"Mary Meditated on All These Things in Her Heart"

READINGS FOR JANUARY 1, 2015

The Octave Day of Christmas  Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God Solennita ta’ Marija Omm Alla,  Omm il-Paċi Messalin Ċ pp 123

Reading 1                         Numbers 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses:   “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:  This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”  This is the Word of The Lord.

L-Ewwel Qari -   Qari mill-Ktieb tan-Numri 6, 22-27

Il-Mulej kellem ‘il Mose’ u qallu: “Kellem lil Aron u ‘l uliedu u għidilhom: Meta tbierku ‘l ulied Israel,  hekk għandkom tgħidulhom: ‘Ibierkek il-Mulej u jħarsek! Jixħet il-Mulej id-dija ta’ wiċċu fuqek  u jurik il-ħniena! Iħares lejk il-Mulej bi mħabba, u jagħtik is-sliem!” Hekk huma jsejħu ismi fuq ulied Irael,  U jien nberikhom.”              Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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.

May God bless us in his mercy.

May the nations be glad and exult

   because you rule the peoples in equity;

   the nations on the earth you guide.

May God bless us in his mercy.

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!

May God bless us in his mercy.

Salm Responsorjali                    Salm 66 (67)  

                Iħenn għalina Alla, u jberikna.

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/

Reading II                                                                Galatians  4:4-7

Brothers and sisters:  When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,  to ransom those under the law,  so that we might receive adoption as sons. As proof that you are sons,  God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,  crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son,  and if a son then also an heir, through God. This is the Word of The Lord.

It-Tieni Qari                                     Qari mill-ittra lill-Galaltin  4, 4-7

Ħuti, meta waslet il-milja taż-żmien,  Alla bagħat lil Ibnu, imwieled minn mara, imwieled taħt il-Liġi, biex jifdi lil  dawk li kienu taħt il-Liġi, biex ikollna l-adozzjoni ta’ wlied . U għax intom ulied,  Alla bagħat l-Ispirtu ta’  Ibnu f’qalbna jgħajjat”“Abba Missier!” U hekk m’intix iżjed ilsir, iżda iben, werriet ukoll bil-grazzja ta’ Alla.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                                                                                Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message  that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen  just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.  This is the Word of The Lord.

Evanġelju  - Qari skond San Luqa  2, 16-21)

F’dak iż-żmien: ir-rgħajja marru jgħaġġlu, u sabu lil Marija u lil Ġużeppi,  bit-tarbija mimduda f’maxtura. Kif raw dan, bdew igħarrfu b’kulma kien  intqal lilhom dwar dik it-tarbija, u kull min semgħhom baqa’ mistagħġeb b’dak li qalulhom ir-rgħajja. Marija, min-naħa tagħha, baqgħet tgħożż f’qalbha  dawn il-ħwejjeġ kollha u taħseb fuqhom bejnha u bejn ruħha. Ir-rgħajja mbagħad reġgħu lura, isebbħu u jfaħħru lil Alla għal kulma  kienu raw u semgħu,  kif l-anġlu kien qalilhom. Meta wasal it-tmien jum biex lit-tifel  jgħmlulu ċ-ċirkonċiżjoni, semmewh Ġesu’, bl-isem li kien tah l-anġlu qabel ma tnissel fil-ġuf.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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COMMENTARY:

Fr Raniero Cantalamessa on the Mother of God       

" Can we become mothers of Christ? “

The Council taught us to look upon Mary as a "figure" of the Church, that is, as the Church's perfect exemplar, as the first fruits of the Church. But can Mary be a model of the Church even as "Mother of God," the title with which she is honored on the first day of 2015? Can we become mothers of Christ?

Not only is this possible, but some fathers of the Church have said that, without this imitation, Mary's title is useless to me: "What does it matter," they said, "if Christ was once born to Mary in Bethlehem but is not born by faith in my soul?"

Jesus himself was the first to apply this title, "Mother of Christ," to the Church when he declared: "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice" (Luke 8:21).

Thursday's liturgy presents Mary to us as the first of those to become mother of Christ through attentive listening to his word. The Church has chosen for this feast the Gospel passage where it is written that "Mary, for her part, treasured all these words, meditating on them in her heart." How one concretely becomes a mother of Christ is explained to us by Jesus himself: hearing the word and putting it into practice.

