THE SMALLEST MIRACLES ARE THE GREATEST

Readings for January 1, 2023

The Octave Day of Christmas
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

L-Imqaddsa Omm Alla Marija.
Solennità.


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.”

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb tan-Numri 6:22-27

Il-Mulej kellem lil Mosè u qallu: “Kellem lil Aron u lil uliedu u għidilhom: ‘Meta tbierku lil ulied Iżrael, 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 Iżrael, u jiena 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.
R. 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.
R. 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!
R. May God bless us in his mercy.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 66(67):2-3,5,6,8

R/.(2a). 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 2                 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.

Qari 2                mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lill-Galatin 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: “Abbà! Missier!”. U hekk m’intix iżjed ilsir, iżda iben: u jekk 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.

Evanġelju               Qari skond San Luqa 2:16-21

F’dak iż-żmien, ir-ragħajja marru jgħaġġlu, u sabu lil Marija u lil Ġużeppi, bit-tarbija mimduda f’maxtura. Kif raw dan, bdew jgħarrfu b’kulma kien intqal lilhom dwar dik it-tarbija, u kull min semagħhom baqa’ mistagħġeb b’dak li qalulhom ir-ragħajja. Marija, min-naħa tagħha, baqgħet tgħożż f’qalbha dawn il-ħwejjeġ kollha u taħseb fuqhom bejnha u bejn ruħha. Ir-ragħajja 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 jagħmlulu ċ-ċirkonċiżjoni, semmewh Ġesù, bl-isem li kien tah l-anġlu qabel ma tnissel fil-ġuf. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  

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Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr. Anthony Kadavil

Mary the Mother of God 

 PRAYERFUL NEW YEAR’S GREETINGS & GOD’S BLESSINGS

Thank you for being God’s instrument of blessing in my life by your valuable prayers and encouraging support for my Internet Gospel ministry in the past years. I assure you of my special prayers every day in the New Year 2023 during my Holy Masses. May the Holy Spirit of God continue to empower you and guide you in your ministry and strengthen you in your weakness. May God bless you every day of the New Year!

Introduction:

Since we celebrate the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God on New Year’s Day, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy and Peaceful New Year? I pray that the Lord Jesus and His Mother Mary may enrich your lives during the New Year with an abundance of Divine blessings.

Sunday’s Feast of Mary, the Mother of God (also known as the Theotokos), is a very appropriate way to begin a new year, reminding us to rely on the powerful intercession of our Heavenly Mother. The Church also observes the World Day of Peace on this day and invites us to pray specially for lasting peace in the world throughout the New Year. (You may add an anecdote)

Scripture lessons summarized:

Today’s first reading gives us the beautiful Divine blessing from the book of Numbers for the New Year, and the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 67) begs for that blessing. In the second reading, Paul reminds the Galatians and us that God’s Son has become one of us through Mary and that it is through her son, Jesus that we have become the children of God.

Sunday’s Gospel describes how the shepherds spread to all their neighbors the Good News surrounding the birth of Jesus which the angel had revealed to them, and how Mary treasured “all these things” in her heart. The Gospel also tells us that on the day of Jesus’ Circumcision, the Child received the name Jesus that had been chosen by God Himself.

Traditional belief and Church doctrine:

We honour Mary primarily because God honoured her by choosing her to become the mother of Jesus, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, when He took on human flesh and became man, as stated in the Bible. The angel said to Mary: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High…” (Lk 1:30-32).

After the Angel had received her consent to become the mother of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary visited Elizabeth. At Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth said,” Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk 1:42-43; RSV 2 Catholic) Hence, the Council of Ephesus affirmed in AD 431 that Mary was truly the Mother of God (Theotokos), and in AD 451, the Council of Chalcedon affirmed the Divine Motherhood of Mary as a dogma, an official doctrine of the Holy Catholic Church.

Life messages:

1) Let us strive to be pure and holy like our Heavenly Mother. All mothers want their children to inherit or acquire their good qualities. Hence, let us honor Mary, our Heavenly Mother, by practicing her virtues of trusting Faith, obedience to the word of God, purity and humble, selfless, committed service.

2) Let us make the New Year meaningful by having every day
   a) some noble thing to dream,
   b) something good to do, and
   c) Someone to love, the first-person being Jesus.

3) Let us sanctify every day of the New Year:
   a) by offering every morning, all the activities of the day for God’s glory, thus transforming them into prayers,
   b) by asking for the anointing and strengthening of the Holy Spirit to do good to others and to avoid evil,
   c) by remaining faithful to our family prayers and Bible reading at night,
   d) by asking God’s pardon and forgiveness for our sins committed during the day    and e) by seeking God’s special protection during the sleep. Before we sleep, let us say, “Good night, Lord,” repeating Jesus’ last words from the cross, “Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit.”

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Readings for 

 December 25, 2022

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Mass during the Day    Lectionary: 16

It-Twelid ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu

Solennità – Quddiesa ta’ Binhar

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.

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 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”. Ismagħha l-għajta! L-għassiesa tiegħek għollew leħenhom, ilkoll flimkien jgħajtu bil-ferħ, għax raw b’għajnejhom lill-Mulej rieġa’ lura f’Sijon. Intom, ħerbiet ta’ Ġerusalemm, għajtu lkoll bil-ferħ, għax farraġ il-Mulej il-poplu tiegħu, feda lil Ġerusalemm. Kixef il-Mulej id-driegħ tiegħu qaddis, quddiem il-ġnus kollha, u raw it-truf kollha tal-art is-salvazzjoni ta’ Alla tagħna. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

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. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

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 saving power of God.

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. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

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. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 97(98):1,2-3ab,3ċd-4,5-6

R/. (3ċ): Raw it-truf kollha tal-art is-salvazzjoni ta’ Alla tagħna.

Għannu lill-Mulej għanja ġdida,
għax għamel ħwejjeġ tal-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-fedeltà 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 tal-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. Alleluia

Qari 2                Bidu tal-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 tal-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 daqskemm ogħla minn tagħhom hu l-isem li kiseb. Għax lil min mill-anġli qatt qal Alla: “Inti ibni, jiena 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.

