DENY YOURSELF, TAKE UP YOUR CROSS & FOLLOW ME

 Readings for Sunday, September 3, 2023

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 124

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

Reading 1                JEREMIAH 20:7-9

You duped me, O LORD, and I let myself be duped; you were too strong for me, and you triumphed. All the day I am an object of laughter; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I must cry out, violence and outrage is my message; the word of the LORD has brought me derision and reproach all the day. I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Ġeremija 20, 7-9

Qarraqtni Mulej, u jien tqarraqt: kont aqwa minni, u għelibtni. Jien sirt id-daħka ta’ kuljum, kulħadd jiddieħak bija. Kull meta niġi nitkellem, jien ngħajjat, u nxandar, “Moħqrija u ħsara!”. Il-kelma tal-Mulej saret għalija tagħjir u tmaqdir kuljum. U jien għedt: “Ma nsemmihx aktar, ma nitkellimx aktar f’ismu”. Iżda f’qalbi hemm bħal nar jaqbad, magħluq f’għadmi. Għejejt inżommu magħluq ġo fija, ma niflaħx aktar għalih. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
for your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 62 (63), 2.3-4.5-6.8-9

R/. (2b): Għalik imxennaq jiena, Mulej, Alla tiegħi

Alla, Alla tiegħi int; lilek ħerqan infittex.
Ruħi bil-għatx għalik,
għalik imxennaq jiena,
bħal art niexfa, maħruqa, bla ilma. R/.

Għalhekk ġejt narak fit-tempju mqaddes tiegħek,
biex nitgħaxxaq bis-setgħa u l-glorja tiegħek.
Għax it-tjieba tiegħek aħjar mill-ħajja,
xufftejja jxandru t-tifħir tiegħek. R/.

Għalhekk inbierkek tul ħajti kollha;
ngħolli idejja u nsejjaħ ismek.
Bħal b’ikel mill-aħjar li jsemmen nimtela,
u jgħannilek fommi b’xufftejn ferrieħa. R/.

Għax int kont għajnuna għalija,
għad-dell ta’ ġwenħajk ngħanni bil-ferħ.
Miegħek tingħaqad ruħi,
int tweżinni bil-leminija tiegħek. R/.

Reading 2                ROMANS 12:1-2

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

QARI 2                 mill-Ittra lir-Rumani 12, 1-2

Nitlobkom ħuti, għall-ħniena ta’ Alla, offru ġisimkom b’sagrifiċċju ħaj, qaddis, jogħġob lil Alla, jiġifieri l-qima spiritwali tagħkom. Timxux max-xejra ta’ din id-dinja, iżda nbidlu skond it-tiġdid ta’ fehmietkom, biex iseħħilkom tagħrfu x’inhi r-rieda ta’ Alla, x’inhu ttajjeb li jogħġbu, x’inhu perfett. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                 MATTHEW 16:21-27

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,"God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you." He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct."

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 16, 21-27

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù beda juri lid-dixxipli tiegħu li kien meħtieġ għalih li jmur Ġerusalemm, isofri ħafna mix-xjuħ u l-qassisin il-kbar u l-kittieba, joqtluh, u fit-tielet jum iqum. Pietru ġibdu lejh u beda jlumu u jgħidlu: “Allaħares, Mulej! Ma jkun qatt li dan jgħaddi minn għalik!”. Iżda Ġesù dar u qal lil Pietru: “Itlaq minn quddiemi, ja xitan! Int tfixkil għalija, għax m’intix tqis il-ħwejjeġ ta’ Alla, imma qiegħed taħsibha ta’ bniedem li int!”. Imbagħad qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Jekk xi ħadd irid jiġi warajja, għandu jiċħad lilu nnifsu, jerfa’ salibu, u jimxi warajja. Għax min irid isalva ħajtu, jitlifha, imma min jitlef ħajtu għall-imħabba tiegħi, isibha. Għax xi jkun jiswielu l-bniedem jekk jikseb id-dinja kollha u mbagħad jitlef ħajtu? Jew xi prezz se jagħti l-bniedem biex isalva ħajtu? Għax Bin il-bniedem għandu jiġi fil-glorja ta’ Missieru flimkien ma’ l-anġli tiegħu, u mbagħad irodd lil kull wieħed skond ma wieħed ikun għamel”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil      

CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP DEMANDS SELF-CONTROL

Introduction: 

This coming Sunday’s Gospel passage reminds us that Christian discipleship demands self-control (“Deny yourself”), the willingness to suffer (“take up your cross”), the readiness to follow Jesus by obeying his commandment of love, and generosity in surrendering our lives to God (“to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God” (Rom 12:1).(An anecdote may be added)

Scripture lessons summarized: 

Sunday’s readings explain how we should practice true, dynamic Christian discipleship. Jeremiah, in the first reading, is certainly a prototype of the suffering Christ. In the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 63), the Psalmist manifests his profound trust in God, just as Jeremiah himself does. 

