LOVE YOUR ENEMIES!

 Readings for Sunday, February 23rd

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 81

Is-Seba’ Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23

In those days, Saul went down to the desert of Ziph with three thousand picked men of Israel, to search for David in the desert of Ziph. So David and Abishai went among Saul’s soldiers by night and found Saul lying asleep within the barricade, with his spear thrust into the ground at his head and Abner and his men sleeping around him.  Abishai whispered to David: “God has delivered your enemy into your grasp this day. Let me nail him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I will not need a second thrust!” But David said to Abishai, “Do not harm him, for who can lay hands on the LORD’s anointed and remain unpunished?” So David took the spear and the water jug from their place at Saul’s head, and they got away without anyone’s seeing or knowing or awakening. All remained asleep,  because the LORD had put them into a deep slumber.  Going across to an opposite slope, avid stood on a remote hilltop  at a great distance from Abner, son of Ner, and the troops. He said: “Here is the king’s spear.  Let an attendant come over to get it. The LORD will reward each man for his justice and faithfulness. Today, though the LORD delivered you into my grasp, I would not harm the LORD’s anointed.”

QARI 1                        mill-Ewwel Ktieb ta’ Samwel 26, 2.7-9.12-13.22-23

F’dak iż-żmien, Sawl qam u niżel lejn id-deżert ta’ Żif, u miegħu ħa tlitt elef raġel magħżula minn Iżrael, ifittex lil David fid-deżert ta’ Żif. U ġie David u Abisaj ħdejn l-eżerċtu billejl, u Sawl kien mimdud u rieqed f’nofs il-kamp, u l-lanza tiegħu kienet imwaħħla fl-art in-naħa ta’ rasu; u Abner u n-nies tiegħu mimdudin madwaru. U Abisaj qal lil David: “Illum il-Mulej reħa l-għadu tiegħu f’idejk, ħa nsammru mal-art b’daqqa waħda bil-lanza tiegħu stess, bla ma nagħtih oħra”. Imma David wieġeb lil Abisaj: “La toqtlux! Għax min qatt medd idu fuq il-midluk tal-Mulej, u ħelisha?”. David ħa l-lanza u l-ġarra tal-ilma minn ħdejn ras Sawl u telqu, bla ma ħadd rahom jew intebaħ, u bla ma ħadd stenbaħ, għax kollha kienu reqdin, u ngħas tqil waqa’ fuqhom mingħand il-Mulej. David imbagħad qasam għan-naħa l-oħra u qagħad fuq il-quċċata tal-għolja fil-bogħod, b’wisa’ kbir bejniethom. U David għajjat: “Hawn hi l-lanza tas-sultan, ħa jiġi ’l hawn wieħed mill-qaddejja u jeħodha! Il-Mulej irodd lil kull wieħed skont il-ġustizzja tiegħu u l-lealtà tiegħu. Il-Mulej telqek f’idejja llum, imma jien ma ridtx immidd idejja fuq il-midluk tal-Mulej”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R The Lord is kind and merciful.

He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R The Lord is kind and merciful.

Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R The Lord is kind and merciful.

As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
R The Lord is kind and merciful.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 102 (103), 1-2.3-4.8 u 10.12-13

R/. (8a) Ħanin u twajjeb il-Mulej

Bierek, ruħ tiegħi, il-Mulej!
B’qalbi kollha nbierek l-isem qaddis tiegħu.
Bierek, ruħ tiegħi, il-Mulej,
u la tinsiex il-ġid kollu li għamel miegħek. R/.

Hu li jaħfer dnubietek kollha;
ifejjaq il-mard tiegħek kollu;
jifdi lil ħajtek mill-qabar;
iħaddnek bit-tjieba u l-ħniena. R/.

Ħanin u twajjeb il-Mulej,
idum ma jagħdab u kollu mogħdrija.
Ma mexiex magħna skont ma ħaqqhom ħtijietna;
ma ħallasniex skont ma ħaqqha ħżunitna. R/.

Daqs kemm hu mbiegħed il-Lvant mill-Punent,
hekk hu jbiegħed minna ħtijietna.
Bħalma jħenn il-missier għal uliedu,
hekk iħenn il-Mulej għal min għandu l-biża’ tiegħu. R/.

Reading 2                  1 Corinthians 15:45-49

Brothers and sisters:  It is written, The first man, Adam, became a living being, the last Adam a life-giving spirit. But the spiritual was not first; rather the natural and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, earthly; the second man, from heaven. As was the earthly one, so also are the earthly, and as is the heavenly one, so also are the heavenly. Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one.

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra lill-Korintin 15, 45-49

Ħuti, l-ewwel bniedem, Adam, sar ruħ ħajja, l-aħħar wieħed sar spirtu li jagħti l-ħajja. Mhux l-ispiritwali ġie l-ewwel, imma l-ewwel in-naturali u mbagħad l-ispiritwali. L-ewwel bniedem, mit-trab, hu tal-art; it-tieni bniedem, mis-sema. Bħalma hu l-bniedem tal-art, hekk ukoll huma l-bnedmin tal-art; bħalma hu l-bniedem tas-sema, hekk ukoll huma l-bnedmin tassema. Bħalma aħna mlibbsa x-xbieha tal-bniedem tal-art, hekk ukoll għad nilbsu x-xbieha tal-bniedem tas-sema.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                  Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

EVANĠELJU                   Qari skont San Luqa 6, 27-38

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Imma lilkom, li qegħdin tisimgħuni, ngħidilkom: Ħobbu l-għedewwa tagħkom, agħmlu l-ġid lil min jobgħodkom, bierku lil min jisħetkom, itolbu għal min iżeblaħkom. Min jagħtik bil-ħarta fuq naħa waħda, dawwarlu wiċċek ħalli jagħtik fuq in-naħa l-oħra; min jeħodlok il-mantar, anqas il-libsa ma għandek tiċħadlu. Agħti lil kull min jitolbok; u min jeħodlok xi ħaġa tiegħek, titlobhilux lura. Kif tridu li l-bnedmin jagħmlu lilkom, hekk ukoll agħmlu intom lilhom. Jekk intom tħobbu lil min iħobbkom, xi ħlas jista’ jkollkom? Għax il-midinbin ukoll iħobbu lil min iħobbhom. U jekk tagħmlu l-ġid lil min jagħmel il-ġid lilkom, xi ħlas jista’ jkollkom? Għax dan jagħmluh saħansitra l-midinbin. U jekk tisilfu xi ħaġa lil min tistennewh iroddhielkom lura, xi ħlas jista’ jkollkom? Il-midinbin ukoll jisilfu lill-midinbin, bil-ħsieb li jieħdu lura daqshekk ieħor mingħandhom.  Imma intom ħobbu l-għedewwa tagħkom, agħmlu l-ġid, isilfu bla ma tistennew xi ħaġa lura, u l-ħlas tagħkom ikun kbir; u tkunu wlied Alla l-Għoli, li hu tajjeb mal-ingrati u l-ħżiena. Ħennu, bħalma hu ħanin Missierkom. Tiġġudikawx, u ma tkunux iġġudikati; tikkundannawx, u ma tkunux ikkundannati; aħfru, u ssibu l-maħfra; agħtu, u jingħatalkom. Kejl tajjeb, marsus, mheżżeż sewwa u mburġat iqegħdulkom f’ħoġorkom; għax bl-istess kejl li tkejlu intom jitkejjel lilkom”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

MAKING OUR CORRECT CHOICES IN LIFE

Central theme: 

Sunday’s Scripture readings challenge us to make three types of correct choices in life.  First, we are advised to choose the “golden rule” including loving our enemies and showing sensitivity to the feelings and needs of others. Second, we need to choose unconditional, agape love instead of envy, jealousy and hatred in our relationships with others. Third, we must choose graceful and merciful forgiveness instead of harboring revenge and planning retaliation.

