Readings for Sunday, September 1, 2024 

WHY DO WE HAVE RULES?

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 125

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

Reading 1                DEUTERONOMY 4:1-2, 6-8

Moses said to the people: "Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin upon you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it. Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, 'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.' For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?"

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tad-Dewteronomju 4:1-2,6-8

Mosè kellem lill-poplu u qal: “U issa, Iżrael, agħti widen għal-liġijiet u l-ordnijiet li qiegħed ngħallimkom tagħmlu, ħalli tgħixu, u tidħlu tieħdu l-art li se jagħtikom il-Mulej, Alla ta’ missirijietkom. La żżidu xejn ma’ dak li qiegħed nordnalkom u lanqas tnaqqsu minnu; qisu li tħarsu l-liġijiet tal-Mulej, Alla tagħkom, bħalma qiegħed nagħtihomlkom jien. Ħarsuhom u agħmluhom, għax hekk tidhru għorrief u għaqlin f’għajnejn il-ġnus li, kif jisimgħu b’dawn il-liġijiet kollha, jgħidu: ‘M’hemmx poplu ieħor għaref u għaqli għajr dan il-ġens kbir’. Għax liema ġens hu hekk kbir li għandu l-allat hekk qrib tiegħu daqskemm hu qrib tagħna l-Mulej, Alla tagħna, kull xħin insejħulu? Jew liema ġens hu hekk kbir li għandu liġijiet u ordnijiet hekk sewwa daqs dak kollu li fiha din il-liġi li qiegħed noffrilkom illum jien?”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5

R. (1a) The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Whoever walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
by whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 14(15):2-3a,3ċd-4ab,5

R/. (1a): Mulej, min jgħammar fid-dar tiegħek?
Min jgħix bla ħtija u jagħmel it-tajjeb,
min jgħid is-sewwa f’qalbu;
min ma jqassasx bi lsienu. R/.

Min ma jagħmilx deni lil ġaru,
u ma jgħajjarx lil għajru;
min ma jistmax lill-bniedem ħażin,
imma jweġġaħ lil dawk li jibżgħu mill-Mulej. R/.

Min jislef u ma jitlobx imgħax,
u ma jixxaħħamx kontra min hu bla ħtija.
Min jagħmel dan qatt ma jitħarrek. R/.

Reading 2                 JAMES 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

Dearest brothers and sisters:  All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra ta’ San Ġakbu 1:17-18,21b-22,27

Għeżież, kull ħaġa tajba li tingħata u kull don perfett jiġi mis-sema, jinżel mingħand il-Missier, l-għajn tad-dawl, li fih ma hemm ebda tibdil u anqas dell ta’ tidwir. Għax ried hu, wilidna bil-kelma tal-verità, biex inkunu l-ewwel frott tal-ħlejjaq tiegħu. Ilqgħu bil-ħlewwa l-Kelma mħawla fikom, li tista’ ssalvalkom ruħkom. Kunu intom dawk li jagħmlu l-Kelma, u mhux tisimgħuha biss u hekk tqarrqu bikom infuskom. Quddiem Alla u Missierna r-reliġjon ġenwina u bla tebgħa hija din: iżżur l-iltiema u r-romol fl-hemm tagħhom, u żżomm ruħek bla tinġis ’il bogħod mid-dinja. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 MARK 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. —For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. — So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, "Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?" He responded, "Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honours me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition. He summoned the crowd again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile. "From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Mark  7:1-8,14-15,21-23

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Fariżej u xi wħud mill-kittieba li ġew minn Ġerusalemm inġabru ħdejn Ġesù, u raw li xi wħud mid-dixxipli tiegħu kienu qegħdin jieklu b’idejhom mhumiex indaf, jiġifieri mhumiex maħsulin. Għax il-Fariżej, u l-Lhud kollha, biex iħarsu t-tradizzjoni ta’ missirijiethom, ma jmissux ikel qabel ma jkunu ħaslu jdejhom sewwa; hekk ukoll wara li jerġgħu lura mis-suq, ma jiklux jekk ma jinħaslux; u għandhom bosta drawwiet oħra li baqgħu marbutin magħhom minn żmien għal ieħor, bħalma huma l-ħasil tat-tazzi u tal-buqari u tal-ktieli tal-bronż. Mela, il-Fariżej u l-kittieba staqsewh: “Dan l-għala d-dixxipli tiegħek ma jġibux ruħhom skont it-tradizzjoni ta’ missirijiethom, imma jieklu b’idejhom mhumiex indaf?”. Iżda hu weġibhom: “Sewwa ħabbar Iżaija fuqkom, ja nies ta’ wiċċ b’ieħor, bħalma hu miktub: ‘Dan il-poplu bix-xufftejn biss jagħtini ġieħ, imma qalbhom hija ’l bogħod minni. Fiergħa hi l-qima li jagħtuni; jgħallmu duttrina li mhijiex għajr preċetti tal-bnedmin’. Hekk intom, twarrbu l-kmandamenti ta’ Alla biex tħaddnu t-tradizzjoni tal-bnedmin”. Raġa’ sejjaħ in-nies lejh u qalilhom: “Isimgħuni, intom ilkoll, u ifhmuni! Ma hemm xejn minn barra li meta jidħol fi bniedem itebbgħu; imma dak li joħroġ minn ġol-bniedem, dak hu li jtabba’ lill-bniedem. Għax hu minn ġewwa, mill-qalb tal-bniedem, li joħorġu l-ħsibijiet il-ħżiena, żína, serq, qtil, adulterju, regħba, ħażen, qerq, libertinaġġ, għira, malafama, suppervja u bluha. Dal-ħażen kollu minn ġewwa joħroġ u jtabba’ lill-bniedem”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil      

