"WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE CONDEMNED ..."

  Readings for Sunday, MAY 31, 2026 

>>> 

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Lectionary: 164

Reading 1                  Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9

Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him, taking along the two stone tablets. Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses there and proclaimed his name, "LORD." Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out, "The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity." Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own."

 Responsorial Psalm                  Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages. 
R. Glory and praise for ever!

Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!

Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!

Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!

 Reading 2                  2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Brothers and sisters, rejoice.  Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

 Gospel                John 3:16-18

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be  condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

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/////  BIL-MALTI   ////////

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"... MIN JEMMEN FIH MA JKUNX IKKUNDANNAT..."  

>>>> Qari tas-Solennità tat-Trinità Qaddisa

        Il-Ħadd wara Għid il-Ħamsin

Qari 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Eżodu 34:4b-6,8-9

F’dak iż-żmien, Mosè qam filgħodu kmieni, u tala’ fuq il-muntanja tas-Sinaj, kif kien ordnalu l-Mulej, u ħa f’idejh iż-żewġ twavel tal-ġebel. Imbagħad il-Mulej niżel fi sħaba u waqaf hemm maġenbu; u xandar l-isem tal-Mulej. U l-Mulej għadda minn quddiemu u għajjat: “Jaħweh! Jaħweh! Alla li jagħder u jħenn; tqil biex jagħdab u kbir fit-tjieba u fil-fedeltà”.  Mosè minnufih inxteħet għal wiċċu fl-art, ta qima u qal: “Jekk jien tassew sibt ħniena quddiemek, Sidi, ħa jiġi Sidi ġo nofsna, nitolbok; għax dan hu poplu rasu iebsa. Aħfrilna ħżunitna u ħtijietna, u ħudna b’wirt għalik”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  R. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla.

Salm Responsorjali                Danjel 3:52,53,54,55,56

Imbierek int, Mulej, Alla ta’ missirijietna. 
R. (52b): Ta’ min ifaħħrek u jgħollik fuq kollox għal dejjem.

Imbierek ismek, qaddis u msebbaħ. 

R. (52b): Ta’ min ifaħħrek u jgħollik fuq kollox għal dejjem.

Imbierek int fit-tempju tas-sebħ imqaddes tiegħek. 

R. (52b): Ta’ min ifaħħrek u jgħollik fuq kollox għal dejjem.

Imbierek int li qiegħed fuq il-kerubini, li ħarstek tinfed l-abbissi. 

R. (52b): Ta’ min ifaħħrek u jgħollik fuq kollox għal dejjem.

Imbierek int fuq it-tron ta’ saltnatek. 
R. (52b): Ta’ min ifaħħrek u jgħollik fuq kollox għal dejjem.

Imbierek int fil-wisa’ kollu tas-sema. 

R. (52b): Ta’ min ifaħħrek u jgħollik fuq kollox għal dejjem.

Qari 2                   Għeluq tat-Tieni Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Korintin 13:11-13

Ħuti, ifirħu, ħabirku għall-perfezzjoni, isimgħu milli wieħed jgħidilkom, kunu ta’ fehma waħda, żommu s-sliem, u Alla tal-imħabba u s-sliem ikun magħkom. Sellmu lil xulxin b’bewsa qaddisa. Il-qaddisin kollha jsellmulkom. Il-grazzja ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu, l-imħabba ta’ Alla u l-għaqda fl-Ispirtu s-Santu jkunu magħkom ilkoll.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Evanġelju                  Qari skond San Ġwann 3:16-18

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lil Nikodemu: “Alla hekk ħabb lid-dinja li ta lil Ibnu l-waħdieni, biex kull min jemmen fih ma jintilifx, iżda jkollu l-ħajja ta’ dejjem. Għax Alla ma bagħatx lil Ibnu fid-dinja biex jagħmel ħaqq mid-dinja, imma biex id-dinja ssalva permezz tiegħu. Min jemmen fih ma jkunx ikkundannat; iżda min ma jemminx huwa ġa kkundannat, għax ma emminx fl-isem tal-Iben il-waħdieni ta’ Alla”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. R. Tifħir lilek, Kristu.

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/////////////  REFLECTION -

HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY 

Introduction: 

The mystery of the most Holy Trinity is a basic doctrine of Faith in Christianity, understandable not with our heads but with our hearts. It teaches us that there are three distinct Persons in one God, sharing the same Divine Nature, co-equal and co-eternal. Our mind cannot grasp this doctrine which teaches that 1+1+1 = 1 and not 3. But we believe in this Mystery because Jesus, Who is God, taught it clearly, the Evangelists recorded it, the Fathers of the Church tried to explain it, and the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople defined it as a dogma of Christian Faith. 

Importance of Holy Trinity in Christian life: 

1) All prayers in the Church begin in the Name of the Holy Trinity and end glorifying the Trinity. 

2) All Sacraments are administered (we are baptized, confirmed, anointed, our sins are forgiven, our marriage is blessed, and our Bishops, priests and deacons are ordained) in the name of the Holy Trinity. 

3) When Church bells ring thrice daily, they remind us to give glory to the Holy Trinity for the Incarnation of Jesus and His Redemption of all of us. 

4) We bless ourselves, and the priest blesses us, in the Name of the Holy Trinity.

Biblical basis: 

There are only vague and hidden references to the Trinity in the Old Testament. But the New Testament gives clear teachings on the Holy Trinity.

   1) At the Annunciation, God the Father sends His angel to Mary, God the Holy Spirit comes upon her, the Power of the Most High overshadows her, and God the Son becomes Incarnate in her womb.

   2) At the baptism of Jesus, when the Son receives baptism from John the Baptist, the Father’s Voice is heard, and the Holy Spirit appears as a Dove and descends upon Jesus.

   3) At the Ascension, Jesus gives the missionary command to his disciples to baptize those who believe, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

   4) John’s account: In John’s Gospel, chapters 15--18, we have a detailed account of Jesus’ teaching of the role of each Person of the Holy Trinity: 

     a) God the Father creates and provides for His creatures. 

     b) God the Son redeems us and reconciles us with God. 

     c) God the Holy Spirit sanctifies us, strengthens us, teaches us, and guides us to God.