In the second reading, Paul advises the Romans and us (Rom 12:1-2): to ‘’offer our bodies as a living sacrifice” to God by explicitly rejecting the ungodly behaviour of the world around us and by discerning and doing the will of God. In today’s Gospel, Jesus takes his disciples by surprise when, after Peter’s great confession of Faith, Jesus announces that he “must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” 

After correcting Peter’s protest, Jesus announces the three conditions of Christian discipleship: “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.”

Life messages: 

# 1: We need to be “extremophiles” for Christ: True disciples of Christ are: 

a) truly compassionate: they are willing to visit and help the infected and the sick in hospitals, the incontinent elderly, the handicapped, and those who suffer dementia in nursing homes, and AIDS patients in hospices; 

b) truly humble: they areable to see that every good gift comes from God alone, and that His gifts to us of time, personal talents, and resources should inspire gratitude, not pride; 

c) truly patient: they are committed to working with challenging children, adolescents with problems, young adults who are struggling with their Faith, with the intellectually challenged and with those suffering dementia; 

d) truly forgiving: they are willing to forgive not just once, or twice, but again and again, because they know that God has forgiven them again and again; e) truly loving: they willingly visit people in prisons, in retirement homes, and in homeless shelters; and f) truly faithful: they are living out a committed, trusting relationship with God, with spouse, with family and friends.

# 2: We need to ask these questions as we examine our conscience. A true disciple examines his or her conscience every day, asking three questions about discipleship: 

a) Did I sacrifice a part of my time, talents, and income for my parish and the missionary activities of the Church? 

b) Did I practice self-control over my thoughts, words, deeds, and use of mass media, and put loving restriction on the cell phone and Internet activities of my children? 

c) Did I train my children in my Faith in a loving, providing, redeeming God by encouraging them, as we spend some time together as a family, praying and reading the Bible, and by teaching them through example and word to pardon each other, to ask for God’s pardon for our own sins and failures, to thank God for His blessings, and to participate in the Sunday school classes and youth programs?

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WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?

Readings for Sunday, August 27, 2023

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 121

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

Reading 1                ISAIAH 22:19-23 

Thus says the LORD to Shebna, master of the palace: "I will thrust you from your office and pull you down from your station. On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah; I will clothe him with your robe, and gird him with your sash, and give over to him your authority. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim's shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open. I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot, to be a place of honour for his family."  

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 22, 19-23

Dan jgħid il-Mulej lil Sebna, dak li jieħu ħsieb il-palazz tas-sultan:  “Inwarrbek minn postok, u nneħħik minn fejn qiegħed. Dakinhar insejjaħ lill-qaddej tiegħi Eljakim, bin Ħilkija, inlibbsu l-libsa tiegħek, u nħażżmu bit-terħa tiegħek, u nagħtih f’idejh il-ħakma tiegħek. U jkun missier għal min jgħammar f’Ġerusalemm, u għad-dar ta’ Ġuda. Inqiegħed muftieħ dar David fuq spallejh. Jiftaħ hu, u ħadd ma jagħlaq; jagħlaq hu, u ħadd ma jiftaħ. U nwaħħlu bħal musmar ma’ ħajt fis-sod, u jkun tron glorjuż għal dar missieru”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple.
R. Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.

I will give thanks to your name,
because of your kindness and your truth:
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.

The LORD is exalted, yet the lowly he sees,
and the proud he knows from afar.
Your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.
R. Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 137 (138), 1-2a.2bc-3.6.8bc

R/. (8b): It-tjieba tiegħek, Mulej, tibqa’ għal dejjem

Irroddlok ħajr, Mulej, b’qalbi kollha,
għaliex int smajt kliem fommi.
Quddiem l-allat irrid ngħannilek.
B’wiċċi fl-art ninxteħet
quddiem is-santwarju tiegħek. R/.

Irroddlok ħajr għat-tjieba u l-fedeltà tiegħek,
għax int kabbart ismek u kelmtek fuq kollox.
Meta sejjaħtlek, int weġibtni,
kattarli l-qawwa f’ruħi. R/.

Kbir il-Mulej, imma jieħu ħsieb iż-żgħar;
u, għalkemm fl-għoli, jagħraf mill-bogħod.
Il-Mulej iżomm kelmtu miegħi.
It-tjieba tiegħek, Mulej, tibqa’ għal dejjem. R/.

