CORPUS CHRISTI" - God with us. God in us!

 Readings for Sunday, June 22, 2025 

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Lectionary: 169

Is-Solennità tal-Ġisem u d-Demm Imqaddes ta’ Kristu
It-Tieni Ħadd fuq Għid il-Ħamsin

Reading 1                  Genesis 14:18-20

In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:  "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who delivered your foes into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Ġenesi 14:18-20

F’dak iż-żmien, Melkisedek, sultan ta’ Salem, li kien qassis ta’ El-għeljon, Alla l-għoli, ħareġ bil-ħobż u l-inbid. U bierek lil Abram u qallu: “Imbierek Abram minn Alla l-għoli, li għamel is-sema u l-art. U mbierek Alla l-għoli li reħa f’idejk l-għedewwa tiegħek”. U Abram tah l-għexur minn kollox. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4

The LORD said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool."

R You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The sceptre of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:  "Rule in the midst of your enemies."

R You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

"Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendour; before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you."

R You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:  "You are a priest forever, according to the order of  Melchizedek."     

R You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

 SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 109(110):1,2,3,4

R/.(4bc): Inti qassis għal dejjem bħal Melkisedek.
 
Il-kelma tal-Mulej lil Sidi: “Oqgħod fuq leminti, sa ma nqiegħed l-għedewwa tiegħek mirfes taħt riġlejk”. R/.

Ix-xettru tal-qawwa tiegħek jibgħat il-Mulej minn Sijon: aħkem f’nofs l-għedewwa tiegħek! R/.

Tiegħek is-setgħa sa minn twelidek fuq l-għoljiet imqaddsa, sa minn qabel is-sebħ
bħan-nida jien nissiltek. R/.

Ħalef il-Mulej, u ma jisgħobbx bih: “Inti qassis għal dejjem bħal Melkisedek!”. R/.

Reading 2                  1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Brothers and sisters:  I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

QARI 2                   mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lill-Korintin 11:23-26

Ħuti, jien irċevejt mingħand il-Mulej it-tagħlim li għaddejt lilkom, jiġifieri, li l-Mulej Ġesù, fil-lejl li fih kien ittradut, ħa l-ħobż u wara li radd il-ħajr qasmu u qal: “Dan hu ġismi li jingħata għalikom; agħmlu dan b’tifkira tiegħi”.  Hekk ukoll għamel bil-kalċi wara li kiel u qal: “Dan il-kalċi hu l-patt il-ġdid b’demmi; agħmlu dan kull meta tixorbu, b’tifkira tiegħi”. Mela kull meta tieklu dan il-ħobż u tixorbu dan il-kalċi, intom ixxandru l-mewt tal-Mulej sa ma jiġi.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

///////////  SEQUENCE  --   Lauda Sion

Lo! the angel’s food is given
To the pilgrim who has striven;
see the children’s bread from heaven,
which on dogs may not be spent.
Truth the ancient types fulfilling,
Isaac bound, a victim willing,
Paschal lamb, its lifeblood spilling,
manna to the fathers sent.
Very bread, good shepherd, tend us,
Jesu, of your love befriend us,
You refresh us, you defend us,
Your eternal goodness send us
In the land of life to see.
You who all things can and know,
Who on earth such food bestow,
Grant us with your saints, though lowest,
Where the heav’nly feast you show,
Fellow heirs and guests to be. Amen. Alleluia.

        ////////  SEKWENZA  --   Lauda Sion

Dan ħobż l-anġli, magħmul ikel
għall-bnedmin fit-triq tal-ħajja,
ikel bnin għall-ulied kollha,
li m’għandux fix-xejn jintrema.
Bi xbihat kien ilu mħabbar,
f’dik l-offerta ta’ Iżakk,
fil-ħaruf li nqatel fl-Għid,
u fil-manna tad-deżert.
Int ragħaj tajjeb, ħobż tassew,
Ġesù tagħna, ħenn għalina;
int itmagħna u ħarisna:
inti lilna l-ġid urina
fl-art imbierka tal-ħajjin.
Int li taf u tista’ kollox,
li titmagħna hawn f’dil-ħajja,
hemm agħmilna lkoll imsieħba,
f’għaqda waħda lkoll werrieta
mal-qtajjiet tal-qaddisin.
Ammen. Hallelujah.

