WE NEED TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS

 Readings for Sunday, August 28 2022

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 126

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

 

Reading 1               SIRAK 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

My child, conduct your affairs with humility,  and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.  Humble yourself the more, the greater you are,   and you will find favor with God.  What is too sublime for you, seek not,  into things beyond your strength search not.  The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs,  and an attentive ear is the joy of the wise. Water quenches a flaming fire,  and alms atone for sins.


Qari 1                mill-Ktieb ta’ Bin Sirak  3:17-20,28-29

Ibni, kun ġwejjed fix-xogħol li tagħmel, u tkun maħbub iktar minn wieħed milqugħ min-nies. Akbar m’int, iktar għandek iċċekken ruħek, u ssib grazzja quddiem il-Mulej. Ħafna huma l-imkabbrin u l-imsebbħin, imma l-Mulej jikxef lill-umli l-misteri tiegħu. Għax kbira hi s-setgħa tal-Mulej, imma hu msebbaħ min-nies umli. M’hemmx duwa għall-bniedem kollu kburija, għax din ħaxixa ħażina b’għeruqha mxenxla fih. Min għandu l-għerf jifhem il-proverbji u l-għaref ħerqan li jkollu min jisimgħu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.      

 Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11

The just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance;
you restored the land when it languished;
your flock settled in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 67(68):4-5aċ,6-7ab,10-11

R/. O Alla, int ħejjejt dar għall-fqajjar.

Il-ġusti jithennew quddiem Alla,
jifirħu u jaqbżu bil-ferħ.
Għannu lil Alla, faħħru ismu.
Tgħaxxqu fil-Mulej, aqbżu bil-ferħ quddiemu. R/.

Missier l-iltiema u difensur tar-romol,
hekk hu Alla fl-għamara mqaddsa tiegħu.
Alla jagħti d-dar lil dawk li huma weħidhom,
u lill-ħabsin bir-riżq joħroġhom. R/.

Xita bil-kotra inti bgħatt, o Alla, fuq l-art, wirt tiegħek,
u meta kienet bil-għatx inti ħjejtha.
Il-poplu tiegħek għammar fiha,
fi tjubitek, o Alla, għall-fqajjar ħejjejtha. R/.

Reading 2               HEBREWS 12:18-19, 22-24a

Brothers and sisters: You have not approached that which could be touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them. No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering, and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect, and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.

Qari 2                  mill-Ittra lil-Lhud 12:18-19,22-24a

Ħuti, intom ma rsaqtux lejn in-nar materjali u jħeġġeġ tas-Sinaj; lejn dak is-swied u d-dlam u r-riefnu; lejn dak id-daqq ta’ tromba u ħoss ta’ kliem li dawk li kienu jisimgħuh talbu bil-ħerqa biex ma jkellimhomx aktar.  Imma intom ersaqtu lejn il-muntanja ta’ Sijon u lejn il-belt ta’ Alla l-ħaj, li hi Ġerusalemm tas-sema; ersaqtu lejn eluf ta’ anġli f’ġemgħa ferrieħa; lejn il-ġemgħa tal-ulied ewlenin li isimhom hu miktub fis-sema; lejn Alla l-imħallef ta’ kulħadd; lejn l-erwieħ ta’ nies tajba u perfetti; lejn Ġesù l-medjatur ta’ patt ġdid. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               LUKE 14:1, 7-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Evanġelju               Qari skont San Luqa 14:1,7-14