Reading 2                ROMANS 11:33-36

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid? For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lir-Rumani 11, 33-36

Ħuti, kemm huma kbar l-għana, l-għerf u l-għaqal ta’ Alla! Kemm tassew ħadd ma jista’ jgħarbel il-ġudizzju tiegħu u jifhem it-triqat tiegħu! Għax min qatt għaraf moħħ il-Mulej? Min qatt kien il-kunsillier tiegħu? Min qatt tah l-ewwel biex jistħoqqlu l-ħlas? Kollox ġej minnu, kollox permezz tiegħu, kollox għalih. Lilu l-glorja għal dejjem ta’ dejjem. Amen!

Gospel                MATTHEW 16:13-20

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 16, 13-20

F’dak iż-żmien, meta wasal fl-inħawi ta’ Ċesarija ta’ Filippu, Ġesù staqsa lid-dixxipli tiegħu u qalilhom: “Min jgħidu n-nies li hu Bin il-bniedem?”. U huma weġbuh: “Xi wħud, Ġwanni l-Battista; oħrajn, Elija; u oħrajn, Ġeremija jew wieħed mill-profeti”. “Imma intom min tgħidu li jien?”, staqsiehom. U qabeż Xmun Pietru u qallu: “Inti l-Messija, Bin Alla l-ħaj”. U Ġesù wieġbu u qallu: “Hieni int, Xmun bin Ġona, għax mhux bniedem tad-demm u l-laħam uriek dan, imma Missieri li hu fis-smewwiet. U jiena ngħidlek: Inti Pietru, u fuq din il-blata jiena nibni l-Knisja tiegħi, u s-setgħat tal-infern ma jegħlbuhiex. Jiena nagħtik l-imfietaħ tas-Saltna tas-Smewwiet, u kull ma torbot fuq l-art ikun marbut fis-smewwiet, u kull ma tħoll fuq l-art ikun maħlul fis-smewwiet”. Imbagħad lid-dixxipli tiegħu wissiehom biex ma jitkellmu ma’ ħadd fuq li huwa l-Messija. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil      

 GOD IS THE SOURCE OF ALL  AUTHORITY

Introduction: 

We might call this Sunday “Power Sunday” because the main theme of all three readings is that God is the Source of all authority. God shares His authority with civil rulers elected to serve the people and with the Pope and the other Church leaders for the material and spiritual welfare of His children. Today’s Gospel challenges us to accept the authority of Jesus as our Lord and Savior as St. Peter did at Caesarea Philippi.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading, taken from Isaiah, tells us how God hates unfaithful and selfish officials. He removed the proud “master of the royal palace” from his office, taking from Shebna the power and responsibility of which he had proven unworthy, and gave both to the humble and faithful Eliakim. The robe, the sash, and the keys are the insignia of this office. In today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 138), David thanks God for having raised him from lowly origins and given him authority as king over the people of Israel. In the second reading, St. Paul praises God for the depth of His wisdom, knowledge, and correct judgments, asserting that He is the Source of all authority on earth and in Heaven. Today’s Gospel passage shows us how Peter confesses Jesus as his Lord and Savior and how Jesus, in turn, approves Peter’s words and gives him teaching and ruling authority in his Church. Thus, Jesus establishes a “Magisterium” in his Church to serve the spiritual and physical needs of the Church members. By Jesus’ statement, “I will give you the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven,” he gives Peter and his successors the power to bind and to loose (make laws; exercise authority) in the Church, and the assurance that their decisions will be ratified in Heaven.

Life messages: 

1) We need to accept and experience Jesus as our Lord and personal Savior: : First, we should accept Jesus as the Son of God and our personal Savior. This means that we are accepting Jesus as our Good Shepherd, our Divine Savior, and our Redeemer. Next, Jesus should become a living experience for us – as our God protecting us and providing for us in our life’s journey, loving us, forgiving us, helping us, and transforming our lives and outlook. This is made possible by our listening to Jesus through the daily, meditative reading of the Bible, by talking to Jesus through daily, personal, communal and liturgical prayers, by offering our lives on the altar with Jesus whenever we participate in the Holy Mas, by receiving him in Holy Communion, and by leading exemplary lives, as we cooperate with God’s grace. Our personal experience of Jesus will also lead us to praise and thank God in all the events of our lives, both pleasant, and painful, realizing that God’s loving hands are behind everything.