Gospel                  Luke 9:11b-17

Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured. As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, "Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here." He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves."  They replied, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people." Now the men there numbered about five thousand. Then he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty." They did so and made them all sit down. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari mill-Evanġelju skont San Luqa 9:11b-17

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qagħad ikellem il-folol fuq is-Saltna ta’ Alla, u fejjaq lil dawk li kienu jeħtieġu l-fejqan. Il-jum kien wasal biex jintemm. Resqu lejh it-Tnax u qalulu: “Ibgħathom in-nies ħa jmorru fl-irħula u r-rziezet tal-qrib biex isibu fejn jistrieħu u jieklu xi ħaġa, għax hawnhekk qegħdin f’post imwarrab”. Iżda hu qalilhom: “Agħtuhom intom x’jieklu”. Qalulu: “Ma għandniex aktar minn ħames ħobżiet u żewġ ħutiet, jekk għall-inqas ma mmorrux aħna stess nixtru l-ikel għal dawn in-nies kollha!”. Għax kien hemm madwar il-ħamest elef raġel. U qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Qegħduhom bilqiegħda ħamsin ħamsin”. Hekk għamlu, u qiegħdu lil kulħadd bilqiegħda. Imbagħad ħa l-ħames ħobżiet u ż-żewġ ħutiet, rafa’ għajnejh lejn is-sema, berikhom u qasamhom, u tahom lid-dixxipli biex inewluhom lin-nies. U kulħadd kiel u xaba’ u l-bċejjeċ tal-ħobż li kien fadal ġabruhom fi tnax-il qoffa. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony KadavilGOD WITH US!  

Importance: 

1) The last two precious gifts given to us by Jesus are the Holy Eucharist as our spiritual food on Holy Thursday and Jesus’ mother Mary as our spiritual mother on Good Friday 

2) Corpus Christi is the celebration of the abiding presence of a loving God as Emmanuel– God with us – in order to give collective thanks to our Lord for his living with us in the Eucharist. 

3) The feast also gives us an occasion to learn more about the importance and value of the “Real Presence” on Jesus -- body and blood, soul and Divinity under the appearances of bread and wine -- so that we may appreciate the Sacrament better and receive maximum benefit from the Eucharist

We believe in the “Real Presence” of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist because

    1) Jesus promised it after miraculously feeding the 5000. 

    2) Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist during his Last Supper. 

    3) Jesus commanded his disciples to repeat it in his memory. 

    4) “Nothing is impossible for God.”

We explain the real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist by: “Transubstantiation” which means that the substance of the consecrated bread and wine is changed to the substance of the risen Jesus’ glorified Body and Blood by the action of the Holy Spirit, and its accidents (like color, shape, taste etc.), remain the same.

Scripture lessons: 

This year's readings for the Feast emphasize the theme of Covenant blood because the ancient peoples sealed Covenants with the blood of ritually sacrificed animals, and Jesus sealed his New Covenant with his own Blood shed on Calvary. Sunday’s first reading describes how Moses, by sprinkling the blood of a sacrificed animal on the altar and on the people, accepted the Covenant Yahweh proposed and made with His People. 

In the second reading, St. Paul affirms that Jesus sealed the New Covenant with his own Blood, thereby putting an end to animal sacrifices. Today’s Gospel details how Jesus converted this ancient ritual into a Sacrament and sacrifice. Instead of the lamb’s blood, Jesus offered his own Divine/human Body and Blood, and instead of sprinkling us with blood, Jesus put it into our hands as food and drink: "Take … eat … this IS my Body which will be given up for you" (He did not say "This represents my body”), and "Take … drink …This is … my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal Covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins” (nor did He say, “This represents my blood…”).

A Sacrament and a sacrifice: 

Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist both as a sacramental banquet and a sacrificial offering.

As a Sacrament...

    a) the Eucharist is a visible sign that gives us God’s grace and God’s life and, 

    b) as a Meal, The Eucharist nourishes our souls. 

As a Sacrifice... 

    a) the Eucharistic celebration is a re-presentation or re-enactment of Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary, completed in His Resurrection. 

    b) We offer Jesus’ sacrifice to God the Father for the remission of our sins, using signs and symbols.

Life messages: 

1) Let us appreciate the “Real Presence” of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, by receiving him with true repentance for our sins, due preparation and reverence.

2) Let us be Christ-bearers and conveyers: By receiving Holy Communion, we become Christ-bearers as Mary was, with the duty of conveying Christ to others at home and in the workplace, through love, mercy, forgiveness and humble and sacrificial service.

3) Let us offer our lives on the altar along with Jesus’ sacrifice, asking pardon for our sins, expressing gratitude for the blessings we have received and presenting our needs and petitions on the altar.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2025.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

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UNDERSTANDING OUR TRIUNE GOD!

