GOD'S PLAN FOR JESUS' SELF SACRIFICE

 Readings for Sunday, October 20,  2024 

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 146

Qari tad-Disgħa u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                 ISAIAH 53:10-11

The LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.  Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days;  through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,  and their guilt he shall bear.

QARI 1                    mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 53:10-11

Il-Mulej għoġbu jgħakksu bil-mard. Talli joffri ruħu b’sagrifiċċju ta’ riparazzjoni, huwa għad jara nisel u jtawwal jiemu; u r-rieda tal-Mulej isseħħ bih. Wara t-tbatija tiegħu għad jara d-dawl, jixba’ bit-tagħrif tiegħu. Il-ġust jiġġustifika lill-qaddej tiegħu quddiem il-kotra, u l-ħażen tagħhom jitgħabba bih hu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

Upright is the word of the LORD,

and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 32(33):4-5,18-19,20,22

R/.(22): Ħa tkun, Mulej, it-tjieba tiegħek fuqna, kif fik hi t-tama tagħna.

Sewwa hi l-kelma tal-Mulej,
kollox bil-fedeltà huwa għamel.
Hu jħobb id-dritt u s-sewwa;
bit-tjieba tal-Mulej mimlija l-art. R/. 

Ara, għajnejn il-Mulej fuq dawk li jibżgħu minnu,
fuq dawk li jittamaw fit-tjieba tiegħu,
biex jeħilsilhom mill-mewt ħajjithom,
u jaħjihom fi żmien il-ġuħ. R/.

Ruħna tixxennaq għall-Mulej,
hu l-għajnuna u t-tarka tagħna.
Ħa tkun, Mulej, it-tjieba tiegħek fuqna,
kif fik hi t-tama tagħna. R/.

Reading 2                 HEBREWS 4:14-16

Brothers and sisters:  Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,  Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.  So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. 

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lil-Lhud 4:14-16

Ħuti, meta aħna għandna l-qassis il-kbir, li hu tassew kbir, qassis li daħal fis-smewwiet, Ġesù, Bin Alla, ħa nżommu sħiħa l-fidi tagħna u nistqarruha. Għax aħna ma għandniex qassis il-kbir li ma jistax jagħder id-dgħufija tagħna, imma għandna wieħed li kien imġarrab bħalna f’kollox, minbarra d-dnub.  Ħa nersqu, mela, b’qalbna qawwija lejn it-tron tal-grazzja, biex naqilgħu ħniena u nsibu f’waqtha l-grazzja li neħtieġu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                  MARK 10:35-45 or 10:42-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."  He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?"  They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."  Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.  Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"  They said to him, "We can."  Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared."  When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.  Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt.  But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.  For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Mark 0:35-45

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġakbu u Ġwanni, ulied Żebedew, resqu lejh u qalulu: “Mgħallem, dak li se nitolbuk irriduk tagħtihulna”. “Xi triduni nagħmlilkom?”, staqsiehom. U huma weġbuh: “Ħallina noqogħdu wieħed fuq il-lemin tiegħek u l-ieħor fuq ix-xellug fil-glorja tiegħek”.  Imma Ġesù qalilhom: “Ma tafux x’intom titolbu. Għandkom ħila tixorbu l-kalċi li se nixrob jien, u titgħammdu bil-magħmudija li biha se nitgħammed jien?”. “Għandna”, qalulu. Imbagħad qalilhom Ġesù: “Il-kalċi li se nixrob jien tixorbuh, iva, u titgħammdu wkoll bil-magħmudija li biha se nitgħammed jien; imma li wieħed joqgħod fuq il-lemin jew fuq ix-xellug tiegħi, din mhijiex ħaġa tiegħi li nagħtiha jien, imma hi għal dawk li għalihom kienet imħejjija”.  L-għaxra l-oħra, meta semgħu dan, saħnu għal Ġakbu u għal Ġwanni. Imma Ġesù sejħilhom u qalilhom: “Tafu intom, dawk in-nies, li l-bnedmin jgħodduhom bħala kapijiet tal-pagani, jaħkmu fuqhom, u l-kbarat tagħhom iħaddmu s-setgħa tagħhom fuqhom. Fostkom ma għandux ikun hekk, imma min irid ikun kbir fostkom, għandu jkun qaddej tagħkom, u min irid ikun l-ewwel fostkom, għandu joqgħod ilsir ta’ kulħadd. Għax hekk ukoll Bin il-bniedem, hu ma ġiex biex ikun moqdi, imma biex jaqdi u biex jagħti ħajtu b’fidwa għall-kotra”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

OUR SACRIFICIAL SERVICE DONE FOR OTHERS   

Central theme: 

Sunday’s Scripture readings describe Christian leadership as the sacrificial service done for others. They also explain the servant leadership of Jesus and teach us that self-sacrificing, loving, humble service is the criterion of greatness in Christ’s Kingdom.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The First Reading is a Messianic prophecy taken from the Fourth Servant Song in the second part of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. It tells how the promised Messiah will save mankind by dying in atonement for our sins. Jesus has done this out of love for us, becoming the Suffering Servant crucified as an offering for sin, interceding for us and taking our punishment on Himself. 

The Second Reading, taken from the letter to the Hebrews, tells us that, as Godman and Mediator-High Priest, Jesus has offered a fitting sacrifice to God to ransom us, liberating us from enslavement to sin. In the time of Jesus, ransom was the price paid to free someone from slavery. Sometimes the ransomer offered himself as a substitute for the slave, as Jesus did. The reading also speaks of a “High Priest who is able to sympathize” with us in our weakness because Jesus has been tested in every way, though sinless, and so we can “confidently” hope for God’s mercy. 

Today’s Gospel explains how Jesus foretells for the third time, his suffering and death to atone for our sins and to save us. But his disciples are still dreaming of a triumphant political messiah who will re-establish the glorious Davidic kingdom. They dream of sharing their master’s glory. Hearing the selfish request made by James and John for key positions in the Messianic political kingdom, Jesus challenges them, and us, to become great by serving others with sacrificial agape love: “Whoever wishes to be great must be a servant."

