirach 48:1). Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, by the virtue of our common priesthood which has a prophetic role, and having consumed the word of God this morning,  we must like Elijah, all of us be afire with the Holy Spirit who was specially given to us at the sacrament of baptism and confirmation. We must be like burning torches by our word and example. We must reflect in our deeds the fruits of the Holy Spi...

Homily for Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent Isaiah 48:17-19; Matthew 11:16-19. The Prophet Isaiah tells us in the First Reading: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. O that you had listened to my commandments!" (Isa.17-18). Prophet Isaiah announces the Lord's presence who teaches us the way we should go and makes us earn the profit. Despite all that God does for us, we continue to reject Christ's teachings and suffer for the consequences of this rejection like the Jews in today's Gospel who find something wrong with everything done by Jesus. They are so obstinately preoccupied with frivolous activities, petty disputes and a public show of their piety that they are unable to see the plan of God being fulfilled and the work of God being carried out by our Lord Jesus Christ and John the Baptist. Jesus wad criticised for eating in a carefree manner and yet when John the Baptist came with an austere lifestyle, he w...

Homily for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Genesis 3:9-16,20. Psalm 98:1,2-3ab,3cd-4. Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12. Luke 1:26-38. "Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, full of grace through God was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854: 'The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin'" (CCC 491). To St. Bernadette who had questioned her many times, the Blessed Virgin Mary answered, "I am the Immaculate Conception". With these words our Lady clearly revealed that she is not only conceived without sin, but she is moreover the very "Immaculate Conception". The Immaculate Conception is the na...

Homily for Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Advent Memorial of St. Ambrose (Bishop and Doctor of the Church) Isaiah 40:25-31; Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus in today's Gospel sends out a tender and loving invitation to all those who are sorrowful, perplexed, wearied out, suffering, down cast etc. He says: "Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt.11:28). Jesus understands the weariness of our labour; the weight of our burdens; the weakness of our body and spirit. He compares our daily burdens to a yoke that oxen are forced to carry. He contrasts it with His yoke which is easy and light. Let us present all our burdens before Him and find rest for our souls. Nothing can be hidden from God. All our ways are constantly laid bare before Him. Prophet Isaiah promised that all those who wait on the Lord in the First Reading will be renewed in strength: "But they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with the wings li...

Homily for Tuesday of the 2nd week of Advent Isaiah 40:1-11; Ps.96; Matthew 18:12-14 In the first reading, we observe 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 deny through life of sin. The moment we show signs 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 actually seek revenge. The true test of your strength is...

Homily for Monday of the 2nd Week of Advent Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 5:17-26. In the First Reading, we hold an extraordinary notification of yearning, expectancy, and hope from the Prophet Isaiah exclusively like the populace of Israel of old, when he said: "Say to those who are of fearful heart, 'Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you" (Isa.35:4). These proclamations are accomplished in the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ who has come to redeem and liberate us from sin and death.  Beloved in Christ, notwithstanding the difficulties we pass through at these challenging moments as a nation, let us be reassured and comforted with these proclamations for we have a God who is ever trustworthy,  reliable, and faithful, who never forsaken those who put their confidence and conviction in Him. Jesus will counter, obliterate and save us from spiritual and natural catastrophes and tragedies as He did in toda...