 Readings for Sunday, June 15, 2025 

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Lectionary: 166

Is-Solennità tat-Trinità Qaddisa
Ħadd wara Għid il-Ħamsin

Reading 1                  Proverbs 8:22-31

Thus says the wisdom of God:  "The LORD possessed me, the beginning of his ways,  the forerunner of his prodigies of long ago; from of old I was poured forth, at the first, before the earth.  When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no fountains or springs of water; before the mountains were settled into place,  before the hills, I was brought forth; while as yet the earth and fields were not made, nor the first clods of the world.  "When the Lord established the heavens I was there,  when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep;  when he made firm the skies above, when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth; when he set for the sea its limit,  so that the waters should not transgress his command; then was I beside him as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by day,  playing before him all the while, playing on the surface of his earth; and I found delight in the human race."

QARI 1                mill-Ktieb tal-Proverbji 8:22-31

Dan jgħid il-Għerf ta’ Alla: “Il-Mulej kellu lili sa mill-bidu ta’ għemilu, sa minn qabel l-eqdem għemejjel tiegħu. Sa minn dejjem twaqqaft, mill-bidu, qabel ma nbdiet id-dinja. Kien għad m’hemmx l-ibħra l-kbar, meta tnissilt jien, kien għad m’hemmx għejun inixxu l-ilma; qabel ma tqiegħdu l-muntanji, qabel l-għoljiet jien twelidt. Kien għadu ma għamilx l-art bir-raba’ tagħha, u lanqas l-ewwel traba tal-art. Meta ħejja s-smewwiet jien kont hemm, meta ħażżeż dawra fuq wiċċ il-baħar kbir, meta saħħaħ is-smewwiet hemm fuq, u qiegħed fis-sod in-nixxigħat ta’ qiegħ il-baħar; meta ħażżeż trufijiet il-baħar, biex l-ilmijiet ma jaqbżux trufhom; meta qiegħed sisien l-art, jien kont maġenbu bħala tfajjel, l-għaxqa tiegħu, jum wara ieħor, nitliegħeb il-ħin kollu quddiemu; nitliegħeb fuq l-art imħejjija għall-bnedmin, nitgħaxxaq b’ulied il-bnedmin”.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 Psalm 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place —
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
R O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet:
R O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.
R O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 8:4-5,6-7,8-9

R/.(2a): Mulej, Sid tagħna, kemm hu kbir ismek fl-art kollha!

Inħares lejn is-smewwiet, għemil subgħajk,
il-qamar u l-kwiekeb li int qegħedt fihom!
X’inhu l-bniedem biex tiftakar fih,
bin il-bniedem, biex taħseb fih? R/.

Ftit inqas mill-allat għamiltu,
bis-sebħ u l-ġmiel żejjintu,
qegħedtu fuq l-għemejjel kollha ta’ jdejk! R/.

Kollox taħt riġlejh qegħedtlu:
in-nagħaġ u l-baqar kollha, sal-bhejjem tax-xagħri;
l-għasafar tal-ajru u l-ħut tal-baħar,
dak kollu li jterraq fil-baħar. R/.

Reading 2                  Romans 5:1-5

Brothers and sisters:  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,  we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint,  because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

 QARI 2                    mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lir-Rumani 5:1-5

Ħuti, issa li aħna ġġustifikati bil-fidi, għandna s-sliem ma’ Alla, permezz ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu; permezz tiegħu għandna d-dħul bil-fidi għal din il-grazzja li fiha qegħdin. Aħna niftaħru bit-tama li għandna li għad niksbu l-glorja ta’ Alla. Mhux biss dan: imma niftaħru wkoll bis-sofferenzi, għax nafu li s-sofferenza ġġib is-sabar, is-sabar irawwem il-ħila, il-ħila t-tama. U din it-tama ma tqarraqx bina, għax l-imħabba ta’ Alla ssawbet fi qlubna permezz tal-Ispirtu s-Santu li kien mogħti lilna.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel             John 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples:  "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Ġwann 16:12-15

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Baqagħli ħafna ħwejjeġ x’ngħidilkom, imma għalissa ma tifilħux għalihom. Meta jiġi hu, l-Ispirtu tal-verità, iwassalkom għall-verità kollha; għaliex hu ma jgħid xejn minn tiegħu, imma jgħid dak li jisma’, u jħabbrilkom il-ġejjieni.  Hu jagħtini glorja, għaliex jieħu minn dak li hu tiegħi u jħabbru lilkom. Dak kollu li għandu l-Missier huwa tiegħi. Għalhekk għedt li jieħu minn dak li hu tiegħi u jħabbru lilkom”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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THE "I--GOD--MY NEIGHBOUR" RELATIONSHIP IN YOUR LIFE