OUR LOVING, OBEDIENT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings explain that true religion is not simply a scrupulous, external observance of rules, laws, traditions and rituals. It is, instead, a loving, obedient relationship with God expressed in obeying His Commandments, worshipping Him, recognizing His presence in other human beings and rendering them loving and humble service. Prayers, rituals, Sacraments, and religious practices are our God-given helps to practice this true religion in our daily lives.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading explains that religion is a Covenant relationship with a caring, providing, and protecting God, fostered by keeping His Commandments given through Moses. God gave Israel the Law so that the Israelites might keep their Covenant with Yahweh and thank Him for His love and fidelity to His Chosen People. The Law was also intended to keep them a united, holy, and intelligent nation, proud of their powerful, protective, single God.

The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 15) describes a person who practices true religion — blameless and just, thoughtful and honest in dealing with others.  In the second reading, St. James defines true religion as keeping the word of God and doing His will by helping the needy, the poor, and the weak in the community. He challenges Christians to become doers of the word, not merely hearers.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes true religion as serving God and all His children with a pure and holy heart. The Gospel explains the encounter of Jesus with the Sanhedrin observers and the Pharisees who had been sent to assess Jesus’ unique, controversial teachings. These experts had found Jesus’ teachings an open violation of the “Traditions of the Elders,” and judged Jesus’ implied and spoken claims blasphemous. They also noticed that Jesus’ disciples omitted the required ritual washing before meals. It was in the fifth century BC that the scribes started adding oral traditions as interpretations and practical applications of the Mosaic Law. The Pharisees observed them and insisted that all the Jews should do so. 

The original noble purpose was to sanctify the daily lives of the people, making them “holy as God is holy” (“You are a priestly kingdom, a holy nation” — Ex 19:6), and lived a different in lifestyle from their pagan neighbors. Jesus uses the occasion as a teachable moment to give them the following lessons: 1) Don’t teach human “rules” as dogmas of Faith. 2) Sincerity of heart, internal disposition, purity, and holiness are more important than mere external ritual observances. 3) Keep your heart holy as it is the source of sins, vices and evil habits. The observance of traditions and of washing rituals does not correct the internal motivations and inclinations that really defile people. 4) External piety without internal holiness is hypocrisy.

Life messages: 

1) We need to learn and keep the spirit of the Church’s laws and ritual practices. For example, our Sunday obligation is intended to allow us to worship God in the parish community, to offer our lives to God, to ask His pardon for sins, to thank God for His blessings, and to receive Divine Life and strength from Him in Holy Communion. Our daily family prayers are meant to thank God for His blessings, to present the family’s needs before God, to ask pardon for our sins, to maintain the spirit of unity and love in the family, and to keep a close relationship with God.

2) Let us avoid the tendency to become “cafeteria Christians” — that is, to choose certain Commandments and Church laws to follow, while ignoring the others as we choose certain food items and ignore others in a cafeteria. 

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THE SPIRIT GIVES LIFE - NOT THE FLESH!

Readings for Sunday, August 25, 2024 

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 122  

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

Reading 1                 JOSHUA 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b

Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, summoning their elders, their leaders, their judges, and their officers. When they stood in ranks before God, Joshua addressed all the people: "If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling.  As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."  But the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD for the service of other gods. For it was the LORD, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. He performed those great miracles before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among the peoples through whom we passed. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God."

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb ta’ Ġożwè 24:1-2a,15-17,18b

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġożwè ġema’ t-tribujiet kollha ta’ Iżrael f’Sikem u sejjaħ lix-xjuħ, lill-kapijiet, lill-imħallfin, lill-uffiċjali u resqu quddiem Alla. U Ġożwè qal lill-poplu kollu: “Jekk ma jogħġobkomx taqdu l-Mulej, għażlu llum lil min tridu taqdu; jekk hux l-allat li kienu jaqdu missirijietkom lil hemm mix-xmara, jew l-allat tal-Amurrin li f’arthom qegħdin tgħammru. Imma jien u dari naqdu l-Mulej”. U l-poplu kollu wieġeb u qal: “Ma jkun qatt li aħna nħallu l-Mulej biex naqdu allat oħra! Għax kien il-Mulej, Alla tagħna, li talla’ lilna u ’l missirijietna mill-art tal-Egittu, minn dar il-jasar, u li għamel quddiemna stess dawn il-ħwejjeġ kbar, u ħarisna matul it-triq kollha li minnha għaddejna u fost il-popli li minn ġo nofshom qsamna. Għalhekk aħna wkoll lill-Mulej naqdu, għaliex hu Alla tagħna”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  PSALM 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21

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

The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. 

Many are the troubles of the just one,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him;
he watches over all his bones;
not one of them shall be broken.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 33(34):2-3,16-17,18-19,20-21,22-23

R/. (9a): Ippruvaw u taraw kemm hu tajjeb il-Mulej.