Evanġelju               Bidu tal-Evanġelju skont San Ġwann Ġw 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;  kulma 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, li jdawwal kull bniedem, huwa u ġej fid-dinja. Kien fid-dinja, u d-dinja saret bih, imma 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-Missier bħala Ibnu l-waħdieni, mimli bil-grazzja u l-verità. 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 ta’ Mosè imma l-grazzja u l-verità seħħu permezz ta’ Ġesù 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.

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Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Fr. Anthony Kadavil
        

MAY Jesus be reborn in your heart and life during Christmas 2022 and every day of  the New Year 2023.
        MAY He radiate His Presence from within you as sharing love,  unconditional forgiveness, humble service, a compass-ionate heart, and overflowing generosity.
            MAY the Holy Babe of Bethlehem bless you with health in body and  soul and grant you a peaceful and blessed New Year.

 
Why do we celebrate Christmas with great rejoicing?

1: First, Christmas is the Feast of God’s sending us a Saviour: God undertook the Incarnation of Jesus as True God and true man to save us from the bondage of sin. The Hindus believe in ten incarnations of God. The purpose of these incarnations is stated in their Holy Scripture, Bagavath Geetha or Song of God. “God incarnates to restore righteousness in the world whenever there is a large-scale erosion of moral values.” (“Dharma samstaphanarthe sambhavami yuge yuge.”).

But the Christian Scriptures teach only one Incarnation, and its purpose is given in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life”— (RVS 2 Catholic).

We call our celebration of the Incarnation of God in a Baby today “Good News” because our Divine Saviour has been born. As our Saviour Jesus liberated us from our evil addictions and unjust, inpure and uncharitable tendencies.  Christmas 2022 also challenges us to accept Jesus in ythe manger as our saving God and personal Saviour  sins by his suffering, death, and Resurrection.

So, every Christmas reminds us that we need a Savior every day, to free us from our evil addictions and unjust, impure, and uncharitable tendencies. Christmas 2022 also challenges us to accept Jesus in the manger as our saving God and personal Saviour and to surrender our lives to him, allowing him to rule our hearts and lives every day in the New Year.

# 2: Second, Christmas is the Feast of God’s sharing His love with us: Jesus, as our Saviour, brought the “Good News” that our God is a loving, forgiving, merciful, rewarding God and not a judgmental, cruel, punishing God. He demonstrated by his life and teaching how God our Heavenly Father loves us, forgives us, provides for us, and rewards us.

All his miracles were signs of this Divine Love. Jesus’ final demonstration of God’s love for us was his own death on the cross to atone for our sins and to make us children of God. Each Christmas reminds us that sharing love with others is our Christian privilege and duty, and every time we do that, Jesus is reborn in our lives.

Let us humbly admit the truth with the German mystic Angelus Silesius “Christ could be born a thousand times in Bethlehem – but all in vain until He is born in me.” (https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Angelus_Silesius) Hence, let us allow Jesus to be reborn in our hearts and lives, not only during Christmas, but every day, so that he may radiate the Light of his Presence from within us as sharing and selfless love, expressed in compassionate words and deeds, unconditional forgiveness, the spirit of humble service, and overflowing generosity.

# 3: Third, Christmas is the Feast of the Emmanuel (God living with us and within us): Christmas is the feast of the Emmanuel because God in the New Testament is a God Who continues to live with us in all the events of our lives as the “Emmanuel” announced by the angel to Mary. Jesus lives in us as Emmanuel in the Sacraments (especially in the Holy Eucharist), in the Bible, in the praying community, and in each believer, as the Holy Spirit residing in us makes us His “Temples.”

Christmas reminds us that we are bearers of God with the missionary privilege and duty of conveying Jesus to those around us by loving them as Jesus did, through sacrificial, humble, committed service. Sharing with others Jesus, the Emmanuel living within us, is the best Christmas gift we can give, or receive, today.

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LIFE CHANGING MOMENTS

Readings for December 18, 2022

Fourth Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 10

Ir-Raba’ Ħadd tal-Avvent



Reading 1               ISAIAH 7:10-14

The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask!  I will not tempt the LORD!" Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 7:10-14

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Mulej issokta jkellem lil Aħaż u jgħidlu: “Itlob sinjal għalik mingħand il-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, f’qiegħ l-art jew fl-għoli tas-smewwiet”. U Aħaż wieġeb: “Ma nitlobx: ma rridx nittanta lill-Mulej”. U l-profeta wieġeb: “Isimgħu, mela, dar David! Mhux biżżejjed għalikom li tkiddu lill-bnedmin, biex issa se tkiddu lil Alla tiegħi? Għalhekk is-sinjal jagħtihulkom Sidi stess: Araw, ix-xebba titqal u tiled iben, u ssemmih Għimmanu-El”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6.

The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.   

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory. 

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 23(24):1-2,3-4ab,5-6

R/.(7c,10b): Ħa jidħol il-Mulej, hu s-Sultan tal-glorja.

Tal-Mulej hi l-art u kulma fiha,
id-dinja u kulma jgħix fiha.
Għax hu fuq l-ibħra waqqafha
u fuq ix-xmajjar fis-sod qegħedha. R/.

Min jista’ jitla’ fuq l-għolja tal-Mulej,
min joqgħod fil-post imqaddes tiegħu?
Min għandu jdejh indaf u qalbu safja,
min ma jagħtix ruħu għall-frugħa. R/.

Dan ikollu barka mingħand il-Mulej,
u l-ħlas li ħaqqu minn Alla, is-Salvatur tiegħu.
Dan hu n-nisel ta’ dawk li jfittxuh;
li jfittxu ’l wiċċek, Alla ta’ Ġakobb. R/.

