29 April 2026
By. Fr. Johnston Z. Mlambo
A homily delivered by Bishop John Thlomola of Lesotho at Mass this morning (29 April 2026) set a reflective and prophetic tone for the day’s deliberations at the ongoing workshop on communication and disability, with participants later noting how closely the day’s activities echoed his message on inclusion, listening, and mission.
Preaching from the day’s readings, Bishop Thlomola challenged participants to rethink communication beyond mere speech and hearing, framing it instead as “encounter, inclusion, and mission.” His words would go on to resonate deeply with the sessions that followed.
Quoting from the Acts of the Apostles, the bishop reminded the congregation that “the Word of God continued to spread and grow,” adding that this growth “does not depend on perfect voices, perfect hearing, or perfect systems—it grows because the Holy Spirit is at work.” He emphasised that authentic communication begins with “deep, communal, and Spirit-led listening.”
In a pointed reflection directed at the workshop’s theme, Bishop Thlomola asked: “Are we truly listening to people with disabilities? Or do we sometimes assume, overlook, or speak for them instead of with them?” This question would later find practical expression in the day’s group activities.
Drawing on the Psalm’s call—“May all the peoples praise you”—he stressed that God’s vision of communication is “inclusive, universal, and joyful,” where “every voice matters, including voices expressed through sign language, assistive technology, silence, or different ways of expression.”
Referencing the Gospel, he noted that Jesus “cries out” not merely to be heard, but to reach everyone, highlighting that Christ communicated “not only through words—but through presence, compassion, healing, and inclusion.” He added, “Jesus did not exclude those who could not see, hear, walk, or speak… He made them central to His mission.”
The bishop then outlined three key calls: that communication is “a right, not a privilege,” that it is “mission,” and that it “requires conversion.” He urged participants to move “from speaking about people with disabilities to speaking with them… from designing systems for them to designing with them… from exclusion to participation.”
Concluding, he expressed hope that the workshop would foster not just strategies but transformation: “Let this workshop not just be about skills or strategies, but about building a community where communication reflects the heart of Christ—a heart that sees, listens, includes, and sends.”
Sr. Faustina from Namibia reports on her conference’s activities concerning people living with disabilities.His message proved strikingly anticipatory of the day’s main presentation by Dr. Paulo Massango of Mozambique, who spoke on inclusive work and education in both society and the Synodal process. Moving beyond the previous day’s discussion-based approach, Dr. Massango invited participants to embody inclusion through creativity, asking language-based groups—Portuguese and English speakers—to present short plays demonstrating how to journey inclusively with persons with disabilities.
The shift from discussion to enactment mirrored Bishop Thlomola’s call for a movement from theory to lived practice, and from speaking about inclusion to actively creating spaces where all can participate.
As the workshop continues, participants are left reflecting on a homily that not only opened the day but, in many ways, foreshadowed its direction—calling the Church to a deeper, more authentic practice of inclusive communication where, indeed, no one is left behind.