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

The mystery of the most Holy Trinity is a basic doctrine of Faith in Christianity, understandable not with our heads but with our hearts. It teaches us that there are three distinct Persons in one God, sharing the same Divine Nature, co-equal and co-eternal. Our mind cannot grasp this doctrine which teaches that 1+1+1 = 1 and not 3. But we believe in this Mystery because Jesus, Who is God, taught it clearly, the Evangelists recorded it, the Fathers of the Church tried to explain it, and the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople defined it as a dogma of Christian Faith. (Add a pertinent anecdote).

Importance in Christian life: 

1) All prayers in the Church begin in the Name of the Holy Trinity and end glorifying the Trinity. 

2) All Sacraments are administered (we are baptized, confirmed, anointed, our sins are forgiven, our marriages are blessed, and our Bishops, priests and deacons are ordained) in the name of the Holy Trinity.

3) When Church bells ring thrice daily, they remind us to give glory to the Holy Trinity for the Incarnation of Jesus and His Redemption of all of us. 4) We bless ourselves, and the priest blesses us, in the Name of the Holy Trinity.

Biblical basis: 

There are only vague and hidden references to the Trinity in the Old Testament. But the New Testament gives clear teachings on the Holy Trinity.

1) At the Annunciation, God the Father sent His angel to Mary, God the Holy Spirit came upon her, the Power of the Most High overshadowed her, and God the Son became Incarnate in her womb.

2) At the Baptism of Jesus, when the Son received the baptism of repentance from John the Baptist, the Father’s Voice was heard, and the Holy Spirit appeared as a Dove and descended upon Jesus.

3) At the Ascension, Jesus commissioned his disciples to baptize those who believed, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

4) John’s account: In John’s Gospel, chapters 15–18, we have a detailed account of Jesus’ teaching of the role of each Person of the Holy Trinity: a) God the Father creates and provides for His creatures. b) God the Son redeems us and reconciles us with God. c) God the Holy Spirit sanctifies us, strengthens us, teaches us, and guides us to God.

Life messages: 

1) Let us respect ourselves and others because everyone is the temple of the Holy Spirit where all Three Persons of the Holy Trinity abide.

2) Let us have the firm conviction that the Trinitarian God abides in us, that He is the Source of our hope, courage, and strength, and that He is our final destination.

3) Let us practice the Trinitarian relationship of love and unity in the family relationships of father, mother, and children because by Baptism we become children of God and members of God’s Trinitarian family.

4) Let us practice the I–God–my neighbour vertical and horizontal Trinitarian relationships in this life by loving God and our neighbors.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2025.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

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"THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL TEACH YOU EVERYTHING!"

 Readings for Sunday, June 8, 2025 

Pentecost Sunday - Mass during the Day   

Lectionary: 63

Is-Solennità ta’ Għid il-Ħamsin
Quddiesa tal-Jum

Reading 1                 Acts 2:1-11

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God."

QARI 1                    mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli 2, 1-11

Meta wasal jum Għid il-Ħamsin, huma kienu lkoll flimkien f’post wieħed. F’daqqa waħda ġie mis-sema ħoss bħal ta’ riħ qawwi, u mela d-dar kollha fejn kienu qegħdin. U dehrulhom ilsna qishom tan-nar, li tqassmu u qagħdu fuq kull wieħed minnhom. Imtlew ilkoll bl-Ispirtu s-Santu u bdew jitkellmu b’ilsna oħra, skont ma l-Ispirtu kien jagħtihom li jitkellmu.  F’Ġerusalemm kien hemm xi Lhud, nies twajba minn kull nazzjon li hawn taħt is-sema. Malli nstama’ dan il-ħoss, inġabret kotra kbira, ilkoll imħawdin għax kull wieħed minnhom kien jismagħhom jitkellmu bl-ilsien tiegħu. Miblugħin u mistagħġbin, bdew jgħidu: “Dawn li qegħdin jitkellmu mhumiex ilkoll mill-Galilija? Mela kif kull wieħed minna qiegħed jismagħhom jitkellmu bi lsien art twelidu? Partin, Medin u Għelamin, nies mill-Mesopotamja, mil-Lhudija, mill-Kappadoċja, minn Pontu, mill-Asja, mill-Friġja, mill-Pamfilja, mill-Eġittu, mill-inħawi tal-Libja madwar Ċireni, nies li ġew minn Ruma, kemm Lhud u kemm prosèliti, oħrajn minn Kreta u Għarab, aħna lkoll qegħdin nisimgħuhom ixandru bl-ilsna tagħna l-għeġubijiet ta’ Alla!”  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                 Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 

Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
the earth is full of your creatures;
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or: R. Alleluia.