Life messages:

1) Let us respect ourselves and others because everyone is the temple of the Holy Spirit where all Three Persons of the Holy Trinity abide.

2) Let us have the firm conviction that the Trinitarian God abides in us, that He is the Source of our hope, courage and strength, and that He is our final destination.

3) Let us practice the Trinitarian relationship of love and unity in the family relationships of father, mother, and children because by Baptism we become children of God and members of God’s Trinitarian family.

4) Let us practice the I–God–my neighbour vertical and horizontal Trinitarian relationships in this life by loving God.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2026.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  ////////

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"...And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit"

  Readings for Sunday, May 24, 2026 

>>>>  Pentecost Sunday - 

Mass during the Day   

Lectionary: 63

Reading 1                  Acts 2:1-11

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.  Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God."

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 

Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
the earth is full of your creatures;
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

or: R. Alleluia. 

May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD be glad in his works!
Pleasing to him be my theme;
I will be glad in the LORD.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:  R. Alleluia.

If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or: R. Alleluia.

Reading 2                 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13

Brothers and sisters:  No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 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. 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.

Sequence — Veni, Sancte Spiritus

Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!

Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.

You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;

In our labour, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.

O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!

Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.

Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.

On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;

Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen.
lleluia.
 
Gospel              John 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

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<><><><><><><><><><><>      /////  BIL-MALTI   ////////        <<<<<<<<<

"Ilkoll tgħammidna fi Spirtu wieħed biex nagħmlu ġisem wieħed."

>>>> Is-Solennità ta’ Għid il-Ħamsin

Quddiesa tal-Jum:

QARI 1                         mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli 2:1-11

Meta wasal jum Għid il-Ħamsin, huma kienu lkoll flimkien f’post wieħed. F’daqqa waħda ġie mis-sema ħoss bħal ta’ riħ qawwi, u mela d-dar kollha fejn kienu qegħdin. U dehrulhom ilsna qishom tan-nar, li tqassmu u qagħdu fuq kull wieħed minnhom. Imtlew ilkoll bl-Ispirtu s-Santu u bdew jitkellmu b’ilsna oħra, skont ma l-Ispirtu kien jagħtihom li jitkellmu.   F’Ġerusalemm kien hemm xi Lhud, nies twajba minn kull nazzjon li hawn taħt is-sema. Malli nstama’ dan il-ħoss, inġabret kotra kbira, ilkoll imħawdin għax kull wieħed minnhom kien jismagħhom jitkellmu bl-ilsien tiegħu. Mibluhin u mistagħġbin, bdew jgħidu: “Dawn li qegħdin jitkellmu mhumiex ilkoll mill-Galilija? Mela kif kull wieħed minna qiegħed jismagħhom jitkellmu bi lsien art twelidu? Partin, Medin u Għelamin, nies mill-Mesopotamja, mil-Lhudija, mill-Kappadoċja, minn Pontu, mill-Asja, mill-Friġja, mill-Pamfilja, mill-Eġittu, mill-inħawi tal-Libja madwar Ċireni, nies li ġew minn Ruma, kemm Lhud u kemm prosèliti, oħrajn minn Kreta u Għarab, aħna lkoll qegħdin nisimgħuhom ixandru bl-ilsna tagħna l-għeġubijiet ta’ Alla!”.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  ℟. It-tifħir lilek, Kristu.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 103(104):1ab,24aċ,29bċ-30,31,34

℟. (30): Ibgħat l-Ispirtu tiegħek, Mulej, u ġedded il-wiċċ tal-art.

Bierek ruħ tiegħi, lill-Mulej!
Mulej, Alla tiegħi, inti kbir bil-bosta!
Kemm huma kotrana l-għemejjel tiegħek, Mulej!
Mimlija l-art bil-ħlejjaq tiegħek. ℟.

Jekk teħdilhom nifishom, imutu,
u lejn it-trab jerġgħu jmorru.
Malli tibgħat in-nifs tiegħek, jinħolqu,
u inti ġġedded il-wiċċ tal-art. ℟.

Jibqa’ sebħ il-Mulej għal dejjem!
Jifraħ il-Mulej bl-għemejjel tiegħu!
Ħa togħġbu l-għanja tiegħi,
għax jiena fil-Mulej l-hena tiegħi. ℟.

QARI 2                   mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Korintin 12:3b-7,12-13

Ħuti, ħadd ma jista’ jgħid: “Ġesù hu l-Mulej!”, jekk mhux imqanqal mill-Ispirtu s-Santu. Hemm imbagħad 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. 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.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.    ℟. It-tifħir lilek, Kristu.

SEKWENZA

Spirtu s-Santu, ejja fina,
raġġ ta’ dawl qaddis agħtina,
xerrdu f’ruħna mis-smewwiet.

O Missier il-foqra tiegħek,
inti ġġib id-doni miegħek,
tagħni b’dawlek qalb l-ulied.

Inti l-aqwa faraġ tagħna,
fik kull hena xħin tkun magħna,
tħossok fewġa ħelwa r-ruħ.

Fl-għaja, lejn is-serħ twassalna;
jekk imħeġġa wisq, trażżanna;
mill-għajnejn tixxotta d-dmugħ.

O dawl hieni ta’ qdusija,
nitolbuk li bik mimlija
tkun il-qalb ta’ kull fidil.

Mingħajr dawlek li jmexxina
ebda ħajr ma jkun hemm fina,
ebda safa fil-għemil.

Naddaf kull fejn hemm it-tbajja’,
fejn hemm nixfa reġġa’ l-ħajja,
lill-miġruħ agħtih fejqan.

Rattab fina l-ebusija,
agħti lill-berdin bżulija,
għin fit-triq lil min beżgħan.

Agħti s-seba’ doni tiegħek
lil min jimxi fidil miegħek
u li fik jistrieħ kull ħin.

