HOW DO WE GET READY?

Readings for Sunday, December 3, 2023

First Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 2

L-Ewwel Ħadd tal-Avvent

Reading 1                

ISAIAH 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7

You, LORD, are our father, our redeemer you are named forever. Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways, and harden our hearts so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage. Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you, while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for, such as they had not heard of from of old. No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him. Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways!  Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful; all of us have become like unclean people, all our good deeds are like polluted rags; we have all withered like leaves, and our guilt carries us away like the wind. There is none who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to cling to you; for you have hidden your face from us and have delivered us up to our guilt. Yet, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands.

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 63, 16b-17.19b; 64, 2-7

Int, Mulej, missierna, ismek il-Feddej tagħna minn dejjem. Għaliex, Mulej, iġġegħelna nwarrbu minn triqatek, u twebbsilna qalbna biex ma nibżgħux minnek? Erġa’ lura minħabba l-qaddejja tiegħek, it-tribujiet li huma wirtek. Mhux li kont iċċarrat is-smewwiet u tinżel minn hemm!  U jitheżżu l-muntanji quddiemek meta int tagħmel għeġubijiet li ma konniex nistennew, u sa mill-qedem qatt ma smajna bihom! Widna qatt ma semgħet, għajn qatt ma rat Alla bħalek, Alla li jħabrek għal min jittama fih. Int tilqa’ lil min jagħmel is-sewwa bil-ferħ, lil dawk li jiftakru fi triqatek. Ara! Int kont mgħaddab għalina, u aħna dnibna. Domna fi dnubna, u kontrik qomna għal ħafna żmien. Tniġġisna lkoll kemm aħna, bħal ċarruta maħmuġa l-aħjar għemejjel tagħna; bħal werqa lkoll dbilna u ħżunijietna bħal riħ ġarrewna. Ħadd ma hawn li jsejjaħ ismek, li jitħarrek biex iżomm miegħek. Għax int ħbejt wiċċek minna, u rħejtna f’idejn ħżunijietna. Madankollu, Mulej, int missierna; aħna t-tafal, u inti l-fuħħari; aħna lkoll għemil idejk. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19

O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

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. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

 SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 79 (80), 2aċ.3b.15-16.18-19

R/. (4): Reġġagħna għal li konna, Alla tal-eżerċti, itfa’ fuqna d-dija ta’ wiċċek, u nkunu salvi

O Ragħaj ta’ Iżrael, agħti widen,
Int li qiegħed fuq il-kerubini, iddi:
Qajjem il-qawwa tiegħek,
u ejja ħa ssalvana. 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/.

Ħa tkun idek fuq il-bniedem ta’ lemintek,
fuq il-bniedem li int saħħaħt għalik.
Aħna ma nitbegħdux minnek;
roddilna l-ħajja, u aħna nsejħu ismek. R/.

 Reading 2                 1 CORINTHIANS 1:3-9 

Brothers and sisters: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra lill-Korintin 1, 3-9

Ħuti: Grazzja u sliem mingħand Alla Missierna u l-Mulej Ġesù Kristu! Jiena niżżi ħajr dejjem lil Alla tiegħi minħabba fikom għall-grazzja li Alla takom, lilkom fi Kristu Ġesù; fih intom stagħnejtu f’kollox, f’kull kelma, f’kull għerf daqs kemm ix-xhieda ta’ Kristu kienet imwettqa fikom. Għalhekk m’intom nieqsa minn ebda don, intom u tistennew id-dehra ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu. Huwa hu li jwettaqkom sal-aħħar biex tkunu bla ħtija fil-jum ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu. Alla jżomm kelmtu, minnu kontu msejħin biex tidħlu fix-xirka ta’ Ibnu Sidna Ġesù Kristu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 MARK 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mark 13, 33-37

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Kunu għajnejkom miftuħa, ishru, għax ma tafux meta se jasal il-waqt. Jiġri bħal meta bniedem ikun siefer u telaq mid-dar, iħalli kollox f’idejn il-qaddejja tiegħu, kull wieħed fuq xogħlu, u lil tal-bieb jordnalu biex jibqa’ jishar. Mela ishru, għax ma tafux meta jiġi Sid id-dar, jekk hux filgħaxija, jew f’nofsillejl, jew xħin jidden is-serduk, jew inkella mas-sebħ, li ma jmurx jiġi għal għarrieda u jsibkom reqdin. U dak li qiegħed ngħid lilkom, qiegħed ngħidu għal kulħadd: ishru!”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                                   

CHRIST'S SECOND COMING 

Introduction: 

The central theme of next Sunday’s readings is Jesus’ warning to us to be alert, watchful and prepared because Christ’s Second Coming, coinciding with the end of the world, can occur at any time. People, in general, have a paranoid fear about the end of the world. It was expected in AD 204, 999 and 2000. The title of a best-seller published in 1988 was "101 Reasons Why Christ Returns in 1988". An extremely popular film released in 1999 about Christ’s Second Coming was "Omega Code", and another film released in 2005 was "Left Behind". 