Reading 2               ROMANS 1:1-7

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God,
which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Qari 2               Bidu tal-Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lir-Rumani 1:1-7

Pawlu, qaddej ta’ Kristu Ġesù, imsejjaħ biex ikun appostlu, maħtur għall-Evanġelju ta’ Alla. Dan hu l-Evanġelju li Alla kien wiegħed permezz tal-profeti fil-Kotba Mqaddsa dwar Ibnu Ġesù Kristu Sidna li, skond it-tnissil tal-ġisem, twieled min-nisel ta’ David, u, skond l-Ispirtu s-Santu, ġie rivelat bħala l-Iben ta’ Alla b’kull qawwa permezz tal-qawmien mill-imwiet. Bih aħna rċevejna l-grazzja tal-appostolat biex inwasslu għall-ubbidjenza tal-fidi l-bnedmin fost il-ġnus kollha għall-ġieħ ta’ ismu. Fosthom tinsabu intom ukoll, imsejħin biex tkunu ta’ Ġesù Kristu; lill-maħbubin kollha ta’ Alla li jinsabu Ruma msejħin biex ikunu qaddisin: grazzja lilkom u sliem mingħand Alla Missierna u Sidna Ġesù Kristu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                MATTHEW 1:18-24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

Evanġelju               Qari skond San Mattew 1:18-24

It-tnissil ta’ Ġesù l-Messija sar hekk: ommu Marija, wara li tgħarrset ma’ Ġużeppi, qabel ma marru joqogħdu flimkien, saret omm bil-ħidma tal-Ispirtu s-Santu. Żewġha Ġużeppi, li kien raġel ġust u ma riedx ixandarha quddiem kulħadd, għamel il-ħsieb li jibgħatha bil-moħbi tan-nies. Meta kien għadu qiegħed jaħsibha, deherlu anġlu tal-Mulej fil-ħolm u qallu: “Ġużeppi, bin David, xejn la tibża’ tieħu għandek lil martek Marija għax dak li tnissel fiha ġej mill-Ispirtu s-Santu. Hi se jkollha iben, u inti ssemmih Ġesù, għax hu jsalva l-poplu tiegħu minn dnubiethom”. Dan kollu ġara biex iseħħ dak li kien qal il-Mulej permezz tal-profeta, meta qal: “Ara, ix-xebba tnissel u jkollha iben, u jsemmuh Għimmanu-El”, li bi lsienna jfisser “Alla magħna”. Ġużeppi, meta qam, għamel kif ordnalu l-anġlu tal-Mulej, u ħa lil martu għandu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.
 
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Spirituality of the Readings  //  by Fr John Foley, SJ 

 Fourth Sunday of Advent / Year A

An Inner Assurance

A dream changed Joseph’s life and ours. A mere dream, like what you and I have at night.

How trustworthy could this be?

And yet the safety of Mary and the child Jesus depended on it. In his dream (Gospel), an angel told him that Mary’s pregnancy was from the Holy Spirit of God. Mary had accepted readily but without really understanding. This angel of the Lord told him in the dream that he should not be afraid of the pregnancy, even though he was not yet married to this woman.

There can be a time when grace is so quietly strong that the person praying has an inner assurance that the experience did not come from imagination but from God.

Not be afraid? Already everyone could see that Joseph’s fiancé was “in a family way.” USA culture might applaud this fact, as it does when movie stars have children with whomever they please, whenever they please. In Biblical culture marriage was a sacred act [and not too long ago in our own], a participation in God’s own fidelity. It seemed that Mary had broken with that fidelity, at least as far as the townspeople could see. The Blessed Mother - a public sinner! No wonder Joseph was making arrangements for a “quiet divorce.”

So why in the world would he trust a dream? A friend of mine said he dreamed one night about a kangaroo sitting on his roof in a rocking chair, smoking a pipe! Should my friend keep a rocking chair on the roof from now on, just in case? No. We take dreams for what they probably are, a mechanism of our psyche that somehow helps us but does not give us literal truth. We do not trust dreams for life-changing messages.

Why did Joseph?

I think the answer has to do with something St. Ignatius of Loyola calls "discernment." In general, discernment is an examination of one's internal reactions to God (“movements”) in prayer.

There are many different kinds of interior movements to discern, but Ignatius notes a more rare one first. There can be a time when grace is so quietly strong that the person praying has an inner assurance that the experience did not come from imagination but from God. In this case, no doubts are possible.

You and I have to be careful not to get carried away by this notion. Probably many of us could convince ourselves that God or an angel spoke to us this morning. We need to discern which experiences are from God and which are not. Are they quiet? Do they lead toward God or away? What is the long-term result? A spiritual director could help us sort through such questions.

Joseph's dream must have been a movement of this kind. It contained a quiet certainty of the presence of God. No doubts followed it, in a situation when doubts would surely seem called for. It was like the face of a mother to an infant. Like the voice of a close friend.

Another way to put it is that Joseph already had much trust in God's love. This trust was in no way broken into, shattered or pulled to pieces by the dream. Instead the message fit right into the design of Joseph's life with God. And so he followed it.

What is your internal sense of the Christmas story? Is the birth of God an impossible tale reserved for children? Or do you find the roots of trust within yourself as Joseph did?

Pray for the open faith Joseph and Mary had.

//////////////////////////////////////     Copyright © 2022, John B. Foley, SJ - All rights reserved.

ARE YOU THE ONE?

Readings for December 11, 2022

Third Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 7

It-Tielet Ħadd tal-Avvent


Reading 1               ISAIAH 35:1-6a, 10

The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, 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.  Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 35:1-6a,10

Ħa jifirħu d-deżert u l-art maħruqa; ħa jifraħ ix-xagħri u jwarrad, ħa jwarrad bħar-ranġis. Ħa tifraħ fuq li tifraħ, taqbeż u tgħanni. Sebħ il-Libanu jingħata lilha, il-ġmiel tal-Karmel u ta’ Saron.  Għad jaraw is-sebħ tal-Mulej, il-ġmiel ta’ Alla tagħna. Qawwu l-idejn mitruħa; saħħu l-irkopptejn imriegħda. 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. Jerġgħu lura l-mifdijin tal-Mulej, u jidħlu f’Sijon jgħajtu bil-ferħ, b’ferħ ta’ dejjem fuq rashom. Il-ferħ u l-hena jiksbu, u jgħibu swied il-qalb u l-krib. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10.