Agħti ’l kull virtù sabiħa
ħlas ta’ salvazzjoni sħiħa,
agħti l-ġenna lit-tajbin.
Amen. Hallelujah.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skond San Ġwann 20:19-23

Dak il-Ħadd filgħaxija, fl-ewwel jum tal-ġimgħa, meta d-dixxipli kienu flimkien imbeżżgħa mil-Lhud, bil-bibien magħluqa, ġie Ġesù u qagħad f’nofshom; u qalilhom: “Is-sliem għalikom!”. Kif qal hekk, uriehom idejh u ġenbu. Id-dixxipli ferħu meta raw lill-Mulej. Imbagħad Ġesù tenna jgħidilhom: “Is-sliem għalikom! Kif il-Missier bagħat lili, hekk jien nibgħat lilkom”. Kif qal hekk, nefaħ fuqhom u qalilhom: “Ħudu l-Ispirtu s-Santu. Dawk li taħfrulhom dnubiethom ikunu maħfura, u dawk li żżommuhomlhom ikunu miżmuma”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. ℟. It-tifħir lilek, Kristu.

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/////////////  REFLECTION     --  from  Fr TONY KADAVIL's Homilies 

PENTECOST SUNDAY 

Eight-minute homily in one page

Introduction: 

Pentecost literally means 50th. It is a feast celebrated even now by Jews on the 50th day after the Passover feast and by Christians on the 50th day after the feast of the Resurrection of Jesusby Christians. The Jewish Pentecost was originally a post-harvest thanksgiving feast. Later, the Jews included in it the remembrance of God’s Covenants with Noah after the Deluge and with Moses at Mt. Sinai

The event:   On the day of Pentecost.....

    1) The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary as tongues of fire. 

    2) The frightened apostles were transformed into fiery preachers and evangelizers and were given the gift of tongues by a special anointing of the Holy Spirit. 

    3) The listeners experienced a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit through the apostles’ gift of tongues: they heard Peter speaking in their native languages. 

    4) The early Christians became powerful witnesses and brave martyrs for their Faith in Jesus.

The role of the Holy Spirit in Christian life: 

    1) As an indwelling God, the Holy Spirit makes us His Living Temples (I Cor 3:16). 

    2) As a strengthening God, He strengthens us in our fight against temptations and in our mission of bearing witness to Christ by our transparent Christian lives. 

    3) As a sanctifying God, He makes us holy through the Sacraments: 

        a) Through Baptism He makes us children of God and heirs of Heaven. 

        b) Through Confirmation, He makes us temples of God, warriors, and defenders of the Faith. 

        c) Through the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Last Anointing, He enables us to be reconciled with God by pardoning our sins. 

        d) Through the Sacrifice and Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, He gives us spiritual nourishment by changing bread and wine into Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, through Epiclesis. 

        e) Through the Sacraments of the priesthood (Ordination) and matrimony (Marriage), He makes the Church community holy. 

    4) As a teaching and guiding God, He clarifies and constantly reminds us of Christ’s teachings and guides the Magisterium of the Church in presenting Christ’s teachings correctly. 

    5) As a listening and speaking God, He listens to our prayers, enables us to pray, and speaks to us, mainly through the Bible. 

    6) As a Giver of gifts, He pours out on us His gifts, fruits, and charisms, thus enriching the Church.

Life messages: 

We need to permit the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives: 

    1) by constantly remembering His Holy Presence and behaving well; 

    2) by praying for His daily anointing so that we may fight against our temptations and control our evil tendencies, evil habits, and addictions; 

    3) by asking His daily assistance to pray, listening to God through meditative Bible reading, and talking to Him in personal, family, and liturgical prayers; and 

    4) by asking the help of the Holy Spirit to do good for others and to be reconciled with God and others every day.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2026.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  ////////

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 Readings for Sunday, MAY 17, 2026 

>>>Seventh Sunday of Easter  

 The Ascension of Jesus                                                               Lectionary: 59

Reading 1                            Acts 1:12-14

After Jesus had been taken up to heaven the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 

Responsorial Psalm                 Psalm 27:1, 4, 7-8

The LORD is my light and my salvation;  whom should I fear?                                          The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?   

R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. Or:  R. Alleluia.

One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate his temple.   

 R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.  or:  R. Alleluia.

Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call; have pity on me, and answer me. Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.     

 R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. or:  R. Alleluia.

Reading 2                 1 Peter 4:13-16

Beloved:   Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer. But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name.

Gospel                  John 17:1-11a

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come.  Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.  “I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.  Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.” 

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"...Morru, mela,    agħmlu dixxipli       mill-ġnus kollha..."

>>>> Solennità tat-Tlugħ il-Mulej fis-Sema

QARI 1                 Bidu tal-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli 1:1-11

Fl-ewwel rakkont tiegħi, Teofilu, tkellimt fuq dak kollu li Ġesù kien għamel u għallem minn mindu beda sal-jum li fih kien meħud fis-sema, wara li, permezz tal-Ispirtu s-Santu, ta l-ordnijiet tiegħu lill-appostli li hu kien għażel.  Wara l-passjoni tiegħu dehrilhom u tahom ħafna provi li hu ħaj; f’erbgħin jum rawh kemm-il darba u kellimhom fuq il-ħwejjeġ tas-Saltna ta’ Alla. Meta kien għadu magħhom, ordnalhom biex ma jitilqux minn Ġerusalemm, imma joqogħdu jistennew sa ma sseħħ il-wegħda tal-Missier, “li fuqha”, qalilhom, “smajtu x’kont għedtilkom: Ġwanni għammed bl-ilma, imma intom, fi ftit jiem oħra titgħammdu bl-Ispirtu s-Santu”.  Kif kienu flimkien staqsewh: “Mulej, hu dan iż-żmien li fih int se terġa’ twaqqaf is-Saltna ta’ Iżrael?”. Hu weġibhom: “Mhijiex biċċa tagħkom li tkunu tafu l-waqt u ż-żmien li l-Missier għażel bis-setgħa tiegħu. Imma meta jiġi fuqkom l-Ispirtu s-Santu, intom tirċievu l-qawwa, u tkunu xhieda tiegħi f’Ġerusalemm, fil-Lhudija kollha u s-Samarija u sa truf l-art”.  Wara li qal dan, huma u jħarsu lejh, kien meħud ’il fuq, u sħaba ħadithulhom minn quddiem għajnejhom. Waqt li kienu b’għajnejhom fis-sema jħarsu lejh sejjer, f’daqqa waħda dehru ħdejhom żewġt irġiel libsin l-abjad, u qalulhom: “Irġiel tal-Galilija, x’intom tħarsu lejn is-sema? Dan Ġesù, li kien meħud minn magħkom lejn is-sema, għad jerġa’ jiġi kif rajtuh sejjer”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. ℟. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 46(47):2-3,6-7,8-9

       ℟. (6): Tela’ Alla b’għajat ta’ ferħ.
        Jew  Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Popli kollha, ċapċpu idejkom,
għajtu b’leħen ta’ ferħ lil Alla!
Għax il-Mulej, l-Għoli, hu tal-biża’,
sultan kbir fuq l-art kollha. ℟.

