Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

 Readings for Sunday, December 31, 2023

The Holy Family 
 Lectionary: 17

Il-Ħadd fost l-Ottava tal-Milied 
- Il-Familja Mqaddsa

Reading 1                   GENESIS 15:1-6; 21:1-3

The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying: “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be, if I keep on being childless and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?” Abram continued, “See, you have given me no offspring, and so one of my servants will be my heir.” Then the word of the LORD came to him: “No, that one shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir.” The Lord took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness. The LORD took note of Sarah as he had said he would; he did for her as he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time that God had stated. Abraham gave  the name Isaac to this son of his whom Sarah bore him.

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb ta’ Ġenesi 15, 1-6; 21, 1-3

F’dak iż-żmien, ġiet il-kelma tal-Mulej lil Abram f’dehra u qallu: “La tibżax, Abram! Jiena tarka għalik; ħlasek ikun kbir ħafna”. U Abram qallu: “Sidi Mulej, x’se tagħtini, għax se nibqa’ bla tfal, u l-werriet ta’ dari se jkun Eligħeżer ta’ Damasku”. U Abram żied jgħid: “Ara, int lili ma tajtnix nisel, u qaddej dari se jiritni”. U ara, waslitlu l-kelma tal-Mulej u qallu: “Ma jirtekx dan, imma wieħed ħiereġ mill-ġewwieni tiegħek, hu għad jirtek”. U ħarġu barra u qallu: “Ħares sewwa lejn is-smewwiet u għodd il-kwiekeb, jekk għandek ħila tgħoddhom”. U żied jgħidlu: “Hekk għad ikun nislek”. U hu emmen fil-Mulej, u dan għaddhulu b’ġustizzja. U l-Mulej żar lil Sara bħalma kien qalilha, u għamel magħha dak li kien wegħedha. U Sara tqalet u wildet iben lil Abraham fi xjuħitu, fiż-żmien li kien qallu Alla. U Abraham semma ’l ibnu li twelidlu, li kienet wilditlu Sara, Iżakk. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
constantly seek his face.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations
which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 104 (105), 1b-2.3-4.5-6.8-9

R/. (7a.8a): Jaħweh hu Alla tagħna! Jiftakar għal dejjem fil-patt tiegħu

Faħħru l-Mulej u xandru ismu,
għarrfu lill-ġnus bl-għemejjel tiegħu.
Għannulu u doqqulu,
xandru l-għeġubijiet tiegħu kollha. R/.

Ftaħru bl-isem qaddis tiegħu;
tifraħ il-qalb ta’ dawk li jfittxu l-Mulej.
Ħabirku biex tagħrfu l-Mulej u l-qawwa tiegħu,
fittxu ’l wiċċu l-ħin kollu. R/.

Ftakru fil-ħwejjeġ kbar li għamel,
fl-għeġubijiet u l-ġudizzji tiegħu.
Nisel Abraham, il-qaddej tiegħu,
ulied Ġakobb, il-maħtur tiegħu. R/.

Jiftakar għal dejjem fil-patt tiegħu,
fil-kelma li ta għal elf nisel,
fil-patt li għamel ma’ Abraham,
fil-wegħda li ħalef lil Iżakk. R/.

Reading 2                 HEBREWS 11:8, 11-12, 17-19

Brothers and sisters: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age --and Sarah herself was sterile-- for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac,  and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.” He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lil-Lhud 11, 8.11-12.17-19

    Ħuti, kienet il-fidi li ġagħlet lil Abraham jobdi s-sejħa ta’ Alla, meta dan qallu biex imur f’art li kien se jagħtih b’wirt; u telaq, bla ma kien jaf fejn kien sejjer. Kienet ukoll il-fidi li biha Sarah, mara mdaħħla fiż-żmien, setgħet titqal, għax hija għarfet li ta’ kelmtu kien dak li għamlilha l-wegħda. Kien għalhekk li minn bniedem wieħed, li kien tista’ tgħid mejjet, twieldu nies bil-kotra daqs il-kwiekeb tas-sema u daqs ir-ramel ta’ xatt il-baħar, li ħadd ma jista’ jgħoddu. Kienet il-fidi li ġagħlet lil Abraham joffri ’l Iżakk meta Alla ġarrbu; u kien se joffri lil ibnu l-waħdieni sewwasew dak li kien ħa l-wegħdiet, hu li Alla kien qallu: “Minn Iżakk int għad ikollok nisel”. Huwa fehem li Alla kellu s-setgħa saħansitra li jqajjem mill-mewt; u, fis-sens ta’ tixbiha, ħadu tabilħaqq lura mill-mewt.

