Homily – Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Cycle II)

📖 Readings:

  • First Reading: Exodus 11:10—12:14 — God prepares Israel for freedom.

  • Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18 — “I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.”

  • Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8 — “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”

Special Commemoration: Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July)

👋 Introduction: A Day of Freedom and Responsibility

Today’s liturgy falls on Nelson Mandela International Day, celebrated globally as a day of service and remembrance of a man who stood for freedom, justice, and reconciliation. This day invites us not only to reflect on Mandela’s legacy but to connect it with the deeper call of our faith—to live as people of justice, mercy, and freedom under God.

🕯️ First Reading – Exodus 11:10—12:14: God’s People Prepared for Freedom

In Exodus, we hear the instructions for the first Passover, a meal marking Israel’s liberation from Egypt.
📌 God does not forget His people. Freedom comes with responsibility—to remember, to celebrate, and to live in covenant.

Mandela reminded the world:

“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

🎶 Psalm 116: I Will Take the Cup of Salvation

The psalmist sings of gratitude for God’s saving help. We too are called to:
📌 A life of thanksgiving for freedom and blessings—not for selfish gain, but for service.

✝️ Gospel – Matthew 12:1-8: Mercy Before Ritual

Jesus corrects the Pharisees who judged by outward religion but lacked mercy.

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”

📌 Freedom in Christ is about compassion, not legalism. True religion is seen in mercy, justice, and care for the oppressed.

🧭 Bringing it Together – Faith and Action

Today’s readings and Mandela Day remind us:

  • Freedom is God’s gift, but also a human responsibility.

  • Justice and mercy are the heart of God’s law.

  • True faith shows in love, action, and service to others.

✅ Questions for Reflection

  • Am I aware of those still suffering under oppression, poverty, or loneliness?

  • Do I use my freedoms to serve others, or only to benefit myself?

  • Is my faith marked more by rules or by mercy?

💬 Conclusion Thought

“Our human compassion binds us the one to the other.” — Nelson Mandela
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” — Jesus Christ

🙏 Concluding Prayer

Lord God,
on this day, as we honour the memory of Your servant Nelson Mandela, we also listen to Your Word that calls us to freedom with responsibility, and to faith expressed in mercy.
Thank You for the gift of freedom, for the promise of Your deliverance, and for the example of those who stand for justice.

Teach us to be a people of compassion, quick to love, slow to judge, and faithful in serving the least among us.
Make us instruments of peace and healing in a broken world.
May we live each day mindful of Your mercy, carrying the message of hope to our families, communities, and country.

Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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