The LORD God keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Lord, come and save us.

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. Lord, come and save us.

The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations.
R. Lord, come and save us.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 146(147):7,8-9a,9bc-10

R/. (Iż 34:4): Ejja, Mulej, ħa ssalvana.

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 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 5:7-10

Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Qari 2                 mill-Ittra ta’ San Ġakbu Appostlu 5:7-10

Ħuti, stabru, sa ma jasal il-Mulej. Ara, il-bidwi joqgħod b’sabar kbir jistenna l-frott għażiż tal-art, sa ma jieħu x-xita bikrija u mwaħħra. Stabru intom ukoll; qawwu qalbkom, għax il-miġja tal-Mulej hi fil-qrib. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               MATTHEW 11:2-11

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out?  To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Evanġelju                Qari skond San Mattew 11:2-11

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġwanni, li kien fil-ħabs, sama’ bl-għemejjel tal-Messija, u bagħat għandu tnejn mid-dixxipli tiegħu u qallu: “Inti huwa dak li għandu jiġi, jew nistennew lil ħaddieħor?”. Ġesù wieġeb u qalilhom: “Morru agħtu lil Ġwanni l-aħbar ta’ dak li qegħdin tisimgħu u taraw: l-għomja jaraw, iz-zopop jimxu, il-lebbrużi jfiqu, it-torox jisimgħu, il-mejtin iqumu, l-Evanġelju jixxandar lill-foqra. Hieni hu min ma jitfixkilx minħabba fija”.   Meta dawk telqu, Ġesù qabad ikellem lin-nies fuq Ġwanni: “Xi ħriġtu taraw fid-deżert? Qasba tixxejjer mar-riħ? Xi ħriġtu taraw? Raġel liebes fin? Dawk li jilbsu fin fil-palazzi tas-slaten issibhom. Mela xi ħriġtu taraw? Profeta? Iva, ngħidilkom, anzi xi ħaġa iżjed minn profeta. Dan hu li fuqu hemm miktub: ‘Ara, jiena nibgħat qablek il-ħabbâr tiegħi biex iħejji triqtek quddiemek’. Tassew, ngħidilkom, li fost ulied in-nisa ħadd ma qam akbar minn Ġwanni l-Battista. U b’danakollu l-iżgħar wieħed fis-Saltna tas-Smewwiet hu akbar minnu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Spirituality of the Readings - Third Sunday of Advent, Year A 

by Fr John Foley, SJ

Gifts  -

I have a new watch, an inexpensive one.  The old one had worn out. This new one has something I like very much, a second hand. I can watch the seconds tick by and I can “time” anything I want to.

But I also realise that we will miss the present by looking backward or forward too much.

Who wants to time things?

Well I do, especially when I get caught by a traffic light that changes to red just as I pull within a half a block. I glance at my wrist to see just how long the light sits on red. Some of them last—listen to this—a minute and fifteen seconds!

Imagine having to sit with nothing to do when you are late and in a hurry, with a mechanical device deciding for an entire minute and a quarter the second when you are allowed to go on!

As you can see, I need to put on some patience.

The Second Reading for Sunday says it this way:

    See the farmer await the yield of the soil.
    He watches it in winter and in spring rain.*

The farmer is attentive and tolerant because crops do not come up in a day. He has learned patience through many seasons.

How about those of us who are not farmers? How do we “put on” patience?

I think there are two parts to the answer.

First, I have noticed that when I am being impatient I am also failing to notice what is happening in the present time. I am stuck in the future worrying about what will occur and how to make it happen; about where I am supposed to be by now; and how the light will not let me go.

And a lot of us reside in the past instead of the present. We re-hash mistakes we made and finally think of a retort that would have topped someone's nasty remark, and so on.

The present moment is the only one we actually live in. The precious goodness of God makes everything exist right now, not tomorrow or yesterday, which are only memories or projections. We will miss the present by looking backward or forward too much.

Second, we need to recall that God makes the future safe. God has promised that, in ways we cannot understand, the crooked will be made straight. Our gnarled lives will be filled with goodness.

Patience is really a way of remembering the constant love of God, no matter how frightening or disconcerting the future may seem or may actually be. We need to slow down, look around, and live.

Think about Mary’s “be it done unto me,” her lifelong daily prayer, her nine months, her place at the cross. Notice that, when the angel gave her the annunciation, she did not demand guarantees and full details. She relied on God's love. She waited.

And, the Second Person of the Trinity, alive to earth’s ways, waited until it was time to come into the world as Jesus. Then when he sensed that he was hungry, he suckled at his mother's breast, burping only when the occasion presented itself, not before. And think of his years of being just a carpenter day after day. God's beloved, making a chair!

But that is Advent.

Christ is with you. His presence needs to grow.

Just open. Watch for the signs.

Patience, people!

//////////////////////////////////////     Copyright © 2022, John B. Foley, SJ - All rights reserved.

A CALL TO CHANGE

Readings for December 4, 2022

Second Sunday of Advent               Lectionary: 4

It-Tieni Ħadd tal-Avvent

 

Reading 1                ISAIAH 11:1-10  

On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength,  a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea. On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 11:1-10