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

Għajnejn il-Mulej lejn il-ġusti,
u widnejh miftuħa għall-għajta tagħhom.
Il-ħarsa tal-Mulej fuq il-ħżiena,
biex jeqred minn fuq l-art tifkirithom. R/.

Jgħajtu l-ġusti għall-għajnuna, u l-Mulej jismagħhom;
mid-dwejjaq kollha tagħhom jeħlishom.
Qrib il-Mulej lejn dawk b’qalbhom maqsuma,
jgħin lil dawk b’ruħhom mifnija. R/.
Kbar huma l-ħsarat tar-raġel sewwa,
iżda minnhom kollha jeħilsu l-Mulej.
Iħarislu għadmu kollha,
ebda waħda ma titkissirlu. R/.

Il-ħażin ħżunitu teqirdu;
min jobgħod il-ġust iħallas għall-ħtija.
Jifdi l-Mulej il-ħajja tal-qaddejja tiegħu;
kull min jistkenn fih ma jkollux xi jpatti. R/.

Reading 2                 EPHESIANS 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32

Brothers and sisters:  Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be  subordinate to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives,even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.  So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his wife loves himself.  For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the  because we are members of his body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.  This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.

QARI 2                   mill-Ittra lill-Efesin 5:21-32

Ħuti, oqogħdu għal xulxin fil-biża’ ta’ Kristu. Intom in-nisa oqogħdu għal żwieġkom bħallikieku għall-Mulej, għax ir-raġel hu ras il-mara, bħalma Kristu hu ras il-Knisja, is-salvatur tal-Ġisem tiegħu. Għalhekk, bħalma l-Knisja toqgħod għal Kristu, hekk ukoll in-nisa għandhom joqogħdu għal żwieġhom f’kollox. Intom, l-irġiel, ħobbu n-nisa tagħkom, kif Kristu ħabb il-Knisja u ta ħajtu għaliha. U dan għamlu biex iqaddisha u jnaddafha bil-ħasil tal-ilma u l-kelma u biex iressaqha quddiemu, din il-Knisja, sabiħa, bla tebgħa, bla tikmix, bla għajb, u b’xejn minn dan, imma qaddisa u bla tmaqdir minn ħadd. Hekk għandhom ukoll l-irġiel iħobbu n-nisa tagħhom bħallikieku ġisimhom stess. Min iħobb ’il martu jkun iħobb lilu nnifsu. Qatt ħadd ma bagħad ’il ġismu stess, iżda jmantnih u jieħu ħsiebu, bħalma jagħmel Kristu mal-Knisja, għax aħna lkoll membri tal-Ġisem tiegħu. Għalhekk ir-raġel iħalli lil missieru u ’l ommu u jingħaqad ma’ martu, u jsiru t-tnejn ġisem wieħed. Dan il-misteru – qiegħed ngħid għal Kristu u għall-Knisja – huwa kbir! Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                  JOHN 6:60-69

Many of Jesus' disciples who were listening said, "This saying is hard; who can accept it?" Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, "Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe." Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father." As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.  Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Ġwann 6:60-69

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù tkellem fuq il-ħobż tal-ħajja. Ħafna dixxipli tiegħu, meta semgħuh, qalu: “Iebes dan il-kliem! Min jiflaħ jisimgħu?”. Ġesù ntebaħ waħdu li d-dixxipli tiegħu kienu qegħdin igergru fuq hekk, u qalilhom: “Dan il-kliem qiegħed ifixkilkom? Mela xi tgħidu kieku kellkom taraw lil Bin il-bniedem tiela’ fejn kien qabel? Hu l-Ispirtu li jagħti l-ħajja, il-ġisem ma jiswa għal xejn. Il-kliem li jiena għedtilkom huwa spirtu u ħajja. Iżda hemm xi wħud fostkom li ma jemmnux”. Għaliex Ġesù kien jaf sa mill-bidu min kienu dawk li ma emmnux u min kien dak li kellu jittradih. U ssokta jgħidilhom: “Kien għalhekk li jiena għedtilkom li ħadd ma jista’ jiġi għandi jekk il-Missier ma jagħtihx li jiġi”.  Minn dakinhar bosta mid-dixxipli tiegħu telquh u ma baqgħux imorru warajh. Imbagħad Ġesù qal lit-Tnax: “Tridux titilqu intom ukoll?”. Wieġbu Xmun Pietru: “Mulej, għand min immorru? Inti għandek il-kliem tal-ħajja ta’ dejjem, u aħna emminna u għarafna li inti l-Qaddis ta’ Alla”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil      

DETERMINING WHOM WE WILL SERVE WITH OUR LIFE

Introduction: 

The main theme of Sunday’s readings is that Christian life is a series of daily choices for God or against God, as we choose to live out or reject the truths He has revealed through His prophets in the Old Testament and especially through His Son Jesus in the New Testament. The fundamental choice we make determines how we live our lives, deciding whom we will serve.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the first reading, Joshua challenges the Israelites to decide whether they will serve the gods of their fathers, the gods of the Amorites in whose country they are presently dwelling, or the God of the Israelites Who has done so much for them. The Renewal of Covenant ceremony in Joshua chapter 24 reminds us that the Eucharist is a Covenant meal that calls for our decision of Faith. Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 34) reminds us that in choosing God for our God we are choosing Life and His Eternal faithfulness and Love as our shelter and salvation.

