ANNOUNCING THE GOOD NEWS

Readings for Sunday, July 3, 2022

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 102

L-Erbatax-il Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1               ISAIAH 66:10-14c

Thus says the LORD:  Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her,  all you who love her;  exult, exult with her,  all you who were mourning over her!  Oh, that you may suck fully  of the milk of her comfort,  that you may nurse with delight  at her abundant breasts!  For thus says the LORD:  Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river,  and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent.  As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms,  and fondled in her lap;  as a mother comforts her child,  so will I comfort you;  in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.  When you see this, your heart shall rejoice  and your bodies flourish like the grass;  the LORD's power shall be known to his servants.

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 66:10-14ċ

Ifirħu lil Ġerusalemm, thennew biha, intom ilkoll ħbieb tagħha! Aqbżu bil-ferħ, intom ilkoll li qsamtu swied il-qalb magħha! Hekk intom terdgħu u tixbgħu minn sider il-faraġ tagħha; terdgħu u titgħaxxqu mis-sider mimli tagħha. Għaliex dan jgħid il-Mulej: “Arani! Se nifrex fuqha s-sliem bħal xmara, u bħal xmara tfur il-ġid tal-ġnus. U intom terdgħu u fuq id-dirgħajn tintrefgħu,  u jżiegħlu bikom fuq l-irkupptejn. Bħalma omm tfarraġ lil binha, hekk jiena nfarraġ lilkom u f’Ġerusalemm titfarrġu. Taraw u tifraħ qalbkom, u għadamkom bħal ħaxix iħaddar; u jagħrfu fil-qaddejja tiegħu id il-Mulej”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
 sing praise to the glory of his name;
 proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, "How tremendous are your deeds!"
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

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

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

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

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

R/.(1): Għajtu bil-ferħ lil Alla.

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

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

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

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

Reading 2               GALATIANS 6:14-18

Brothers and sisters: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation. Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Qari 2               Għeluq tal-Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lill-Galatin 6:14-18

Ħuti, ngħid għalija, ma jkun qatt li niftaħar jekk mhux bis-salib ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu, li bih id-dinja hi msallba għalija u jien għad-dinja. Għaliex, biċ-ċirkonċiżjoni jew mingħajrha, xejn ma hemm ta’ siwi, ħlief il-ħolqien ġdid. U dawk kollha li jimxu fuq din ir-regola, is-sliem u l-ħniena fuqhom, u wkoll fuq Iżrael ta’ Alla. Mil-lum ’il quddiem ħadd ma għandu jħabbatni iżjed; jien inġib f’ġismi l-marki ta’ Kristu. Il-grazzja ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu tkun magħkom, ħuti. Amen. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 LUKE 10:1-12, 17-20

At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them,"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.' Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 'The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.' Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town."  The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name." Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power to 'tread upon serpents' and  scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you.   Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

Evanġelju                Qari skont San Luqa  10:1-12,17-20

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Mulej għażel tnejn u sebgħin oħra u bagħathom tnejn tnejn qablu f’kull belt u post fejn kien se jmur hu. U qalilhom: “Il-ħsad huwa kbir, imma l-ħaddiema ftit! Itolbu mela lil Sid il-ħsad biex jibgħat ħaddiema għall-ħsad tiegħu! Morru: araw, qiegħed nibgħatkom bħal ħrief qalb l-ilpup. Teħdux magħkom la but, la ħorġa u lanqas qrieq, u fit-triq issellmu lil ħadd. Fid-dar fejn tidħlu, l-ewwel għidu: ‘Is-sliem lil din id-dar’. U jekk fiha jkun hemm min iħobb is-sliem, jistrieħ is-sliem tagħkom fuqu; jekk le, it-tislima tagħkom terġa’ lura għandkom. Ibqgħu għand dik il-familja, u kulu u ixorbu milli jkollhom huma, għax il-ħaddiem ħaqqu ħlasu. Toqogħdux idduru minn familja għal oħra. F’kull belt li fiha tmorru u jilqgħukom, kulu dak li jqegħdulkom quddiemkom; fejqu l-morda li jkun hemm; u lin-nies għidulhom: ‘Is-Saltna ta’ Alla waslitilkom’. Imma l-belt li fiha tidħlu u ma jilqgħukomx, oħorġu fil-pjazez tagħha u għidu: ‘Sat-trab ta’ beltkom infarfru minn ma’ riġlejna, u nħalluh għalikom. Imma kunu afu dan: is-Saltna ta’ Alla waslet’. Ngħidilkom li dak il-jum ikun eħfef għal Sodoma milli għal dik il-belt”. It-tnejn u sebgħin reġgħu lura ferħana jgħidu: “Mulej, ix-xjaten ukoll joqogħdu għalina minħabba f’ismek”. U hu qalilhom: “Iva, jien kont narah lix-Xitan jaqa’ bħal berqa mis-sema. Araw, tajtkom is-setgħa li tirfsu fuq sriep u skorpjuni u li tegħlbu kull qawwa tal-għadu u ebda ħsara ma jagħmlulkom. Madankollu mhux b’dan ifirħu, li l-ispirti joqogħdu għalikom, imma ifirħu għax għandkom isimkom miktub fis-smewwiet”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

