LOVE ONE ANOTHER SINCE WHOEVER IS NOT AGAINST US IS FOR US

Readings for Sunday, September 26, 2021

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 137

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

Reading 1            B0OK OF NUMBERS 11:25-29

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SALM RESPONSORJALI              Salm 18(19):8,10,12-13,14
R/.(9a): Il-preċetti tal-Mulej dritti, u jferrħu l-qalb.

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

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

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

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

Reading 2           JAMES 5:1-6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil  

STRONG WORDS FROM JESUS FOR US

 

Introduction:

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

Scripture lessons summarized:  

In the first reading, we find jealousy, in its destructive form of envy, raising its ugly head in Moses’ assistant and successor, Joshua.  Moses and seventy future helpers were called by the Lord God to the Tent of Meeting for the Spirit-giving Ordination ceremony. But two of the invitees were absent, and Joshua could not tolerate these absent men prophesying in the camp without receiving God’s Spirit in the Tent of Meeting. 

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

In the Gospel, we find intolerance among the apostles of Christ. John complains to Jesus that a man outside their group of selected disciples has been exorcising demons in Jesus’ Name, despite their attempt to prevent him from doing so.  Jesus responds by giving the Apostles lessons in Jesus’ own kind of tolerance and in the reward to be given to outsiders for good deeds they have done for the apostles because they are the disciples of Jesus. We also hear the strong warning of Jesus against giving scandal, especially to innocent children, to vulnerable members of the community, and to beginners in the Faith. Jesus instructs the Apostles, and us, that, just as a doctor might remove by surgery a limb or some part of the body to preserve the life of the whole body, so we must be ready to part with anything that causes us or others to sin and which leads to spiritual death.

Life messages:

1) Let us avoid conduct that can lead to giving scandal.  We give scandal and become stumbling blocks to others: 

    a) when we are unkind or unjust in our treatment of them,  

    b) when we humiliate them by hurting their pride and damaging their self-image, 

    c) when we discourage, ignore, or refuse to accept them, and 

    d) when we become judgmental of those who are still struggling to reach a level of commitment that we feel is too low to be useful.

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

    a) remaining true to our conscience and beliefs, 

    b) respecting the differences we encounter, 

    c) working together on projects of common interest, 

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

    e) allowing the light of Christ to shine through our loving words and deeds.We need to practice humility in thoughts, words, and actions. “Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” 

“What is the essential thing in the religion and discipline of Jesus Christ?” asks St. Augustine, and then responds, “I shall reply: first humility, second humility, and third humility.” We should not seek recognition and recompense for the service we do for Christ and the Church as parents, teachers, pastors, etc. 

Trusting Faith resulting from true humility is essential for all corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Since children reflect the innocence, purity, simplicity, and tenderness of our Lord, and since they are given the protection of a guardian angel, we are to love them, train them, and take care not to give scandal to them. 

We need to try to treat everyone with love and respect because, “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life” (St. Basil), CCC # 336.

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TO BE FIRST YOU MUST SERVE

Readings for Sunday, September 19th, 2021 - Year/Sena B

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 134

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

Reading 1          WISDOM 2:12, 17-20

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

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

In-nies il-ħżiena qalu: “Nonsbulu lill-ġustgħaliex hu ta’ xkiel għalina fi triqitna, hu kontra l-għemejjel tagħna, iċanfarna għax niksru l-Liġi, jixlina għax immorru kontra t-tagħlim li ħadna. Ħa naraw hux veru kliemu, naraw fl-aħħar x’se jsir minnu. Jekk il-ġust hu iben Alla, jaqbeż għalih Alla, u jeħilsu minn id l-għedewwa tiegħu. Inġarrbuh bit-tagħjir u l-moħqrija, biex naraw xi tjubija għandu u nkejlu sa fejn jasal sabru. Naqtgħuhielu għall-mewt b’mistħija, għax, kif jgħid hu, għandu min iħarsu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.
          
Responsorial Psalm           PSALM 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8

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

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

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

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

R/.(6b): Il-Mulej hu dak li jżommni.

