PAYING HOMAGE TO THE KING

 Readings for Sunday, January 5,  2025

The Epiphany of the Lord
Lectionary: 20

L-Epifanija tal-Mulej. (Solennità)

Reading 1                  ISAIAH 60:1-6

Rise up in splendour, Jerusalem!  Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Qari 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 60, 1-6

Qum! Ħa jiddi wiċċek! Id-dawl tiegħek wasal! Jiddi fuqek sebħ il-Mulej!  Ara d-dlamijiet jiksu l-art, u sħab iswed il-popli: iżda fuqek jiddi l-Mulej, u s-sebħ tiegħu jfiġġ fuqek. Il-ġnus għad jimxu fid-dawl tiegħek, u s-slaten fid-dija tas-sebħ tiegħek. Għolli u dawwar għajnejk madwarek u ara: ilkoll miġbura ġejjin għandek. Uliedek ġejjin mill-bogħod, u bnietek iġorruhom fuq id-dirgħajn. Imbagħad tħares u wiċċek jiddi, u tħabbat u timtela qalbek, għax fuqek taqa’ l-kotra tal-ġid tal-ibħra, u l-għana tal-ġnus jiġi għandek. Imrieħel ta’ iġmla għad jgħattuk, l-iġmla żgħar ta’ Midjan u Għefa; ilkoll minn Seba jiġu, mgħobbija bid-deheb u l-inċens, u jxandru t-tifħir tal-Mulej.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                 Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13.

O God, with your judgment endow the king,

and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Salm Responsorjali                 Salm 71 (72), 1-2.7-8.10-11,12-13

R/. (ara 11): Il-ġnus kollha tal-art jagħtuk qima, Mulej

O Alla, agħti lis-sultan il-ħaqq tiegħek,
il-ġustizzja tiegħek lil bin is-sultan,
biex jiġġudika l-poplu tiegħek bil-ġustizzja,
u bil-ħaqq l-imsejknin tiegħek. R/.

Tħaddar f’jiemu l-ġustizzja,
u sliem kotran sa ma jintemm il-qamar.
Isaltan minn baħar sa baħar,
u mix-xmara sa truf l-art. R/.

Is-slaten ta’ Tarsis u tal-gżejjer jagħtuh ir-rigali,
is-slaten ta’ Seba u ta’ Saba għotjiet iġibulu.
Iqimuh is-slaten kollha,
il-ġnus kollha lilu jaqdu. R/.

Għax hu jeħles lill-fqir li jsejjaħlu,
u lill-imsejken li m’għandux min jgħinu.
Iħenn għad-dgħajjef u għall-fqajjar;
il-ħajja tal-fqajrin isalva. R/.

Reading 2                 EPHESIANS 3:2-3a, 5-6

Brothers and sisters:  You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit,  namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations  as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:  that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Qari 2                  mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Efesin 3, 2-3a. 5-6

Ħuti, intom smajtu bil-pjan tal-grazzja li Alla tani għall-ġid tagħkom, jiġifieri, li permezz ta’ rivelazzjoni għarrafni l-misteru. Dan hu l-misteru li fil-ġenerazzjonijiet l-imgħoddija ma kienx mgħarraf lill-bnedmin bħalma issa ġie rrivelat lill-appostli qaddisa tiegħu u lill-profeti fl-Ispirtu, jiġifieri, li l-pagani huma msejħa biex ikollhom sehem mill-istess wirt, ikunu membri tal-istess ġisem, ikollhom sehem mill-istess wegħda, fi Kristu Ġesù permezz tal-Evanġelju. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                 MATTHEW 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod,  behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,  “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled,  and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,  he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,  for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod called the magi secretly  and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said,  “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word,  that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,  until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star,  and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures  and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,  they departed for their country by another way.

Evanġelju                  Qari skont San Mattew 2, 1-12

Meta twieled Ġesù f’Betlehem tal-Lhudija, fi żmien is-sultan Erodi, xi maġi mil-Lvant ġew Ġerusalemm jistaqsu: “Fejn hu dak li twieled sultan tal-Lhud? Għax rajna l-kewkba tiegħu tielgħa, u ġejna nqimuh”. Is-sultan Erodi sama’ bihom, u tħawwad hu u Ġerusalemm kollha miegħu. Ġabar flimkien il-qassisin il-kbar u l-kittieba kollha tal-poplu, u ried jaf mingħandhom fejn kellu jitwieled il-Messija. U huma qalulu: “F’Betlehem tal-Lhudija, għax hekk inkiteb mill-profeta: “U int, Betlehem, art ta’ Ġuda, le, m’intix l-iżgħar fost il-bliet il-kbar ta’ Ġuda, għax minnek joħroġ mexxej li jirgħa l-poplu tiegħi Iżrael”.  Erodi mbagħad sejjaħ lill-maġi bil-moħbi, u tkixxef bir-reqqa kollha mingħandhom iż-żmien li fih dehritilhom il-kewkba; bagħathom Betlehem u qalilhom: “Morru, staqsu sewwa għat-tifel, u meta ssibuh ejjew għiduli, ħalli jien ukoll niġi nqimu”. Dawk, wara li semgħu lis-sultan, telqu, u ara, il-kewkba li kienu raw tielgħa bdiet miexja quddiemhom sakemm waslet u waqfet fuq il-post fejn kien hemm it-tifel. Kif raw il-kewkba mtlew b’ferħ kbir tassew. Meta mbagħad daħlu d-dar u raw lit-tifel ma’ ommu Marija, inxteħtu fl-art iqimuh; fetħu t-teżori tagħhom u offrewlu rigali deheb, inċens u mirra. Imbagħad, billi kienu mwissijin f’ħolma biex ma jerġgħux imorru għand Erodi, telqu lura lejn arthom minn triq oħra. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil        

Epiphany of the Lord  - A prophesy fulfilled!

Introduction: 

The Greek word Epiphany (επιφάνεια), means appearance or manifestation. Multiple revelations of Jesus as God are celebrated on this Feast of the Epiphany. In the Western Church, the Feast of the Epiphany celebrates Jesus’ first appearance to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, while in the Eastern Church, the Epiphany event is celebrated in the commemoration of the Baptism of Christ when the Father and the Holy Spirit gave combined testimony to Jesus’ identity as Son of God. Later, in the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus revealed Himself as the promised Messiah, and at Cana Jesus revealed His Divinity by transforming water into wine. The Church celebrates all these epiphany events on this Feast of Epiphany.