WE ARE SENT TO TAKE GOD TO OTHERS

Introduction:

Sunday’s Scriptures are about announcing the Good News. They remind us that announcing the Good News of the Kingdom by words, deeds, and life is not the task of only a few. Rather, it is a task for all baptized Christians.

Scripture lessons:

In the first reading, Isaiah announces the good news to the returned Babylonian exiles that the ruined and desolate Jerusalem will take care of them “as a mother comforts her baby son.” Isiah assures the returned Jews that they will live in the certainty of Yahweh’s promises of love, protection, prosperity, and salvation. In Sunday’s second reading, Paul removes the confusion created by the Judaizers in the minds of the new Gentile Christians of Galatia. He clearly conveys the good news that it is Jesus’ death on the cross which brings one’s salvation and not Jewish heritage or practice of Torah laws. Paul reminds us that the mission of each member of the Church is to bear witness to the saving power of the cross of Christ through a life of sacrificial, self-giving service.

In Sunday’s Gospel, Luke describes the fulfillment of the prophetic promise made by Isaiah in Jesus’ commissioning of 72 disciples to preach the Gospel or the good news of God’s love and salvation in towns and villages in preparation for his own visit. Jesus gives the paired disciples “travel tips” for their missionary journey. They must be walking witnesses of God’s providence, relying on the hospitality of others, living very simple lives, preaching the Good News and healing the sick. Today’s Gospel reminds us that we, the 1.5 billion Christians in the world today, have the mission of the 72, to preach the Gospel of Christ to the rest of world’s 4.5 billion non-Christians.

Life Messages:

    1) We need to continue the proclamation of the Gospel: Just as Jesus, in today’s Gospel, gave instructions to the seventy-two missionaries, he also gives each one of us a mission to carry out. As faithful Christians, we should attract others to the Faith by leading exemplary lives, just as a rose silently attracts people by its beauty and fragrance. This is our job and our responsibility. We must not miss the current opportunities to be apostles through our words and deeds in everyday life.

    2) We need to avoid giving the counter-witness of practicing the “supermarket Catholicism” of our politicians who publicly proclaim their “Catholicism” and yet support abortion, gay marriage, human cloning, and experimentation with human embryos. Nor should we be “armchair Catholics,” “cafeteria Catholics” or “Sunday Catholics” who bear counter-witness to Christ through our lives.

    3) Let us start proclaiming the Gospel in our families by leading exemplary Christian lives, in which spouses love and respect each other, raise their children in the spirit of obedience and service, discipline them with forgiving love and teach them through persistent example to pray, love, and help others by sharing their blessings.

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WHEN GOD CALLS...

 Readings for Sunday, June 26, 2022

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 99

 It-Tlettax-il Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

  Reading 1               1 KINGS 19:16b, 19-21

The LORD said to Elijah: “You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah, as prophet to succeed you.” Elijah set out and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him. Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and I will follow you.” Elijah answered, “Go back! Have I done anything to you?” Elisha left him, and taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then Elisha left and followed Elijah as his attendant. 

Qari 1              i mill-Ewwel Ktieb tas-Slaten 19, 16b. 19-21

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Mulej qal lil Elija: “Lil Eliżew bin Safat, ta’ Abel-mehola, idilku profeta flokok”. Elija telaq minn hemm u sab lil Eliżew bin Safat, waqt li kien qiegħed jaħrat bi tnax-il żewġ gniedes quddiemu; u hu kien qiegħed imexxi t-tnax-il wieħed. Resaq lejh Elija, u xeħet fuqu l-mantell tiegħu. Dan ħalla l-gniedes u mar jiġri wara Elija jgħidlu: “Ħallini mmur insellem lil missieri u ’l ommi, imbagħad niġi warajk”. Qallu Elija: “Mur u erġa’ ejja; għaliex x’għamiltlek jiena?”. Eliżew tbiegħed minnu, qabad żewġ gniedes, qatilhom u offriehom sagrifiċċju. U bl-għodda tal-ħrit sajjar il-laħam, qassmu lin-nies, u kielu. U hu mar wara Elija, u beda jservih. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

 Responsorial Psalm               PSALM  16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.”
R You are my inheritance, O Lord.