Excessive fear of the tribulations accompanying the end of the world led the followers of a religious cult led by Jim Jones (in 1978), and followers of another cult called Heaven’s Gate (in 1997), to commit mass suicide. But Jesus, in Sunday’s Gospel, gives us the assurance that we need not be afraid of the end of the world, Christ’s Second Coming, and the Last Judgment, if we remain alert and prepared. 

The Church invites us on this first Sunday of Advent to prepare for Christ’s Second Coming, 

1) by properly celebrating during this Christmas season the fond memory of Christ’s first coming 2000 years ago, 

2) by experiencing Christ’s daily advent or coming in every Eucharistic celebration, in the Holy Bible, and in the worshipping community, and 

3) by preparing daily for Jesus’ Second Coming which, for us, will happen at the unknown moment of our death or the equally unknown moment when the World will end.

Scripture lessons: 

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah prays for God’s active presence so that the Jewish community, returned from Babylonian exile, may remain faithful to their God.

In the second reading, St. Paul prays for the reconversion of Christians in Corinth who have misused their gifts and charisms and remain ill-prepared for Christ’s Second Coming.

In today’s Gospel, using the short parable of the servants and gatekeeper of an absentee master who could return at any time, Jesus instructs his followers to be alert and watchful while doing their Christian duties with sincerity. The gatekeeper and the household servants are expected to be ever vigilant because their master is sure to return. Although the time of his return is uncertain, the reward or punishment is sure and certain.

Life messages: 

1) Live in the living presence of Jesus every day. The message of this Sunday’s Scripture is that we should live in the living presence of Jesus every day waiting for his Second Coming. We can experience Christ’s living presence in the Holy Eucharist, in the Holy Bible, in the worshiping community of our parish, in our family, in our own souls, and in everyone around us. The early Christians experienced the living presence and coming of Jesus with absolute certainty. So their mutual greeting was not “Hi!” or “Good Morning!” but the Aramaic, “Maran Atha” which means “Come, Lord Jesus.” This greeting acknowledged Jesus present in each of them and about to return. 

May God bless you, and keep you ever prepared for Christ’s second coming.

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WHERE DO WE SEE CHRIST?

Readings for Sunday, November 26, 2023

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Lectionary: 160

Qari tas-Solennità ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu Sultan tal-Ħolqien 

Reading 1                  EZEKIEL 34:11-12, 15-17

Thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep. As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep. I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark. I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy, shepherding them rightly. As for you, my sheep, says the Lord GOD, I will judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats.

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Eżekjel 34, 11-12.15-17

Dan jgħid Sidi l-Mulej: Arawni, hekk jien se nfittex in-nagħaġ tiegħi u nieħu ħsiebhom. Bħalma r-ragħaj jaħseb fil-merħla tiegħu meta jsib ruħu f’nofs in-nagħaġ imxerrda tiegħu, hekk naħseb jien fin-nagħaġ tiegħi, u nsalvahom minn kull fejn xterdu fi żmien is-sħab u s-swied tal-ajru. Jiena stess nirgħa n-nagħaġ tiegħi, u jiena nserraħhom. Oraklu ta’ Sidi l-Mulej. Jiena nfittex il-mitlufa, irreġġa’ lura l-imxerrda, ninfaxxa l-ġrieħi tal-miġrugħa, u nqawwi l-marida. Inħares is-smina u l-qawwija, u nirgħahom bil-ġustizzja. Imma għalik, merħla tiegħi, hekk jgħid Sidi l-Mulej: Ara, jiena nagħmel ħaqq bejn nagħġa u nagħġa, bejn imtaten u bdabad. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

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. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 22 (23), 1-2a.2b-3.5-6

R/. (1): Il-Mulej hu r-ragħaj tiegħi, xejn ma jonqosni

Il-Mulej hu r-ragħaj tiegħi,
xejn ma jonqosni;
f’mergħat kollha ħdura jqegħedni. R/.

Ħdejn l-ilma, fejn nistrieħ, jeħodni;
hemm hu jrejjaqni.
Imexxini fit-triq tas-sewwa
minħabba l-isem tiegħu. 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                1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-26, 28

Brothers and sisters:    Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all. 