Gospel                LUKE 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification  according to the law of Moses,  They took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,  in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel,  and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit  that he should not see death  before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple;  and when the parents brought in the child Jesus  to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;  and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,  “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce—  so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna,  the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time,  she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child  to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.  When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;  and the favour of God was upon him.

EVANĠELJU                Qari skont San Luqa 2, 22-40

Wara li għalqilhom iż-żmien għall-purifikazzjoni tagħhom skont il-Liġi ta’ Mosè, Marija u Ġużeppi ħadu lil Ġesù Ġerusalemm biex jippreżentawh lill-Mulej, kif hemm miktub fil-Liġi tal-Mulej: “Kull tifel li jitwieled l-ewwel, jiġi kkonsagrat lill-Mulej” – u biex joffru b’sagrifiċċju par gamiem jew żewġ bċieċen, kif jingħad ukoll fil-Liġi tal-Mulej. F’Ġerusalemm kien hemm wieħed, jismu Xmun, raġel ġust u tajjeb, li kien jistenna l-faraġ ta’ Iżrael u li kellu l-Ispirtu s-Santu fuqu. L-Ispirtu s-Santu kien nebbħu li ma kienx se jara l-mewt qabel ma jara l-Messija tal-Mulej. Mar mela fit-tempju, imqanqal mill-Ispirtu, u xħin il-ġenituri daħlu bit-tarbija Ġesù biex jagħmlulu dak li kienet trid il-Liġi, huwa laqgħu fuq dirgħajh, bierek lil Alla u qal: “Issa, o Sid, tista’ tħalli l-qaddej tiegħek imur fis-sliem, skont kelmtek, għaliex għajnejja raw is-salvazzjoni tiegħek li int ħejjejt għall-popli kollha, dawl biex idawwal il-ġnus, u glorja tal-polpu tiegħek Iżrael”. Missieru u ommu baqgħu mistagħġba b’dak li kien qiegħed jingħad fuqu. Xmun berikhom, u qal lil ommu Marija: “Ara, dan se jġib il-waqgħa u l-qawmien ta’ ħafna f’Iżrael; se jkun sinjal li jmeruh, – u inti wkoll, sejf jinfidlek ruħek! – biex jinkixfu l-ħsibijiet moħbija fil-qlub ta’ ħafna”. Kien hemm ukoll waħda profetissa, Anna, bint Fanwel, mit-tribù ta’ Aser. Kienet imdaħħla ħafna fiż-żmien; wara xbubitha kienet għamlet seba’ snin miżżewġa, u mbagħad romlot. Sa ma kellha erbgħa u tmenin sena ma kienet titwarrab qatt mit-tempju, lejl u nhar taqdi lil Alla fis-sawm u t-talb. Dak il-ħin stess waslet, u bdiet trodd ħajr lil Alla u titkellem fuq it-tarbija ma’ dawk kollha li kienu jistennew il-fidwa ta’ Ġerusalemm. Meta temmew kull ma kellhom jagħmlu skont il-Liġi tal-Mulej reġgħu lura lejn il-Galilija fil-belt tagħhom ta’ Nazaret. U t-tifel baqa’ jikber u jissaħħaħ, mimli bl-għerf. U l-grazzja ta’ Alla kienet fuqu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                          

OFFERING OUR FAMILIES FOR GOD'S BLESSING ON THE ALTAR

Introduction: 

On the last Sunday of the year, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family.  We are here to offer all the members of our own families on the altar for God’s blessing.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading (Gen 15:1-6, 21: 1-3) Today we hear God’s promise (Chapter 15),  of numerous descendants  to Abraham whom Judaism, Christianity, Islam consider their father, and its fulfilment (Chapter 21) when Abraham’s wife, Sarah, gave birth to Isaac.

In the second reading, (Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19)taken from the letter to the Hebrews, the sacred author further shows us the trusting faith of Abraham in the promises of God, first,  in Abraham’s willingness to move his whole family to an unknown place to which God said He would lead him; second, in the way Abraham and Sarah trusted God’s power to give  them  a son born to them in their very old age and third, in the way Abraham’s unwavering Faith in his God enabled him to obey, without hesitation, his God’s order to sacrifice his only son.