Għad toħroġ fergħa miz-zokk ta’ Ġesse, għad tinbet rimja minn għeruqu: fuqu jistrieħ l-ispirtu tal-Mulej, l-ispirtu tal-għerf u d-dehen, l-ispirtu tal-għaqal u l-qawwa, l-ispirtu tal-għerf u l-biża’ tal-Mulej, u l-għaxqa tiegħu fil-biża’ tal-Mulej. Ma jiġġudikax skond ma jidher fl-għajnejn, u ma jagħtix sentenza skond ma jisma’, iżda jiġġudika l-imsejknin skond il-ġustizzja, u jagħti sentenza skond is-sewwa lill-fqajrin tal-art. Isawwat il-kiefra bix-xettru ta’ fommu, u b’nifs xufftejh joqtol lill-ħażin. Il-ħżiem ta’ ġenbejh tkun il-ġustizzja, u l-fedeltà l-ħżiem ta’ qaddu. Il-lupu jibda jgħix mal-ħaruf, il-leopard mal-gidi, u jirgħu flimkien l-għoġol u ferħ l-iljun, daqsxejn ta’ tfajjel isuqhom. Il-baqra u l-ors jirgħu flimkien,  u l-frieħ tagħhom flimkien jistrieħu. L-iljun bħall-gendus jiekol it-tiben. It-tarbija tal-ħalib titliegħeb fil-ħofra tas-serp; u t-tifel miftum idaħħal idu fil-bejta tal-lifgħa. Ma jagħmlux aktar deni u anqas ħsara fuq il-muntanja qaddisa kollha tiegħi, għax mimlija hi l-art bl-għarfien tal-Mulej bħalma l-baħar hu miksi bl-ilmijiet. Imbagħad jiġri f’dak il-jum li l-għerq ta’ Ġesse jieqaf bħala sinjal għall-popli. Lilu jfittxu l-ġnus, u l-għamara tiegħu tkun imsebbħa. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king's son;
he shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 71(72):1,7-8,12-13,17

R/. (7): Tħaddar f’jiemu l-ġustizzja.

O Alla, agħti lis-sultan il-ħaqq tiegħek,
il-ġustizzja tiegħek lil bin is-sultan,
biex jiġġudika l-poplu tiegħek bil-ġustizzja,
u bil-ħaqq l-imsejknin tiegħek. R/.

Tħaddar f’jiemu l-ġustizzja,
u sliem kotran sa ma jintemm il-qamar.
Isaltan minn baħar sa baħar,
u mix-xmara sa truf l-art. R/.

Għax hu jeħles lill-fqir li jsejjaħlu,
u lill-imsejken li m’għandux min jgħinu.
Iħenn għad-dgħajjef u għall-fqajjar;
il-ħajja tal-fqajrin isalva. R/.

Ismu jibqa’ jissemma għal dejjem;
idum ismu sakemm iddum ix-xemx!
Bih jitbierku l-ġnus kollha tal-art;
il-popli kollha jsejħulu hieni. R/.

Reading 2               ROMANS 15:4-9

Brothers and sisters: Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs, but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.

Qari 2                mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lir-Rumani 15:4-9

Ħuti, kulma nkiteb fl-Iskrittura fl-imgħoddi nkiteb għat-tagħlim tagħna, biex bis-sabar u bil-faraġ li tagħtina l-Iskrittura aħna jkollna t-tama. Alla, li minnu ġej kull sabar u faraġ, jagħtikom il-grazzja li tkunu fehma waħda bejnietkom skond Kristu Ġesù, biex b’fomm wieħed u b’qalb waħda tfaħħru lil Alla u Missier Sidna Ġesù Kristu. Għalhekk ilqgħu lil xulxin bħalma Kristu wkoll laqa’ lilkom, għall-glorja ta’ Alla. Jiena ngħidilkom li Kristu sar qaddej tal-Lhud ċirkonċiżi minħabba l-fedeltà ta’ Alla, biex iseħħu l-wegħdiet li għamel lill-Patrijarki, u biex il-pagani wkoll ifaħħru lil Alla minħabba l-ħniena tiegħu, bħalma hu miktub: “Għalhekk jiena nfaħħrek fost il-ġnus u ngħanni tifħir ismek”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               MATTHEW 3:1-12

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and  fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Evanġelju               Qari skond San Mattew 3:1-12

F’dawk il-jiem, deher Ġwanni l-Battista jipprietka fid-deżert tal-Lhudija u jgħid: “Indmu, għax is-saltna tas-smewwiet waslet”. Għax għalih kien ingħad permezz tal-profeta Iżaija, meta qal: “Leħen ta’ wieħed jgħajjat fid-deżert: Ħejju t-triq tal-Mulej, iddrittaw il-mogħdijiet tiegħu”.  Dan Ġwanni kellu fuqu libsa tax-xagħar tal-ġemel, bi ħżiem tal-ġild madwar qaddu, u l-ikel tiegħu kien ġradijiet u għasel selvaġġ. U kienet tmur għandu Ġerusalemm u l-Lhudija kollha u l-inħawi kollha ta’ madwar il-Ġordan, u kienu jitgħammdu minnu fix-xmara Ġordan huma u jistqarru dnubiethom. Kif ra bosta mill-Fariżej u mis-Sadduċej ġejjin għall-magħmudija tiegħu, qalilhom: “Ja nisel il-lifgħat, min uriekom kif għandkom taħarbu mill-korla li ġejja? Agħmlu mela frott xieraq tal-indiema, u taħsbux li tistgħu tgħidu fikom infuskom: ‘Għandna b’missier lil Abraham’. Ngħidilkom li Alla, minn dan l-istess ġebel, jista’ jqajjem ulied lil Abraham. Il-mannara ġa tressqet ma’ għerq is-siġra; u għalhekk, kull siġra li ma tagħmilx frott tajjeb titqaċċat u tinxteħet fin-nar. Jien, ngħid għalija, ngħammidkom bl-ilma għall-indiema; imma min ġej warajja hu aqwa minni, u jien ma jistħoqqlix inġorr il-qorq tiegħu. Hu jgħammidkom bl-Ispirtu s-Santu u n-nar. Il-midra qiegħda f’idu, biex iderri l-qiegħa tiegħu u jiġbor il-qamħ fil-maħżen, imma t-tiben jaħarqu b’nar li ma jintefiex”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

Advent 2 - 

Reforming and renewing our lives for Jesus’ first coming

Introduction:

On the one hand, salvation is God’s doing, and we cannot earn His blessings. We are saved by His grace. On the other hand, we must cooperate with God’s grace because God cannot force his bounty upon us. That is why John the Baptist in Sunday’s Gospel summons us to play our essential part by leading lives of repentance, conversion, and renewal, thus preparing the way for the Lord’s second coming. We start this process by spiritually preparing for the annual celebration of Christmas, the Lord’s first coming, as we reform and renew our lives by repentance and works of charity.