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra lill-Korintin 15, 20-26.28

Ħuti, Kristu kien imqajjem tassew mill-imwiet, l-ewwel frott fost dawk li raqdu. Għaliex, jekk permezz ta’ bniedem feġġet il-mewt, bi bniedem ukoll iseħħ il-qawmien mill-imwiet. Għax bħalma l-bnedmin kollha jmutu f’Adam, hekk ilkoll jiksbu l-ħajja fi Kristu. Imma kulħadd skond kif imissu; jibda l-ewwel frott li hu Kristu; wara, dawk li huma ta’ Kristu, f’jum il-miġja tiegħu. Imbagħad it-tmiem, meta Kristu jerħi s-saltna f’idejn Alla l-Missier, wara li jkun qered kull ħakma u kull setgħa u kull qawwa. Għax jeħtieġ li hu jsaltan sa ma jqiegħed l-għedewwa kollha taħt riġlejh. L-aħħar għadu li jinqered tkun il-Mewt. U meta kollox ikun imqiegħed taħtu, imbagħad l-Iben stess jitqiegħed taħt Dak li jkun qegħedlu kollox taħtu, sabiex Alla jkun kollox f’kollox. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 MATTHEW 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him,  he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of th e world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.' Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.' Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?' He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 25, 31-46

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Meta jiġi Bin il-bniedem fil-glorja tiegħu u bl-anġli kollha miegħu, imbagħad joqgħod fuq it-tron glorjuż tiegħu. U quddiemu jinġabru l-ġnus kollha, u hu jifridhom minn xulxin, bħalma r-ragħaj jifred in-nagħaġ mill-mogħoż: in-nagħaġ iqegħedhom fuq il-lemin tiegħu u l-mogħoż fuq ix-xellug. Imbagħad is-Sultan jgħid lil dawk ta’ fuq il-lemin tiegħu: “Ejjew, imberkin minn Missieri, ħudu b’wirt tagħkom is-Saltna li tħejjiet għalikom sa mill-ħolqien tad-dinja. Għax jien kont bil-ġuħ u tmajtuni, kont bil-għatx u sqejtuni, kont barrani u lqajtuni, kont għeri u libbistuni, kont marid u ġejtu tarawni, kont fil-ħabs u ġejtu żżuruni”. Imbagħad iweġbuh il-ġusti: “Mulej, meta rajniek bil-ġuħ u tmajniek, jew bil-għatx u sqejniek? Meta rajniek barrani u lqajniek, jew għeri u libbisniek? Meta rajniek marid jew fil-ħabs u ġejna nżuruk?”. U s-Sultan iweġibhom u jgħid: “Tassew, ngħidilkom, kull ma għamiltu ma’ wieħed mill-iżgħar fost dawn ħuti, għamiltuh miegħi”. Imbagħad jgħid ukoll lil dawk ta’ fuq ix-xellug: “Morru minn quddiemi, misħutin, fin-nar ta’ dejjem li tħejja għax-xitan u għall-anġli tiegħu. Għax jien kont bil-ġuħ u ma tmajtunix, kont bil-għatx u ma sqejtunix, kont barrani u ma lqajtunix, kont għeri u ma libbistunix, kont marid u fil-ħabs u ma ġejtux iżżuruni!”. Imbagħad huma wkoll iweġbuh: “Mulej, meta rajniek bil-ġuħ, jew bil-għatx, jew barrani, jew għeri, jew marid, jew fil-ħabs, u aħna ma waqafniex miegħek?”. Iweġibhom imbagħad u jgħidilhom: “Tassew, ngħidilkom, dak li ma għamiltux ma’ wieħed min dawk iż-żgħar, anqas miegħi ma għamiltuh”. U dawn imorru fit-tbatija ta’ dejjem u l-ġusti fil-ħajja ta’ dejjem”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej    

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil

HE COMES IN GLORY AND POWER

Introduction: 

This Sunday’s Scripture Readings revolve around the Last Judgment scene of Jesus Christ coming in glory and power. It was Pope Pius XI who brought the Feast of Christ the King into the liturgy in 1925 to bring Christ as Ruler, and Christian values, back into lives of Christians, into society, and into politics. The Feast was a reminder to the totalitarian governments of Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin that Jesus Christ is the only Sovereign King. Although Emperors and Kings now exist mostly in history books, we still honor Christ as the King of the Universe by enthroning Jesus in our hearts, surrendering our lives to God. This feast challenges us to see Christ the King in everyone, especially those whom our society considers the least important, and to treat each person with the same love, mercy, and compassion Jesus showed. (+ a homily starter anecdote)

Scripture lessons, summarized: 

The first reading, taken from the Prophet Ezekiel, introduces God as the Good Shepherd, reminding us of Christ’s claim to be the Good-Shepherd-King, leading, feeding and protecting his sheep. In today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 23), we rejoice in Jesus, who is our Good Shepherd. In the second reading, St. Paul presents Christ as the all-powerful Ruler-King Who raises the dead and to Whom every form of power and authority must eventually give way. 