Scripture lessons: 

The first reading shows us how David made the right choice, respecting God’s anointed king by forgiving his offenses, while Saul continued to make the wrong choices, perpetuating his own misery in seeking his revenge. In the Responsorial Psalm, Ps 103, the Psalmist reminds us of the mercy of God and His compassion which we should practice in our choices. In the second reading, St. Paul tells us how the “First Adam” made a wrong choice of disobedience, bringing death into the world, whereas Jesus, the “Second Adam,” made the right choice of fulfilling his Father’s saving plan for mankind by accepting acute suffering and a heinous death. Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 6:27-38) gives us Jesus’ revolutionary moral teaching about correct choices in our human relationships, based on the necessity of our following the “Golden Rule” and our obligation to behave like the children of a loving, forgiving, merciful, and compassionate Heavenly Father. 

Our relationships in our communities become truly Christian when we follow the Golden Rule, “Do to others as you would have them do to you,” as Jesus amplifies it, obeying the additional commands of radical Christian love we are to exercise as God’s children (and Jesus’ adapted brothers and sisters), “Love your enemies…Do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you and pray for those who maltreat you.” Jesus orders us to love our enemies and to be merciful and compassionate to everyone as God our Father is loving, merciful, and compassionate. He concludes by instructing us to stop judging others and start forgiving all who offend us.

Life Messages: 

1)  We need to practice the Golden Rule in its full form: The Golden Rule asks us to do to others what we would like them do to us. If we obey, loving others and expressing that love by loving words and deeds, we will start receiving the same love from others in higher intensity. Further, if we want others to forgive our offenses, our words of criticism, and our thoughtless judgments against them, then we should start forgiving their offenses against us and start appreciating their good qualities while encouraging them and supporting them in their needs.

2)  We need to pray for the strength to forgive. At every Mass we pray the “Our Father”, asking God to forgive us as we forgive others. Our challenge is to overcome our natural inclination to hate family members, co-workers, neighbours and all who offend us. To meet that challenge, we need to ask God for the strength to forgive each other. We must forgive, because only forgiveness truly heals us. If we remember how God has forgiven us, it will help us forgive others. Let us start forgiving right now by curbing the sharp tongue of criticism, suppressing the revenge instinct, and bearing patiently the irritating behaviour of a neighbour.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2025.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

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THE CHOICE IN WHOM WE TRUST

 Readings for Sunday, February 16, 2025 

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time  

Lectionary: 78

Qari tas-Sitt Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                  Jeremiah 17:5-8

Thus says the LORD:  Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings,  who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD.  He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty   Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD.  He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream:  it fears not the heat when it comes;  its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit.  

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Ġeremija 17, 5-8

Dan jgħid il-Mulej: “Misħut il-bniedem li jittama fil-bnedmin, li jfittex il-qawwa tiegħu fil-ġisem, u titbiegħed qalbu mill-Mulej. Ikun bħal siġra tal-għargħar fix-xagħri, li ma tara ebda ġid ġej, li tgħammar f’art tikwi fid-deżert, art mielħa fejn ħadd ma jgħammar. Imbierek il-bniedem li jittama fil-Mulej, u l-fiduċja tiegħu fil-Mulej.  Ikun bħal siġra ħdejn l-ilma mħawla, b’għeruqha mxenxla lejn il-wied; ma tibżax meta tiġi s-sħana, il-weraq tagħha jibqa’ jħaddar; fis-sena tan-nixfa ma tinkeddx, u ma tehdiex milli tagħmel il-frott”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 & 6

Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked,
nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent,
but delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night.
R/ Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

He is like a tree planted near running water,
that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.

R/ Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Not so the wicked, not so; 
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R/ Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 1, 1-2.3.4 u 6

R/. : Hieni l-bniedem li jqiegħed fil-Mulej it-tama tiegħu

Hieni l-bniedem li ma jimxix fuq il-pariri tal-ħżiena,
li ma jiqafx fi triq il-ħatjin,
li ma joqgħodx fil-laqgħat taż-żeblieħa;
imma fil-liġi tal-Mulej hi l-għaxqa tiegħu,
lejl u nhar jaħseb fil-liġi tiegħu. R/.

Hu bħal siġra mħawla ħdejn nixxigħat tal-ilma
li tagħmel il-frott fi żmienha,
u l-weraq tagħha ma jidbielx;
hu jirnexxi f’kulma jagħmel. R/.

Mhux hekk il-ħżiena, mhux hekk;
iżda huma bħal tibna li jtajjarha r-riħ.
Għax triq it-tajbin il-Mulej jafha;
imma triq il-ħżiena tintemm fix-xejn. R/.

Reading 2                  1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20

Brothers and sisters:  If Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all.  But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra lill-Korintin 15, 12.16-20

Ħuti, jekk Kristu hu mxandar li qam mill-imwiet, kif jgħidu xi wħud minnkom li ma hemmx qawmien tal-mejtin? Għax jekk il-mejtin ma jqumux, anqas Kristu ma kien imqajjem. U jekk Kristu ma kienx imqajjem, fiergħa l-fidi tagħkom, u intom għadkom fi dnubietkom. U mitlufa wkoll huma dawk li raqdu fi Kristu. Jekk għandna tama fi Kristu għal din il-ħajja biss, aħna l-aktar nies imsejkna fost kemm huma l-bnedmin. Imma Kristu kien imqajjem tassew mill-imwiet, l-ewwel frott fost dawk li raqdu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                  Luke 6:17, 20-26

Jesus came down with the Twelve and stood on a stretch of level ground with a great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.  And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:   “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.  Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied.   Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh.  Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.  Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.  But woe to you who are rich,  for you have received your consolation.  Woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry.  Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep.  Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

EVANĠELJU                   Qari skont San Luqa 6, 17.20-26

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù niżel mat-Tnax u waqaf f’wita, flimkien ma’ kotra kbira ta’ dixxipli u folla kbira ta’ nies minn kull naħa tal-Lhudija u Ġerusalemm u mix-xtajta ta’ Tir u Sidon. Ġesù rafa’ għajnejh lejn id-dixxipli tiegħu u qal: “Henjin intom il-foqra, għax tagħkom hija s-Saltna ta’ Alla. Henjin intom li għalissa bil-ġuħ, għax għad tkunu mxebbgħin. Henjin intom li għalissa tibku, għax għad tithennew. Henjin intom meta minħabba Bin il-bniedem in-nies jobogħdukom, jaqtgħukom minn magħhom, jgħajrukom u jwarrbu isimkom bħallikieku kien xi ħaġa ħażina. Dakinhar li jiġrilkom hekk, ifirħu u aqbżu bil-ferħ, għax araw, ħlaskom kbir ikun fis-sema. L-istess għamlu missirijiethom lill-profeti. Imma ħażin għalikom, intom l-għonja, għax il-faraġ tagħkom ħadtuh. Ħażin għalikom intom li għalissa mxebbgħin, għax għad tkunu bil-ġuħ. Ħażin għalikom intom li għalissa tidħku, għax għad tnewħu u tibku. Ħażin għalikom meta kulħadd isemmikom fil-ġid. Għax l-istess għamlu missirijiethom lill-profeti foloz!”.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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

THERE ARE ONLY TWO OPTIONS IN OUR LIVES

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings teach us that true happiness, or beatitude, lies in the awareness that we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father and that we will be happy only when we share our blessings with our brothers and sisters in need, and work to uplift them, thus declaring our “option for the poor,” as Jesus did. Contrary to popular belief, wealth, health, power, and influence are not the sources of true happiness. The word “beatitude” means “blessedness” in a double sense: both enjoying God’s favor and enjoying true or supreme happiness.