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

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

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

Reading 2          JAMES 3:16—4:3

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

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

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

Gospel            MARK 9:30-37

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

EVANĠELJU           Qari skont San Mark 9:30-37

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

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

SURRENDER TO JESUS TO SERVE OTHERS

Introduction:

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

Scripture lessons summarized:

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

The second reading is in tune with the dispute among the apostles about who is the greatest. In it, James warns us that selfish ambitions destroy peace and cause conflicts and war. So, James advises us to choose the path of righteousness and humble service which leads to lasting peace.

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

Life messages:

# 1:  We must become great through humble, self-giving service.    Greatness, in Jesus’ view, is found in our willingness to accept, welcome, and serve those who are considered unacceptable by reason of class, color, religion, wealth or culture.   We must welcome people the way a child welcomes them before he is taught discrimination.   If we are to be truly great, we must be ready to accept four challenges: (1) to put ourselves last, (2) to be the servant of all, (3) to receive the most insignificant human beings with love, and (4) to expect nothing in return.  During the holy Mass let us pray for the true spirit of service and for an attitude of love for those around us. May the Holy Spirit help us to become truly great through humble, selfless service.

2) We need to practice humility in thoughts, words, and actions. “Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” “What is the essential thing in the religion and discipline of Jesus Christ?” St. Augustine asks, and then responds, “I shall reply: first humility, second humility, and third humility.” We should not seek recognition and recompense for the service we do for Christ and the Church as parents, teachers, pastors, etc. Trusting Faith resulting from true humility is essential for all corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Since children reflect the innocence, purity, simplicity, and tenderness of our Lord, and since they are given the protection of a guardian angel, we are to love them, train them, and take care not to give scandal to them.

We need to try to treat everyone with love and respect because, “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life” (St. Basil), CCC # 336.

//////////////////////////////////////     http://frtonyshomilies.com

PRACTICE TRUE RELIGION

 Readings for Sunday, September 12th, 2021 -Year/Sena       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                    

                                                                                                                                                  Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time  /  Lectionary: 131

L-Erbgħa u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

 

Reading 1           ISAIAH 50:5-9a

The Lord GOD opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help,therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let that man confront me. See the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong?

QARI 1           mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 50:5-9a

Sidi l-Mulej fetaħli widinti, u jiena ma webbistx rasi, ma rġajtx lura. Tajt dahri lil dawk li kienu jsawtuni, ħaddejja lil dawk li kienu jnittfuli lħiti; ma ħbejtx wiċċi mit-tagħjir u l-bżieq. Sidi l-Mulej jgħinni, għalhekk ma nitħawwadx; għalhekk għamilt wiċċi bħaż-żnied: jien naf li ma jkollix mniex nistħi. Dak li jagħmel ġustizzja miegħi jinsab fil-qrib. Min se jeħodha miegħi? Ħa noqogħdu għall-ħaqq flimkien! Min hu kontrija? Ħa jersaq lejja! Ara, Sidi l-Mulej jgħinni: min se jagħtini t-tort? Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm          PSALM 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

I love the LORD because he has heard
my voice in supplication,
Because he has inclined his ear to me
the day I called.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.

The cords of death encompassed me;
the snares of the netherworld seized upon me;
I fell into distress and sorrow,
And I called upon the name of the LORD,
“O LORD, save my life!”
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.

Gracious is the LORD and just;
yes, our God is merciful.
The LORD keeps the little ones;
I was brought low, and he saved me.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
.
For he has freed my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
I shall walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.

SALM RESPONSORJALI           Salm 1 4(116):1-2,3-4,5-6,8-9

R/.(9): Jien nimxi quddiem il-Mulej f’art il-ħajjin.

Inħobb il-Mulej,
għax sama’ leħen it-tħannin tiegħi;
għaliex hu tani widen
fil-jum li fih sejjaħtlu. R/.

Il-ħbula tal-mewt dawruni,
l-irbit tal-imwiet ħakimni;
fin-niket u l-hemm sibt ruħi.
Imma isem il-Mulej sejjaħt:
“Mulej, nitolbok, salvani!”. R/.

Ħanin il-Mulej, u ġust;
twajjeb hu Alla tagħna.
Iħares id-dgħajfa l-Mulej;
jien kont magħkus, u hu ħelisni. R/.

Għax mill-mewt ħelisli ’l ħajti,
lil għajnejja mid-dmugħ
u ’l riġlejja mit-tfixkil.
Jien nimxi quddiem il-Mulej
f’art il-ħajjin. R/.

