Reflections by Fr Mathibela Sebothoma

  Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Zephaniah 3:14–18 or Romans 12:9–16 Isaiah 12:2–6 (Responsorial Psalm) Luke 1:39–56 – Mary set out and travelled in haste to the hill country… 🕊️ Theme: “She Carried Christ and Shared Him With Joy” Introduction – When Good News Moves You When South Africans receive good news—like passing matric, getting a job, or expecting a child—what’s the first thing we do? We tell someone. We visit. We celebrate. That’s exactly what Mary did after receiving her good news from the angel. A Journey of Faith, Love, and Service Mary doesn’t sit still after the Annunciation. She sets out in haste —not for her own comfort, but to serve someone else: her cousin Elizabeth. She brings Christ in her womb and joy in her heart . Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognises what many others could not: “ Blessed are you among women! ” Two women. Two unborn children. And the Spirit of God dancing between them. Mary responds wit...

  Homily – Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter Acts 18:9–18 – The Lord tells Paul in a vision, “Do not be afraid… I am with you.” Psalm 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 – “God is king of all the earth.” John 16:20–23 – “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” 🕊️ Theme: “Your Sorrow Will Turn Into Joy” Introduction – Tears Don’t Have the Last Word There’s a Sesotho saying: “Metsi a mafura a lala a butsoe ke letsatsi” – “Oily water left overnight is cleared by the morning sun.” In the same way, sorrow may visit for the night, but God’s joy rises with the morning . From Fear to Faith, From Sorrow to Joy Paul is preaching in Corinth—afraid, facing rejection, even threats. But God tells him, “Do not be afraid… I am with you.” And because Paul remains faithful, the Gospel takes root in a new place. In the Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for pain. He knows they will grieve His death. But He promises: “Your sorrow will turn into joy.” Like a mother in labou...

  Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord “He Ascended — But Did Not Leave Us” 📖 Readings – Ascension of the Lord Acts 1:1–11 – "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?" Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 – “God mounts His throne to shouts of joy.” Ephesians 1:17–23 – Christ seated at God's right hand, far above all powers. Mark 16:15–20 – “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel.” Introduction  In South Africa, when someone says goodbye, they don’t just leave. There’s always a delay: five more hugs, another cup of tea, walking someone to the gate, and waving till they disappear down the street. The Ascension is Jesus’ way of saying: “I’m going—but not really leaving you.” Lifted Up to Lift Us Up At the Ascension, Jesus returns to the Father not to abandon us, but to reign for us . He doesn't disappear into the clouds like smoke. Instead, He expands His presence —He is no longer limite...

  While Politicians Fight for 30%, Rural South Africa Fights for a Signal By Fr Mathibela Sebothoma As a Catholic priest serving in the rural outposts of Bronkhorspruit — not the town, but the hard-to-reach periphery — I have watched, year after year, as South Africa’s digital divide grows deeper. And now, as government debates whether Elon Musk’s Starlink should be allowed to operate in South Africa, I must speak not as a politician or a businessman, but as a witness to the daily suffering of our people. Let us be clear: South Africa’s regulatory frameworks — including the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies — are not optional. They were born of our painful past and are designed to ensure economic redress for those previously excluded through colonialism and apartheid. No foreign company, no matter how advanced or American, should be allowed to bypass our laws. But what happens when those ...

  Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter Acts 17:15, 22—18:1 – Paul proclaims the “Unknown God” at the Areopagus. Psalm 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14 – “Heaven and earth are full of your glory.” John 16:12-15 – The Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth. 🕊️ Theme: “The Unknown God Made Known” Introduction – The Big Reveal There’s a story of a little boy in Limpopo who drew a picture. When asked who it was, he said, “It’s God!” The teacher laughed gently and said, “But no one knows what God looks like.” He replied, “They will now.” Speaking to a Searching World Paul walks through Athens, a city full of idols—gods for everything, even an altar to the ‘Unknown God’. Instead of mocking their ignorance, Paul speaks with respect and clarity. He uses their language, their questions, and their thirst for truth to lead them to Christ. Like Paul, we are surrounded by people in South Africa who worship unknowingly: wealth, power, ancestors, politics, influencers—yet their...

  Short Homily Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter Readings: Acts 16:11–15 – The Lord opened her heart to listen to what Paul was saying. Psalm 149:1b–2, 3–4, 5–6a and 9b – The Lord takes delight in His people. John 15:26—16:4a – The Spirit of truth who comes from the Father will testify on my behalf. 😂 Introduction  A young seminarian once asked, “Father, why does the Holy Spirit come as a dove?” I replied, “Because if He came like a vuvuzela, no one would listen!” Sometimes, we expect the Spirit to shout, but He often whispers — quietly guiding us, just like He did with Lydia in today’s readings. 📖 The Word of God Today, we meet Lydia , a businesswoman from Thyatira, whose heart was opened by the Lord . She listened. She welcomed. She was baptised. This is a snapshot of what happens when the Holy Spirit begins to move — quietly, but powerfully. In the Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for challenges ahead. He doesn’t sugar-coat it: “They will expel ...

  Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Easter 📖 Theme: “Remain in My Love” Readings: Acts 10:25–26, 34–35, 44–48 Psalm 98:1, 2–3, 3–4 — “The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.” 1 John 4:7–10 John 15:9–17 — “Love one another as I have loved you.” 😂 Introduction  Many years ago, I overheard a young altar server trying to explain today’s Gospel to his friend: “Jesus said we must love one another—but I think He didn’t know my brother!” Well, that might be how some of us feel about neighbours, in-laws, or even fellow parishioners! 📖 The Word of God The Gospel from John is a continuation of Jesus’ farewell discourse. He gives His disciples—His friends—a final commandment: “Remain in my love” and “Love one another as I have loved you.” Notice the shift—He doesn’t say, “Love one another as you love yourself,” but as I have loved you . That’s divine, sacrificial, generous love—the kind that welcomes the outsider (like Cornelius in Acts), breaks dow...