Today’s Gospel (Lk 2:22-40) presents the head of the Holy Family, Joseph, faithfully obeying God’s law given through Moses concerning the purification of the mother and the redeeming of the child by presenting Mary and the Baby Jesus in the Temple. The events recounted here are also found on February 2nd, the Feast of Presentation of Jesus.

 Life messages: 

1) We need to learn lessons from the Holy Family: The Church encourages us to look to the Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph for inspiration, example and encouragement.   They were a model family in which both parents worked hard, helped each other, understood and accepted each other, and took good care of their Child so that Jesus might grow up not only in human knowledge but also as a Child of God.

2) We need to make the family a confessional rather than a courtroom.  A senior Judge of the Supreme Court congratulated the bride and groom in a marriage with a pertinent piece of advice: “See that you never convert your family into a courtroom; instead let it be a confessional. If the husband and wife start arguing like attorneys in an attempt to justify their behavior, their family becomes a court of law and nobody wins.  On the other hand, if the husband and the wife — as in a confessional — are ready to admit their faults and try to correct them, the family becomes a heavenly one.”

3) Marriage is a sacrament of holiness. Each family is called to holiness. By the Sacrament of Matrimony (marriage), Jesus sanctifies not only the spouses but also the entire family. The husband and wife attain holiness when they discharge their duties faithfully, trusting in God, and drawing on the power of God by prayer.

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MARY IN THE WORK OF OUR SALVATION

Readings for Sunday, December 24, 2023

Fourth Sunday of Advent and the vigil of the birth of our Lord Jesus        Lectionary: 11

Ir-Raba’ Ħadd tal-Avvent u l-Vġili tat-Twelid ta’ Sidna Ġesu’ Kristu

Reading 1                

2 SAMUEL 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

When King David was settled in his palace, and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!" Nathan answered the king, "Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you." But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said: "Go, tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in?' "It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever."

Qari 1                  

mit-Tieni Ktieb ta’ Samwel 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16

Meta s-Sultan David mar joqgħod f’daru, u l-Mulej serrħu mill-għedewwa kollha ta’ madwaru, is-sultan qal lil Natan il-profeta: “Issa, ara jien qiegħed f’dar taċ-ċedru, u l-arka ta’ Alla qiegħda f’nofs ta’ tinda!”. U qal Natan lis-sultan: “Kulma għandek fi ħsiebek li tagħmel, mur agħmlu, għax il-Mulej miegħek”. Imma dak il-lejl stess ġiet il-kelma tal-Mulej lil Natan u qallu: “Mur għid lill-qaddej tiegħi David: ‘Dan jgħid il-Mulej: Se tibnili int dar biex noqgħod fiha? Ara, jiena ħadtek mill-mergħat minn wara l-imrieħel biex tkun prinċep fuq il-poplu tiegħi Iżrael. Dejjem kont miegħek f’kulma kont tidħol għalih; u meta int qridt l-għedewwa tiegħek kollha minn quddiemek. Issa jiena nibnilek isem kbir jixbah l-ismijiet il-kbar li hawn fid-dinja. Nagħmel post għall-poplu tiegħi Iżrael, u nqiegħdu hemm fejn jgħammar bla biża’, u ma jgħakksuhx iżjed il-ħżiena bħalma għamlu sa minn dejjem, jiġifieri sa minn meta qajjimt l-imħallfin fuq il-poplu tiegħi Iżrael; u nserrħek mill-għedewwa tiegħek kollha. Lilek imbagħad il-Mulej jagħtik kelma li jibnilek dar. U meta inti ttemm żmienek, u tkun striħajt ma’ missirijietek, jiena nqajjem nislek warajk, nisel ħiereġ mill-ġewwieni tiegħek, u nsaħħaħ is-saltna tiegħu. Jiena nkun għalih missier, u hu jkun għalija iben. Il-familja tiegħek u s-saltna tiegħek jibqgħu sħaħ għal dejjem quddiemi. It-tron tiegħek jibqa’ sħiħ għal dejjem’”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29

The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

"I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations."
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. 

"He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm."
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 89(88):2-5,27,29

R/.(2): It-tjieba tal-Mulej irrid dejjem ngħanni.

F’kull żmien ixandar fommi l-fedeltà tiegħek.
Għax jien għedt:
“Tjubitek tibqa’ sħiħa għal dejjem;
bħas-smewwiet int wettaqt il-fedeltà tiegħek”. R/.