Scripture lessons summarized:

Sunday’s Gospel teaches us how Christ enriches those who bring him their hearts. The adoration of the Magi fulfills the oracle of Isaiah (first reading), prophesying that the nations of the world would travel to the Holy City following a brilliant light and would bring gold and incense to contribute to the worship of God. Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 72) includes a verse about kings coming from foreign lands to pay homage to a just king in Israel. Paul’s letter to the Church of Ephesus (today’s second reading), expresses God’s secret plan in clear terms: “the Gentiles are…co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” 

Today’s Gospel reminds us that if God permitted the Magi – foreigners and pagans – to recognize and give Jesus proper respect as the King of Jews, we should know that there is nothing in our sinful lives that will keep God from bringing us to Jesus. There were three groups of people who reacted to the Epiphany of Christ’s birth. The first group, headed by King Herod the Great, tried to eliminate the Child, the second group, priests and scribes, ignored him, and the third group, represented by the shepherds and the Magi, came to adore him.

Life Messages: 

(1) Let us make sure that we belong to the third group:

a) by worshiping Jesus at Mass with the gold of our love, the myrrh of our humility, and the frankincense of our adoration; 

b) by giving a new direction to our lives. As the Magi chose another route to return to their homes, we need to choose a better way of life, abstaining from proud and impure thoughts, evil habits and selfish behavior; 

c) by becoming stars leading others to Jesus as the star led the Magi to Jesus — removing the darkness of the evil around us and radiating Jesus’ love through selfless service, unconditional forgiveness, and compassionate care. 

(2) On this feast of the Epiphany, let us, like the Magi, offer Jesus our grateful use of his gifts to us: 

(a) His gift of friendship with God in the form of wholehearted love and devotion; 

(b) His gift of friendship with others by leading them to Jesus through our exemplary lives of Christian charity in action; 

(c) His gift of reconciliation with God by making use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently, by asking daily for His pardon and forgiveness for our sins and by giving unconditional forgiveness to those who wound us; and 

(d) His gift of peace by seeking God’s peace in our own lives through prayer, leading a Sacramental life, and meditation daily on the Word of God.

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FAMILY OF FAMILIES!

 Readings for Sunday, December 29,  2024 

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Lectionary: 17

Festa tal-Familja Mqaddsa ta’ Ġesù, Marija u Ġużeppi

Reading 1               

1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28

In those days Hannah conceived, and at the end of her term bore a son whom she called Samuel, since she had asked the LORD for him. The next time her husband Elkanah was going up with the rest of his household to offer the customary sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vows, Hannah did not go, explaining to her husband, “Once the child is weaned, I will take him to appear before the LORD and to remain there forever; I will offer him as a perpetual nazirite.” Once Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh. After the boy’s father had sacrificed the young bull, Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said:  “Pardon, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.” Hannah left Samuel there.

QARI 1                 mill-Ewwel Ktieb ta’ Samwel 1, 20-22.24-28

F’dak iż-żmien Anna tqalet, u meta wasal żmienha wildet iben u semmietu Samwel “għaliex – kif qalet hi – tlabtu lill-Mulej”. Elkana bil-familja kollha tala’ joffri s-sagrifiċċju ta’ kull sena lill-Mulej u jtemm il-wegħda tiegħu. Imma Anna ma telgħetx, għaliex qalet lil żewġha: “Meta nkun ftamt it-tifel, imbagħad nieħdu biex jidher quddiem il-Mulej, u jibqa’ hemm għal dejjem”.   U meta fatmitu, Anna tellgħet ’il binha magħha fid-dar tal-Mulej f’Silo. Ħadet magħha gendus ta’ tliet snin, efa dqiq u żaqq inbid, u marret bit-tfajjel magħha. Hemm qatlu l-gendus, u ressqu t-tifel quddiem Għeli, u qaltlu: “Nitolbok, sidi; daqskemm int ħaj, sidi, jien dik il-mara li kienet wieqfa hawn ħdejk titlob lill-Mulej. Għal dan it-tifel kont tlabt, u l-Mulej laqa’ t-talba tiegħi, u tani li tlabtu. U issa jien se nagħtih lill-Mulej il-jiem kollha ta’ ħajtu, u kemm idum ħaj ikun tal-Mulej”. U qiemu lill-Mulej hemmhekk.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm         Psalm 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!

 My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
R. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.

Happy they who dwell in your house!
 Continually they praise you.
Happy the men whose strength you are!
 Their hearts are set upon the pilgrimage.
R. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.

O LORD of hosts, hear our prayer;
 hearken, O God of Jacob!
O God, behold our shield,
 and look upon the face of your anointed.
R. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 83 (84), 2-3. 5-6. 9-10

R/. (5a): Henjin dawk li jgħammru f’darek, Mulej

Kemm hi għażiża d-dar tiegħek,
Mulej tal-eżerċti!
Tixxennaq u tinfena ruħi għat-tempju tal-Mulej;
ngħanni ferħan b’ruħi u ġismi lil Alla l-ħaj. R/.

Henjin dawk li jgħammru f’darek;
huma jfaħħruk għal dejjem.
Henjin dawk li jsibu fik il-qawwa tagħhom,
li għandhom għal qalbhom il-pellegrinaġġ għat-tempju. R/.

Mulej, Alla tal-eżerċti, isma’ talbi;
agħti widen, Alla ta’ Ġakobb.
Ħares, o Alla, lejn it-tarka tagħna,
ħares lejn is-sultan, il-midluk tiegħek. R/.

Reading 2                 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24

Beloved:  See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. And so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he  commanded us. Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he gave us.

QARI 2                  

mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Ġwann Appostlu 3, 1-2, 21-24

Għeżież, araw b’liema għożża ħabbna l-Missier; nistgħu nissejħu wlied Alla, u hekk aħna tassew! Għalhekk id-dinja ma tagħrafniex, għax ma għarfitx lilu. Għeżież, issa aħna wlied Alla, imma x’se nkunu ’l quddiem mhuwiex irrivelat lilna. Madankollu nafu li meta jidher hu, aħna nkunu bħalu, għax narawh kif inhu. Għeżież, jekk il-kuxjenza tagħna ma ċċanfarniex, aħna qalbna qawwija quddiem Alla, u kulma nitolbu naqilgħuh mingħandu, għax qegħdin inżommu l-kmandamenti tiegħu u nagħmlu dak li jogħġob lilu. Dan hu l-kmandament tiegħu: li nemmnu fl-isem ta’ Ibnu Ġesù Kristu, u nħobbu ’l xulxin, kif wissiena hu. Min iżomm il-kmandamenti tiegħu jgħammar f’Alla u Alla fih. B’hekk nagħrfu li hu jgħammar fina: bl-Ispirtu li hu tana.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                  LUKE 2:41-52

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning,  he boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan,they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him,  “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them;  and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favour before God and man.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Luqa 2, 41-52                 