Sunday’s Gospel describes Christ the King coming in Heavenly glory to judge us, based on how we have shared our love and blessings with others through genuine acts of charity in our lives. Jesus is present to us now, not only as our Good Shepherd leading, feeding, and healing his sheep, but also as dwelling in those for whom we care. In the parable of the separation of the sheep from the goats at the Last Judgment, every person to whom we give ourselves, “whether hungry, thirsty or a stranger, naked, sick or in prison,” is revealed to us as having been the risen Jesus. Our reward or punishment depends on how we have recognized and treated this risen Jesus in the needy.

Life messages: 

1) We need to recognize and appreciate Christ’s presence within us and surrender our lives to Christ’s rule: Since Christ, our King, lives in our hearts with the Holy Spirit and His Heavenly Father and fills our souls with His grace, we need to learn to surrender our lives to Him, to live in His Holy Presence, and to do God’s will by sharing His forgiving love with others around us. Aware of His presence in the Bible, in the Sacraments, and in the worshipping community, we need to listen and talk to Him.

2) We need to learn to be servers: Since Christ was a Servant-King we are invited to be His loyal citizens by rendering humble service to others and by sharing Christ’s mercy and forgiveness with others. 

3) We need to use our authority to support the rule of Jesus. This feast is an invitation to all those who have power or authority in the public or the private realms to use it for Jesus by bearing witness to Him in the way we live. Parents are expected to use their God-given authority to train their children in Christian ideals and in the ways of committed Christian living. 

4)  We need to accept Jesus Christ as the King of love. Jesus. who came to proclaim to all of us the Good News of God’s love and salvation, gave us His new commandment of love: “Love one another as I have loved you,” (Jn 13:34), and demonstrated that love by dying for us sinners. We accept Jesus as our King of love when we love others as Jesus already loves us — unconditionally, sacrificially, and with agape love.iven us, is to put it to work and make it bear fruit.

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USING OUR TALENTS AS GOD WANTS

Readings for Sunday, November 19, 2023

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 157

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

Reading 1                 PROVERBS 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize. She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She obtains wool and flax and works with loving hands. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle. She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her a reward for her labours, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

Qari 1                 Għeluq tal-Ktieb tal-Proverbi 31, 10-13.19-20.30-31

Mara ta’ ħila min isibha?Tiswa ħafna aktar mill-ġawhar. Fuqha tistrieħ qalb żewġha, u dan żgur ikunlu ta’ ġid. Riżq tajjeb iġġiblu, u mhux ħażin, il-jiem kollha ta’ ħajjitha. Tfittex suf u ħjut tal-qoton, u taħdmu bil-qalb b’idejha. Tmidd idejha għall-magħżel, jaqbdu d-dussies idejha. Tiftaħ mal-fqir idejha, tmidd idejha lejn l-imsejken. Qarrieqa l-ħlewwa tal-mara, fiergħa sbuħitha; mara li tibża’ mill-Mulej ta’ min ifaħħarha. Agħtuha mill-frott ta’ xogħol idejha. Ħa jfaħħruha f’bibien il-belt l-għemejjel tagħha. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

R. (cf. 1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI               Salm 127 (128), 1-2.3.4-5

R/. (1a): Hieni kull min jibża’ mill-Mulej

Hieni kull min jibża’ mill-Mulej,
kull min jimxi fit-triqat tiegħu!
Mix-xogħol ta’ idejk inti tiekol;
hieni int, u riżqek tajjeb! R

/.

Martek tkun bħal dielja għammiela
fl-irkejjen ta’ darek;
uliedek bħal xitel taż-żebbuġ
madwar il-mejda tiegħek. R/.

Ara, kif ikun imbierek il-bniedem
li jibża’ mill-Mulej!
Ibierkek il-Mulej minn Sijon!
Jalla tara l-ġid ta’ Ġerusalemm
tul ħajtek kollha!
Jalla tara wlied uliedek! R/.

Reading 2                1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-6

Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. When people are Saying, "Peace and security, " then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labour pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober. 

QARI 2                mill-Ewwel Ittra lit-Tessalonkin 5, 1-6

Dwar il-ħin u ż-żmien, ħuti, ma għandix bżonn niktbilkom. Intom tafu sewwa li Jum il-Mulej jiġi għal għarrieda bħal ħalliel bil-lejl. Meta kulħadd jibda jgħid: “Sliem u mistrieħ”, dak il-ħin stess, bħal-luġigħ fuq mara li tkun waslet għall-ħlas, tiġi fuqhom għal għarrieda l-qerda u ma jeħilsu b’xejn. Ħuti, intom m’intomx fid-dlam biex Jum il-Mulej jeħodkom għal għarrieda bħal ħalliel. Intom ilkoll ulied id-dawl u wlied il-jum; aħna m’aħniex ulied il-lejl, anqas ulied id-dlam. Għalhekk ma għandniex norqdu bħall-oħrajn, iżda nishru u ngħixu bil-qjies. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                MATTHEW 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one-- to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money. "After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, 'Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.' His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 25, 14-30

