THE NUMBER ONE IN LIFE

Readings for Sunday, October 29th, 2023

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 148

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

Reading 1                EXODUS 22:20-26

Thus says the LORD: "You shall not molest or oppress an alien,for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt. You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry. My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword; then your own wives will be widows, and your children orphans. "If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people, you shall not act like an extortioner toward him by demanding interest from him. If you take your neighbour's cloak as a pledge, you shall return it to him before sunset; for this cloak of his is the only covering he has for his body. What else has he to sleep in? If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate."

QARI 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Eżodu 22, 20-26

Dan jgħid il-Mulej: “La taħqarx il-barrani, u la tgħakksux, għax intom ukoll kontu barranin fl-art tal-Eġittu. La taħqrux l-armla jew l-iltim, għax jekk taħqruhom, u huma jsejħuli, jien żgur nismagħha l-għajta tagħhom; u l-qilla tiegħi tixgħel, neqridkom bix-xabla; u n-nisa tagħkom jormlu u wliedkom jisfaw iltiema. Jekk inti tislef lil xi fqir mill-poplu tiegħi, iġġibx ruħek miegħu bħal wieħed sellief, u teħodlux imgħax.  Jekk lil għajrek teħodlu l-libsa tiegħu b’rahan, agħtihielu lura qabel inżul ix-xemx; għax hu dik biss għandu biex jitgħatta, dik biss l-għata ta’ ġismu; inkella fiex tridu jorqod? Għax jekk isejjaħli, jiena nisimgħu, għax jien ħanin”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51

I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength. 

The LORD lives and blessed be my rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 17 (18), 2-3a.3bc-4.47.51ab

R/. (2): Inħobbok, Mulej, qawwa tiegħi

Inħobbok, Mulej, qawwa tiegħi!
Il-Mulej blata tiegħi,
fortizza u ħellies tiegħi. R/.

Alla tiegħi, sur tal-kenn tiegħi u tarka tiegħi,
qawwa tas-salvazzjoni tiegħi u kenn tiegħi!
Insejjaħ lill-Mulej, li hu ta’ min ifaħħru,
u nkun meħlus mill-għedewwa tiegħi. R/.

Ħaj il-Mulej! Imbierek hu, il-blata tiegħi!
Ikun imfaħħar Alla tas-salvazzjoni tiegħi!
Hu jkabbar ir-rebħ lis-sultan tiegħu,
juri mħabbtu mal-midluk tiegħu. R/.

Reading 2                 1 THESSALONIANS 1:5c-10

Brothers and sisters: You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit, so that you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves openly declare about us what sort of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to await his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra lit-Tessalonkin 1, 5c-10

Ħuti, intom tafu kif ġibna ruħna meta konna fostkom għall-ġid tagħkom. Intom sirtu tixbhu lilna u l-Mulej, billi lqajtu l-kelma fost ħafna taħbit bil-ferħ tal-Ispirtu s-Santu. Hekk intom sirtu mudell għal dawk kollha li emmnu fil-Maċedonja u l-Akaja. Mhux biss il-kelma tal-Mulej ħarġet minn għandkom u xterdet fil-Maċedonja u l-Akaja, imma l-fidi li għandkom f’Alla xterdet ma’ kullimkien b’mod li aħna ma għandna għalfejn ngħidu xejn. Huma stess jgħidu x’laqgħa kellna għandkom, u kif dortu lejn Alla u tlaqtu l-idoli biex taqdu lil Alla ħaj u veru u tistennew ġej mis-sema lil Ibnu, li hu qajjem mill-imwiet, Ġesù li ħelisna mill-korla li ġejja.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                 MATTHEW 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law tested him by asking, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skond San Mattew 22, 34-40