Darba, kien is-Sibt, Ġesù daħal għand wieħed mill-kapijiet tal-Fariżej biex jiekol għandu, u huma qagħdu għajnejhom fih. Billi ra b’għajnejh kif il-mistednin bdew jagħżlu l-postijiet ta’ quddiem fil-mejda, qalilhom din il-parabbola: “Meta wieħed jistiednek għal xi festa ta’ tieġ, tmurx toqgħod fil-post ta’ quddiem, li ma jkunx hemm xi mistieden aqwa minnek, u dak li jkun stieden lilek u lilu jiġi fuqek jgħidlek: ‘Agħti l-post lil dan’, u int imbagħad, b’regħxa ta’ mistħija fuqek, ikollok tieħu l-post tal-aħħar. Għall-kuntrarju, meta tkun mistieden, mur inxteħet fil-post tal-aħħar, biex meta jiġi dak li stiednek jgħidlek: ‘Ħabib, itla’ f’post aktar ’il fuq’. U dan ikun ta’ ġieħ għalik quddiem dawk kollha li jkunu fil-mejda miegħek. Għax kull min jitkabbar, jiċċekken; u min jiċċekken, jitkabbar”.  Imbagħad qal ukoll lil dak li kien stiednu: “Meta tagħti ikla jew pranzu, tistedinx lil ħbiebek jew lil ħutek jew lil qrabatek, u anqas ġirien għonja, għax għandhom mnejn imbagħad jistiednu lilek huma, u hekk iroddulek il-pjaċir li tkun għamiltilhom. Għall-kuntrarju, meta tagħmel ikla, stieden il-foqra, il-magħtubin, iz-zopop u l-għomja, u hieni int, għax dawn ma għandhomx minn fejn iroddulek pjaċir bi pjaċir, imma jroddhulek Alla meta l-ġusti jqumu għall-ħajja”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

The need for true humility

Introduction:

The common theme of Sunday’s readings is the need for true humility which leads to a generous and blessed sharing with the needy. The readings also warn us against all forms of pride and self-glorification. They present humility not only as a virtue but also as a means of opening our hearts, our minds, and our hands to the poor, the needy, the disadvantaged, and the marginalized people in our society – a personal responsibility for every authentic Christian.

Sunday’s Gospel teaches us that we must act with humility and see ourselves as the servants of the community rather than those whom the community might feel honored to serve.

Scripture lessons:

The first reading, taken from the book of Sirach, reminds us that if we are humble, we will find favor with God, and others will love us. The second reading, taken from Hebrews, gives another reason for us to be humble. Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God humbled Himself, taking on human flesh and living our lives that he might die to save us. He invites his followers to learn how to live from him because he is “meek and humble of heart.

Paul reminds us that Jesus was lowly, particularly in his suffering and death for our salvation (Heb 2:5-18), so we should be like him in order to be exalted with him at the resurrection of the righteous. Paul also seems to imply that we need to follow Christ’s example of humility in our relationships with the less fortunate members of our society.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains the practical benefits of humility, connecting it with the common wisdom about dining etiquette. Jesus advises the guests to go to the lowest place instead of seeking places of honour, so that the host may give them the place they really deserve. Jesus’ words concerning the seating of guests at a wedding banquet should prompt us to honor those whom others ignore, because if we are generous and just in our dealings with those in need, we can be confident of the Lord’s blessings.

Life Message:

We need to practice humility in personal and social life: Humility is based on the psychological awareness that everything I have is a gift from God and, therefore, I have no reason to elevate myself above others. On the contrary, I must use these God-given gifts to help others.

True humility requires us neither to overestimate nor to underestimate our worth. We must admit the truths that we are sinners, that we do not know everything, and that we do not always act properly. Nevertheless, we must also recognize that we are made in the image and likeness of God, and that we are called to help build the kingdom of God with our God-given gifts.

We are of value, not because of those gifts, but because we are loved by God as His children, redeemed by the precious blood of His son Jesus. The quality of humility that Jesus is talking about also has a sociological dimension because Jesus is inviting us to associate with the so-called “lower classes” of the society — even the outcasts. Jesus invites us to change our social patterns in such a way that we connect with and serve the homeless, the handicapped, the elderly, and the impoverished — the “street people” of the world — with agápe love

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“'LORD OPEN THE DOOR FOR US!"

Readings for Sunday, August 21, 2022

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 123


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

 

Reading 1                ISAIAH 66:18-21

Thus says the LORD: I know their works and their thoughts, and I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the LORD in clean vessels. Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 66:18-21

Dan jgħid il-Mulej: “Għad niġi niġbor il-ġnus kollha, u l-popli ta’ kull ilsien; dawn jiġu u jaraw is-sebħ tiegħi. Jiena ngħolli għalihom sinjal, u nibgħat lil xi wħud mill-fdal ta’ Iżrael għand il-ġnus, f’Tarsis, Put, Lud, u Mesek, Ros, Tubal u Ġawan, u lejn ix-xtut imbiegħda li qatt ma semgħu bija, u qatt ma raw is-sebħ tiegħi, u huma jxandru s-sebħ tiegħi qalb il-ġnus. U jġibu lil ħutkom kollha minn kull ġens, bħala offerta lill-Mulej; iġibuhom fuq żwiemel u karrijiet, fuq suġġetti u bgħula u iġmla, għal fuq il-muntanja qaddisa tiegħi, f’Ġerusalemm, jgħid il-Mulej: bħalma wlied Iżrael iġibu l-offerti tal-qmuħ tagħhom f’ġarar indaf fit-tempju tal-Mulej. U lil xi wħud minnhom neħodhom b’qassisin u leviti, jgħid il-Mulej”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

 Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 117:1, 2

Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 116(117):1,2

R/. (Mk 16:15): Morru fid-dinja kollha, xandru l-Evanġelju.