I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R You are my inheritance, O Lord.

You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 15 (16), 1-2a u 5. 7-8. 9-10. 11

R/. (5a): Mulej, inti s-sehem tal-wirt u r-riżq tiegħi

Ħarisni, o Alla, għax fik jien nistkenn.
Jien għedt lill-Mulej: “Int Sidi,
m’għandix ġid ieħor ħliefek”.
Mulej, inti s-sehem tal-wirt u r-riżq tiegħi,
inti żżomm f’idejk xortija. R/.

Imbierek lill-Mulej li tani l-fehma;
imqar billejl qalbi tgħallimni.
Inżomm il-Mulej dejjem quddiemi,
għax bih f’leminti qatt ma nitħarrek. R/.

Hekk tifraħ qalbi u tithenna ruħi,
u ġismi wkoll jistrieħ fil-kwiet.
Għax int ma titlaqnix fl-imwiet,
ma tħallix il-maħbub tiegħek jara l-qabar. R/.

Int tgħallimni t-triq tal-ħajja;
hemm il-milja tal-ferħ quddiemek,
hemm l-għaxqa għal dejjem f’lemintek. R/.

Reading 2                 GALATIANS 5:1, 13-18

Brothers and sisters: For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. For you were called for freedom, brothers and sisters. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Qari 2               mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Galatin 5, 1.13-18

Ħuti, Kristu ħelisna biex ngħixu ta’ nies ħielsa. Żommu sħiħ, u terġgħux tmiddu għonqkom għall-madmad tal-jasar. Intom imma, ħuti, intom ġejtu msejħa għall-ħelsien; imma tinqdewx b’dan il-ħelsien għall-ġisem, iżda aqdu lil xulxin fl-imħabba. Il-Liġi kollha tinġabar f’liġi waħda: “Ħobb lil għajrek bħalek innifsek”. Jekk intom tgiddmu u tieklu lil xulxin, oqogħdu attenti li ma tikkunsmawx lil xulxin! Jien ngħidilkom, imxu fl-Ispirtu u taqgħux għall-passjonijiet tal-ġisem. Il-passjonijiet tal-ġisem huma kontra l-Ispirtu, u l-Ispirtu hu kontra l-ġisem; dawn it-tnejn huma kontra xulxin, biex ma jħallukomx tagħmlu dak li tixtiequ. Jekk lilkom imexxikom l-Ispirtu, m’intomx taħt il-Liġi. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel               LUKE 9:51-62

When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village. As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Evanġelju               Qari skont San Luqa 9, 51-62

Meta Ġesù qorob għalih iż-żmien li fih kellu jittieħed mid-dinja, b’rieda sħiħa dar u telaq lejn Ġerusalemm. U bagħat xi messaġġiera qablu li, huma u sejrin, daħlu f’raħal tas-Samarija biex iħejjulu fejn joqgħod. Iżda hemmhekk ma laqgħuhx, billi hu kien sejjer Ġerusalemm. Meta raw dan, id-dixxipli Ġakbu u Ġwanni qalulu: “Mulej, tridx ngħidu lin-nar jinżel mis-sema u jeqridhom?”. Iżda hu dar fuqhom u ċanfarhom. U marru f’raħal ieħor. Huma u miexja fit-triq kien hemm wieħed li qallu: “Tmur fejn tmur, jiena niġi warajk”. U qallu Ġesù: “Il-volpijiet għandhom l-għerien tagħhom u l-għasafar tal-ajru l-bejtiet, iżda Bin il-bniedem ma għandux fejn imidd rasu”. Lil wieħed ieħor qallu: “Imxi warajja”. Iżda dak wieġbu: “Ħallini l-ewwel immur nidfen lil missieri”. Iżda hu wieġbu: “Ħalli l-mejtin jidfnu l-mejtin tagħhom; iżda int mur u xandar is-Saltna ta’ Alla”. U ieħor ukoll qallu: “Jien niġi, Mulej, warajk, imma l-ewwel ħallini nsellem lil tad-dar”. Qallu Ġesù: “Min iqiegħed idu fuq il-moħriet u jħares lura mhuwiex tajjeb għas-Saltna ta’ Alla”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD'S CALL

Introduction:

Sunday’s readings are about God’s call and man’s commitment in answer to that call. They ask one for total commitment made in total freedom with the spirit of patient love, — that is, to say an unconditional “Yes” to Jesus and to the Christian life, as a true disciple of Christ.