Tela’ Alla b’għajat ta’ ferħ,
il-Mulej bid-daqq tat-trombi.
Għannu lil Alla, għannu,
għannu lis-sultan tagħna, għannu. ℟.

Għax Alla s-sultan tal-art kollha:
għannulu bis-sengħa għanja sabiħa.
Isaltan Alla fuq il-ġnus kollha,
joqgħod Alla fuq it-tron imqaddes tiegħu. ℟.     

QARI 2                   mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Efesin 1:17-23

Ħuti, Alla ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu, il-Missier tal-glorja, jagħtikom spirtu ta’ għerf u rivelazzjoni biex tagħrfuh sewwa. Hu jdawlilkom l-għajnejn ta’ qalbkom biex tagħrfu x’inhi t-tama tas-sejħa tagħkom; x’inhu l-għana tal-glorja tal-wirt li takom taqsmu mal-qaddisin.  Tagħrfu x’inhu l-kobor bla qies tas-setgħa tiegħu fina li emminna,  skond il-ħila tal-qawwa kbira tiegħu li ħaddem fi Kristu, meta qajmu mill-imwiet u qiegħdu fil-lemin tiegħu fis-smewwiet, ’il fuq minn kull Saltna u Setgħa, minn kull Qawwa u Ħakma, ’il fuq minn kull isem li jissemma, mhux biss għaż-żmien ta’ issa, imma wkoll għal li ġej. Iva, qiegħed kollox taħt riġlejh, u għamlu ras fuq il-Knisja kollha, li hi Ġismu, il-milja ta’ dak li jimla kollox f’kollox.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  ℟. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla.

EVANĠELJU                 Għeluq tal-Evanġelju skond San Mattew 28:16-20

F’dak iż-żmien, il-ħdax-il dixxiplu telqu lejn il-Galilija u marru fuq il-muntanja fejn kien ordnalhom Ġesù. Kif rawh, inxteħtu quddiemu, għalkemm xi wħud iddubitaw. Ġesù resaq ikellimhom u qalilhom: “Lili ngħatat kull setgħa fis-sema u fl-art. Morru, mela, agħmlu dixxipli mill-ġnus kollha, u għammduhom fl-isem tal-Missier u tal-Iben u tal-Ispirtu s-Santu, u għallmuhom iħarsu dak kollu li ordnajtilkom jien. U ara, jiena magħkom dejjem, sal-aħħar taż-żmien”.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  ℟. Tifħir lilek, Kristu.

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The Ascension of Our Lord

 Eight-minute homily in one page

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings describe the Ascension of the Lord Jesus into his Heavenly glory after promising to send the Holy Spirit to the Apostles as the source of Heavenly power and commanding them to bear witness to Him through their lives and preaching throughout the world. But the ascended Jesus is still with us because of His promise, “I am with you always; yes, to the end of time” (Mt 28-20). He is with us at all times and in all places, releasing a new energy upon the earth, the energy of the Holy Spirit.

The Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading, taken from the Acts of the Apostles, presents the scene of Jesus’ Ascension, the promise of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ instructions to the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the Power from above, and missionary command to the apostles to bear witness to him. Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 47) suggests that, by his Ascension, the risen Lord “mounts his throne” in glory. In the second reading, Paul teaches us that God revealed His might in the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, thus exalting Him over all angelic forces. Jesus remains accessible to us now in the life-giving Holy Spirit, assuring us that one day we, too, will be ascending to Heavenly glory, provided that, with His grace, we live out our Faith in Him through the mission of loving service He entrusts to us. 

This Sunday’s Gospel tells us that, with his return to the Father, Jesus completed his personal mission on earth. But just before his Ascension, Jesus entrusted to the disciples that same mission of preaching the Good News and evangelizing the whole world by bearing witness to him through their lives. It is in his Ascension that we see Jesus entering fully into the Life and Glory of God. In the descriptions of Christ after his Resurrection, we are given a hint of what life will be like in Heaven. The prospect of sharing that glory should be the driving force of our lives.

Life messages:

1) We need to be proclaimers and evangelizers: To be a Christian is to be a proclaimer and an evangelizer. There is a difference between preaching and proclaiming. We preach with words, but we proclaim with our lives. Let us ask the guidance of the Spirit of God to bear witness to Jesus by our transparent Christian lives.

2) We have a teaching mission: Jesus taught us lessons of Faith, Hope, Love, forgiveness, mercy, and salvation by his life and his preaching and gave us the same mission for the conversion of our brothers and sisters. Hence, let us learn about Jesus and his teachings through our daily study of the Bible and the teachings of the Church, experience Jesus in personal prayer, our reception of the Sacraments and our works of charity, and convey to others the Jesus whom we experience with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

3) We need Jesus as our source of strength and encouragement in doing His will: We will be able to overcome doubts about our Faith, as well as baseless fears, anxieties, and worries, by meditating on Jesus’ Ascension and the lesson it teaches — that we, too, are called to share his Glory in Heaven.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2026.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

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THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 Readings for Sunday, May 10, 2026 

   

>>>Sixth Sunday of Easter
       Lectionary: 55

Reading 1                 Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing. For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured. There was great joy in that city. Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm                   Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,

sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!”
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:  R. Alleluia.

“Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!”
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:  R. Alleluia.

He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:  R. Alleluia.

Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
Blessed be God who refused me not
my prayer or his kindness!
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or: R. Alleluia.

Reading 2                 1 Peter 3:15-18

Beloved: Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.  For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God.  Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit.

Gospel                  John 14:15-21

Jesus said to his disciples:  “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,  because it neither sees nor knows him.  But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you.  I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me,  but you will see me, because I live and you will live.  On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me.  And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

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Qiegħdu jdejhom fuqhom, u huma rċevew l-Ispirtu s-Santu.