2) We need to surrender our lives to Jesus, our Lord and Savior. That surrender requires that we freely give all areas of our lives to Jesus and radiate to all around us Jesus’ sacrificial agápe love, unconditional forgiveness, overflowing mercy, and committed service. The joy, the love, and the peace that we find in Jesus need to be reflected in the way we live our whole lives. We also surrender our lives to Jesus by rendering humble, loving service to others with the strong conviction that Jesus is present in every person.

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THE UNIVERSALITY OF GOD'S LOVE

 Readings for Sunday, August 20, 2023

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 118

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

Reading 1                     ISAIAH 56:1, 6-7

Thus says the LORD: Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed. The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, ministering to him, loving the name of the LORD, and becoming his servants— all who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 56, 1.6-7

Dan jgħid il-Mulej: “Żommu s-sewwa u agħmlu l-ġustizzja, għax is-salvazzjoni tiegħi għoddha waslet, u l-ġustizzja tiegħi dalwaqt tfeġġ. Ulied il-frustier li ntrabtu mal-Mulej biex jaqduh, u biex iħobbu isem il-Mulej, u jkunu qaddejja tiegħu, kull min iħares is-Sibt u ma jiksrux u jżomm sħiħ fil-patt tiegħi, lil dawn inwassalhom sal-muntanja mqaddsa tiegħi, u nferraħhom f’dar it-talb tiegħi. Il-vittmi maħruqa u s-sagrifiċċji tagħhom ikunu jogħġbuni telgħin minn fuq l-artal tiegħi, għax dari dar it-talb tissejjaħ għall-popli kollha”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 

May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 66 (67), 2-3.5.6.8

R/. (4): Ifaħħruk il-popli kollha, o Alla

Iħenn għalina Alla, u jberikna;
idawwar għal fuqna d-dija ta’ wiċċu!
Biex jingħarfu fuq l-art triqatek,
fost il-ġnus kollha s-salvazzjoni tiegħek. R/.

Jithennew il-ġnus u jgħannu bil-ferħ,
għax trieġi l-popli bis-sewwa,
u l-ġnus fuq l-art inti tmexxihom. R/.

Ifaħħruk il-popli, o Alla,
ifaħħruk il-popli kollha.
Iberikna Alla, u tibża’ minnu
l-art kollha minn tarf għall-ieħor! R/.

Reading 2                ROMANS 11:13-15, 29-32

Brothers and sisters: I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all. 

QARI 2                 mill-Ittra lir-Rumani 11, 13-15.29-32   

Ħuti, issa ngħid lilkom, il-pagani. Sakemm jiena appostlu tal-pagani nibqa’ nagħmel ġieħ lill-ministeru tiegħi, bit-tama li nqajjem l-għira ta’ ġensi u hekk insalva lil xi wħud minnhom. Għax jekk it-tkeċċija tagħhom ġiebet il-ħbiberija tad-dinja ma’ Alla, l-ilqugħ tagħhom mill-ġdid xi jkun ifisser, jekk mhux ħajja mill-imwiet?  Alla ma jreġġax lura d-doni u s-sejħa tiegħu. Bħalma fl-imgħoddi intom ma kontux tobdu lil Alla, imma issa sibtu l-ħniena tiegħu minħabba d-diżubbidjenza tagħhom; hekk huma wkoll m’humiex jobduh minħabba l-ħniena li sibtu intom mingħandu, ħalli issa huma wkoll isibu l-ħniena.  Għax Alla ħalla ’l kulħadd fil-jasar tad-diżubbidjenza, biex jagħmel ħniena ma’ kulħadd. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                MATTHEW 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called  "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus' disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their  Masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour. 

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 15, 21-28

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù telaq lejn Tir u Sidon. U ħarġet waħda mara Kangħanija minn dawk l-inħawi, u qabdet tgħajjat u tgħid: “Ħenn għalija, Mulej, Bin David; binti għandha fiha xitan, u magħdura ħafna!”. Iżda hu ma weġibhiex kelma. Resqu lejh id-dixxipli tiegħu, jitolbuh u jgħidulu: “Eħles minnha, għax ġejja tgħajjat warajna”. Imma hu qalilhom: “Ma ġejtx mibgħut ħlief għan-nagħaġ li ntilfu mid-dar ta’ Iżrael”.Iżda hi resqet, inxteħtet quddiemu u qaltlu: “Għinni Mulej!”. Hu weġibha: “Mhux sewwa tieħu l-ħobż tal-ulied u tixħtu lill-ġriewi”. “Hekk hu, Mulej – qaltlu – iżda l-ġriewi wkoll jieklu l-frak li jaqa’ minn fuq il-mejda ta’ sidienhom!”. Imbagħad wieġeb Ġesù u qalilha: “Mara, il-fidi tiegħek kbira! Ħa jsirlek kif tixtieq”. U minn dak il-ħin stess bintha fieqet. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil

GOD'S SAVING PRESENCE

Introduction:

All three readings this Sunday speak of the expansive and universal nature of the “Kingdom of God,” in contrast with the theory that salvation was to be offered first to the Jews and then, through them alone, to the rest of the world. Although God set the Hebrew people apart as His chosen race, He included all nations in His plan for salvation and blessed all the families of the earth in Abraham (Gn 12:1-3).