The second reading emphasizes the unity that must exist in the Body of Christ and the intimate relationship between Jesus and His followers. It also challenges the Ephesian Christians to make the right choice in life and build Christian marriages on mutual respect and love, accepting each other’s rights and dignity. Jesus also uses the husband-wife relationship as an analogy to explain the close relationship between Christ and the Church. Paul reminds us that Jesus nourishes us, the members of His Church, through the Eucharist, making us His own flesh and blood, as husband and wife become one flesh.

Concluding his long Eucharistic discourse, Jesus, in today’s Gospel, challenges his Jewish audience, and later His apostles, to make their choice: to accept Him as the true Bread from Heaven Who gives them His Body and Blood as their Heavenly Food, or to join those who have lost their Faith in Jesus and left Him, expressing their confusion and doubts about His claims. Today’s passage describes the various reactions of the people to Jesus’ claims. Many of the disciples leave, but the apostles freely choose to stay with Jesus.In this Eucharistic celebration, we, too, are called to make a decision, profess our Faith in God’s Son and renew the Covenant ratified in his Life, death and Resurrection.

Life messages:

 # 1:) Let us make our choice for Christ and live it:  We Christians have accepted the challenge of following the way of Christ and making choices for Christ, fortified by the Bread He gives and relying on the power of His Holy Spirit. The Heavenly Bread and the Holy Spirit will give us the courage of our Christian convictions to take a stand for Jesus, accepting the Church’s teachings and will enable us to face ridicule, criticisms, and even social isolation for our adherence to sound Christian principles in our lives. 

 # 2:) That is what we mean by our “Amen” while receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. We express without any conditions or reservations our total commitment to Jesus in the community to which we belong. Christ’s thoughts, attitudes, values, and life-view must become totally ours. 

# 3:)) Above all, we are to identify with Jesus in the offering of His Flesh and the pouring out of his Blood on the cross by spending our lives for others.

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BE WISE AND NOT FOOLISH PERSONS

 Readings for Sunday, August 18, 2024 

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 119

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

Reading 1                 PROVERBS 9:1-6

Wisdom has built her house,  she has set up her seven columns;  she has dressed her meat, mixed her wine, yes, she has spread her table. She has sent out her maidens; she calls from the heights out over the city: "Let whoever is simple turn in here; To the one who lacks understanding, she says, Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed!  Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding." 

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Proverbji 9:1-6

L-għerf bena d-dar tiegħu, waqqaf is-seba’ kolonni tagħha; qatel il-bhejjem imsemmna, ħejja l-inbid u l-mejda tiegħu. U bagħat il-qaddejja jxandru l-istedina minn fuq l-imkejjen għolja tal-belt: “Min hu ċkejken ħa jiġi għandi!”. U lil min hu bla moħħ jgħidlu: “Ejjew, kulu l-ħobż tiegħi u ixorbu l-inbid li ħejjejt għalikom. Warrbu l-bluhat tagħkom, u tgħixu, u timxu ’l quddiem fl-għaqal”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

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

Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 33(34):2-3,10-11,12-13,14-15

R/. (9a): Ippruvaw u taraw kemm hu tajjeb il-Mulej.

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

Ibżgħu mill-Mulej, qaddisin tiegħu;
xejn ma jonqsu min jibża’ minnu.
Is-setgħana jiftaqru u jbatu l-ġuħ;
min ifittex lill-Mulej xejn ma jkun jonqsu. R/.

Ejjew, uliedi, isimgħu lili;
jiena l-biża’ tal-Mulej ngħallimkom.
Min hu l-bniedem li jħobb il-ħajja,
u jixtieq jara għomru kollu riżq? R/.

Ħares ilsienek mill-ħażen,
u xufftejk minn kliem il-qerq.
Tbiegħed mill-ħażen u agħmel it-tajjeb,
fittex is-sliem u imxi warajh. R/.

Reading 2                 EPHESIANS 5:15-20

Brothers and sisters:   Watch carefully how you live,   not as foolish persons but as wise,  making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil.    Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord.   And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lill-Efesin 5:15-20

Ħuti, qisu sewwa kif iġġibu ruħkom, mhux bħal nies bla dehen, iżda bħal nies għorrief, li jgħożżu ż-żmien, għaliex ħżiena huma l-jiem. Għalhekk tkunux bla għaqal, imma fittxu x’inhi r-rieda tal-Mulej. U tiskrux bl-inbid, li fih hemm ħajja bla lġiem, iżda mtlew bl-Ispirtu. Kantaw flimkien salmi, innijiet u għana spiritwali; kantaw u għannu minn qalbkom lill-Mulej. Roddu dejjem ħajr għal kollox lil Alla u l-Missier, f’isem Sidna Ġesù Kristu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 JOHN 6:51-58

Jesus said to the crowds:  "I am the living bread that came down from heaven;   whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give Is my flesh for the life of the world."  The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood  has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and  drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skond San Ġwann 6:51-58

