OUR BENEVOLENT, COMPASSIONATE, FORGIVING GOD

 Readings for Sunday, OCTOBER 30, 2022 

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 153

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

 
Reading 1                WISDOM 11:22-12:2

Before the LORD the whole universe is as a grain from a balance  or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.  But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things;  and you overlook people's sins that they may repent.  For you love all things that are  and loathe nothing that you have made;  for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.  And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it;  or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you?  But you spare all things, because they are yours,  O LORD and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things!  Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little, warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing,  that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O LORD!

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb tal-Għerf 11:22–12:2

Mulej, quddiemek id-dinja kollha qisha traba fil-miżien, jew qatra nida tal-għodwa li tinżel fuq l-art. Iżda int tħenn għal kulħadd, għax tista’ kollox; int tagħlaq għajnejk għal dnubiet il-bnedmin biex huma jindmu. Għax int tħobb il-ħlejjaq kollha, u xejn ma tistmell minn kulma għamilt; li kien hemm xi ħaġa li stajt tobgħodha, int ma kontx tagħmilha. Kif setgħet tibqa’ xi ħaġa fid-dinja kieku int ma ridthiex? Jew kif setgħet iżżomm, kieku int ma sejjaħtilhiex? Imma int, o Sid li tħobb kulma jgħix, lil kulħadd tagħder, għax kollox huwa tiegħek. Għax f’kulħadd hemm nifsek bla ma qatt jintemm. Għalhekk int twiddeb bil-ftit il-ftit lil dawk li jonqsu, twissihom u tfakkarhom fejn dinbu, biex jerġgħu lura mill-ħażen tagħhom,  u fik, Mulej, iqiegħdu t-tama tagħhom.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14

I will extol you, O my God and King,
and I will bless your name forever and ever.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 144(145):1-2,8-9,10-11,13ċd-14

R/.(1) Mulej, inbierek ismek għal dejjem ta’ dejjem.

Ħa nkabbrek, Alla tiegħi, sultan,
u nbierek ismek għal dejjem ta’ dejjem.
Kuljum irrid inbierkek,
u nfaħħar ismek għal dejjem ta’ dejjem. R/.

Twajjeb u ħanin il-Mulej,
idum biex jagħdab u kollu tjieba.
Twajjeb ma’ kulħadd il-Mulej,
tjubitu fuq kulma għamel. R/.

Kulma għamilt iroddlok ħajr, Mulej;
iberkuk il-ħbieb tiegħek kollha.
Is-sebħ tas-saltna tiegħek ixandru,
fuq is-setgħa tiegħek jitkellmu. R/.

Ta’ kelmtu l-Mulej fil-wegħdiet tiegħu kollha,
twajjeb f’dak kollu li għamel.
Iwieżen il-Mulej ’il kull min se jaqa’,
iqajjem ’il kull min hu mitluq. R/.

Reading 2               2 THESSALONIANS 1:11-2:2

Brothers and sisters: We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ. We ask you, brothers and sisters, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a "spirit," or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.

Qari 2                 mit-Tieni Ittra lit-Tessalonikin 1:11–2:2

Ħuti, aħna dejjem nitolbu għalikom li Alla tagħna jagħmilkom denji tas-sejħa tiegħu, u jagħmel li bil-qawwa tiegħu sseħħ kull rieda tajba tagħkom għall-ġid u kull ħidma tal-fidi tagħkom. U hekk l-isem ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu jkun igglorifikat fikom u intom fih skont il-grazzja ta’ Alla tagħna u tal-Mulej Ġesù Kristu. Ħuti, għal dak li għandu x’jaqsam mal-miġja ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu u l-ġemgħa tagħna biex ningħaqdu miegħu, nitolbukom biex ma toqogħdux tħawdu raskom malajr u tinħasdu bħallikieku l-miġja ta’ jum il-Mulej qorbot, u la jekk tkunu mnebbħin mill-ispirtu u lanqas jekk tisimgħu xi kelma jew taqraw xi ittra taparsi mingħandna. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel               LUKE 19:1-10

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."