Faħħru l-Mulej, intom ġnus kollha,
sebbħuh, intom popli lkoll! R/.

Għax kbira hi t-tjieba tiegħu magħna,
il-fedeltà tal-Mulej tibqa’ għal dejjem. R/.

 Reading 2               HEBREWS 12:5-7, 11-13

Brothers and sisters, You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges." Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.

Qari 2                mill-Ittra lil-Lhud 12:5-7,11-13

Ħuti, insejtuha għalkollox il-kelma ta’ twissija li qalilkom ta’ wlied li intom: “Ibni, la twarrabx it-twiddib tal-Mulej, u la taqtax qalbek meta jċanfrek; għax il-Mulej iwiddeb lil min iħobb, jolqot lil kull min jilqa’ b’ibnu”. Hu għall-edukazzjoni tagħkom li intom qegħdin tbatu! Alla qiegħed jimxi magħkom ta’ wlied. Min hu dak l-iben li missieru ma jwiddbux? Tassew li bħalissa kull twiddiba ma tferraħniex, imma tnikkitna; iżda mbagħad, lil dawk li jkunu tħarrġu biha, hija troddilhom il-frott ta’ ħajja mimlija bis-sliem u l-ġustizzja. Mela erfgħu l-idejn merħija u l-irkupptejn mitluqa tagħkom, u aqbdu triq dritta għal riġlejkom, biex min hu zopp, ma joħroġx mit-triq, imma jerġa’ jieħu saħħtu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               LUKE 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from. And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'  Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

Evanġelju                Qari skont San Luqa 13:22-30

F’dak iż-żmien, huwa u sejjer lejn Ġerusalemm, Ġesù għadda jgħallem f’xi bliet u rħula. U kien hemm wieħed qallu: “Mulej, jaqaw ftit huma dawk li jsalvaw?”. U huwa weġibhom: “Tħabtu biex tidħlu mill-bieb id-dejjaq, għax kif ngħidilkom jien, ħafna għad ifittxu li jidħlu u ma jirnexxilhomx. Għax meta sid id-dar ikun qam jagħlaq il-bieb, intom tibqgħu barra, u tibdew tħabbtu l-bieb u tgħidu: ‘Mulej, iftħilna!’. Iżda hu jweġibkom u jgħid: ‘Ma nafx mnejn intom’. Imbagħad taqbdu tgħidulu: ‘Kilna u xrobna miegħek aħna, u int għallimt fil-pjazez tagħna’. Hu jwieġeb u jgħidilkom: ‘Ma nafx mnejn intom; morru minn quddiemi, intom ilkoll li tagħmlu dak li mhux sewwa!’. Hemmhekk ikun hemm il-biki u tgħażżiż tas-snien, meta taraw lil Abraham u lil Iżakk u lil Ġakobb u l-profeti kollha fis-Saltna ta’ Alla, u intom imkeċċija ’l barra. U jiġu nies mil-Lvant u mill-Punent, mit-Tramuntana u min-Nofsinhar, u joqogħdu għall-mejda fis-Saltna ta’ Alla. U araw, hawn min hu tal-aħħar u għad ikun l-ewwel, u hawn min hu tal-ewwel u għad ikun l-aħħar”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

“Am I prepared to be saved?

Introduction:

As He continues his final journey to Jerusalem prepared for his suffering, and death, Jesus responds to the question asking how many will be saved by answering how one is to enter into salvation and how urgent it that one strive now, before the Master closes the door. Instead of asking how many will be saved, Jesus wants us to ask ourselves, “Am I prepared to be saved, choosing the narrow gate of sacrificial agape love and so loving others as Jesus loves them”?