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lin-nies: “Jiena hu l-ħobż il-ħaj, li niżel mis-sema. Jekk xi ħadd jiekol minn dan il-ħobż jgħix għal dejjem. U l-ħobż li jiena nagħti huwa ġismi għall-ħajja tad-dinja”. Fuq hekk il-Lhud tlewmu bejniethom, u bdew jgħidu: “Kif jista’ dan jagħtina ġismu biex nikluh?”. Ġesù mela qalilhom: “Tassew tassew ngħidilkom, jekk ma tiklux il-ġisem ta’ Bin il-bniedem u ma tixorbux demmu, ma jkollkomx il-ħajja fikom. Min jiekol ġismi u jixrob demmi għandu l-ħajja ta’ dejjem, u jiena nqajmu mill-imwiet fl-aħħar jum. Għax ġismi huwa tassew ikel, u demmi hu tassew xorb. Min jiekol ġismi u jixrob demmi jibqa’ fija u jiena fih. Bħalma bagħatni l-Missier, li hu ħaj, u jiena ngħix b’Missieri, hekk ukoll min jiekol lili, hu wkoll jgħix bija. Dan huwa l-ħobż li niżel mis-sema; mhuwiex bħal dak li kielu missirijietkom u mietu; min jiekol dan il-ħobż jgħix għal dejjem”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil      

WISDOM AND THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST

Introduction: 

Sunday's readings stress the fact that the Holy Eucharist, the perfect fulfillment of the symbol of the manna of the Old Testament, is the Food that gives us life forever. In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus declared that the Bread he gives is his Flesh. This Sunday, Jesus asserts that to eat this Bread is to have eternal life.

Scripture lessons: 

In today’s first reading, taken from the Book of Proverbs, Lady Wisdom, representing God, offers wisdom and understanding in the form of a rich banquet to all those who are willing to heed her invitation. The early Christians often identified Jesus as the Wisdom of God. They regarded the Eucharist as Wisdom’s banquet, where they shared in the Divine Wisdom now Incarnate in Jesus. 

The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 34), thanks God for His providential care and His close association with His people, and invites all to “taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” In the second reading, Paul advises the Gentile Christians to show their gratitude to God for calling them, along with the Jews, to Christianity, and for giving them a share in Christ’s life. They will be able to receive this life by avoiding their former foolish ways, like getting drunk on wine. Instead, they are to be Spirit-filled with their talk edifying, always trying to discern and do the will of God. 

In Sunday’s Gospel passage, Jesus asserts that eating the Living Bread, himself, allows us to participate in his life and to grow here and now in our eternal life with God. Jesus emphasizes the eternal-life dimensions of eating his Body and drinking his Blood – that those who have faith in Jesus and do so have already stepped into Heaven in this life, sharing in God’s own life and therefore in eternal life. Our participation in the Eucharist also concretizes and energizes our relationship with Christ and with one another. When we share in the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, Jesus himself comes to dwell within us. This communion with the Lord makes us one Body, brings us eternal life, and sends us forth to be Christ’s Body for the life of the world.

Life messages: 

# 1: We need to allow our body to be broken and our blood to be shed for others as Jesus did. That is why, at the end of the Mass, we are sent out to announce the Gospel of the Lord by our humble service and exemplary lives, radiating Jesus’ love, mercy, forgiveness and spirit of service all around us. Let us say with Jesus, “This is my body, given over for you” and “This is my blood, poured out for you,“ and live out these words by living for others.

#2: We need to keep the hunger and thirst for God alive in our hearts: Every human being is blessed at creation with an insatiable longing for God. We want God as our Father to hold us gently in His arms, keeping us safe throughout the dangers we face. But often we use substitutes as an escape from that need: fast living, fast-food, fast cars, needless luxuries, unrestricted sexual fulfillment. We demand the right to do whatever we want to do whenever we want. But let us remember the truth that unless we keep the hunger for God strong in our hearts, we will eventually realize the emptiness of our lives without Him.

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HOW DEEP IS THE HUNGER IN YOUR LIFE?

Readings for Sunday, August 11, 2024 

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 116

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

Reading 1                 1 KINGS 19:4-8

Elijah went a day's journey into the desert, until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it. He prayed for death saying: "This is enough, O LORD! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers." He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree, but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat. Elijah looked and there at his head was a hearth cake and a jug of water. After he ate and drank, he lay down again, but the angel of the LORD came back a second time, touched him, and ordered, "Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!" He got up, ate, and drank; then strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.

QARI 1                  mill-Ewwel Ktieb tas-Slaten 19:4-8

F’dak iż-żmien, il-profeta Elija rħielha lejn id-deżert. Wara jum mixi waqaf, inxteħet taħt siġra tal-ġummar, talab li jmut, u qal: “Issa biżżejjed, Mulej; ħudli ’l ħajti, għax m’iniex aħjar minn missirijieti!”.  U mtedd għad-dell tal-ġummara, u raqad. Kif kien rieqed messu anġlu, u qallu: “Qum u kul!”. Elija dawwar wiċċu, u lemaħ ħdejn rasu ftira moħmija u ġarra ilma; kiel u xorob, u raġa’ mtedd.  Għat-tieni darba ġie l-anġlu tal-Mulej, u raġa’ messu u qallu: “Qum u kul, inkella ma tkunx tiflaħ għall-mixja li fadallek”. Elija qam, kiel u xorob, u bis-saħħa ta’ dak l-ikel baqa’ miexi għal erbgħin jum u erbgħin lejl sa ma wasal Ħoreb, il-muntanja tal-Mulej.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.

