Sermons: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

By Billy Nkosinathi Maseti

One of the favourite stories amongst many narrated to the author by his paternal grandmother, Mkatoti, was a story of two baboons who came to see Mr Sokhetye, a local magistrate of sorts. The baboons had come to see the wise Sokhetye because of two unequal pieces of bread they had shared between them. The one who had received the smaller piece felt cheated.

They went to see Sokhetye so that he could ensure that each of them had a piece of bread which was exactly the same size as the other. However, it did not go as they expected because Sokhetye kept biting each piece of bread in an effort to match it to the other. The more he did so, the smaller the pieces of bread became and soon the baboons realised this. At the heart of the baboons’ request was JUSTICE but ultimately, they lost the abundance they had been trying to share.

This fable has taught the author to strive continuosly for justice so as to create the circumstances that are just and fair for everyone.

This booklet will assist any pastor, public speaker, bishop, religious leader or even layman to reflect on the different moments and stages of life - particularly when it comes to preparing for one’s sermon. SERMONS: MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY,THURSDAY,FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY is a useful, reflective and well-researched booklet aimed at giving tools to a speaker.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Billy Nkosinathi Maseti
• Release date: May 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005517212

Book preview

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank God Almighty for this endeavour which I believe is 10 years late, but in God’s time there is reason for everything. I would like to thank Him for my parents Fuzile Joel and Nofemeli Nomalady Van Bennettor Maseti for instilling patience and the fear of God in all of their children. Also, I would like to thank my wife Tania and my family. Thank you to our boys Malusi and Vusumzi who gave me the space to write and I hope they did not feel I did not give them enough time. I would also like to thank my friends, parish priest and the Grade 7 Catechism class (now three years on) who consistently offered me a new perspective to my Christian life.

A special thank you goes to Professor Edwina Ward who taught me homiletics; the awareness to use inclusive language when giving a speech and to understand the value thereof. I would also like to thank the Religious Pallottines Society of South Africa for the exposure they have offered me without expecting anything in return. May God bless the work of the Italian-born ecclesiastic and saint Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850), founder of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate later known as the Pious Society of Missions (the Pallottines), in the world.

Last, but not least, I thank the Catholic Diocese of Queenstown for the countless lessons, love and understanding with which I was blessed while growing up in their valuable programmes, especially on reaching the youth stage. May God bless you abundantly.

I dedicate this book to my wife Tania Nohlumelo Fraser-Maseti with all my love and dedication. I thank God for the gift of you in my life.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Background

1. Those with Inquiring Minds

2. For Travellers

3. For the Sick

4. Bereavement

5. Weddings

6. Moments of Doubt

7. Facing Catastrophes

8. Assisting Homes with Words of Encouragement to Resolve Challenges

9. Households/ Homes Facing Life Head on

no Matter what

10. The Youth

11. The Elderly

12. Times of Loneliness

13. Facing Changing Times

14. Controversial Periods

15. Church Gatherings

and Church Festivals

16. Ecumenism – they be One as you Father are One in Me and I in you

17. A Hunger Fulfilled

18. The God of Peter is your God

Acronyms

Bibliography

Index

Background

Billy Nkosinathi Maseti, as author of these sermons, was born in Komani in the Eastern Cape (Queenstown) South Africa. After matriculating with an exemption at Dr WB Rubusana Senior Secondary School, he went on to read philosophy and theology, the former at the Philosophiesche Hochschule in Germany and the latter at the St Joseph’s Theological Institute based in Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and affiliated to the Pontifical Università Urbaniana University) in Rome, Italy. He regards that institution as Africa’s philosophical/ theological intellectual tower; one must not be fooled by its appearance and simplicity. There he learnt a significant amount about contextual theology.

Among the numerous newspaper articles focusing on socio-economic justice issues, Maseti has edited Masisukumeni: Let’s Stand Up – A Guide to Local Community Advocacy for Social and Economic Justice as well as the Trade Economic Justice Manual. He has translated the Sacred Heart Parish Booklet Jubilee of the Year of Grace 2015 – 2016 based on Pope Francis I’s (born 1936) encyclical into isiXhosa.

Married with two sons and currently live in the Western Cape, his hobbies include running, studying, watching sports, reading and teaching catechism at the Assumption Catholic Church. He also derives immense pleasure from Gospel music, genres of reggae and rhythm and blues (R&B). Professionally, he works for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) as a Senior Court Interpreter in the Western Cape-based Malmesbury and Atlantis cluster. He also has vast experience in community work having worked for non-government organisations (NGOs) for a decade and has travelled in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Ghana, France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy.

Introduction

These sermons come from a personal experience. Christ’s Sermon on the Mount is my personal inspiration – it is a sermon for all times, covering wide areas of human activity and situations. It is a sermon of sermons.

Compiling any sermon can be mindboggling: time issues for one. What will one say and how? How long will my sermon be? Where will I find the relevant stories? How do I, with the Holy Spirit’s help, deliver a message that will speak to everyone in the congregation? The ability to access a website and simply consult a ready-made sermon has always been my dream. I have fruitlessly searched for such sermons and therefore undertook the task.

This book is for priests, rabbis, pastors, church leaders and MCs as their tool. Enjoy it – it is always honourable to respect people by presenting them with a well thought-out message instead of wandering aimlessly saying something you did not prepare.

These