Ta’ kull sena l-ġenituri ta’ Ġesù kienu jmorru Ġerusalemm għall-festa tal-Għid. Meta kellu tnax-il sena telgħu wkoll, skont id-drawwa ta’ dik il-festa. Wara li għaddew dawk il-ġranet qabdu t-triq lura, imma t-tfajjel Ġesù baqa’ Ġerusalemm bla ma kienu jafu l-ġenituri tiegħu. Huma ħasbuh qiegħed ma’ xi wħud li kienu fit-triq magħhom; iżda meta wara jum mixi fittxewh fost qrabathom u n-nies li kienu jafuhom, ma sabuhx, u għalhekk reġgħu lura Ġerusalemm ifittxuh. Wara tlitt ijiem sabuh fit-tempju, bilqiegħda f’nofs l-għalliema, jismagħhom u jistaqsihom; u kull min semgħu baqa’ mistagħġeb bid-dehen u t-tweġibiet tiegħu. Kif rawh, instamtu, u ommu qaltlu: “Ibni, dan għaliex għamiltilna hekk? Ara, missierek u jiena konna qegħdin infittxuk b’qalbna maqsuma”. U hu qalilhom: “U għaliex kontu qegħdin tfittxuni? Ma tafux li jiena għandi nkun f’dak li hu ta’ Missieri?”. Iżda kliemu ma fehmuhx.  Imbagħad niżel magħhom u raġa’ mar Nazaret; u kien jobdihom. U ommu kienet tgħożż f’qalbha dawn il-ħwejjeġ kollha. U hekk Ġesù baqa’ jikber fl-għerf, fis-snin u fil-grazzja, quddiem Alla u quddiem il-bnedmin. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil    

PUTTING OUR FAMILIES ON GOD'S ALTAR

Central theme: 

On the last Sunday of the calendar year, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. On this feast day we are offering our own families and all their members on the altar to ask God’s blessing on them and to obtain for them the guidance of the Holy Family. 

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading, taken from the First Book of Samuel, describes how Elkanah and Hannah presented their child Samuel in the Temple, consecrated him to the service of the Lord as a perpetual Nazarite, and left him in the Temple under the care of Eli, the priest. In today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 128), the Psalmist reminds us that happy homes are the fruit of our faithfulness to the Lord. In the second reading, John reminds us that, as children of God the Father, we are members of God's own family, and as such we are expected to obey the greatest commandment of God: “Love one another” (1 Jn 3:2), so that we may remain united to God in the Holy Spirit. 

In Sunday’s Gospel, Luke concludes his detailed story of Christ’s infancy, with the events of Jesus’ visit to the Temple in Jerusalem at the age of twelve to become “a son of the Law” [bar mitzvah] and take up the obligations of the Law. Jesus lingered behind in the Temple, attending the Sanhedrin classes on religious and theological questions as an eager student of Mosaic Law. Finally, when Mary and Joseph had found him in the Temple after three days of anxious search, the Gospel then summarizes the next 18 years of Jesus’ life, stating that Jesus grew up at Nazareth like any other young man, obeying his parents, faithfully discharging all his duties to God, to his parents, and to the community, “advancing in wisdom and age and favour before God and man.

 Life messages: 

1) We need to learn lessons from the Holy Family: The Church encourages us to look to the Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph for inspiration, example and encouragement. They were a model family in which both parents worked hard, helped each other, understood and accepted each other, and took good care of their Child so that He might grow up not only in human knowledge but also as a Child of God. 

2) We need to make the family a confessional rather than a courtroom. A senior Judge of the Supreme Court congratulated the bride and groom in a marriage and gave them a pertinent piece of advice: “See that you never convert your family into a courtroom; instead let it be a confessional. If the husband-and-wife start arguing like attorneys in an attempt to justify their behaviour, their family becomes a court of law and nobody wins. On the other hand, if the husband and the wife -- as in a confessional -- are ready to admit their faults and try to correct them, the family becomes a Heavenly one.”

3) Parents need to examine their consciences: On the Feast of the only perfect Family that ever lived on this earth, all parents might examine themselves to see how well they are fulfilling the grave responsibility which God has placed on them. As they heard during their marriage ceremony: "children are a gift from God to you "for whom their parents are accountable before God, as they must, in the end, return these, His children, to Him. Let us pray for the grace of caring for one another in our own families, for each member of our parish family, and for all families of the universal Church. May God bless all our families in the New Year!

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RESPONDING TO GOD'S CALLING

 Readings for Sunday, December 22  2024 

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Lectionary: 12

Ir-Raba Ħadd ta' l-Avvent

Reading 1                 MICAH 5:1-4a

Thus says the LORD:  You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah,  too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old,  from ancient times.  herefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, and the rest of his kindred shall return to the children of Israel. He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD, his God; and they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace.

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Mikea 5, 1-4a

Dan jgħid il-Mulej: “Int, Betlehem ta’ Efrata, ċkejkna fost il-familji ta’ Ġuda, minnek għad joħroġli dak li jkun prinċep f’Iżrael; hu għandu l-bidu tiegħu mill-qedem, sa minn dejjem ta’ dejjem.  Għalhekk il-Mulej jitlaqhom sa meta teħles dik li hi fl-uġigħ tal-ħlas; imbagħad il-bqija ta’ ħutu jerġgħu lura fost ulied Iżrael. U hu joqgħod jirgħa l-merħla tiegħu bil-qawwa tal-Mulej, bil-glorja ta’ isem il-Mulej, Alla tiegħu. U huma jgħammru fiż-żgur, għax issa tkun kbira setgħetu, sa trufijiet l-art. U dan ikun is-sliem!”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19.

O shepherd of Israel, hearken,

from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 79 (80), 2aċ u 3b. 15-16. 18-19

R/.:  Mulej, itfa’ fuqna d-dija ta’ wiċċek, u nkunu salvi

O Ragħaj ta’ Iżrael, agħti widen,
int li qiegħed fuq il-kerubini, iddi.
Qajjem il-qawwa tiegħek,
u ejja ħa ssalvana. R/.

Erġa’ ejja, Alla tal-eżerċti;
ħares mis-sema, u ara,
u żur ’il din id-dielja.
Ħu ħsieb dak li ħawlet lemintek,
ir-rimja li int kabbart għalik. R/.

Ħa tkun idek fuq il-bniedem ta’ lemintek,
fuq il-bniedem li int saħħaħt għalik.
Aħna ma nitbegħdux minnek;
roddilna l-ħajja, u aħna nsejħu ismek. R/.