Scripture readings summarized: 

By declaring through the prophet Isaiah (first reading), “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples,” God reveals the truth that in His eyes there is no distinction among human beings on the basis of race, caste, or colour. The long-expected Messianic kingdom was intended not only for the Jews but for all nations as well. 

Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 67) rejects all types of religious exclusivity: “Let all the peoples praise You, O God; …For You judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon the earth, so that Your saving power may be known among all the nations.” In the second reading, Paul explains that, although the Jews were the chosen people, many of them rejected Jesus as the promised Messiah, and, consequently, God turned to the Gentiles who received mercy through their Faith in Jesus. 

In the Gospel story, Jesus demonstrates that salvation was meant for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews by healing the daughter of a Gentile woman as a reward for her strong Faith. Thus, Jesus shows us that God’s mercy and love are available to all who call out to Him in Faith.

Life messages: 

1) We need to persist in prayer with trustful confidence. Although the essential parts of prayer are adoration and thanksgiving, the prayer of petition, like the prayer of contrition, plays a big part in our daily lives. Christ himself has told us to ask him for these needs: “Ask and you shall receive.” Asking with fervour and perseverance proves that we have the “great Faith” we need to receive what Christ wants to grant us in response to our requests. We must realize, and remember, that we do not always get exactly what we ask for. Rather, God gives us what He knows we really need, what He wants us to have, and what is really best for us. 

As Christians, we also know that our particular request may not always be for our good, or for the final good of the person for whom we are praying. But if the prayer is sincere and persevering, we will always get an answer — one which is better than what we asked for.

2) We need to pull down our walls of separation and share in the universality of God’s love: Very often we set up walls which separate us from God and from one another. Sunday’s Gospel reminds us that God’s love and mercy are extended to all who call on Him in Faith and trust, no matter who they are. In other words, God’s care extends beyond the bounds of race and nation to the hearts of all who live, and God’s House should become a House of Prayer for all peoples. It is therefore fitting that we should pray and work sincerely so that the walls which our pride, intolerance, fear, and prejudice have raised in us may crumble.

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COURAGE

Readings for Sunday, August 13, 2023

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 115

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

Reading 1                1 KINGS 19:9a, 11-13a

At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the LORD said to him, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD— but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake— but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire— but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.

QARI 1                 mill-Ewwel Ktieb tas-Slaten  19, 9a.11-13a

F’dak iż-żmien: Elija wasal fil-Ħoreb, il-muntanja tal-Mulej. Hemmhekk daħal fl-għar u għadda l-lejl ġo fih. U Alla qallu: “Oħroġ, u oqgħod fuq il-muntanja quddiem il-Mulej”. U ara, il-Mulej għadda. Riħ qawwi, b’saħħa li jofroq il-muntanji u jfarrak il-blat, għadda quddiem il-Mulej; imma l-Mulej ma kienx f’dan ir-riħ. U wara dan ir-riħ theżhżet l-art imma l-Mulej ma kienx f’din it-theżhiża. U wara t-theżhiża kien hemm in-nar, imma l-Mulej ma kienx fin-nar. Wara n-nar inħasset żiffa ħelwa. Elija, kif ħassha, għatta wiċċu bil-mantell, ħareġ barra, u waqaf f’bieb l-għar.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14

I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD — for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 84 (85), 9ab-10.11-12.13-14

R/. (8): Uri lilna, Mulej, it-tjieba tiegħek

Ħa nisma’ xi jgħid Alla;
il-Mulej is-sliem ixandar,
għall-poplu u l-ħbieb tiegħu.
Qrib hi tassew is-salvazzjoni tiegħu
għal dawk li jibżgħu minnu,
biex jgħammar is-sebħ f’artna. R/.

It-tjieba u l-fedeltà jiltaqgħu,
il-ġustizzja u s-sliem jitbewsu.
Il-fedeltà mill-art tinbet,
u l-ġustizzja mis-sema tixref. R/.

Il-Mulej ukoll jagħti l-ġid tiegħu,
u artna tagħti l-frott tagħha.
Il-ġustizzja quddiemu timxi,
u s-sliem fuq il-passi tiegħu. R/.

