I HAVE CHOSEN YOU FROM THE WORLD, SAYS THE LORD

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 139

Reading 1             Isaiah 5:1-7

Let me now sing of my friend, my friend's song concerning his vineyard. My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside; he spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines; within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press. Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild grapes. Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard: What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done? Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? Now, I will let you know what I mean to do with my vineyard:  take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled! Yes, I will make it a ruin: it shall not be pruned or hoed, but overgrown with thorns and briers; I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it. The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished plant; he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed!  for justice, but hark, the outcry!

 Responsorial Psalm                    Psalm 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20

A vine from Egypt you transplanted;
you drove away the nations and planted it.
It put forth its foliage to the Sea,
its shoots as far as the River.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Why have you broken down its walls,
so that every passer-by plucks its fruit,
The boar from the forest lays it waste,
and the beasts of the field feed upon it?
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted,
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
O LORD, God of hosts, restore us;
if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Reading 2              Philippians 4:6-9

Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.   Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.

 Gospel                Matthew 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: "Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.  Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.  But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned.  Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way.  Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.' They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.  What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?"   They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times."  Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit."  

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

Jien għażilt lilkom biex tmorru tagħmlu l-frott u l-frott tagħkom jibqa’, jgħid il-Mulej.

Qari 1                    mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 5:1-7

Ħa ngħanni lill-maħbub tiegħi l-għanja ta’ mħabbtu għall-għalqa tad-dwieli tiegħu. Il-maħbub tiegħi kellu għalqa tad-dwieli fuq għolja għammiela. Għażaqha u naddafha miż-żrar, u ħawwel fiha dwieli mill-aħjar; bena torri f’nofsha, u wkoll ħaffer magħsar fiha. Stennieha tagħmel l-għeneb tajjeb, iżda kulma għamlet kien għeneb qares. U issa, intom li tgħammru f’Ġerusalemm, irġiel ta’ Ġuda, agħmlu intom ħaqq bejni u bejn l-għalqa tad-dwieli tiegħi. X’kien fadalli nagħmel għall-għalqa tiegħi u ma għamiltux? Stennejtha tagħmel għeneb tajjeb, u kulma għamlet kien għeneb qares.  U issa ħa nurikom x’sejjer nagħmel jien lill-għalqa tiegħi tad-dwieli.  Inneħħilha l-ilqugħ ta’ madwarha, u jħarbtuha; inġarrfilha l-ħajt, biex in-nies tgħaffiġha. Nagħmel minnha xagħra;  ħadd ma jiżborha jew jaħdimha,  u jinbet fiha x-xewk u l-ħurrieq. Jien ngħid lis-sħab biex ma jagħmilx xita fuqha!  Għax l-għalqa tad-dwieli tal-Mulej tal-eżerċti hija d-dar ta’ Iżrael; u l-irġiel ta’ Ġuda huma l-mixtla tal-għalqa tiegħu. Huwa stenna l-ġustizzja, u araw sab it-tixrid tad-demm, stenna s-sewwa, u araw sama’ l-għajat tal-maħqura.     >>>>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.     R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla.   <<<<

SALM RESPONSORJALI                   Salm 79(80):9,12,13-14,15-16,19-20

R/. (Iż 5:7a): Il-għalqa tal-Mulej hija d-dar ta’ Iżrael.

Inti qlajt dielja mill-Eġittu,
warrabt il-ġnus biex tħawwel lilha.
Meddet sal-baħar il-friegħi tagħha,
sax-xmara ż-żraġen tagħha. R/.

Għaliex, mela, ġarraft il-ħitan tagħha,
u kull min jgħaddi jqaċċat minnha?
Iħarbatha l-ħanżir selvaġġ,
il-bhejjem tar-raba’ jirgħu fiha. R/.

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

Aħna ma nitbegħdux minnek;
roddilna l-ħajja, u aħna nsejħu ismek.
Reġġagħna għal li konna, Alla tal-eżerċti;
itfa’ fuqna d-dija ta’ wiċċek, u nkunu salvi. R/.

QARI 2                   mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Filippin 4:6-9

Ħuti, tħabbtu raskom b’xejn. Fit-talb kollu tagħkom itolbu u uru lil Alla xi jkollkom bżonn, u iżżuh ħajr. U s-sliem ta’ Alla, sliem li jgħaddi kulma l-moħħ jista’ jifhem, iżommilkom qalbkom u moħħkom sħaħ fi Kristu Ġesù.  Mill-bqija, ħuti, f’dan għandkom taħsbu: f’kulma hu veru, f’kulma hu xieraq, f’kulma hu ġust, f’kulma hu safi, f’kulma jiġbed l-imħabba, f’kulma jistħoqqlu ġieħ, f’kulma hu virtù, f’kulma ħaqqu t-tifħir; f’dan kollu aħsbu.  U kulma tgħallimtu u ħadtu mingħandna, u smajtu u rajtu fina, agħmluh. Alla tas-sliem ikun magħkom.  >>>>   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.       R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla.  <<<<

EVANĠELJU                     Qari skond San Mattew 21:33-43

F’dak iż-żmien Ġesù qal lill-qassisin il-kbar u lix-xjuħ tal-poplu: “Isimgħu parabbola oħra: Kien hemm wieħed, sid ta’ għalqa, u ħawwilha bid-dwieli; tellgħalha ħajt tas-sejjieħ madwarha, ħaffer magħsar fiha, u bnielha torri; u qabbilha lil xi bdiewa. U siefer f’art oħra.  Meta wasal żmien il-frott, bagħat il-qaddejja tiegħu għand dawk il-bdiewa biex jiġbrulu l-frott li kien imissu. Iżda l-bdiewa qabdu lill-qaddejja, u lil wieħed sawtuh, lil ieħor qatluh, u lil ieħor ħaġġruh. Reġa’ bagħtilhom qaddejja oħra, aktar minn qabel, u għamlulhom l-istess.  Fl-aħħar bagħtilhom lil ibnu. “Minn ibni jistħu”, qal. Iżda kif raw lil ibnu l-bdiewa bdew jgħidu bejniethom: “Ara l-werriet! Ejjew noqtluh, biex il-wirt tiegħu niħduh aħna”. Qabduh, xeħtuh ’il barra mill-għalqa u qatluh. Issa sid l-għalqa x’jagħmlilhom lil dawk il-bdiewa meta jiġi?”. Qalulu: “Jeqridhom bla ħniena, ta’ ħżiena li huma, u l-għalqa jqabbilha lil bdiewa oħra li jroddulu l-frott fi żmienu”.  Qalilhom Ġesù: “Qatt ma qrajtu fl-Iskrittura li: ‘Il-ġebla li warrbu l-bennejja saret il-ġebla tax-xewka;  bis-saħħa tal-Mulej seħħ dan: ħaġa tal-għaġeb f’għajnejna’?  Għalhekk ngħidilkom li s-Saltna ta’ Alla tittieħed mingħandkom u tingħata lil ġens li jagħmel il-frott minnha”.  >>>>>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej   >>><<<  R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla  <<<<<

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Bearing fruit in the Christian life

Fr Tony Kadavil's Weekly Eight-minute Homily in one page

Introduction: 

The common theme of Sunday’s Readings is the necessity of bearing fruit in the Christian life. The readings warn us of the punishment for spiritual sterility, ingratitude, and wickedness.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In Sunday’s First Reading, called, Isaiah's Song of the Vineyard, the prophet describes God's care of, and expectations for, His Chosen People. God’s Chosen People failed to bear fruit, in spite of the blessings lavished upon them by a loving and forgiving God. Further, they were poor tenants in the Lord's vineyard. Hence, God laments: "I expected My vineyard to yield good grapes. Why did it yield sour ones instead?"