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Fariżej, meta semgħu kif lis-Sadduċej kien saddilhom ħalqhom, inġabru madwaru, u wieħed minnhom, għaref fil-Liġi, għamillu din il-mistoqsija biex iġarrbu: “Mgħallem, liema hu l-kmandament il-kbir, fil-Liġi?”. Qallu Ġesù: ““Ħobb lill-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, b’qalbek kollha, b’ruħek kollha, u b’moħħok kollu”. Dan hu l-kmandament il-kbir u l-ewwel wieħed. U t-tieni jixbhu: “Ħobb lil għajrek bħalek innifsek”. Dawn iż-żewġ kmandamenti huma l-qofol tal-Liġi kollha u tal-Profeti”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                                   

NOT A MATTER OF FEELINGS BUT OF DEEDS

Introduction: 

The central theme of Sunday’s Readings is the greatest commandment in the Bible, namely, to respond to God’s love for us by loving Him, and then to express that love in action by loving Him living in our neighbor. Our love for God is tested and put into practice by the way we love our neighbour. 

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The First Reading, taken from Exodus, explains the second greatest commandment, namely, loving one’s neighbours as one loves oneself, especially the underprivileged. The chosen people of Israel should remember that once they were aliens in the land of Egypt. Just as God protected them and treated them kindly, so they are to protect others and treat them with kindness. Thus, they should become a humane society rooted in the basic religious concept of loving God living in their neighbour. In the second reading, St. Paul congratulates the Thessalonians on the positive effects of their example of loving one another as Jesus had commanded them to do. Their mutual love and their loving reception of Paul and response to his preaching, he tells them, has bolstered the Faith of Christians elsewhere who have heard about them.

In the Gospel today, Jesus combines the commandment to love God with the commandment to love one’s neighbour and gives the result as the one Commandment of supreme importance in Christian life. Jesus underlines the principle that we are to love our neighbour as we love ourselves because, as God’s children, both of us bear God’s image, and to honour God’s image is to honour Him. Love for our neighbour should not be a matter of feelings, but of deeds by which we share with others the unmerited love that God lavishes on us.

Life messages: 

1) We need to love God: 

Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, in response to His total love for us, means that we should place God’s will ahead of ours, seek the Lord’s will in all things, and make it paramount in our lives. There are several means by which we can express our love for God and our gratitude to Him for His blessings, acknowledging our total dependence on Him. We need to keep God’s Commandments, and offer daily prayers of thanksgiving, praise and petition. We also need to read and meditate on His word in the Bible and accept His invitation to join Him in the Mass and other liturgical functions. 

2) We need to love our neighbour: God’s will is that we should love everyone, seeing Him in each of them. Since every human being is the child of God and the dwelling place of the Spirit of God, we are giving expression to our love of God by loving our neighbour as Jesus loves him or her. This means we need to help, support, encourage, forgive, and pray for everyone without discrimination based on colour, race, religion, gender, age, wealth, or social status. Forgiveness, too, is vital. 

We love others by refusing to hold a grudge for a wrong done to us. Even a rebuke can be given as an act of love, if it is done with the right heart. We also express love through encouragement and by helping others to grow. We express agápe love in meeting the needs of others by using the talents and blessings that God has given us to comfort each other, to teach each other and to share the Gospel with each other, in deeds and in words. (L/23)

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A QUESTION OF PRIORITIES

Readings for Sunday, October 22nd, 2023

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time   Lectionary: 145

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

Reading 1                ISAIAH 45:1, 4-6

Thus says the LORD to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I grasp, subduing nations before him, and making kings run in his service, opening doors before him and leaving the gates unbarred: For the sake of Jacob, my servant, of Israel, my chosen one, I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not. I am the LORD and there is no other, there is no God besides me. It is I who arm you, though you know me not, so that toward the rising and the setting of the sun people may know that there is none besides me. I am the LORD, there is no other.