There are two types of incomplete or interrupted motherhood. One is the old one which we know: early termination of the pregancy. This happens when a woman conceives a life but does not give birth to it because, in the meantime, either for natural causes or the sin of men, the child dies. Until a short time ago this was the only known form of incomplete motherhood.

Today, however, we know another which consists, on the contrary, in giving birth to a child without having conceived it. This happens when child is first conceived in a test tube and then inserted into the womb of a woman. In some terrible and squalid cases, the womb is borrowed, sometimes rented, to bear a human life conceived elsewhere. In this case, that which the woman gives birth to does not come from her, is not "first conceived in her heart."

Unfortunately, also on the spiritual plane there are these two sad possibilities. There are those who conceive Jesus without giving birth to him. Such are those who welcome the word without putting it into practice, those who have one spiritual abortion after another, formulating plans for conversion which are then systematically forgotten and abandoned at the halfway point; they behave toward the word as hasty observers who see their faces in a mirror and then go away immediately forgetting what they looked like (cf. James 1:23-24). In sum, these are those who have faith but not works.

On the other hand, there are those who give birth to Christ without having conceived him. Such are those who do many works, perhaps even good ones, which do not come from the heart, from love of God and right intention, but rather from habit, from hypocrisy, from the desire for their own glory or interests, or simply from the satisfaction of doing something, acting. In sum, these are those who have works but not faith.

These are the negative cases of an incomplete maternity. St. Francis of Assisi describes for us the positive case of a complete maternity which makes us resemble Mary: "We are mothers of Christ," he writes, "when we carry him in our hearts and our bodies through divine love and pure and sincere conscience; we give birth to him through holy works, which should shine as an example before others!"

We -- the saint says -- conceive Christ when we love him with sincerity of heart and with rectitude of conscience, and we give birth to him when we accomplish holy works that manifest him to the world.     © Innovative Media Inc.

THE FAMILY OF GOD

 

Readings for December 28, 2014 

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

………

Il-Familja Mqaddsa ta’ Gesù, Marija u Guzeppi  

(NOTA:   Il-Qari bil-Malti li jsegwi  huwa skond dak li hemm fil-Lezzjonarju ufficjali li jintuza fil-knejjes Maltin u ghal xi raguni ma jaqbilx ma dak ippublikat fil-missallin Malti kif ukoll dak li jintuza bl-Ingliz. Ghalhekk ser tindunaw b’xi differenzi fl-1 u t-2 Qari kif ukoll fis-Salm. Pero, l-Evangelju huwa l-istess wiehed.) 

Reading 1                BIN SIRAK 3:2-6, 12-14

God sets a father in honour over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honours his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them.  When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. Whoever honours his father is gladdened by children, and, when he prays, is heard. Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother. My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him; revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins —a house raised in justice to you.  . This is the Word of The Lord.

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Qari 1  -   mill-Ktieb tal-Genesi 15, 1-6; 21, 1-3

F’dak iz-zmien, giet il-kelma tal-Mulej lil Abram f’dehra u qallu:  «La tibzax, Abram! Jiena tarka ghalik; hlasek ikun kbir hafna.» U Abram qallu: «Sidi Mulej, x’se taghtini, ghax se nibqa’ bla tfal, u l-werriet ta’ dari se jkun Elighezer ta’ Damasku.»  U Abram zied jghid: «Ara, int lili ma tajtnix nisel, u qaddej dari se jiritni.»  U ara, waslitlu l-kelma tal-Mulej u qallu: «Ma jirtekx dan, imma wiehed hiereg mill-Gewwieni tieghek, hu ghad jirtek.»  U hargu barra u qallu: «Hares sewwa lejn is-smewwiet u ghodd il-kwiekeb, jekk ghandek hila tghoddhom.» U zied jghidlu: «Hekk ghad ikun nislek.»  U hu emmen fil-Mulej, u dan ghaddhulu b’gustizzja.   U l-Mulej zar lil Sara bhalma kien qalilha, u ghamel maghha dak li kien weghedha.  U Sara tqalet u wildet iben lil Abraham fi xjuhitu, fiz-zmien li kien qallu Alla.  U Abraham semma ’l ibnu li twelidlu, li kienet wilditlu Sara, Izakk. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Responsorial Psalm                    PSalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favoured.