Evanġelju               Qari skond San Luqa 19:1-10

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù daħal Ġeriko u kien għaddej mit-triq. Mela jkun hemm raġel, jismu Żakkew; dan kien wieħed mill-kapijiet tal-pubblikani, u kien għani. Kellu xewqa li jara min kien Ġesù, imma ma setax minħabba l-folla, billi kien raġel qasir. Għalhekk mar jiġri ’l quddiem u xxabbat ma’ siġra tat-tin selvaġġ, għax minn dik in-naħa kien se jgħaddi. Ġesù, kif wasal hemm, ħares ’il fuq u qallu: “Żakkew, isa, inżel minn hemm, għax illum jeħtieġli noqgħod għandek”. Dak niżel bla telf ta’ żmien, u kollu ferħan laqgħu għandu. In-nies, meta rawh, ilkoll bdew igemgmu bejniethom u jgħidu li għand wieħed midneb daħal jistrieħ. Imma Żakkew, wieqaf, qal lill-Mulej: “Ara, Mulej, nofs ġidi se nagħtih lill-foqra, u jekk jien qarraqt b’xi ħadd irroddlu għal erba’ darbiet iżjed”. Qallu Ġesù: “F’din id-dar illum daħlet is-salvazzjoni, għax dan ir-raġel ukoll huwa bin Abraham. Għax Bin il-bniedem ġie jfittex u jsalva l-mitluf”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil  

THE LOVED SINNER

Introduction:

The common theme of Sunday’s readings is the benevolent, compassionate, forgiving mercy of God for sinners and the response of repentance and conversion expected from us.

Scripture lessons summarized:

The first reading reminds us that God’s Almighty Power includes His strength to be merciful. That is why God, Who created the universe mercifully, waits for sinners to repent. God continues to love us, even when we do not love Him in return. The reading focuses on the love God has for all He has created, the love that overlooks sin so that we all have time for repentance. God shows us His redemptive love through His mercy.

In the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 145), the Psalmist also tells us that the Lord is good to all, and His compassion covers all that He has made. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness (Ps 145:8). In the second reading, St. Paul encourages the Thessalonians to persevere in their Christian Faith, giving glory to God without idly waiting for the “second coming” of Christ in their lifetime. He advises them to continue to live good Christian lives every day, allowing God to work in them so that they may be worthy of their vocation as Christians.

Sunday’s Gospel presents the story of the instantaneous conversion of the tax-collector, Zacchaeus, whom God’s grace led to a moment of conversion. The account describes how Jesus recognized Zacchaeus for exactly what he was, a lost sinner in need of a Saviour, and shows us how God’s grace worked in Zacchaeus to lead him from idle curiosity to repentance, conversion, and restitution. The episode emphasizes the fact that such a conversion can only result from a person’s fully receiving the love, acceptance, and grace offered to everyone one by a merciful Lord.

Life messages:

1) We need to accept the Divine invitation for repentance. We are all sinners to a greater or lesser degree. Jesus is inviting each one of us to total conversion today. Let us remember that Jesus loves us in spite of our ugly thoughts, broken promises, sullied ideals, lack of prayer and Faith, resentments, and lusts. Hence, let us admit our sinfulness and accept God’s call to repentance, conversion and renewal of life.

2) Let us love others as Jesus loved Zacchaeus, despite his sins. Parents and teachers need to accept children lovingly, without first setting up standards of behavior as conditions for being loved. Husband and wife may have qualities that irritate each other. But they should not, because of that, withhold love from each other. Nor should they withhold their love from a rebellious teenager making stupid and even dangerous choices because of immaturity and peer-pressure.

3) We are called to generosity: Jesus wants us to move from our small and feeble Faith to a greater and more powerful Faith, just as Zacchaeus did. He also wants us to be financially and spiritually generous.

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THE RIGHT KIND OF PRAYER

Readings for Sunday, OCTOBER 23, 2022

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 150

 

It-Tletin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

 
Reading 1               BIN SIRAK 35:12-14, 16-18

The LORD is a God of justice,  who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak,  yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.  The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,  nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.  The one who serves God willingly is heard;  his petition reaches the heavens.  The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;  it does not rest till it reaches its goal,  nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,  judges justly and affirms the right,  and the Lord will not delay.