May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD be glad in his works!
Pleasing to him be my theme;
I will be glad in the LORD.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or: R. Alleluia.

If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or: R. Alleluia.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 103 (104), 1ab.24aċ.29bċ-30.31.34

R/. (30): Ibgħat l-Ispirtu tiegħek, Mulej, u ġedded il-wiċċ tal-art
jew  Hallelujah

Bierek ruħ tiegħi, lill-Mulej!
Mulej, Alla tiegħi, inti kbir bil-bosta!
Kemm huma kotrana l-għemejjel tiegħek, Mulej!
Mimlija l-art bil-ħlejjaq tiegħek. R/.

Jekk teħdilhom nifishom, imutu,
u lejn it-trab jerġgħu jmorru.
Malli tibgħat in-nifs tiegħek, jinħolqu,
u inti ġġedded il-wiċċ tal-art. R/.

Jibqa’ sebħ il-Mulej għal dejjem!
Jifraħ il-Mulej bl-għemejjel tiegħu!
Ħa togħġbu l-għanja tiegħi,
għax jiena fil-Mulej l-hena tiegħi. R/.

Reading 2                  Romans 8:8-17

Brothers and sisters: Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness. If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you. Consequently, brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, "Abba, Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

QARI 2                   mill-ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lir-Rumani 8, 8-17

Ħuti, dawk li jgħixu skont il-ġisem ma jistgħux jogħġbu lil Alla. Issa intom ma intomx taħt il-ħakma tal-ġisem, imma tal-Ispirtu, ladarba hemm l-Ispirtu ta’ Alla jgħammar fikom. Jekk xi ħadd ma għandux fih l-Ispirtu ta’ Kristu, dan mhuwiex tiegħu. Jekk Kristu jgħammar fikom, għalkemm il-ġisem hu mejjet minħabba fid-dnub, imma l-Ispirtu hu ħajjitkom minħabba l-ġustizzja. Jekk l-Ispirtu ta’ dak li qajjem lil Ġesù mill-imwiet  jgħammar fikom, Alla stess li qajjem lil Kristu mill-imwiet iqajjem għall-ħajja wkoll il-ġisem mejjet tagħkom, bis-saħħa tal-Ispirtu li jgħammar fikom.  Hekk mela, ħuti, aħna m’aħniex midjunin mal-ġisem biex ngħixu skont il-ġisem. Għax jekk tgħixu skont il-ġisem, tmutu; imma jekk tmewtu l-għemil tal-ġisem bl-Ispirtu, tgħixu. Dawk kollha li jmexxihom l-Ispirtu ta’ Alla huma wlied Alla. Għax intom ma rċevejtux l-ispirtu li jwassalkom għall-jasar biex terġgħu taqgħu fil-biża’, imma rċevejtu l-Ispirtu li jagħmel minnkom ulied adottivi; u li bih aħna nistgħu ngħajtu: “Abbà! Missier!”. Dan l-Ispirtu jixhed flimkien mal-ispirtu tagħna li aħna wlied Alla. Jekk aħna wlied, aħna wkoll werrieta, werrieta ta’ Alla, werrieta ma’ Kristu: ladarba aħna nbatu miegħu, biex miegħu nkunu gglorifikati. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Sequence - VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS

Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
 Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
 Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul's most welcome guest;
 Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labour, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
 Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
 And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
 Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
 Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
 Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
 In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue's sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
 Give them joys that never end. 

Amen.  Alleluia.