                R/ Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.

                R/ Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
                R/ Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

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Salm Responsorjali    -   SALM 104 (105), 1b-2.3-4.5-6.8-9

                R/:  Jahweh hu Alla taghna! Jiftakar ghal dejjem fil-patt tieghu

Fahhru l-Mulej u xandru ismu,

gharrfu lill-gnus bl-ghemejjel tieghu.

Ghannulu u doqqulu,

xandru l-ghegubijiet tieghu kollha.                        R/ .

Ftahru bl-isem qaddis tieghu;

tifrah il-qalb ta’ dawk li jfittxu l-Mulej.

habirku biex taghrfu l-Mulej u l-qawwa tieghu,

fittxu ‘l wiççu l-hin kollu.                                             R/ .

5Ftakru fil-hwejjeg kbar li ghamel,

fl-ghegubijiet u l-gudizzji tieghu.

6Nisel Abraham, il-qaddej tieghu,

ulied gakobb, il-mahtur tieghu.                               R/ .

8Jiftakar ghal dejjem fil-patt tieghu,

fil-kelma li ta ghal elf nisel,

9fil-patt li ghamel ma’ Abraham,

fil-weghda li halef lil Izakk.                                         R/ .

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Reading 2                             COLossians 3:12-21

Brothers and sisters:  Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another,  if one has a grievance against another;  as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love,  that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,  the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,  as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,  singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs  with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed,  do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,  giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,  as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives,  and avoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything,  for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children,  so they may not become discouraged. This is the Word of The Lord.

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Qari 2   -  mill-Ittra lil-Lhud 11, 8.11-12.17-19

Huti, kienet il-fidi li gaghlet lil Abraham jobdi s-sejha ta’ Alla, meta dan qallu biex imur f’art li kien se jaghtih b’wirt; u telaq, bla ma kien jaf fejn kien sejjer. Kienet ukoll il-fidi li biha Sarah, mara mdahhla fiz-zmien, setghet  titqal, ghax hija gharfet li ta’ kelmtu kien dak li ghamlilha l-weghda.  Kien ghalhekk li minn bniedem wiehed, li kien tista’ tghid mejjet, twieldu nies bil-kotra daqs il-kwiekeb tas-sema u daqs ir-ramel ta’ xatt il-bahar, li hadd ma jista’ jghoddu.  Kienet il-fidi li gaghlet lil Abraham joffri ’l Izakk meta Alla garrbu; u kien se joffri lil ibnu l-wahdieni sewwasew dak li kien ha l-weghdiet, hu li Alla kien qallu: «Minn Izakk int ghad ikollok nisel.»  Huwa fehem li Alla kellu s-setgha sahansitra li jqajjem mill-mewt; u, fis-sens ta’ tixbiha, hadu tabilhaqq lura mill-mewt.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Gospel                             Luke 2:22-40