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 45, 1. 4-6

Dan jgħid il-Mulej dwar il-midluk tiegħu, dwar Ċiru: “Lilu qbadt minn idu l-leminija biex inrażżan il-ġnus quddiemu u nħoll il-ħżiem ta’ ġenbejn is-slaten; niftaħ il-bibien quddiemu u ebda bieb ma jibqa’ magħluq.Minħabba Ġakobb, il-qaddej tiegħi, u Iżrael, il-maħtur tiegħi, jien sejjaħtlek b’ismek. Tajtek isem ta’ ġieħ għad li lanqas tafni. Jien il-Mulej, m’hemmx ieħor ħliefi, m’hemmx Alla ieħor għajri. Jien ħażżimtek għad li lanqas tafni, biex mnejn titla’ x-xemx safejn tinżel, il-bnedmin jagħrfu li m‘hemm ħadd ħliefi. Jiena l-Mulej, m’hemmx ieħor ħliefi. “  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10

Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Give the Lord glory and honour.

For great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
awesome is he, beyond all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,
but the LORD made the heavens.
R. Give the Lord glory and honour.

Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
Bring gifts, and enter his courts.
R. Give the Lord glory and honour.

Worship the LORD, in holy attire;
tremble before him, all the earth;
say among the nations: The LORD is king,
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Give the Lord glory and honour.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 95 (96), 1.3.4-5.7-8.9-10a.c

R/. (7b): Agħtu lill-Mulej sebħ u qawwa

Għannu lill-Mulej għanja ġdida;
għannu lill-Mulej fl-art kollha!
Xandru fost il-ġnus is-sebħ tiegħu,
fost il-popli kollha l-għeġubijiet tiegħu. R/.

Għax kbir il-Mulej, ta’ min ifaħħru ħafna,
tal-biża’ aktar mill-allat kollha.
Għax kollha frugħa l-allat tal-popli;
Jaħweh hu li għamel is-smewwiet! R/.

Agħtu lill-Mulej, familji tal-popli,
agħtu lill-Mulej sebħ u qawwa;
agħtu lill-Mulej is-sebħ ta’ ismu!
Ġibulu l-offerti, u idħlu fil-btieħi tat-tempju tiegħu. R/.

Inxteħtu quddiem il-Mulej b’tiżjin qaddis,
triegħdu quddiemu, nies kollha tal-art!
Għidu fost il-ġnus: “Il-Mulej isaltan!”.
Hu li jiġġudika l-popli bis-sewwa. R/.

Reading 2                1 THESSALONIANS 1:1-5b

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen. For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.

QARI 2                Bidu tal-Ewwel Ittra lit-Tessalonkin 1, 1-5b

Pawlu u Silvanu u Timotju lill-knisja ta’ Tessalonika f’Alla l-Missier u l-Mulej Ġesù Kristu: grazzja lilkom u sliem. Aħna kull ħin niżżu ħajr lil Alla minħabba fikom ilkoll, u niftakru fikom dejjem meta nitolbu. Niftakru fil-ħidma li hi ġejja mill-fidi tagħkom u fit-taħbit li ħiereġ minn imħabbitkom; niftakru fil-qawwa tat-tama tagħkom f’Sidna Ġesù Kristu quddiem Alla Missierna. Aħna nafu, ħuti, li Alla jħobbkom u għażilkom. Għax l-Evanġelju tagħna lilkom ma kienx biss bil-kliem, imma wkoll bil-qawwa, bl-Ispirtu s-Santu u b’persważjoni sħiħa. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                MATTHEW 22:15-21

The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's." At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 22, 15-21

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Fariżej marru u bdew jiftiehmu bejniethom biex jaraw kif jonsbuh b’xi kelma. U bagħtulu d-dixxipli tagħhom ma’ xi Erodjani u qalulu: “Mgħallem, aħna nafu li int raġel tħobb is-sewwa, u li t-triq ta’ Alla tgħallimha kif tassew hi, bla ma tħabbel rasek minn ħadd, għax int lejn wiċċ ħadd ma tħares. Għidilna ħaġa, mela: Int x’jidhirlek? Sewwa jew le li wieħed iħallas it-taxxa lil Ċesari?”.  Imma Ġesù għaraf il-ħażen ta’ moħħhom, u qalilhom: “Għaliex tridu ġġarrbuni, ja wċuħ b’oħra? Uruni l-munita tax-taxxa”. Urewh dinar, u Ġesù staqsiehom: “Ta’ min huma dan il-wiċċ u din il-kitba?”. Qalulu: “Ta’ Ċesari!”. Imbagħad qalilhom: “Mela agħtu lil Ċesari dak li hu ta’ Ċesari, u lil Alla dak li hu ta’ Alla”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil   