Scripture lessons:

The first reading describes how God will reform the lives of His Chosen People by sending the Messiah. Because of the bad example of the unfaithful successors of King David, the Chosen People were wavering in their loyalty to Yahweh. Hence, in the first reading, the Lord God, through His prophet, Isaiah, tries to dispel their fears and to stir up hope among His people with His promise of a new Davidic King (a son of Jesse), who will establish peace and a glorious Kingdom of justice on earth.

In Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 72), the Psalmist pictures the Messiah as one who will show compassion to the poor, the lowly, and the afflicted. In the second reading, Paul is praying for the reformation of the Jewish Christians of Rome and instructing them to draw endurance and encouragement from the Old Testament books. They are to live in harmony with Gentile Christians, accepting them as equals, brothers and sisters, while they wait together for the second coming of Jesus.

In the Gospel, John the Baptizer urges the Pharisees and Sadducees to give evidence that they mean to reform their lives so as to recognize and be ready to meet and accept the promised Messiah. He challenges them to repentance, conversion, and renewal. He tells the common people, who expect the Messiah to come soon, to act with justice and charity, letting their lives reflect the transformation that will occur when the Messiah enters their lives. In the same way, as we prepare to welcome Christ at Christmas, John advises us to “prepare the way of the Lord.”

Life messages:

1) We need to prepare for Christ’s coming by allowing him to be reborn daily in our lives: Advent is the time for us to make this preparation by repenting of our sins and renewing our lives through prayer, penance, and the sharing of our blessings with others. Let us humbly admit the truth with the German mystic Angelus Silesius “Christ could be born a thousand times in Bethlehem – but all in vain until He is born in me.” (https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Angelus_Silesius). He means that Jesus must be reborn in our heart during this season of Advent and every day of our lives, radiating his love, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, and spirit of humble service to the world through our lives.

2) We need to answer the call for a change of life. John the Baptist challenges our superficial attempts at change, demanding that, while we are obeying the commandments faithfully, we must correct our relationships with others, mend ruptures, soothe frictions, face family responsibilities, work honestly, and treat our employers and employees justly. 

Let us share our love with others as selfless and humble service. “Do small things but with great love” advise St. Theresa of Lisieux and St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa). Therefore, following John’s advice, let us celebrate the memory of Jesus’ first advent, prepare for Jesus’ daily advent into our lives through the Sacraments and the Bible, and wait confidently for his second advent at our death and/or at the end of the world.

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READY TO GREET HIM WHEN HE COMES

 Readings for Sunday, November 27, 2022

 

First Sunday of Advent - Year A
Lectionary: 1      

L-Ewwel Ħadd tal-Avvent

 
Reading 1                ISAIAH  2:1-5

This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come, the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say:"Come, let us  climb the LORD's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths." For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 2:1-5

Il-kelma li ġiet f’dehra lil Iżaija bin Amos, dwar Ġuda u Ġerusalemm. Għad jiġri fl-aħħar jiem li l-għolja tad-dar tal-Mulej  togħla ’l fuq mill-qċaċet tal-muntanji, u tintrefa’ ’l fuq mill-għoljiet, lejha għad jiġru l-ġnus kollha. Kotra ta’ popli għad jiġu u jgħidu: “Ħalli mmorru u nitilgħu fuq l-għolja tal-Mulej, lejn id-dar ta’ Alla ta’ Ġakobb, biex jgħallimna triqatu, u nimxu fil-mogħdijiet tiegħu”. Għax minn Sijon joħroġ it-tagħlim, u l-kelma tal-Mulej minn Ġerusalemm. Il-Mulej jagħmel il-ħaqq bejn il-ġnus, u jaqta’ s-sentenza bejn ħafna popli; u huma jibdlu x-xwabel tagħhom f’sikek tal-moħriet, u l-lanez tagħhom fi mnieġel. Ebda ġens ma jerfa’ x-xabla kontra ġens ieħor, u s-sengħa tal-gwerra ma jitgħallmuhiex iżjed. Ejja, dar Ġakobb, ħalli nimxu fid-dawl tal-Mulej! Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

 Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Because of my brothers and friends
I will say, "Peace be within you!"
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

 Salm Responsorjali               Salm 121(122):1-2,4-5,6-7,8-9

R/.(ara 1): Immorru ferħana f’dar il-Mulej!

Fraħt meta qaluli:
“Sejrin f’dar il-Mulej!”.
Diġà qegħdin riġlejna
fi bwiebek, Ġerusalemm! R/.

Lejha t-tribujiet jitilgħu,
it-tribujiet tal-Mulej,
biex, skont il-liġi ta’ Iżrael,
ifaħħru isem il-Mulej.
Għax hemm twaqqfu t-tronijiet tal-ħaqq,
it-tronijiet tad-dar ta’ David. R/.

Itolbu s-sliem għal Ġerusalemm:
ħa jkollhom is-sliem dawk kollha li jħobbuk!
Ħa jkun hemm is-sliem ġewwa l-ħitan tiegħek,
u l-ġid fil-palazzi tiegħek! R/.

Minħabba ħuti u ħbiebi,
ħallini ngħidlek: “Is-sliem għalik!”.
Minħabba f’dar il-Mulej, Alla tagħna,
nixtieq illi jkollok il-ġid. R/.

