Please read this passage before reading the homily.
The letter to Philemon is the smallest letter of Paul. Onesimus was a runaway slave of his master Philemon. He had gone to Paul where he was converted to faith in Christ. Although Paul could have used Onesimus himself, he sent him back to his master.
Masters could punish severely runaway slaves. Philemon could have punished Onesimus, even had him killed. When Paul sent him back, he was hoping that Philemon would welcome him home as a brother because, through baptism, Onesimus had become one with Christ and one with Philemon.
Onesimus, the runaway slave, was useless to his master. Onesimus’s name means My Favorite, was useless to his master, Philemon, whose name means Beloved. Onesimus, the runaway slave who was useless to his master, because useful to St Paul and St Paul sent him back home so that useless one could become useful to his master.
Paul did not command Philemon to give his slave freedom, but instead he strongly encouraged Philemon to give him his freedom as a brother in Christ.
What was Onesimus? He was a useless runaway slave who had done much harm to his master. On the other hand, through the teaching of St Paul and the grace of baptism, this enemy of Philemon had become a friend and much beloved brother to Philemon.
We have many Onesimuses in our lives. They are useless to us and are likewise our sisters and brothers who are useful to God. We have to welcome them as beloved sisters and brothers in God and as co-workers in the work of the gospel. We have to love them, respect them, and work with them as co-workers chosen by God.