Life Messages: 

1) We are challenged to give our lives in loving service to others. As Christians, we are all invited to serve others – and to serve with a smile! We are challenged to drink the cup of Jesus by spending our lives in humble, sacrificial service for others, just as Jesus did. The best place to begin the process of service by “self-giving" is in our own homes and workplaces. When parents sacrifice their time, talents, health, and blessings for the welfare of others in the family, they are serving God. Service always involves suffering because we can’t help another without some sacrifice on our part. We also render great service to others when we present them and their needs before God daily in our prayers.

2) We are invited to give servant leadership in our homes, parishes and communities: We become servant leaders at home by serving each member of the family sacrificially with commitment. To become an effective Christian community, we need lay leaders with the courage of their Christian convictions to work for implementing social justice among our parishioners. We also need spiritual leaders like pastors who can break open the Word for us, lead us in our prayer, offer us on the altar, and draw us together as sacrament.

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FOR HUMANS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE - BUT NOT FOR GOD

 Readings for Sunday, October 13,  2024 

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 143

It-Tmienja u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                 WISDOM 7:7-11

 I prayed, and prudence was given me;  I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.  I preferred her to scepter and  throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,  nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;  because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand,  and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.  Beyond health and comeliness I loved her, and I chose to have her rather than the light, because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.  Yet all good things together came to me in her company, and countless riches at her hands.

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Għerf 7:7-11

Jien tlabt u qlajt l-għaqal; sejjaħt, u ġie fuqi l-ispirtu tal-għerf. Dan l-għerf qistu aqwa minn kull xettru u tron, u ntbaħt li l-għana mhu xejn ħdejh. Ma xebbahtx miegħu l-ħaġra l-aktar prezzjuża, għax id-deheb kollu ħdejh mhuwiex ħlief ftit ramel,  u l-fidda quddiemu qisha ftit tajn.  Aktar mis-saħħa u s-sbuħija ħabbejtu, u għoġobni aktar mid-dawl; għax id-dija tiegħu ma tgħib qatt. Mal-għerf ġieni l-ġid kollu, u miegħu ġiebli għana bla qies. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17

R. (14)    Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Make us glad, for the days when you afflicted us,
for the years when we saw evil.
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

Let your work be seen by your servants
and your glory by their children;
and may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

SALM RESPONSORJALI                   Salm 89(90):12-13,14-15,16-17

R/. (14): Imliena bit-tjieba tiegħek, Mulej.

Għallimna ngħoddu jiem ħajjitna,
sabiex aħna nimxu bil-għaqal.
Dur lejna, Mulej! Kemm se ddum?
Ħenn għall-qaddejja tiegħek. R/.

Imliena kmieni bit-tjieba tiegħek,
biex nifirħu u nithennew ħajjitna kollha.
Ferraħna daqskemm għakkistna,
għas-snin li fihom rajna l-ħsara. R/.

Ħa jidher għemilek quddiem il-qaddejja tiegħek,
u l-kobor tiegħek quddiem uliedhom.
Ħa tkun fuqna l-grazzja ta’ Alla Sidna!
Wettqilna inti x-xogħol ta’ jdejna,
wettaq, iva, xogħol idejna. R/.

Reading 2                  HEBREWS 4:12-13

Brothers and sisters:  Indeed the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.

QARI 2                 Qari mill-Ittra lil-Lhud 4:12-13

Ħuti, il-kelma ta’ Alla hi ħajja u qawwija, taqta’ aktar minn xabla b’żewġt ixfar; hija tinfed sa tifred minn xulxin ir-ruħ u l-ispirtu u l-ġogi u l-mudullun; u tgħarbel il-ħsibijiet u l-fehmiet tal-qalb. Xejn ma hemm fil-ħolqien li hu moħbi għalih, imma kollox hu miftuħ għal għajnejn Alla, li lilu rridu nagħtu kont.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 MARK 10:17-30 or 10:17-27

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?  No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honour your father and your mother."  He replied and said to him, "Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth." Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in Heaven; then come, follow me."  At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!"  The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."  They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.  All things are possible for God."  Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you."  Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skond San Mark 10:17-27

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù kien se jaqbad it-triq lejn Ġerusalemm, meta mar fuqu wieħed jgħaġġel, niżel għarkupptejh quddiemu u qallu: “Mgħallem tajjeb, x’għandi nagħmel biex nikseb il-ħajja ta’ dejjem?”.  Qallu Ġesù: “Għaliex qiegħed issejjaħli tajjeb? Ħadd mhu tajjeb ħlief Alla biss. Inti l-kmandamenti tafhom: la toqtolx, la tiżnix, la tisraqx, la tixhidx fil-falz, la tiħux bil-qerq dak li hu ta’ ħaddieħor; weġġaħ lil missierek u ’l ommok”.  U dak wieġbu u qallu: “Mgħallem, jiena dan kollu ili nħarsu minn żgħożiti”. Imbagħad Ġesù xeħet fuqu ħarsa ta’ mħabba u qallu: “Ħaġa waħda tonqsok: mur bigħ li għandek, agħtih lill-fqar, u jkollok teżor fis-sema; imbagħad ejja u imxi warajja”. Imma għal dan il-kliem ir-raġel qarras wiċċu u telaq b’qalbu sewda, għaliex kellu bosta ġid.  Ġesù mbagħad ħares ħarsa madwaru u qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Kemm hi iebsa għall-għonja li jidħlu fis-Saltna ta’ Alla!”. Id-dixxipli stagħġbu għal din il-kelma, imma Ġesù raġa’ qalilhom: “Kemm hi iebsa, uliedi, li wieħed jidħol fis-Saltna ta’ Alla! Eħfef li ġemel jgħaddi minn għajn ta’ labra milli wieħed għani jidħol fis-Saltna ta’ Alla”. Huma stagħġbu wisq aktar, u bdew jgħidu wieħed lill-ieħor: “Mela min jista’ jsalva?”. Ġesù ħares lejhom u qalilhom: “Għall-bnedmin dan ma jistax ikun, imma għal Alla iva; għax għal Alla kollox jista’ jkun”.  Qabeż Pietru u qallu: “Tajjeb! Aħna ħallejna kollox u ġejna warajk”. Qallu Ġesù: “Tassew ngħidilkom, li fost dawk kollha li minħabba fija u l-Evanġelju jħallu lil darhom jew lil ħuthom jew lil ommhom jew lil missierhom jew lil uliedhom jew l-għelieqi tagħhom, ma hemm ħadd fosthom li minn issa, f’din id-dinja stess, ma jirċevix, għal mitt darba iktar, djar, aħwa, subien u bniet, ommijiet, ulied u għelieqi flimkien ma’ persekuzzjonijiet, u l-ħajja ta’ dejjem fiż-żmien li ġej”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