Reading 2           JAMES 2:14-18

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well, ” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.

QARI 2             mill-Ittra ta’ San Ġakbu Appostlu  2:14-18
X’jiswa, ħuti, li wieħed jgħid li għandu l-fidi jekk ma jurihiex fl-għemil tiegħu? Jaqaw tista’ ssalvah din il-fidi? Jekk ħuk jew oħtok ma jkollhomx x’jilbsu u jonqoshom l-ikel ta’ kuljum, u wieħed minnkom jgħidilhom: “Morru bis-sliem, isħnu u kulu sa tixbgħu”, bla ma jagħtihom dak li hu meħtieġ għall-ġisem, dan x’jiswa? Hekk ukoll il-fidi: jekk tkun weħidha u ma jkollhiex l-għemil, tkun mejta fiha nfisha. Imma xi ħadd jista’ jgħid: “Int għandek il-fidi, u jiena l-għemil”. Urini l-fidi tiegħek mingħajr l-għemil, u jien nurik il-fidi tiegħi mill-għemil tiegħi. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel           MARK 8:27-35

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply,“John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.  At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”

EVANĠELJU           Qari skont San Mark :27-35

F’dak iż-żmien, telaq Ġesù flimkien mad-dixxipli tiegħu lejn l-irħula ta’ Ċesarija ta’ Filippu. Huma u mexjin, lid-dixxipli tiegħu għamlilhom din il-mistoqsija: “Min jgħidu n-nies li jien?”. Weġbuh u qalulu: “Ġwanni l-Battista; oħrajn, Elija; u oħrajn, wieħed mill-profeti”. Staqsiehom: “Imma intom, min tgħidu li jien?”.Qabeż Pietru u qallu: “Inti l-Messija”. Imbagħad ordnalhom ħafna biex ma jitkellmu ma’ ħadd fuqu. U beda jgħallimhom fuq li kien meħtieġ li Bin il-bniedem ibati ħafna, ikun miċħud mill-anzjani u mill-qassisin il-kbar u l-kittieba, joqtluh, u wara tlitt ijiem jerġa’ jqum. Fuq dan kellimhom ċar. Pietru ġibdu lejh u beda jlumu. Iżda hu dar iħares lejn id-dixxipli tiegħu, u ċanfar lil Pietru u qallu: “Itlaq minn quddiemi, ja xitan, għax m’intix taħseb fil-ħwejjeġ ta’ Alla, imma f’dawk tal-bnedmin!”. Sejjaħ lejh in-nies flimkien mad-dixxipli tiegħu u qalilhom: “Jekk xi ħadd irid jiġi warajja, għandu jiċħad lilu nnifsu, jerfa’ salibu, u jimxi warajja. Għax min irid isalva ħajtu, jitlifha; imma min jitlef ħajtu għall-imħabba tiegħi u tal-Evanġelju, isalvaha. Għax x’jiswielu l-bniedem jekk jikseb id-dinja kollha u mbagħad jitlef ħajtu?”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

THE BASIS OF OUR FAITH

Introduction:

Sunday’s Gospel explains the basis of our Faith as our acceptance of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God and our Lord and Saviour. It also tells us that Christ Jesus suffered, died and rose again to become our Savior. Finally, it outlines the three conditions of Christian discipleship, namely, denying oneself, taking up one’s cross, and following Jesus.

Scripture lessons:

Jesus saw aspects of His own life and mission foreshadowed in Isaiah’s Servant Songs. Hence, a large portion of the Third Song of the Suffering Servant is presented as the first reading today, while in the Gospel, Jesus foretells the passion, death and Resurrection for the first time, in response to Peter’s profession of Faith in him as God’s Messiah and Saviour. 

Like the servant described in today’s first reading, Jesus’ lived a life of radical obedience and conformity to God’s will. Thus, the Servant passage provides background for the revelation of Jesus as the suffering Messiah. In today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 116), the Psalmist invites us to turn to the Lord for help amidst the trials of this world.  It is in God that we will find deliverance from trouble and relief from our afflictions.  (Ps 116). 