Reading 2                 ROMANS 9:1-5

Brothers and sisters:  I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

QARI 2                mill-Ittra lir-Rumani  9, 1-5

Ħuti, 1ngħidilkom is-sewwa fi Kristu, m’iniex nigdeb, tixhidli l-istess kuxjenza tiegħi fl-Ispirtu s-Santu, li jiena mnikket għall-aħħar, u dejjem qalbi maqsuma; nixtieq li kont jiena stess maqtugħ minn Kristu minħabba f’ħuti, nies ġensi skond il-ġisem: l-Iżraelin.  Tagħhom hija l-adozzjoni ta’ wlied Alla u l-glorja, il-pattijiet u l-Liġi, il-liturġija u l-wegħdiet, tagħhom huma l-patrijarki; u kien minnhom li, skond il-ġisem, ħareġ Kristu, li hu fuq kollox, Alla mbierek għal dejjem ta’ dejjem. Amen!  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                MATTHEW 14:22-33

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear.  At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God."

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 14, 22-33

Wara lin-nies kielu u xebgħu, Ġesù minnufih ġiegħel lid-dixxipli jitilgħu fuq id-dgħajsa u jmorru qablu x-xatt l-ieħor, sakemm jibgħat lin-nies. Wara li bagħat lin-nies, tela’ waħdu fuq l-għoljiet biex jitlob. Xħin sar filgħaxija kien għadu hemm fuq, waħdu. Id-dgħajsa kienet diġa’ f’nofs il-baħar titħabat mal-mewġ, għax kellhom ir-riħ kontra tagħhom. Fir-raba’ sahra tal-lejl mar lejn in-naħa tagħhom miexi fuq il-baħar. Huma rawh miexi fuq il-baħar u twerwru. “Dan xi fantażma!”. qalu; u qabdu jgħajtu bil-biża’. Iżda hu minnufih kellimhom u qalilhom: “Agħmlu l-qalb, jien hu, tibżgħu xejn!”. Wieġeb Pietru u qallu: “Mulej, jekk huwa int, ordnali niġi ħdejk fuq l-ilma”. “Ejja”, qallu Ġesù. Pietru niżel mid-dgħajsa, u qabad jimxi fuq l-ilma u jersaq lejn Ġesù. Iżda meta ra li r-riħ kien qawwi, baża’, ħabat jegħreq, u beda jgħajjat u jgħid: “Salvani, Mulej!”. Malajr Ġesù medd idu u qabdu: “Bniedem ta’ fidi żgħira”, qallu, “għaliex iddubitajt?”. Meta mbagħad it-tnejn telgħu fid-dgħajsa, ir-riħ waqaf. Dawk li kienu fid-dgħajsa nxteħtu jqimuh u qalulu: “Tassew, int Bin Alla!”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil      

GOD'S SAVING PRESENCE

Introduction: 

The readings for this Sunday speak of God’s saving presence among His people, our need for trusting Faith in ou

r loving and providing God Who always keeps us company, and our need for prayer in storms of life. (You may add an Anecdote).

Scripture lessons: 

The first reading tells us of how Elijah the prophet who had defeated the 450 false priests of Baal with the help of just such a trusting Faith in the power of Yahweh, fled to the Lord God for help and strength on Mt Horeb, and encountered Him there in His mercy. In the second reading, Paul laments and mourns over the Jews who, having lost their Faith in Yahweh and His prophets, had rejected their promised Messiah, Jesus. Paul tells us later (11:7-24), that God’s plan allowed the Jews to reject Jesus so that a few believers, like Paul, would be free to carry the Good News outside Judaism, evangelizing the Gentiles. The Gospel episode occurred during an unexpected storm on the Sea of Galilee in the early morning hours. As Jesus approached the apostles, miraculously walking on water, he allayed their fears by telling them, “It is I.” The Gospel episode also explains how Peter lost his trusting Faith in Jesus for a few seconds, failed his attempt to walk on water, but was rescued when he called on Jesus for help.

Life messages: 

1) We all need to call Jesus in the storms facing us in the Church and in our lives. Let us approach Jesus with strong Faith in his ability and willing availability to calm the storms in the life of the Church and in our own lives. Church history shows us how Jesus saved his Church from the storms of persecution in the first three centuries, from the storms of heresies in the 5th and 6th centuries, from the storms of moral degradation and the Protestant reformation movement (later resulting in hundreds of denominations), in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and the storms of sex abuse scandals of the clergy in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. 