Scripture lessons:

The first reading describes how Elisha committed himself whole-heartedly to answer God’s call to be a prophet, in spite of his initial hesitation, when God called him through the prophet Elijah. The Responsorial Psalm, (Psalm 16), offers us the refrain, “You are my inheritance, O Lord.” This Psalm has traditionally been used to exemplify commitment to the ordained ministry or to religious profession. But it more accurately reflects the commitment made by all Christians in their Baptism.

The second reading, taken from Paul’s letter to the Galatians, reinforces the commitment message of the first reading and the Responsorial Psalm. Paul warns that true freedom is not meant to be a license for self-indulgence, but to be a way to show God, ourselves, and other human beings our commitment to God and to His service.

The first part of Sunday’s Gospel records Jesus’ teaching on Christian tolerance, given after he had observed an angry response of two of his apostles., James and John, who were angry at the Samaritans who had refused to receive Jesus as a prophet and allow him to travel through their village because Jesus was travelling to Jerusalem. They asked Jesus if he wanted them to bring down fire from Heaven to destroy them!

In the second part of today’s Gospel, Luke introduces three potential disciples who offered lame reasons that made Jesus’ call to ministry “impossible” for them to accept, after Jesus had told them plainly what the commitment required, and the cost involved. They were found unfit and unprepared to follow Jesus as his disciples. We too, are asked to follow Jesus, totally and immediately, without any reservations, both by giving priority to him and to his cause and by surrendering our lives to God in humble and dedicated service to others.

Life messages:

As Christians, we should have the courage of our convictions and so honor our commitments:

    a) The marriage commitment. The spouses are expected to honor their marriage commitment, that is, to remain in mutual love and respect till their death and to raise their children to be zealous Christians.

    b) The priestly and religious commitment: Priests, Deacons and religious should honor the commitment they have made to obey their lawful superiors, to keep their vows, and to spend their lives serving God’s people faithfully.

    c) The Christian commitment: As Christians, all of us should honor our Baptismal commitmen, and to bear witness to him through ideal and transparent Christian lives.

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THE EUCHARIST NOURISHES US

Readings for Sunday, June 19, 2022

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Lectionary: 169

It-Tieni Ħadd fuq Għid il-Ħamsin
Il-Ġisem u d-Demm ta’ Ġesù
Solennità

Reading 1               GENESIS 14:18-20

In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:  "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High,  who delivered your foes into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb tal-Ġenesi 14:18-20

F’dak iż-żmien, Melkisedek, sultan ta’ Salem, li kien qassis ta’ El-għeljon, Alla l-għoli, ħareġ bil-ħobż u l-inbid. U bierek lil Abram u qallu: “Imbierek Abram minn Alla l-għoli,li għamel is-sema u l-art. U mbierek Alla l-għolI li reħa f’idejk l-għedewwa tiegħek”. U Abram tah l-għexur minn kollox. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 110:1, 2, 3, 4

The LORD said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand
till I make your enemies your footstool."
R You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:
"Rule in the midst of your enemies."
R You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

"Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you."
R You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:
"You are a priest forever, according to the order of  Melchizedek."
R You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Salm Responsorjali                Salm 109(110):1,2,3,4

R/.: Inti qassis għal dejjem bħal Melkisedek.

Il-kelma tal-Mulej lil Sidi:
“Oqgħod fuq leminti,
sa ma nqiegħed l-għedewwa tiegħek
mirfes taħt riġlejk”. R/.

Ix-xettru tal-qawwa tiegħek
jibgħat il-Mulej minn Sijon:
aħkem f’nofs l-għedewwa tiegħek! R/.

Tiegħek is-setgħa sa minn twelidek
fuq l-għoljiet imqaddsa,
sa minn qabel is-sebħ
bħan-nida jien nissiltek. R/.

Ħalef il-Mulej, u ma jisgħobbx bih:
“Inti qassis għal dejjem
bħal Melkisedek!”. R/.