Scripture lessons: 

In the first reading, Jeremiah tells us that true happiness consists in our placing our trust in God and in putting our trust in His promises. The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 1) finds beatitude in keeping God’s Law. In the second reading St. Paul warns us that true beatitude is obtainable only in Heaven, and that Christ’s Resurrection gives us our assurance of reaching Heaven for an everlasting life of happiness. In today’s Gospel, Jesus instructs his disciples in the paradoxical blessedness of poverty, hunger, sorrow, and persecution. “Blessed are those who are poor, hungry, weeping, hated, excluded, insulted and denounced,” because in poverty, we recognize our dependence on God; in hunger, God’s providence; in sorrow for sins, reconciliation with God; and in persecution, the true joy of standing for the Faith with heroic convictions. 

What makes one blessed is not simply poverty or hunger or sadness or suffering for the Faith but living these in the context of one’s commitment to Jesus and his spirit of sharing. The Beatitudes consist in humble selflessness and compassionate, generous sharing of our blessings with the needy. The beatitudes must be understood as eschatological statements which see and evaluate the present in terms of the future glory and everlasting happiness.

Life Messages: 

1) We need to respond to the challenge of the Beatitudes in our daily life. Millions are starving, persecuted, homeless, and leading hopeless lives. The only way the promises of the Beatitudes can become a reality for them is through the efforts of people like us. Hence, let us remember that each time we reach out to help the needy, the sick, or the oppressed, we share with them a foretaste of the promises of the Beatitudes here and now. 

2) Let us light a candle instead of blaming the political set-up. God knows that 50% of His children are hungry, 80% live in substandard housing and 70% have no education. If over half our children were hungry, cold and uneducated, how would we respond to their suffering? God wants us to live as brothers and sisters who care for one another. 

3) We must take care to choose our way wisely. "There are two Ways, one of Life and one of Death, and there is a great difference between the two Ways." These are the opening lines of the "Didache" a first century Christian catechism used to teach new Christians the essence of the Christian Faith. The way of life and true happiness is the way of Jesus, the way of the beatitudes, the way of rendering loving service to God by serving our brothers and sisters.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2025.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

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HERE I AM, SEND ME!

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 75

Il-Ħames Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                  Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8

In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple. Seraphim were stationed above. They cried one to the other, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!" At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke. Then I said, "Woe is me, I am doomed!  For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!" Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar.  He touched my mouth with it, and said, "See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send?  Who will go for us?" "Here I am," I said; "send me!"

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 6:1-2a,3-8

Fis-sena li fiha miet is-sultan Għużżija, jien rajt lil Sidi bilqiegħda fuq tron għoli merfugħ ’il fuq; djul il-libsa tiegħu kienu jimlew it-tempju. ’Il fuq minnu kien hemm serafini, li kienu jgħajtu u jwieġbu lil xulxin: “Qaddis, qaddis, qaddis hu l-Mulej tal-eżerċti! L-art kollha mimlija bil-glorja tiegħu”. Bl-għajat tagħhom is-sisien tal-għetiebi theżżu, u t-tempju mtela bid-duħħan. Imbagħad jiena għedt: “Jaħasra għalija! Mitluf jien!  Bniedem b’xufftejh imniġġsa jien! U f’nofs poplu b’xufftejh imniġġsa ngħammar; madankollu rajt b’għajnejja lis-Sultan, il-Mulej tal-eżerċti”.  Wieħed mis-serafini ttajjar lejja, b’ġamra nar f’idu, li hu kien qabad bi mqass minn fuq l-altar, u messli fommi biha u qalli: “Ara, din messitlek xufftejk: ħżunitek għebet, u dnubek inħafer”. Imbagħad smajt leħen Sidi jgħid: “Lil min se nibgħat? Min se jmurilna?”. U jien weġibt: “Hawn jien: ibgħat lili!”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-7-8

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,

for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
 your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
 you built up strength within me.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth;
and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD:
"Great is the glory of the LORD."
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 137(138):1-2a,2bċ-3,4-5,7ċ-8

R/.(1ċ): Quddiem l-allat, Mulej, irrid ngħannilek.

Irroddlok ħajr, Mulej, b’qalbi kollha,
għaliex int smajt kliem fommi.
Quddiem l-allat irrid ngħannilek.
B’wiċċi fl-art ninxteħet quddiem is-santwarju tiegħek. R/.

Irroddlok ħajr għat-tjieba u l-fedeltà tiegħek,
għax int kabbart ismek u kelmtek fuq kollox.
Meta sejjaħtlek, int weġibtni,
kattarli l-qawwa f’ruħi. R/.

Iroddulek ħajr, Mulej, is-slaten kollha tal-art,
għaliex semgħu l-kliem ta’ fommok.
U jgħannu l-imġiba tal-Mulej,
għax kbir hu sebħ il-Mulej! R/.

Il-leminija tiegħek issalvani.
Il-Mulej iżomm kelmtu miegħi.
It-tjieba tiegħek, Mulej, tibqa’ għal dejjem;
la titlaqx għemil idejk. R/.

Reading 2                   1 Corinthians 15:1-11

I am reminding you, brothers and sisters, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. After that, Christ appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me. Therefore, whether it be I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

QARI 2                    mill-Ewwel Ittra lill-Korintin 15:1-11

Ħuti, irrid infakkarkom fl-Evanġelju li xandarnielkom u li intom ilqajtu u li fih qegħdin iżżommu sħiħ. Bih intom salvi bil-kelma li jien ħabbartilkom, kemm-il darba żżommuha, jekk ma emmintux għalxejn.  Qabelxejn, jien għallimtkom dak li tgħallimt jien, jiġifieri, li Kristu miet minħabba dnubietna, skont l-Iskrittura; difnuh u qam mill-imwiet fit-tielet jum, skont l-Iskrittura. U deher lil Kefa, u mbagħad lit-Tnax. Deher imbagħad lil aktar minn ħames mitt aħwa flimkien. Ħafna minnhom għadhom ħajjin sal-lum; xi wħud minnhom raqdu. Imbagħad deher lil Ġakbu u lill-appostli kollha. Fl-aħħar deher lili wkoll wara kulħadd, qisni twelidt mormi qabel il-waqt, għax jien l-inqas wieħed fost l-appostli, u ma jistħoqqlix nissejjaħ appostlu, għaliex kont naħqar il-Knisja ta’ Alla. Imma bil-grazzja ta’ Alla jien dak li jien u l-grazzja tiegħu fija ma sfatx fix-xejn, għax tħabatt ħafna iktar minnhom ilkoll; għad li mhux jien, iżda l-grazzja ta’ Alla li hi miegħi. Imma sew huma u sew jien, dan aħna xandarna, u dan emmintu intom. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

GOSPEL                   Luke 5:1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signalled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."  For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Luqa 5:1-11