PRIORITISING OUR LIVES FOR GOD

Central theme: 

We must give priority to God in our lives, not to our possessions. Sunday's  day’s readings remind us that we do not possess anything in our life that we refuse to surrender to the Lord.  These things often possess us, for when we give our “things” top priority in our lives, we become the prisoners of our possessions. Thus, we violate the First Great Commandment, “You shall not have other gods beside me” which demands that we give absolute and unconditional priority to God.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The First Reading advises us to use the God-given virtue of prudence in order to seek true wisdom and to distinguish them from vanishing earthly realities, like riches or political and social influence. Solomon chose Wisdom before everything else — and he received “everything else” along with it! Since Jesus is Wisdom Incarnate, when we put following Jesus ahead of everything else, we, too, receive “everything else” along with Jesus. In the Responsorial Psalm(Ps 90), we beg God to teach us how to make proper judgments and choices in our lives that we may live with Him forever.

The Second Reading warns us that we are accountable to God for our use, or misuse, of His blessings, and that the “living and effective word of God” must be our guide in evaluating our use of His blessings.

In Sunday’s Gospel selection (Mk 10:17-30), we find three sections: a narrative about Jesus’ encounter with a rich man, Jesus’ sayings about wealth as a possible obstacle to discipleship, and Jesus’ promise of reward for those who share their material possessions with the needy. Reminding the rich man of the commandments that deal with relationships with other people, Jesus challenged him to sell what he had, and to give the money to the poor. The disciples were shocked by this challenge. But Jesus declared that true religion consisted in one’s sharing one’s blessings with others rather than hoarding and/or getting inordinately attached to them.

Life messages:

##1) We need to accept the invitation to generous sharing. Initially, Jesus, in generous, sacrificial love, gave us His very self; in response, we find rising in our hearts the desire to give Jesus our own total selves, and so to enter the Faith relationship which Jesus offers us. God does not ask us to give up our riches, but He does ask us to use them wisely in His service, not allowing them to gain control over our hearts. God gives us time, talents, health, wealth, and riches that we may use them as good stewards in the service of others.

 ##2) Let us make a check list of our priorities and attachments, and give God top priority: Are anger, lust, gluttony, evil habits, addictions, jealousy, holding grudges, infidelity, or cheating among our habits as priorities? Let us invite God into our lives daily by praying for His strengthening grace and the anointing of His Holy Spirit so that we may give God top priority, keeping Bible as our guide. 3) We need to gain eternal life by living out our Faith in Jesus as our God and Savior, and, with God’s strengthening grace, detaching ourselves from unnecessary attachments.

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WE CANNOT SEPARATE WHAT GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER

 Readings for Sunday, October 6,  2024 

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 140

Qari tas-Sebgħa u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                 GENESIS 2:18-24

The LORD God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a suitable partner for him." So the LORD God formed out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name.  The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man. So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, the man said:     "This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called 'woman, ' for out of 'her man’ this one has been taken." That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.

QARI  1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Ġenesi   2:18-24

Il-Mulej Alla qal: “Mhux sewwa li l-bniedem jibqa’ waħdu. Ħa nagħmillu għajnuna tgħodd għalih”. U l-Mulej Alla sawwar mill-art annimali selvaġġi u t-tajr kollu tal-ajru, u ġiebhom quddiem il-bniedem biex jara xi jsemmihom; u skont ma jkun il-bniedem semma lil kull ħliqa ħajja, dak ikun isimha. U l-bniedem ta isem lil kull bhima u ’l kull tajra tal-ajru, u ’l kull annimal selvaġġ; imma għall-bniedem ma nstabet ebda għajnuna tgħodd għalih. U l-Mulej Alla tefa’ nagħsa tqila fuq il-bniedem; u dan raqad. U ħadlu waħda minn kustiljih u flokha mlieh bil-laħam. U l-Mulej Alla sawwar il-kustilja, li kien ħa mill-bniedem, f’mara u ġiebha lill-bniedem.  Imbagħad il-bniedem qal: “Din id-darba din hi għadma minn għadmi, u laħam minn laħmi, għalhekk tissejjaħ mara,għax mir-raġel ittieħdet hi”.  Għalhekk ir-raġel iħalli lil missieru u lil ommu u jingħaqad ma’ martu u jsiru ġisem wieħed. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
    who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
    blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives. 

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
    in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
    around your table.
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

Behold, thus is the man blessed
    who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
    may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life.
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

May you see your children's children.
    Peace be upon Israel!
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 127(128):1-2,3,4-5,6

R/. (ara 5): Iberikna l-Mulej il-jiem kollha ta’ ħajjitna.

Hieni kull min jibża’ mill-Mulej,
kull min jimxi fit-triqat tiegħu!
Mix-xogħol ta’ jdejk inti tiekol;
hieni int, u riżqek tajjeb! R/.

Martek tkun bħal dielja għammiela
fl-irkejjen ta’ darek;
uliedek bħal xitel taż-żebbuġ
madwar il-mejda tiegħek. R/.

Ara kif ikun imbierek
il-bniedem li jibża’ mill-Mulej!
Ibierkek il-Mulej minn Sijon! R/.

Jalla tara l-ġid ta’ Ġerusalemm
tul ħajtek kollha!
Jalla tara wlied uliedek!
Sliem għal Iżrael! R/.