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb ta’ Bin Sirak 35:12-14,16-18

Il-Mulej hu mħallef, u ma jħarisx lejn l-uċuħ. Ma joqgħodx iħares lejn wiċċ dak li jkun b’dannu tal-fqir, u jagħti widen għat-talba tal-magħkus. Ma jagħlaqx widnejh għat-talba bil-ħniena tal-iltim, jew tal-armla li tibki xortiha. Min jaqdi mill-qalb lil Alla jintlaqa’, u t-talba tiegħu titla’ m’ogħla s-sħab. It-talba tal-umli tinfed is-sħab, u ma toqgħodx bi kwietha qabel tasal qrib il-Mulej, u ma tiqafx qabel ma l-Għoli jagħti widen, u jagħti raġun lill-ġusti u jagħmel ħaqq.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 33:2-3,17-18,19,23

R/.(7a): Dan il-fqajjar sejjaħ u l-Mulej semgħu.

Kull ħin inbierek il-Mulej;
tifħiru dejjem fuq fommi.
Bil-Mulej tiftaħar ruħi;
jisimgħu l-fqajrin u jifirħu! R/.

Il-ħarsa tal-Mulej fuq il-ħżiena,
biex jeqred minn fuq l-art tifkirithom.
Jgħajtu l-ġusti għall-għajnuna, u l-Mulej jismagħhom;
mid-dwejjaq kollha tagħhom jeħlishom. R/.

Qrib il-Mulej lejn dawk b’qalbhom maqsuma,
jgħin lil dawk b’ruħhom mifnija.
Jifdi l-Mulej il-ħajja tal-qaddejja tiegħu;
kull min jistkenn fih ma jkollux xi jpatti. R/.

Reading 2               2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8, 16-18

Beloved: I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.  At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever.

Qari 2                mit-Tieni Ittra lil Timotju 4:6-8,16-18

Għażiż, demmi ġa mxerred b’sagrifiċċju, u żmien it-tluq tiegħi wasal. Tqabadt it-taqbida t-tajba, temmejt il-ġirja, ħarist il-fidi. Mill-bqija hemm merfugħa għalija l-kuruna tal-ġustizzja, li biha f’dak il-Jum iħallasni l-Mulej, l-Imħallef ġust, u mhux lili biss, imma wkoll lil dawk kollha li jkunu għexu fl-imħabba tad-Dehra tiegħu. Fl-ewwel difiża tiegħi ħadd ma kien miegħi; kulħadd ħallieni. Jalla ma jkunx magħdud kontrihom! Imma l-Mulej waqaf miegħi u tani l-qawwa biex bis-saħħa tiegħi l-kelma tixxandar sal-aħħar u l-ġnus kollha jisimgħuha. Hekk jien sfajt meħlus minn ħalq l-iljun. Il-Mulej jeħlisni minn kull deni u jħarisni, sa ma nasal fis-saltna tiegħu tas-sema. Glorja lilu għal dejjem ta’ dejjem! Amen. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               LUKE 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Evanġelju                 Qari skont San Luqa  18:9-14

F’dak iż-żmien, kien hemm uħud li kienu jafdaw fihom infushom li huma ġusti u kienu jmaqdru lill-oħrajn. Ġesù qalilhom din il-parabbola: “Żewġt irġiel, wieħed Fariżew u l-ieħor pubblikan, telgħu fit-tempju biex jitolbu. Il-Fariżew, wieqaf, talab hekk f’qalbu: ‘O Alla, niżżik ħajr li m’iniex bħall-bqija tal-bnedmin, ħalliela, inġusti, żienja, jew ukoll bħal dan il-pubblikan. Jiena nsum darbtejn fil-ġimgħa u nħallas l-għexur ta’ kulma ndaħħal’. Iżda l-pubblikan, bilwieqfa fil-bogħod anqas biss ried jerfa’ għajnejh lejn is-sema, imma beda jħabbat fuq sidru u jgħid: ‘O Alla, ħenn għalija, għax jien midneb!’. Ngħidilkom jien li dan, u mhux l-ieħor, niżel id-dar iġġustifikat. Għax kull min jitkabbar, jiċċekken; u min jiċċekken, jitkabbar”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.


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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

The hallmark of our prayers

Introduction:

The main theme of Sunday’s Gospel is that true humility and repentance for our sins must be the hallmark of our prayers. However, the central focus of today’s parable is not on prayer itself, but rather on the evil of pride, the need for true humility, and the role of God’s grace in our salvation.

