Reflections by Fr Mathibela Sebothoma

  Homily for Saturday, 20 June 2026 Matthew 6:24-34 Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time Introduction Today I want to speak to you about one of the greatest struggles of the human heart: worry. Many people carry invisible burdens. They smile in public while privately asking difficult questions: "Will I have enough?" "What if things go wrong?" "What will happen to my family?" "Am I going to be okay?" Anxiety is one of the most common human experiences. It affects the rich and the poor, the young and the old, believers and non-believers. Yet in today's Gospel, Jesus addresses this universal human condition with astonishing boldness. He tells us: "Do not worry about your life." At first glance that sounds impossible. But Jesus is not denying reality. He is inviting us into a deeper reality: trust in God's loving providence. Life Story A man once said to his friend: "I have solved all my worries." His friend aske...

  Homily for Friday, 19 June 2026 Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time Matthew 6:19-23 Introduction Today's Gospel speaks directly to one of the deepest human experiences: the search for fulfilment. Every human being is searching for something. We search for happiness, security, recognition, success, love, peace, and purpose. Yet many people discover that after obtaining what they thought would satisfy them, there is still an emptiness within. The human heart has a hunger that material things cannot completely satisfy. Jesus understands this hunger. That is why He speaks today about treasures, vision, and the condition of the heart. Life Story A wealthy businessman spent his entire life accumulating possessions. He owned several houses, luxury cars, expensive watches, and investments. One day he told his wife, "When I die, I want all my money buried with me." His wife promised. At the funeral, just before the coffin was lowered, she placed a small envelope inside....

  Youth of Pretoria Gather in Faith and Courage to Commemorate Youth Day 2026 By Fr. Mathibela Sebothoma BRONKHORSTSPRUIT, GAUTENG – 16 June 2026 Hundreds of young Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Pretoria, accompanied by priests, religious sisters, religious brothers, youth leaders, catechists, and adult supporters, gathered at Sizanani Conference Centre in Bronkhorstspruit on 16 June 2026 to commemorate Youth Day and honour the memory of the courageous young people whose sacrifice during the 1976 Soweto Uprising altered the course of South African history. The gathering was more than an annual Youth Day celebration. It was a profound encounter of faith, remembrance, discipleship, and hope. It united young people from different deaneries, backgrounds, languages, cultures, and social circumstances under one theme inspired by the words of Christ: "Take Courage; I Have Overcome the World" (John 16:33). The day provided an opportunity for the Church to remember the legac...

Rev. Fr Wiseman Sihawu April Nkomo Faithful Shepherd, Scholar, Pastor, Mentor and Servant of Human Dignity A Tribute and Obituary By Fr Mathibela Sebothoma The Catholic Church in the Kingdom of Eswatini, throughout Southern Africa, and beyond its borders mourns the passing of Rev. Fr Wiseman Sihawu April Nkomo , a devoted priest of the Diocese of Manzini whose life was a profound witness to faith, service, scholarship, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the people of God. Fr Wiseman passed away peacefully on 6 June 2026 following a period of illness. His death has left a deep void in the hearts of bishops, priests, religious, seminarians, lay faithful, friends, former students, colleagues, and countless people whose lives were touched by his ministry. His passing prompted an extraordinary outpouring of tributes from every corner of the Church. The voices that emerged in grief and gratitude revealed not only the priest he was, but also the man he was: intelligent yet ...