Reading 2                 HEBREWS 10:5-10

Brothers and sisters:  When Christ came into the world, he said:  “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight.  Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, "behold, I come to do your will, O God.’“  First he says, “Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in.” These are offered according to the law. Then he says, :Behold, I come to do your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. By this “will,”  we have been consecrated  through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lil-Lhud 10, 5-10

Ħuti, Kristu meta daħal fid-dinja qal: “Sagrifiċċju u offerta int ma ridtx, imma ġisem int ħejjejt għalija; vittmi maħruqa u vittmi għad-dnubiet lilek ma għoġbukx. Jien imbagħad għedt: “Hawn jien, ġejt biex nagħmel ir-rieda tiegħek, O Alla, kif fil-ktieb hemm miktub fuqi”.“ L-ewwel qal: “Sagrifiċċji u offerti, vittmi maħruqa u vittmi għad-dnubiet, la ridthom u lanqas għoġbuk”, għalkemm dawn titlobhom il-Liġi. Imbagħad qal: “Hawn jien, ġejt biex nagħmel ir-rieda tiegħek”. B’hekk Alla neħħa s-sagrifiċċji tal-ewwel biex iqiegħed flokhom tat-tieni. Bis-saħħa ta’ din ir-rieda aħna konna mqaddsin, permezz tal-offerta tal-ġisem ta’ Ġesù Kristu magħmula darba għal dejjem. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                 LUKE 1:39-45

Mary set out and travelled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,  the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said,  “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

EVANĠELJU                   Qari skont San Luqa 1, 39-45

F’dawk il-ġranet Marija qamet u marret tħaffef lejn l-għoljiet, f’belt tal-Lhudija. Daħlet għand Żakkarija u sellmet lil Eliżabetta. Malli Eliżabetta semgħet lil Marija ssellmilha, it-tarbija qabżet fil-ġuf tagħha u Eliżabetta mtliet bl-Ispirtu s-Santu; u nfexxet f’għajta kbira u qalet: “Imbierka inti fost in-nisa, u mbierek il-frott tal-ġuf tiegħek! U minn fejn ġieni dan li omm il-Mulej tiegħi tiġi għandi? Għax ara, malli smajt f’widnejja leħen it-tislima tiegħek, it-tarbija li għandi fil-ġuf qabżet bil-ferħ. Iva, hienja dik li emmnet li jseħħ kulma bagħat jgħidilha l-Mulej”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil    

OUR INSPIRATION TO CARRY OUT GOD'S WORD 

 Central theme: 

Sunday’s readings remind us that Jesus is reborn every day in ordinary people living ordinary lives, who have the willingness to respond to God’s call and the openness to do God’s will. These Scriptures suggest that Christmas should inspire us to carry out God's word as Mary and Jesus did, in perfect, loving obedience to His will, with cheerful kindness and unselfish generosity.

Scripture lessons: 

In the first reading, the prophet Micah assures the Jews that God is faithful to His promises and that from the unimportant village of Bethlehem He will send to them the long-expected ruler. The third stanza of today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps. 80), is a prayer for God's blessing on the Davidic king, of Whom we sing in the first, “O Shepherd of Israel, hearken; from Your Throne upon the cherubim, shine forth! Rouse Your power and come to save us!” (vv 2-3).

The second reading, taken from Paul's Letter to the Hebrews, reminds us to be thankful for Jesus Christ’s Self-offering, the perfect sacrifice of loving obedience that liberated us from sin. In obedient, willing eagerness to do God’s will, ("Behold, I come to do Your will”), Christ gave Himself in the place of all other ritual sacrifices offered as the means of sanctification. In the Gospel, Luke tells us how two seemingly insignificant women met to celebrate the kindness and fidelity of God. 

We see here how sensitive Mary was to the needs of Elizabeth, her older cousin who had miraculously become pregnant in her old age. For Luke, discipleship consists in listening to God's word and then carrying it out, and Mary does both, to become the most perfect disciple.

Life messages: 

1) We need to carry Jesus to others as Mary did. Christmas is the ideal time for us to be filled with the Spirit of Christ, through Whom Christ is reborn in us and thus enables us to share His love with all whom we encounter. We do so by offering each of them humble and committed service, unconditional forgiveness and compassionate, caring love. Let us take the time to visit others during this Christmas season, especially the sick and shut-ins, to bring some inspiration into their lives, and hopefully to bring them closer to God.

2) We need to bless and encourage the younger generation. Elizabeth demonstrates the responsibility of the older generation to inspire the younger generation. Grandparents, parents, teachers, and leaders are responsible for encouraging those around them. By complimenting and encouraging one’s spouse, children and friends, let us show them how valuable they are to us and to God.

3) We need to recognize the Real Presence of the Emmanuel (God is with us) in the Holy Eucharist, in the Bible, in the Sacraments, and in the praying community. The hill country of Judea is right here in our surroundings. Let us convey Jesus to people around us by our acts of love, kindness and forgiveness.

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"HE WILL SING JOYFULLY BECAUSE OF YOU..."

 Readings for Sunday, December 15  2024 

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 
Lectionary: 9

IT-TIELET ĦADD TAL-AVVENT

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Reading 1                 Zephefaniah 3:14-18a

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!  Sing joyfully, O Israel!  Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has removed the judgment against you  he has turned away your enemies;  the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:  Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst,  a mighty saviour;   he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.  

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Sofonija 3:14-18a

Għajjat bil-ferħ ta’ qalbek, bint Sijon, Iżrael, samma’ leħnek! Infexx fl-hena u ifraħ b’qalbek kollha, bint Ġerusalemm! Neħħa l-Mulej minn fuqek is-sentenza li kellek kontrik, keċċa l-għedewwa tiegħek. Is-sultan t’Iżrael, il-Mulej, hu f’nofsok; ma jkollokx iżjed ħsara minn xiex tibża’. Dakinhar jgħidu lil Ġerusalemm: “Tibżax, Sijon, tħallix idejk jintelqu! Il-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, qiegħed f’nofsok, gwerrier li jsalva; minħabba fik jithenna b’hena kbir, fi mħabbtu jġeddek, jinfexx minħabba fik f’għajat ta’ ferħ, bħallikieku f’jum ta’ festa”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  ISAIAH 12:2-3, 4, 5-6.

God indeed is my Saviour;  I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my saviour. 
With joy you will draw water  at the fountain of salvation. 
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
 for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 ISAIJA 12:2-3,4bċd,5-6

R/.(6): Kbir hu f’nofsok il-Qaddis ta’ Iżrael.

Alla s-salvazzjoni tiegħi,
jiena nittama u ma jkollix mniex nibża’.
Għax qawwieti u għanjieti hu l-Mulej,
għalija sar is-salvazzjoni.
Kollkom ferħana
timlew l-ilma mill-għejun tas-salvazzjoni. R/.

Roddu ħajr lill-Mulej, sejħu ismu,
għarrfu lill-ġnus bl-għemejjel tiegħu,
xandru li ismu huwa fl-għoli. R/.

Għannu lill-Mulej għax għamel ħwejjeġ kbar;
ħa jkun dan magħruf mal-art kollha.
Aqbeż bil-ferħ, għanni,
int li tgħammar f’Sijon,
għax kbir hu f’nofsok il-Qaddis ta’ Iżrael. R/.