Reading 2               ROMANS 13:11-14

Brothers and sisters:  You know the time;  it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Qari 2                mill-Ittra lir-Rumani 13:11-14a

Ħuti, waslet is-siegħa li intom tqumu min-ngħas; għax is-salvazzjoni tagħna hi eqreb minn meta bdejna nemmnu. Il-lejl għoddu għadda, u qorob il-jum. Inwarrbu mela l-għemil tad-dlam u nilbsu l-armi tad-dawl. Ngħixu kif jixraq, bħal f’binhar; mhux bl-ikel iż-żejjed u s-sokor, mhux biż-żìna u t-tbahrid, mhux bil-ġlied u l-għira. Imma ilbsu lil Sidna Ġesù Kristu u ħallukom mill-ħsieb tal-ġisem u l-ġibdiet tiegħu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

 Gospel                MATTHEW 24:37-44

Jesus said to his disciples: "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

Evanġelju               Qari skond San Mattew  24:37-44

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Bħal fi żmien Noè, hekk tkun il-miġja ta’ Bin il-bniedem. Għax kif fiż-żmien ta’ qabel id-dilluvju kienu jieklu u jixorbu, jiżżewġu u jżewġu sa dakinhar li Noè daħal fl-arka, u b’xejn ma ntebħu sa ma wasal id-dilluvju u ġarr lil kulħadd, hekk tkun il-miġja ta’ Bin il-bniedem. Imbagħad tnejn ikunu fl-għalqa: wieħed jittieħed u l-ieħor jitħalla; żewġ nisa jkunu jitħnu flimkien: waħda tittieħed u l-oħra titħalla. Ishru, mela, għax ma tafuhx il-jum li fih jiġi Sidkom. Kunu afu dan, li kieku sid id-dar kellu jkun jaf f’liema sahra tal-lejl se jiġi l-ħalliel, kien jishar u ma jħallix min jinfidlu l-ħitan ta’ daru. Mela kunu lesti intom ukoll, għax qatt ma tistgħu tobsru s-siegħa li fiha jiġi Bin il-bniedem”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. 

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

Advent 1 -  an invitation to meditate on Jesus’ first coming

Introduction:

On Sunday we begin our yearly pilgrimage through the events of history of salvation starting with our preparation for the birthday celebration of Jesus and ending with our reflection on his glorious “second coming” as judge at the end of the world.

We are entering the Advent season. Advent means coming. We are invited to meditate on Jesus’ first coming in history as a baby in Bethlehem, his daily coming into our lives in mystery through the Sacraments, through the Bible, and through the worshipping community, and finally his Second Coming (Parousia) at the end of the world to reward the just and to punish the wicked. We see the traditional signs of Advent in our Church: violet vestments and hangings, dried flowers or plain green plants and the Advent wreath. These signs remind us that we must prepare for the rebirth of Jesus in our hearts and lives, enabling him to radiate his love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness through and all around us.

Scripture lessons summarized:

In the first reading (Is 2:1-5), Isaiah describes his prophetic vision of all nations making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, affirming their Faith in the one true God. Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 122), is one of the Songs of Assent, the joyous hymns originally sung as pilgrims journeyed to the Temple in Jerusalem. They prepare us for our yearly pilgrimage. In the second reading (Rom 13:11-14), Paul exhorts the Roman Christian community to get ready to meet Jesus in his Second Coming by discharging their duties properly and by freeing themselves from their former pagan life style of jealousy, and rivalry. We, too, are challenged to make spiritual preparations for Christ’s birth in our lives.

In Sunday’s Gospel (Mt 24:37-44), Jesus warns us of the urgency of vigilant preparation for his coming on our part that we may meet him as our Judge both at the end of our lives on earth and on the day of the Last Judgment when he comes in his glory. Jesus reminds us that the unrepentant, ill-prepared evil people were destroyed by the flood in the time of Noah and that a thief will be able to break in and plunder the precious belongings of an ill-prepared householder. Using additional examples later, Jesus repeats his warning for us to be vigilant and well-prepared all the time, doing the will of God by loving others.

Life message:

We need to be alert and watchful while spiritually preparing for Christmas by offering our daily work to God for His glory, by practicing more self-control in resisting our evil habits and inclinations, by seeking reconciliation daily with God, our families, and our neighbors, and by asking God’s pardon and forgiveness as we extend our unconditional forgiveness to those who have hurt us. Let us begin each day by praying for the strength and power of the Holy Spirit to prepare ourselves for Jesus’ rebirth in our hearts and lives.

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TO BE SERVING DISCIPLES OF A SERVING KING

Readings for Sunday, NOVEMBER 13, 2022 

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Lectionary: 162

 
Solennità ta' Sidna Ġesù Kristu Sultan tal-Ħolqien Kollu 

Reading 1               2 SAMUEL 5:1-3

In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said: "Here we are, your bone and your flesh. In days past, when Saul was our king, it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back. And the LORD said to you, 'You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.'" When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD, and they anointed him king of Israel.

Qari 1                mit-Tieni Ktieb ta’ Samwel  5:1-3

F’dak iż-żmien, it-tribujiet kollha ta’ Iżrael ġew għand David f’Ħebron u qalulu: “Arana, għadmek u laħmek aħna! Fl-imgħoddi, meta Sawl kien sultan fuqna, kont int li kont toħroġ lil Iżrael għall-gwerra u ġġibhom lura, u l-Mulej qallek: ‘Int għad tirgħa l-poplu tiegħi u tkun prinċep fuq Iżrael’”. U x-xjuħ kollha ta’ Iżrael ġew għand is-Sultan f’Ħebron u s-sultan David għamel patt magħhom f’Ħebron quddiem il-Mulej; u lil David dilkuh sultan fuq Iżrael. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5

R. (cf. 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 121(122):1-2,4-5

R/.: Sejrin ferħana f’dar il-Mulej.

Fraħt meta qaluli:
“Sejrin f’dar il-Mulej!”.
Diġà qegħdin riġlejna
fi bwiebek, Ġerusalemm! R/.

Ġerusalemm, mibnija bħal belt,
magħquda ħaġa waħda.
Lejha t-tribujiet jitilgħu,
it-tribujiet tal-Mulej. R/.

Biex, skont il-liġi ta’ Iżrael,
ifaħħru isem il-Mulej.
Għax hemm twaqqfu t-tronijiet tal-ħaqq,
it-tronijiet tad-dar ta’ David. R/.