In the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 80), the Psalmist pleads with God to look down from Heaven and to "take care of this vine," knowing that if any good is to come of the vine, it will be the doing of God, not the people.

In the Second Reading, Paul tells Philippians about the high expectations he has for them, reminding them that they need to become fruit-producing Christians by praying and giving thanks to God and by practicing justice, purity, and graciousness in their lives.

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells an allegorical parable in which the landowner is God, the vineyard is Israel as God’s special people, and the tenants are the political and religious leaders of Israel. The story emphasizes the failure of the tenants, the Chosen People of God and their leaders, to produce fruits of righteousness, justice, and mercy. Giving a theological explanation of Israel’s history of gross ingratitude through the parable, Jesus reminds us Christians that, since we are the "new" Israel, enriched with additional blessings and provisions in the Church, we are expected to show our gratitude to God by bearing fruits of the kingdom, fruits of the Holy Spirit, in our lives, giving Him all the Glory.

Life messages: 

1) Are we good fruit-producers in the vineyard of the Church? Jesus has given the Church everything necessary to make Christians fruit-bearing. 

    a) The Bible to know the will of God. 

    b) The Sacrament of Holy Orders to consecrate bishops, priests, and deacons to lead the people in God’s ways. 

    c) The Sacrament of Reconciliation for the remission of sins. 

    d) The Holy Eucharist as our spiritual food. 

    e) The Sacrament of Confirmation for a dynamic life of Faith. 

    f) The Sacrament of Matrimony for the sharing of love in families, the fundamental unit of the Church. 

    g) The Sacrament of (Last) Anointing to restore and strengthen spiritual life and bring mental emotional and physical healing as well, if that is what God wills. h) Role models in thousands of saints. We are expected make use of these gifts to produce fruits for God.

2) Are we fruit-producers in the vineyard of the family? By the mutual sharing of blessings, by sacrificing time and talents for the members of the family, by humbly and lovingly serving others in the family, by recognizing and encouraging each other and by honoring and gracefully obeying our parents, we become producers of "good fruit" for the Vine, Christ, in our families, and so give Glory to God.

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EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD

  Readings for Sunday, Septermber 27 2026 

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 136

Reading 1                 Ezekiel 18:25-28

Thus says the LORD:   You say, "The LORD's way is not fair!"  Hear now, house of Israel:  Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?   When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.   But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed, and does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life;  since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed,  he shall surely live, he shall not die. 

Responsorial Psalm               Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;

teach me your paths,
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not;
in your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice, 
and teaches the humble his way.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Reading 2                Philippians 2:1-11

Brothers and sisters:   If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love,  any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy,  complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love,  united in heart, thinking one thing.  Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;  rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,  each looking out not for his own interests,  but also for those of others.  Have in you the same attitude  that is also in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God  something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave,  coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel                    Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:  "What is your opinion? A man had two sons.  He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.'  He said in reply, 'I will not,'  but afterwards changed his mind and went.  The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, 'but did not go.  Which of the two did his father's will?"  They answered, "The fir t."  Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.   When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did.  Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him."

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>>>>  Qari tas-Sitta u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ matul is-Sena

Qari 1                     

mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Eżekjel 18, 25-28

Dan jgħid il-Mulej: “Intom tgħidu: “M’hijiex sewwa l-imġiba tal-Mulej!”. Issa isimgħu, dar Iżrael: Forsi l-imġiba tiegħi m’hijiex sewwa? Mhux l-imġiba tagħkom li m’hijiex sewwa?  Jekk wieħed ġust jitbiegħed mill-ġustizzja tiegħu u jagħmel il-ħażen, u jmut minħabba dan, minħabba ħżunitu jkun miet. Imma jekk il-midneb jerġa’ lura mid-dnub li jkun għamel, u jagħmel il-ħaqq u l-ġustizzja, hu jsalva ruħu. Għax ikun intebaħ u reġa’ lura mid-dnubiet kollha li jkun għamel, u jibqa’ ħaj u ma jmutx”. >>>>>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej   >>><<<  R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla  <<<<<

SALM RESPONSORJALI               Salm 24 (25), 4-5.6-7.8-9

R/. (6a): Ftakar fil-ħniena u t-tjieba tiegħek, Mulej

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

Ftakar fil-ħniena u fit-tjieba tiegħek,
għax huma minn dejjem, Mulej.
Tiftakarx fil-ħtijiet u fid-dnubiet ta’ żgħożiti:
inti tajjeb, Mulej;
ftakar fija skont it-tjieba tiegħek. R/.

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

QARI 2                 mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Filippin 2, 1-11

Ħuti, jekk hemm fikom xi faraġ fi Kristu; jekk hemm xi kelma ta’ ħlewwa fl-imħabba; jekk hemm xi xirka fl-Ispirtu; jekk hemm xi ħniena u mogħdrija; kunu fehma waħda u mlewni bil-ferħ! Ħa jkollkom l-istess imħabba, u ruħ waħda u ħsieb wieħed.   Tagħmlu xejn b’pika ta’ partit, anqas għall-ftaħir fieragħ; imma kunu umli u kull wieħed minnkom iqis lill-ieħor aħjar minnu. Ħadd minnkom ma għandu jfittex li jaqbillu, imma li jaqbel lil ħaddieħor.  Aħsbu bħalma kien jaħseb Kristu Ġesù: hu li għad li kellu n-natura ta’ Alla, ma qagħadx ifittex tiegħu li hu daqs Alla, iżda xejjen lilu nnifsu billi ħa n-natura ta’ lsir; sar jixbah lill-bnedmin, u deher minn barra bħala bniedem; ċekken lilu nnifsu, billi obda sal-mewt, anzi sal-mewt tas-salib. Għalhekk Alla għollieh sas-smewwiet u żejnu bl-isem li hu fuq kull isem, biex fl-isem ta’ Ġesù – fis-sema, fl-art u f’qiegħ l-art –  il-ħlejjaq kollha jinżlu għarkubbtejhom, u kull ilsien jistqarr: “Ġesù Kristu hu l-Mulej”, għall-glorja ta’ Alla l-Missier.      >>>>>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej   >>><<<  R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla  <<<<<

EVANĠELJU                   Qari skond San Mattew 21, 28-32

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lill-qassisin il-kbar u lix-xjuħ tal-poplu: “Intom x’jidhrilkom? Kien hemm raġel li kellu żewġ ulied. Resaq fuq il-kbir u qallu: “Ibni, illum mur aħdem l-għalqa tad-dwieli”.  U dak qallu: “Ma rridx”. Iżda mbagħad biddel il-fehma u mar. Resaq fuq l-ieħor u qallu l-istess. “Arani sejjer, sidi,” qallu dan, u ma mar xejn. Min minnhom it-tnejn għamel kif ried il-missier?”. “L-ewwel wieħed”, weġbuh. U qalilhom Ġesù: “Tassew, ngħidilkom, li l-pubblikani u n-nisa tat-triq deħlin qabilkom fis-Saltna ta’ Alla. Għax Ġwanni ġie għandkom miexi fit-triq tal-ġustizzja, u intom ma emmintuhx iżda l-pubblikani u n-nisa tat-triq emmnuh; u għalkemm intom rajtu dan kollu, bqajtu sa la ħħar ma biddiltux il-fehma tagħkom, u ma emmintuhx”.    >>>>>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej   >>><<<  R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla  <<<<<

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(Fr Tony Kadavil's Weekly Eight-minute homily in one page) 

"....  We are the ones who choose our eternal destiny." 