  Short Homily for Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter Theme: “If you belonged to the world…” (John 15:18–21) Readings: Acts 16:1–10 – Paul receives a vision to preach in Macedonia Psalm 100:1b-2, 3, 5 – "Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth" John 15:18–21 – "If the world hates you, remember it hated me first." 😂 Introduction  A seminarian once asked an old priest, “Father, why does everyone in the parish seem to like you?” The priest chuckled and said, “Because I never preach longer than the parking meter allows!” Well, I promise not to out-preach your parking meter either! 📖 The Word of God Today’s Gospel is a sobering reminder from Jesus: “If the world hates you, know that it hated me before you.” (John 15:18) These words may unsettle us. We love being liked and affirmed. But Jesus reminds His disciples—and us—that following Him will sometimes make us misunderstood, excluded, or even disliked. The world often celebrates power, p...

  ORDINATION JOY IN PRETORIA: FR BONGANI MAHLANGU ORDAINED TO THE PRIESTHOOD By Fr Mathibela Sebothoma | Pretoria Pretoria – Ten years after he began his priestly formation, the long-awaited moment finally arrived for Deacon Bongani Mahlangu as he was ordained a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Pretoria. The ordination Mass, celebrated with splendour and sacred joy at the Church of the Beatitudes in Zwavelpoort, saw a vibrant gathering of clergy, religious, family, and faithful from across the Archdiocese and neighbouring dioceses. The Eastern Deanery Choir led the assembly in a heavenly rendition of the Litany of the Saints and other sacred hymns, elevating the solemnity of the occasion. Auxiliary Bishop John Masilo Selemela, who presided over the ordination, delivered a spirited and humorous homily that blended theological insight with pastoral candour. “Today is a great day for our Archdiocese,” he proclaimed, “as we celebrate the ordination to the priesthood of our b...

  Short Homily: Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter 📖 Readings: Acts 15:22–31 – “It has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” Psalm 57:8–9, 10–12 – “I will praise you among the peoples, O Lord.” John 15:12–17 – “Love one another as I have loved you.” 😄 Introduction I once asked a group of young people, “What is love?” One confidently answered, “Father, love is when my mother puts aside the last piece of chicken for me.” I said, “That's true love—but make sure you do the dishes afterwards!” Love isn’t just romantic or sentimental. As Jesus reminds us today—it’s sacrificial. 📖 The Word of God In John 15 , Jesus says: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” This kind of love is not based on convenience, mood, or mutual benefit. It’s rooted in God’s very nature —a self-giving, others-seeking, foot-washing kind of love. He continues: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” These aren’t...

  Short Homily for Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter 📖 Readings: Acts 15:7–21 Psalm 96:1–2a, 2b–3, 10 – “Proclaim his marvellous deeds to all the nations.” John 15:9–11 – “Remain in my love.” 😄 Introduction  A little girl once asked her catechism teacher, “If Jesus wants us to love everybody, does that include my annoying brother too?” The teacher smiled and said, “Especially him!” It’s funny how the hardest people to love are the ones closest to us —family, friends, even parishioners! Yet Jesus doesn’t give us a choice: “Remain in my love.” And that love, dear brothers and sisters, is meant to extend to everyone—even the ones who test our patience the most! 📖 The Word of God Jesus, in the Gospel today, invites us to remain in His love just as He remains in the Father’s love. It’s not a passive thing; it’s an active choice. His commandments—rooted in love—are not restrictions but pathways to joy . When Jesus says, “I have told you this so that my joy ...

  Short Homily – Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter Theme: Remain in Me, and I Will Remain in You 📖 Gospel: John 15:1–8 – “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.” 📖 First Reading: Acts 15:1–6 – “It is necessary to decide this question in Jerusalem with the apostles and the elders.” 📖 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 122:1–2, 3–4ab, 4cd–5 – “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” 😊 Introduction  My grandmother used to grow grapevines in the backyard. One year, I tried to "help" by trimming them… a bit too much. Come harvest time, there were more complaints than grapes! She looked at me and said, “My child, you pruned it like a jealous neighbour!” Sometimes in life—and in faith—we need the right kind of pruning to bear fruit. 📖 The Word of God In the Gospel, Jesus offers one of His most powerful metaphors: “I am the vine, you are the branches.” The closeness between Jesus and us is not option...

  Short Homily: Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter 📖 Readings: Acts 14:19–28 Psalm 145:10–11, 12–13ab, 21 John 14:27–31a 🎯 Theme: “Do not let your hearts be troubled: Peace in the middle of pressure” 😄 Introduction  Many years ago, I tried to teach a few young priests how to cook—thinking I was Gordon Ramsay with a Roman collar. I made a beef-and-banana stew. They ate it in silence. One whispered, “Father, this is definitely... unforgettable.” Ever since, they politely assign me to dishwashing duty, saying I have a “special anointing” for cleaning up! Even in humour, we see: peace comes when you accept your role with grace. 📖 The Word of God In John 14:27 , Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” This is not the peace of perfect conditions, but peace in the middle of pressure, persecution, and fear. In Acts 14 , Paul is stoned, dragged out of the city, and left for dead. But the next day, he gets up and goes on preaching! That’s resur...

  Homily for Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter First Reading: Acts 14:5-18 There was an attempt in Iconium by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their leaders, to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas. They realized it, and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside, where they continued to proclaim the Good News... When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they cried out in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in human form.” They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,” because he was the chief speaker... Paul and Barnabas rushed out into the crowd, shouting, “Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God...” Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16 R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory. Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name give glory because of your mercy, because of your truth...