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu din il-parabbola: “Wieħed li kien se jsiefer, sejjaħ lill-qaddejja tiegħu u ħallielhom ġidu f’idejhom. Lil wieħed tah ħames talenti, lil ieħor tnejn, u lil ieħor wieħed, kull wieħed skond il-ħila tiegħu. U siefer. Dak li kien ħa l-ħames talenti mar minnufih iħaddimhom u qala’ ħamsa oħra. Hekk ukoll dak li kien ħa tnejn qala’ tnejn oħra. Iżda dak li ħa wieħed mar ħaffer fl-art u ħeba flus sidu. Wara ħafna, sid dawk il-qaddejja raġa’ lura u beda jagħmel il-kontijiet magħhom. Resaq quddiemu dak li kien ħa ħames talenti u ġieblu ħames talenti oħra. “Sinjur – qallu – ħames talenti ħallejtli f’idejja; hawn, ara, qlajt ħamsa oħra”. Qallu s-sinjur: “Sewwa, qaddej tajjeb u fidil; int kont fidil fil-ftit, u jien se nafdak fuq ħafna; idħol fl-hena ta’ sidek”. Resaq ukoll dak li kien ħa żewġ talenti, u qallu: “Sinjur, żewġ talenti ħallejtli f’idejja; hawn, ara, qlajt tnejn oħra”. Qallu s-sinjur: “Sewwa, qaddej tajjeb u fidil; int kont fidil fil-ftit, u jien se nafdak fuq ħafna; idħol fl-hena ta’ sidek”. Iżda resaq ukoll dak li kien ħa talent wieħed, u qal: “Sinjur, lilek nafek bħala raġel aħrax, taħsad fejn ma żrajtx u tiġbor fejn ma xerridtx. Bżajt, u mort ħbejt it-talent tiegħek fl-art: hawn, ara, għandek dak li hu tiegħek”. Qabeż is-sinjur u qallu: “Qaddej ħażin u għażżien, kont taf li jien naħsad fejn ma żrajtx u niġbor fejn ma xerridtx. Mela kien imissek mort qegħedt flusi l-bank biex, meta niġi, kont immur niġborhom bl-imgħax. Ħudulu mela t-talent u agħtuh lil dak li għandu l-għaxar talenti. Għax kull min għandu, jingħatalu, u jkollu żżejjed ukoll; iżda min ma għandux, jitteħidlu saħansitra dak li għandu. U lil dan il-qaddej bla fejda itfgħuh ’il barra fid-dlam; hemmhekk ikun hemm il-biki u t-tgħażżiż tas-snien””. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                          

ARE WE FAITHFUL SERVANTS OF GOD?

Introduction: 

This penultimate Sunday of the liturgical year reminds us not only of the end of the liturgical year but also of the end of all things and of the preparations we need to make to reach Heaven. The main theme of the three readings is an invitation to live in such a way that we make the best use of the talents God has given us, so that at the hour of our death Our Lord will say: “Well done, my good and faithful servant!… Come and share the joy of your master” Mt 25: 21).

The Scripture lessons: 

The first reading suggests that we should be as diligent and industrious as a loyal and faithful wife, in the use of our God-given gifts and talents with “the fear of the Lord.” Unlike the one-talent man, she takes her gifts and “brings forth good, not evil”; she “reaches her hands to the poor and extends her arms to the needy.” 

In Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm, Ps 128, the Psalmist echoes the concept of the blessedness of the faithful servant of the Lord. The Psalm affirms that the fear of the Lord is the key to human happiness and success. In the second reading, Paul advises us to keep awake and be sober, encouraging and building each other up as we wait for the “Day of the Lord.” He challenges the Thessalonians to turn fear of the Lord into positive, constructive and life-affirming action. 

Sunday’s Gospel challenges us to ask the questions: Are we using our talents and gifts primarily to serve God? Are we doing everything we can to carry out God’s will? The parable of the talents challenges us to do something positive, constructive and life-affirming with our talents here and now.

Life messages: 

1) We need to trust God enough to make use of the gifts and abilities we have been given. We may be especially talented in teaching children or cooking meals or repairing homes or programming computers. So, we should ask ourselves how we are using our particular gifts in the service of our Christian community and the wider society.

2) We need to make use of our talents in our parish. In addition to our homes and families, the best place to do this is in our parish. This means that we should be always willing to share our abilities in creative worship in the Church and in various ministries of our parish, such as Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, lector, usher, Sunday school teacher, singer in the choir, volunteer, and member of one or more parish organizations and community outreach programs.

3) We need to “trade” with our talent of Christian Faith: All of us in the Church today have received at least one talent namely, the gift of Faith. Our responsibility is not just to preserve and “keep” the Faith, but to work with it. We need to promote and add value to Faith by living it out. The way to preserve the Faith, or any other talent that God has given us, is to put it to work and make it bear fruit.

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GETTING READY FOR WHAT'S COMING!