Reading 2                  PHILIPPIANSl 4:4-7

Brothers and sisters:  Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again:  rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,  by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,  make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Filippin  4:4-7 

Ħuti, ifirħu dejjem fil-Mulej; nerġa’ ngħidilkom, ifirħu. Il-ħlewwa tagħkom ħa jkunu jafuha l-bnedmin kollha. Il-Mulej qorob! Tħabbtu raskom b’xejn. Fit-talb kollu tagħkom itolbu u uru lil Alla xi jkollkom bżonn, u iżżuh ħajr. U s-sliem ta’ Alla, sliem li jgħaddi kulma l-moħħ jista’ jifhem, iżommilkom qalbkom u moħħkom sħaħ fi Kristu Ġesù. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 LUKE 3:10-18

The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none.  And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them,  “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone,  and be satisfied with your wages.” Now the people were filled with expectation,  and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying,  “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn,  but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways,  he preached good news to the people.

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Luqa 3:10-18

F’dak iż-żmien, in-nies kienu jistaqsu lil Ġwanni u jgħidulu: “Mela x’għandna nagħmlu?”. U huwa kien iweġibhom: “Min għandu żewġ ilbiesi, jaqsam ma’ min ma għandu xejn, u min għandu x’jiekol jagħmel l-istess”. Resqu wkoll xi pubblikani biex jitgħammdu u qalulu: “Mgħallem, x’għandna nagħmlu aħna?”. U huwa weġibhom: “Tissikkaw lil ħadd biex jagħtikom taxxi iżjed milli jmisskom tieħdu”. Staqsewh ukoll xi suldati u qalulu: “U aħna, x’għandna nagħmlu?”. U huwa weġibhom: “Tisirqu lil ħadd bit-theddid jew bil-qerq tagħkom, u kkuntentaw ruħkom bil-paga li għandkom”.  Il-poplu kien qiegħed jistenna ħerqan, u kulħadd kien jistaqsi lilu nnifsu dwar Ġwanni, jekk kienx hu l-Messija. Għalhekk Ġwanni qabad u qal lil kulħadd: “Jien, ngħid għalija, ngħammidkom bl-ilma, imma ġej wieħed aqwa minni, li ma jistħoqqlix inħollu l-qfieli tal-qorq tiegħu. Hu jgħammidkom bl-Ispirtu s-Santu u n-nar. Il-midra qiegħda f’idu, biex iderri l-qiegħa u jiġbor il-qamħ fil-maħżen tiegħu, imma t-tiben jaħarqu b’nar li ma jintefiex”. U b’ħafna twissijiet oħra kien ixandar lill-poplu l-bxara t-tajba. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil    

SO WHAT ARE WE NOW GOING TO DO?   

 Introduction:

The central theme of Sunday’s readings is the command "Rejoice!" We are to do so mainly by realizing the presence of Jesus in our midst, by receiving Jesus into our lives through our repentance, by our renewal of life, and by our faithful doing of God’s will. Today is called “Gaudete” Sunday because Sunday’s Mass begins with the opening antiphon, “Gaudete in Domino semper” (“Rejoice in the Lord always”). Today we light the rose-colored candle of the Advent wreath, and the priest may wear rose-colored vestments, to express our communal joy in the coming of Jesus as our Savior. We rejoice because a) we are celebrating the day of Christ’s birth, b) we recognize Jesus’ daily presence in our midst, and c) we wait for Christ’s return in glory.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In today’s first reading, the prophet Zephaniah encourages Jerusalem and Israel to shout out for the joy of their expected deliverance by the Lord. In today’s Responsorial Psalm (Is 12:6), the prophet Isaiah gives the same instruction, "Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel." St. Paul echoes this message of joy in the second reading, a letter written from imprisonment: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again, rejoice...” 

In the Gospel today, John the Baptist explains the secret of Christian joy as our wholehearted commitment to God’s Way by the doing of His will. John challenges people to generosity and a sense of fairness so that others may have reason to rejoice. According to John, happiness comes from doing our duties faithfully, doing good for others, and sharing our blessings with others in need. John’s call to repentance is a call to joy and restoration. 

Repentance means a change in the purpose and direction of our lives. John tells the people to act with justice, charity, and honesty, letting their lives reflect their transformation. For us, that transformation occurs when Christ enters our lives, and we begin to live those lives in the ways Jesus teaches and John suggests.

Life Messages:

1) We are called to a change of life. First, we should examine our relationships with others. We need to mend ruptures, ease or relieve frictions, face family responsibilities, work honestly, and treat employees and employers justly. Our domestic and social lives must be put in order. We must abandon our selfish thirst for consumption and, instead, be filled with the expectation of Jesus' coming. 

2) We need to remember that we, like John the Baptist, are Christ’s precursors: Parents, teachers, and public servants act as Christ’s precursors by repenting of their sins, reforming their lives, and bringing Christ into the lives of those entrusted to their care. Parents are expected to instill in their children a true Christian spirit and an appreciation for Christian values by their own lives and behaviour. All public servants need to remember that they are God's instruments and that they are to lead the people they serve to the feet of Jesus, so that they, too, may know him personally and accept him as their Saviour, Lord and Brother.

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"I WILL PUT ENMITY BETWEEN YOU AND THE WOMAN...."

 Readings for Sunday, December 8  2024 

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 689

Solennità tat-Tnissil bla Tebgħa tal-Verġni Mqaddsa Marija

Reading 1                  GENESIS 3:9-15, 20

After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree, the LORD God called to the man and asked him, "Where are you?" He answered, "I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself." Then he asked, "Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!" The man replied, "The woman whom you put here with me-- she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it." The LORD God then asked the woman, "Why did you do such a thing?" The woman answered, "The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it." Then the LORD God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals and from all the wild creatures; on your belly shall you crawl, and dirt shall you eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel."  The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all the living.

QARI 1                    mill-Ktieb tal-Ġenesi. 3: 9-15.20

Wara li Adam kiel mis-siġra: Il-Mulej sejjaħlu u qallu: “Fejn int?” U wieġbu: “Għax smajt ħossok fil-ġnien, u billi jien għarwien, bżajt u staħbejt”. U qallu: “Min qallek li int għarwien? Jaqaw kilt mis-siġra li għidtlek ma tikolx minnha?” U wieġeb Adam: “Il-mara li tajtni miegħi, hi tatni mis-siġra, u jiena kilt”. U l-Mulej Alla qal lill-mara: “X’inhu li għamilt?” U l-mara weġbitu: “Is-serp daħak bija, u kilt”. U l-Mulej Alla qal lis-serp: “Talli għamilt hekk, int tkun l-iżjed misħut fost il-bhejjem kollha u fost l-annimali selvaġġi kollha. Int timxi għal żaqqek u tiekol it-trab għal ħajtek kollha. Innissel mibegħda bejnek u bejn il-mara, bejn nislek u bejn nisilha. Hu jgħaffiġlek rasek u inti tgħattanlu għarqubu”. U lil martu Adam semmieha Eva, għax kienet omm il-ħajjin kollha. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. 

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous deeds.