Darba l-kotra bdiet tross fuq Ġesù biex tisma’ l-kelma ta’ Alla. Hu kien qiegħed f’xatt l-għadira ta’ Ġennesaret. U ra żewġ dgħajjes qegħdin max-xatt; is-sajjieda kienu niżlu minn fuqhom u kienu qegħdin jaħslu x-xbiek. Tela’ fuq waħda minnhom, li kienet ta’ Xmun, u talbu jaqla’ kemmxejn ’il barra mill-art; imbagħad qagħad bilqiegħda u beda jgħallem lin-nies mid-dgħajsa. Meta temm li kellu jgħid, qal lil Xmun: “Aqdef ’il barra fil-fond, u kalaw ix-xbiek tagħkom għas-sajd”. Wieġbu Xmun u qallu: “Mgħallem, għamilna lejl sħiħ nitħabtu u ma qbadna xejn. Imma, la qiegħed tgħid int, ħa nkala x-xbiek”. Hekk għamlu, u qabdu kotra hekk kbira ta’ ħut li x-xbiek tagħhom kien għoddu nqasam. Għalhekk għamlu sinjal lil sħabhom li kienu fid-dgħajsa l-oħra biex jiġu jgħinuhom. Dawk ġew, u mlew iż-żewġ dgħajjes hekk li għal ftit ma għerqux.  Xmun Pietru, kif ra dan, inxteħet f’riġlejn Ġesù u qallu: “Tbiegħed minni, Mulej, għaliex jiena raġel midneb!”. Għax baqgħu tassew mistagħġba, kemm hu u kemm dawk kollha li kienu miegħu, għal dik il-qabda ħut li qabdu. U hekk ukoll ġralhom Ġakbu u Ġwanni, ulied Żebedew, li kienu sħab Xmun. Imbagħad Ġesù qal lil Xmun: “Tibżax; minn issa ’l quddiem tkun taqbad in-nies”. Meta mbagħad ressqu d-dgħajjes mal-art, telqu kollox u marru warajh.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

ARE WE GRATEFUL FOR GOD'S CALLING IN OUR LIVES?

 Introduction: 

This Sunday’s Scripture readings challenge us to discern God’s call to each one of us to become His disciple with a mission. We are asked to recognize God’s Holy Presence and acknowledge our sinfulness and unworthiness to become humble instruments in His hands, as did the prophet Isaiah (first reading), St. Paul (second reading), and as St. Peter (today’s Gospel). Today’s readings also teach us that God has His own criteria for selecting people to be His disciples, ministers, and prophets. Presenting the special calls, or vocations, of Isaiah, Paul, and Peter as life-changing events, the readings challenge us to examine our own personal calls by God and our fidelity and commitment to our discipleship.

Scripture lessons: 

Isaiah, in the first reading, and Peter, in today’s Gospel, express their unworthiness to be in the presence of God’s great Holiness, and both Peter and Isaiah immediately receive reassurance and their Divine calls. Today’s second reading describes the call of another great apostle, Paul, who judges himself to be unworthy of the name or the call, as he was a former persecutor of the Christians and as the last apostle selected by the Risen Lord. 

Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 138) offers a prayer of gratitude for just such a calling. For, it was by giving these three men a strong conviction of their unworthiness, and of their need for total dependence on His grace, that God prepared them for their missions. It was the miraculous catch of fish at Jesus’ command, described in today’s Gospel, which enabled Peter to find God in Jesus and prompted him to surrender his life completely to Jesus’ service as a full-time disciple. The Second Vatican Council teaches that we are all called to Christ’s ministry by virtue of our Baptism into Jesus Christ.

Life Messages:

1) We need to pray that our encounters with the Holiness of God may lead us to recognize our sinfulness and accept His call. God, Who calls us and commissions us for His service, wants us to realize His presence everywhere and in everyone, to repent of our sins, and to remain in readiness to speak and act for Him in our life circumstances, as He shall direct us through His grace and His Holy Spirit. It was their strong awareness of the presence of the Risen Lord in each early Christian, which prompted them to greet each other with the prayer, “Maran atha” [“Come, Our Lord.”] (This greeting is similar to the ancient Indian Hindu greeting, “Namaste” or “I bow to you” acknowledging God’s presence in each person) 

2) We need to teach and practice expressions of reverence for the Lord. We need to express our reverence for God through appropriate bodily gestures. For example, when we come into Church, we need to show reverence for Jesus’ presence in the Tabernacle by making a deep bow or by genuflecting and blessing ourselves with sign of the cross. Then we need to honor Him by listening to the word of God and by actively participating in the Liturgy's prayers and singing. This same sense of reverence can be expressed by keeping God’s living word to us, the Holy Bible, in a prominent place in our homes and by kissing it each time we read from it. 

3) True reverence for God naturally leads us to reverent, respectful love of our neighbors, as God dwells in them. We need to remember that each of us has a unique mission in the Church, and so receives a different mission call from God. Because of our uniqueness, no one can fulfill another’s call. We accomplish our personal missions as parents, priests, religious, and lay persons only by depending on God, obeying Him joyfully, radiating the love, mercy, and forgiveness of Jesus and participating in the various ministries of our parish.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2025.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

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THE MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT HAS ARRIVED!

 Readings for Sunday, February 2, 2025

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Lectionary: 524

Festa tal-Preżentazzjoni tal-Mulej

Reading 1                  Malachi 3:1-4

Thus says the Lord GOD:  Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming?  And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem  will please the LORD, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.

 QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Malakija 3,1-4

Dan jgħid il-Mulej Alla: Arawni, sa nibgħat il-messaġġier tiegħi iwitti t-triq quddiemi. U jasal minnufih fit-tempju tiegħu s-Sid mistenni minnkom. U dan l-Anġlu tal-patt, li intom imxennqa għalih, dalwaqt ġej. Hekk jgħid il-Mulej tal-eżerċti. Min sa jiflaħ għal-jum il-miġja tiegħu? Min sa jżomm fuq riġlejh għad-dehra tiegħu? Għax hu bħan-nar tal-ħaddied, bħas-soder fin tal-ħassiela! Jintefa’ bilqiegħda jdewweb u jnaddaf il-fidda, u jsaffi u jirfina n-nisel ta’ Levi bħallikieku deheb u fidda. Huma mbagħad jersqu quddiem il-Mulej b’offerta xierqa. U ssir togħġbu lill-Mulej kull offerta ta’ art Ġuda u Ġerusalemm, bħal fiż-żmien imbiegħed, bħal fis-snin ta’ qabel. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10

Lift up, O gates, your lintels;

reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R.    Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord!

Who is this king of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
R.    Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord!

Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R.    Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord! 

Who is this king of glory?
The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R.    Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord!
 
SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 23, 7-10

R/. Il-Mulej hu s-Sultan tal-Glorja.

Intrefgħu, o bibien,
infetħu, intom bibien ta’ dejjem,
ħalli jidħol is-Sultan tal-glorja! R/.

Min hu dan is-Sultan tal-glorja?
Hu l-Mulej setgħan u qawwi,
il-Mulej qawwi fit-taqbida. R/.

Intrefgħu, o bibien,
infetħu, intom bibien ta’ dejjem,
ħalli jidħol is-Sultan tal-glorja! R/.

Min hu dan is-Sultan tal-glorja?
Hu l-Mulej tal-eżerċti:
dan hu s-Sultan tal-glorja! R/.

