Jesuit Communications (JesCom) Philippines has published an anthology of the homilies of Fr Arnel Aquino SJ entitled, Empty boats…full nets. All proceeds of the book will go toward the education and training of Jesuit scholastics in Arrupe International Residence, an international work of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP).
The book contains 58 homilies arranged by evangelist and a few of them are homilies on feast days and vows. All of them draw from Fr Aquino’s life experiences throughout his nearly 30-year journey with the Society of Jesus as a musician, theologian and priest. The book aims to communicate the poignant message of a deep, personal encounter of Christ himself.
“Fr Arnel Aquino SJ demonstrates the point on preaching raised by Pope Francis… [He] elegantly writes these reflections about Jesus, faith, life and human experience using Gospel passages ‘to encourage the practice of good,’” writes JCAP Fr Tony Moreno SJ in his foreword to the book.
Fr Aquino was initially hesitant to publish a book of his homilies but finally agreed because of the cause behind its publication.
“My friends had been urging me to compile them into a book. In my head, homilies are for free. Then, we found a worthy cause for the sales of the book,” Fr Aquino, who is part of the Arrupe International Residence community, told JesCom Philippines.
The book’s sales will benefit young Jesuits from Asia Pacific, South Asia, Africa and Europe studying at Loyola School of Theology and Ateneo de Manila University, a good number of whom are on scholarship.
“It is often said that the future of the Church comes from Asia and Africa where there is growth in vocation, emerging leadership and vibrancy in the way the faith is lived,” writes Fr Moreno. “Readers of this anthology will be part of the mission to assist and accompany future church ministries in this part of the globe.”
Empty boats…full nets: an anthology of homilies is available on Jescom Philippines and at the Tanging Yaman store located on the campus of Ateneo de Manila University.