The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous deeds.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous deeds.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 97: 1-4

R/. Għannu lill-Mulej għanja ġdida, għax għamel l-għeġubijiet!

Għannu lill-Mulej għanja ġdida,
għax għamel l-għeġubijiet.
Ġibitlu r-rebħa l-leminija tiegħu
u d-driegħ imqaddes tiegħu. R/.

Għarraf il-Mulej is-salvazzjoni tiegħu,
f’għajnejn il-ġnus wera l-ġustizzja tiegħu.
Ftakar fi tjubitu
u fil-fedeltà tiegħu għal dar Israel. R/.

Raw it-truf kollha tal-art
is-salvazzjoni ta’ Alla tagħna.
Għajtu bil-ferħ lill-Mulej fl-art kollha,
infexxu fil-hena, ifirħu u għannu. R/.

Reading 2                  EPHESIANS 1:3-6, 11-12

Brothers and sisters:  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lill-Efesin 1: 3-6.11-12

Ħuti: Imbierek Alla u Missier Sidna Ġesù Kristu, li mliena b’kull xorta ta’ barka spiritwali, fis-smewwiet, fi Kristu. Hekk hu għażilna fih, sa minn qabel il-ħolqien tad-dinja, biex inkunu qaddisa u bla tebgħa quddiemu fl-imħabba; iddestinana li nkunu għalih ulied addottivi permezz ta’ Ġesù Kristu, skont ma għoġob lir-rieda tiegħu għat-tifħir tal-glorja tal-grazzja tiegħu, li biha mliena fil-Maħbub tiegħu.  Fih aħna wkoll konna magħżula, iddestinati minn qabel, skont il-pjan imfassal minn qabel minn min imexxi kollox skont il-fehma tar-rieda tiegħu, sabiex inkunu għat-tifħir tal-glorja tiegħu, aħna li, sa minn qabel, konna nittamaw fi Kristu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                  LUKE 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end." But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

EVANĠELJU                Qari skont San Luqa 1: 26-38

F’dak iż-żmien: L-anġlu Gabrijel kien mibgħut minn Alla f’belt tal-Galilija, jisimhaNazaret, għand xebba mgħarrsa ma’ raġel jismu Ġużeppi, mid-dar ta’ David; u x-xebba kien jisimha Marija. Daħal għandha u qalilha: “Sliem għalik, mimlija bil-grazzja, il-Mulej miegħek”. Għal dan il-kliem tħawdet, u bdiet titħasseb bejnha u bejn ruħha x’setgħet tfisser dik it-tislima. Iżda l-anġlu qalilha: “Tibżax, Marija, għax inti sa tnissel fi ħdanek u jkollox iben u ssemmih Ġesù. Hu jkun kbir, u jkun jissejjaħ Bin il-Għoli, u l-Mulej Alla jagħtih it-tron ta’ David missieru; u jsaltan fuq dar Ġakobb għal dejjem, u s-saltna tiegħu ma jkollhiex tmiem”.  Iżda, Marija qalet lill-anġlu: “Kif ikun dan, ladarba ma nagħrafx raġel?” Weġibha l-anġlu u qalilha: “L-Ispirtu s-Santu jiġi fuqek u l-qawwa tal-Għoli tixħet id-dell tagħha fuqek; u għalhekk dak li jitwieled minnek ikun qaddis u jkun jissejjaħ Bin Alla. U ara, il-qariba tiegħek Eliżabetta, hija wkoll nisslet iben fi ħdanha, u dan huwa s-sitt xahar għaliha li kienu jgħidu li ma jistax ikollha tfal; għax għal Alla ma hemm xejn li ma jistax isir”.  Imbagħad qalet Marija: “Hawn jien il-qaddejja tal-Mulej; ħa jsir minni skont kelmtek!” U l-anġlu telaq minn ħdejha.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Homily for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception    

BLESSED ARE YOU AMONGST WOMEN...

By the Most Rev Timothy Costelloe SDB, Archbishop of Perth.

The teaching of the Immaculate Conception tells us that Mary, from the first moment of her existence, was totally free from the influence of that universal sinfulness which touches us all from the first moments of our existence. We come to be in a world broken by sinfulness and not one aspect of life is free from this. But God has never left the human race without his help and at the fulness of time he worked our salvation; Mary was to be the mother of the Saviour, and so on the side of the cause of salvation; she gave birth to the human being who saves us all and so it was fitting for her to be preserved from the brokenness which affects us by the grace of her Son.

The First Reading evokes the image of sinful brokenness which we experience, of the disobedience which brings pain and suffering. This brokenness becomes part of our being human in the world and we spread it everywhere. The wonder of God’s mercy is that in his Son, Jesus, born of the Virgin, God turns our human nature into an instrument of the healing of the world, the reconciliation of all people.

The Gospel speaks, not of Mary’s conception, but that of Jesus. It begins the moment Mary says that ‘Yes’. The angel greets her as “full of grace”, filled with God’s love and God’s favour, specially singled out for this moment. Through our baptism and through grace we can become actors in the healing of the world, the reconciliation of all. We can be instruments of grace or instruments of sinfulness and we know that we go easily from one to the other.

Our humanity can only be a healing, reconciling humanity if we seek to live in obedience to God, if we accept and respond to God’s grace. We need grace, which our second readings celebrates as God’s free gift to us in his beloved Son. Mary was preserved from the influence of sinfulness, was able to say her ‘yes’ to God because of grace. Grace – God’s gift – enabled her to be all that she was, to respond to God as she did. All is grace.

Many centuries ago St Augustine helped the Church clarify her teaching that we cannot do the good, we cannot be saved without grace. Then some said that maybe the initial movement to God, the first turning to God is possible without grace. But the Second Council of Arausio or Orange in 529 taught that we cannot even want to do good without grace; every movement to God is a work of grace, a grace which comes before we do anything, prevenient grace. Grace prompts and makes it possible for us to do the good which heals and saves. We cannot do the truly good without God’s help. And this help God gives generously, we just have to be open, with the help of his grace, to God’s ways which are not our ways.

We are all too often the cause of sin and pain in other people’s lives. Let us turn to the Lord, with the help of his grace, pray for his grace, pray to become more obedient to him after the example of Mary, only then can we be people who bring wholeness and healing into the lives of those around us, into our world which hungers for the balm of grace.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

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A NEW YEAR BEGINS .....

Readings for Sunday, December 1, 2024 

First Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 3

l-Ewwel Ħadd tal-Avvent

Reading 1                 JEREMIAH 33:14-16

The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot ; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: “The LORD our justice.”