OUR OBLIGATIONS TO GOD AND COUNTRY

Introduction: 

The common theme of Sunday’s readings is the nature of our obligations to God and to our country. The readings show us how, with God’s help, we can be ideal citizens of both earth and Heaven.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the first reading, Isaiah the prophet foretells how, without of the great Persian Emperor Cyrus’ intention, his policies would be made part of God’s saving plan for His chosen people. Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 96) reminds us that when people put God’s Kingdom first, everyone benefits. In the second reading, Paul praises his converts in Thessalonica for their fidelity to God and to Christ His Son, “our Lord Jesus Christ,” and for their practice, with the help of the Holy Spirit, of the Theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. 

In the Gospel, Jesus escapes from the trap in the question, “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” by instructing those who questioned him, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” With this answer, Jesus reminds his questioners that, if they are so concerned and careful about paying taxes to the state, they should be much more concerned and careful about their service to God and their obligations to Him as their Creator and Lord. We fulfill our duties to our country by loyally obeying the just laws of the State and working for the welfare of all citizens. We become good Heavenly citizens by obeying God’s laws.

Life messages: 

1) We need to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”: How? It is the duty of Christians, as citizens of the country, to pay for the services and the privileges that government provides, like paved roads, police and fire departments, banks, schools, and other necessities. If we refuse to pay taxes, how will these needs be met? Another way of “giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s” is to participate actively in the running of the government, electing the most suitable candidates and influencing them through frequent contacts. Third, we must submit to the civil authorities and respect the just laws of our country in order to live in peace. As loyal citizens, we must also see to it that our elected representatives are faithful in maintaining law and order in the country and in promoting the welfare of all its citizens without violating God’s laws.

2) We need to “give to God what is God’s.” How? Since everything is God’s, we must give ourselves to Him 100%, not just 10% on Sundays. We should be generous in fulfilling our Sunday obligations, and we should find time every day for prayer and worship in the family, for the reading of the Bible and the proper training of our children in Faith and morals. We are invited each year to make a stewardship pledge of our financial offering to the local Church for the coming year. Our contribution to the parish Church should be an expression of our gratitude to God, giving back to God all that He has given us. Active participation in the various ministries of the parish is an offering to God of our time and talents, yet another way of giving to God His due, our whole self.

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GOD'S INVITATION THAT LASTS FOREVER

Readings for Sunday, October 15, 2023

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 142

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

Reading 1                ISAIAH 25:6-10a

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said: "Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!" For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

QARI 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 25, 6-10a

Jagħmel il-Mulej tal-eżerċti għall-popli kollha fuq din il-muntanja, mejda b’ikel fin, mejda bi nbejjed ħelwa, b’laħam imsemmen bil-mudullun, u nbejjed fini. U jċarrat minn fuq din il-muntanja il-velu li kien jgħatti wiċċ il-popli kollha, għata li kien jaħbi kollha kemm huma l-ġnus. Jeqred il-mewt għal dejjem, jixxotta Sidi l-Mulej id-dmugħ minn fuq kull wiċċ, u jħassar l-għajb tal-poplu tiegħu minn wiċċ l-art kollha: għax il-Mulej tkellem. U dakinhar jgħidu: “Dan hu Alla tagħna: fih ittamajna li jsalvana; dan hu l-Mulej li fih ittamajna: nifirħu u nithennew bis-salvazzjoni tiegħu. Għax id il-Mulej tinżel fuq din il-muntanja”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 22 (23), 1-3a.3b-4.5-6

R/. (6cd) Ngħammar f’dar il-Mulej sakemm indum ħaj!