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

Evangelju  -  Qari mill-Evangelju skont San Luqa 2, 22-40

Wara li ghalqilhom iz-zmien ghall-purifikazzjoni taghhom skont il-Ligi ta’ Mosè, Marija u guzeppi hadu lil gesù gerusalemm biex jipprezentawh lill-Mulej, kif hemm miktub fil-Ligi tal-Mulej: «Kull tifel li jitwieled l-ewwel, jigi kkonsagrat lill-Mulej» – u biex joffru b’sagrifiççju par gamiem jew zewg bçieçen, kif jinghad ukoll fil-Ligi tal-Mulej. F’gerusalemm kien hemm wiehed, jismu Xmun, ragel gust u tajjeb, li kien jistenna l-farag ta’ Izrael u li kellu l-Ispirtu s-Santu fuqu.  L-Ispirtu s-Santu kien nebbhu li ma kienx se jara l-mewt qabel ma jara l-Messija tal-Mulej.  Mar mela fit-tempju, imqanqal mill-Ispirtu, u xhin il-genituri dahlu bit-tarbija gesù biex jaghmlulu dak li kienet  trid il-Ligi, 28huwa laqghu fuq dirghajh, bierek lil Alla u qal: «Issa, o Sid, tista’ thalli l-qaddej tieghek imur fis-sliem, skont kelmtek, ghaliex ghajnejja raw is-salvazzjoni tieghek li int hejjejt ghall-popli kollha, dawl biex idawwal il-gnus, u glorja tal-polpu tieghek Izrael.» Missieru u ommu baqghu mistaghgba b’dak li kien qieghed jinghad fuqu. Xmun berikhom, u qal lil ommu Marija: «Ara, dan se jgib il-waqgha u l-qawmien ta’ hafna f’Izrael; se jkun sinjal li jmeruh,  - u inti wkoll, sejf jinfidlek ruhek! - biex jinkixfu l-hsibijiet mohbija fil-qlub ta’ hafna.» Kien hemm ukoll wahda profetissa, Anna, bint Fanwel, mit-tribù ta’ Aser. Kienet imdahhla hafna fiz-zmien; wara xbubitha  ghamlet seba’ snin mizzewga, u mbaghad romlot. Sa ma kellha erbgha u tmenin sena ma kienet titwarrab qatt mit-tempju, lejl u nhar taqdi lil Alla fis-sawm u t-talb. Dak il-hin stess waslet, u bidet trodd hajr lil Alla u titkellem fuq it-tarbija ma’ dawk kollha li kienu jistennew il-fidwa ta’ Gerusalemm.  Meta temmew kull ma kellhom jaghmlu skont il-Ligi tal-Mulej  regghu lura lejn il-Galilija fil-belt taghhom ta’ Nazaret.  U t-tifel baqa’ jikber u jissahhah, mimli bl-gherf. U l-grazzja ta’ Alla kienet fuqu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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COMMENTARY by LARRY BRODING

The Jewish Christ of The Underclass

How do people try to hold to the spirit of Christmas?

Another Christmas has passed. The glow of the season dimly lingers on. While many pack up their lights for another season, others want to hold on, even for the briefest moments, to the promise of Christmas. Peace on earth. Goodwill toward all people.

To those who know Christ firmly hold that the Spirit of the season lives on, for that peace and goodwill is Jesus. In Luke's gospel, the Spirit of Christmas not only lingers, it grows stronger. For God favors his child with wisdom and grace. And through his child he favours us all. In Luke's gospel, Joseph and Mary brought the child Jesus to the Temple for two reasons: the child's presentation and the mother's purification. Luke used the ceremonies, the place, and the witnesses to further proclaim Jesus as the Christ.

According to Leviticus 12:3-4, boys were circumcised eight days after birth.. According to Jewish tradition, this ceremony declared the son legitimate (i.e., "presented") before God and the community. [2:22-23] A child's mother was unclean for thirty-three days. Only after that period could the mother celebrate the rite of purification with an offering. [2:24] While Luke referred to the circumcision of Jesus eight days after his birth in 2:21, he combined the presentation aspect of circumcision with the purification of Mary in one ceremony, extending it to the family (see 2:22; "their cleansing"). Luke, in fact, used the purification ceremony to emphasize the presentation of Jesus, just as Hannah presented (i.e., dedicated) Samuel to God at the Temple (1 Samuel 1:22-28). The question remained, what type of service would Jesus give? Luke portrayed the rituals in the Temple to advance his theme. Jesus would serve God as the Jewish Christ of the underclass.

Let's analyze that theme. First, Jesus was truly Jewish. His parents were devout Jews, piously following the dictates of the Law. In fact, their devotion fulfilled the Law, just as Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. [2:22-24]

Second, Jesus was called to be the Christ. The locale and the monologue promote his title. The Temple was the locus of Jewish devotion, for they believed God definitely dwelt within its walls. One of the most famous scenes in the Temple was Isaiah 6, the young prophet's call by God. With the symbolic connection between God, his palace (i.e., the Temple), and Isaiah the prophet, add his prophetic themes about the promised royal child (see Isaiah 11:1-10). Popular Jewish belief held the coming Messiah would be a king-priest, who would rule and offer true sacrifice. By holding the presentation of Jesus (i.e., his circumcision) in the Temple, Luke not only saw Jesus as the possession of the Father, he also saw Jesus in the Temple as the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Jesus was the Christ-child, future king and priest.