Scripture lessons summarized:

In the first reading, Isaiah’s prophecy speaks to the Babylonian exiles returning to Jerusalem after 47 years in captivity, the younger members with their pagan wives, telling them that salvation is not a Jewish monopoly and that is why Yahweh welcomes the pagans also into Judaism. The prophet’s great book ends as it began, with a vision of all the peoples of the world streaming toward Jerusalem, acknowledging and praising the God of Israel.

The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 117) refrain, “Go out to all the world and tell the Good News,” reflects the mission of God’s chosen people to be instruments of salvation to the whole world. In the second reading, exploring with his readers the consequences of Christian commitment, St. Paul explains that “the narrow gate” of Jesus means our accepting pain and suffering as the loving discipline God is giving His children.

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus clearly explains that anyone who follows him through the narrow gate of sacrificial service and sharing love will be saved. Jesus also admonishes his followers to concentrate on their own salvation by self-discipline rather than to worry about the salvation of others.

The Non-Catholic doctrine on salvation was taught by Calvin and is currently broadcast by tele-evangelists as follows:

“Once saved, you are always saved,” in spite of your future sins and even apostasy. One is saved by the shed blood of Jesus when, as a young person or an adult, one accepts Jesus as Lord and Saviour, confesses one’s sins and prays the “Sinner’s Prayer,” asking God’s pardon and forgiveness for one’s sins.

Catholic teaching on salvation states that:

Salvation is a past, present, and future event. We were saved from the Bondage of sin when we were baptized as children or adults. We are being saved at present, when we cooperate with God’s grace by loving others as Jesus did, by sharing our blessings with the needy, and by getting reconciled with God daily, asking His forgiveness for our sins.

We will be eternally saved when we hear the loving invitation from Jesus, the Judge, at the moment of our death and on the day of the Last Judgment, saying: “Good and faithful servant, you were faithful in little things enter into the joy of your Master.”

Life messages:

We need to cooperate with God’s grace daily given to us:

   a) by choosing the narrow way and the narrow gate of self-control and self-disciplining of our evil tendencies, evil habits, and addictions;

   b) by loving others, seeing the face of Jesus in them, and sharing our blessings with them sacrificially;

   c) by obtaining the daily Divine strength to practice self-control and sharing love through the guidance of the Holy Spirit in daily prayer, in Bible reading, and in reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.

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"I HAVE COME TO SET THE WORLD ON FIRE...!

 Readings for Sunday, August 7, 2022

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 120

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


Reading 1               JEREMIAH 38:4-6, 8-10

 In those days, the princes said to the king: "Jeremiah ought to be put to death; he is demoralizing the soldiers who are left in this city, and all the people, by speaking such things to them; he is not interested in the welfare of our people, but in their ruin." King Zedekiah answered: "He is in your power"; for the king could do nothing with them. And so they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Prince Malchiah, which was in the quarters of the guard, letting him down with ropes. There was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. Ebed-melech, a court official, went there from the palace and said to him: "My lord king, these men have been at fault in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah, casting him into the cistern. He will die of famine on the spot, for there is no more food in the city." Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Cushite to take three men along with him, and draw the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before he should die.

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Ġeremija 38:4-6,8-10

F’dak iż-żmien, il-prinċpijiet marru jgħidu lis-sultan: “Ħalli jiġi maqtul Ġeremija, għax b’dan il-kliem li qiegħed jgħidilhom qiegħed jaqta’ qalb is-suldati li fadal f’din il-belt u qalb il-poplu kollu. Tassew, bniedem bħal dan mhuwiex ifittex il-ġid ta’ dan il-poplu, imma l-qerda tiegħu”. U s-sultan Sedekija qalilhom: “Araw, f’idejkom, hu! Għax is-sultan ma jista’ jagħmel xejn magħkom”.  U ħadu lil Ġeremija u xeħtuh fil-bir ta’ Malakija, bin is-sultan, li kien fil-bitħa tal-għassa; imbagħad lil Ġeremija niżżluh bil-ħbula f’dan il-bir; ilma ma kienx fih, imma ħama biss; u Ġeremija għodos fil-ħama. Għebed-melek ħareġ mill-palazz tas-sultan, mar ikellmu u qallu: “Sidi s-sultan, dawn in-nies ġiebu ruħhom ħażin f’kulma għamlu lil Ġeremija, il-profeta, li xeħtuh fil-bir, u dalwaqt imut bil-ġuħ, għax ma baqax ħobż fil-belt”. Is-sultan imbagħad ordna lil Għebed-melek, il-Kusi, u qallu: “Ħu miegħek tlitt irġiel minn dawn u mur tella’ lil Ġeremija, il-profeta, mill-bir, qabel ma jmut”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 40:2, 3, 4, 18

I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me.
R. Lord, come to my aid!