Reading 2                 HEBREWS 2:9-11

Brothers and sisters:  He "for a little while" was made "lower than the angels, "  that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.  For it was fitting that he,  for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers.”

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lil-Lhud  2:9-11

Ħuti, lil dak li għal ftit taż-żmien kien imniżżel ftit inqas mill-anġli, lil Ġesù, aħna issa qegħdin narawh imżejjen fil-glorja u l-ġieħ minħabba fil-mewt li hu bata, biex, għall-grazzja ta’ Alla, il-mewt li daq tkun għall-ġid ta’ kulħadd.  Għax kien jixraq li Alla, li għalih u bih sar kollox, waqt li jwassal ħafna wlied għall-glorja, jagħmel li l-Awtur tas-salvazzjoni tagħhom ikun perfett bis-saħħa tas-sofferenzi.  Għax kemm dak li jqaddes, u kemm dawk li jiġu mqaddsin, ilkoll huma mill-istess wieħed. U għalhekk Ġesù ma jistħix isejħilhom ħutu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 MARK 10:2-16 or 10:2-12

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?"  They were testing him. He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?"  They replied, "Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment.  But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.  For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate."  In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.  He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."  And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Mark 10:2-16

F’dak iż-żmien, resqu xi Fariżej lejn Ġesù u biex iġarrbuh staqsewh jekk raġel jistax jitlaq lil martu. Weġibhom u qal: “X’ordnalkom Mosè?”. Qalulu: “Mosè ta l-permess li wieħed jagħmel il-kitba tad-divorzju, u jibgħatha”. Imbagħad weġibhom Ġesù: “Minħabba l-ebusija ta’ qalbkom kitbilkom dan l-ordni. Iżda sa mill-bidu tal-ħolqien Alla għamilhom raġel u mara.  Għalhekk mela raġel iħalli lil missieru u ’l ommu u jingħaqad ma’ martu, u t-tnejn isiru ġisem wieħed. Għalhekk mhumiex iżjed tnejn, imma ġisem wieħed. Mela dak li għaqqad Alla ma għandux jifirdu l-bniedem”.  Xħin daħlu d-dar id-dixxipli reġgħu staqsewh fuq dan, u hu qalilhom: “Min jitlaq lil martu u jiżżewweġ oħra jkun ħati ta’ adulterju kontra l-ewwel waħda; u jekk mara titlaq lil żewġha u tiżżewweġ ieħor tkun ħatja ta’ adulterju”.  Ġibulu quddiemu xi tfal ċkejknin biex iberikhom, iżda d-dixxipli tiegħu qabdu jgħajtu magħhom. Ġesù, meta ra hekk, inkorla u qalilhom: “Ħalluhom it-tfal żgħar jiġu għandi; iżżommuhomx, għax ta’ min hu bħalhom hija s-Saltna ta’ Alla. Tassew ngħidilkom, li min is-Saltna ta’ Alla ma jilqagħhiex bħal tifel ċkejken ma jidħolx fiha”. Imbagħad ħaddanhom miegħu u qiegħed idejh fuqhom u berikhom. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

 

GOD'S PLAN FOR SEX AND MARRIAGE

Introduction: 

Today’s Scripture readings are about the bond of love that marriage creates between a man and a woman, a bond that God intends to be permanent. These readings challenge the spouses to practice the fidelity of their ever-faithful God, honouring their holy covenant commitment before Him.

Scripture lessons: 

The First Reading, taken from Genesis, explains God’s original plan concerning sex and marriage. It teaches us that God made man and woman for each other. Hence, in marriage they are no longer two but one, united by an unbreakable bond. The reading also describes the institution of marriage and shows that monogamy was God’s intention from the very beginning. The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 128) expands the marital theme of the first reading and the Gospel to include the children born of the union. Since the children enrich the lives of their parents, the Psalmist prays: “May you see your children’s children.”

The Second Reading, taken from the Letter to the Hebrews, reminds us that Jesus became one of us, bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. As one of us, Jesus “tasted death for everyone.” He was not only the Sacrifice, but also the High Priest. We are now Jesus’ brothers and sisters, bonded with Him, and through Him bonded with God. Thus, Christ became the Saviour of all people – the good, the bad, the divorced, gays, lesbians – everyone, and received all of us as brothers and sisters. Jesus’ prohibition of divorce can be a source of suffering for those who face difficult married lives. Paul suggests that we have to accept pain as Jesus did, as part of the suffering we all have to endure on the way to glory.

Sunday’s Gospel gives Christ’s explicit teaching on marriage and divorce, the Divine origin of marriage, the sacredness of family life, and the indissolubility of marriage. These are difficult messages to preach in a society that embraces co-habitation and ignores both the escalating divorce statistics and the dangerous consequences of divorce. The Gospel teaches that family life is sacred, that husband and wife are partners with equal rights, and that the destruction of the family by divorce is producing the destruction of society.

Life messages: 

1) Both spouses need to work hard to create a good marriage: Marriage demands that they should become the right persons for each another as God-given gifts. Marriage is a union based on committed sharing, and forgiving, sacrificial, agape love. It requires many mutual adjustments; much mutual generosity, and great good will, to forgive and ask for forgiveness; sincere cooperation in training children and raising them as practising Catholic Christians; and daily strength from God obtained through personal and family prayers and punctual, at least weekly, participation in the parish liturgy.

2) We need to reach out with Christian sympathy to the divorced and to troubled families. The parish community needs to accept these brothers and sisters with respect, compassion, sensitivity, love, and support, sharing the depth of their pain from a failed, or failing, marriage. The Church cannot sanction a second marriage for either spouse unless the previous marriage has been declared annulled by the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal. In the meantime, “…they should be encouraged to listen to the Word of God, to attend the Sacrifice of the Mass, to persevere in prayer, to bring up their children in the Christian Faith” (CCC #1651).

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"If your hand causes you to sin, chop it off"?!