Readings for Sunday, November 12, 2023

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 154

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

Reading 1                WISDOM 6:12-16

Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire; Whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate. For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence, and whoever for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care; because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude.

QARI 1                  Qari mill-Ktieb tal-Għerf  6, 12-16

L-għerf jiddi, bla qatt ma jnemnem, malajr jagħrfuh dawk li jħobbuh,  u jsibuh dawk li jfittxuh. Hu jħabrek biex jidher lil dawk li jixtiquh. Min ibakkar ifittxu, ma jitħabatx, għax ħdejn biebu bilqiegħda jsibu. L-aqwa tal-għaqal hu li taħseb fl-għerf,u min jishar għalih malajr jeħles mill-inkwiet. L-għerf idur u jfittex lil dawk li jixirqulu, kollu ħlewwa jidhrilhom fit-triq, u jiltaqa’ magħhom f’kull ħsieb tagħhom. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

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.

I will remember you upon my couch,

and through the night-watches I will meditate on you:
You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 62 (63), 2.3-4.5-6.7-8

R/. (2b): Mulej, Alla tiegħi, ruħi bil-għatx għalik

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/

.
Meta, mimdud fuq friexi, fik niftakar,
u naħseb fuqek fis-sahriet tal-lejl.
Għax inti kont għajnuna għalija,
għad-dell ta’ ġwenħajk ngħanni bil-ferħ. R/.

Reading 2                 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,  so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.

QARI 2                 mill-Ewwel Ittra lit-Tessalonkin 4, 13-14

Ma rridux li ma tkunux tafu, ħuti, fuq il-mejtin biex ma ssewdux qalbkom bħall-oħrajn li ma għandhomx tama. Jekk aħna nemmnu li Ġesù miet u qam mill-imwiet, hekk ukoll Alla jiġbor miegħu lil dawk li raqdu f’Ġesù. Dan ngħidulkom fuq il-kelma t l-Mulej, jiġifieri li aħna li nkunu għadna hawn ħajjin għall-miġja tal-Mulej, ma mmorrux qabel dawk li jkunu raqdu. Għaliex il-Mulej innifsu mal-kmand, mal-leħen ta’ l-arkanġlu u t-tromba ta’ Alla, jinżel mis-sema, u dawk li jkunu mietu fi Kristu jqumu l-ewwel. Imbagħad aħna li nkunu ħajjin, li nkunu għadna hawn, ninħatfu magħhom fis-sħab biex niltaqgħu mal-Mulej fl-ajru. Hekk inkunu dejjem mal-Mulej. Agħmlu l-qalb lil xulxin b’dan il-kliem. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                 MATTHEW 25:1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'But the wise ones replied, 'No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.' While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.' Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." 

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 25, 1-13

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu din il-parabbola: “Is-Saltna tas-Smewwiet ixebbhuha ma’ għaxar xebbiet li ħarġu bl-imsiebaħ tagħhom biex jilqgħu l-għarus. Ħamsa minnhom kienu boloh u ħamsa għaqlin, il-boloh ħadu l-imsiebaħ imma ma ħadux żejt magħhom, waqt li l-għaqlin ħadu mhux biss l-imsiebaħ iżda wkoll iż-żejt fil-kwies. L-għarus iddawwar ma ġie, u għalhekk ilkoll ħadhom in-ngħas u raqdu. Imbagħad f’nofs ta’ lejl instama’ min jgħajjat: “Ara l-għarus! Oħorġu ilqgħuh!”. Dawk ix-xebbiet qamu lkoll u ħejjew l-imsiebaħ tagħhom. Iżda l-boloh qalu lill-għaqlin: “Agħtuna ftit żejt minn tagħkom, għax l-imsiebaħ tagħna jintfew”. Qabżu l-għaqlin u qalu: “Għandu mnejn ma jibqax biżżejjed, la għalina u lanqas għalikom! L-aħjar morru għand tal-ħanut u ixtru għalikom”. Xħin dawk marru biex jixtru jiġi l-għarus; dawk li kienu lesti daħlu miegħu għall-festa tat-tieġ, u l-bieb ingħalaq. Saflaħħar waslu wkoll ix-xebbiet l-oħra, u bdew jgħidu: “Sinjur, Sinjur, iftħilna!”. Iżda hu weġibhom u qal: “Tassew, ngħidilkom, lilkom ma nafkomx”. Ishru, mela, għaliex la tafu l-jum u lanqas is-siegħa”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                                   

WHAT'S YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE?

Introduction: 

This Sunday’s readings bring the usual warnings about preparation for the end of our own world, the end of our own time, and our passage to another world. They tell us that a searching, watching, and growing heart is essential for a lively, dynamic Faith in God. They ask us whether we are ready for these events and how we are preparing for them. 