The LORD heard my cry.
He drew me out of the pit of destruction,
 out of the mud of the swamp;
he set my feet upon a crag;
 he made firm my steps.
R. Lord, come to my aid!

And he put a new song into my mouth,
 a hymn to our God.
Many shall look on in awe
 and trust in the LORD.
R. Lord, come to my aid!

Though I am afflicted and poor,
 yet the LORD thinks of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
 O my God, hold not back!
R. Lord, come to my aid!

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 39(40):2,3,4,18

R/.(14b): Mulej, fittex għinni.

Ittamajt b’tama qawwija fil-Mulej;
hu niżel ħdejja
u sama’ l-għajta tiegħi. R/.

Minn bir waħxi tellagħni,
minn qalb il-ħama u t-tajn;
fuq il-blat qegħedli riġlejja,
u saħħaħli l-mixi tiegħi. R/.

Qegħedli fuq fommi għanja ġdida,
għanja ta’ tifħir lil Alla tagħna.
Ħafna jaraw u jimtlew bil-biża’ tiegħu,
u jittamaw fil-Mulej. R/.

Jien, fqajjar u msejken,
għandi ’l Sidi jaħseb fija.
Inti l-għajnuna u l-ħelsien tiegħi;
iddumx ma tgħinni, Alla tiegħi! R/.

Reading 2               HEBREWS 12:1-4

Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

Qari 2                  mill-Ittra lil-Lhud12:1-4

Ħuti, ladarba aħna wkoll għandna madwarna sħaba hekk kbira ta’ xhieda, ejjew inwarrbu minna kull xkiel u kull dnub li malajr ifixkilna, u b’qalbna qawwija nibqgħu niġru t-triq tal-prova li għandna quddiemna. Inżommu għajnejna merfugħa lejn Ġesù, li minnu tibda u fih tintemm il-fidi tagħna; hu li, flok l-hena li kellu quddiemu, qagħad għas-salib bla xejn ma qies l-għajb tiegħu, u issa qiegħed fuq in-naħa tal-lemin tat-tron ta’ Alla. Aħsbu mela fih, li qagħad għal oppożizzjoni hekk kbira min-naħa tal-midinbin, biex ma tegħjewx u ma taqtgħux qalbkom. Sa issa fil-ġlieda tagħkom kontra d-dnub, għad ma żammejtux hekk iebes li wasaltu biex xerridtu demmkom.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                LUKE 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples: "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three;  a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father,  a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Evanġelju                Qari skont San Luqa 12:49-53

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Nar ġejt inqiegħed fuq l-art, u kemm nixtieq li diġà qabad! Iżda hemm magħmudija li biha għandi nitgħammed, u x’diqa għandi sa ma dan iseħħ! Taħsbu intom li jien ġejt inġib il-paċi fid-dinja? Le, ngħidilkom, imma l-firda; għax mil-lum ’il quddiem ħamsa min-nies f’dar waħda jkunu mifruda bejniethom, tlieta kontra tnejn u tnejn kontra tlieta; jinfirdu l-missier kontra l-iben u l-iben kontra l-missier, l-omm kontra l-bint u l-bint kontra l-omm, omm ir-raġel kontra mart binha u mart l-iben kontra omm żewġha”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.
 
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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

Are we practicing “inoffensive Christianity?”

Introduction:

The central theme of Sunday’s readings is that we should courageously live out our religious convictions and principles in our lives, as Jeremiah, Paul, and Jesus did, even if doing so should result in our martyrdom and turn society upside down. If no one is ever offended by the quality of our commitment to Christ, then perhaps we are practicing “inoffensive Christianity.”

Scripture lessons summarized:

Jeremiah, in our first reading, is presented as experiencing the consequences of the burning word of God within him. Jeremiah’s preaching divided the city and incited such opposition that people sought his death. He showed the courage of his prophetic conviction by telling the king that he had to surrender to the mighty army of Babylonian empire to save Israel. The result was that Jeremiah was thrown into a deep, muddy unused cistern to die for his “treason.”