Introduction: 

What will decide our eternal reward or punishment? Our eternal future depends upon our final decision for or against God -- our choosing to obey Him gracefully by doing His will or our choosing to go against His will! Gifted with free will, we are the ones who choose our eternal destiny. 

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the First Reading, Ezekiel, corrects two incorrect Jewish beliefs -

i) Children inherit the guilt of their ancestors and are punished for their ancestors’ sins. 

ii) God is more strict than merciful. Jesus explains through the Gospel parable that God will punish us only for our own sins and that God’s mercy overrules strict justice. 

Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 25) appeals to God’s compassion and mercy, begging Him to wipe away our sins and to extend mercy to us. The Second Reading: Our final choice for God, made by perfect obedience to Him, will be rewarded. Example: It is because of Christ’s perfect obedience to God’s will in “emptying himself, taking human form” and humbling himself by accepting “even death, death on a cross,” that God the Father “exalted Christ, bestowed on him the Name above every other name,” and made Jesus the recipient of universal adoration.

In Sunday’s Gospel parable, a man with two sons tells both to go out to work in the vineyard. The first son says he will not go, but later he regrets his refusal and goes to work. He represents tax collectors and public sinners who refused to obey God’s commandments, but, after listening to John the Baptist and Jesus, repented and became eligible for eternal reward. The second son says that he will go but does not. He represents the chief priests and the elders, the Scribes, and the Pharisees. By their pride, and their refusal to obey God’s call to repentance through John the Baptist and Jesus, these so-called “religious” people excluded themselves from eternal reward. 

The lesson taught: Jesus was teaching them, and us, that it is necessary that we continue to respond to God’s saving actions on our behalf with an unchanging “YES, Lord!” in word and in deed. Even when we say no, God gives us many chances to change our minds and our hearts and gratefully accept His Mercy of conversion, repentance, and obedience to His will.

Who are these two sons at present? 

The first son: 

1) A repentant alcoholic, drug addict, chronic gambler, sexual-deviant. 

2) Members of a poor village parish who reach out to the needy in the community. 

3) A Pastor who calls parishioners to true repentance. 

4) A Church member who decides to tithe or young people who decides to remain abstinent until marriage.  All these choose to obey Christ sacrificially. 

The second son...

1) A regular Church goer who refuses Christ, entry into his or her heart and life and lives a pagan life on weekdays. 

2) A Christian who refuses to obey Christ in the sensitive areas of sex, money, and power. 

3) A priest whose sermon is designed to please people rather than to please God. 

4) A Church that ignores issues of justice and mercy. 

5) A Sunday School that neglects to teach children the great Biblical stories -- in short, all people who appear to be faithful but, deep down in their hearts, are not.

Life messages: 

(1) We need to do God’s will every day: Each one of us is responsible to God for every action, and the just God will punish or reward one according to one’s actions. Since we are not sure about the moment of our death, our only guarantee of dying in God's friendship is to live in that friendship always, saying “Yes,” to God by cheerfully doing His Will daily. 

2) It is never too late for us to repent, be converted, and allow the Holy Spirit to renew our life: If we have been disobedient to God in our past life, we need to knock at the door of God’s Mercy. God can, and will, do for us what, in His Mercy, He did for the repentant tax-collectors and harlots Jesus encountered. Hence, every morning we must pray for the strengthening power of the Holy Spirit to do God’s will and every night we need to repent of our sins and ask God’s pardon and forgiveness. 

May the huge number of Covid deaths serve us as a strong warning that we may not get a chance to be anointed before our death. If we are in serious sin we need to get reconciled with God, the Church and our brothers and sisters through the Sacrament of Reconciliation as soon as possible. Let us remember that it is never too late for us to turn back to God, ready to do His will.

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

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"THE LAST WILL BE FIRST, AND THE FIRST WILL BE LAST."

 Readings for Sunday, Septermber 20, 2026 

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time  
Lectionary: 133

Reading 1                    Isaiah 55:6-9

Seek the Lord while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked his thoughts; let him turn to the Lord for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

Responsorial Psalm                   Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18

Every day will I bless you,

and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.

The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The Lord is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.

The Lord is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.

 Reading 2                     Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a

Brothers and sisters:   Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.  If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.  And I do not know which I shall choose.  I am caught between the two.  I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better.  Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.  Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.

 Gospel          Matthew 20:1-16a

Jesus told his disciples this parable:  "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.  After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.  Going out about nine o'clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.' So they went off.  And He went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise.  Going out about five o'clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.' When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage.  So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.' He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you.  Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?  Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?  Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?  Are you envious because I am generous?'  Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."

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/////  BIL-MALTI   ////////

<<<<<<<<<

"Qiegħed tgħir għax jien qalbi tajba?"

>>>>  Qari tal-Ħamsa u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Qari 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 55, 6-9

Fittxu l-Mulej sakemm tistgħu ssibuh, sejħulu sakemm hu fil-qrib! Ħa jħalli triqtu l-midneb, u l-bniedem il-ħażin fehmietu; ħa jerġa’ lura għand il-Mulej u jħenn għalih, għand Alla tagħna għax hu jaħfer ħafna. Il-fehmiet tiegħi m’humiex fehmietkom, u t-triqat tiegħi m’humiex triqatkom. Oraklu tal-Mulej. Għax daqs kemm huma ogħla s-smewwiet mill-art, daqshekk ieħor huma triqati ’l fuq minn triqatkom, u l-fehmiet tiegħi mill-fehmiet tagħkom.   >>>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej    R/. Tifħir lilek Kristu  <<<

SALM RESPONSORJALI                     Salm 144 (145), 2-3.8-9.17-18

R/. (18a): Qrib il-Mulej lejn kull min isejjaħlu

Kuljum irrid inbierkek,
u nfaħħar ismek għal dejjem ta’ dejjem.
Kbir il-Mulej, ta’ min ifaħħru bil-bosta,
bla tarf il-kobor tiegħu. R/.

Twajjeb u ħanin il-Mulej,
idum biex jagħdab u kollu tjieba,
Twajjeb ma’ kulħadd il-Mulej,
tjubitu fuq kull ma għamel. R/.

Ġust il-Mulej fl-imġiba tiegħu kollha,
twajjeb f’dak kollu li għamel.
Qrib il-Mulej lejn kull min isejjaħlu
lejn kull min isejjaħlu fis-sewwa. R/.