Il-Mulej hu r-ragħaj tiegħi,
xejn ma jonqosni;
f’mergħat kollha ħdura jqegħedni.
Ħdejn l-ilma, fejn nistrieħ, jeħodni;
hemm hu jrejjaqni. R/.

Imexxini fit-triq tas-sewwa
minħabba l-isem tiegħu.
Imqar jekk nimxi f’wied mudlam,
ma nibżax mill-ħsara, għax inti miegħi.
Il-ħatar tiegħek u l-għasluġ tiegħek,
huma jwennsuni. R/.

Int tħejji mejda għalija
quddiem l-għedewwa tiegħi.
Biż-żejt tidlikli rasi,
u l-kalċi tiegħi tfawwarli. R/.

Miegħi, iva, jimxu t-tjieba u l-ħniena
il-jiem kollha ta’ ħajti.
U ngħammar f’dar il-Mulej
sakemm indum ħaj! R/.

Reading 2                PHILIPPIANS 4:12-14, 19-20

Brothers and sisters: I know how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I can do all things in Him who strengthens me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lill-Filippin 4, 12-14.19-20

Ħuti, naf ngħix fl-għaks; u naf ngħix fil-ġid; kollox drajt u noqgħod għal kollox: ix-xaba’ u l-ġuħ, il-ġid u l-għaks. Għal kollox niflaħ bis-saħħa ta’ dak li jqawwini. Għamiltu sewwa ħafna meta qsamtu miegħi tbatijieti.  Jimliekom Alla tiegħi b’kull ġid fil-ħtieġa tagħkom, skond l-għana tal-glorja fi Kristu Ġesù. Lil dan Alla u Missierna, glorja għal dejjem ta’ dejjem. Amen. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                MATTHEW 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those invited: "Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast."' Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.' The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. The king said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' Many are invited, but few are chosen."

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 22, 1-14

F’dak iż-żmien, lill-qassisin il-kbar u lix-xjuħ tal-poplu Ġesù raġa’ qabad ikellimhom bil-parabboli u qalilhom: “Is-saltna tas-smewwiet tixbah lil wieħed sultan li għamel festa għat-tieġ ta’ ibnu. U bagħat għall-mistednin mal-qaddejja tiegħu biex jiġu għall-festa; imma dawk ma ridux jiġu. U reġa’ bagħat qaddejja oħra, u qalilhom: “Għidu lill-mistednin: Ara, il-mejda tiegħi lesta; il-barrin u l-għoġiela msemmna diġa’ maqtula u kollox lest; ejjew għall-festa”. Iżda dawk ma tawx kas; min mar l-għalqa, min għan-negozju tiegħu, u l-bqija qabdu lill-qaddejja tas-sultan, żebilħuhom u qatluhom. Is-sultan inkorla ħafna, u bagħat is-suldati tiegħu, qered lil dawk il-qattiela, u ħarqilhom il-belt tagħhom. Imbagħad qal lill-qaddejja tiegħu: “Il-festa mħejjija, imma lil dawk ma kienx ta’ min jistedinhom għaliha. Mela morru f’salib it-toroq u sejħu għall-festa lil kull min issibu”. Dawk il-qaddejja ħarġu fit-triqat u ġabru lil kull min sabu, ħżiena u tajba, u s-sala mtliet bin-nies għall-mejda. Mela jidħol is-sultan ħalli jara min kien hemm fuq il-mejda, u hemmhekk lemaħ wieħed li ma kienx liebes għall-festa tat-tieġ; u qallu: “Ħabib, dan kif dħalt hawn m’intix liebes għall-festa?”. Dak tbikkem. Imbagħad is-sultan qal lil dawk li kienu qegħdin iservu: “Orbtulu riġlejh u idejh u waddbuh ’il barra fid-dlam; hemmhekk ikun hemm il-biki u t-tgħażżiż tas-snien!”. Għax ħafna huma l-imsejħin, imma ftit il-magħżulin!”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil

A STANDING INVITATION TO THE HEAVENLY BANQUET

Introduction: 

This Sunday’s Scripture readings offer us a standing invitation to the everlasting joy of the Heavenly Banquet and a loving warning to stay ready always for this Heavenly banquet by constantly wearing the wedding garment, i.e., remaining in a state of grace by avoiding sins and by doing good.