The refrain for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 40), has us sing what could have been Jeremiah’s plea to God, “Lord! Come to my aid!” Standing in this prophetic tradition, Paul, in the second reading, challenges the Judeo-Christians to stand firm in their Faith in Jesus, ignoring the ostracism imposed on them by their own former Jewish community.

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus, too, preaches the word of God which continues to divide families, a word which, he knew, would lead ultimately to his death. The fire Jesus brings is the fire of love and the fire of hope. The disruption, division, and revolution, which Jesus and his true followers cause in society by the fire of sacrificial love and the fire of justice, are necessary to re-set what’s fractured, put right what’s dislocated and cleanse what’s infected. 

In other words, the curative pain caused by Jesus’ ideas and ideals is necessary for the establishment of real shalom of God. Even though Jesus brings a sword and causes division, he is the bringer of true and lasting peace. In pursuing his mission, Jesus brings division because some follow him and others oppose him. We must make a decision to follow him or not, to share his “baptism” or not. This choice can result in division, even within families.

Life messages:

#1: Let us learn to appreciate the contemporary prophets in the Church: The Jesuit Cardinal Avery Dulles, writing about the role of prophecy in the modern Church communities in his book Models of the Church, remarks: “Christianity is not healthy unless there is room in it for prophetic protest against abuses of authority.” God continues to send such prophets to every parish community, and it is the duty of the bishop, pastor, and parish council to listen to the well-intended, constructive criticisms of such Jeremiahs.

# 2: We should have fire in our hearts: On the day of our Baptism, we received the light of Christ and were instructed to keep that torch burning brightly until the return of Christ Jesus. In addition, the Holy Spirit was sent into our hearts at Confirmation to help set us on fire. “One who is on fire cannot sit on a chair.” So, as Christians on fire, we have to inflame people to care, to serve, and to bless one another with all the gifts of Faith. We should allow that fire to burn off the impurities in us and to bring out the purity of the gold and silver within us.

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“YOU ALSO MUST BE PREPARED.... "

Readings for Sunday, August 7, 2022

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 117

Id-Dsatax-il Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

 
Reading 1                WISDOM 18:6-9

The night of the passover was known beforehand to our fathers,  that, with sure knowledge of the oaths in which they put their faith,  they might have courage.  Your people awaited the salvation of the just  and the destruction of their foes.  For when you punished our adversaries,  in this you glorified us whom you had summoned.  For in secret the holy children of the good were offering sacrifice  and putting into effect with one accord the divine institution.

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb tal-Għerf 18:6-9

Dak il-lejl tal-ħelsien tħabbar minn qabel lil missirijietna, biex, wara li għarfu sewwa f’liema wegħdiet emmnu, aktar iqawwu qalbhom. Il-poplu tiegħek stenna l-ħelsien tal-ġusti, u l-qerda tal-għedewwa tagħhom, għax kif int ikkastigajt l-għedewwa tagħna,  hekk sebbaħt lilna meta sejjaħtilna għalik.  L-ulied twajba tal-ġusti offrew sagrifiċċju bil-moħbi, u lkoll fehma waħda qagħdu għal-Liġi ta’ Alla: li l-qaddisin tiegħek jaqsmu xorta bejniethom kemm il-ġid u kemm id-deni; għalhekk minn qabel għannew tifħir missirijiethom. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. 

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22

Exult, you just, in the LORD;
 praise from the upright is fitting.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
 the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
 upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
 and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Our soul waits for the LORD,
 who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
 who have put our hope in you.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Salm Responsorjali                Salm 32 33):1,12,18-19,20,22

R/.(12b): Hieni l-poplu li l-Mulej għażel b’wirtu.

Għannu, ġusti, bil-ferħ lill-Mulej;
jixirqilhom ifaħħruh in-nies sewwa.
Hieni l-ġens li l-Mulej hu Alla tiegħu,
il-poplu li hu għażel b’wirtu. R/.

Ara, għajnejn il-Mulej fuq dawk li jibżgħu minnu,
fuq dawk li jittamaw fit-tjieba tiegħu,
biex jeħilsilhom mill-mewt ħajjithom,
u jaħjihom fi żmien il-ġuħ. R/.