We need to realize that it is the presence of Jesus which gives us peace even in the wildest storms of life: the storms of anxiety and worries about the future that we may still be suffering now in the past or ongoing Corona Virus pandemic (Corvid-19), storms of sorrow, storms of doubt, tension and uncertainty, storms of anger and despair, storms of temptations, and storms in family relationships. But this peace flows only from a personal relationship with God, with Jesus, enhanced through prayer, meditative reading of Scripture and active participation in the Holy Mass and reception of the Sacraments when these are available to us.

2) We need to imitate the short prayer of sinking Peter: We are expected to pray to God every day with trusting Faith for strengthening our personal relationship with Him and for acknowledging our dependence on Him. But when we have no time or mental energy for formal prayers, let us use the short prayers in the Gospels like Peter’s prayer: “Lord, save me!” or the prayer of the mother of the possessed girl: “Lord, help me!” or the blind man’s prayer: “Son of David, have mercy on me!” or the repentant sinner’s prayer: “Lord, have mercy on me a sinner!” 

We get plenty of time during our travels to say the short prayers like the “Our Father”, “Hail Mary” and “Glory be….” We may begin every day offering all our day’s activities to God and asking for His grace to do His will; then we may conclude every day before we go to sleep, by asking God’s pardon and forgiveness for our sins. Keeping a Bible on our table will encourage us to read at least a few words of the Bible and thus listen to what God is telling us to do.

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THE BLESSING OF REVELATION

 Readings for Sunday, August 6, 2023

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Lectionary: 614

Il-Festa tat-Trasfigurazzjoni tal-Mulej

Reading 1                DANIEL 7: 9-10, 13-14

As I watched: Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was bright as snow, and the hair on his head as white as wool; his throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened and the books were opened. As the visions during the night continued, I saw: One like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. 

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Danjel  7: 9-10. 13-14

Jien, Danjel, kont qiegħed inħares, meta tqiegħdu xi tronijiet, u wieħed Xiħ fil-għomor qagħad bilqiegħda; ilbiesu abjad silġ, u xuxtu bajda suf; ilsna tan-nar it-tron tiegħu, nar iħeġġeġ ir-roti tiegħu; xmara ta’ nar kienet għaddejja, ħierġa minn quddiemu; eluf ta’ eluf kienu jaqduh, u għaxart elef ta’ għaxriet ta’ eluf weqfin quddiemu. Il-Qorti qagħdet bilqiegħda, u l-kotba nfetħu. Billejl deherli li qiegħed nara bħal Iben ta’ Bniedem, ġej fis-sħab tas-sema, li baqa’ sejjer sax-Xiħ fil-għomor u tressaq quddiemu. U lilu ngħatat ħakma, gieħ u saltna, biex lilu jaqdi kull ġens u poplu u lsien. Il-ħakma tiegħu ħakma għal dejjem, li ma tgħaddix, u s-saltna tiegħu li ma tinqeridx.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM  97:1-2, 5-6, 9

The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth. 

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

Salm Responsorjali                Salm 96: 1-2.5-6.9

R/. Il-Mulej isaltan, hu ’l fuq mill-art kollha!

Il-Mulej isaltan!
Ħa tifraħ l-art, ħa jifirħu l-ħafna gżejjer!
Sħab u dlam hemm madwaru,
is-sewwa u l-ħaqq is-sisien tat-tron tiegħu. R/.

Bħax-xema’ jdubu l-muntanji quddiem il-Mulej,
quddiem is-Sid tal-art kollha;
ixandru s-smewwiet il-ġustizzja tiegħu,
u l-popli kollha jaraw is-sebħ tiegħu. R/.

Għax inti l-Mulej,
’il fuq mill-art kollha,
’il fuq mill-allat inti ħafna għolejt. R/.

Reading 2                2 PETER 1:16-19

Beloved: We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory, "This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Qari 2                 mit-Tieni Ittra ta’ San Pietru 1: 16-19

Għeżież: aħna ma konniex qegħdin nibnu fuq ħrejjef maħluqa minn moħħna meta għarrafniekom dwar il-qawwa ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu u dwar il-miġja tiegħu. Rajna b’għajnejna aħna stess il-kobor tiegħu meta hu ħa mingħand Alla l-Missier ġieħ u sebħ, u leħen mit-Tron Glorjuż instama’ jgħid għalih: “Dan hu Ibni, l-għażiż tiegħi, li bih jiena nitgħaxxaq.” Aħna smajnieh dan il-leħen ġej mis-sema meta konna miegħu fuq il-muntanja mqaddsa. U hekk għandna mwettqa aħjar il-kelma tal-profeti. Tagħmlu sewwa jekk toqogħdu attenti għaliha; hi bħal fanal li jagħti d-dawl f’post mudlam, sa ma jibda jbexbex il-jum u f’qalbkom titla’ l-kewkba ta’ filgħodu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 MATTHEW  17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."  While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid."  And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Evanġelju                Qari skond San Mattew 17:1-9