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Ġeremija 33:14-16

Ara, għad jiġu jiem – oraklu tal-Mulej – meta nġib fuq dar Iżrael u dar Ġuda l-ġid li wegħedthom. F’dawk il-jiem u f’dak iż-żmien intalla’ min-nisel ta’ David rimja tas-sewwa, bniedem li jagħmel il-ġustizzja u s-sewwa fil-pajjiż. F’dawk il-jiem Ġuda jinħeles u Ġerusalemm tgħammar b’moħħha mistrieħ, u għalhekk isejħulha: Il-Mulej is-sewwa tagħna. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior,
and for you I wait all the day. 
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and teaches the humble his way. 
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,
and his covenant, for their instruction. 
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 24(25):4bċ-5ab,8-9,10,14

R/. (1b): Lejk jien nerfa’ ruħi, Mulej.

Triqatek, Mulej, għarrafni,
il-mogħdijiet tiegħek għallimni.
Mexxini fis-sewwa tiegħek u għallimni,
għax int Alla tas-salvazzjoni tiegħi. R/.

Tajjeb u sewwa l-Mulej;
għalhekk juri triqtu lill-ħatja.
Imexxi l-imsejkna fis-sewwa,
jgħallem lill-fqajrin it-triq tiegħu. R/.

Il-mogħdijiet tal-Mulej kollhom tjieba u fedeltà
għal min iħares il-patt u l-liġijiet tiegħu.
Midħla l-Mulej ta’ dawk li jibżgħu minnu,
lilhom jgħarraf il-patt tiegħu. R/.

Reading 2                 1 THESSALONIANS 3:12—4:2

Brothers and sisters:  May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you,  so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.  Amen.  Finally, brothers and sisters, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God and as you are conducting yourselves you do so even more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 

QARI 2                   mill-Ewwel Ittra lit-Tessalonikin 3:12–4:2

Ħuti, jalla l-Mulej ikattrilkom u jfawwarkom bl-imħabba għal xulxin u lejn kulħadd, l-istess bħalma aħna nħobbu lilkom, ħalli jqawwilkom qalbkom u jkollkom qdusija bla għajb quddiem Alla, Missierna, għal meta jiġi Sidna Ġesù mdawwar bil-qaddisin tiegħu. Fl-aħħar, ħuti, intom tgħallimtu mingħandna kif għandkom timxu biex togħġbu lil Alla, kif tabilħaqq qegħdin iġġibu ruħkom; aħna f’Sidna Ġesù nitolbukom u nħeġġukom biex tagħmlu xi ħaġa iżjed. Tafu x’tagħlim tajniekom permezz ta’ Sidna Ġesù. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 LUKE 21:25-28, 34-36

Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay,  perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,  for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Luqa 21:25-28,34-36

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Ikun hemm sinjali fix-xemx u l-qamar u l-kwiekeb. Il-ġnus fuq l-art, b’qalbhom ittaqtaq, ma jafux x’jaqbdu jagħmlu minħabba l-ħsejjes tal-baħar u tal-imwieġ; in-nies ruħhom ħierġa bil-biża’ billi jobsru xi jkun ġej fuq id-dinja, għax il-qawwiet tas-smewwiet jitqallbu. Imbagħad jaraw lil Bin il-bniedem ġej fi sħaba, b’qawwa u glorja kbira. Meta jibda jseħħ dan kollu, qawwu qalbkom u erfgħu raskom, għax il-fidwa tagħkom hi fil-qrib. Oqogħdu attenti, u qisu li l-ikel u x-xorb żejjed u s-sokor ma jmewtulkomx qalbkom, u tħallux li l-ħafna tħassib għall-ħtiġiet tal-ħajja jeħdilkom raskom, li ma ssibuhx dak il-Jum fuqkom għall-għarrieda. Għax hu Jum li għad jaqa’ bħal nassa fuq kull min jgħammar fuq wiċċ l-art kollha. Ishru, mela, u itolbu l-ħin kollu, biex tkunu tifilħu tgħaddu minn kulma għandu jiġri u tieqfu quddiem Bin il-bniedem”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil        

 CHRIST REBORN IN OUR LIVES

Introduction 

The Central theme is that Advent is a time of waiting for Christ, allowing Jesus to be reborn in our lives. It is also a time for purifying our hearts by repentance and for renewing our lives by reflecting on and experiencing the several comings (advents) of Christ into our lives. Besides coming into our world through birth, Jesus comes into our lives through His Church and its members, through its Sacraments (especially the Holy Eucharist), the Word of God, the worshipping community, and finally, in His Second Coming

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah waits and hopes for an ideal descendant of King David who, as the Messiah of God, will bring security, peace, and justice to God’s people. Christians believe that Jeremiah’s waiting and hoping were fulfilled in Jesus. Jeremiah’s prophecy assures us that the Lord, our Justice will fulfill His promises, and, hence, that we need not be afraid, despite frightening events and almost universal moral degradation. 

The Psalmist expresses the central idea of patient, vigilant, prayerful waiting for the Lord in today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 25), singing, “Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your Truth and teach me for You are God, my Savior.” In the second reading, Paul urges the Thessalonians to continue and intensify the life of holiness and mutual love he has taught them as they wait for “the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His holy ones." 

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus prophesies the signs and portents that will accompany his Second Coming and encourages us to be expectant, optimistic, vigilant, and well-prepared: “When these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads, because your redemption is at hand” (Lk 21:28). Jesus wants us to face the future with confidence in God’s providence.

Life messages: 

1) We need to prepare ourselves for Christ’s second coming by allowing Jesus to be reborn daily in our lives. Advent gives us time to make this preparation -- repenting of and confessing our sins, renewing our lives through prayer, penance, and sharing our blessings with others. In Advent, we also ought to check for what needs to be put right in our lives, to see how we have failed, and to assess the ways in which we can do better. Let us accept the challenge of the German mystic Angelus Silesius “Christ could be born a thousand times in Bethlehem – but all in vain until He is born in me.” (Quoted in Messenger of The Heart: The Book Of Angelus Silesius, With Observations By Frederick Franck, 2005)

2) A message of warning and hope: The Church reminds us that we will each be asked to give an account of our lives before Christ the Judge, both at the moment of our death (“private Judgment”) and at Jesus’ second coming (“The Last Judgment”). Today’s readings invite us to assess our lives every night during Advent and to make the necessary alterations in our thoughts, words, deeds, and omissionns, in the light of the approaching Christmas celebration. Amid the tragedies that sometimes occur in our daily lives and the setbacks in spiritual life, we must raise our heads in hope and anticipation, knowing that the Lord is coming again.

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THE KING OF TRUTH

Readings for Sunday, November 24,  2024 

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Lectionary: 161

Solennità ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu Sultan tal-Ħolqien Kollu (Kristu Re)

Reading 1                 DANIEL 7:13-14

As the visions during the night continued, I saw one like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One  and was presented before him, the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. 