 Readings for Sunday, September 22, 2024 

                                                                      

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 137

Is-Sitta u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1               BOOK OF NUMBERS 11:25-29

The LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses.  Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses, the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders; and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied. Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad, were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp. They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent; yet the spirit came to rest on them also, and they prophesied in the camp. So, when a young man quickly told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, " Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses' aide, said, "Moses, my lord, stop them." But Moses answered him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets! Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"

QARI 1                        mill-Ktieb tan-Numri 11:25-29

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Mulej niżel fi sħaba jkellem lil Mosè, u ħa mill-ispirtu li kellu fih, u tah lis-sebgħin xiħ; u ġara li, hekk kif l-ispirtu qagħad fuqhom, bdew jipprofetizzaw, imma ma ssuktawx. Issa fil-kamp kien baqa’ żewġt irġiel, wieħed jismu Eldad u l-ieħor Medad, u fuqhom ukoll niżel l-ispirtu. Hekk dawn ġew magħduda mal-magħżulin għax, għalkemm ma marrux fit-tinda, bdew jipprofetizzaw fil-kamp. Dlonk mar wieħed żagħżugħ jgħarraf b’dan lil Mosè, u qallu: “Eldad u Medad qegħdin jipprofetizzaw fil-kamp”. U Ġożwè bin Nun, li minn ċkunitu kien qaddej ta’ Mosè, qabad u qal: “Sidi Mosè, tħallihomx aktar”. Iżda Mosè wieġbu: “Jaqaw qiegħed tgħir minħabba fija? Jalla l-poplu tal-Mulej ikun kollu profeti, u jalla l-Mulej iqiegħed fuqhom l-ispirtu tiegħu!”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14

The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Though your servant is careful of them,
very diligent in keeping them,
yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown faults!
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and innocent
of serious sin.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 18(19):8,10,12-13,14

R/.(9a): Il-preċetti tal-Mulej dritti, u jferrħu l-qalb.

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

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

Fehemhom sewwa l-qaddej tiegħek;
ħlas tajjeb għandu min iħarishom.
In-nuqqas min jista’ jagħrfu?
Minn dak li ma nafx bih saffini. R/.

Mill-kburija wkoll ħares il-qaddej tiegħek,
tħalliha qatt taħkimni.
Imbagħad inkun bla ħtija
u ħieles minn dnub kbir. R/.

Reading 2                 JAMES 5:1-6

Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. You have stored up treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one;  he offers you no resistance.

QARI 2                 mill-Ittra ta’ San Ġakbu Appostlu 5:1-6

Ejjew issa, intom il-għonja, ibku u ixhru fuq l-għawġ li ġej fuqkom! Ġidkom tħassar, ħwejjiġkom kilithomlkom il-kamla. Id-deheb u l-fidda tagħkom rabbew is-sadid, u s-sadid tagħkom għad jixhed kontra tagħkom u jiklilkom ġisimkom bħan-nar. Ħżintu l-ġid fl-aħħar jiem! Ara, il-ħlas tal-ħaddiema li ħasdu l-għelieqi tagħkom – ħlas li intom żammejtuhulhom bil-qerq – qiegħed jgħajjat kontra tagħkom, u l-biki ta’ dawk li ħasdu wasal f’widnejn il-Mulej tal-eżerċti. Fuq l-art għextu fix-xalar u l-lussu; qgħadtu tissemmnu għall-jum tal-qatla. Intom ikkundannajtu l-ġust, qtiltuh għax ma jistax jiqfilkom! Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.      

Gospel                MARK 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

At that time, John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"

EVANĠELJU                Qari skont San Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġwanni qal lil Ġesù: “Mgħallem, wieħed raġel, li s-soltu ma jkunx magħna, rajnieh ikeċċi x-xjaten f’ismek u ridna nżommuh, għax hu mhuwiex wieħed minn tagħna”. Imma Ġesù qal: “La żżommuhx, le, għax ma hemm ħadd li se jagħmel miraklu f’ismi u mbagħad malajr se jkollu ħila jgħid kontra tiegħi. Għax min mhuwiex kontra tagħna, huwa magħna.  Min jagħtikom tazza ilma x’tixorbu għax intom tal-Messija, ngħidilkom is-sewwa li ma jibqax mingħajr il-ħlas tiegħu. Imma min jagħti skandlu lil wieħed minn dawn iċ-ċkejknin li jemmnu fija, ikun jaqbillu jekk jorbtulu ma’ għonqu ġebla tat-tħin minn dawk li jdawru l-ħmir u jixħtuh fil-baħar. U jekk idek hija għalik okkażjoni ta’ dnub, aqtagħha barra; jaħbatlek aħjar li tidħol b’id waħda fil-ħajja, milli tmur b’idejk it-tnejn fl-infern, fin-nar li ma jintefiex. U jekk riġlek hu għalik okkażjoni ta’ dnub, aqtgħu barra; jaħbatlek aħjar li tidħol b’riġel wieħed fil-ħajja, milli tinxteħet b’riġlejk it-tnejn fl-infern. U jekk għajnek hi għalik okkażjoni ta’ dnub, aqlagħha barra; jaħbatlek aħjar li tidħol b’għajn waħda fis-Saltna ta’ Alla milli tinxteħet b’għajnejk it-tnejn fl-infern, fejn id-dud tagħhom ma jmutx u fejn in-nar ma jintefiex”.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

THE DANGER OF ALLOWING SIN INTO YOUR LIFE

Introduction: 

Sunday’s Scripture readings give us a strong warning against jealousy, intolerance, and giving scandal. 

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the first reading, we find jealousy, in its destructive form of envy, raising its ugly head in Moses’ assistant and successor, Joshua. Moses and seventy future helpers were called by the Lord God to the Tent of Meeting for the Spirit-giving Ordination ceremony. But two of the invitees were absent, and Joshua could not tolerate these absent men prophesying in the camp without receiving God’s Spirit in the Tent of Meeting. Moses had to instruct Joshua to be tolerant. This selection is intended to provide a Biblical background for Jesus’ response to the same kind of jealousy apparent in the apostles. 