Sitt ijiem wara, Ġesù ħa miegħu lil Pietru u ’l Ġakbu u ’l ħuh Ġwanni, tellagħhom fuq muntanja għolja weħidhom, u tbiddel quddiemhom. Wiċċu sar jiddi bħax-xemx, u lbiesu sar abjad bħad-dawl. U dehrulhom Mosè u Elija jitħaddtu miegħu. Qabeż Pietru u qal lil Ġesù: “Mulej, kemm hu sew li aħna hawn! Jekk trid intella’ hawn tliet tined, waħda għalik, waħda għal Mosè u waħda għal Elija.” Kif kien għadu jitkellem, sħaba kollha dawl għattiethom u minn ġos-sħaba nstema’ leħen jgħid: “Dan hu Ibni l-għażiż, li fih sibt l-għaxqa tiegħi; isimgħu lilu.” Id-dixxipli, kif semgħu dan, waqgħu wiċċhom fl-art, mimlijin biża’. Ġesù resaq lejhom, messhom u qalilhom: “Qumu. La tibżgħux.” Huma refgħu għajnejhom u ma raw lil ħadd ħlief lil Ġesù waħdu. Huma u neżlin minn fuq il-muntanja, Ġesù ordnalhom u qalilhom: “Tgħidu lil ħadd b’din id-dehra sa ma Bin il-bniedem ikun qam mill-imwiet.”  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil  

METAMORPHOSIS OF HOPE

Introduction: 

The common theme of this Sunday’s readings is the metamorphosis or transformation of Christ by the empowering of God the Father Who sent His Son as our Saviour and Redeemer. Today’s Gospel, describing Christ’s Transfiguration, challenges us to revitalize our Faith as true disciples of Christ, just as the passages from Daniel and II Peter were written to strengthen the Faith of their audiences in times of persecution.

Scripture lessons: 

The first reading, taken from the Book of Daniel,spreads out before us Daniel’s vision of God’s glorious Heavenly Court of Judgment. The Transfiguration is a prefiguring of Christ’s glorification by God the Father in the Court of Heaven after Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven. In the second reading, St. Peter argues, in his Second Letter to the Church, that the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ (at which the voice of God the Father was heard by the three apostles, verses 16-18), and the testimony of the Old Testament prophets (in the Messianic prophecies), are the guarantee of the doctrine of Christ’s Second Coming. 

In the Transfiguration account in today’s Gospel, Jesus is revealed as a glorious figure, superior to Moses and Elijah. The primary purpose of Jesus’ Transfiguration was to allow Jesus to consult his Heavenly Father in order to ascertain His plan for His Son’s suffering, death and Resurrection. The secondary aim was to make his chosen disciples aware of Jesus’ Divine glory, so that they might discard their worldly ambitions and dreams of a conquering political Messiah and might be strengthened in their time of trial. 

On the mountain, Jesus is identified by the Heavenly Voice as the Son of God. Thus, the Transfiguration narrative is a Christophany, that is, a manifestation or revelation of Who Jesus really IS. Describing Jesus’ Transfiguration, the Gospel gives us a glimpse of the Heavenly glory awaiting those who do God’s will by putting their trusting Faith in Him.

Life messages: 

(1) The changing of bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus by transubstantiation in the Holy Mass, is the source of our strength. Just as the Transfiguration of Jesus strengthened the Apostles in their time of trial, each Holy Mass should be our source of Heavenly strength against our own temptations and our chief source for the renewal of our lives. In addition, communion with Jesus in prayer and especially in the Eucharist should be a source of daily transformation of both our minds and hearts, enabling us to love and serve Jesus in every one of our brothers and sisters with whom we come in contact each day. 

(2) Each Sacrament that we receive transforms us. Baptism, for example, transforms us into sons and daughters of God and heirs of Heaven. Confirmation makes us the temples of the Holy Spirit. By approaching the Sacrament of Reconciliation when we recognize, repenting, that we have sinned, God brings us back to the path of holiness. By receiving in Faith, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, we are spiritually, and sometimes physically, healed, and our sins are forgiven. 

(3) The Transfiguration offers us a message of hope and encouragement. In moments of doubt, pain and suffering, disappointment and despair, we need mountain-top experiences that we may reach out to God and listen to His consoling words: “This is my beloved son/daughter in whom I am well pleased.”

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