Reading 2                  Hebrews 2:14-18

Since the children share in blood and flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

QARI 2                   mill-Ittra lil-Lhud 2, 14-18

Billi l‐ulied għandhom l‐istess demm u ġisem, Ġesù wkoll bl‐istess mod sar bħalhom, biex b’mewtu jeqred is‐setgħa ta’ dak li kellu l‐mewt f’idejh, jiġifieri x‐xitan, u jeħles ’il dawk kollha li, minħabba fil‐biża’ tal‐mewt, kienu mjassrin għal għomorhom kollu. Għax tabilħaqq, mhux lill‐anġli jrid jgħin, imma lil ulied Abraham. Għalhekk kellu jkun jixbah lil ħutu f’kollox, biex ikun qassis ħanin u fidil f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam ma’ Alla, u biex ipatti għad‐dnubiet tal‐poplu. Għax, billi hu stess bata u kien imġarrab, jaf jgħin ’il dawk li huma fit‐tiġrib. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

 Gospel                  Luke 2:22-40 

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.  Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.  He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:     “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles,  and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted -and you yourself a sword will pierce - so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Luqa: 2, 22-40

Meta għalqilhom iż-żmien għat-tisfija tagħhom, skont il-Liġi ta’ Mosè, ħadu lil Ġesù f’Ġerusalemm biex jippreżentawh lill-Mulej, bħalma hu miktub fil-Liġi tal-Mulej, ‘Kull tifel li jitwieled l-ewwel wieħed, ikun ikkonsagrat lill-Mulej,’ u biex joffru b’sagrifiċċju ‘par gamiem jew żewġ bċieċen,’ kif jingħad fil-Liġi tal-Mulej.  Kien hemm f’Ġerusalemm raġel jismu Xmun. Dan kien raġel ġust u tajjeb, li kien jistenna l-faraġ ta’ Israel, u l-Ispirtu s-Santu kien fuqu. U kien imnebbaħ mill-Ispirtu s-Santu li ma kienx sa jara l-mewt qabel ma jara lil Kristu l-Mulej. Ġie mela fit-Tempju, imqanqal mill-Ispirtu, u xħin il-ġenituri ġiebu t-tarbija Ġesù biex jagħmlulu dak li kienet trid il-Liġi, huwa ħadu fuq dirgħajh, bierek ’l Alla u qal: “Issa, o Sid, tista’ tħalli l-qaddej tiegħek imur fis-sliem, skont kelmtek; għaliex għajnejja raw is-salvazzjoni tiegħek, li int ħejjejt għall-popli kollha: dawl biex idawwal il-ġnus, u glorja tal-poplu tiegħek Israel.” Missieru u ommu baqgħu mistagħġba b’dak li kien qiegħed jingħad fuqu. Xmun berikhom, u qal lil Marija, ommu: “Ara, dan sa jġib il-waqgħa u l-qawmien ta’ ħafna f’Israel; sa jkun sinjal u jmeruh – u int ukoll, min-naħa tiegħek, sejf jinfidlek ruħek! – ħalli jinkixfu l-ħsibijiet moħbija ta’ ħafna.”  Kien hemm ukoll waħda profetissa, Anna, bint Fanwel, mit-tribù ta’ Aser. Din kienet imdaħħla ħafna fiż-żmien; wara xbubitha kienet għamlet seba’ snin miżżewġa, u mbagħad baqgħet armla. Sakemm kellha erbgħa u tmenin sena ma kinitx titwarrab mit- Tempju, lejl u nhar taqdi fis-sawm u t-talb. Dak il-ħin stess waslet, u bdiet tfaħħar ’l Alla u titkellem fuq it-tarbija ma’ dawk kollha li kienu jistennew il-fidwa ta’ Ġerusalemm. Meta temmew kulma kellhom jagħmlu skont il-Liġi tal-Mulej, reġgħu lura lejn il-Galilija, fil-belt tagħhom Nazaret. U t-tifel baqa’ jikber u jitqawwa u jimtela bl-għerf. U l-grazzja t’Alla kienet fuqu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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

WHY DO WE NEED TO CELEBRATE THIS EVENT IN JESUS' BIRTH? 

 Introduction:

The central theme of Sunday’s readings is the overflowing mercy and kindness of a loving, healing, and forgiving God for His children.

Central theme: 

Next Sunday’s Gospel presents the head of the Holy Family, Joseph, faithfully obeying God’s law given through Moses concerning the purification of the mother and the redeeming of the child, by presenting Mary and the Baby Jesus in the Temple. The events recounted appear elsewhere in the liturgical year but are those we traditionally celebrate this Sunday, February 2nd, with the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus. In fact,the creche at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is left in place until today, marking the end of Christmas season.

The Story of the Presentation of the Lord:

At the end of the fourth century, a woman named Etheria made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Her journal, discovered in 1887, gives an unprecedented glimpse of liturgical life there. Among the celebrations she describes is the Epiphany, the observance of Christ’s birth, and the gala procession in honour of his Presentation in the Temple 40 days later. Under the Mosaic Law, a woman was ritually “unclean” for 40 days after childbirth, when she was to present herself to the priests and offer sacrifice—her “purification.” Contact with anyone who had brushed against mystery—birth or death—excluded a person from Jewish worship. 

This feast emphasizes Jesus’ first appearance in the Temple more than Mary’s purification. The observance spread throughout the Western Church in the fifth and sixth centuries. Because the Church in the West celebrated Jesus’ birth on December 25, the Presentation was moved to February 2, 40 days after Christmas. At the beginning of the eighth century, Pope Sergius inaugurated a candlelight procession; at the end of the same century the blessing and distribution of candles which continues to this day became part of the celebration, giving the feast its popular name: (Candlemas Day). https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/presentation-of-the-lord/)

This Feast Day is known under four names:

1) The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (by prayers and the payment of “five shekels to a member of the priestly family” (Nm 3:47-48; NAB Note on Lk 2:22), to redeem or buy the firstborn male child back from the Lord’s service).

2) The Hypanthe feast or Feast of the Purification of Mary (by the offering two pigeons in the Temple).

3) The Feast of Encounter (because the New Testament, represented by the Baby Jesus, encountered the Old Testament, represented by the Holy Spirit’s aged, holy witnesses, Simeon and Anna). On February 2nd, we celebrate these events as a formal ending of the Christmas season. In a sense, this feast celebrates the meeting point of the two “Testaments” for Catholic-Christians: the old and new. Jesus, who is the new Temple of God, enters the ancient temple. Jesus, who ushers in the law of love, comes to visit his people in a place in which the law of sacrifice was fulfilled, thus, bringing to fulfilment obedience to the Law and ushering in the last times of salvation (Pope Benedict XVI).

4) The Feast of Candlemas. This feast is also known as Candlemas because of the tradition of blessing and distributing candles and holding a candlelight procession on this day. These practices are drawn from Simeon’s words in the gospel for this feast, in which he prophesies that the child Jesus will become “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.”

Redemption and Post-childbirth Purification ceremonies: 

The Mosaic Law taught that, since every Jewish male child belonged to Yahweh, the parents had to “buy back” the child (“redeem” him); this is known as the “Pidyon haBen” Service) with the payment of “five shekels (=15 Denarius= wage for 15 days of work) to a member of the priestly family” (Nm 3:47-48; NAB Note on Lk 2:22). In addition, (Nm 18:15) every mother had to be purified after childbirth by prayers and the sacrifice of a lamb (or two turtledoves for the poor) in the Temple. Joseph kept these laws as an act of obedience to God.

The encounter with Simeon and Anna, (the Temple elders): 

By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the old, pious, Spirit-filled Simeon and the very old prayerful, fasting widow, Anna, both of whom had been waiting for the revelation of God’s salvation, were present in the Temple the day Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to Present Him to the Father. Simeon recognized Jesus as the Lord’s Anointed One, and in his prayer of blessing, he prophesied that Jesus was meant to be the glory of Israel and a Light of revelation to the Gentiles. 