Scripture lessons: 

In the first reading, Isaiah describes the Messianic banquet on the Lord’s mountain in the Holy City of Jerusalem, which Yahweh is preparing for His people. The “Good News” is that it is a great feast of “rich food and choice wines.” But, for the children of Israel, the “bad news” is that Yahweh invites all people, including Gentiles, to the banquet. 

Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 23), presents God as the Good Shepherd Who nourishes, leads, and protects His flock. In the second reading, St. Paul advises the Philippians to put their trust in the power and goodness of a providing God, Who, in Jesus, has given His Church everything His followers will need to participate in the Heavenly Banquet. 

In Sunday’s Gospel, by telling an allegorical parable of judgment in the Temple of Jerusalem two days before his arrest, Jesus accuses the Jewish religious and civil leaders of rejecting God’s invitation to the Heavenly Banquet given to them through God’s Own Son, Himself. They have rejected the invitation by not listening to the Good News preached by Jesus and by not reforming their lives. 

This invitation was repeatedly extended to Israel through the prophets, including John the Baptist. But the leadership contemporary with Jesus rejected the reality that Jesus was the fulfillment of all prophecy, refused to accept God’s invitation to righteous living given through John the Baptist and through Jesus, and now planed to kill God’s own Son, Jesus. Hence, God is inviting the sinners and Gentiles to His banquet, and that is why Jesus is keeping the company of sinners.

Life messages: 

1) We need to keep wearing the wedding garment of holiness and righteousness, the state of grace, all the time, do good for everyone, and appreciate and receive God’s graces in the Church: 

a) We received the “wedding garment” of sanctifying grace in Baptism; the other Sacraments provide the additional graces we need to retain it. 

b) Our participation in the Eucharistic celebration and in personal and family prayers helps us to recharge our spiritual batteries and enables us to lead Spirit-filled, prayerful lives, doing good for all. 

c) Jesus nourishes us in the Church through the proclamation of word of God and through His Body and Blood offered to us as spiritual Food and Drink in Holy Communion. 

2) We need to participate in the Eucharistic banquet with proper preparation by repenting of our sins and by actively participating in the prayers and singing during the Holy Mass. Participating in Holy Mass is the best preparation and greatest Source of power for our future participation in the Heavenly banquet.

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WHAT IS FAIR?

Readings for Sunday, October 8, 2023

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 139

Is-Sebgħa u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                ISAIAH 5:1-7

Let me now sing of my friend, my friend's song concerning his vineyard. My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside; he spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines; within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press. Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild grapes. Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard: What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done? Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? Now, I will let you know what I mean to do with my vineyard: take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled! Yes, I will make it a ruin: it shall not be pruned or hoed, but overgrown with thorns and briers; I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it. The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished plant; he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed! for justice, but hark, the outcry!

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 5:1-7

Ħa ngħanni lill-maħbub tiegħi l-għanja ta’ mħabbtu għall-għalqa tad-dwieli tiegħu. Il-maħbub tiegħi kellu għalqa tad-dwieli fuq għolja għammiela. Għażaqha u naddafha miż-żrar, u ħawwel fiha dwieli mill-aħjar; bena torri f’nofsha, u wkoll ħaffer magħsar fiha. Stennieha tagħmel l-għeneb tajjeb, iżda kulma għamlet kien għeneb qares. U issa, intom li tgħammru f’Ġerusalemm, irġiel ta’ Ġuda, agħmlu intom ħaqq bejni u bejn l-għalqa tad-dwieli tiegħi. X’kien fadalli nagħmel għall-għalqa tiegħi u ma għamiltux? Stennejtha tagħmel għeneb tajjeb, u kulma għamlet kien għeneb qares. U issa ħa nurikom x’sejjer nagħmel jien lill-għalqa tiegħi tad-dwieli. Inneħħilha l-ilqugħ ta’ madwarha, u jħarbtuha; inġarrfilha l-ħajt, biex in-nies tgħaffiġha. Nagħmel minnha xagħra; ħadd ma jiżborha jew jaħdimha, u jinbet fiha x-xewk u l-ħurrieq. Jien ngħid lis-sħab biex ma jagħmilx xita fuqha! Għax l-għalqa tad-dwieli tal-Mulej tal-eżerċti hija d-dar ta’ Iżrael; u l-irġiel ta’ Ġuda huma l-mixtla tal-għalqa tiegħu. Huwa stenna l-ġustizzja, u araw sab it-tixrid tad-demm, stenna s-sewwa, u araw sama’ l-għajat tal-maħqura. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20