The Refrain for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 19), “The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart,” reminds us that obedience to the spirit of the Law will draw us closer to God and so give us lasting joy. In the second reading, James warns the rich against giving scandal by their denial of social justice to their workers in refusing to give them a living wage, by ignoring the needs of others, and by condemning and murdering the innocent, and the righteous. Withholding a day-labourer’s wage was a terrible act of injustice, tantamount to murder in the agricultural economy of the ancient Middle East. Baptism commits every Christian to work for social justice through peaceable, rather than violent, means. 

In the Gospel, we find intolerance among the apostles of Christ. John complains to Jesus that a man outside their group of selected disciples has been exorcising demons in Jesus’ Name, despite their attempt to prevent him from doing so. Jesus responds by giving the Apostles lessons in his own kind of tolerance and in the reward to be given to outsiders for good deeds they have done for the apostles because they are the disciples of Jesus.

We also hear the strong warning of Jesus against giving scandal, especially to innocent children, to vulnerable members of the community, and to beginners in the Faith. Jesus instructs the Apostles, and us, that, just as a doctor might remove by surgery a limb or some part of the body to preserve the life of the whole body, so we must be ready to part with anything that causes us, or others, to sin and so leads to spiritual death.

Life messages: 

#1): Let us avoid conduct that can lead to giving scandal. We give scandal and become stumbling blocks to others: a) when we are unkind or unjust in our treatment of them; b) when we humiliate them by hurting their pride and damaging their self-image; c) when we discourage, ignore, or refuse to accept them; and d) when we become judgmental about those who are still struggling to reach a level of commitment that we feel is too low to be useful. 

#2): Let us learn the Christian virtue of tolerance: Christian tolerance asks that we bear with the weaknesses of others (without condoning the evil they do), by: 

a) remaining true to our conscience and beliefs; 

b) respecting the differences we encounter; 

c) working together on projects of common interest; 

d) affirming what is good in the other person’s position, even when we disagree on certain things; and 

e) allowing the light of Christ to shine through our loving words and deeds.

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THE LORD UPLIFTS OUR LIVES

 Readings for Sunday, September 22, 2024 

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 134

Il-Ħamsa u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                 WISDOM 2:12, 17-20

The wicked say: Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him. 

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Għerf 2:12,17-20

In-nies il-ħżiena qalu: “Nonsbulu lill-ġust għaliex hu ta’ xkiel għalina fi triqitna, hu kontra l-għemejjel tagħna, iċanfarna għax niksru l-Liġi, jixlina għax immorru kontra t-tagħlim li ħadna. Ħa naraw hux veru kliemu, naraw fl-aħħar x’se jsir minnu. Jekk il-ġust hu iben Alla, jaqbeż għalih Alla, u jeħilsu minn id l-għedewwa tiegħu. Inġarrbuh bit-tagħjir u l-moħqrija, biex naraw xi tjubija għandu u nkejlu sa fejn jasal sabru. Naqtgħuhielu għall-mewt b’mistħija, għax, kif jgħid hu, għandu min iħarsu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8

O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. The Lord upholds my life.

For the haughty men have risen up against me,
the ruthless seek my life;
they set not God before their eyes.
R. The Lord upholds my life.

Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. The Lord upholds my life.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 53(54):3-4,5,6,8

R/.(6b): Il-Mulej hu dak li jżommni.

B’ismek, o Alla, salvani;
agħmilli ħaqq bil-qawwa tiegħek.
Isma’, o Alla, it-talba tiegħi;
agħti widen għal kliem fommi. R/.

Għax nies kburin qamu kontrija,
nies kefrin jonsbuli ħajti;
ma jżommux ’l Alla quddiem għajnejhom. R/.

Ara, Alla l-għajnuna tiegħi;
il-Mulej hu dak li jżommni.
Minn qalbi noffrilek is-sagrifiċċju;
irrodd ħajr lil ismek, għax hu tajjeb. R/.

Reading 2                 JAMES 3:16—4:3

Beloved:  Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask. You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

QARI 2                 mill-Ittra ta’ San Ġakbu Appostlu 3:16–4:3

Għeżież, fejn hemm l-għira u l-ġlied, hemm issib it-taqlib u kull xorta ta’ ħażen. L-għerf li ġej mis-sema, qabel kollox hu għerf safi, imbagħad hu għerf li jfittex is-sliem, it-tjubija u l-ħlewwa; huwa kollu ħniena u frott tajjeb, bla ma jħares lejn l-uċuħ u bla qerq. Dawk li jfittxu s-sliem jiżirgħu fis-sliem u jkollhom il-frott tal-ġustizzja. Mnejn hu ġej il-ġlied u t-tilwim bejnietkom? Jaqaw mhux minn dan, mill-passjonijiet li hemm jitqabdu f’ġisimkom? Tixtiequ, u ma ssibu xejn; imbagħad toqtlu, u tgħiru, bla ma tistgħu tieħdu xejn; imbagħad tiġġieldu u titqabdu. Ma għandkom xejn għax ma titolbux. Titolbu, u ma tiksbux, għax titolbu ħażin: titolbu ħa jkollkom xi tberbqu fix-xalar.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 MARK 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Mark 9:30-37

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù u d-dixxipli tiegħu għaddew minn nofs il-Galilija, u ma ried li ħadd ikun jaf, għax beda jgħallem lid-dixxipli tiegħu u jgħidilhom: “Bin il-bniedem se jingħata f’idejn il-bnedmin u joqtluh; u meta jkun maqtul, wara tlitt ijiem iqum mill-mewt”. Iżda huma ma fehmuhx dan il-kliem, u beżgħu jistaqsuh. Waslu Kafarnahum; u meta kienu d-dar staqsiehom: “X’kontu qegħdin titħaddtu bejnietkom fit-triq?”. Iżda huma baqgħu siekta, għax fit-triq kienu qagħdu jitħaddtu bejniethom fuq min kien l-akbar. Imbagħad qagħad bilqiegħda, sejjaħ it-Tnax, u qalilhom: “Jekk xi ħadd irid ikun l-ewwel wieħed, għandu joqgħod wara kulħadd u jkun qaddej ta’ kulħadd”.  U ressaq lejh tfajjel ċkejken, qiegħdu f’nofshom, ħaddnu bejn dirgħajh u qalilhom: “Kull min jilqa’ wieħed minn dawn iċ-ċkejknin minħabba f’ismi, ikun jilqa’ lili; u min jilqa’ lili, ikun jilqa’ mhux lili, imma lil dak li bagħatni”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

 

What walking the path of righteousness looks like in action 

Introduction: 

This Sunday’s readings invite us to become great in the sight of God by doing God’s will as Jesus did, surrendering our lives to Him in the service of others.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The passage from the Book of Wisdom sounds like a messianic prophecy similar to the “Suffering Servant” prophecy in Isaiah referring to Christ’s passion. It urges us to choose the path of righteousness in spite of painful consequences. In today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 54), the psalmist prays for help against the insolent people who rise against the upright.