“Għamilt patt mal-magħżul tiegħi,
ħlift lil David, il-qaddej tiegħi:
Jien nagħmel li nislek jibqa’ għal dejjem,
li f’kull żmien jibqa’ sħiħ it-tron tiegħek”. R/.

“Hu jsejjaħli: ‘Int missieri
u Alla tiegħi, fortizza u salvazzjoni tiegħi!’.
It-tjieba tiegħi nżommha fuqu għal dejjem,
u l-patt tiegħi miegħu jibqa’ sħiħ”. R/.

Reading 2                  ROMANS 16:25-27

Brothers and sisters: To him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith, to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen. 

QARI 2                     mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lir-Rumani 16:25-27

Ħuti, lil Alla li għandu l-qawwa li jwettaqkom fl-Evanġelju li nħabbar jien, jien u nxandar lil Ġesù Kristu, skont ir-rivelazzjoni tal-misteru li kien moħbi fis-skiet tal-eternità; lil dan Alla li issa rrivelalna dan il-misteru, u għarrfu lill-ġnus bil-kitba tal-Profeti, skont l-ordni tiegħu, Alla ta’ dejjem, biex iwassalhom għall-ubbidjenza tal-fidi; lil dan Alla, waħdu fl-għerf, il-glorja għal dejjem ta’ dejjem b’Ġesù Kristu. Ammen. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                LUKE 1:26-38 

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skond San Luqa 1:26-38

F’dak iż-żmien, Alla bagħat l-anġlu Gabrijel f’belt tal-Galilija, jisimha Nazaret, għand xebba, mgħarrsa ma’ raġel jismu Ġużeppi mid-dar ta’ David. Dix-xebba kien jisimha Marija. L-anġlu daħal għandha u qalilha: “Sliem għalik, mimlija bil-grazzja, il-Mulej miegħek”. Hi tħawdet ħafna għal dan il-kliem, u bdiet taħseb bejnha u bejn ruħha x’setgħet qatt tfisser din it-tislima. Iżda l-anġlu qalilha: “Tibżax, Marija, għax int sibt grazzja quddiem Alla. Ara, int se tnissel fil-ġuf u jkollok iben u ssemmih Ġesù. Hu jkun kbir, u jkun jissejjaħ Bin l-Għoli. Il-Mulej Alla jagħtih it-tron ta’ David missieru, u jsaltan għal dejjem fuq dar Ġakobb, u ma jkunx hemm tmiem għas-saltna tiegħu”.  Iżda Marija qalet lill-anġlu: “Kif ikun dan, ladarba ma nagħrafx raġel?”. Wieġeb l-anġlu u qalilha: “L-Ispirtu s-Santu jiġi fuqek, u l-qawwa tal-Għoli tixħet id-dell tagħha fuqek. U għalhekk dak li jitwieled minnek ikun qaddis, u jissejjaħ Bin Alla. Ara, l-qariba tiegħek Eliżabetta, fi xjuħitha, hi wkoll nisslet iben fil-ġuf, u ġa għandha sitt xhur dik li għaliha kienu jgħidu li ma jistax ikollha tfal, għax għal Alla ma hemm xejn li ma jistax isir”. Imbagħad qalet Marija: “Ara, jien il-qaddejja tal-Mulej: ħa jsir minni skont kelmtek!”. U l-anġlu telaq minn quddiemha. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                                   

BY YOUR "YES", JESUS WILL BE BORN - OR REBORN - IN OTHERS TOO!

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings - Christmas eve - focus on the circumstances leading up to the first coming of Jesus, the event which sets the pattern for His coming to us now and at the end of time. The Gospel stresses the key role of Mary in the work of our salvation. In addition, today’s Scripture texts describe God’s promise to David and its fulfilment in Jesus, the Son of David. They also tell us that God’s preparation for the coming of Jesus was full of surprises.

Scripture lessons: 

The unfolding of God’s plan of salvation though history has contained many surprises. The first reading surprises us by telling of God’s promise to David that he would have a long line of royal descendants culminating in a final King, Jesus Christ. In the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 89), the Psalmist recalls all of God’s promises and surprises us, describing God’s promise to David and his descendants in terms of a Covenant. 