Reading 2               1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26

Brothers and sisters: I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

Qari 2                mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Korintin 11:23-26

Ħuti, jien irċevejt mingħand il-Mulej it-tagħlim li għaddejt lilkom, jiġifieri, li l-Mulej Ġesù, fil-lejl li fih kien ittradut, ħa l-ħobż u wara li radd il-ħajr qasmu u qal: “Dan hu ġismi li jingħata għalikom; agħmlu dan b’tifkira tiegħi”. Hekk ukoll għamel bil-kalċi wara li kiel u qal: “Dan il-kalċi hu l-patt il-ġdid  ’demmi; agħmlu dan kull meta tixorbu, b’tifkira tiegħi”. Mela kull meta tieklu dan il-ħobż u tixorbu dan il-kalċi, intom ixxandru l-mewt tal-Mulej sa ma jiġi. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

LAUDA SION  - Sequence
(The shorter form)

Lo! the angel’s food is given
To the pilgrim who has striven;
see the children’s bread from heaven,
which on dogs may not be spent.   

Truth the ancient types fulfilling,
Isaac bound, a victim willing,
Paschal lamb, its lifeblood spilling,
manna to the fathers sent.
Very bread, good shepherd, tend us,
Jesu, of your love befriend us,
You refresh us, you defend us,
Your eternal goodness send us
In the land of life to see.
You who all things can and know,
Who on earth such food bestow,
Grant us with your saints, though lowest,
Where the heav’nly feast you show,
Fellow heirs and guests to be. Amen. Alleluia.  

Sekwenza    (fil-forma l-qasira)

Dan ħobż l-anġli, magħmul ikel
għall-bnedmin fit-triq tal-ħajja,
ikel bnin għall-ulied kollha,
li m’għandux fix-xejn jintrema.

Bi xbihat kien ilu mħabbar,
f’dik l-offerta ta’ Iżakk,
fil-ħaruf li nqatel fl-Għid,
u fil-manna tad-deżert.
Int ragħaj tajjeb, ħobż tassew,
Ġesù tagħna, ħenn għalina;
int itmagħna u ħarisna:
inti lilna l-ġid urina
fl-art imbierka tal-ħajjin.
Int li taf u tista’ kollox,
li titmagħna hawn f’dil-ħajja,
hemm agħmilna lkoll imsieħba,
f’għaqda waħda lkoll werrieta
mal-qtajjiet tal-qaddisin.
Ammen. Hallelujah.

Gospel               LUKE 9:11b-17

Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured. As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, "Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here." He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves." They replied, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people." Now the men there numbered about five thousand. Then he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty." They did so and made them all sit down. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.

Evanġelju               mill-Evanġelju skont San Luqa 9:11b-17

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qagħad ikellem il-folol fuq is-Saltna ta’ Alla, u fejjaq lil dawk li kienu jeħtieġu l-fejqan. Il-jum kien wasal biex jintemm. Resqu lejh it-Tnax u qalulu: “Ibgħathom in-nies ħa jmorru fl-irħula u r-rziezet tal-qrib biex isibu fejn jistrieħu u jieklu xi ħaġa, għax hawnhekk qegħdin f’post imwarrab”. Iżda hu qalilhom: “Agħtuhom intom x’jieklu”. Qalulu: “Ma għandniex aktar minn ħames ħobżiet u żewġ ħutiet, jekk għall-inqas ma mmorrux aħna stess nixtru l-ikel għal dawn in-nies kollha!”.   Għax kien hemm madwar il-ħamest elef raġel. U qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Qegħduhom bilqiegħda ħamsin ħamsin”. Hekk għamlu, u qiegħdu lil kulħadd bilqiegħda.  Imbagħad ħa l-ħames ħobżiet u ż-żewġ ħutiet, rafa’ għajnejh lejn is-sema, berikhom u qasamhom, u tahom lid-dixxipli biex inewluhom lin-nies. U kulħadd kiel u xaba’ u l-bċejjeċ tal-ħobż li kien fadal ġabruhom fi tnax-il qoffa.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil  

Importance:

    1) The last two precious gifts given to us by Jesus are the Holy Eucharist as our spiritual food on Holy Thursday and Jesus’ mother Mary as our spiritual mother on Good Friday

    2) Corpus Christi reminds us of the abiding presence of our loving God as Emmanuel (God with us), which is celebrated yearly in order that we may give collective thanks to our Lord for his living with us in the Eucharist.

    3) The feast also gives us an occasion to learn more about the importance and value of the “Real Presence” of Jesus in the Eucharist, so that we may appreciate the Sacrament better and maximum benefit from receiving Communion.

We believe in the “Real Presence” of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist because

    1) Jesus promised it after miraculously feeding the 5000.
    2) Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist during his Last Supper.
    3) Jesus commanded his disciples to repeat it in his memory.
    4) “Nothing is impossible for God” (Lk 1:37)

We explain the real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist by: “transubstantiation” which means that the substance of the consecrated bread and wine is changed to the substance of the risen, living Jesus in His glorified Body and Blood by the action of the Holy Spirit, while the accidents (like color, shape, taste, etc. of the consecrated bread and wine), remain unchanged.