Scripture lessons summarized:

The first reading, from Sirach, is a perfect companion piece to the Gospel parable. In one striking image from Sirach, the writer declares “the prayer of the lowly, pierces the clouds to reach the unseen throne of God.” Such prayers are heard because they come from the hearts of people who know how much they need God. Although God has no favorites and answers the prayers of all, the oppressed, the orphans, the widows, and those who can least help themselves are His special concern. The best prayer is humble and selfless service.

In the Refrain for Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps) 95, we sing this warning reminder, “If today you hear His Voice, harden not your hearts,” in pride or scorn. In the second reading, the former Pharisee Paul, like the publican in the Gospel parable, humbly acknowledges his work as accomplished by the grace of God, and he thanks God for enabling him to fight a good battle — to run a good race while keeping his Faith intact and proclaiming it.

In today’s Gospel parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus reminds us that God hears the prayers of one who approaches Him in humility with a repentant heart. God did not hear the prayer of this Pharisee because he exalted himself. His prayer was a prayer of thanksgiving that he was not as evil as other people. He announced to God his freedom from sin and detailed his fidelity in observing the prescribed fast and in giving tithes. The tax collector’s prayer, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” was heard because he humbled himself, acknowledging his sins and requesting God’s mercy.

Life messages:

1) Let us evict the Pharisee and revive the publican in each of us. We become the proud Pharisee when we brag about our achievements giving no credit to God, when we seek praise and recognition from others for our accomplishments, and when we degrade others with insensitive comments, hurting their feelings. In today’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us to imitate the humble publican (tax collector), by acknowledging our total dependence on God and His grace for all our achievements and blessings; by confessing to God daily our sinfulness; by asking for His strengthening through the daily anointing of His Holy Spirit living within us; and by becoming more sensitive to the needs and feelings of others, serving Jesus in them as best as we can.

2) Let us include all the necessary ingredients in our prayers. Our personal prayers must include our request for pardon and forgiveness for our sins, thanksgiving for the numerous blessings we receive daily from God, praise and worship, the unconditional surrender of our life and all our activities completely and unconditionally to God, the acknowledgement of our weakness and total dependence on Him, and finally, the presentation of our needs and petitions, accompanied by the fervent request for God’s strengthening in our weakness and temptations by the daily anointing of His Holy Spirit. Let us pray every day: “Be merciful to me, a sinner.”


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PERSEVERING AND TRUSTING IN GOD

Readings for Sunday, OCTOBER 16, 2022

 

 

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 147

 

 

Id-Disgħa u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena
 

Reading 1               EXODUS 17:8-13

In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel. Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, "Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses'hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Qari 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Eżodu 17:8-13

F’dak iż-żmien, il-poplu ta’ Għamalek qam u tqabad ma’ Iżrael f’Rafidim. Mosè qal lil Ġożwè: “Agħżel irġiel u mur tqabad ma’ Għamalek; jien noqgħod wieqaf fuq il-quċċata tal-għolja, bil-ħatar ta’ Alla f’idi”. Ġożwè għamel kif qallu Mosè, u mar jitqabad mal-Għamalekin. Mosè, Aron u Ħur telgħu fuq il-quċċata tal-għolja. Kull meta Mosè kien jerfa’ jdejh, Iżrael kien jirbaħ; u kull meta kien iniżżel idejh, kienu jirbħu l-Għamalekin. Meta jdejn Mosè bdew jitqalu, ħadu ġebla u qegħduhielu taħtu; u hu qagħad bilqiegħda, waqt li Aron u Ħur żammewlu dirgħajh, wieħed kull naħa. Hekk idejh baqgħu sodi merfugħa sa nżul ix-xemx. U Ġożwè qered lil Għamalek u l-poplu tiegħu b’xifer ix-xabla.Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

May he not suffer your foot to slip;
may he slumber not who guards you:
indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,
the guardian of Israel.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.
The sun shall not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The LORD will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 120(121):1-2,3-4,5-6,7-8

 R/.(2): L-għajnuna tiegħi mingħand il-Mulej.

Nerfa’ għajnejja lejn l-għoljiet;
mnejn se tiġini l-għajnuna?
L-għajnuna tiegħi mingħand il-Mulej,
li għamel is-sema u l-art. R/.

Ma jħalli qatt li riġlek jogħtor;
ma jongħosx dak li jħarsek.
Ara, la jongħos u lanqas jorqod
dak li jħares lil Iżrael. R/.