The monologue of the witnesses emphasized the messianic theme. Simeon, the Spirit-filled man, announced this child as the promised One who would bring about the Day of Judgement (when the nation would be saved). Simeon prayed to see the Messiah. The Spirit assured him that his prayer would be answered. [2:25-26] His Canticle was a prayer of thanks and proclamation. The child he held in his arms brought him God's peace. For this Simeon gave thanks. But this child was the salvation of the nation [2:30] who would return honour to God's people [2:32]. At the same time, the non-Jews would witness his rising [2:31]. He would enlighten them with God's wisdom [2:32].

Next, Simeon turned to Mary and proclaimed the child would cause the fall and rising of many. The fall and rising can refer to scandal and faith. It can also refer to condemnation (God's judgment) and resurrection (his salvation). He would be a sign many opposed, but their actions would reveal their true intent. The scandal-judgment of Jesus would cause Mary deep pain. [2:33-35]

Finally, the people in the scene stressed the underclass, the large majority of those living in the ancient world. Notice those in the passage. The poor Jewish couple, Simeon who did not seem to have family, and the widow Anna who lived alone. While Joseph could support Mary with a trade, Simeon and Anna had no apparent income. As a Spirit-filled man, Simeon followed God's lead. As a prophetess, Anna acted as social critique and religious icon. While Simeon appeared to live day-to-day, Anna was nearly homeless as a widow (unless her children or her extended family supported her; widows were synonymous with the homeless in the ancient world).

Notice who was not in the passage: priests or other Temple officials. Steeped in money and privilege, these Sadducees would later oppose Jesus in his Temple ministry. In their absence from the passage, Luke emphasized God's presence with the common people. The Temple aristocrats were not needed as mediators. The child would be the mediator. [2:25-26, 36-37]

The presentation of the child would have an effect. Jesus grew in character as God favoured him with wisdom and his presence.

- Have you ever experienced God in church, but in way unexpected?

- Has God ever caught you by surprise, yet in a way that gave new insight?

- Have children ever caused you to wonder?

- What happened?

In the place of God's dwelling, a child is presented and given a mission. In the experience of a child, God gave the world Good News. In the sight of a family, the world saw the presence of God with his people. Yes, the Spirit of the season lingers on. And it grows stronger as long as we hold the Christ Child close to us.

Take one or two spiritual gifts you have been given this season. Share them with a friend or two this week.

Unto us a Saviour is Born

December 25, 2014 | - Mass During The Day

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

It-Twelid ta' Sidna Ġesu' Kristu

                                                    Quddiesa ta' bi Nhar                                                                    

Messalin A pp 101

Reading 1                                           ISaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, “Your God is King!”  Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD restoring Zion. Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the LORD comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem. The LORD has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.  This is the Word of The4 Lord.

L-Ewwel Lezzjoni - Qari mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija  52, 7-10

Kemm huma sbieħ fuq il-muntanji r-riġlejn ta' min iħabbar il-bxara, ta' min ixandar is-sliem, ta' min iħabbar ir-riżq, ta' min ixandar is-salvazzjoni, u jgħid lil Sijon:  "Alla tiegħek isaltan." Imbagħad l-għajta!  l-għassiesa tiegħek għollew leħenhom, lkoll flimkien jgħajtu bil-ferħ, għax raw b'għajnejhom lill-Mulej rieġa' lura f'Sijon. Intom, ħerbiet ta' Ġerusalemm, għajtu lkoll bil-ferħ,  għar faraġ il-Mulej il-poplu tiegħu, feda lil Ġerusalemm.  Kixef il-Mulej id-driegħ tiegħu qaddis, quddiem  il-ġnus kollha, u raw it-truf kollha ta' l-art is-salvazzjoni ta' Alla tagħna.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                                       PSALM 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6

   R/ (3c) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

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

The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.                                         R/

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.                                      R/

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.                               R/.

Salm Responsorjali       (Salm 97 (98)

                R/   Raw it-truf kollha ta' l-art is-salvazzjoni ta' Alla tagħna.

Għannu lill-Mulej għanja ġdida,

Għax għamel ħwejjeġ ta' l-għaġeb.

Ġibitlu r-rebħa l-leminija tiegħu,

u d-driegħ imqaddes tiegħu.                                     R/

Għarraf il-Mulej is-salvazzjoni tiegħu,

f'għajnejn il-ġnus wera l-ġustizzja tiegħu.