The second reading surprises us with Paul’s explanation of the unveiling of God’s plan for human salvation through Jesus. In today’s Gospel, the Angel Gabriel surprises Mary with seven announcements. 

i) Even as a virgin betrothed to Joseph, she will become a mother. 

ii) She will become a mother through “the Holy Spirit [Who] will come upon you, and the Power of the Most High will overshadow you.” 

iii) The angel continues, “Therefore, the Child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God.” 

iv) She is to “name the child Jesus,” which means Saviour. 

v) God will make Him a King and, as a descendant in the line of David, 

vi) “He will rule over the House of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end.” 

vii) As a Divine sign, Elizabeth, Mary’s aged barren cousin is six months pregnant, “for,” says Gabriel, “nothing shall be impossible with God!” The Gospel narrative also surprises us by reminding us that God’s promise is best fulfilled not in buildings, or even in great kings like Solomon, but rather in humble souls like Mary who trusted in God’s promise.

Life messages: 

1) We need to say a courageous and generous “yes” to God: True obedience comes from a free choice made in the light of what is true and good. Such a self-surrender often requires a great deal of courage because it can involve going against the tide of social expectations. True obedience also aims at putting oneself at the service of something/Someone that is greater than oneself, accepting what God clearly wants us to do or what He wants to do through us. It is by saying, with Jesus and Mary, a wholehearted and totally unconditional “Yes” – “Fiat! May it be done in me,” to Jesus that he will be re-born in each of us, or maybe even born in me for the first time. By my saying “Yes,” Jesus will be born or re-born in others, too. 

2) We need to try to learn God’s plan for our lives: The Good News in today’s Scripture message is not only that God is making provision for the salvation of His people, but also that He has a plan for each individual person. In many cases, our work for God seems rather ordinary, but each ordinary task which we carry out fits into God’s plan in ways that we cannot yet understand. God desires not only the skill of our hands and talents but the love of our hearts. The Babe in the Manger reminds us of what God has done and is still doing for us. What are we doing for Him in return? Let us show our gratitude to God by living as true followers of Christ: “Behold, here I am, Lord! I come to do Your will.”

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REJOICE... AS WE PREPARE THE WAY

Readings for Sunday, December 17, 2023

Third Sunday of Advent

Lectionary: 8

Qari tat-Tielet Ħadd tal-Avvent

Reading 1                 ISAIAH 61:1-2A, 10-11

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favour from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God. I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,  like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, so will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.    

Qari 1             mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 61:1-2a,10-11

L-ispirtu ta’ Sidi l-Mulej fuqi, għax il-Mulej ikkonsagrani, biex inwassal il-bxara t-tajba lill-fqajrin, bagħatni ndewwi l-qalb miksura; biex inħabbar il-ħelsien lill-imjassrin, u lill-ħabsin il-ftuħ tal-ħabs; biex inniedi s-sena tal-grazzja tal-Mulej.  Nifraħ fuq li nifraħ bil-Mulej, taqbeż bil-ferħ ruħi b’Alla tiegħi. Għax hu libbisni bi lbies is-salvazzjoni, bil-mantar tal-ġustizzja għattieni, bħal għarus imżejjen b’kuruna, bħal għarusa tlellex bil-ġawhar tagħha. Bħalma l-art tnibbet, bħalma l-ġnien inibbet il-miżrugħ fih, hekk il-Mulej inibbet il-ġustizzja u l-foħrija, quddiem kollha kemm huma l-ġnus.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 LUKE 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
R. My soul rejoices in my God.

The Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
R. My soul rejoices in my God.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
R. My soul rejoices in my God.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Luqa 1:46-48,49-50,53-54

R/. (Iż 61:10b): Taqbeż bil-ferħ ruħi b’Alla tiegħi.

Ruħi tfaħħar il-kobor tal-Mulej,
u l-ispirtu tiegħi jifraħ f’Alla s-Salvatur tiegħi,
għax hu xeħet għajnejh fuq iċ-ċokon tal-qaddejja tiegħu.
Iva, minn issa ’l quddiem
kull nisel isejjaħli hienja. R/.

Għax is-Setgħani għamel miegħi ħwejjeġ kbar;
qaddis hu l-isem tiegħu.
Il-ħniena tiegħu tinfirex f’kull żmien
fuq dawk li jibżgħu minnu. R/.

Mela b’kull ġid lil min hu bil-ġuħ,
u l-għonja bagħathom ’il barra b’xejn.
Ħa ħsieb Iżrael qaddej tiegħu,
għax ftakar fil-ħniena tiegħu. R/.

Reading 2                 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-24

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is t he will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything; retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil. May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.