Scripture lessons:

This year’s readings for the Feast emphasize the linked themes of Ministerial Priesthood and Covenant blood because the ancient peoples sealed Covenants with the blood of ritually sacrificed animals, and Jesus sealed his New Covenant with his own Blood sacrificially shed on Calvary. 

Sunday’s first reading describes how Moses, by sprinkling the blood of a sacrificed animal on the altar and on the people, accepted the Covenant Yahweh proposed and made with His People. In the second reading, St. Paul affirms that Jesus sealed the New Covenant with his own Blood, thereby putting an end to animal sacrifices.

Today’s Gospel details how Jesus converted this ancient ritual into a Sacrament and sacrifice. Instead of the lamb’s blood, Jesus offered his own Divine/human Body and Blood, and instead of sprinkling us with blood, Jesus put it into our hands as food and drink: “Take … eat … this IS my Body which will be given up for you” (He did not say “This represents my body”), and “Take … drink …This is … my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal Covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many….” (nor did He say, “This represents my blood…”).

A Sacrament and a sacrifice:

Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist both as a sacramental banquet and a sacrificial offering.

As a Sacrament.....

    a) the Eucharist is a visible sign that gives us God’s grace and God’s life and, 

    b) as a communal Meal,

The Eucharist unites us and nourishes our souls.

As a sacrifice ....

    a) the Eucharistic celebration is a re-presentation or re-enactment of Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary, completed in His Resurrection. 

    b) As Church, we offer Jesus’ sacrifice to God the Father for the remission of our sins, using signs and symbols.

Life messages:

    1) Let us appreciate the “Real Presence” of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, by receiving him with true repentance for our sins, due preparation, and deep reverence.

    2) Let us be Christ-bearers and conveyers: By receiving Holy Communion, we become Christ-bearers as Mary was, with the duty of conveying Christ to others at home and in the workplace, through love, mercy, forgiveness, and humble and sacrificial service.

    3) Let us offer our lives on the altar along with Jesus’ sacrifice, asking pardon for our sins, expressing gratitude for the blessings we have received, and presenting our needs petitions on the altar.

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1+1+1 = 1

 Readings for Sunday, June 12, 2022 

 

 

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Lectionary: 166

Solennità tat-Trinità Qaddisa

 

 

Reading 1               PROVERBS 8:22-31

Thus says the wisdom of God: "The LORD possessed me, the beginning of his ways, the forerunner of his prodigies of long ago; from of old I was poured forth, at the first, before the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no fountains or springs of water; before the mountains were settled into place, before the hills, I was brought forth; while as yet the earth and fields were not made, nor the first clods of the world.   "When the Lord established the heavens I was there, when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep; when he made firm the skies above, when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth; when he set for the sea its limit, so that the waters should not transgress his command; then was I beside him as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by day, playing before him all the while, playing on the surface of his earth; and I found delight in the human race."

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb tal-Proverbji 8:22-31

Dan jgħid il-Għerf ta’ Alla: “Il-Mulej kellu lili sa mill-bidu ta’ għemilu, sa minn qabel l-eqdem għemejjel tiegħu. Sa minn dejjem twaqqaft, mill-bidu, qabel ma nbdiet id-dinja. Kien għad m’hemmx l-ibħra l-kbar, meta tnissilt jien, kien għad m’hemmx għejun inixxu l-ilma; qabel ma tqiegħdu l-muntanji, qabel l-għoljiet jien twelidt. Kien għadu ma għamilx l-art bir-raba’ tagħha,u lanqas l-ewwel traba tal-art. Meta ħejja s-smewwiet jien kont hemm, meta ħażżeż dawra fuq wiċċ il-baħar kbir, meta saħħaħ is-smewwiet hemm fuq, u qiegħed fis-sod in-nixxigħat ta’ qiegħ il-baħar; meta ħażżeż trufijiet il-baħar, biex l-ilmijiet ma jaqbżux trufhom; meta qiegħed sisien l-art, jien kont maġenbu bħala tfajjel, l-għaxqa tiegħu, jum wara ieħor, nitliegħeb il-ħin kollu quddiemu; nitliegħeb fuq l-art imħejjija għall-bnedmin, nitgħaxxaq b’ulied il-bnedmin”.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

 

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

When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars which you set in place —

What is man that you should be mindful of him,

or the son of man that you should care for him?