Today’s second reading, taken from the Letter of James to the Church, reminds us that suffering is not only something to be accepted but also something to be alleviated. James explains how our Faith in Jesus, the Messiah, should help us to alleviate the sufferings of others by our works of mercy, both corporal and spiritual. In the Gospel, in response to Peter’s profession of Faith in Jesus as God’s Messiah and Saviour, Jesus foretells for the first of three times the passion, death and Resurrection which lie ahead. Today’s Gospel consists of two sections: 

 1) the Messianic confession of Peter, who acknowledged Jesus as “the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God.” and 

2) Jesus’ prediction of the passion, death and Resurrection, followed by Jesus clear teaching on the three conditions of Christian discipleship: “Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.”

Life Messages:

1) Jesus wants to become a living, present Reality for us, loving us, forgiving us, helping us, transforming our lives and outlook, and building a personal relationship with each of us. The knowledge of Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour needs to become a living, personal experience for each Christian drawing each of us to loving response. 

The relationship deepens and grows as we listen to Jesus through the daily, meditative reading of the Bible, speak to Jesus in our daily, personal and family prayers, offer Jesus our lives on the altar in the Holy Mass and seek reconciliation with Jesus, asking forgiveness for our sins every night and in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In Sunday's Eucharistic celebration, we are celebrating and experiencing in our lives the death and Resurrection of Christ, the Messiah, our Lord and personal Saviour.  

2)  We need to surrender our life to Jesus Whom we experience as our Lord and Savior: The next step is the surrender of our lives to Jesus Whose love we have experienced by rendering humble and loving service to others with the strong conviction that Jesus is present in every person. The final step is to praise and thank God in all the events of our lives, good and bad, realizing that God’s love shapes every event of our lives.

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Say to those whose hearts are frightened - Be strong!

 Readings for Sunday, September 5th, 2021 - Year/Sena B

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Lectionary: 128

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

Reading 1            ISAIAH 35:4-7a

Thus says the LORD: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,  the ears of the deaf be cleared;  then will the lame leap like a stag,  then the tongue of the mute will sing. Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe. The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water.

QARI I           mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 35:4-7a

Għidu lil dawk b’qalbhom imbeżżgħa: “Agħmlu l-ħila, la tibżgħux! Araw, Alla tagħkom ġej jitħallas; il-ħlas ta’ Alla wasal; hu stess ġej biex isalvakom”. Imbagħad jinfetħu għajnejn l-għomja, jinfetħu widnejn it-torox. Imbagħad iz-zopp jaqbeż bħal għażżiela u lsien l-imbikkma jinħall bil-ferħ.  Iva, igelgel l-ilma fid-deżert, u l-widien fix-xagħri. L-art maħruqa tinbidel f’għadira, u l-art niexfa f’għejun ta’ ilma ġieri. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm          PSALM 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-1

The God of Jacob keeps faith forever,
 secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

SALM RESPONSORJALI         Salm 145(146):7,8-9a,9bċ,10

R/. (1): Faħħar, ruħ tiegħi, il-Mulej!

Il-Mulej iżomm kelmtu għal dejjem,
jagħmel ħaqq lill-maħqurin,
u jagħti l-ħobż lill-imġewħin.
Il-Mulej jeħles lill-imjassrin. R/.

Il-Mulej jiftaħ għajnejn l-għomja;
il-Mulej jerfa’ lill-milwijin;
il-Mulej iħobb lill-ġusti;
il-Mulej iħares lill-barranin. R/.

Hu li jżomm lill-iltim u lill-armla,
imma lill-ħżiena jħarbtilhom triqathom.
Il-Mulej isaltan għal dejjem;
Alla tiegħek, Sijon, minn nisel għal nisel. R/.

Reading 2          JAMES 2:1-5

My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please, ”while you say to the poor one, “Stand there, ” or “Sit at my feet, ” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?