While he blessed Mary, Simeon warned that her child would be “set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign of contradiction” and that “a sword will pierce through your own soul. Simeon was prophesying both the universal salvation that would be proclaimed by Jesus and the necessity of suffering in the mission of the Messiah. (Pope Francis: The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple is also known as the Feast of the Encounter: the Liturgy says at the beginning that Jesus goes to meet his people. Thus, this is the encounter between Jesus and his people, when Mary and Joseph brought their child to the Temple in Jerusalem; the first encounter between Jesus and his people, represented by Simeon and Anna, took place. 

It was also the first encounter within the history of the people, a meeting between the young and the old: the young were Mary and Joseph with their infant son and the old were Simeon and Anna, two people who often went to the Temple. St. Luke underlines, more than once, that they were guided by the Holy Spirit. He says Simeon was a righteous and devout man, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and that “the Holy Spirit was upon him” (2:25). He says that “it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit” that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (v. 26); and finally, that he went to the Temple “inspired by the Spirit “(v. 27). He says Anna was a “prophetess” (v. 36); that is, she was inspired by God and that she was always “worshipping with fasting and prayer” in the Temple (v. 37). 

In short, these two elders are full of life! They are full of life because they are enlivened by the Holy Spirit, obedient to His action, sensitive to His calls. In the light of this Gospel scene, let us look at consecrated life as an encounter with Christ: it is he who comes to us, led by Mary and Joseph, and we go towards him guided by the Holy Spirit. He is at the centre. He moves everything, he draws us to the Temple, to the Church, where we can meet him, recognize him, welcome him, embrace him.).(https://www.popefrancishomilies.com/presentation-of-the-lord).

Life messages: 

1) Every Holy Mass in which we participate is our presentation. Although we were officially presented to God on the day of our Baptism, we present ourselves and our dear ones on the altar before God our Father through our Saviour Jesus Christ at every Holy Mass. Hence, we need to live our daily lives with the awareness, both that we are dedicated people consecrated to God, and that we are obliged to lead holy lives. Let us also remember and pray for our godparents who presented us to the Lord on the day of our Baptism.

2) Pope Francis: We need to honour the elderly and respect their wisdom earned through experience: It’s good for the elderly to communicate their wisdom to the young; and it’s good for the young people to gather this wealth of experience and wisdom, and to carry it forward, not so as to safeguard it in a museum, but to carry it forward addressing the challenges that life brings, to carry it forward for the sake of the respective religious orders and of the whole Church.

3) Let us put ourselves in God’s presence: Simeon and Anna are an example to those of us of every age that we can rewire our brains and our souls to put ourselves in the presence of God in our everyday lives. In the ordinariness of our everyday temples of work and home and school and church, we can listen to the prompting of God’s Spirit, perceive God afoot in the mundane, and gracefully live in constant expectation of God adventing in our lives. We can daily experience the power of Christ’s presence point Christ out to others. 

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2025.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

THE LORD'S WORDS ARE SPIRIT AND LIFE

 Readings for Sunday, January 26, 2025 

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 69

It-Tielet Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                  NEHEMIAH 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak till midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law. Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it — for he was standing higher up than any of the people —; and, as he opened it, all the people rose. Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, "Amen, amen!" Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD, their faces to the ground. Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people: "Today is holy to the LORD your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep"— for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!"

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb ta’ Neħemija 8:2-4a,5-6,8-10

F’dak iż-żmien, Esdra l-qassis ġieb il-Ktieb tal-Liġi quddiem il-ġemgħa, li kienet magħmula minn irġiel, nisa u oħrajn, li kienu jifhmu dak li jisimgħu. U mis-sebħ sa nofsinhar qara minnu quddiem l-irġiel, in-nisa, u dawk li kienu kapaċi jifhmu, iħares lejn il-misraħ li hemm quddiem Bieb l-Ilma. U l-poplu kollu kien attent jisma’ l-qari tal-Ktieb tal-Liġi. Esdra l-iskriba kien wieqaf fuq palk tal-injam, li kienu waqqfu għall-okkażjoni. Esdra fetaħ il-Ktieb u rah kulħadd jagħmel dan billi kien fil-għoli ’l fuq mill-poplu kollu. U meta fetaħ il-ktieb kulħadd qam bilwieqfa. U Esdra bierek il-Mulej, Alla l-kbir, u l-poplu kollu b’idejh merfugħin ’il fuq wieġeb: “Ammen, ammen”. U nxteħtu għarkupptejhom b’wiċċhom mal-art jagħtu qima lill-Mulej. Dawn qraw mill-Ktieb tal-Liġi b’mod li jiftiehem, fissruh, u spjegaw il-qari. Neħemija, li kien il-gvernatur, Esdra, il-qassis u skriba, u l-Leviti li kienu qegħdin jgħallmu lill-poplu, qalu lin-nies kollha: “Dan hu jum qaddis, ikkonsagrat lill-Mulej Alla tagħkom. Titnikktux u tibkux!”. Għax il-poplu kollu kien infexx jibki meta sama’ kliem il-Liġi.  U żiedu jgħidulhom: “Morru u kulu laħam imsemmen u ixorbu nbid ħelu, u lil dak li ma ħejjewlu xejn ibagħtulu sehem minn dak li għandkom. Dan hu jum qaddis għall-Mulej. La ssewdux qalbkom, għax il-ferħ tal-Mulej il-qawwa tagħkom”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  PSALM 19:8, 9, 10, 15

The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.  (cf John 6:63c)

The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 18(19):8,9,10,15

R/. (Ġw 6:63ċ): Il-kliem tiegħek, Mulej, huwa spirtu u ħajja.

Il-liġi tal-Mulej perfetta,
u tagħti l-ħajja;
ix-xhieda tal-Mulej hi sewwa,
u tgħallem lil min ma jafx. R/.

Il-preċetti tal-Mulej dritti,
u jferrħu l-qalb;
il-kmandament tal-Mulej safi,
u jdawwal l-għajnejn. R/.

Il-biża’ tal-Mulej sinċier,
u jibqa’ għal dejjem;
il-ġudizzji tal-Mulej sewwa,
u mseddqa għalkollox. R/.

Ħa jkunu milqugħa quddiemek
kliem fommi u ħsieb qalbi,
Mulej, blata tiegħi u feddej tiegħi. R/.

Reading 2                  1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-30

Brothers and sisters:  As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot should say, "Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body, " it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. Or if an ear should say, "Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body, " it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you, " nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you." Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honourable we surround with greater honour, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.   Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