The second reading is in tune with the dispute in today’s Gospel, in which the apostles are competing among themselves to discover who about who will be the greatest in the coming Messianic Kingdom. In the second reading, James warns the church - and us - that selfish ambitions destroy peace and cause conflicts and war. So, James advises us to choose the path of righteousness and humble service which leads to lasting peace.

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a glimpse of what walking that path of righteousness, mentioned in the first and second readings, looks like in action — welcoming and serving the vulnerable in our midst, especially defenseless children, the despairing poor, the mentally ill, and the marginalized. Jesus also teaches his apostles that child-like humility and selfless service make one great in the eyes of God.

Life messages: 

# 1: We must become great through humble, self-giving service. Greatness, in Jesus’ view, is found in our willingness to accept, welcome, and serve those who are considered unacceptable by reason of class, color, religion, language, wealth, or culture. We must welcome people the way a child welcomes them before he is taught discrimination. If we are to be truly great, we must be ready to accept four challenges: 

    (1) to put ourselves last, 

    (2) to be the servant of all, 

    (3) to receive the most insignificant human beings with love, and 

    (4) to expect nothing in return. 

During the Holy Mass let us pray for the true spirit of service and for an attitude of love for those around us. May the Holy Spirit help us to become truly great through humble, selfless service.

#2: We need to practice humility in thoughts, words, and actions: “Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart,” Jesus invites us. St. Augustine asks, "What is the essential thing in the religion and discipline of Jesus Christ?” then responds, “I shall reply: first humility, second humility, and third humility.” We should not seek recognition and recompense for the services we do for Christ and the Church as parents, teachers, pastors, etc. Trusting Faith, both causes and results from, true humility, for these two synergize, deepening each other, and both are essential for all corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Since children reflect the innocence, purity, simplicity, and tenderness of our Lord, and since they are given the protection of a guardian angel, we are to love them, train them, and take care not to give scandal to them. We need to try to treat everyone with love and respect because, “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life” (St. Basil), CCC # 336.

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The importance of the birth of Mary

 Readings for Sunday, September 8, 2024 

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Solemnity of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 128

It-Tlieta u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Solennità tat-Twelid tal-Imqaddsa Verġni Marija

Reading 1                MIKEA 5: 1-4

Marshal your troops now, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel’s ruler on the cheek with a rod.  “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans[b] of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”   Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.  He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

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

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

RESPONSORIAL PSALM          PSALM 13:6ab, 6c

Though I trusted in your mercy,
let my heart rejoice in your salvation.
R. With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

Let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.”
R. With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 12: 6

Jien fit-tjieba tiegħek, Mulej, ittamajt;
tifraħ qalbi fis-salvazzjoni tiegħek. 
R/. Nifraħ b’ferħ kbir fil-Mulej!

Ngħanni lill-Mulej, għax għamilli l-ġid:
ngħanni lill-isem tal-Mulej, il-Għoli. 
R/. Nifraħ b’ferħ kbir fil-Mulej!

Reading 2                 ROMANS 8: 28-30                 

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lir-Rumani 8: 28-30

Ħuti:  Aħna nafu li Alla, ma’ dawk li jħobbuh, ma’ dawk li huma msejjħin skont il-provvidenza tiegħu, f’kollox jaħdem id f’id għall-ġid tagħhom. Għax lil dawk li hu għarafhom mill-bidu, ippredestinahom ukoll biex jieħdu s-sura fuq ix-xbieha ta’ Ibnu, ħalli dan ikun il-kbir fost ħafna aħwa; lil dawk li ppredestinahom, sejħilhom ukoll; lil dawk li sejħilhom, iġġustifikahom ukoll; lil dawk imbagħad li ġġustifikahom, igglorifikahom ukoll. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

ALLELUIA

Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise;
from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.

Gospel                  MATTHEW 1: 1-16. 18-23

This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham[a]:  Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram.  Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon.  Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse.  Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).  Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was the father of Abijah. Abijah was the father of Asa.  Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram. Jehoram was the father[e] of Uzziah.  Uzziah was the father of Jotham. Jotham was the father of Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah.  Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amon.  Amon was the father of Josiah.  Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon).  After the Babylonian exile: Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel.   Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud.  Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor.  Azor was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Akim. Akim was the father of Eliud.  Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob.  Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.   This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement[h] quietly.  As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:   “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!  She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,  which means ‘God is with us.’”

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skond San Mattew 1: 1-16. 18-23