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

Ħuti, tħalltux il-fidi f’Ġesù Kristu, il-Mulej tagħna tal-glorja, mal-ħarsien lejn l-uċuħ. Għax jekk fil-laqgħat tagħkom jidħol xi ħadd biċ-ċrieket tad-deheb f’subgħajh u bi lbies ilellex, imbagħad jidħol xi ħadd ieħor fqir liebes imċerċer, u intom idduru ma’ dak bl-ilbies ilellex u tgħidulu: “Int oqgħod komdu bilqiegħda”, waqt li lill-fqir tgħidulu: “Int oqgħod bilwieqfa”, jew: “Oqgħod bilqiegħda fuq il-mirfes ta’ riġlejja”, ma jidhrilkomx li tkunu qegħdin tagħmlu għażla bejniethom, u hekk issiru mħallfin qarrieqa? Isimgħu, ħuti għeżież: mhux Alla kien li għażel lill-foqra għad-dinja biex jistagħnu fil-fidi u jsiru werrieta tas-Saltna li hu wiegħed lil dawk li jħobbuh? Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel         MARK 7:31-37

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

EVANĠELJU          Qari skond San Mark 7:31-37

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù telaq mill-inħawi tal-belt ta’ Tir, għadda minn Sidon lejn il-baħar tal-Galilija, fl-inħawi tad-Dekapoli. U ġibulu wieħed, trux u mbikkem, u talbuh iqegħedlu idu fuqu. Ġesù ħarġu għalih waħdu minn qalb in-nies, daħħal subgħajh f’widnejh u messlu lsienu bir-riq tiegħu. Imbagħad refa’ għajnejh lejn is-sema, tniehed tnehida, u qallu: “Effata!”, jiġifieri: “Infetaħ!”. U minnufih widnejh infetħulu, l-irbit ta’ lsienu nħallu u qabad jitkellem sewwa. Ġesù wissiehom biex ma jgħidu lil ħadd; iżda aktar ma wissiehom, aktar bdew ixandruh. U mimlijin bil-għaġeb, bdew jgħidu: “Kollox għamel tajjeb: jagħti s-smigħ lit-torox u l-kliem lill-imbikkmin!”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.


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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

TWO CHALLENGES TO CONTEMPLATE

Introduction:

Sunday’s readings offer two challenges:

1) Become humble instruments of healing in Jesus’ hands by giving voice to the voiceless and caring love to the needy and the marginalized in our society.   

2) Open your ears to hear the word of God, open your eyes to see God’s presence in everyone, and loosen your tongue to praise and worship God loudly and to convey the Good News of God’s love and salvation to others. (Anecdote of the “little monk” who opened blind eyes & deaf ears).

Scripture lessons summarized:

In the first reading (Is 35:4-7), the prophet Isiah reminds us that God’s eyes are constantly focused on the helpless. “He comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.”

Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 146) sings of a God who gives sight to the blind, raises up those who are bowed down and welcomes strangers.

That is why, in today’s second reading (Jas 2:1-5), the apostle gives us some basic and challenging principles of social justice. He exhorts Christians to show no partiality based on external appearance and to practice God’s “preferential option” for the poor. He warns the faithful against scorning or shaming the poor while showing special consideration to the rich.

Today’s Gospel describes how Jesus, by healing a deaf man with speech impediment, fulfilled Isaiah’s Messianic prophecy, “The eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.”  The ailments listed by Isaiah are symbolic of our interior illnesses:  blindness to the needs of our neighbor, unwillingness to hear God’s voice and the inability to speak words of praise, apology, forgiveness, and gratitude. Through this miracle story, Mark also reminds us that no one can be a follower of the Lord without reaching out to the helpless (“preferential option for the poor”).

Life messages:  

1) We need to allow Jesus to heal our spiritual deafness, muteness, and blindness.   We may find it hard to speak to God in prayer and harder still to hear Him speaking to us through the Bible and through the Church.  Let us ask God’s help to open our ears so that we may hear Him while reading the Bible, and praise and worship Him loudly in our family prayer and in our public worship by actively participating in the Holy Mass, singing with the choir and praying with the congregation. Jesus’ compassionate touch will help us to hear the cries of the poor and the sick,  and to show kindness, mercy and consideration to others. His healing touch will also help us convey peace and hope to those around us.

2) We need to help Jesus to heal the deaf and the mute today. Let us lend Jesus our hands to give the touch that heals the sick. Let us lend Jesus our tongues to speak to the spiritually hungry through us.   Let us lend Jesus our hearts to touch the lives of people in our day through us, just as Jesus touched the lives of millions through saintly souls like St. Francis of Assisi, St. Damien of Molokai, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Jeanne Jugan, and St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa).

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