Il-Mulej hu dak li jħarsek;
il-Mulej hu d-dell tiegħek fuq lemintek.
Ma tolqtokx ix-xemx binhar,
anqas il-qamar billejl. R/.

Iħarsek il-Mulej minn kull deni;
hu jħarislek ħajtek.
Il-Mulej iħarsek fil-ħruġ u d-dħul tiegħek,
minn issa u għal dejjem. R/.

Reading 2               2 TIMOTHY 3:14-4:2

Beloved: Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.

Qari 2              mit-Tieni Ittra lil Timotju  3:14–4:2

Għażiż, ibqa’ miexi f’dak li tgħallimt u emmint bis-sħiħ, għax taf mingħand min tgħallimtu, u għax sa minn żgħoritek sirt midħla tal-Kotba Mqaddsa, li jistgħu jagħtuk l-għerf li jwassal għas-salvazzjoni permezz tal-fidi fi Kristu Ġesù. L-Iskrittura kollha hija mnebbħa minn Alla, u tiswa biex wieħed jgħallem, iċanfar, iwiddeb u jrawwem fis-sewwa, biex hekk il-bniedem ta’ Alla jkun perfett, imħejji għal kull ħidma tajba. Nitolbok bil-ħerqa, quddiem Alla u Kristu Ġesù, li għandu jagħmel ħaqq mill-ħajjin u mill-mejtin, f’isem id-Dehra tiegħu u s-Saltna tiegħu: xandar il-kelma, insisti f’waqtu u barra minn waqtu, ċanfar, widdeb, wissi, bis-sabar kollu u bit-tagħlim.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               LUKE 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.' For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, 'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'" The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

 Evanġelju               Qari skont San Luqa 18:1-8

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal parabbola lid-dixxipli tiegħu biex jurihom li għandhom dejjem jitolbu bla ma jaqtgħu. Qalilhom: “Kien hemm f’belt wieħed imħallef, li la kien jibża’ minn Alla u lanqas iħabbel rasu minn ħadd. F’dik il-belt kien hemm waħda armla, u kienet tmur għandu u tgħidlu: “Agħmilli ħaqq kontra l-għadu tiegħi”. Hu ma riedx, u dam ħafna hekk; iżda mbagħad bejnu u bejn ruħu qal: “Mhux għax nibża’ minn Alla jew għax se nħabbel rasi min-nies, imma għall-inqas għax din l-armla dejqitni; ħa nagħmlilha ħaqq, biex ma tibqax ġejja u sejra sa ma tifnini”. U l-Mulej qal: “Isimgħu ftit x’jgħid l-imħallef il-ħażin. Imbagħad Alla, lill-magħżulin tiegħu li jgħajtulu lejl u nhar, sejjer ma jagħmlilhomx ħaqq? Se joqgħod itawwal magħhom? Jiena ngħidilkom li malajr jagħmlilhom ħaqq. Imma taħsbu intom li Bin il-bniedem se jsib il-fidi fuq l-art meta jiġi?”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

Persevere in prayer and trust in God

Introduction:

Sunday’s readings are mainly about prayer — perseverance in prayer, constancy in prayer and trust in God as we pray. They are also about the Trustworthiness and Justice of God, the type of Justice that reaches out to the poor and the weak, enabling them to fight against injustice.

Scripture lessons summarized:

In the first reading, Moses, after sending Joshua to fight against Amalek, is presented as making tireless intercession with constancy for the victory of Israel’s army. Both Moses and the widow in today’s Gospel story teach us how we should pray with trusting Faith and perseverance. In the second reading, St. Paul instructs Timothy to persevere in his ministry, to proclaim the word of God with persistence in all circumstances, and to use it to “correct, reprove and appeal with patience.”

By introducing the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow in today’s Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the “necessity of praying always and not losing heart.” Constancy in prayer is Faith in action. Jesus presents the widow in Sunday’s Gospel as a model of the trust and tenacity with which his disciples are to pray. The widow was asking for something which God would certainly want for her – justice.

Life messages:

1)  We need to combine formal prayers with action prayer: It is ideal that we start our prayers by reading from the Bible, especially the Psalms and the Gospels. Formal, memorized and liturgical prayers are also essential for the Christian prayer life. Personal prayer is of great importance in our life of prayer. Talking to God in our own words — praising Him, thanking Him and presenting our needs before Him — transforms our whole life into prayer.