Ftakar fit-tjieba u l-fedelta' tiegħu

mal-poplu ta' Iżrael.                                                      R/

L-art kollha, minn tarf għall-ieħor,

rat is-salvazzjoni ta' Alla tagħna.

Għajtu bil-ferħ lill-Mulej fl-art kollha,

infexxu fil-hena, ifirħu u għannu!                             R/

Għannu lill-Mulej biċ-ċetra,

biċ-ċetra u bil-ħlewwa ta' l-għana,

bit-trombi u bid-daqq tat-trumbetti;

għajtu bil-ferħ quddiem il-Mulej is-sultan!         R/

Reading 2                                                          HEBREWS 1:1-6

Brothers and sisters: In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets;  in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son,  whom he made heir of all things  and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say: You are my son; this day I have begotten you?  Or again: I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me? And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says: Let all the angels of God worship him.    This is the Word of The Lord.

It-Tieni Lezzjoni -  Bidu ta' l-Ittra lil-Lhud  1,1-6

Alla fl-imgħoddi kellem lil missirijietna ħafna drabi  u b'ħafna manjieri permezz tal-profeti. Issa f'dan l-aħħar żmien, huwa kellimna permezz ta' Ibnu, li hu għamlu werriet ta' kollox , u li  bih ukoll għamel il-ħolqien.  Hu, l-Iben, li hu d-dija tal-glorja ta' Alla u  x-xbieha ta' l-essenza tiegħu, u li jżomm  id-dinja kollha bil-kelma setgħana tiegħu, wara li naddafna minn dnubietna, qagħad  fuq il-lemin tal-kobor ta' alla fl-għoli tas- smewwiet, u b'hekk sar daqshekk aqwa  mill-anġli daqs kemm ogħla minn  tagħhom hu l-isem li kiseb. Għax lil min mill-anġli qatt qal Alla: "Inti ibni, jien llum nissiltek?" jew: "Jiena nkun missieru, u hu jkun ibni?" Imbagħad, hu u jdaħħal lil Ibnu l-Kbir fid-dinja, jgħid ukoll:  "Ħa jqimuh  l-anġli kollha ta' Alla."  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                                                 JOHN 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,  and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light,  so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God,  to those who believe in his name,  who were born not by natural generation  nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision  but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying,  “This was he of whom I said,  ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me  because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses,  grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,  has revealed him.  This is the Word of The Lord.

L-Evanġelju  -   skond San Ġwann  1, 1-18

Fil-bidu kien il-Verb, u l-Verb kien ma' Alla, u l-Verb kien Alla. Hu kien fil-bidu ma' Alla. Kollox bih sar, u xejn ma sar mingħajru; kull ma sar kellu l-ħajja fih, u l-ħajja kienet id-dawl tal-bnedmin. Id-dawl jiddi fid-dlam, imma d-dlam ma għelbux. Kien hemm raġel mibgħut minn Alla, jismu Ġwanni. Dan ġie bħala xhud, biex jixhed għad-dawl, biex bih kulħadd jemmen. Ġwanni ma kienx id-dawl, imma ġie biex jixhed għad-dawl, dak id-dawl veru lijdawal kull bniedem, huwa u ġej fid-dinja. Kien fid-dinja  u d-dinja ma għarfitux.  Ġie f'daru, u niesu ma laqgħuhx.  Imma lil dawk li laqgħuh tahom is -setgħa li jsiru wlied Alla, dawk li jemmnu f'ismu, li twieldu mhux mid-demm, anqas mill-ġibda tal-ġisem, u anqas mir-rieda tal-bnedmin, iżda minn Alla. U l-Verb sar bniedem u għammar fostna, u aħna rajna l-glorja tiegħu, il-glorja li għandu mill-Misseir bħala Ibnu l-waħdieni, mimli bil-grazzja u l-verita'. Ġwanni ta xhieda fuqu meta għajjat u qal: "Dan hu li għalih għedtilkom: “Jiġi warajja, imma hu aqwa minni, għax kien minn qabli." Għax mill-milja tiegħu aħna lkoll ħadna, grazzja fuq grazzja. Alla ta' l-Liġi permezz a' Mose'  imma l-grazzja u l-verita' seħħu permezz a' Ġesu' Kristu. Lil Alla għadu ħadd ma rah: imma għarrafhulna l-Iben il-waħdieni ta' Alla,  li hu fi ħdan il-Missier.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

///////////////////////  From an unpublished personal reflection on the Incarnation -  

In the beginning...