R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Glorify the LORD with me,
Let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
And delivered me from all my fears.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy.
And your faces may not blush with shame.
When the afflicted man called out, the LORD heard,
And from all his distress he saved him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 33(34):2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9

R/. (9a): Ippruvaw u taraw kemm hu tajjeb il-Mulej.

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

Xandru l-kobor tal-Mulej miegħi;
ħa ngħollu ismu flimkien.
Jien fittixt il-Mulej, u weġibni,
minn kull biża’ tiegħi ħelisni. R/.

Ħarsu lejh u jiddi bil-ferħ wiċċkom,
u ma jkollkomx għax tistħu.
Dan il-fqajjar sejjaħ u l-Mulej semgħu,
u mid-dwejjaq tiegħu kollha ħelsu. R/.

L-anġlu tal-Mulej jgħasses
madwar dawk li jibżgħu minnu, u jeħlishom.
Ippruvaw u taraw kemm hu tajjeb il-Mulej;
hieni l-bniedem li jistkenn fih. R/.

Reading 2                 EPHESIANS 4:30—5:2

Brothers and sisters:  Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.    

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lill-Efesin  4:30–5:2

Ħuti, tnikktux l-Ispirtu s-Santu ta’ Alla, li fih intom issiġillati għal jum il-fidwa. Imrar, saħna, korla, tagħjir, għajat, dan kollu warrbuh minnkom, u wkoll kull ħażen ieħor. Kunu twajba ma’ xulxin, ħennu għal xulxin, aħfru lil xulxin, bħalma Alla ħafer lilkom fi Kristu. Kunu, mela, tixbhu lil Alla, bħala wlied maħbuba, u imxu fl-imħabba, bħalma Kristu wkoll ħabb lilna u ta lilu nnifsu għalina, offerta u sagrifiċċju jfuħu quddiem Alla.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 JOHN 6:41-51

The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven, " and they said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Stop murmuring among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day.  It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God.  Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.  Not that anyone has seen the Father  except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father.  Amen, amen, I say to you,  whoever believes has eternal life.  I am the bread of life.  Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;  this is the bread that comes down from heaven  so that one may eat it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever;  and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skond San Ġwann 6:41-51

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Lhud bdew igergru fuq Ġesù għax kien qal: “Jiena hu l-ħobż li niżel mis-sema”. U bdew jgħidu: “Dan mhuwiex Ġesù bin Ġużeppi? Lil missieru u ’l ommu ma nafuhomx? Mela kif qiegħed jgħid: ‘Jiena nżilt mis-sema’?”. Ġesù weġibhom: “Toqogħdux tgorru bejnietkom. Ħadd ma jista’ jiġi għandi jekk il-Missier li bagħatni ma jiġbdux lejja; u jiena nqajmu mill-imwiet fl-aħħar jum. Hemm miktub fil-Profeti: ‘U kulħadd ikun imgħallem minn Alla’. Mela kull min jisma’ lill-Missier u jitgħallem minnu jiġi għandi. Mhux għax xi ħadd qatt ra lill-Missier ħlief dak li hu minn Alla; hu dan li ra lill-Missier. Tassew tassew ngħidilkom, min jemmen għandu l-ħajja ta’ dejjem. Jiena hu l-ħobż tal-ħajja. Missirijietkom kielu l-manna fid-deżert, u mietu; dan hu l-ħobż nieżel mis-sema, biex min jiekol minnu ma jmutx. Jiena hu l-ħobż il-ħaj, li niżel mis-sema. Jekk xi ħadd jiekol minn dan il-ħobż jgħix għal dejjem. U l-ħobż li jiena nagħti huwa ġismi għall-ħajja tad-dinja”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil      

GETTING OUR SPIRITUAL FOOD REGULARLY

Introduction: 

Sunday's gospel reminds us thst we are living in a world where people of all races and creeds hunger more for spiritual sustenance than for physical food. In response to the spiritual hunger of people in his own day, Jesus proclaims Himself to be “the Bread of Life that came down from Heaven” and feeds them with His words.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading describes the physical and spiritual hungers experienced by the prophet Elijah. The Bread of Life Jesus speaks about is prefigured in this reading by the miraculous food with which the angel nourished the Prophet Elijah in the desert while he was fleeing from the soldiers of Queen Jezebel. After being nourished by the Lord, Elijah was strengthened for the long journey of “forty days and forty nights,” to Mount Horeb where God instructed Elijah to continue his prophetic work. 

The second reading presents Christ Jesus, the “Bread of Life,” as a “sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.” Paul reminds the Ephesian Christians that, instead of seeking satisfaction in the stale food of anger, slander, bitterness, and malice, they are to nourish one another with the spiritual food of compassion, kindness, and mutual forgiveness. 

Today’s Gospel describes Jesus’ discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum on his return there after miraculously feeding the five thousand. During the discourse, Jesus reveals himself as the true “Bread of Life that came down from Heaven,” to give life to the world. Jesus proclaims that it is He Himself, the Incarnate Son of God, who is the new and perfect manna, literally “come down from Heaven.” This means that in the Holy Eucharist, Jesus gives us a share of eternal life while we are still on earth. But some of Jesus’ followers turn away when Jesus explains the Source of His mysterious power and Heavenly origin.

