The Voice of the Shepherd

Weekly Sunday Holy Mass and Homily

July 26, 2026

10th Sunday of Pentecost
"You Are the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World"

This Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 5:13–16) reminds every Christian that our vocation is not merely to believe in Christ but to become His living presence in the world.

Salt preserves.

Light illuminates.

Neither exists for itself.

Blessed Patriarch Elias Hoayek lived these words heroically. He became salt by preserving the faith of his people during famine, persecution, and war. He became light by allowing the love of Christ to shine through heroic charity, courageous leadership, Eucharistic devotion, and unwavering confidence in Divine Providence.

In this week’s homily, I reflect upon our own Christian calling to become “the salt of the earth and the light of the world” by allowing Christ to transform our hearts, our words, our actions, and our service to others.

Watch the Sunday Homily

A Personal Musical Offering

To mark this historic week in the life of the Maronite Church, I would like to share with you a personal Marian offering.

Several years ago, I had the joy of recording the Italian hymn “Gridiamo Maria” (“Let Us Cry Out: Mary”), presented with English subtitles.

The hymn reflects the profound Marian spirituality that also marked the life of Blessed Patriarch Elias Hoayek, whose lifelong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary culminated in the construction of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon at Harissa, the first Shrine outside of Europe Commemorating the Dogma of the immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary where he entrusted Lebanon and the entire East to her maternal protection.

As you listen to this hymn, I invite you to unite your prayer with ours for Lebanon, for peace throughout the world, for persecuted Christians, for the sick, the poor, and all those entrusted to the Mission of Hope and Mercy.

Watch “Gridiamo Maria” with English subtitles:

This Week’s Spiritual Journey

Throughout this week we will continue reflecting upon Sunday’s Gospel through a series of short video meditations, every day you can meditate with us on the following:

Monday

You Are the Salt of the Earth

Tuesday

Let Your Light Shine Before Others

Wednesday

Blessed Patriarch Elias Hoayek: Shepherd During the Great Famine

Thursday

The Church Exists to Serve the Poor

Friday

Mission of Hope and Mercy: Continuing the Legacy of Blessed Elias Hoayek

Pray With Us

Please continue sending us your prayer intentions. Every intention entrusted to the Mission is remembered during the Holy Sacrifice of the Divine Liturgy and in our daily prayers.

Support the Mission

Blessed Patriarch Elias Hoayek showed us that the treasures of the Church exist to serve the People of God.

Through your prayers, generosity, and faithful stewardship, you help the Mission of Hope and Mercy continue this sacred work of evangelization, Christian education, care for persecuted Christians, humanitarian assistance, and pastoral outreach.

If you feel called to participate in this mission, we invite you to become a monthly Mission Partner or make a one-time offering.

Support the Mission of Hope and Mercy

Thank you for walking with us in prayer, hope, and charity.

United in Christ as Apostles of Hope and Mercy, I leave you with the Blessings of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary, and the Intercession of Saints Charbel and Saint Rafka.

Through Prayer we shall always be united in holy hope and divine Mercy!

May God bless us all.

Fr. André Y. Sebastian Mahanna
President
Apostolate of Our Lady of Hope – St. Rafka Mission of Hope and Mercy

Liturgical source credit
Liturgical readings are taken from the Maronite Liturgical Translation, prepared by the Biblical Committee of the Maronite Patriarchal Liturgical Affairs Committee, Second Edition, 2007.

July 12, 2026

Full Sunday Holy Mass

This Week's Holy Mass

FULL HOMILY
FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO GO TO THE HOMILY, GO TO MINUTE 26:02-1:02:33 to find the homily and the reflections and Sunday message for this week.

SHORT CLIPS FROM THE HOMILY
You can watch five short clips from the homily below.

Here are the Liturgical Readings upon which we meditated this past Sunday:
Isaiah 42:1–8
Romans 8:1–11
Matthew 12:14–21

FR ANDRE’s WEEKLY MESSAGE:
In a world filled with anger, violence, confusion, and wounded communication, the Word of God reveals another way: the quiet but unconquerable power of Jesus Christ.

He does not shout.
He does not break the bruised reed.
He does not extinguish the smoldering wick.
Yet He brings truth and justice to victory.

PATRISTIC REFLECTION AND MISSION APPEAL:
Saint Augustine, Sermon 194
My friend in Christ and beloved member of our spiritual family at the Mission of Hope and Mercy, I encourage you to pray with us and not to watch only as a spectator. Pray with the Holy Mass. Unite your intentions spiritually with the Mission of Hope and Mercy. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring life and peace into your heart, your family, the holy Church, our country and all the peoples of the earth.

PLEASE EMAIL US WITH YOUR INTENTIONS FOR THE NEXT SUNDAY MASS
You may send us your prayer intention for next Holy Mass by emailing us at: info@missionofhopeandmercy.org