Scripture lessons summarized: 

Because Jesus’ parable in today’s Gospel has five well-prepared wise women, the first reading chosen for today is one which personifies wisdom as a woman. The author advises Jews in Alexandria not to envy the wisdom of the pagan philosophers, because they themselves have true wisdom in their Sacred Scripture, a wisdom which regulates not only this life but the next also. Hence, they must live their lives in strict conformity with the Divine wisdom given them so generously by God. 

In the second reading, Paul offers Christian wisdom, assuring those Christians who expected Jesus’ second coming in their lifetime that the death and Resurrection of Jesus is powerful enough to save even those who die before Jesus’ second coming. But they need to be alert, well-prepared, and vigilant. In the Gospel parable of the ten virgins, the foolish virgins represent the “Chosen People of God” who were waiting for the Messiah but were shut out from the messianic banquet because they were unprepared. The parable teaches us that, like the five wise virgins, we should attend to duties of the present moment, preparing now, rather than waiting until it is too late.

Life messages: 

1) We need to be wise enough to remain ever prepared: Wise Christians find Jesus in the most ordinary experiences of daily living — in the people they meet, the events that take place, and the situations in which they find themselves — and they carefully make their daily choices for God. They are ready to put the commandment of love into practice by showing kindness, mercy and forgiveness. 

2) Let us be sure that our Lamps are ready for the end of our lives: Spiritual readiness, preparation, and growth are the result of intentional habits built into one’s life. We cannot depend on a Sunday Mass or morning service to provide all our spiritual needs. We cannot depend on Christian fellowship to provide us with spiritual development. The meeting of spiritual needs and spiritual development itself come through routine, mundane attention to ordinary spiritual disciplines — making sure we have enough oil or spiritual fuel: oil of compassion and mercy, oil of patience, sympathy, and forgiveness. We open ourselves to receive these graces by taking time for prayer, and being alone with God; by reading God’s Word; by living a sacramental life; by offering acts of service to others; by moral faithfulness, by loving obedience, and by spending time with other Christians for mutual prayer, study, and encouragement. When we receive the graces we need, we thank God for His generous love. As taking these ways becomes habitual, they cease to be a struggle and begin to be a source of strength and blessing. They make our lives powerful against the onslaught of the world. 

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A STRONG CHALLENGE - Living Out Our Faith

Readings for Sunday, November 5, 2023

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 151

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

Reading 1                Malachi  1:14b-2:2b, 8-10

A great King am I, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. And now, O priests, this commandment is for you: If you do not listen, if you do not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the LORD of hosts, I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse. You have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction; you have made void the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts. I, therefore, have made you contemptible and base before all the people, since you do not keep my ways, but show partiality in your decisions. Have we not all the one father? Has not the one God created us? Why then do we break faith with one another, violating the covenant of our fathers?

QARI 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Malakija 1, 14b – 2, 2b.8-10

Jien Sultan kbir – jgħid il-Mulej tal-eżerċti – u ismi ta’ min jibża’ minnu fost il-ġnus. U issa għalikom, qassisin, huwa dan il-kmandament: Jekk intom ma tisimgħux u jekk ma tfittxux minn qalbkom li ssebbħu lil ismi, jgħid il-Mulej tal-eżerċti, jiena nibgħat fuqkom is-saħta, u nisħet il-barkiet tagħkom. Intom twarrabtu mit-triq, ġagħaltu ’l ħafna jitfixklu bit-tagħlim tagħkom; ħassartu l-patt ta’ Levi, jgħid il-Mulej tal-eżerċti. Għalhekk jien ukoll tlaqtkom għaż-żebliħ  u għat-tmaqdir tal-poplu kollu, bħalma intom ma żammejtux triqati, u ħaristu lejn l-uċuħ fit-tagħlim tagħkom. Mhux Missier wieħed għandna lkoll kemm aħna? Mhux Alla wieħed ħalaqna? Mela għaliex nimxu bil-qerq bejnietna u nonqsu mill-ġieħ lejn il-patt ta’ missirijietna? Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 131:1, 2, 3

O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother's lap,
so is my soul within me.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 130 (131), 1.2.3

R/. Mulej, ħarisli ruħi fis-sliem

Mulej, ma tkabbritx qalbi,
anqas ma ntrefgħu għajnejja;
jien ma ġrejtx wara ħwejjeġ kbar,
jew wara ħwejjeġ ogħla minni. R/.

Imma żammejt ruħi fis-skiet u l-mistrieħ,
bħal tarbija f’ħoġor ommha;
bħal tarbija miftuma,
hekk hi ruħi ġewwa fija. R/.

Ittama, Iżrael, fil-Mulej,
minn issa u għal dejjem! R/.