>>>> Qari tas-Sitt Ħadd tal-Għid

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli 8:5-8,14-17

F’dak iż-żmien, Filippu niżel f’belt tas-Samarija u xandar lil Kristu lin-nies tagħha. Il-folol tan-nies b’fehma waħda kienu joqogħdu attenti għal dak li kien jgħidilhom Filippu, meta kienu jisimgħuh u jaraw il-mirakli li kien jagħmel. Kien hemm nies maħkuma mill-ispirti ħżiena, u dawn b’għajat kbir kienu joħorġu minn ħafna minnhom; u ħafna nies oħrajn, mifluġa jew zopop, kienu jitfejqu. U kien hemm ferħ kbir f’dik il-belt.  L-appostli, li kienu Ġerusalemm, semgħu li s-Samarija laqgħet il-kelma ta’ Alla, u bagħtu hemm lil Pietru u lil Ġwanni. Dawn niżlu hemm u talbu biex dawk li emmnu jirċievu l-Ispirtu s-Santu; għax l-Ispirtu s-Santu kien għadu ma niżel fuq ħadd minnhom, imma kienu tgħammdu biss f’isem il-Mulej Ġesù. Imbagħad l-appostli qiegħdu jdejhom fuqhom, u huma rċevew l-Ispirtu s-Santu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 65(66):1-3a,4-5,6-7a,16,20

℟. Għajtu bil-ferħ lil Alla, bnedmin tad-dinja kollha.                                                                             Jew  ℟. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Għajtu bil-ferħ lil Alla,
bnedmin tad-dinja kollha;
għannu s-sebħ ta’ ismu,
xandru s-sebħ u t-tifħir tiegħu.
Għidu lil Alla: “Kemm int tal-biża’ f’għemilek! R/.

L-art kollha tagħtik qima,
tgħannilek u tgħanni lil ismek”.
Ejjew, araw l-għemejjel ta’ Alla;
tal-biża’ f’għemilu fost il-bnedmin. R/.

Biddel il-baħar f’art niexfa,
għaddew bil-mixi minn nofs ix-xmara.
Għalhekk, nifirħu bih!
Hu jsaltan bil-kobor tiegħu għal dejjem. R/.

Ejjew, isimgħu, u ngħidilkom,
intom ilkoll li tibżgħu minn Alla,
ngħidilkom x’għamel miegħi.
Imbierek Alla, li ma warrabx it-talba tiegħi;
ma warrabx minn fuqi t-tjieba tiegħu! R/.

QARI 2                    mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pietru 1 Piet 3:15-18

Għeżież, lill-Mulej Kristu qaddsu f’qalbkom. Kunu dejjem lesti biex tagħtu tweġiba lil kull min jitlobkom il-għala tat-tama li għandkom. Imma wieġbu bil-ħlewwa u bir-rispett. Żommu safja l-kuxjenza tagħkom biex, meta jgħidu fuqkom, dawk stess li jkasbru l-imġiba tajba tagħkom fi Kristu jkollhom għalxiex jistħu. Jekk din tkun ir-rieda ta’ Alla, aħjar tbati għax tkun għamilt it-tajjeb milli għax tkun għamilt il-ħażin.  Għax Kristu wkoll miet darba għal dejjem minħabba d-dnubiet; hu li kien ġust, miet għall-inġusti biex iressaqkom lejn Alla; kien mogħti l-mewt fil-ġisem, imma ħa l-ħajja fl-ispirtu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skond San Ġwann 14:15-21

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Jekk tħobbuni, ħarsu l-kmandamenti tiegħi. U jiena nitlob lill-Missier, u hu jagħtikom Difensur ieħor biex jibqa’ magħkom għal dejjem, l-Ispirtu tal-verità, li d-dinja ma tistax tirċevih, għax hija la tarah u lanqas tagħrfu. Iżda intom tagħrfuh, għaliex jgħammar magħkom, u huwa fikom. Ma nħallikomx iltiema. Nerġa’ niġi għandkom. Ftit ieħor, u d-dinja ma taranix aktar. Iżda intom għad tarawni, għax jiena ngħix, u intom ukoll għad tgħixu. F’dak il-jum intom tagħrfu li jiena f’Missieri, u intom fija u jiena fikom. Min iżomm il-kmandamenti tiegħi u jħarishom, dak hu li jħobbni; u min iħobb lili, iħobbu wkoll il-Missier, u jiena wkoll inħobbu u nurih lili nnifsi”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  

>>>>>  Meta s-Solennità ta’ Tlugħ il-Mulej fis-Sema tiġi ċċelebrata nhar il-Ħadd li ġej, illum jistgħu jinqraw it-tieni qari u l-Evanġelju tas-Seba’ Ħadd tal-Għid.

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The Gift of the Holy Spirit

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

Theme: 

Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit to his apostles in Sunday’s readings explains who the Holy Spirit is, what His roles are, and how we can experience Him in our daily lives.

Homily starter - 

What is it that makes some horses winning thoroughbreds? They have more speed, strength, their inherited gene structure, training by expert trainers, and their skillful jockeys to activate and develop their inner powers. We Christians have the stamina given by the Holy Spirit and training by parents, teachers and well-wishers. The question is whether or not we use all this to conquer temptations, avoid sin and practice virtues.

Scripture lesson summarized: 

The first reading describes how the Holy Spirit helped Philip, the Deacon, to preach powerfully and convert the Samaritans in large numbers, and how the Holy Spirit helped Peter and John, giving them a fresh anointing.

In the second reading, Peter shows us that Holy Spirit makes it possible for believers to live God-fearing lives the in the midst of opposition and persecution.

Today’s Gospel, taken from the “Last Supper Discourse,” describes the gift of the Holy Spirit which Jesus is going to give his disciples who obey his commandment of love. Thus, the faithful believers will have the indwelling of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit in their souls.

Role of the Holy Spirit: 

    As the Divine Advocate....

     1) The Holy Spirit will instruct us in Jesus’ doctrines and illumine our minds to receive deeper knowledge of our Faith.

    2) The Divine Advocate will enable us to defend our Faith powerfully when needed.

