Homily 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 32:15–24, 30–34

This passage is a moment of deep crisis. The Israelites, tired of waiting for Moses, turn to idolatry — crafting a golden calf as a substitute for God. Moses’ anger and his smashing of the tablets reflect not just broken stone, but a broken covenant. Yet Moses intercedes for the people — a powerful act of leadership and love.

Aaron’s excuse (“They gave me gold, I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!”) shows how people often avoid responsibility for their sin. But God’s mercy prevails because of Moses' intercession.

Psalm 106

This is a national confession. It recounts Israel’s failures and God’s faithful response. Despite rebellion, God listens to the intercession of His servant and stays His wrath. It’s a song of warning and hope.

Matthew 13:31–35

Jesus teaches in parables about the Kingdom of God. The mustard seed and yeast both represent small beginnings with transformative potential. These are images of hope: God’s work starts quietly, but it changes everything.

Connection of the Readings

The common thread is God’s mercy and patient presence, especially when we fail. Israel’s idolatry stands in stark contrast to the quiet but potent work of the Kingdom described in the Gospel. God’s way is not loud, golden, or instant — it is mustard-seed small, yeast-like hidden, but always powerful.

God doesn’t abandon His people after failure. He sends Moses to intercede and Jesus to teach us the Kingdom’s deeper logic: transformation through humility and faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. Have I created any "golden calves" in my life — things I trust more than God?

  2. In what areas of my life am I being called to patience and trust like the mustard seed?

  3. Who has interceded for me when I was lost? For whom am I willing to intercede?

  4. How can I allow God’s “yeast” to work in the hidden spaces of my heart?

Implications for the Jubilee Year & Synod on Synodality

  • Jubilee of Hope: The readings call us to radical hope. Even in moments of betrayal and failure, God remains present and faithful. Jubilee invites us to reconciliation and renewal.

  • Synodality: Moses models listening leadership — not domination, but intercession. Synodality asks the Church to listen deeply, even to the voices of those who've gone astray, and journey with them in mercy.

  • We are invited to become "yeast people": quietly transformative, nourishing the Church with humility, compassion, and steadfast love.

Inspiration / Motivation

You might feel too small to make a difference — too flawed, too late, too tired. But the Kingdom doesn’t begin with armies or empires. It begins with a seed. It grows in the hands of those who say yes to God in the little things.

You may never part a sea like Moses or preach like Jesus. But your quiet faith, your mustard-seed acts of kindness, and your prayers of intercession can change someone’s world.

Quote of the Day

“Never measure the size of your mountain. Talk to the One who can move it.”
— Max Lucado

Or in a local idiom:
“Lehlare le lengwe le sa le bone, ga le bole.”
(A tree may look small now, but it is not finished growing.)

Final Thoughts

The golden calf reminds us how easily we lose patience with God. The mustard seed and yeast remind us how faithfully God works even when we don’t see it. And Moses reminds us of our call to pray, to act, and to trust — especially for those who have lost their way.

Concluding Prayer

Lord our God,
When we become impatient, forgive us.
When we build idols of our own making, call us back.
Like Moses, give us hearts that intercede,
and like Jesus, teach us the power of small, hidden faith.
May we be like mustard seeds, sowing hope and love,
and like yeast, transforming the world from within.
In this Jubilee year, may our Church walk together, listen deeply,
and live Your Kingdom with courage and joy.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
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...
Read more
Image
  Pope Leo XIV: A New Chapter of Hope and Courage for the Church By Fr. Mathibela Sebothoma Photo: Deadline In a moment charged with quiet reverence and global anticipation, the white smoke rose over St. Peter’s Square—Habemus Papam. The conclave of cardinals has elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., as the 267th successor of Saint Peter. He has chosen the name Leo XIV , signaling both continuity with the Church’s past and a renewed commitment to mission in our complex and fractured world. Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Pope Leo XIV is a son of the Americas—North and South. His life has been marked by a deep missionary spirit, intellectual depth, and a pastoral heart. Raised in a devout Catholic family of French-Canadian heritage, he entered the Order of St. Augustine in 1977, professed his first vows the following year, and was ordained a priest in 1982. Educated at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and later awarded a Doctorate in Canon L...
Read more
Image
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 ...
Read more