 Why did God do it?

In my mind I was transported to a higher plane,  a place where I could feel safe from any danger yet there was nothing to hold me from falling. Was I in a sort of heaven?  I felt, though  I did not clearly see, a presence - three rather - who seemed reassuringly present. They seemed to invite me to look at my world and feel it. Yes, feel it. Not only see it.

At first all I could see were the millions on millions of people in my view.   Men and women of different sizes, shapes, rich and poor; old and young. People speaking different languages. Some being born, others dying; some running and playing, others sick and suffering. Some laughing, others crying. Some screaming and shouting, others praying and singing.

I slowly was able to focus on them individually not as a mass.  White, black, brown, red, yellow. They had different skins and different clothing.  But they were still the basic male and female that I knew.  As I seemed to be encouraged to look closer I noticed that some were happy and others not. Some troubled and worried;  others pushing their troubles away to try and take hold of their life.  Others were letting troubles get the better of them and fell prey to desperation. Some taking their lives with their own hands.

As I began to feel that a sense of sadness crept into me as well, I saw that among the darkness there were pockets of light, it was as if night had descended and one could see the city lights from here.  These were the many persons who were carrying the light to the 'others' through their actions, their beliefs, their prayers, their lives. 

Although I could hear no sound I felt like someone was speaking to me... directly to my heart and mind.  I could understand that I was being invited to partake of a Trinitarian moment, when God Himself was letting me see things from His viewpoint.  How the way we lived caused Him to cry for us. Yes, I realised - without being actually told - that God, Jesus, knew what it was like to feel pain and to be hurt. He knew the pain of crying for some beloved that was being lost.  It reminded me of how I felt when our family dog was dying in front of me. Her eyes said it all as she lay helpless not having totally recovered from an operation yet still alive, as life slowly ebbed from her.

Now I was able to understand - and feel - why God the human had cried for Lazarus, his friend.  I was Lazarus.  We are Lazarus.  But the name Lazarus in Hebrew means God is merciful, so God was crying for humanity, his creation; his crying was one of mercy not sorrow or desperation at how things had got all mixed up thanks to sin.

I felt as if I was being encouraged to delve deeper.  Like someone was inviting me to think how do the Three Divine Persons respond to the joys and sufferings of the world? How does the God who is Love respond to us, God's children, who are lost, aimless, suffering, sinning, confused, and hurting?  

I always seemed to have this impression of God majestically sitting on Cloud 9 and looking down on us from on high....as I now was too. Perhaps it was an idea that came from my youth studies of Greek mythology. Perhaps it was also as a result of my further adult studies that were influenced by the Book of Revelation.  Yet I was to realise that God - Jesus - would not let His acquired humanity be just a passing phase.  But He continued to live it alongside his divine Self.  He did not reside on Cloud 9 - or any other Cloud for that matter - but He resided among the people of the world I was looking at.

With this realisation I seemed to be transported down among the babble of the people. One moment in the big city.  Another in the deep forest.  Or the high mountains. Where people were eking their way of life as best they could because they did not know - or believe - that a God - their God, their Jesus, His Spirit - were by their side and could help them.  They worked hard but did not trust the freely given Love and Wisdom that could open up doors for them if they only asked for it.

Then there was a booming sound.  Like three loud voices speaking out at once as in a performance of a Greek tragedy. I think I realised at that point that the Divine Persons had spoken. They were saying,  "Let us work the redemption of the whole human race; let us respond to the groaning of all creation."

They were not talking to me.  They were making a statement.  As if to say "We will not let them go.  We have loved them from when we willed them into creation.  And we will continue to love them and save them for ever more"

I was speechless.  What could I say? Was I, after all, expected to say something in the first place?  Then part of a psalm came to mind...  and I hummed it in my soul....     

     

 Shepherd me O God, beyond my wants,

           beyond my fears, from death unto life. ...

           Though I shall wander the Valley of Death,

            I fear no evil for you are at my side.

           Your rod and your staff my comfort and hope.

(C) 2011 JRP