QARI 2                   mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Filippin 1, 20ċ-24.27a

Ħuti, Kristu jkun imsebbaħ fil-ġisem tiegħi, sew jekk ngħix u sew jekk immut. Għax għalija l-ħajja hi Kristu, u l-mewt hi rebħ. Jekk għandi nibqa’ ħaj fil-ġisem, dan ifisser li għandi nagħti l-frott tax-xogħol tiegħi. X’naqbad nagħmel ma nafx; ninsab bejn ħaltejn. Min-naħa l-waħda, nixtieq nintemm u nkun ma’ Kristu, li jkun ħafna aħjar għalija; min-naħa l-oħra, jekk nibqa’ ngħix fil-ġisem, ikun ħafna aħjar għalikom. Ħaġa waħda ngħidilkom: ġibu ruħkom kif jixraq lill-Evanġelju ta’ Kristu.   >>>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej    R/. Tifħir lilek Kristu  <<<

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skond San Mattew 20, 1-16a

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu din il-parabbola: “Is-Saltna tas-Smewwiet tixbah lil wieħed sid li ħareġ filgħodu kmieni ħafna biex isib nies għax-xogħol u jħaddimhom fl-għalqa tiegħu tad-dwieli. Ftiehem ma’ xi ħaddiema b’dinar kull jum u bagħathom l-għalqa. Ħareġ ukoll madwar it-tielet siegħa, ra oħrajn qegħdin fil-pjazza, bla xogħol, u qalilhom: “Morru intom ukoll l-għalqa, u nagħtikom li jkun ħaqqkom”. U marru.  Raġa’ ħareġ għal xi s-sitt siegħa u mbagħad għal xi d-disgħa siegħa, u għamel l-istess. Għall-ħabta tal-ħdax-il siegħa raġa’ ħareġ u sab oħrajn qiegħda, u qalilhom: “Għaliex qegħdin hawn il-jum kollu ma tagħmlu xejn?”. Qalulu: “Għax ħadd ma qabbadna”. Qalilhom: “Morru intom ukoll l-għalqa”.  Għal fil-għaxija mbagħad sid l-għalqa qal lill-prokuratur tiegħu: “Sejjaħ lill-ħaddiema u ħallashom, ibda minn dawk li ġew l-aħħar u spiċċa b’dawk tal-ewwel”. Ġew dawk li daħlu għax-xogħol fil-ħdax-il siegħa u ħadu dinar kull wieħed. Ġew tal-ewwel, u stennew li kienu se jirċievu iktar, iżda huma wkoll ħadu dinar kull wieħed. Huma u jitħallsu qabdu jgemgmu kontra s-sid u jgħidu: “Dawn tal-aħħar siegħa waħda għamlu, u int qisthom bħalna li tgħabbejna bil-piż tal-jum u s-sħana!”.  Qabeż is-sid u qal lil wieħed minnhom: “Ħabib, minn xejn ma nqastek jien; mhux b’dinar ftehemt miegħi? Ħu li jmissek u itlaq. Lil dan tal-aħħar irrid nagħtih daqs kemm tajt lilek. Ma nistax nagħmel li rrid bi ħwejġi jien? Jew qiegħed tgħir għax jien qalbi tajba?”. Hekk tal-aħħar jiġu l-ewwel, u tal-ewwel jiġu l-aħħar”.     >>>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej    R/. Tifħir lilek Kristu  <<<

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Fr Tony Kadavil's weekly Eight-Minute homily in one page 

                        ".... The extravagant grace of a merciful God." 

Introduction: 

Next Sunday’s Readings focus us on our sense of justice and the extravagant grace of a merciful God. While God is both just and merciful, God’s mercy often seems, in our view, to override His justice, as God pardons us unconditionally and rewards us generously by opening Heaven for the Gentiles and the Jews.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the First Reading, the prophet Isaiah reminds the exiles in Babylon that their God is more merciful than they are, and more forgiving. He is ready to pardon their infidelity to Himself, which has resulted in their exile. Their merciful God will bless them with material and spiritual blessings. Hence, Isaiah exhorts them, and us, to seek the Lord and to put aside our evil ways that we may receive His mercy and forgiveness. 

Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 145) reminds us that, although “the Lord is just in all His ways,” He is at the same time (and without contradiction), “gracious and merciful.” In the second reading, Paul offers himself as an example of total submission to God’s will, aided by His grace,. Paul is ready to live continuing his mission, or to die and join the Lord, whichever is God’s will. 

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells us the strange parable of a landowner who hired labourers at five different times during the course of one day to work in his vineyard, but paid the same living wage for a full day’s work to all of them. This story presents God (the landlord), Whose love and generosity to all of us demonstrates the difference between God's perspective and ours. God looks at us, sees our needs and meets those needs generously and mercifully. His provisions for our spiritual lives will never run out, and when we share our blessings with others, we tap into the inexhaustible Divine supply. The parable also shows the mercy, compassion, and generosity of a gracious and forgiving God in allowing the later-called Gentiles as well the first-called Jews, His Chosen People, to enjoy the same eternal bliss of His Heavenly Kingdom

Life messages: 

(1) We need to follow God’s example and show loving generosity to our neighbour. When someone else is more successful than we are, God would have us rejoice with our brother or sister for making such good use of the gifts God has given him or her. When someone who does wrong fails to get caught, let us remember the many times we have done wrong and gotten off free. Envy should have no place in our lives. We cannot control, and dare not pass judgment on, the way God blesses others, only rejoice that He does so, just as He blesses us.

(2) We need to express our gratitude to God in our daily lives. God personally calls each of us to our own ministry in this world and shows us His care by giving us His grace and eternal salvation. To God, we are more than just numbers on a payroll. Our call to His vineyard is a free gift from God for which we can never be sufficiently thankful. All our talents and blessings are freely given to us by God. Hence, we should express our gratitude to God by avoiding sins, by rendering loving service to others, by sharing our blessings with the needy, and by constant prayer, listening and responding to our beloved Lord God at all times.

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

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"THE LORD IS KIND AND MERCIFUL..."

  Readings for Sunday, September 13, 2026 

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 130

Reading 1              Sirach 27:30—28:7

Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight. The vengeful will suffer the Lord’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbour’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the Lord?  Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself,  can he seek pardon for his own sins? If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins?   Remember your last days, set enmity aside;   remember death and decay, and cease from sin! Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbour;  remember the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults. 

Responsorial Psalm               Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12

Bless the Lord, O my soul; 
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

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

He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

Reading 2              Romans 14:7-9

Brothers and sisters: None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself.  For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord;  so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.  For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Gospel               Matthew 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.  That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.  When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.  Since he had no way of paying it back,  his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt.  At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’  Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.  When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount.  He seized hi m and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’  But he refused.  Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt.  Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair.  His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant!  I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.  Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.  So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart."

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/////  BIL-MALTI   ////////

<<<<<<<<<

Aħfer il-proxxmu dnubietu, u mbagħad dnubietek jinħafrulek.

>>>>  Qari tal-Erbgħa u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Qari 1              mill-Ktieb ta’ Bin Sirak 27, 30 – 28, 7

Għadab u qilla, dawn ukoll ta’ min jistmerrhom, u l-bniedem midneb mimli bihom.  Min ifittex jitħallas b’idejh, isib ħlasu mingħand il-Mulej, li jifli sewwa dnubietu. Aħfer il-proxxmu dnubietu, u mbagħad titlob u dnubietek jinħafrulek. Bniedem irawwem għadab għal ieħor, u mbagħad se jfittex fejqan mingħand il-Mulej? Minn bniedem bħalu m’għandux ħniena, u mbagħad se jitlob għal dnubietu? Jekk bniedem jibqa’ mgħaddab, min se jpattilu għal dnubietu? Ftakar fl-aħħar ta’ ħajtek, u ieqaf mill-mibegħda; ftakar fit-taħsir u l-mewt, u oqgħod għall-kmandamenti. Ftakar fil-kmandamenti u tobgħodx il-proxxmu; ftakar fil-patt tal-Għoli u agħlaq għajnejk għall-offiża.     >>>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej    R/. Tifħir lilek Kristu  <<<

SALM RESPONSORJALI           Salm 102 (103), 1-2.3-4.9-10.11-12

R/. (8): Ħanin u twajjeb il-Mulej

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

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

Ma joqgħodx jitlewwem magħna,
u anqas jinkorla għal dejjem.
Ma mexiex magħna skond ma ħaqqhom ħtijietna;
ma ħallasniex skond ma ħaqqha ħżunitna. R/.