We should perfect our prayers by bringing ourselves into God’s presence during our work several times during the day and by offering to God all that we are, all that we have, and all that we do. Along with formal and memorized prayers, this type of prayer life enables us to pray always and pray with constancy and trusting perseverance.

2) We should not expect to get whatever we pray for. This parable does not suggest that God writes a blank cheque, guaranteeing whatever we want, whenever we want, it in the form we ask for. But we conveniently forget the fact that, often, a loving father has to refuse the request of a child, because he knows that what the child asks would hurt rather than help him (e.g., a sharp knife). God is like that. He knows what to give, when to give and how to give it.

Only God sees time whole, and, therefore, only God knows what is good for us in the long run. That is why Jesus said that we must never be discouraged in prayer. Instead, we have to leave the answer to God’s decision saying, “Thy will be done.” Sincere and persistent prayer makes us ready to accept His will.

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DON 'T FORGET TO SAY THANK YOU

Readings for Sunday, OCTOBER 9, 2022


Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 144


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

  Reading 1               2 KINGS 5:14-17

Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of Elisha, the man of God.  His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean of his leprosy. Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God. On his arrival he stood before Elisha and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel. Please accept a gift from your servant." Elisha replied, "As the LORD lives whom I serve, I will not take it;" and despite Naaman's urging, he still refused. Naaman said: "If you will not accept, please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth, for I will no longer offer holocaust or  to any other god except to the LORD."

Qari 1                 mit-Tieni Ktieb tas-Slaten  5:14-17

F’dak iż-żmien, Nagħman, il-kmandant tal-eżerċtu tas-Sultan ta’ Aram, niżel fil-Ġordan, u għodos seba’ darbiet, bħalma qallu Eliżew, il-bniedem ta’ Alla, u ġismu raġa’ sarlu qisu l-ġisem ta’ tfajjel żagħżugħ, u ndaf mil-lebbra tiegħu. U raġa’ lura għand Eliżew, il-bniedem ta’ Alla, hu u kull min kellu miegħu; daħal, waqaf quddiemu u qallu: “Ara, issa naf, iva, li ma hemmx Alla ieħor fid-dinja kollha, ħlief f’Iżrael. Ilqa’, nitolbok, dan ir-rigal mingħand il-qaddej tiegħek”. U qallu Eliżew: “Daqskemm hu ħaj il-Mulej li lilu naqdi, jien ma nieħu xejn”. U ma ħadhulux, għad li l-ieħor issikkah ħafna. Għalhekk Nagħman qallu: “La ma tridx, nitolbok li tingħata lill-qaddej tiegħek tagħbija ta’ żewġ bgħula ħamrija; għax il-qaddej tiegħek mhuwiex se jagħmel iżjed sagrifiċċji tal-ħruq u offerti lil allat oħra, jekk mhux lill-Mulej”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. 

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

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

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

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands:
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

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

R/.(ara 2b): Il-Mulej għarraf is-salvazzjoni lill-ġnus.

Għannu lill-Mulej għanja ġdida,
għax għamel ħwejjeġ tal-għaġeb.
Ġibitlu r-rebħa l-leminija tiegħu,
u d-driegħ imqaddes tiegħu. R/.

Għarraf il-Mulej is-salvazzjoni tiegħu,
f’għajnejn il-ġnus wera l-ġustizzja tiegħu.
Ftakar fit-tjieba u l-fedeltà tiegħu
mal-poplu ta’ Iżrael. R/.

L-art kollha, minn tarf għall-ieħor,
rat is-salvazzjoni ta’ Alla tagħna.
Għajtu bil-ferħ lill-Mulej fl-art kollha,
infexxu fil-hena, ifirħu u għannu! R/.

Reading 2              2 TIMOTHY 2:8-13

Beloved: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

Qari 2                mit-Tieni Ittra lil Timotju  2:8-13

Għażiż, ftakar f’Ġesù Kristu, li qam mill-imwiet, li hu min-nisel ta’ David, skond l-Evanġelju li ħabbart jien. Għalih jien qiegħed inbati sa l-irbit tal-ktajjen bħallikieku għamilt xi delitt. Imma l-kelma ta’ Alla mhijiex marbuta! Għalhekk kollox nieħu bis-sabar għall-imħabba ta’ dawk li Alla għażel, biex huma wkoll jiksbu s-salvazzjoni, li hi ta’ glorja għal dejjem fi Kristu Ġesù. Din hi kelma ta’ min joqgħod fuqha: Jekk aħna mitna miegħu, għad ngħixu miegħu wkoll; jekk insofru bis-sabar, għad insaltnu miegħu wkoll; jekk niċħduh, jiċħadna hu wkoll; jekk nonqsu mill-kelma li tajna, hu jibqa’ jżomm kelmtu; għax hu ma jistax iqarraq bih innifsu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.
 