    3) He will guide us in the proper practice of true Christian love by enabling us to recognize Jesus in the in the poor, in the sick, in the homeless, in the marginalized, in the outcast, in the drug addicts, and even in the criminals (“I was in prison…”), and so to become agents of healing and reconciliation in a broken and divided world.

Life message: 

    1) We need to welcome the Holy Spirit, allow Him to act in us, and seek His help every day for our steady growth in spiritual life: 

    a) To conquer temptations from our habitual sins and to avoid the near occasions of these and other sins.

    b) To remove the blocks caused by our addictions, evil habits, and from the various forms of abuse which we suffered in our early life, preventing our spiritual growth.

    c) To discern and recognize the presence of Jesus in all the people we meet during the day and to offer them humble, loving service.

    d) To become agents of reconciliation and healing to others in our family and this community, by asking forgiveness from those we have offended, and graciously granting forgiveness to those who continue to hurt our feelings and ill-treat us.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2026.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

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"I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE"

  Readings for Sunday, MAY 3, 2026 

 >>> Fifth Sunday of Easter 
         Lectionary: 52

 Reading 1                 Acts 6:1-7

As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.  So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

         Responsorial Psalm               Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or: R. Alleluia.

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.
or: R. Alleluia.

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.
or: R. Alleluia.

         Reading 2                  1 Peter 2:4-9

Beloved:  Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.  Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.  You are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises" of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  

        Gospel            John 14:1-12

Jesus said to his disciples:  "Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You have faith in God; have faith also in me.  In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you know me, then you will also know my Father.  From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him,  "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."  Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.  Amen, amen, I say to you,  whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these,  because I am going to the Father."

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 Il-Hames HADD TA' GHID  

"Jiena hu t-triq, il-verita' u l-hajja.          

        QARI 1                           mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli  6:1-7

F’dawk il-jiem l-għadd tad-   ixxipli kien qiegħed jiżdied; għalhekk sar xi tgergir mil-Lhud Griegi kontra l-Lhud, għax dehrilhom li ma kienx hemm min jieħu ħsieb ir-romol tagħhom fil-ministeru ta’ kuljum.  Għalhekk it-Tnax sejħu l-ġemgħa tad-dixxipli u qalulhom: “Mhux sewwa li aħna nħallu l-kelma ta’ Alla biex naqdu fl-imwejjed. Mela, l-aħwa, ħudu ħsieb u agħżlu minn fostkom sebat irġiel li għandhom isem tajjeb u li huma mimlijin bl-Ispirtu u bl-għerf, u nħallu din il-ħidma f’idejhom. U aħna nagħtu ruħna għat-talb u għall-ministeru tal-Kelma”.  Dan il-kliem għoġob lill-ġemgħa kollha; u għażlu lil Stiefnu, bniedem mimli bil-fidi u bl-Ispirtu s-Santu, lil Filippu, lil Prokoru, lil Nikanor, lil Timon, lil Parmena, u lil Nikola, prosèlita minn Antjokja. Lil dawn ressquhom quddiem l-appostli, li talbu u qiegħdu jdejhom fuqhom. U l-kelma ta’ Alla kienet tixtered dejjem aktar; l-għadd tad-dixxipli kien jiżdied ħafna f’Ġerusalemm, u kotra kbira ta’ qassisin kienu joqogħdu għall-fidi.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

        SALM RESPONSORJALI                   Salm 32(33):1-2,4-5,18-19

℟.: Ħa tkun, Mulej, it-tjieba tiegħek fuqna, kif fik hi t-tama tagħna.
jew  ℟. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Għannu, ġusti, bil-ferħ lill-Mulej;
jixirqilhom ifaħħruh in-nies sewwa.
Faħħru l-Mulej bid-daqq taċ-ċetra;
għannulu fuq l-arpa b’għaxar kordi. ℟.

Għax 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. ℟.

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. ℟.

        QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pietru Appostlu 2:4-9

Għeżież, ersqu lejn il-Mulej, li hu dik il-ġebla ħajja li kienet imwarrba mill-bennejja, imma magħżula minn Alla bħala ġebla għażiża. U intom ukoll, bħal ġebel ħaj, inbnew f’dar spiritwali, saċerdozju qaddis, biex toffru sagrifiċċji spiritwali li jogħġbu lil Alla permezz ta’ Ġesù Kristu. Għax hekk hemm miktub fl-Iskrittura: “Jien inqiegħed f’Sijon ġebla tax-xewka, magħżula u għażiża; min jemmen fiha ma jkollux għax jitħawwad”.  Għalikom, mela, li temmnu, dan huwa ġieħ! Għal dawk li ma jemmnux, din l-istess ġebla li warrbu l-bennejja saret il-ġebla tax-xewka, ġebla ta’ tiġrif u tfixkil. Tfixklu għax ma qagħdux għall-kelma ta’ Alla. Għal dan kienu ddestinati. Imma intom ġens maħtur, saċerdozju rjali, nazzjon qaddis, poplu li Alla kiseb għalih, biex ixxandru t-tifħir ta’ dak li sejħilkom mid-dlam għad-dawl tiegħu tal-għaġeb.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

        EVANĠELJU                    Qari skond San Ġwann 14:1-12

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Tħallux qalbkom titħawwad! Emmnu f’Alla, u emmnu fija wkoll. Fid-dar ta’ Missieri hemm ħafna postijiet. Li ma kienx hekk, kont ngħidilkom: ‘Sejjer inħejjilkom fejn toqogħdu?’. U meta mmur u nħejjilkom post, nerġa’ niġi biex neħodkom miegħi biex, fejn inkun jien, tkunu intom ukoll. U t-triq għall-post fejn sejjer tafuha”.  Tumas qallu: “Mulej, aħna ma nafux fejn inti sejjer. Kif nistgħu nafu t-triq?”. Wieġbu Ġesù: “Jiena hu t-triq, il-verità u l-ħajja. Ħadd ma jmur għand il-Missier jekk mhux permezz tiegħi. Kieku għaraftu lili, kontu tagħrfu wkoll lil Missieri: minn issa ’l quddiem tagħrfuh, anzi diġà rajtuh”. Qallu Filippu: “Mulej, urina l-Missier, u jkun biżżejjed għalina”. Ġesù wieġeb: “Ili daqshekk magħkom, Filippu, u għadek ma għaraftnix? Min ra lili ra lill-Missier. Kif tgħidli: “Urina l-Missier?”. Ma temminx li jiena fil-Missier u l-Missier fija? Il-kliem li ngħidilkom jien, ma ngħidux minn moħħi iżda l-Missier li jgħammar fija qiegħed jagħmel l-opri tiegħu.  Emmnuni! Jiena fil-Missier u l-Missier huwa fija. Jekk mhux għal ħaġ’oħra, emmnuni minħabba dawn l-opri stess. Tassew tassew ngħidilkom, min jemmen fija hu wkoll għad jagħmel l-opri li qiegħed nagħmel jien, u akbar minnhom għad jagħmel, għax jiena sejjer għand il-Missier”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