QARI 2                   mill-Ewwel Ittra lill-Korintin 12:12-14,27

Ħuti, bħalma l-ġisem hu wieħed, u fih ħafna membri, u l-membri kollha tal-ġisem, għad li huma ħafna, jagħmlu ġisem wieħed, hekk ukoll Kristu. Għax aħna wkoll, ilkoll tgħammidna fi Spirtu wieħed biex nagħmlu ġisem wieħed, sew Lhud sew Griegi, sew ilsiera sew ħielsa, u lkoll xrobna minn Spirtu wieħed. Issa l-ġisem mhuwiex membru wieħed, imma magħmul minn ħafna membri. Kieku s-sieq kellha tgħid: “Ladarba m’iniex l-id, jien m’iniex biċċa mill-ġisem”, b’daqshekk mhijiex parti mill-ġisem? U kieku l-widna kellha tgħid: “Ladarba m’iniex l-għajn, jien m’iniex biċċa mill-ġisem”, ma jkunx ifisser b’daqshekk li hi mhijiex biċċa mill-ġisem. Kieku l-ġisem kollu kien għajn, fejn kien ikun is-smigħ? U kieku kien kollu smigħ, fejn kien ikun ix-xamm?  Iżda Alla qiegħed il-membri fil-ġisem kull wieħed f’postu, kif għoġbu hu. Kieku kollha kellhom ikunu membru wieħed, fejn hu l-ġisem? Imma ħafna, iva, huma l-membri, iżda wieħed hu l-ġisem. L-għajn ma tistax tgħid lill-id: “Jiena ma għandix bżonnok”, anqas ir-ras ma tgħid lis-saqajn: “Ma għandix bżonnkom”. Mhux hekk biss, imma l-membri tal-ġisem li jidhru l-aktar dgħajfa, huma l-aktar meħtieġa; u dawk li nqisu bl-inqas ġieħ fil-ġisem, lil dawn l-aktar li nieħdu ħsiebhom; u ’l dawk li ma għandhomx ġmiel, inlibbsuhom b’aktar ġmiel; għax il-membri sbieħ ma għandhom bżonn xejn. Alla imma bena l-ġisem b’mod li żejjen b’aktar ġieħ lil dawk li jeħtiġuh l-aktar. B’hekk ma jkunx hemm firda fil-ġisem, imma l-membri kollha jaħsbu f’xulxin. Jekk membru jbati, ibatu lkoll miegħu; jekk membru jingħata l-ġieħ, jifirħu lkoll miegħu. Intom il-ġisem ta’ Kristu, u kull wieħed minnkom membru tiegħu. Lil xi wħud Alla qegħedhom fil-Knisja fl-ewwel post bħala appostli, it-tieni bħala profeti, it-tielet bħala għalliema. Imbagħad id-don tal-mirakli, imbagħad id-don tal-fejqan, l-għajnuna, it-treġija, u d-don ta’ ilsna diversi. Jaqaw ilkoll appostli? Ilkoll profeti? Ilkoll għalliema? Ilkoll bid-don tal-mirakli? Ilkoll għandhom id-don tal-fejqan? Ilkoll jitkellmu bl-ilsna? Ilkoll ifissru?  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                  LUKE 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.  He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,  and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.  He said to them, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

EVANĠELJU                  skont San Luqa 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Bosta kienu dawk li ħadu f’idejhom ix-xogħol li jiġbru bl-ordni f’rakkont wieħed il-ġrajja li seħħew fostna, kif għaddewhom lilna dawk li sa mill-bidu rawhom b’għajnejhom stess u saru ministri tal-Kelma. Hekk ukoll jien, għażiż Teofilu, wara li bir-reqqa kollha qgħadt infittex it-tagħrif dwar kulma ġara sa mill-bidu nett, deherli li għandi niktiblek kollox ħaġa b’ħaġa, biex tagħraf sewwa l-verità sħiħa dwar kulma tgħallimt. Jum wieħed, Ġesù, bil-qawwa tal-Ispirtu, reġa’ mar il-Galilija; u l-fama tiegħu xterdet ma’ dawk l-inħawi kollha, għax hu kien jgħallem fis-sinagogi tagħhom fost it-tifħir ta’ kulħadd. U ġie Nazaret fejn kien trabba. Daħal fis-sinagoga tagħhom, kif kien imdorri jagħmel nhar ta’ Sibt, u qam biex jaqra. Tawh f’idejh il-ktieb ta’ Iżaija l-profeta, fetħu u sab fejn kien hemm miktub dan li ġej:  L-Ispirtu tal-Mulej fuqi, għax hu kkonsagrani. Bagħatni nħabbar il-ħelsien lill-imjassrin, inwassal il-bxara t-tajba lill-fqajrin, u d-dawl mill-ġdid lill-għomja, irrodd il-ħelsien lill-maħqurin u nxandar is-sena tal-grazzja tal-Mulej”.  Imbagħad raġa’ għalaq il-ktieb, tah lura lill-qaddej u qagħad bilqiegħda. Għajnejn kulħadd fis-sinagoga kienu msammra fuqu. U beda jgħidilhom: “Din il-kitba seħħet illum, intom u tisimgħu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

 The liberating power of the Word of God

Central theme: 

Sunday’s Gospel, presenting Jesus’ “inaugural address” in the synagogue of Nazareth in which he outlines a theology of total liberation, marks a great moment in Jesus’ ministry. The Scripture readings for today focus our attention on the importance and liberating power of the Word of God as "sacramental," making God present in our midst. The readings challenge us to listen to the Word, accept it into our hearts, then put it into practice as we live out our lives, thus liberating ourselves and others from all types of bondages.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

Today’s first reading, taken from Nehemiah, and Luke’s Gospel each describe a public reading of Sacred Scripture which challenges the hearers to make a "fresh beginning" with a new outlook. In the first reading, after rebuilding the Temple and restoring the city, Ezra leads the people in a “Covenant renewal” ceremony by reading and interpreting the Law. Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 19) sings the praises of the Law of the Lord and its effects on those who accept it. The Second Reading, taken from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, reminds us that “together we are Christ’s Body, but each of us is a different part of it.” This suggests that, as different parts of Christ’s Body, each of us has a share, as instruments in God’s hands, in bringing the freeing and saving mission of Christ to our world in our times.

Today’s Gospel describes how, on a Sabbath, Jesus stood before the people in the synagogue of his hometown, Nazareth, reading and interpreting what Isaiah had prophesied about the Messiah and his mission. Jesus claims that he is One sent "to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberation to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and freedom for the oppressed"—language that reflects the Biblical year of Jubilee. To the great amazement and disbelief of his own townsmen, Jesus declares that Isaiah’s prophecy is being fulfilled at that very moment “in your hearing," because the prophecy foretells and describes Jesus' own mission and ministry. Jesus’ mission is still to give liberation to everyone who will listen to his “Good News,” accept it and put it into practice. Luke reports that surprise and admiration were the initial reactions of the people who were astonished at the power and eloquence. of this son of their soil.

Life messages: 

1) We need to receive Christ’s freedom, live it, and pass it on to others: As members of Christ’s Mystical Body, we share in the freeing, saving mission of Jesus. But we are captives of sin. We need Christ to set us free. We are often blinded by our evil habits, addictions, and need for financial security. Once we receive true liberation from Christ, we have to share it with those we encounter in our daily lives, families, neighborhoods, parishes, schools, and workplaces.

2) We need to let the power of the Holy Spirit fill us, and then be ready to have miracles done through us. Today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus performed miracles because he was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us be ready to become Spirit-filled instruments of Christ’s saving freedom.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2025.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

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THE LORD DELIGHTS IN US!

 Readings for Sunday, January 19, 2025 

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 66

Qari tat-Tieni Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                  Isaiah 62:1-5

For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her vindication shines forth like the dawn    and her victory like a burning torch. Nations shall behold your vindication, and all the kings your glory; you shall be called by a new name  pronounced by the mouth of the LORD. You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,  a royal diadem held by your God. No more shall people call you “Forsaken, “  or your land “Desolate, “ but you shall be called “My Delight, “  and your land “Espoused.” For the LORD delights in you  and makes your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you;  and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you. 

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 62, 1-5

Minħabba f’Sijon ma nehdiex, minħabba f’Ġerusalemm ma niskotx, sa ma tfeġġ bħal dija l-ġustizzja tagħha, tħeġġeġ bħal torċa s-salvazzjoni tagħha. Il-ġustizzja tiegħek għad jarawha l-ġnus, u s-sebħ tiegħek jarawh is-slaten kollha. B’isem ġdid għad isejħulek, isem li għad jagħżlu fomm il-Mulej. Għad tkun kuruna ta’ ġmiel f’id il-Mulej, u dijadema ta’ sultan f’id Alla tiegħek. Ma jgħidulekx aktar l-Abbandunata, lanqas lil artek l-Imħarbta. Lilek għad isejħulek Għaxqti Fiha, u lil artek għad jgħidulha  Għarusa, għax l-għaxqa tal-Mulej fik, u artek għad titgħarras. Bħalma għarus jitgħarras xebba, hekk jitgħarrsek il-Bennej tiegħek; u bħalma l-għarus jitgħaxxaq b’għarustu, hekk jitgħaxxaq bik Alla tiegħek. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10

Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim his marvellous deeds to all the nations.

Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
 among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name! 
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Worship the LORD in holy attire.
Tremble before him, all the earth;
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 95, 1-2a. 2b-3. 7-8a. 9-10aċ

R/. (3): Xandru fost il-popli kollha l-għeġubijiet tal-Mulej

Għannu lill-Mulej għanja ġdida;
għannu lill-Mulej fl-art kollha!
Għannu lill-Mulej, bierku ismu! R/.

Ħabbru minn jum għal ieħor is-salvazzjoni tiegħu.
Xandru fost il-ġnus is-sebħ tiegħu,
fost il-popli kollha l-għeġubijiet tiegħu. R/.

Agħtu lill-Mulej, familji tal-popli,
agħtu lill-Mulej sebħ u qawwa;
agħtu lill-Mulej is-sebħ ta’ ismu! R/.

Inxteħtu quddiem il-Mulej b’tiżjin qaddis;
triegħdu quddiemu, nies kollha tal-art!
Għidu fost il-ġnus: “Il-Mulej isaltan!”
Hu jiġġudika l-popli bis-sewwa. R/.

Reading 2                  1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Brothers and sisters: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;  there are different forms of service but the same Lord;  there are different workings but the same God  who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another, the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another, faith by the same Spirit; to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another, mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, discernment of spirits; to another, varieties of tongues; to another, interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Korintin 12, 4-11

Ħuti, hemm diversi doni, imma l-istess wieħed hu l-Ispirtu; hemm diversi ministeri, imma l-istess wieħed hu l-Mulej; hemm diversi ħidmiet, imma l-istess Alla, li jaħdem kollox f’kulħadd. Lil kull wieħed tingħata r-rivelazzjoni tal-Ispirtu għall-ġid ta’ kulħadd: lil wieħed kliem l-għerf, mill-istess Spirtu; lil ieħor il-kelma tas-sapjenza mill-istess Spirtu; lil ieħor il-fidi mill-istess Spirtu; lil ieħor id-don tal-fejqan mill-istess Spirtu; lil ieħor is-setgħa tal-mirakli; lil ieħor id-don tal-profezija; lil ieħor id-don tal-għażla tal-ispirti; lil ieħor diversi ilsna; lil ieħor it-tifsir tal-ilsna. Dan kollu jaħdmu l-istess Spirtu wieħed, li jqassam lil kull wieħed kif jogħġbu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                  John 2:1-11

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me?  My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”  So they took it.  And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from — although the servers who had drawn the water knew —, the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Ġwann 2, 1-11

F’dak iż-żmien, sar tieġ f’Kana tal-Galilija, u omm Ġesù kienet hemm. Ġesù kien mistieden għat-tieġ hu wkoll flimkien mad-dixxipli tiegħu.  Billi ma kienx fadal iżjed inbid, omm Ġesù qaltlu: “Ma għandhomx inbid”. U Ġesù qalilha: “X’hemm bejni u bejnek, mara? Is-siegħa tiegħi għadha ma waslitx”. Omm Ġesù qalet lill-qaddejja: “Agħmlu kulma jgħidilkom hu”.  Issa kien hemm sitt ġarar tal-ħaġar, imqiegħda hemm għar-rit tal-purifikazzjoni tal-Lhud, kull waħda minnhom tasa’ xi mitt jew mija u għoxrin litru. Ġesù qal lill-qaddejja: “Imlew il-ġarar bl-ilma”. U dawk imlewhom sax-xifer. Imbagħad qalilhom: “Issa ħudu minnu u newluh lil dak li qiegħed jieħu ħsieb il-mejda”. U huma marru jagħtuhulu. Hu daq l-ilma mibdul fi nbid; u billi ma kienx jaf mnejn ġie, għalkemm il-qaddejja li ħadu mill-ilma kienu jafu, sejjaħ lill-għarus u qallu: “Kulħadd l-inbid it-tajjeb iservi l-ewwel; meta mbagħad ikun ħadhom iġibu dak li jkun inqas tajjeb. Imma int l-inbid it-tajjeb erfajtu sa issa”.  Dan li għamel Ġesù f’Kana tal-Galilija kien l-ewwel wieħed fost is-sinjali tiegħu. Bih wera l-glorja tiegħu u d-dixxipli tiegħu emmnu fih. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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

                              The symbol of the relationship between God and 

His chosen ones

Central theme: 

This week we are at a wedding in Cana where Jesus reveals His Divine power by transforming water into wine. The Bible begins with one wedding, that of Adam and Eve in the garden (Gn 2:23-24), and ends with another, the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rv 19:9, 21:9, 22:17). At Cana, Jesus also blesses human marriage, perhaps at that moment instituting the Sacrament of Matrimony. Throughout the Bible, marriage is the symbol of the Covenant relationship between God and His chosen people. God is the faithful Bridegroom and humanity is His beloved bride. Let us pray for God’s daily miracles in our families.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

We see this theme beautifully presented in Sunday's first reading, where Isaiah uses the metaphor of spousal love to describe God’s love for Israel. God’s fidelity to his people is compared to a husband’s fidelity to his wife.Isaiah predicts God’s salvation of Jerusalem after the return of the Babylonian exiles and visualizes it as a wedding between God and Jerusalem. 

Jesus’ provision of abundant wine for the wedding feast in Cana signifies that the day foreseen by Isaiah has arrived. Anticipating the joy of this wedding, the Psalmist urges us in the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 96),” Sing to the Lord a new song.” In Sunday’s second reading, St. Paul reminds us that the new wine that Jesus pours out for us is the gift of the Holy Spirit, given to His Bride. 

In today’s Gospel, John describes the first of the seven “signs’ by which Jesus showed forth His Divinity. When the wine "ran short,” Jesus’ Mother told Jesus about it. At first Jesus seemed to refuse to do anything about it. But later he told the servants to fill six large stone jars with water and take some of the miraculous water-made-wine to the headwaiter. When they did so, the headwaiter expressed his surprise that such a great wine had been reserved for late use.

Life messages: 

1) Let us, “invite Jesus and Mary to remain with us in our homes” when we feel shortages in our family lives. The spouses need Jesus and Mary when their dreams are gone, mutual love seems dried up, the relationship becomes boring, and raising the children becomes a burden draining all their energy. The awareness of the presence of Jesus and Mary in the family will encourage parents to create an atmosphere of prayer, Bible-reading, mutual love, and respect, with a spirit of forgiveness and sacrificial service at home. This change will refresh and renovate family life, removing its boredom.

2) Let us follow Mary's instruction, "Do whatever He tells you." This is the only recorded command given by Mary in the New Testament, and it is a prerequisite for miracles in our families. The Bible tells us how to do the will of God and effect salvific changes in our daily lives. 

3) Just as Jesus filled the empty water jars with wine, let us fill the empty hearts around us with love. By the miracle of Cana, Jesus challenges us also to enrich the empty lives of those around us with the new wine of love, mercy, concern, and care. 

4) Let us learn to appreciate the miracles of God's providence in our lives. God, often as an uninvited guest in our families, works daily miracles in our lives by protecting us from physical and moral dangers, providing for our needs, inspiring us, and strengthening us with His Holy Spirit. Let us also appre, where God transforms our offering of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus.

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