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

📖 Readings:

  • First Reading: Exodus 3:13-20 — “I am who I am.”

  • Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 105:1 and 5, 8-9, 24-25, 26-27 — “The Lord remembers His covenant forever.”

  • Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30 — “Come to me, all you who are weary.”

Theme: “God Who Walks With Us, Jesus Who Carries Us.”

👋 Introduction: A God Who Knows, Who Acts, and Who Comforts

Life often feels like a heavy burden. Some days the weight of our responsibilities, our worries, and even our own failures can make us feel crushed. But today, God reminds us of two unchanging truths:

  • He is the God who is always present and faithful;

  • Jesus is the One who gives rest to the weary.

🔥 First Reading – Exodus 3:13-20: “I Am Who I Am”

Moses feels overwhelmed. God is asking him to confront Pharaoh, to lead a nation out of slavery. Moses feels unqualified, unsure, and afraid. God reassures him with these words:

“I Am Who I Am… I will be with you.”

📌 Lesson: We are not sent out into the world alone. God’s presence is His greatest promise.
He does not just give instructions—He walks with us.

🎶 Psalm 105: The Lord Remembers His Covenant

The psalm reminds us:

“He remembers His covenant forever.”

Even when generations forget God, God does not forget His people. Even when we are weak, He remains faithful. This is a day to rest in the knowledge of God’s consistent goodness.

✝️ Gospel – Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest”

In the Gospel, Jesus calls out to us:

“Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

So many are exhausted today—physically, emotionally, spiritually. Jesus offers us rest—not by taking away all problems instantly, but by walking beside us, helping us carry our burdens, and restoring our peace.

📌 Lesson: In every burden, we have an invitation: come to Jesus.

🧭 Connecting the Readings:

  • God meets us in our fears, like Moses, and promises His presence.

  • God remains faithful through history, never forgetting His promises.

  • Jesus, God-with-us, invites us personally to rest in His heart.

💡 Life Application Questions:

  • Am I trying to carry burdens alone when Jesus is offering me rest?

  • Do I forget God’s faithfulness when I feel overwhelmed?

  • Am I listening to His invitation today: “Come to me”?

💬 Final Reflection Thought:

“You do not have to carry your burdens alone. Jesus is near, offering you rest and renewal.”

🙏 Concluding Prayer:

Lord,
thank You for walking with me in my weakness and calling me to Yourself.
When life feels too heavy, remind me to come to You.
Give me peace when my heart is restless.
Give me rest when my soul is tired.
Teach me to trust that You are enough—Your presence, Your promise, and Your love.

Walk with me through this day and every day.
Teach me to walk in peace, to love faithfully, and to serve with joy.

Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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 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
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