A vine from Egypt you transplanted;
you drove away the nations and planted it.
It put forth its foliage to the Sea,
its shoots as far as the River.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Why have you broken down its walls,
so that every passer-by plucks its fruit,
The boar from the forest lays it waste,
and the beasts of the field feed upon it?
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted,
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
O LORD, God of hosts, restore us;
if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 79(80):9,12,13-14,15-16,19-20

R/. (Iż 5:7a): Il-għalqa tal-Mulej hija d-dar ta’ Iżrael.

Inti qlajt dielja mill-Eġittu,
warrabt il-ġnus biex tħawwel lilha.
Meddet sal-baħar il-friegħi tagħha,
sax-xmara ż-żraġen tagħha. R/.

Għaliex, mela, ġarraft il-ħitan tagħha,
u kull min jgħaddi jqaċċat minnha?
Iħarbatha l-ħanżir selvaġġ,
il-bhejjem tar-raba’ jirgħu fiha. R/.

Erġa’ ejja, Alla tal-eżerċti;
ħares mis-sema, u ara,
u żur ’il din id-dielja.
Ħu ħsieb dak li ħawlet lemintek,
ir-rimja li int kabbart għalik. R/.

Aħna ma nitbegħdux minnek;
roddilna l-ħajja, u aħna nsejħu ismek.
Reġġagħna għal li konna, Alla tal-eżerċti;
itfa’ fuqna d-dija ta’ wiċċek, u nkunu salvi. R/.

Reading 2                 PHILIPPIANS 4:6-9

Brothers and sisters:  Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you. 

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lill-Filippin 4:6-9

Ħuti, tħabbtu raskom b’xejn. Fit-talb kollu tagħkom itolbu u uru lil Alla xi jkollkom bżonn, u iżżuh ħajr. U s-sliem ta’ Alla, sliem li jgħaddi kulma l-moħħ jista’ jifhem, iżommilkom qalbkom u moħħkom sħaħ fi Kristu Ġesù. Mill-bqija, ħuti, f’dan għandkom taħsbu: f’kulma hu veru, f’kulma hu xieraq, f’kulma hu ġust, f’kulma hu safi, f’kulma jiġbed l-imħabba, f’kulma jistħoqqlu ġieħ, f’kulma hu virtù, f’kulma ħaqqu t-tifħir; f’dan kollu aħsbu. U kulma tgħallimtu u ħadtu mingħandna, u smajtu u rajtu fina, agħmluh. Alla tas-sliem ikun magħkom. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. .

Gospel                MATTHEW 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: "Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.' They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times." Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit."