Daqskemm huma s-smewwiet ’il fuq mill-art,
hekk hi kbira tjubitu ma’ min jibża’ minnu;
daqs kemm hu mbiegħed il-Lvant mill-Punent,
hekk hu jbiegħed minna ħtijietna. R/.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lir-Rumani 14, 7-9

Ħuti, ħadd minna ma jgħix għalih innifsu, u ħadd ma jmut għalih innifsu. Jekk ngħixu, ngħixu għall-Mulej; jekk immutu, immutu għall-Mulej. Sew jekk ngħixu, mela, sew jekk immutu, aħna tal-Mulej. Kristu għalhekk miet u rxoxta, biex ikun Sid kemm tal-ħajjin u kemm tal-mejtin.  >>>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej    R/. Tifħir lilek Kristu  <<<

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skond San Mattew 18, 21-35

F’dak iż-żmien, Pietru resaq lejn Ġesù u qallu: “Mulej, xi kemm-il darba jrid jonqosni ħija biex jiena naħfirlu? Sa seba’ darbiet?”. Wieġbu Ġesù: “Ma ngħidlekx sa seba’ darbiet, imma sa sebgħa u sebgħin darba. Għalhekk is-Saltna tas-Smewwiet nistgħu nxebbhuha ma’ wieħed sultan, li ried jagħmel il-kontijiet mal-qaddejja tiegħu. Kif beda jagħmel dan, ħadulu quddiemu wieħed li kellu jagħtih għaxart elef talent. Billi ma kellux minn fejn irroddhomlu, is-sinjur ordna li jinbiegħu hu, martu, uliedu u kull ma kellu, ħalli b’hekk jitħallas id-dejn.  Imma l-qaddej inxteħet quddiemu jitolbu u jgħidlu: “Sinjur, stabar ftit bija, kollox irroddlok”. Is-sinjur ġietu ħasra minn dak il-qaddej, bagħtu u ħafirlu dejnu.  Mela dak il-qaddej joħroġ, u jiltaqa’ ma’ wieħed minn sħabu, li kellu jagħtih mitt dinar; qabdu minn għonqu u beda jagħfsu. “Ħallas dejnek,” qallu. Il-qaddej sieħbu nxteħet quddiemu jitolbu bil-ħniena u jgħidlu: “Stabar ftit bija u rroddlok”. Imma dak ma riedx jaf, mar u xeħtu l-ħabs sa ma jrodd kull ma kellu jagħtih.  Sħabu l-qaddejja raw il-ġrajja kollha u sewdu qalbhom ħafna; marru għand is-sinjur tagħhom u tarrfulu kull ma kien ġara.  Imbagħad is-sinjur bagħat għalih u qallu: “Ja qaddej ħażin, meta jiena ħfirtlek dak id-dejn kollu wara li tlabtni bil-ħniena, ma kienx imissek int ukoll tħenn għal sieħbek kif ħennejt jien għalik?”. U saħan bl-aħrax is-sinjur għalih, u tah f’idejn min jaħqru sa ma jrodd kull ma kellu jagħti.  Hekk jagħmel lilkom Missieri li hu fis-Smewwiet jekk ma taħfrux lil xulxin minn qalbkom”.   >>>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej    R/. Tifħir lilek Kristu  <<<

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/////////////  REFLECTION  

(Fr Tony Kadavil's WEEKLY Eight-minute homily in one page) 

"It is unwise to nurse grudges and wise to forgive..." 

Introduction: 

Our Readings for this Twenty-Fourth Sunday concern forgiving those who wound us and being reconciled with them. All three Readings this Sunday remind us of the path to forgiveness, mercy, and reconciliation and challenge us to walk this ..... the only..... Way to Life.

Scripture lessons summarised: 

Sirach, in the First Reading, reminds his listeners that if they don’t heal and forgive and show mercy, they can’t expect to receive mercy from God in return. It is unwise to nurse grudges and wise to forgive because our life span is very short and our eternal destiny is decided by how we forgive, how we work for reconciliation with those who wound us, and how we render humble and loving service to them. 

In Sunday’s Psalm, (Ps 103), the Psalmist sings, “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness.” In the Second Reading, Paul reminds us that we have to forgive others because we belong to Christ who, by his own example in forgiving those who killed him, taught us how we must forgive in our turn. 

Since we humans are related to each other as brothers and sisters of Jesus, we are in the family of God, so hatred and bitterness toward anyone should have no place in our hearts. In Sunday’s Gospel, through the parable of the two debtors, Jesus teaches us that there should be no limit to our forgiveness and no conditions attached to our reconciliation. 

We represent the greater debtor in the parable because we commit sins every day and, hence, we need God’s forgiveness every day. But we must forgive in order to be forgiven. Jesus explains, after teaching us the prayer Our Father, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father also will forgive you. “

Life messages: 

1) We need to forgive, forget, and be reconciled: In the light of eternity and considering the shortness of our span of life, harbouring old grudges is pointless. The forgiveness that we offer others is the indispensable condition for us to be able to open our hearts to recelve the Love God IS and so, makes it possible for us to receive God’s forgiveness for ourselves and to pray meaningfully: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” 

What God expects from us, He offers us grace to accomplish in us. In this case, He desires to give us the power of His Own limitless forgiviness so that we will be able to overlook each other’s faults willingly, and to keep on loving each other even in the face of insults.

2) We may never forget the hurt we have experienced, but we can, with God’s ongoing grace, choose to forgive and pray for our offenders. As life goes on, and we remember an incident that was hurtful and roused great anger in us, we need to remind ourselves that, with God’s grace, we have already forgiven the one that hurt us. Time does heal memories. 

Forgiveness finally changes us from being prisoners of our past to being liberated and at peace with our memories. Forgiveness allows us to move beyond the pain, the resentment, and the anger. When we forgive, we make the choice that heals. We can forgive the offender by wishing him God’s blessings and by offering that individual to God by simply saying, “Help so-and-so and me to mend our relationship.” 

When we withhold forgiveness, we remain the victim. When we offer forgiveness, we are doing it also for our own well-being.

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

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"IF TODAY YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS..."

 Readings for Sunday, Septermber 6, 2026 

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 127

Reading 1                 Ezekiel 33:7-9

Thus says  the Lord:  You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me. If I tell the wicked, "O wicked one, you shall surely die, " and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way, the wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death.  But if you warn the wicked, trying to turn him from his way, and he refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself.

 Responsorial Psalm                 Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works."
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Reading 2                 Romans 13:8-10

Brothers and sisters: Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery;  you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet, " and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."  Love does no evil to the neighbour; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

 Gospel                Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples:  "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.  If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen,  take one or two others along with you, so that 'every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church.  If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.  Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

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/////  BIL-MALTI   ////////

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"L-imħabba hija l-milja tal-liġi....."