R O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

You have made him little less than the angels,

and crowned him with glory and honor.

You have given him rule over the works of your hands,

putting all things under his feet:

R O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

All sheep and oxen,

yes, and the beasts of the field,

The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,

and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

R O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

 

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 8:4-5,6-7,8-9

R/.(2a): Mulej, Sid tagħna, kemm hu kbir ismek fl-art kollha!

Inħares lejn is-smewwiet, għemil subgħajk,

il-qamar u l-kwiekeb li int qegħedt fihom!

X’inhu l-bniedem biex tiftakar fih,

bin il-bniedem, biex taħseb fih?  R/.

Ftit inqas mill-allat għamiltu,

bis-sebħ u l-ġmiel żejjintu,

qegħedtu fuq l-għemejjel kollha ta’ jdejk!  R/.

Kollox taħt riġlejh qegħedtlu:

in-nagħaġ u l-baqar kollha, sal-bhejjem tax-xagħri;

l-għasafar tal-ajru u l-ħut tal-baħar,

dak kollu li jterraq fil-baħar.  R/.

Reading 2               ROMANS 5:1-5

Brothers and sisters: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

 

Qari 2                 mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lir-Rumani 5:1-5

Ħuti, issa li aħna ġġustifikati bil-fidi, għandna s-sliem ma’ Alla, permezz ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu; permezz tiegħu għandna d-dħul bil-fidi għal din il-grazzja li fiha qegħdin. Aħna niftaħru bit-tama li għandna li għad niksbu l-glorja ta’ Alla. Mhux biss dan: imma niftaħru wkoll bis-sofferenzi, għax nafu li s-sofferenza ġġib is-sabar, is-sabar irawwem il-ħila, il-ħila t-tama. U din it-tama ma tqarraqx bina, għax l-imħabba ta’ Alla ssawbet fi qlubna permezz tal-Ispirtu s-Santu li kien mogħti lilna.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

 

Gospel               JOHN 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."

 

Evanġelju               Qari skont San Ġwann 16:12-15

 

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Baqagħli ħafna ħwejjeġ x’ngħidilkom, imma għalissa ma tifilħux għalihom. Meta jiġi hu, l-Ispirtu tal-verità, iwassalkom għall-verità kollha; għaliex hu ma jgħid xejn minn tiegħu, imma jgħid dak li jisma’, u jħabbrilkom il-ġejjieni. Hu jagħtini glorja, għaliex jieħu minn dak li hu tiegħi u jħabbru lilkom. Dak kollu li għandu l-Missier huwa tiegħi. Għalhekk għedt li jieħu minn dak li hu tiegħi u jħabbru lilkom”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

 

"I–God–my neighbour"

 

Introduction:

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

Importance in Christian life:

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

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

    3) When Church bells ring thrice daily, they remind us to give glory to the Holy Trinity for the Incarnation of Jesus and His Redemption of all of us. 4) We bless ourselves, and the priest blesses us, in the Name of the Holy Trinity.

 

Biblical basis:

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

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

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

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

    4) John’s account: In John’s Gospel, chapters 15–18, we have a detailed account of Jesus’ teaching of the role of each Person of the Holy Trinity: a) God the Father creates and provides for His creatures. b) God the Son redeems us and reconciles us with God. c) God the Holy Spirit sanctifies us, strengthens us, teaches us, and guides us to God.

Life messages:

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

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

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

 

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

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COME, COME, SPIRIT OF GOD

 Readings for Sunday, June 5, 2022

  

Pentecost Sunday

Mass during the Day  /Lectionary: 63

Għid il-Ħamsin

Solennità - Quddiesa tal-Jum

 

 Reading 1                ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 2:1-11

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

Qari I                mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli 2, 1-11

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

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

Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
the earth is full of your creatures;
R (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or: R Alleluia.

May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
 may the LORD be glad in his works!
Pleasing to him be my theme;
I will be glad in the LORD.
R (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or: R Alleluia.