        

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings tell us how the early Church accepted the challenge of keeping Jesus’ memory alive by remaining a dynamic Christian community, bearing witness to Christ by their unity, fidelity in worship and spirit of loving, humble service. Today’s Gospel introduces Jesus as the Way to God, the Truth to be accepted, and the Life to be shared and lived.

        Scripture lessons: 

The first reading, taken from Acts, shows us the early Church as a loving, serving, and worshipping community (Acts 6:1-7). Hence, it easily solved a problem of perceived discrimination by instituting the Diaconate for the service of the community. In the second reading, St. Peter advises the early Christians to renew the memory of Jesus by allowing God to make of them ”living stones, ” and to build them into a spiritual edifice, a community of believers, with Christ for its “Living Cornerstone” (I Pt 2:4-5). Peter praises Christians, both Gentile and Jewish, as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s own people.” 

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus consoles his apostles (who are sad and disheartened at His announcement that He will be leaving them soon), by assuring them that he is going to prepare an everlasting accommodation for them in his Father’s House in Heaven. He gives them the assurance that he will come back to take them to their Heavenly abodes. It is then that Thomas says, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus answers Thomas’ question with, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” 

The basic doctrine of Judaism is that Yahweh is the Way the Truth and the Life. Hence, Jesus is making a revolutionary claim that he is equivalent to Yahweh. Jesus also declares that he, himself, is the safest and surest way to God, discrediting the modern notions that all religions are equally sure ways to reach God, and that no organized religion but only living a good life of sharing love is necessary to reach God. But Jesus is the Way which he calls narrow because it is the way of focused, loving, humble, sacrificial service. 

Jesus is the Truth who teaches revealed truths about God and God’s relation to man. Jesus also teaches moral truths and demonstrates them in his life. Jesus is the Life because, as God, he possesses the eternal life of God and shares his Divine life with his disciples through the Word of God and the Sacraments. In short, Jesus reveals the Father in the Way he lives, in the Truth of his word and in the new Life that he brings.

        Life messages: 

We need to accept Jesus in our life as the Way, the Truth, and the Life because:

1) We accept Jesus as the Way by walking his narrow way of loving, humble, sacrificial service.

  2) We accept Jesus as the Truth by learning and practicing what he has taught us, as given in the Bible and in the teachings of the Church. 

3) We accept Jesus as the Life by sharing in the Divine Life of God in His Church, making use of the means Jesus has established. 

4) We do all of this ....

     a) by actively participating in the Eucharistic celebration and properly receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion; 

     b) by the worthy reception of the other Sacraments; 

     c) by the meditative, daily reading of the Word of God; 

     d) by allowing the Holy Spirit, living in the Church and within us, to guide and strengthen us; and 

     e) by communicating with God, the Source of Life, in personal and family prayers.

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        Fr Tony's Homilies © 2026.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

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THE LORD IS OUR SHEPHERD

Readings for Sunday, April 26, 2026 

Fourth Sunday of Easter
Lectionary: 49

Reading 1            Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: "Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, "What are we to do, my brothers?" Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call." He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized,  and about three thousand persons were added that day. 

Responsorial Psalm              Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b4, 5, 6

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:R. Alleluia. 

He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or: R. Alleluia.

You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. 
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or: R. Alleluia.

Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or: R. Alleluia.

 Reading 2              1 Peter 2:20b-25

Beloved:  If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.  When he was insulted, he returned no insult;  when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

 Gospel                John 10:1-10

Jesus said:  "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.  But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers." Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.  So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."  

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/////  BIL-MALTI   ////////

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" Intom erġajtu lura għand ir-ragħaj u l-għassies ta’ ruħkom."

>>>>

Qari tar-Raba’ Ħadd tal-Għid
(jew il-Ħadd tal-Vokazzjonijiet)

QARI I                   mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli 2:14a,36-41

Nhar Għid il-Ħamsin, Pietru flimkien mal-Ħdax qam u qal lil-Lhud b’leħen għoli: “Ħa jkun jaf fiż-żgur il-poplu kollu ta’ Iżrael li lil dan Ġesù, li intom sallabtuh, Alla għamlu Mulej u Messija”.  Dan il-kliem li semgħu laqtilhom qalbhom, u qalu lil Pietru u lill-Appostli l-oħra: “L-aħwa, x’għandna nagħmlu aħna?”. U Pietru weġibhom: “Indmu, u jitgħammed kull wieħed minnkom fl-isem ta’ Ġesù Kristu għall-maħfra ta’ dnubietkom; u intom tirċievu d-don tal-Ispirtu s-Santu. Għax il-wegħda qiegħda għalikom u għal uliedkom u għal dawk kollha li huma fil-bogħod, dawk kollha li l-Mulej Alla tagħna sejħilhom”.  U b’ħafna kliem ieħor tahom xhieda u wissiehom billi qalilhom: “Salvaw lilkom infuskom minn dan in-nisel ħażin”. Għalhekk dawk li laqgħu kliemu tgħammdu u dakinhar ingħaqdu mad-dixxipli madwar tlitt elef ruħ.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  ℟. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 22(23):1-3a,3b-4,5,6

℟. (1): Il-Mulej hu r-ragħaj tiegħi: xejn ma jonqosni.
Jew ℟. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Il-Mulej hu r-ragħaj tiegħi:
xejn ma jonqosni.
F’mergħat kollha ħdura jqegħedni,
ħdejn l-ilma, fejn nistrieħ, jeħodni.
Hemm hu jrejjaqni. ℟.