>>>>  Qari tat-Tlieta u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Qari 1              mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Eżekjel 33, 7-9

Dan jgħid il-Mulej: “Lilek, o bniedem, qegħedtek għassies ta’ dar Iżrael. Meta tisma’ minn fommi xi kelma, għandek twiddibhom f’ismi. Jekk jien ngħid lill-midneb: “Int tmut żgur,” u int ma tkellmux u ma twiddbux biex jitlaq triqtu, hu, il-midneb, imut fi ħżunitu, imma demmu nfittxu minn idejk.  Imma jekk inti twiddeb il-midneb dwar triqtu biex jerġa’ lura minnha u ma jerġax, hu jmut fi dnubu, imma int tkun salvajt ħajtek”.    >>> Il-Kelma tal-Mulej   R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla   <<<

SALM RESPONSORJALI              Salm 94 (95), 1-2.6-7.8-9

R/. : Isimgħu leħen il-Mulej u la twebbsux qalbkom

Ejjew, ħa nfaħħru bl-hena l-Mulej,
ħa ngħajtu bil-ferħ lill-blata tas-salvazzjoni tagħna!
Nersqu quddiemu b’għana ta’ radd il-ħajr,
ngħannulu b’għajat ta’ ferħ. R/.

Ejjew inqimuh u ninxteħtu quddiemu,
għarkubbtejna quddiem il-Mulej li ħalaqna!
Għaliex hu Alla tagħna,
u aħna l-poplu tal-mergħa tiegħu u n-nagħaġ tiegħu. R/.

Mhux li kontu illum tisimgħu leħnu!
“La twebbsux qalbkom bħal f’Meriba,
bħal dakinhar f’Massa, fid-deżert,
meta ġarrbuni u ttantawni missirijietkom,
għalkemm raw dak li jien għamilt”. R/.

QARI II                 mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lir-Rumani 13, 8-10

Ħuti, tkunu obbligati lejn ħadd ħlief li tħobbu lil xulxin. Kull min iħobb ikun iħares il-bqija tal-Liġi. Għax il-kmandamenti: “La tagħmilx adulterju, la toqtolx, la tisraqx, la tkunx rgħib”, u kull preċett ieħor, hu liema hu, kollha jinġabru f’kelma waħda: “Ħobb il-proxxmu tiegħek bħalek innifsek”. L-imħabba ma tagħmilx deni lill-proxxmu; mela l-imħabba hi l-milja tal-Liġi.   >>>   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej    R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla   <<<

EVANĠELJU                  skond San Mattew 18, 15-20

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Jekk ħuk jaqa’ f’xi dnub, mur sibu waħdu u widdbu. Jekk jisma’ minnek, tkun irbaħt lura lil ħuk. Jekk ma jismax, erġa’ mur u ħu miegħek wieħed jew tnejn oħra, biex kull ma jingħad jissaħħaħ bil-kelma ta’ żewġ xhieda jew tlieta. Jekk imbagħad anqas minnhom ma jkun irid jisma’, mur għid lill-knisja. U jekk anqas mill-knisja ma jkun irid jisma’ żommu b’wieħed pagan jew pubblikan.  Tassew ngħidilkom, li kull ma torbtu fuq l-art ikun marbut fis-sema, u kull ma tħollu fuq l-art ikun maħlul fis-sema. Ngħidilkom ukoll li jekk tnejn minnkom fuq l-art jgħollu leħinhom flimkien biex jitolbu xi ħaġa, Missieri li hu fis-smewwiet, jagħtihielhom. Għax fejn tnejn jew tlieta jkunu miġbura f’ismi hemm inkun jien f’nofshom”.     >>>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej    R/. Tifħir lilek Kristu  <<<

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/////////////  REFLECTION  

(Fr Tony Kadavil's WEEKLY Eight-minute homily in one page) 

Being "Brothers and Sisters in Christ"

Introduction: 

The common theme of this Sunday’s readings is God’s command concerning our spiritual responsibility and individual accountability for others in our families, parishes, and community. This accountability arises from our identity as God’s children. As brothers and sisters in Christ, then, we become each other’s “keepers,” and take on a painful, triple responsibility. We must lovingly and prudently correct each other when we err, forgive those who offend us, and ask forgiveness from those we have offended.

Scripture readings summarized: 

In the first reading, God tells Ezekiel that he is to be a watchman obliged to warn Israel of moral dangers. If Ezekiel should refrain from speaking God’s word given to convert the wicked, God will hold Ezekiel responsible for the death of the wicked.

In the second reading, St. Paul points out that the love we should have for one another should be our only reason for admonishing and correcting the sinner.  Love seeks the good of the one who is loved. Therefore, we should admonish one another with love, so that each of us may repent and grow in holiness.

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches that true Christian charity obliges a Christian, not only to assist his neighbours in their temporal and spiritual needs with material help and prayer, but also to aid with correction those brothers and sisters who have damaged the community by public sin. If the erring one refuses a one-on-one, loving correction by the offended party, then the Christian is to try to involve more people: first, "one or two others,” and eventually "the Church." Finally, Jesus mentions the efficacy of community prayer in solving such problems, for Christ is present in the praying Christian community.

Life messages: 

1) We are our brother’s/sister’s keepers:  Modern believers tend to think that they have no right to intervene in the private lives of their fellow believers. Others evade the issue saying, “As a sinner, I don’t have the moral courage or the right to correct anyone.” But Jesus emphatically affirms that we are our brothers' keepers, and we have the serious obligation to correct others. We need to offer advice and encouragement to our friends, neighbours, and co-workers when it is needed, and loving correction, in private, for a personal offense where that is possible.

2) We need to gather in Jesus’ Name so that He can do His work in all of us,even to working miracles: Sunday's Gospel reminds us of the good we can do together, and of how we can do it. Jesus says, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” If any group of us gathers, works, and acts with the Holy Spirit guiding us, we will become much more than simply the sum of our numbers. Today, Jesus makes it clear how important we are, one to another. One in Christ, our community can draw on God’s power to make His healing, life-giving love, more effective among His people.

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

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"Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed"

  Readings for Sunday, August 23, 2026  

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time  
Lectionary: 94

Reading 1                 Jeremiah 20:10-13

Jeremiah said: "I hear the whisperings of many: 'Terror on every side! Denounce! Let us denounce him!' All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. 'Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him.' But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. O LORD of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart, let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause. Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!"

 Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35

For Your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. 
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother's children, 
Because zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

I pray to you, O LORD, for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me with your constant help.
Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness;
in your great mercy turn toward me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

"See, you lowly ones, and be glad; 
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor, 
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.
Let the heavens and the earth praise him,
the seas and whatever moves in them!''
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Reading 2                 Romans 5:12-15

Brothers and sisters:  Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned— for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law. But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come. But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many.

 Gospel                  Matthew 10:26-33

Jesus said to the Twelve:  "Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;  what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;  rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."

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

"Dak li jien ngħidilkom fid-dlam għiduh fid-dawl...."