 QARI 2                mill-1 Ittra lit-Tessalonkin 5:16-24

Ħuti, ifirħu dejjem, itolbu bla heda, iżżu ħajr lil Alla f’kollox. Dan hu li jrid Alla mingħandkom fi Kristu Ġesù. Ixxekklux l-Ispirtu, tmaqdrux il-profezija. Ippruvaw kollox: it-tajjeb żommuh, u, fuq kollox, warrbu kull xorta ta’ ħażen. U Alla tas-sliem iqaddiskom f’kollox, u jżommkom sħaħ bla mittiefsa fl-ispirtu, fir-ruħ u fil-ġisem, sa ma jiġi Sidna Ġesù Kristu. Fidil hu Alla li sejħilkom, u huwa jagħmel dan. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him,  “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?  What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’” as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent.  They asked him, “Why then do you baptise if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Ġwann 1:6-8,19-28

Kien hemm raġel mibgħut minn Alla, jismu Ġwanni. Dan ġie bħala xhud, biex jixhed għad-dawl, biex bih kulħadd jemmen. Ġwanni ma kienx id-dawl, imma ġie biex jixhed għad-dawl.  Ix-xhieda ta’ Ġwanni kienet din, meta l-Lhud ta’ Ġerusalemm bagħtu għandu xi qassisin u Leviti biex jistaqsuh: “Int min int?”. Hu stqarr bla ma ċaħad: “Jien m’iniex il-Messija”. Huma reġgħu staqsewh: “Mela min int? Elija?”. “M’iniex”, qalilhom. “Int il-Profeta?”. “Le”, weġibhom. Imbagħad qalulu: “Mela min int? Biex nagħtu tweġiba lil dawk li bagħtuna. Min tgħid li int?”. U hu wieġeb kif qal il-profeta Iżaija: “Jiena l-leħen ta’ wieħed jgħajjat fid-deżert: Wittu t-triq tal-Mulej”.  Issa dawk il-messaġġiera kienu min-naħa tal-Fariżej. Huma staqsewh: “Mela kif qiegħed tgħammed la m’intix il-Messija, u la Elija u lanqas il-Profeta?”. “Jiena ngħammed bl-ilma”, weġibhom Ġwanni, “imma f’nofskom hemm wieħed li intom ma tafuhx, u li ġej warajja; jien anqas ma jistħoqqli nħoll il-qafla tal-qorq tiegħu”.  Dan ġara f’Betanja, in-naħa l-oħra tal-Ġordan, fejn Ġwanni kien jgħammed. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                                

"GAUDETE SUNDAY" -  REJOICE IN THE LORD, ALWAYS!

Introduction: 

The third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete Sunday” because the Mass for today (in its original Latin text), begins with the opening antiphon: “Gaudete in Domino semper” –“Rejoice in the Lord always.” To remind ourselves that we are preparing for the very joyful occasion of the birth of Jesus, we light the rose candle  in the Advent wreath, and the priest may wear rose vestments.  The common theme of the day’s Scripture readings is one of joy and encouragement. The readings urge us to make the preparations required of us as we await the rebirth of Jesus in our hearts and lives.  Holy Scripture reminds us that the coming of Jesus, past, present, and future, is the reason for our rejoicing.

Scripture lessons: 

The Prophet Isaiah, in the first reading, encourages the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to rejoice because their God, Yahweh, is their strong Guide, Provider and Protector. 

In today’s Responsorial Psalm (Luke 1:46 ff.) Mary rejoices in the great blessing given to her, exclaiming: “My soul glorifies the Lord; my spirit finds joy in God my Saviour.”

 St. Paul, in the second reading, advises the Thessalonian Christians to “rejoice always” by leading blameless, holy and thankful lives guided by the Holy Spirit, because Christ’s second coming is near, and he is faithful in his promise to reward them.

Sunday’s Gospel tells us that John the Baptist came to bear witness to Jesus as the Light of the world. The Baptiser wants all the Jews to rejoice because the long-expected Messiah, as the light of the world, will remove the darkness of sin from the world.  We rejoice at the humility of John the Baptiser, who tells the Sanhedrin members challenging him that he is unworthy even to become the slave of Jesus the Messiah. We also rejoice in the sincerity and commitment of John who spent himself completely in preparing people for the long-awaited Messiah. We have an additional reason to rejoice because, like John the Baptiser, we, too, are chosen to bear witness to Christ Jesus, the Light of the world.

