Reflections by Fr Mathibela Sebothoma

Theme: “Formed for Mission, Transformed by Love” Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time (Cycle II) Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest Readings : Jeremiah 18:1–6 Psalm 146:1b–2, 3–4, 5–6ab Matthew 13:47–53 Introduction A young boy, watching a potter at work, asked, “Do you ever make mistakes?” The potter replied, “Only every time I start. But then I reshape it into something better.” The boy responded, “Then I must be a masterpiece in progress, because I mess up all the time!” Just like that potter, God patiently reshapes our brokenness into something beautiful. Today’s readings and the legacy of Saint Ignatius of Loyola invite us to surrender ourselves into God’s forming hands. The Word of God Jeremiah 18:1–6 presents a powerful image of God as the Divine Potter. Jeremiah is instructed to observe a potter reworking clay on a wheel. When the vessel becomes misshapen, the potter does not discard it but reshapes it. This signifies God’s authority and m...

  Homily - Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – Cycle II Readings : Exodus 34:29–35 Psalm 99:5, 6, 7, 9 Matthew 13:44–46 Theme : “Shining Faces and Hidden Treasures: Reflecting God's Glory in a Seeking World” Introduction  A little boy once saw his mom applying face cream in front of a mirror. Curious, he asked, “Why are you doing that?” She replied, “To look beautiful, sweetheart.” After a moment of watching, he said seriously, “Is it working yet?” Sometimes, we try all sorts of things to change how we appear. But real radiance doesn’t come from outside—it comes from the presence of God within. The Word of God Exodus 34 shows us Moses coming down from Mount Sinai after being in God’s presence—his face is radiant , glowing with glory, though he doesn’t realize it. His encounter with God transforms him visibly, marking him as a mediator of the covenant. Psalm 99 calls us to worship the Lord in holiness, recalling how God revealed Himself to ...

  Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus Theme: "Friendship with Christ: Service, Contemplation, and Witness" Introduction –  A priest once asked a Sunday school class, “Who are Mary and Martha?” A boy answered, “Sisters who lived with a guy named Lazarus. Jesus often visited them, probably because they had good food and free Wi-Fi!” The priest laughed and replied, “They didn’t have Wi-Fi, but they definitely had a home that welcomed Jesus with love, silence, and soup.” The Word of God First Reading – 1 John 4:7-16 This beautiful passage focuses on love as the essence of God . We are reminded that love is not just an emotion or duty—it is the very nature of God Himself. Whoever abides in love abides in God. Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus lived this truth. Their home in Bethany was a sanctuary of love where Christ found rest, friendship, and faith. Psalm – Psalm 34:2-11 The psalmist calls us to praise and seek refuge in the Lord, whose goodness is near to the...

H omily for Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time : Theme: "God of Mercy, God of Presence: Listening Hearts, Transformed Lives" Introduction There’s an old joke that goes like this: A young man once asked a priest, “Father, do I really need to go to confession?” The priest replied, “Well, no... not unless you sin. But in that case, you might as well take a monthly subscription!” The humour reminds us that, like the Israelites, we often fall short — not just once, but repeatedly. Yet God’s mercy is like a subscription we can’t exhaust — always available, always active. A Sunday school teacher asked the children, “Why do we say Amen at the end of a prayer?” A little boy raised his hand and answered confidently, “Because it’s like hitting 'Send' on your cellphone!” The Kingdom of God is much like that — our prayers, actions, and faith might seem simple, but they carry immense power when “sent” with a heart tuned to God. The Word of God Exodus 32:15...

  Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary Theme: "Rooted in Prayer, Growing in Love" Readings: Genesis 18:20-32 Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8 Colossians 2:12-14 Luke 11:1-13 1. Introduction Today we celebrate not only the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time but also the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne , the parents of Our Lady, and the grandparents of Jesus. They represent deep-rooted faith, tradition, and the prayerful foundation upon which generations flourish. This Sunday, Jesus teaches us how to pray, and Abraham shows us how to persist in prayer. A young child knelt beside his bed and prayed loudly, “Dear God, please bless Mommy and Daddy… and give me a bicycle!” His mother whispered, “God isn’t deaf, dear.” The boy replied, “Yes, but Grandma is—and she’s in the next room!” This light-hearted story reminds us that sometimes we confuse prayer with performance—but today’s readings i...

Homily for the Feast of Saint James, Apostle   🌟 Theme: "Called to Share the Cup: Witness, Sacrifice, and Glory" Readings: First Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Psalm: 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6 Gospel: Matthew 20:20-28 📍 Introduction  A priest was explaining to his catechism class that apostles were not superheroes but ordinary men with extraordinary missions. A little boy interrupted: “Father, if they weren’t superheroes, why did Jesus pick guys with names like James the Greater and James the Lesser? Was that like Batman and Robin?” The class laughed—and the priest chuckled too. “No, my child, it just meant that one was probably older or taller!” This reminds us that God uses ordinary people, not perfect or powerful ones, to do great things—people like James, whose feast we celebrate today. 📖 The Word of God 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 speaks of "treasures in jars of clay"—how the glorious message of the Gospel is carried by fragile, fallible human beings...