Reading 2                COLOSSIANS 1:12-20

Brothers and sisters: Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Qari 2                mill-Ittra lill-Kolossin 1:12-20

Ħuti, roddu ħajr lill-Missier, li għamilkom denji li tissieħbu fil-wirt tal-qaddisin fis-saltna tad-dawl. Hu ħelisna mill-ħakma tad-dlam, u daħħalna fis-saltna ta’ Ibnu l-maħbub, li bih għandna l-fidwa, il-maħfra tad-dnubiet. Hu x-xbieha ta’ Alla li ma jidhirx, il-kbir fost il-ħlejjaq kollha; għax fih kien maħluq kollox, fis-sema u fl-art, dak kollu li jidher u dak kollu li ma jidhirx, Troni u Ħakmiet, Prinċipati u Setgħat. Kollox bih u għalih kien maħluq, hu li hu qabel kollox, u kollox fih qiegħed iżomm. Hu r-Ras tal-Ġisem, li hu l-Knisja. Hu li hu l-bidu, il-kbir li qam mill-imwiet, sabiex ikun hu l-ewwel f’kollox. Hekk Alla għoġbu li tgħammar fih il-milja kollha; bih Alla għoġbu jerġa’ jħabbeb kollox miegħu; bid-demm tiegħu, imxerred fuq is-salib, ġieb is-sliem permezz tiegħu fis-sema u fl-art.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               LUKE 23:35-43

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."  Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Evanġelju               Qari skond San Luqa 23:35-43

F’dak iż-żmien, wara li sallbu lil Ġesù, il-poplu waqaf hemm iħares, waqt li l-kapijiet bdew jiddieħku b’Ġesù u jgħidu: “Salva lil oħrajn; ħa jsalva lilu nnifsu jekk dan hu l-Messija, il-Maħtur ta’ Alla!”. Is-suldati wkoll bdew jgħadduh biż-żmien; u resqu lejh, newlulu nbid qares u qalulu: “Jekk inti s-sultan tal-Lhud, salva lilek innifsek”. Fuq rasu kien hemm ukoll kitba li kienet tgħid: “Dan huwa s-sultan tal-Lhud”.  Wieħed mill-ħatjin li kienu msallbin miegħu beda jgħajru u jgħidlu: “Int m’intix il-Messija? Salva lilek innifsek u lilna!”. Imma qabeż l-ieħor, ċanfru u qallu: “Anqas minn Alla int ma tibża’, int li qiegħed taħt l-istess kundanna? Tagħna hija ġusta, tassew, għax qegħdin nieħdu li ħaqqna ta’ kulma għamilna; imma dan ma għamel xejn ħażin”. Imbagħad qal: “Ġesù, ftakar fija meta tidħol fis-Saltna tiegħek”. U Ġesù wieġbu: “Tassew ngħidlek, illum tkun fil-Ġenna miegħi”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

OUR KING IN HEAVEN

Central theme:

This Sunday, at the end of Church’s liturgical year, the readings describe the enthronement of the victorious Christ as King in Heaven in all his glory. Instituting this Feast of Christ the King in 1925, Pope Pius XI proclaimed: “Pax Christi in regno Christi” (the peace of Christ in the reign of Christ). This means that we live in the peace of Christ when we surrender our lives to him every day, accept him as our God, Saviour and King and allow him to rule our lives.

The Biblical basis of the feast:

A) Old Testament texts:
   The title “Christ the King” has its roots both in Scripture and in the whole theology of the Kingdom of God. In most of the Messianic prophecies given in the Old Testament books of Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, Christ the Messiah is represented as a King.

B) New Testament texts:
    a) In the Annunciation, recorded in Lk 13:2-33, we read: “The Lord God will make him a King, as his ancestor David was, and He will be the King of the descendants of Jacob forever and His Kingdom will never end.” In fact, the Kingdom of God is the center of Jesus’ teaching and the phrase “Kingdom of God” occurs in the Gospels 122 times, of which 90 instances are uses by Jesus.

   b) The Magi from the Far East came to Jerusalem and asked the question: (Mt. 2:2) “Where is the baby born to be the King of the Jews? We saw his star… and we have come to worship him.”

   c) During the royal reception given to Jesus on Palm Sunday, the Jews shouted: (Lk 19:38) “God bless the King, who comes in the name of the Lord.”

   d) During the trial of Jesus described in today’s Gospel, Pilate asked the question: (Jn 18:33): “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied: “You say that I am a king. I was born and came into this world for this one purpose, to bear witness to the Truth” (Jn 18:37)
   
   e) Sunday’s Gospel tells us that the board hung over Jesus’ head on the cross read: “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews,” (Lk 23:36; see also, Mt 27:37; Mk 15:26; Jn 19:19-20), and that, to the request of the repentant thief on the cross, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom,” Jesus promised “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Lk 23:39-43).

   f) Before his Ascension into Heaven, Jesus declared: (Mt 28:18): “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”

   g) Finally (Mt 25:31) , we read that Christ the King will come in glory to judge us on the day of the Last Judgment.

Life Messages:

1) We need to accept Christ the King as our Lord, King, and Saviour and surrender our lives to him. We surrender our lives to Jesus every day when we give priority to his teaching in our daily choices, especially in moral decisions. We should not exclude Christ our King from any area of our personal or family lives. In other words, Christ must be in full charge of our lives, and we must give him sovereign power over our bodies, our thoughts, our heart and our will.

2) We need to be serving disciples of a serving King. Jesus declared that he came not to be served but to serve and showed us the spirit of service by washing of the feet of his disciples. We become Jesus’ followers when we recognize his presence in everyone, especially the poor, the sick, the outcast, and the marginalized in the society and render humble and loving service to Jesus in each of them.

3) We need to accept Jesus Christ as the King of love. Jesus came to proclaim to all of us the Good News of God’s love and salvation, gave us his new commandment of love: “Love one another as I have loved you,” (Jn 13:34), and demonstrated that love by dying for us sinners. We accept Jesus as our King of love when we love others as Jesus loved, unconditionally, sacrificially, and with agape love.

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