Reflections by Fr Mathibela Sebothoma

  Short Homily – Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter (2025) Theme: “Obedient to God Rather Than to Human Beings” Readings: Acts 5:17–26 | Psalm 34:2–3, 4–5, 6–7, 8–9 | John 3:16–21 Jubilee Year Focus: “Hope Does Not Disappoint” (Romans 5:5) 🌅 Today’s readings present us with two bold truths: God’s love is so deep that He gave His only Son for our salvation. When that love takes root in us, we are no longer afraid to stand for what is right , even when others resist or threaten us. 😊 We know what it means to stand up when the pressure says, “Sit down.” We know the courage of those who resisted injustice. As Christians, our courage doesn’t come from anger—it comes from knowing that the light is stronger than the darkness , and that truth cannot be silenced . 📖 In John 3:16–21 , Jesus gives us one of the most powerful lines in Scripture: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son...” But He doesn’t stop there—He also tells us that some will pref...

  Short Homily – Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter (2025) Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena Theme: “Lifted Up to Give Life” Readings: Acts 4:32–37 | Psalm 93 | John 3:7b–15 Jubilee Year Focus: “Hope Does Not Disappoint” (Romans 5:5) 🌅 Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena , a bold woman of faith who knew that the love of Christ lifts us from fear into courage, from death into life. In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up —that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. The Cross is not the end—it is the beginning of true life . 😊 Sometimes we think holiness is for the few or the famous. But Saint Catherine, a young woman with little formal education, became a Doctor of the Church because she said “yes” to God with her whole heart. You don't need fancy words to be holy—you just need a heart on fire . 📖 In John 3:7b–15 , Jesus speaks with Nico...

  Short Homily – Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday 2025) Theme: “Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen and Yet Believe” Readings: Acts 4:32–35 | Psalm 118:2–4, 13–15, 22–24 | 1 John 5:1–6 | John 20:19–31 Jubilee Year Focus: “Hope Does Not Disappoint” (Romans 5:5) 🌅 Today we celebrate the beautiful feast of Divine Mercy , a gift from the heart of the Risen Jesus to the whole world. It is mercy, not judgment, that pours out of the wounds of Christ. Today, Jesus comes to us, just like He came to the fearful disciples, saying: “Peace be with you.” 😊 If you’ve ever forgotten to say "sorry" to someone and still got a hug anyway—you have a tiny glimpse of Divine Mercy. Mercy means that even before we sort ourselves out, God has already sorted His love for us. 📖 In John 20:19–31 , we meet two groups of people: The fearful disciples hiding behind locked doors. And Thomas , who struggles to believe without seeing. Jesus does not scold them. Instead, He br...

  Friends of St John Vianney Seminary Host Five-Star Inaugural Memorial Lecture and Fundraising Dinner By Fr Mathibela Sebothoma | Pretoria | 24 April 2025 In what is set to become one of the most distinguished occasions on the Catholic calendar in Southern Africa, the Friends of St John Vianney Seminary will host the inaugural St John Vianney Memorial Lecture and Fundraising Dinner on 27 April 2025 , aligning with South Africa’s Freedom Day celebrations. The prestigious event will be held at Akasia Community Hall in Pretoria , aimed at raising crucial funds to support the seminary’s mission and ongoing upkeep. Taking place just one day after the burial of Pope Francis , the gathering will open with a moment of silence in tribute to the late pontiff, placing the evening in both a global and spiritual context. Project Manager and Event Coordinator, Mr Ndhlabule Shongwe , expressed immense gratitude for the public’s enthusiasm. “Excitement is mounting and reaching fever pitc...

  Short Homily – Thursday in the Octave of Easter Theme: “Peace Be With You – Witnesses of the Risen Lord” Readings: Acts 3:11–26 | Psalm 8 | Luke 24:35–48 Jubilee Year Focus: “Hope Does Not Disappoint” (Romans 5:5) Special Note: As we prepare for the burial of Pope Francis, we pray in gratitude for his humble service, courageous witness, and lasting legacy. May his soul rest in peace, and may the global Church be comforted in this time of mourning. 🌅 We continue walking in the light of Easter morning. The Risen Lord appears once again—this time to His disciples in Jerusalem. In today’s Gospel, Jesus doesn’t scold or shame them. He simply offers peace: “Peace be with you.” It is the peace of resurrection—calm after fear, clarity after confusion, life after death . 😊 One young boy said, “If Jesus keeps appearing out of nowhere after rising, He must have liked playing hide and seek!” And in a way, yes—Jesus shows us that He finds us , even when we are hiding in fear or gu...

  Short Homily – Wednesday in the Octave of Easter Theme: “Were Not Our Hearts Burning?” Readings: Acts 3:1–10 | Psalm 105 | Psalm 118:24 | Luke 24:13–35 Jubilee Year Theme: “Hope Does Not Disappoint” (Romans 5:5) Special Note: We join the Church in preparing for the burial of Pope Francis. May he rest in peace, and may the Church be comforted in her mourning. 🌅 Easter continues to unfold. Today we meet the two disciples on the road to Emmaus—walking in sadness, unaware that Hope Himself is walking right beside them. This is one of the most human and relatable moments in the Resurrection story: not a thunderclap of glory, but a quiet walk, broken hearts, a meal—and recognition . 😊 If Jesus were walking next to you today, would you recognise Him? In South Africa, we often walk long distances—whether to school, to work, to church. We greet, we talk, we reflect. But how often do we recognise Jesus in the person beside us or even within our own struggles? 📖 In Luke 24:13...

  Short Homily – Tuesday in the Octave of Easter Theme: “Recognising the Risen Lord” Readings: Acts 2:36–41 | Psalm 33 | Psalm 118:24 | John 20:11–18 We offer prayers and condolences on the death of Pope Francis. May his soul rest in peace and his legacy of humility and compassion endure. T oday we journey with Mary Magdalene, who moves from tears to testimony. Her story mirrors our own: sometimes we weep, we feel lost, and then suddenly, Christ calls us by name. Easter is not only about celebration—it's about recognition, transformation, and mission. If Mary Magdalene were South African, she might have said, “Hai Jesu, is it really You?” when she finally realised who was standing before her. Sometimes, like Mary, we look right at Jesus—but we only see the gardener. It takes a moment of grace to see Him clearly. In John 20:11–18, Mary’s grief clouds her vision. She looks for a dead body, but Jesus stands alive before her. Only when He says, “Mary,” does she recognise Him. Why? B...

  Homily & Reflection: "Keep Me Safe, O God, You Are My Hope" Monday in the Octave of Easter Alleluia! Jesus is alive! You know, Easter Monday is a bit like leftovers after a great Sunday braai—still full of flavour, still worth celebrating! The resurrection joy doesn't stop at Easter Sunday. In fact, for us in the Church, it’s so good, we stretch it for eight whole days! Actually until Pentecost. It’s like that uncle who doesn’t want to leave the wedding party, still dancing long after the DJ has packed up—except in this case, he’s right! We should keep celebrating. In Acts 2, Peter stands up boldly, no longer the man who denied Jesus. He proclaims that Jesus—crucified and risen—is both Lord and Messiah. What changed him? The Resurrection. The Holy Spirit. Hope. Psalm 16, our responsorial today, says: “Keep me safe, O God, you are my hope.” This isn’t the naive hope. It’s a resurrected hope—a hope grounded in the real victory of Christ over death. The Gospel (Matthew...