If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or: R Alleluia.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 103 (104), 1ab.24aċ.29bċ-30.31.34

R/. (30): Ibgħat l-Ispirtu tiegħek, Mulej, u ġedded il-wiċċ tal-art
jew  R/. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

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

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

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

 Reading 2                     ROMANS 8:8-17

Brothers and sisters: Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness. If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you. Consequently, brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,  but you received a Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

 Qari II                mill-ittra ta’ San Pawl lir-Rumani 8, 8-17

Ħuti, dawk li jgħixu skont il-ġisem ma jistgħux jogħġbu lil Alla. Issa intom ma intomx taħt il-ħakma tal-ġisem, imma tal-Ispirtu, ladarba hemm l-Ispirtu ta’ Alla jgħammar fikom. Jekk xi ħadd ma għandux fih l-Ispirtu ta’ Kristu, dan mhuwiex tiegħu.Jekk Kristu jgħammar fikom, għalkemm il-ġisem hu mejjet minħabba fid-dnub, imma l-Ispirtu hu ħajjitkom minħabba l-ġustizzja. Jekk l-Ispirtu ta’ dak li qajjem lil Ġesù mill-imwiet  jgħammar fikom, Alla stess li qajjem lil Kristu mill-imwiet iqajjem għall-ħajja wkoll il-ġisem mejjet tagħkom, bis-saħħa tal-Ispirtu li jgħammar fikom. Hekk mela, ħuti, aħna m’aħniex midjunin mal-ġisem biex ngħixu skont il-ġisem. Għax jekk tgħixu skont il-ġisem, tmutu; imma jekk tmewtu l-għemil tal-ġisem bl-Ispirtu, tgħixu. Dawk kollha li jmexxihom l-Ispirtu ta’ Alla huma wlied Alla. Għax intom ma rċevejtux l-ispirtu li jwassalkom għall-jasar biex terġgħu taqgħu fil-biża’, imma rċevejtu l-Ispirtu li jagħmel minnkom ulied adottivi; u li bih aħna nistgħu ngħajtu: “Abbà! Missier!”. Dan l-Ispirtu jixhed flimkien mal-ispirtu tagħna li aħna wlied Alla. Jekk aħna wlied, aħna wkoll werrieta, werrieta ta’ Alla, werrieta ma’ Kristu: ladarba aħna nbatu miegħu, biex miegħu nkunu gglorifikati. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej 

Sequence
Veni, Sancte Spiritus

Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen.
      
Sekwenza

Spirtu s-Santu, ejja fina,
raġġ ta’ dawl qaddis agħtina,
xerrdu f’ruħna mis-smewwiet.
O Missier il-foqra tiegħek,
inti ġġib id-doni miegħek,
tagħni b’dawlek qalb l-ulied.
Inti l-aqwa faraġ tagħna,
fik kull hena xħin tkun magħna,
tħossok fewġa ħelwa r-ruħ.
Fl-għaja, lejn is-serħ twassalna;
jekk imħeġġa wisq, trażżanna;
mill-għajnejn tixxotta d-dmugħ.
O dawl hieni ta’ qdusija,
nitolbuk li bik mimlija
tkun il-qalb ta’ kull fidil.
Mingħajr dawlek li jmexxina
ebda ħajr ma jkun hemm fina,
ebda safa fl-għemil.
Naddaf kull fejn hemm it-tbajja’,
fejn hemm nixfa reġġa’ l-ħajja,
lill-miġruħ agħtih fejqan.
Rattab fina l-ebusija,
agħti lill-berdin bżulija,
għin fit-triq lil min beżgħan.
Agħti s-seba’ doni tiegħek
lil min jimxi fidil miegħek
u li fik jistrieħ kull ħin.
Agħti ’l kull virtù sabiħa
ħlas ta’ salvazzjoni sħiħa,
agħti l-ġenna lit-tajbin.
Ammen. Hallelujah.

Gospel               JOHN 14:15-16, 23b-26
 
Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always. “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Those who do not love me do not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. “I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

Evanġelju               Qari skont San Ġwann 14, 15-16. 23b-26

 F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Jekk tħobbuni, ħarsu l-kmandamenti tiegħi. U jiena nitlob lill-Missier, u hu jagħtikom Difensur ieħor biex jibqa’ magħkom għal dejjem. Jekk xi ħadd iħobbni, iħares kelmti, u Missieri jħobbu, u aħna niġu u ngħammru għandu. Min ma jħobbnix ma jħarisx kliemi. U l-kelma li qegħdin tisimgħu mhijiex tiegħi, imma tal-Missier li bagħatni. Għedtilkom dan meta għadni magħkom. Imma d-Difensur, l-Ispirtu s-Santu, li l-Missier jibgħat f’ismi, jgħallimkom kollox u jfakkarkom dak kollu li għedtilkom”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIFE

Introduction:

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

The event:

On the day of Pentecost:

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

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

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

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

The role of the Holy Spirit in Christian life:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Life messages:

We need to permit the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives:
 
1) by constantly remembering His holy presence and behaving well;

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

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

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

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