>>>>  Qari tat-Tnax-il Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena  

Qari 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Ġeremija 20, 10-13

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġeremija qal: Ma nismax ħlief taqsis il-kotra; biża’ madwari kollu! “Ixluh! Ħa nixluh!”.  Jgħajtu saħansitra ħbiebi kollha, ifittxu l-qerda tiegħi: “Għandu mnejn jitqarraq u negħlbuh; ta’ kollox nitħallsu minnu!”.   Il-Mulej miegħi bħal raġel qalbieni, għalhekk dawk li jagħmlu għalija jogħtru, ma jagħmlu xejn, jitħawdu bis-sħiħ, għax ħsiebhom ma jseħħx; għajb għalihom li ma jintesa qatt. Int, Mulej tal-eżerċti, li ġġarrab il-ġust, li tara l-ġewwieni u l-qalb, ħallini nara l-vendetta tiegħek kontrihom, għax f’idejk ħallejt il-kawża tiegħi.  Għannu lill-Mulej, faħħru lill-Mulej, għaliex ħajjet l-imsejken ħelisha minn id il-ħżiena.    >>>   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej  R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla  <<<<

Salm Responsorjali                 Salm 68 (69), 8-10.14.17.33-35

R/. (14ċ): Fil-kobor ta’ tjubitek weġibni, O Alla

Minħabba fik qiegħed nilqa’ t-tmaqdir,
u l-mistħija tiksili wiċċi.
Sirt barrani għal ħuti,
ulied ommi ma jagħrfunix.
Għax il-ħeġġa għal darek fnietni,
it-tagħjir ta’ min jgħajjar lilek waqa’ fuqi. R/.

Imma jien lilek nitlob, Mulej;
meta jogħġbok, o Alla, weġibni,
fil-kobor ta’ tjubitek
u skond il-wegħda tas-salvazzjoni tiegħek.
Weġibni, Mulej, għax mill-aħjar tjubitek;
dur lejja fil-kobor tal-ħniena tiegħek. R/.

Hekk jaraw l-imsejkna u jifirħu;
u tagħmlu l-qalb, intom li tfittxu lil Alla.
Għax jisma’ l-fqajrin il-Mulej,
ma jistmellx l-imjassrin tiegħu.
Ifaħħruh is-sema u l-art,
l-ibħra u kull ma jitħarrek fihom. R/.

Qari 2                     mill-ittra ta’ San Pawl lir-Rumani 5, 12-15

Ħuti, kien permezz ta’ bniedem wieħed li fid-dinja daħal id-dnub, u permezz tad-dnub il-mewt, u hekk il-mewt laħqet il-bnedmin kollha, għax kollha dinbu. Kienet għadha ma waslitx il-Liġi, id-dnub kien ġa fid-dinja: imma d-dnub ma kienx magħdud, ladarba Liġi ma kienx hemm. Madankollu l-mewt saltnet ukoll minn Adam sa Mosè, mqar fuq dawk li ma waqgħux fid-dnub li fih kien waqa’ Adam, li kien xbieha ta’ dak li kellu jiġi. Imma d-don mhuwiex bħall-ħtija. Għax jekk permezz ta’ ħtija waħda mietet il-kotra, aktar u aktar issa l-grazzja ta’ Alla u d-don mogħti bil-grazzja ta’ bniedem wieħed li hu Ġesù Kristu, xterdu bil-bosta fuq il-kotra.    >>>   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej  R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla  <<<

Evanġelju                 Qari skond San Mattew 10, 26-33

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lill-Appostli tiegħu: “La tibżgħux mill-bnedmin. Għax xejn ma hu mgħotti li ma jinkixifx, u xejn ma hu moħbi li ma jsirx magħruf. Dak li jien ngħidilkom fid-dlam għiduh fid-dawl, u dak li ngħidilkom f’widnejkom xandruh minn fuq il-bjut. U tibżgħux minn dawk li joqtlu l-ġisem bla ma jistgħu joqtlu r-ruħ; imma aktar ibżgħu minn dak li jista’ jeqred kemm ir-ruħ u kemm il-ġisem flinfern.  Żewġ għasafar tal-bejt mhux b’ħabba jinbiegħu? U b’danakollu anqas wieħed minnhom ma jaqa’ fl-art mingħajr ir-rieda ta’ missierkom. Intom imbagħad sax-xagħar ta’ raskom kollu hu magħdud. Mela xejn la tibżgħu; intom aqwa minn ħafna għasafar tal-bejt. Kull min jistqarr quddiem il-bnedmin li hu miegħi, jien ukoll nistqarr li jiena miegħu quddiem Missieri li hu fis-smewwiet. Iżda min jiċħad lili quddiem il-bnedmin, jien ukoll niċħad lilu quddiem Missieri li hu fis-smewwiet”.    >>> Il-Kelma tal-Mulej   R/. Tifħir lilek Kristu  >>>

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/////////////  REFLECTION  

(Fr Tony Kadavil's WEEKLY Eight-minute homily in one page) 

Jesus encourages us to persevere in doing the work He started

Introduction:

Our Scripture readings for this Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time challenges us to preach Christ through our words and lives without fear.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading tells us how the prophet Jeremiah trusted in the power of God while he faced opposition for his prophetic ministry. He was intimidated by attacks upon his character, but he was unafraid to speak out in the name of the Lord. The psalmist in today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 69) trusts in God when he is misunderstood and ill-treated even by his brothers and relatives. In the second reading, Paul assures the Christians in Rome that they need not be afraid of opposition both because they share in the death of Jesus and because they are united with Christ, the new Adam, in his Resurrection.

Today’s Gospel passage is taken from the end of Jesus’ instruction to his disciples as he sends them forth to carry on his mission of preaching and healing. He asks them to live simple lives and to expect opposition and rejection. After having foretold future opposition and persecution, Jesus encourages his disciples to stand firm. Three times they are urged, "Do not fear!" "Do not be afraid!" Instead of shrinking from their task, they are to proclaim the Gospel boldly because they will be protected, just as Jeremiah was assured of God's protection. Hence, Jesus commands his disciples not to fear their persecutors. He presents before them the image of the sparrow to reinforce the disciples’ trust and hope in God. The readings hint at the opposition we future Christians will encounter as we carry on the work of Jesus in the world, and they encourage us to persevere in doing the work of Jesus. They assure us that we will be successful, despite the opposition we encounter.

Life messages: 

1) We need not be afraid because our life is in the hands of a loving God. Sometimes we are afraid that we will make a wrong decision. At other times, we are afraid of what others will think when we speak up for Jesus. We are afraid of what the future will bring to our children. We are also afraid of growing old. Sometimes we are afraid of what declining health will bring us. 

At the root of these fears is the fear of loss. Every fear we have is grounded in the knowledge that we have something or someone to lose. I can lose my job, family, house, money, reputation, health, and even life itself. Rejection and loss are the basis of our fears. But we forget one thing: whatever trouble or crisis affects us, we know that God understands it better than we ourselves do. 

Our Heavenly Father knows exactly what is happening. What a release from fear it is to know that God is with us; that our life is in the hands of a loving God! The next time fear grips us we need to remember that being faithful to Christ wherever we meet him in this life is much more important than our fear of loss or rejection by others. Also, let us take a moment to recall some of the great promises of God. Let us remind ourselves that God cares – we are each a dear child of His, and He cares for each of us. "Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." The last verse of Psalm 27 sums it up nicely: "Trust in the Lord. Have Faith; do not despair. Trust in the Lord."