Gospel               LUKE 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan.Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you."

Evanġelju                Qari skont San Luqa 7:11-19                

Ġara li huwa u sejjer lejn Ġerusalemm, Ġesù għadda minn bejn is-Samarija u l-Galilija. Kif kien dieħel f’raħal, iltaqgħu miegħu għaxart irġiel morda bil-lebbra. Waqfu ’l bogħod minnu, għollew leħinhom u qalulu: “Ġesù, mgħallem, ikollok ħniena minna!”. Kif rahom, qalilhom: “Morru uru rwieħkom lill-qassisin”. U ġara li, huma u sejrin, fiequ mill-marda tagħhom. Wieħed minnhom, kif ra ruħu mfejjaq, raġa’ lura jgħajjat u jfaħħar lil Alla, inxteħet wiċċu fl-art f’riġlejn Ġesù u raddlu ħajr. Issa dan kien Samaritan. U Ġesù qabad u qal: “Mhux l-għaxra fiequ mil-lebbra? Fejn huma d-disgħa l-oħra? Ma kien hemm ħadd minnhom li raġa’ lura biex jagħti glorja lil Alla ħlief dan il-barrani?”. Imbagħad qallu: “Qum, mur; il-fidi tiegħek salvatek”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

A God who desires gratitude from us

 

Introduction:

The central theme of Sunday’s readings is gratitude – in particular, the expression of gratitude God expects from us. Today’s Gospel story of ‘the forgetful lepers presents a God Who desires gratitude from us for the many blessings we receive from Him, and Who feels pain at our ingratitude.

Scripture lesson summarized:

Naaman, the Syrian military commander in the first reading, was an outcast, not only because of his leprosy, but because he was also a non-Israelite, a pagan. But he returned to thank the Prophet Elisha for curing his leprosy, and as a sign of his gratitude, transferred his allegiance to the God of Israel.

St. Paul, in the second reading, advises Timothy to be grateful to God even in his physical sufferings and amid the dangers associated with spreading the Word of God because God will always be faithful to His people.

Next Sunday’s Gospel story tells us of a single non-Jewish leper (a “Samaritan, considered by the Jews as heretic”), who returned to thank Jesus for healing him, while the nine Jewish lepers went their way. Perhaps, they were under the false impression that healing was their right as God’s “chosen people.” So, they hurried off to obtain health certificates from the priests. “Where are the other nine?” Jesus asked the returned Samaritan and the crowd rhetorically.

Sunday’s readings also remind us that Faith and healing go hand in hand. It was Faith that prompted Naaman to plunge himself into the waters of the Jordan River, and it was Faith in Jesus which prompted the lepers to present themselves first to Jesus and then to the priests. The readings also demonstrate the universal love of God for all peoples, including the Samaritans (whom the Israelites hated), and the pagans, Israel’s enemies, whom Naaman represented.

Life Messages:

1) We need to learn to be thankful to God and to others. We can express our gratitude to our loving and providing God by offering grace before meals and by allotting a few minutes of the day for family prayer. Let us show our gratitude to our forgiving God by forgiving others and by loving God in them, radiating His love, mercy, and compassion to all we encounter, including our families and friends. It is by taking good care of our old and sick parents that we express our gratitude to them for the loving sacrifices they have made in raising us.

2) We need to celebrate the Holy Eucharist as the supreme act of thanksgiving: The Greek word “Eucharist” means profoundly religious and thoroughly spiritual “thanksgiving” (from the efkaristo). When we celebrate Holy Mass together, we are thanking God for giving us the great gift of His Son in the Holy Eucharist so that we can share His Divine life and recharge our spiritual batteries, and for giving us His teaching, guiding, strengthening Holy Spirit. We express our thanks to God as a parish community by sharing our time, talents, and material blessings in the various ministries and services of the parish and by our active participation in its outreach programs in the community.

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