Life message: 

We need to bear witness to Christ the Light. Our mission, as brothers and sisters of Christ and members of his Church, is to reflect Christ’s Light to others, just as the moon reflects the light of the sun.   It is especially important during the Advent season that we reflect Christ’s sharing love and his unconditional forgiveness through our lives.  There are too many people who live in darkness and poverty, and who lack real freedom because of their evil addictions and bad choices.  

There are others who are deafened and blinded by the cheap attractions of the world.  Many others feel lonely, unwanted, rejected, and marginalized.  Let us bring the true Light of Christ to illumine the lives of all these brothers and sisters during this Advent season through our sharing love, overflowing mercy, unconditional forgiveness, and humble service. 

We will be able to accomplish this witnessing mission of radiating Christ’s Light only by repenting of our sins, asking God’s pardon every day, and by renewing our lives through our daily prayers, by frequenting the Sacrament of Reconciliation, by attending and taking part in the Eucharistic celebration, by reading the Bible daily in meditative, prayerful fashion, and by performing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

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WHAT CAN WE DO TO BE PREPARED?

Readings for Sunday, December 10, 2023

Second Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 5

Qari tat-Tieni Ħadd tal-Avvent

Reading 1                 ISAIAH 40:1-5, 9-11

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins. A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!  Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Go up on to a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings; cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; here is his reward with him, his recompense before him.Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 40:1-5,9-11

“Farrġu, farrġu l-poplu tiegħi – jgħid Alla tagħkom. Kellmu lil qalb Ġerusalemm u għidulha li ntemm il-jasar tagħha, tħallset ħżunitha, ħadet mingħand il-Mulej darbtejn għal dnubietha kollha”.  Leħen jgħajjat: “Ħejju t-triq għall-Mulej fid-deżert, wittu għal Alla tagħna mogħdija fix-xagħri. Jintradam kull wied, u jitniżżlu l-muntanji u l-għoljiet; kull art imħattba titwitta, kull art imħarbta ssir maqgħad. U tfiġġ il-glorja tal-Mulej, u l-bnedmin jarawha lkoll f’daqqa, għax fomm il-Mulej tkellem”. Itla’ fuq il-muntanja għolja, int li ġġib il-bxara t-tajba lil Sijon; għolli leħnek bil-qawwa kollha, int li tagħti l-aħbar it-tajba lil Ġerusalemm; għajjat, la tibżax. Għid lill-ibliet ta’ Ġuda: “Hawn hu Alla tagħkom! Hawn hu Sidi l-Mulej, li ġej bil-qawwa, u jaħkem bil-qawwa ta’ driegħu. Hawn hu bi ħlasu miegħu, u r-rebħa tiegħu quddiemu. Bħal ragħaj li jirgħa l-merħla tiegħu; bi driegħu jiġmagħha, u l-ħrief fi ħdanu jerfagħhom; u n-nagħaġ ireddgħu bil-mod imexxihom”. 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 to his people.
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):8-9ab,10-14

R/. (8): Uri lilna, Mulej, it-tjieba tiegħek, u s-salvazzjoni tiegħek agħtina.

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                 2 PETER 3:8-14

Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out. Since everything is to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be, conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion,waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire. But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.

QARI 2                 mit-Tieni Ittra ta’ San Pietru Appostlu 3:8-14

Ħuti għeżież, dan għandkom tkunu tafu: li quddiem il-Mulej jum wieħed hu bħal elf sena, u elf sena bħal jum wieħed. Mhux għax jiddawwar il-Mulej li jtemm il-wegħdiet tiegħu, kif jaħsbu xi wħud, imma qiegħed jistabar bikom għax ma jridx li xi ħadd jintilef, imma, li kulħadd jersaq għall-indiema. Jasal, tabilħaqq, Jum il-Mulej bħal ħalliel; jintemmu mbagħad is-smewwiet bi ħsejjes kbar, jinħallu bin-nar l-elementi tad-dinja, u l-art b’kulma fiha tkun maħruqa min-nar. Ladarba hekk kollox għandu jintemm, araw daqsxejn kif għandkom iġġibu ruħkom, kemm għandha tkun qaddisa u tajba ħajjitkom, waqt li tistennew b’ħerqa kbira l-miġja tal-Jum ta’ Alla. Hu minħabba f’dan il-Jum li s-smewwiet jinħarqu u jinħallu, u l-elementi tad-dinja jinqerdu bin-nar. Imma aħna, skont il-wegħda tiegħu, nistennew smewwiet ġodda u art ġdida, li fihom tgħammar il-ġustizzja. Għalhekk, ħuti għeżież, waqt li nistennew dan kollu, qisu li jsibkom fis-sliem, bla tebgħa u bla dnub. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 MARK 1:1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