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

>>> "LET IT BE DONE FOR YOU AS YOU WISH"

  Readings for Sunday, Aug 16, 2026 

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time                                                                                                   Lectionary: 118

Reading 1                 Isaiah 56:1, 6-7

Thus says the LORD: Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed. The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, ministering to him, loving the name of the LORD, and becoming his servants— all who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. 

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

 Reading 2              Romans 11:13-15, 29-32

Brothers and sisters: I am speaking to you Gentiles.  Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them.  For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?   For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.  Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy.  For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.

 Gospel           Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!  My daughter is tormented by a demon."  But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.  Jesus' disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us."  He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs."  She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters."  Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith!  Let it be done for you as you wish."   And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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/////  BIL-MALTI   ////////

"... Mara, il-fidi tiegħek kbira."

>>>  Qari tal-Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Qari 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 56, 1.6-7

Dan jgħid il-Mulej: “Żommu s-sewwa u agħmlu l-ġustizzja, għax is-salvazzjoni tiegħi għoddha waslet, u l-ġustizzja tiegħi dalwaqt tfeġġ. Ulied il-frustier li ntrabtu mal-Mulej biex jaqduh, u biex iħobbu isem il-Mulej, u jkunu qaddejja tiegħu, kull min iħares is-Sibt u ma jiksrux u jżomm sħiħ fil-patt tiegħi, lil dawn inwassalhom sal-muntanja mqaddsa tiegħi, u nferraħhom f’dar it-talb tiegħi. Il-vittmi maħruqa u s-sagrifiċċji tagħhom ikunu jogħġbuni telgħin minn fuq l-artal tiegħi, għax dari dar it-talb tissejjaħ għall-popli kollha”.   >>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej   >>  R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla

SALM RESPONSORJALI      Salm 66 (67), 2-3.5.6.8

R/. (4): Ifaħħruk il-popli kollha, o Alla

Iħenn għalina Alla, u jberikna;
idawwar għal fuqna d-dija ta’ wiċċu!
Biex jingħarfu fuq l-art triqatek,
fost il-ġnus kollha s-salvazzjoni tiegħek. R/.

Jithennew il-ġnus u jgħannu bil-ferħ,
għax trieġi l-popli bis-sewwa,
u l-ġnus fuq l-art inti tmexxihom. R/.

Ifaħħruk il-popli, o Alla,
ifaħħruk il-popli kollha.
Iberikna Alla, u tibża’ minnu
l-art kollha minn tarf għall-ieħor! R/.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lir-Rumani 11, 13-15.29-32

Ħuti, issa ngħid lilkom, il-pagani. Sakemm jiena appostlu tal-pagani nibqa’ nagħmel ġieħ lill-ministeru tiegħi, bit-tama li nqajjem l-għira ta’ ġensi u hekk insalva lil xi wħud minnhom. Għax jekk it-tkeċċija tagħhom ġiebet il-ħbiberija tad-dinja ma’ Alla, l-ilqugħ tagħhom mill-ġdid xi jkun ifisser, jekk mhux ħajja mill-imwiet?  Alla ma jreġġax lura d-doni u s-sejħa tiegħu. Bħalma fl-imgħoddi intom ma kontux tobdu lil Alla, imma issa sibtu l-ħniena tiegħu minħabba d-diżubbidjenza tagħhom; hekk huma wkoll m’humiex jobduh minħabba l-ħniena li sibtu intom mingħandu, ħalli issa huma wkoll isibu l-ħniena.  Għax Alla ħalla ’l kulħadd fil-jasar tad-diżubbidjenza, biex jagħmel ħniena ma’ kulħadd.  >>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej  >> R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skond San Mattew 15, 21-28

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù telaq lejn Tir u Sidon. U ħarġet waħda mara Kangħanija minn dawk l-inħawi, u qabdet tgħajjat u tgħid: “Ħenn għalija, Mulej, Bin David; binti għandha fiha xitan, u magħdura ħafna!”. Iżda hu ma weġibhiex kelma. Resqu lejh id-dixxipli tiegħu, jitolbuh u jgħidulu: “Eħles minnha, għax ġejja tgħajjat warajna”. Imma hu qalilhom: “Ma ġejtx mibgħut ħlief għan-nagħaġ li ntilfu mid-dar ta’ Iżrael”.  Iżda hi resqet, inxteħtet quddiemu u qaltlu: “Għinni Mulej!”. Hu weġibha: “Mhux sewwa tieħu l-ħobż tal-ulied u tixħtu lill-ġriewi”. “Hekk hu, Mulej" – qaltlu – "iżda l-ġriewi wkoll jieklu l-frak li jaqa’ minn fuq il-mejda ta’ sidienhom!”.   Imbagħad wieġeb Ġesù u qalilha: “Mara, il-fidi tiegħek kbira! Ħa jsirlek kif tixtieq”. U minn dak il-ħin stess bintha fieqet.     >>  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej      >> R/. Tifħir  lilek Kristu

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/////////////  REFLECTION - 

Fr Tony Kadavil's WEEKLY Eight-minute homily in one page

"Ask and you shall 

receive."

Introduction: 

All three readings this coming Sunday speak of the expansive and universal nature of the “Kingdom of God,” in contrast with the theory that salvation was to be offered first to the Jews and then, through them alone, to the rest of the world. Although God set the Hebrew people apart as His chosen race, He included all nations in His plan for salvation and blessed all the families of the earth in Abraham (Gn 12:1-3).

Scripture readings summarized: 

By declaring through the prophet Isaiah (first reading), “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples,” God reveals the truth that in His eyes all human beings, regardless of race, caste, color, intelligence, wealth, or charm are His dear children by Creation and adoption. The long-expected Messianic kingdom was intended, not only for the Jews, but for all peoples as well. 

Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 67) rejects all types of religious exclusivity: "Let all the peoples praise You, O God; …For You judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon the earth, so that Your saving power may be known among all the nations." 

In the Second Reading, Paul explains that, although the Jews were the chosen people, many of them rejected Jesus as the promised Messiah, and, consequently, God turned to the Gentiles who received mercy through their Faith in Jesus. In the Gospel story, Jesus demonstrates that salvation was meant for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews by healing the daughter of a Gentile woman as a reward for her strong Faith. Thus, Jesus shows us that God's mercy and love are available to all who call out to Him in Faith.

Life messages: 

1) We need to persist in prayer with trustful confidence. Although the essential parts of prayer are adoration and thanksgiving, the prayer of petition, like the prayer of contrition, plays a big part in our daily lives. Christ himself has told us to ask him for these needs: "Ask and you shall receive." Asking with fervor and perseverance proves that we have the "great Faith” we need to receive what Christ wants to grant us in response to our requests. 

We must realize, and remember, that we do not always get exactly what we ask for. Rather, God gives us what He knows we really need, what He wants us to have, that is, what is really best for us. As Christians, we also know that our particular request may not always be for our good, or for the final good of the person for whom we are praying. But if the prayer is sincere and persevering, we will always get an answer -- one which is better than what we asked for.

2) We need to pull down our walls of separation and share in the universality of God’s love: Very often we set up walls which separate us from God and from one another. Sunday's Gospel reminds us that God's love and mercy are extended to all who call on Him in Faith and trust, no matter who they are. In other words, God’s care extends beyond the bounds of race and nation to the hearts of all who live, and God’s House should become a House of Prayer for all peoples. It is therefore fitting that we should pray and work sincerely so that the walls which our pride, intolerance, fear, and prejudice have raised in us may crumble.

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