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 21:33-43

F’dak iż-żmien Ġesù qal lill-qassisin il-kbar u lix-xjuħ tal-poplu: “Isimgħu parabbola oħra: Kien hemm wieħed, sid ta’ għalqa, u ħawwilha bid-dwieli; tellgħalha ħajt tas-sejjieħ madwarha, ħaffer magħsar fiha, u bnielha torri; u qabbilha lil xi bdiewa. U siefer f’art oħra. Meta wasal żmien il-frott, bagħat il-qaddejja tiegħu għand dawk il-bdiewa biex jiġbrulu l-frott li kien imissu. Iżda l-bdiewa qabdu lill-qaddejja, u lil wieħed sawtuh, lil ieħor qatluh, u lil ieħor ħaġġruh. Reġa’ bagħtilhom qaddejja oħra, aktar minn qabel, u għamlulhom l-istess. Fl-aħħar bagħtilhom lil ibnu. “Minn ibni jistħu”, qal. Iżda kif raw lil ibnu l-bdiewa bdew jgħidu bejniethom: “Ara l-werriet! Ejjew noqtluh, biex il-wirt tiegħu niħduh aħna”. Qabduh, xeħtuh ’il barra mill-għalqa u qatluh. Issa sid l-għalqa x’jagħmlilhom lil dawk il-bdiewa meta jiġi?”. Qalulu: “Jeqridhom bla ħniena, ta’ ħżiena li huma, u l-għalqa jqabbilha lil bdiewa oħra li jroddulu l-frott fi żmienu”. Qalilhom Ġesù: “Qatt ma qrajtu fl-Iskrittura li: ‘Il-ġebla li warrbu l-bennejja saret il-ġebla tax-xewka; bis-saħħa tal-Mulej seħħ dan: ħaġa tal-għaġeb f’għajnejna’? Għalhekk ngħidilkom li s-Saltna ta’ Alla tittieħed mingħandkom u tingħata lil ġens li jagħmel il-frott minnha”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil 

HOW DO WE HANDLE OUR GIFT OF FREE WILL? 

Introduction: 

The common theme of today’s readings is the necessity of bearing fruit in the Christian life. The readings warn us of the punishment for spiritual sterility, ingratitude, and wickedness.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In Sunday’s first reading, called, Isaiah’s Song of the Vineyard, the prophet describes God’s care of, and expectations for, His Chosen People. God’s Chosen People failed to bear fruit, in spite of the blessings lavished upon them by a loving and forgiving God. Further, they were poor tenants in the Lord’s vineyard. Hence, God laments: “I expected My vineyard to yield good grapes. Why did it yield sour ones instead?”

In the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 80), the Psalmist pleads with God to look down from Heaven and to “take care of this vine,” knowing that if any good is to come of the vine, it will be the doing of God, not the people.

In the second reading, Paul tells Philippians about the high expectations he has for them, reminding them that they need to become fruit-producing Christians by praying and giving thanks to God and by practicing justice, purity, and graciousness in their lives.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells an allegorical parable in which the landowner is God, the vineyard is Israel as God’s special people, and the tenants are the political and religious leaders of Israel. The story emphasizes the failure of the tenants, the Chosen People of God and their leaders, to produce fruits of righteousness, justice, and mercy. Giving a theological explanation of Israel’s history of gross ingratitude through the parable, Jesus reminds us Christians that, since we are the “new” Israel, enriched with additional blessings and provisions in the Church, we are expected to show our gratitude to God by bearing fruits of the kingdom, fruits of the Holy Spirit, in our lives, giving Him all the Glory.

Life messages: 

1) Are we good fruit-producers in the vineyard of the Church? Jesus has given the Church everything necessary to make Christians fruit-bearing. 

a) The Bible to know the will of God. 

b) The Sacrament of Holy Orders to consecrate bishops, priests, and deacons to lead the people in God’s ways. 

c) The Sacrament of Reconciliation for the remission of sins. 

d) The Holy Eucharist as our spiritual food. 

e) The Sacrament of Confirmation for a dynamic life of Faith.

f) The Sacrament of Matrimony for the sharing of love in families, the fundamental unit of the Church. 

g) The Sacrament of (Last) Anointing to restore and strengthen spiritual life and bring mental emotional and physical healing as well, if that is what God wills.

 h) Role models in thousands of saints. We are expected make use of these gifts to produce fruits for God.

2) Are we fruit-producers in the vineyard of the family? By the mutual sharing of blessings, by sacrificing time and talents for the members of the family and by humbly and lovingly serving others in the family, whether this is at home or in our spiritual family.

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