EVANĠELJU                Bidu tal-Evanġelju skont San Mark 1:1-8

Il-bidu tal-Evanġelju ta’ Ġesù Kristu, l-Iben ta’ Alla. Bħalma hu miktub fil-ktieb ta’ Iżaija l-profeta: “Ara, jien nibgħat qablek il-ħabbar tiegħi biex iħejji triqtek. Leħen ta’ wieħed jgħajjat fid-deżert: Ħejju t-triq tal-Mulej, iddrittaw il-mogħdijiet tiegħu”. Hekk Ġwanni deher jgħammed fid-deżert u jxandar magħmudija ta’ ndiema għall-maħfra tad-dnubiet. U kienet tmur għandu l-Lhudija kollha u n-nies kollha ta’ Ġerusalemm, jitgħammdu minnu fix-xmara Ġordan waqt li jistqarru dnubiethom. Ġwanni kien jilbes libsa tax-xagħar tal-ġemel, bi ħżiem tal-ġild madwar qaddu, u kien jiekol ġradijiet u għasel selvaġġ. U kien ixandar u jgħid: “Ġej warajja min hu aqwa minni, li jien ma jistħoqqlix nitbaxxa quddiemu u nħoll il-qfieli tal-qorq tiegħu. Jien għammidtkom bl-ilma, iżda huwa jgħammidkom bl-Ispirtu s-Santu”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                                   

Our Real Spiritual "Home Coming"

Introduction: 

Homecoming is the central theme of the Scripture readings for the Second Sunday of Advent. All three readings focus on the absolute necessity of our getting ready for Christ’s “Homecoming” into our hearts and lives by true repentance, reparation, prayer and the renewal of our lives. They also remind us that the past coming of Jesus, some 2000 years ago, the present daily coming of Jesus into our lives through the Eucharistic celebration, through the Scriptures and through the praying community, and his future coming (the Second Coming) are actually the fulfillment of God’s saving plan for us all, from all eternity.

Scripture lessons: 

The first reading, taken from the prophet Isaiah, tells us about the Babylonian exiles coming home to their native country, Judah, and their holy city, Jerusalem. Isaiah assures his people that the Lord will lead them in a grand procession to their homeland and take care of them as a shepherd cares for his sheep. The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 85) describes how shalom or perfect peace is coming home with the Lord’s coming. 

The second reading, taken from the second letter of St. Peter, invites us to get ready to go home to Heaven with Jesus at his Second Coming. Peter tells those who doubt the Second Coming of Jesus that God’s way of counting time is different from ours and that God has His own reasons for delaying the Second Coming of Christ. The Gospel tells us through John the Baptist how we should prepare to receive Jesus our Saviour’s “coming home” into our lives during the Advent season by repentance and the renewal of life. 

John preached that the appropriate behaviour for those preparing “the way of the Lord” was to be baptized “as they confessed their sins.” He wanted the Jews to prepare their lives for the Messiah by filling in the valleys of prejudice, leveling the mountains of pride and straightening out their crooked paths of injustice and immorality. John recommended a baptism of repentance in the river Jordan to the Jews who were familiar with ritual and symbolic washings. The most amazing thing about John’s baptism was that, as a Jew, he was asking fellow-Jews to submit to the baptism of repentance which only a Gentile was obliged to undergo.

Life messages: 

    1) We need to prepare for the rebirth of Jesus: We are invited by the Church to prepare for Christmas by repenting of our sins and renewing our lives so that Jesus may be reborn in us. Let us remember with the German mystic Angelus Silesius “Christ could be born a thousand times in Bethlehem – but all in vain until He is born in me.” (https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Angelus_Silesius). 

    2) We need to allow Jesus to be reborn in our lives. People around us should recognize Jesus’ rebirth in our lives by our sharing love, unconditional forgiveness, compassionate and merciful heart, and spirit of humble and committed service. 

    3) Let us accept the challenge of John the Baptist to turn this Advent season into a real spiritual “homecoming” by making the necessary preparations for the fresh arrival of our Lord and Saviour Jesus into our hearts and lives arrival of our Lord and Saviour Jesus into our hearts and lives.

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