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Danjel 7:13-14

Billejl deherli qiegħed nara bħal iben ta’ bniedem, ġej mis-sħab tas-sema, li baqa’ sejjer sax-Xiħ fl-għomor u ressquh quddiemu. U tawh ħakma, ġieħ, u saltna, biex lilu jaqdi kull ġens, u poplu, u lsien. Ħakmietu ħakma għal dejjem li ma tgħaddix, u saltnatu li ma tinqeridx. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 93:1, 1-2, 5

The LORD is king, in splendor robed;
    robed is the LORD and girt about with strength.
R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

And he has made the world firm,
    not to be moved.
Your throne stands firm from of old;
    from everlasting you are, O LORD.
R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed;
    holiness befits your house,
    O LORD, for length of days.
R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 92(93):1ab,1ċ-2,5

R/. (1a): Il-Mulej isaltan; il-kobor libes.

Il-Mulej isaltan; il-kobor libes,
libes il-Mulej u tħażżem bil-qawwa. R/.

Iżomm sħiħa d-dinja; qatt ma titħarrek.
Imwaqqaf it-tron tiegħek fis-sod minn dejjem;
minn dejjem ta’ dejjem int. R/.

Il-kmandamenti tiegħek ta’ min joqgħod fuqhom;
qdusija lil darek tixraq, Mulej,
sakemm itul iż-żmien. R/.

Reading 2                 REVELATIONS 1:5-8

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.  To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever.  Amen. Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will lament him. Yes.  Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, " says the Lord God, "the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."

QARI 2                  mill-Ktieb tal-Apokalissi ta’ San Ġwann App. 1:5-8

Ġesù Kristu hu x-xhud fidil, il-Kbir fost il-mejtin, il-Prinċep tas-slaten tad-dinja. Lil Dak li ħabbna, u li ħallna minn dnubietna bis-saħħa ta’ demmu, u li għamilna saltna, qassisin għal Alla tiegħu Missieru, lilu l-glorja u s-setgħa għal dejjem ta’ dejjem. Amen.  Arawh, ġej fis-sħab, u l-għajnejn kollha jarawh, ukoll dawk li kienu nifduh; u r-razez kollha tal-art jibdew iħabbtu fuq sidirhom minħabba fih. Iva. Amen! Jiena huwa l-Alfa u l-Omega, jgħid il-Mulej Alla, li hu, u li kien, u li għad irid jiġi, Dak li jista’ kollox! Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 JOHN 18:33b-37

Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?"  Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?"  Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me.  What have you done?"  Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.  But as it is, my kingdom is not here."  So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?"  Jesus answered, "You say I am a king.  For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Ġwann 18:33b-37

F’dak iż-żmien, Pilatu sejjaħ lil Ġesù u qallu: “Inti s-sultan tal-Lhud?”. Ġesù wieġeb: “Dan qiegħed tgħidu int minn moħħok, jew kienu oħrajn li qalulek dan fuqi?”. Pilatu wieġeb: “Mela jiena Lhudi? Kien il-poplu tiegħek u l-qassisin il-kbar li tawk f’idejja. X’għamilt?”. Ġesù wieġeb: “Is-saltna tiegħi mhijiex ta’ din id-dinja. Li kieku saltnati kienet ta’ din id-dinja, l-għases tiegħi kienu jiġġieldu biex ma ningħatax f’idejn il-Lhud; imma tabilħaqq saltnati mhijiex ta’ hawn”. Pilatu qallu: “Mela int sultan?”. U Ġesù wieġeb: “Int qiegħed tgħidu; jien sultan. Jien għalhekk twelidt, u għalhekk ġejt fid-dinja, biex nixhed għall-verità. U kull min iħobb il-verità jisma’ leħni”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil       

Christ the King Sunday 

Introduction 

This Sunday, the last in Cycle B of the Church’s liturgical year, the readings describe the enthronement of the victorious Christ as King in Heaven in all His glory. Instituting this Feast of Christ, the King in 1925, Pope Pius XI proclaimed: “Pax Christi in regno Christi” (the peace of Christ in the reign of Christ). This means that we live in the peace of Christ when we surrender our lives to Him every day, accept Him as our God, Saviour and King and allow Him to rule our lives. 

Why Christ is our King?: 

1) Christ is God, the Creator of the universe and, hence, wields a supreme power over all things; "All things were created through Him"; 

2) Christ is our Redeemer, He purchased us by His precious Blood, and made us His property and possession; 

3) Christ is the Head of the Church, "holding in all things the primacy"; 

4) God bestowed upon Christ the nations of the world as His special possession and dominion.

Biblical basis of the feast: 

A) Old Testament texts: The title "Christ the King" has its roots both in Scripture and in the whole theology of the Kingdom of God. In most of the Messianic prophecies, given in the Old Testament books of Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, Christ the Messiah is represented as a King. 

B) New Testament texts:  a) In the Annunciation, recorded in Lk 1:32-33, we read: “…and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the House of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there will be no end.” In fact, the Kingdom of God is the center of Jesus’ teaching, and the phrase "Kingdom of God" occurs in the Gospels 122 times, of which 90 instances are uses by Jesus. 

    b) The Magi from the Far East came to Jerusalem and asked the question: (Mt 2:2) “Where is the Baby born to be the King of the Jews? We saw His star… and we have come to worship Him." 

    c) During the royal reception given to Jesus on Palm Sunday, the Jews shouted: (Lk 19:38) “God bless the King, Who comes in the name of the Lord." 

    d) During the trial of Jesus described in today’s Gospel, Pilate asked the question : “Are you the king of the Jews?" (Jn 18:33), and Jesus replied: “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth" (Jn:18:37) 

    e) The signboard hung over Jesus’ head on the cross read: “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews." 

    f) Before his Ascension into Heaven, Jesus declared: “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me; go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations … (Mt 28:18ff).” 

    g) Finally, in Matthew 25:31, we read that Christ the King will come in glory to judge us on the day of the Last Judgment.

Life Messages: 

1) We need to accept and surrender our lives to Christ the King as our Lord, King, and Savior. We surrender our lives to Jesus every day when we give priority to all that Jesus taught when we are making our daily choices, especially moral choices. We should not exclude Christ our King from any area of our personal or family lives. In other words, Christ must be in full charge of our lives, and we must give Christ sovereign power over our bodies, our thoughts, our heart, and our will. 

2) We need to be serving disciples of a serving King. Jesus declared, “…whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mt 20:27-28), and later showed us the spirit of service by washing of the feet of the apostles. We become Jesus’ followers when we recognize Jesus present in everyone, especially the poor, the sick, the outcast, and the marginalized in society and render humble and loving service to Jesus in each of them. 

3) We need to accept Jesus Christ as the King of love. Jesus, having come to proclaim to all of us the Good News of God’s love and salvation and arrived at the ending of his life, gave us a “new commandment” of love: “Love one another as I have loved you.” Then he demonstrated that love by dying for us sinners. We accept Jesus as our King of love when we love others as Jesus loves each of us, unconditionally, sacrificially, and with agape love.

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