  Homily for Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Cycle II) . Theme: “A Covenant Written on the Heart” Readings: Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 (Responsorial Psalm) Matthew 13:10–17 Introduction Have you ever received a WhatsApp message from someone, only to reply and realize they blue-ticked you but never responded? 😄 You start to wonder, “Did they read it? Did they understand it? Or are they ignoring me?” Now imagine how God must feel when we “blue-tick” His Word—hearing it, but not responding, not letting it take root in our lives. Today’s readings speak directly to this: the challenge of hearing God and responding with faith. A catechism teacher once asked her class: “Who broke the tablets of the Ten Commandments?” One boy raised his hand and said, “Not me, Sister!” The teacher, confused, told the priest. He said, “If the boy says he didn’t break them, maybe we should just believe him.” The teacher exclaimed, “Father...

Homily for Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Cycle II) : 📖 Readings: First Reading : Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15 — God provides manna and quail to feed His people in the wilderness. Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 78:18-19, 23-24, 25-26, 27-28 — “The Lord gave them bread from heaven.” Gospel : Matthew 13:1-9 — The Parable of the Sower. ✨ “God Provides — Will You Receive?” 👋 Introduction: Today God reminds us of something fundamental: He feeds His people. Whether in the desert or in the Gospel message, God’s care is constant. The real challenge is not whether God provides, but whether we are ready to receive, to trust, and to grow. 😂 Humorous Story: There is a funny story of a man who prayed: “Lord, please give me patience… and I need it RIGHT NOW!” That’s a little like us: we want quick solutions, instant signs, and easy answers. But God, in His wisdom, teaches us to trust His timing and to receive His Word daily, like manna—just enough for today. 📜 Exegesis ...

 Homily for the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene: “Witness of Love: From Tears to Proclamation” 📖 Readings: First Reading : Song of Songs 3:1-4a or 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 — “My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord my God.” Gospel : John 20:1-2, 11-18 — Mary Magdalene encounters the Risen Lord. 👋 Introduction: Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene—Apostle to the Apostles, the first witness of the Resurrection. From being a woman who experienced healing and deliverance, Mary Magdalene became the first preacher of Easter joy. Her story moves from sorrow to joy, from tears to testimony, and from darkness to light. 😂 Short Reflection Story: A preacher once said, “If God can turn Mary Magdalene from tears to joy, He can handle your Monday mornings too!” Sometimes we feel like Mary—crying, lost, confused—but the Lord calls us by name and renews us with hope. 📜 The Word of God: ✅ John 20:1-18: Mary comes to th...

  Homily for Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Cycle II): ✨ Theme: “The Lord Fights for You—Move Forward in Faith” 📖 Readings: First Reading : Exodus 14:5-18 — God delivers His people by opening the sea. Responsorial Psalm : Exodus 15:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6 — “Let us sing to the Lord; He has covered Himself in glory.” Gospel : Matthew 12:38-42 — “No sign will be given except the sign of Jonah.” 👋 Introduction: Beloved in Christ, today we meet people who are trapped—by fear, by opposition, and by unbelief. The Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea. The Pharisees were trapped by their hardness of heart, demanding signs from Jesus. Yet, God speaks a simple and liberating word: “Go forward.” God fights for His people, not just in dramatic miracles, but in the daily battles of our hearts. 📜 The Word of God: ✅ Exodus 14:5-18 The Israelites, newly freed from Egypt, face a terrifying challenge—Pharaoh’s army pursues them. They panic and...

  Homily for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle II)  📖 Readings: Genesis 18:1-10a Psalm 15:2-5 Colossians 1:24-28 Luke 10:38-42 ✨ Theme: “The God Who Visits, Listens, and Nourishes” 👋 Introduction Dear brothers and sisters, our readings today draw our attention to something deeply human and deeply divine: the experience of hospitality. God is not distant—He comes to visit, to speak, and to dwell among His people. The real question is: how do we receive Him? Are we busy with distractions, or attentive to His presence? 😂 Humorous Story A priest once told this story: “I visited a parishioner and he said, ‘Father, sit down, let me make you tea.’ I sat… and waited… and waited… twenty minutes later, I said, ‘Brother, where is the tea?’ He said, ‘Father, I forgot I invited you—I got busy texting!’” We laugh, but it reminds us: we can be so busy doing things, we forget Who we are doing it for. 📜 Exegesis and Hermeneutics ✅ Genesis 18:1-10a: 📝 Ab...