Life messages: 

# 1) Let us accept the challenge to become bread and drink for others: “You are what you eat?” Let us recognize that Jesus whom we consume in the Holy Eucharist is actually God Who assimilates us into His being. Thus, from Sunday to Saturday we will grow into Jesus as Jesus grows in us, our lives will be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and we will become more like Jesus. In this way, we shall share in the joyous and challenging life of being the Body of Christ for the world – Bread for a hungry world, and Drink for those who thirst for justice, peace, fullness of life, and even eternal life. In other words, the Eucharist challenges us to sacrifice ourselves for others as Christ has done for each of us.

# 2) Let us appreciate Christ’s presence in the Holy Eucharist: Since the Holy Eucharist is “the Body and Blood, together with the soul and Divinity, of our Lord, Jesus Christ,” the Sacrament therefore        

        a) increases our intimate union with Christ; 

b) preserves, increases, and renews the Sanctifying Grace we received at Baptism; 

c) cleanses us of past sin and preserves us from future sins; 

       d) strengthens the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity in us, thus enabling us to be separated from our disordered attachments and to be rooted in Christ; and 

        e) unites us more deeply with the mystery of the Church.

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THE BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE - (2)

Readings for Sunday, August 4, 2024 

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 113

Qari tat-Tmintax-il Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                  EXODUS 16:2-4, 12-15

The whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, "Would that we had died at the LORD's hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine!" Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will now rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not. "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread, so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God." In the evening quail came up and covered the camp.  In the morning a dew lay all about the camp, and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground. On seeing it, the Israelites asked one another, "What is this?" for they did not know what it was. But Moses told them, "This is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat."

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Eżodu 16:2-4,12-15

F’dak iż-żmien, fid-deżert, il-ġemgħa kollha ta’ wlied Iżrael bdew igergru kontra Mosè u Aron. Ulied Iżrael qalulhom: “Mhux li mitna b’id il-Mulej fl-art tal-Eġittu, meta konna ħdejn il-borom tal-laħam u konna nieklu ħobż bix-xaba’! Ħriġtuna f’dan id-deżert biex toqtlu bil-ġuħ din il-ġemgħa kollha!”.  Il-Mulej imbagħad qal lil Mosè: “Ara, se nibagħtilkom xita ta’ ħobż mis-sema. Il-poplu kollu joħroġ u jiġbor minn jum għal ieħor kemm ikun jenħtieġ għall-ġurnata, biex hekk inġarrabhom u nara jimxux mal-liġi tiegħi jew le. Jien smajt it-tgergir ta’ wlied Iżrael. Kellimhom u għidilhom: ‘Filgħaxija tieklu l-laħam u filgħodu tixbgħu bil-ħobż. U tkunu tafu li jiena l-Mulej, Alla tagħkom’”.  U ġara li filgħaxija dehret qatgħa summien tittajjar fl-għoli u għattiet it-tined kollha, u filgħodu kien hemm wiċċ nida madwar it-tined. Meta din in-nida għabet, fuq wiċċ id-deżert kien hemm xi ħaġa rqiqa qisha ġlata fuq l-art. Malli wlied Iżrael raw dan, bdew jgħidu wieħed lil ieħor: “Man-hu?” – għax ma għarfux x’inhu. Mosè qalilhom: “Dan hu l-ikel li l-Mulej takom biex tieklu”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALMS 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54

What we have heard and know,
and what our fathers have declared to us,
We will declare to the generation to come
the glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength
and the wonders that he wrought.
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

He commanded the skies above
and opened the doors of heaven;
he rained manna upon them for food
and gave them heavenly bread.
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

Man ate the bread of angels,
food he sent them in abundance.
And he brought them to his holy land,
to the mountains his right hand had won.
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 77(78):3,4bċ,23-24,25,54

R/. (24b): Il-Mulej tahom il-qamħ mis-sema.

Dak li smajna u tgħallimna,
dak li qalulna missirijietna,
inxandruh lin-nisel ta’ warajhom:
tifħir il-Mulej u l-qawwa tiegħu,
u l-għeġubijiet li għamel. R/.

Imma hu ordna s-sħab fl-għoli,
u fetaħ bwieb is-smewwiet;
u xita ta’ manna bagħtilhom x’jieklu,
tahom il-qamħ mis-sema. R/.

Kull wieħed kiel il-ħobż tal-qalbenin,
ikel bix-xaba’ bagħtilhom.
U daħħalhom fl-art imqaddsa tiegħu,
fuq l-għolja li kisbet il-leminija tiegħu. R/.

Reading 2                 EPHESIANS4:17, 20-24

Brothers and sisters:  I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; that is not how you learned Christ, assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth.