Ruħna tixxennaq għall-Mulej,
hu l-għajnuna u t-tarka tagħna.
Ħa tkun, Mulej, it-tjieba tiegħek fuqna,
kif fik hi t-tama tagħna. R/.

 
Reading 2               HEBREWS 11:1-2, 8-19

Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.BVBecause of it the ancients were well attested. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise;  for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God. By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age —and Sarah herself was sterile— for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth, for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.” He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.

Qari 2                mill-Ittra lil-Lhud  11:1-2,8-19

Ħuti, il-fidi hija pedament tal-ħwejjeġ li għandna nittamaw, hija l-prova tal-ħwejjeġ li ma narawx. In-nies tal-imgħoddi għoġbu lil Alla sewwasew għax kellhom il-fidi. Kienet il-fidi li ġagħlet lil Abraham jobdi s-sejħa ta’ Alla, meta dan qallu biex imur f’art li kien se jagħtih b’wirt; u telaq, bla ma kien jaf fejn kien sejjer.  Kienet il-fidi li ġagħlitu jgħammar fl-art imwiegħda, qisu barrani f’art barranija, u jgħix taħt it-tined flimkien ma’ Iżakk u Ġakobb, li kienu werrieta miegħu tal-istess wegħda; għax hu kien iħares ’il quddiem, lejn il-belt mibnija fis-sod, li l-imgħallem u l-bennej tagħha huwa Alla.  Kienet ukoll il-fidi li biha Sarah, mara mdaħħla fiż-żmien, setgħet titqal, għax hija għarfet li ta’ kelmtu kien dak li għamlilha l-wegħda. Kien għalhekk li minn bniedem wieħed, li kien tista’ tgħid mejjet, twieldu nies bil-kotra daqs il-kwiekeb tas-sema u daqs ir-ramel ta’ xatt il-baħar, li ħadd ma jista’ jgħoddu.  Kollha bil-fidi mietu dawn in-nies. Kienu għadhom ma ħadux dak li kien imwiegħed, iżda huma rawh mill-bogħod u sellmulu, waqt li għarfu li huma kienu barranin u għorba fuq l-art. Tabilħaqq, dawk li jitkellmu b’dan il-mod juru ċar li huma qegħdin ifittxu pajjiż għalihom. Li kieku kellhom fi ħsiebhom il-pajjiż li minnu kienu ħarġu, kellhom żmien biżżejjed biex jerġgħu lura fih. Imma issa huma jixtiequ pajjiż aħjar, jiġifieri, dak tas-sema. Huwa għalhekk li Alla ma jistmellx jissejjaħ Alla tagħhom, għax hu ħejja belt għalihom.  Kienet il-fidi li ġagħlet lil Abraham joffri ’l Iżakk meta Alla ġarrbu; u kien se joffri lil ibnu l-waħdieni sewwasew dak li kien ħa l-wegħdiet, hu li Alla kien qallu: “Minn Iżakk int għad ikollok nisel”. Huwa fehem li Alla kellu s-setgħa saħansitra li jqajjem mill-mewt; u, fis-sens ta’ tixbiha, ħadu tabilħaqq lura mill-mewt.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               LUKE 12:32-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.  Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”  Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, the master will put the servant in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