Ktieb in-nisel ta’ Ġesù Kristu, Bin David, bin Abraham. Abraham nissel ’l Iżakk, Iżakk nissel ’il Ġakobb, Ġakobb nissel ’il Ġuda u ’l ħutu, Ġuda nissel lil Fares u lil Żaraħ minn Tamar, Fares nissel lil Ħesron, Ħesron nissel lil Aram, Aram nissel ’il Għaminadab, Għaminadab nissel ’il Naħson, Naħson nissel ’il Salmon, Salmon nissel ’il Bogħoż, minn Raħab, Bogħoż nissel ’il Għobed, minn Rut, Għobed nissel ’il Ġesse.  Ġesse nissel lis-sultan David, David nissel ’il Salamun, mill-mara ta’ Urija, Salamun nissel ’il Robogħam, Robogħam nissel ’l Abija, Abija nissel ’l Asa, Asa nissel ’il Ġosafat, Ġosafat nissel ’il Ġoram, Ġoram nissel ’il Għużżija, Għużżija nissel ’il Ġoatam, Ġoatam nissel ’l Aħaż, Aħaż nissel ’il Ħeżekija, Ħeżekija nissel ’il Manasse, Manasse nissel ’l Amon, Amon nissel ’il Ġosija, Ġosija nissel ’il Ġekonija u ’l ħutu; kien żmien l-eżilju f’Babel. Wara l-eżilju f’Babel, Ġekonija nissel ’il Salatjel, Salatjel nissel ’il Żorobabel, Żorobabel nissel ’l Abihud, Abihud nissel ’l Eljakim, Eljakim nissel ’l Ażor, Ażor nissel ’il Sadok, Sadok nissel ’l Akim, Akim nissel ’l Elihud, Elihud nissel ’l Elgħażar, Elgħażar nissel ’il Mattan, Mattan nissel ’il Ġakobb, Ġakobb nissel ’il Ġużeppi, ir-raġel ta’ Marija, li minnha twieled Ġesù, li jsejħulu Kristu. It-tnissil ta’ Ġesù Kristu sar hekk: Ommu Marija, wara li tgħarrset ma’ Ġużeppi, qabel ma marru joqogħdu flimkien, ħarġet tqila bil-ħidma tal-Ispirtu s-Santu. Żewġha Ġużeppi, li kien raġel ġust u li ma riedx ixandarha quddiem kulħadd, għamel f’rasu li jibgħatha bil-moħbi tan-nies. Wara li qatagħha li jagħmel hekk, deherlu anġlu tal-Mulej fil-ħolm u qallu: “Ġużeppi, bin David, la tibżax tilqa’ għandek lil Marija b’martek, għax dak li tnissel fiha ġie bil-ħidma tal-Ispirtu s-Santu. Hi jkollha iben, u inti ssemmih Ġesù, għax hu jsalva l-poplu tiegħu minn dnubiethom”. Dan kollu ġara biex iseħħ li kien qal il-Mulej permezz tal-profeta, meta qal: ‘Ara, ix-xebba tnissel u jkollha iben, u jsemmuh Għimmanu-El’, li bi lsienna jfisser ‘Alla magħna’.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

   

Two Questions answered: 

Q 1: Do Catholics worship Mary? Fact 1: Catholics don’t worship or adore Mary because we worship only God, and Mary is not God. Fact 2: We venerate her, honour her, and love her as Jesus’ mother and our Heavenly Mother.

Q 2: Why do Catholics venerate Mary? Mary herself gives the reason in her “Magnificat” recorded in Luke (1:48-49):  “For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.  The Mighty One has done great things for me, and Holy is his Name.” 

 God has honoured Mary in four ways, and we honour her because God honoured her:

a) He chose her as the mother of His Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah.

b) In preparation for this role, God made her “Full of grace” by her Immaculate Conception.

c) He anointed her twice with His Holy Spirit: at the Annunciation and at Pentecost, making her the most Spirit -filled of all women.

d) God allowed her to participate actively in Christ’s suffering and death, suffering in soul all Jesus suffered in body.

    2) Mary is our Heavenly Mother, given to us by Jesus from the cross.   Mary is our role model for all virtues, particularly, love, fidelity, humility, obedience, surrender to the will of God, and patience.

Life magazine estimated that the prayer “Hail Mary” is said two billion times every day, and each year five to ten million people make a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, let aone to other places of pilgrimage around the world where She has made personal appearances.  Mary is prayed to as advocate and helper, and even in the sports arena there is a reference to her power: the last desperate pass by a losing football team was once called a “Hail Mary pass.” 

Mary is also venerated by Muslims. It is reported that when the Prophet Muhammad cleared the idols out of the Kaaba in Mecca, he allowed only a fresco of the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus to remain. In every Muslim mosque, the “mihrab” or prayer niche in the wall is dedicated to Mary. In the Qur’an, she is described as having been sent as “a mercy for the worlds.” (http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/days/features.php?id=15974)

A bit of History:

As one of the oldest Marian solemnities, this feast is based on the second century (A.D. 175), apocryphal book Protoevagelium Jacobi (The Pre-Gospel of James), which reflects the traditions of the early Church, although it is not considered an inspired book. According to this book, Mary’s parents were Joachim and Anna. Mary was born either in Jerusalem or in Sephoris, three miles north of Bethlehem. The Annunciation is believed to have taken place later in the house of Mary’s parents. The feast originated in the fifth century in Syria or Palestine. St. Romanus of Syria is supposed to have brought it to Rome. The Roman Church adopted it in the 7th century and fixed it on September 8th. It is found in the 8th and 9th century Gregorian Sacramentary.

Importance: 

The feast is the birthday celebration of the mother of Jesus, our Heavenly Mother and the Mother of the Church. It is the birthday of an ordinary woman who was chosen to become the mother of an extraordinary Divine Child. The Church celebrates the death day of a saint as his/her feast day, considering it his/her “birthday in Heaven.” The three exceptions are Jesus’ birthday (Christmas), Mary’s birthday (September 8), and John the Baptist’s birthday (June 24). Mary’s birthday is celebrated because of her Immaculate Conception. John the Baptist, in Elizabeth’s womb, was filled with the Holy Spirit during Mary’s visitation of Elizabeth. 

We honour Mary because God has done great things for her (Luke 1:49), 

    a) by choosing her as the mother of Jesus His Son, 

    b) by filling her with His Holy Spirit twice, 

    c) by making her the embodiment of all virtues (“full of grace”), and our Heavenly Mother and 

    d) by allowing her to become the most active participant with Christ, her son, in our redemption.

Life Message: 

Let us, as Mary’s children, give a suitable birthday gift to our Heavenly Mother. Every mother wants her children to inherit and acquire all her good qualities. Hence, the best birthday gift to Mary is for us to become holy children of a Holy Mother, practicing her virtues of humility, total trust in God, unconditional surrender to the will of God and humble sharing of the agape love of our heavenly mother.

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