Imexxini fit-triq tas-sewwa
minħabba l-isem tiegħu.
Imqar jekk nimxi f’wied mudlam,
ma nibżax mill-ħsara, għax inti miegħi.
Il-ħatar tiegħek u l-għasluġ tiegħek,
huma jwennsuni. ℟.

Inti tħejji mejda għalija
quddiem l-għedewwa tiegħi.
Biż-żejt tidlikli rasi,
u l-kalċi tiegħi tfawwarli. ℟.

Miegħi, iva, jimxu t-tjieba u l-ħniena
il-jiem kollha ta’ ħajti.
U ngħammar f’dar il-Mulej
sakemm indum ħaj! ℟.

QARI 2                          mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pietru 2:20b-25

Għeżież, jekk tagħmlu t-tajjeb u ssofru t-tbatija bis-sabar, din tkun grazzja quddiem Alla. Għal dan intom kontu msejħa, għax Kristu wkoll bata għalikom u ħallielkom eżempju, biex timxu fuq il-passi tiegħu: hu li ma kien għamel ebda dnub, u ebda qerq ma nstab f’fommu, meta għajruh ma weġibx bit-tagħjir, meta bata ma heddidx imma ħalla f’idejn l-Imħallef ġust. Hu tgħabba bi dnubietna sa fuq is-salib, biex aħna mmutu għad-dnubiet, u ngħixu għall-ġustizzja. Bil-ġrieħi tiegħu intom fiqtu. Intom kontu bħal nagħaġ mitlufa, imma issa rġajtu lura għand ir-ragħaj u l-għassies ta’ ruħkom.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  ℟. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skond San Ġwann 10:1-10

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal: “Tassew tassew ngħidilkom, min ma jidħolx fil-maqjel tan-nagħaġ mill-bieb imma jaqbeż ġewwa minn naħa oħra, dak hu ħalliel u brigant. Imma min jidħol mill-bieb hu r-ragħaj tan-nagħaġ.  Min ikun mal-bieb lilu jiftaħ, in-nagħaġ minn leħnu jisimgħu, u hu jsejjaħ in-nagħaġ tiegħu waħda waħda b’isimhom u joħroġhom barra. U meta joħroġ in-nagħaġ tiegħu, huwa jmur quddiemhom u n-nagħaġ jimxu warajh, għax jisimgħu leħnu. Imma wara wieħed barrani ma jimxux, anzi jaħarbu minnu, għax leħen barrani ma jafuhx”.  Din il-parabbola qalhielhom Ġesù, iżda huma ma fehmux x’ried jgħidilhom biha. Għalhekk Ġesù raġa’ qalilhom: “Tassew, tassew ngħidilkom li l-bieb tan-nagħaġ huwa jien. Dawk kollha li ġew sa issa qabli huma ħallelin u briganti. Iżda n-nagħaġ lilhom ma semgħuhomx. Jiena hu l-bieb; jekk xi ħadd jidħol ġewwa permezz tiegħi jsalva, u jidħol u joħroġ u jsib fejn jirgħa. Il-ħalliel ma jidħolx jekk mhux biex jisraq u joqtol u jeqred. Jiena ġejt biex ikollkom il-ħajja, u ħajja bil-kotra”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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/////////////  REFLECTION   >>   

Become Shepherds of God's flock 

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

Introduction: 

On this Good Shepherd Sunday and the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the Church reminds us of our call to become good shepherds of God’s flock and good sheep of His parishes and invites us to pray for vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate, and the consecrated life. Both the Old and New Testaments use the image of a Shepherd and His flock to describe the unique relationship of God with Israel and of the Christ with Christians. 

The first reading is taken from St. Peter’s first sermon, given on the day of Pentecost. Peter as a Christ-appointed good shepherd of the Church, invites his Jewish listeners to enter into communion with the new Christ-founded community after repenting of their sin of crucifying Jesus, by accepting him as their Lord and Savior, and by receiving Baptism in his name. As the gate of the new Christian fold, Peter opens the gate for all new believers in Christ. The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 23), introduces Yahweh as the Good Shepherd of Israel Who cares for us, His sheep, providing for our needs. 

In the second reading, Peter encourages the persecuted and suffering Christians to follow in the footsteps of their Good Shepherd, Jesus, the “suffering servant,” realizing the truth that Jesus’ suffering and death have enabled them to become more fully the children of God. In today’s Gospel, two brief parables or similes show us Jesus, first, as a selfless, caring “good shepherd” who provides for his sheep protection, food and life itself, and then, as our unique gateway ("sheep gate"), to eternal salvation. That is, besides guiding his flock to Eternal Life as the Good Shepherd, Jesus is himself the gateway to Eternal Life.

Life Messages: 

1) We need to become good shepherds and good leaders: Everyone who is entrusted with the care of others is a shepherd. Hence, pastors, parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, government officials, and caregivers, among others, are all shepherds. We become good shepherds by loving those entrusted to us, praying for them, spending our time, talents, and blessings for their welfare, and guarding them from physical and spiritual dangers. Parents must be especially careful in fulfilling their duties toward their children, giving them good example and instruction and training them in Christian principles. 

2) We need to become good sheep in the fold of Jesus, the Good Shepherd: Our local parish is our sheepfold, and our pastors are our shepherds. Jesus is the High Priest, the Bishops are the successors of the Apostles, the pastors are their helpers, the deacons assist them faithfully, and the parishioners are the sheep. Hence, as the good sheep of the parish, parishioners are expected to 

a) Hear and follow the voice of our shepherds through their homilies, Bible classes, counseling, and advice. 

b) Receive the spiritual food given by our pastors through our regular participation in the Holy Mass, our frequenting of the Sacraments, and our participation in the prayer services, renewal programs, and missions they offer. 

c) Cooperate with our pastors by giving them positive suggestions for the welfare of the parish, encouraging them in their duties, offering them loving, constructive advice when they are found misbehaving or failing in their duties, and always by praying for them.

d) Actively participate in the activities of various councils, ministries, and parish associations. 

3) We need to pray for those invited to life-vocations by the Holy Spirit to accept them, enter upon them, and persevere in living them out until death. 

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2026.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

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