QARI 2                   mill-Ittra lill-Efesin 4:17,20-24

Ħuti, jiena dan ngħidilkom u nwissikom quddiem il-Mulej: li ma ġġibux iżjed ruħkom skont ma jġibu ruħhom il-pagani bil-bluha ta’ moħħhom.  Imma intom mhux hekk tgħallimtu ’l Kristu – jekk intom smajtuh u tgħallimtuh skont il-verità li hi f’Ġesù – jiġifieri, li għandkom twarrbu l-ħajja tagħkom ta’ qabel u tinżgħu l-bniedem il-qadim, imħassar bix-xewqat tal-pjaċiri qarrieqa, u li għandkom tiġġeddu b’tibdila spiritwali tal-fehma tagħkom u tilbsu l-bniedem il-ġdid, maħluq skont Alla, fil-ġustizzja u l-qdusija tassew.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                  JOHN 6:24-35

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." So they said to him, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent." So they said to him, "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat." So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Ġwann 6:24-35

F’dak iż-żmien, in-nies meta ntebħu li fuq id-dgħajsa la kien hemm Ġesù u lanqas id-dixxipli tiegħu, telgħu fuq id-dgħajjes u marru lejn Kafarnahum ifittxu lil Ġesù. U meta sabuh in-naħa l-oħra tal-baħar staqsewh: “Rabbi, meta ġejt hawn?”. Ġesù weġibhom: “Tassew tassew ngħidilkom, intom qegħdin tfittxuni mhux għax rajtu sinjali, imma għax kiltu mill-ħobż u xbajtu. Tħabtu mhux għall-ikel li jgħaddi, iżda għall-ikel li jibqa’ għall-ħajja ta’ dejjem, dak li Bin il-bniedem jagħtikom, għaliex lilu Alla l-Missier immarka bis-siġill tiegħu”.  Imbagħad staqsewh: “X’għandna nagħmlu biex nagħmlu l-opri ta’ Alla?”. Weġibhom Ġesù: “L-opra ta’ Alla hija din: li intom temmnu f’dak li huwa bagħat”. Qalulu: “X’sinjal se tagħmel biex aħna narawh u nemmnuk? X’sejjer tagħmel? Missirijietna kielu l-manna fid-deżert, bħalma hemm miktub: ‘Tahom jieklu ħobż mis-sema’”. Weġibhom Ġesù: “Tassew tassew ngħidilkom, mhux Mosè takom il-ħobż mis-sema, iżda Missieri jagħtikom il-ħobż tassew mis-sema; għaliex il-ħobż ta’ Alla huwa dak li jinżel mis-sema u jagħti l-ħajja lid-dinja”. Qalulu huma: “Sinjur, agħtina dejjem minn dan il-ħobż”. Weġibhom Ġesù: “Jiena hu l-ħobż tal-ħajja. Min jiġi għandi ma jieħdu qatt il-ġuħ, u min jemmen fija ma jkun qatt bil-għatx!”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil      

GETTING OUR SPIRITUAL FOOD REGULARLY

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings challenge us to be more concerned with spiritual food than with physical food and to get our spiritual food regularly from the word of God and from the Holy Eucharist – the Heavenly Bread

— because only God can satisfy the various forms of our spiritual hunger.

Scripture lessons:   

The first reading shows us how God satisfied the physical hunger of His chosen people in the desert by giving them manna and quail.  The restrictions imposed by God for the collecting of manna remind us to acknowledge humbly our total dependence on God and to trust that He will always provide for what we need.  Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 78) refers to manna as “Heavenly bread” and the “bread of angels” which God provided for Israel and provides for us today.  

In the second reading, St. Paul advises the Ephesians to satisfy their spiritual hunger by turning away from their former evil ways and by leading renewed lives of love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.  Paul reminds us that our acceptance of Jesus as the real source of our life and the nourishment of our souls, produces a total transformation in us.  Having been nourished by the Bread from Heaven and the word of God, we need to bear witness to Christ by living lives renewed by the Holy Spirit.  

Today’s Gospel passage is taken from the “Bread of Life Discourse” in John’s Gospel. Here, Jesus makes the unique, bold claim, “I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.”  Jesus is offering the crowd Bread from Heaven, Bread that will nourish them for eternal life, the Bread available to people who have Faith in Jesus Christ — the presence and indwelling of God in their hearts. When Jesus instructed those who had sought after him for earthly food that they should be fed by the Bread that Jesus would give them, some accepted this teaching.  But others turned away disappointed, because Jesus’ challenge required a commitment that they were unwilling to make.

Life messages: 

(1) We need to receive   our  spiritual nourishment from the word of God.  In the Holy Mass, the Church offers us two types of bread: (a) the Bread of Life, contained in God’s Word and (b) the Bread of Life, contained in the Holy Eucharist. 

a) The powerful word of God gives us strength and inspiration to fight and conquer our temptations and to practice Christian love by serving others sacrificially and helping others by sharing our blessings with them.  

b) This word of God convinces us of our missionary duty of witnessing to Jesus by our ideal Christian life  and convicts us of our sins.

(2) We need to appreciate and gain the benefits of our Holy Communion with Jesus. Just as our normal food nourishes and strengthens our body, enables us to work, promotes physical growth, and dispels fatigue, our spiritual food in the word of God and in the Holy Eucharist do these things and much more in our soul. Holy Communion (1) Unites us most closely to Jesus Himself, (“He that eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood, abides in Me, and I in him” Jn 6:57)); (2) Unites each of us individually to each individual member of the human race through Jesus; 

(3), Imparts actual graces, including strength, the power to withstand temptation, and the desire to practice virtue, while maintaining, deepening,  and increasing Sanctifying Grace in the soul; 

(4) Lessens the force of concupiscence of the eyes, concupiscence of the flesh and the pride of life 

(5) Gives us more self-control, freeing us from repented venial sins of anger, envy, evil thoughts and desires, and other evil propensities;  and 

(6) Cancels the temporal penalties of sin according to the measure of our devotion.   (See also -https://bellarmineforum.org/bf_catechism/the-catechism-explained/).

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