Reading 2                1 THESSALONIANS 2:7b-9, 13

Brothers and sisters: We were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us. You recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery. Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.  And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra lit-Tessalonkin 2, 7b-9.13

Ħuti, aħna ġibna ruħna magħkom bil-ħlewwa, bħalma omm tradda’ tħaddan lil uliedha. Aħna għożżejniekom hekk li ridna naqsmu magħkom mhux biss l-Evanġelju ta’ Alla imma wkoll ħajjitna stess, daqskemm ħabbejniekom. Intom, ħuti, tiftakru fit-taħbit u t-tbatija kbira tagħna. Sakemm konna qegħdin inxandrulkom l-Evanġelju ta’ Alla, aħna ħdimna bil-lejl u binhar, biex lil ħadd minnkom ma ngħabbu. Aħna niżżu ħajr bla heda lil Alla talli l-kelma ta’ Alla, li intom smajtu mingħandna, iltqajtuha mhux bħala kelma ta’ bniedem, iżda bħala kelma ta’ Alla, kif tassew hi, dik il-kelma li qiegħda taħdem fikom li emmintu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                 MATTHEW 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honour at banquets, seats of honour in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari mill-Evanġelju skond San Mattew 23, 1-12

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù kellem lin-nies u lid-dixxipli tiegħu, u qalilhom: “Fuq il-katedra ta’ Mosè qagħdu l-kittieba u l-Fariżej. Mela kull ma jgħidulkom huma agħmluh u ħarsuh, iżda tagħmlux kif jagħmlu huma, għax huma kliem biss għandhom, imma fatti xejn. Huma jorbtu qatet kbar u tqal u jgħabbuhom fuq spallejn ħaddieħor, waqt li huma stess anqas b’sebagħhom wieħed ma jridu jħarrkuhom. Kull ma jagħmlu, jagħmluh għal għajnejn in-nies; għalhekk ikabbru l-filatteri u jtawlu l-ġmiemen tagħhom. Iħobbu l-postijiet ewlenin fl-imwejjed, u s-siġġijiet ta’ quddiem fis-sinagogi, u jixtiequ min isellmilhom fil-pjazez u li n-nies isejħulhom “rabbi”. Imma intom tħallux min isejħilkom “rabbi”, għax l-Imgħallem tagħkom wieħed hu, u intom ilkoll aħwa. U ssejħu lil ħadd “missier” fuq din l-art, għax il-Missier tagħkom wieħed hu, dak li hu fis-smewiet. Hekk ukoll tħallux min issejħilkom “mexxejja”, għax il-Mexxej tagħkom wieħed hu, il-Messija. Il-kbir fostkom għandu jkun il-qaddej tagħkom; min jitgħolla, jitbaxxa, u min jitbaxxa, jitgħolla”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                              

A WARNING AGAINST HYPOCRICY AND 

STATUS-SEEKING

Introduction: 

The central theme of Sunday’s readings is a strong invitation and challenge to render humble, selfless, diligent, committed, loving service to others in the community without expecting honour or rewards in return. Today’s Gospel is a warning against hypocrisy and status-seeking, given to the early Church and to our own Church communities.

Scripture lessons: 

In the first reading, the prophet Malachi condemns the irresponsible, proud, lazy priests of his day. In the second reading, St. Paul presents himself as an ideal example of servant leadership in a serving Christian community. In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus offers a word of judgment against contemporary religious leaders who are more concerned about self-promotion than service to others. 

Christ-like leadership calls for integrity and honesty from all those in authority, whether priests, parents, teachers or politicians. There should be in leaders no double standards. Rather, there should grow a deep sense of equality with, and mutual respect between, leaders and those they rule. Each should seek to serve the other. Service, not status, is the mark of this new community, and true humility is the only position its members should seek.

Life messages: 

1) We need to become servant leaders in a serving community: The Church is a servant community in which the hungry are to be filled; the ignorant are to be taught; the homeless to receive shelter; the sick to be cared for; the distressed, consoled; and the oppressed, set free so that they may more fully realize their human potential and more readily enjoy life with God. Hence, the leaders should have a spirit of humble service in thought, word and deed. “The measure of a true Christian is not how many servants he has, but how many people he serves.” 

2) We need to live the Faith we profess. Religious people are all too often like the Pharisees and scribes, laying heavy loads on other people’s shoulders without lifting a finger to help them. Instead of judging the poor, we should be serving them through our efforts for economic justice. Instead of criticizing those of other races, we should be serving them through our efforts for racial justice. Instead of ignoring the homeless, we should be serving them through efforts to supply them with adequate housing. We need to live the Faith we profess. Our Faith tells us that we are all brothers and sisters, children of the same Heavenly Father. The only way for us to practice our Faith is to build a human community of love and justice. 

3) We need to learn the art of self-examination, and accept the responsibilities which go with our titles. Instead of criticizing others for their failures, let us ask whether we are different from them in discharging our duties in the family and in the parish community. Let us remember that our titles should remind us of our specific responsibilities in society and our obligation to discharge them faithfully. (L/23)

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