Evanġelju                Qari skont San Luqa 12:32-48  

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Le, merħla ċkejkna, tibżgħu xejn, għax Missierkom għoġbu jagħtikom is-Saltna! Bigħu ġidkom u agħtuh karità u fittxu għalikom infuskom boroż li ma jitmermrux, teżor li ma jiġix nieqes fis-sema, fejn la l-ħalliel ma jersaq u lanqas il-kamla ma tħassar. Għax fejn hemm it-teżor tagħkom, hemm tinsab qalbkom ukoll. Żommu ġenbejkom imħażżma u l-imsiebaħ tagħkom mixgħula; kunu bħal nies jistennew lil sidhom lura mill-festa tat-tieġ, biex malli jiġi u jħabbat jiftħulu minnufih. Henjin dawk il-qaddejja li meta jiġi sidhom isibhom jishru! Tassew ngħidilkom, li hu jitħażżem, iqegħedhom madwar il-mejda, u jgħaddi quddiemhom iservihom. U kieku kellu jiġi fil-ħin tat-tieni sahra, jew tat-tielet, u jsibhom xorta waħda fuq dmirhom, henjin huma! Kunu afu dan, li kieku sid id-dar kellu jkun jaf xħin ikun ġej il-ħalliel, ma kienx se jħalli min jinfidlu l-ħajt ta’ daru. Mela kunu lesti intom ukoll, għax qatt ma tistgħu tobsru s-siegħa li fiha jiġi Bin il-bniedem”.  Qallu Pietru: “Mulej, din il-parabbola qiegħed tgħidha għalina, jew għal kulħadd?”. Wieġbu l-Mulej: “Int min tgħid li hu l-qaddej fidil u għaqli? Min hu dak li s-sid iqiegħdu fuq in-nies tad-dar biex jagħtihom sehemhom f’ħin l-ikel? Hieni dak il-qaddej li sidu jiġi u jsibu jagħmel dan. Ngħidilkom is-sewwa, li jafdalu ġidu kollu f’idejh. Imma nagħmlu mod li dak il-qaddej jibda jgħid f’qalbu: ‘Sidi jiddawwar ma jiġi’, u jaqbad isawwat lill-qaddejja kollha, irġiel u nisa, u jiekol u jagħtiha għax-xorb u s-sokor; sid dak il-qaddej jasal f’jum meta ma jkunx jistennieh, f’siegħa li fiha jieħdu għall-għarrieda, u jagħmlu bċejjeċ u jagħtih dak li ħaqqhom in-nies li mhumiex fidili. U dak il-qaddej li jkun jaf xi jrid sidu, u madankollu ma jħejjix jew ma jagħmilx li jrid sidu, swat kbir jaqla’. Min imbagħad, bla ma jkun jaf xi jrid sidu, jagħmel xi ħaġa li jkun ħaqqha s-swat, dan ftit jissawwat. Għax lil min tawh ħafna, ifittxu li jieħdu ħafna mingħandu; u min ħallewlu ħafna f’idejh, iżjed jippretendu mingħandu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

The necessity for trusting in God’s promises

Introduction:

The central theme of today’s readings is the necessity for trusting Faith in God’s promises and vigilant preparedness among Christ’s followers to meet their God as their Judge and Rewarder, at the time of their death. Fidelity in doing God’s will is the best preparation for our death.

Scripture lessons summarized:

The first reading cites the Faith-filled preparedness of the ancient Hebrew slaves in Egypt before their mass exodus to the Promised Land. Their trusting Faith in their God’s promises gave them hope. We are told how their Faith and Hope resulted in their liberation. With expectant Hope, the Hebrews sacrificed the first Passover lamb and ate the first ritual meal, as prescribed by their God through Moses. They awaited their imminent release and were prepared for it.

Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 33) invites us to express our own confidence in God and to declare our trust in His Providence. In the Second Reading, taken from the last chapter of the letter to the Hebrews, the author defines Faith as “the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). He tries to bolster the Faith of the Jewish Christians (the Hebrews), by appealing to the example of their ancestors, starting with Abraham, and reviewing the things they accomplished by Faith.

In the Gospel, Jesus challenges his disciples to trust the Father’s promise to give them eternal happiness in His kingdom. But they are to be prepared at all times, because the Son of Man will come at an unexpected hour, either at the moment of their death or at the end of the world, whichever is comes first. Using the master-thief parable, Jesus warns us to be on our guard so that the thief (the devil), may not steal our treasure of Divine grace or our relationship with God by his temptations. Using the master-servant parable, Jesus reminds us always to do the will of God by obeying Jesus’ commandment of love and offering humble and sacrificial service to others.

Life message:

We always need to be prepared to meet Our Lord as our judge:

    1) Let us always remember the words of the Book of Revelation: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him and he with me” (3:20). Since nobody is sure about the time and circumstances of his or her death, we must be ever prepared to face Jesus our Lord and Savior as our Judge at the moment of our death to give an account of our lives. He wants to see that we have kept our personal relationship with him by growing in holiness.

    2) Such a growth is assisted by daily talking to him and listening to him in Bible reading; by asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit every day; by recharging our spiritual batteries through offering our lives on the altar and getting spiritual nourishment in Holy Communion during the Holy Mass; by getting reconciled with God every day, asking for His pardon and forgiveness with a repentant heart, and seeking His forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation for serious sins; and by obeying Jesus’ commandment of love by serving all the people around us, sacrificially sharing our blessings with them, seeing the face of Jesus in everyone.

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