SEKWENZA  -  Spirtu s-Santu, ejja fina,

Raġġ ta’ dawl qaddis agħtina,
xerrdu f’ruħna mis-smewwiet.
O Missier il-foqra tiegħek,
inti ġġib id-doni miegħek,
tagħni b’dawlek qalb l-ulied.
Inti l-aqwa faraġ tagħna,
fik kull hena xħin tkun magħna,
tħossok fewġa ħelwa r-ruħ.
Fl-għaja, lejn is-serħ twassalna;
jekk imħeġġa wisq, trażżanna;
mill-għajnejn tixxotta d-dmugħ.
O dawl hieni ta’ qdusija,
nitolbuk li bik mimlija
tkun il-qalb ta’ kull fidil.
Mingħajr dawlek li jmexxina
ebda ħajr ma jkun hemm fina,
ebda safa fl-għemil.
Naddaf kull fejn hemm it-tbajja’,
fejn hemm nixfa reġġa’ l-ħajja,
lill-miġruħ agħtih fejqan.
Rattab fina l-ebusija,
agħti lill-berdin bżulija,
għin fit-triq lil min beżgħan.
Agħti s-seba’ doni tiegħek
lil min jimxi fidil miegħek
u li fik jistrieħ kull ħin.
Agħti ’l kull virtù sabiħa
ħlas ta’ salvazzjoni sħiħa,
agħti l-ġenna lit-tajbin.
Ammen. Hallelujah.

Gospel                  John 14:15-16, 23b-26

Jesus said to his disciples: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always. "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Those who do not love me do not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. "I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Ġwann 14, 15-16. 23b-26

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Jekk tħobbuni, ħarsu l-kmandamenti tiegħi. U jiena nitlob lill-Missier, u hu jagħtikom Difensur ieħor biex jibqa’ magħkom għal dejjem. Jekk xi ħadd iħobbni, iħares kelmti, u Missieri jħobbu, u aħna niġu u ngħammru għandu. Min ma jħobbnix ma jħarisx kliemi. U l-kelma li qegħdin tisimgħu mhijiex tiegħi, imma tal-Missier li bagħatni. Għedtilkom dan meta għadni magħkom. Imma d-Difensur, l-Ispirtu s-Santu, li l-Missier jibgħat f’ismi, jgħallimkom kollox u jfakkarkom dak kollu li għedtilkom”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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THE ROLE OF THE SPIRIT IN YOUR LIFE

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

Introduction

Pentecost literally means 50th. It is a feast celebrated on the 50th day after the Passover feast by the Jews and a feast celebrated on the 50th day after the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus by Christians. The Jewish Pentecost was originally a post-harvest thanksgiving feast. Later, the Jews included in it the remembrance of God’s Covenants with Noah after the Deluge and with Moses at Mt. Sinai

>> On the day of Pentecost: 

1) The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary as tongues of fire. 

2) The frightened apostles were transformed into fiery preachers and evangelizers and were given the gift of tongues by a special anointing of the Holy Spirit. 

3) The listeners experienced a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit through the apostles’ gift of tongues: they heard Peter speaking in their native languages. 

4) The early Christians became powerful witnesses and brave martyrs for their Faith in Jesus.

>> The role of the Holy Spirit in Christian life: 

1) As an indwelling God, the Holy Spirit makes us His Living Temples (I Cor 3:16). 

2) As a strengthening God, He strengthens us in our fight against temptations and in our mission of bearing witness to Christ by our transparent Christian lives. 

3) As a sanctifying God, He makes us holy through the Sacraments: 

a) Through Baptism He makes us children of God and heirs of Heaven. 

b) Through Confirmation, He makes us temples of God, warriors, and defenders of the Faith. 

c) Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, He enables us to be reconciled with God by pardoning our sins. 

d) Through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, He gives us spiritual nourishment by changing bread and wine into Jesus’ Body, Blood Soul, and Divinity, through Epiclesis. 

e) Through the Sacraments of the priesthood (Ordination) and matrimony (Marriage), He makes the Church community holy. 

4) As a teaching and guiding God, He clarifies and constantly reminds us of Christ’s teachings and guides the Magisterium of the Church in presenting Christ’s teachings correctly. 

5) As a listening and speaking God, He listens to our prayers, enables us to pray, and speaks to us, mainly through the Bible. 

6) As a Giver of gifts, He gives us His gifts, fruits, and charisms, thus enriching the Church.Life messages: We need to permit the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives: 

1) by constantly remembering His holy presence and behaving well;

2) by praying for His daily anointing so that we may fight against our temptations and control our evil tendencies, evil habits and addictions; 

3) by asking His daily assistance to pray, listening to God through meditative Bible reading, and talking to Him by personal, family and liturgical prayers; and 

4) by asking the help of the Holy Spirit to do good for others and to be reconciled with God and others every day.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2025.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

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"GOD MOUNTS HIS THRONE TO SHOUTS OF JOY"

 Readings for Sunday, June 1, 2025 

Seventh Sunday of Easter
Lectionary: 58

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Is-Seba Hadd tal-Ghid
Solennità tat-Tlugħ il-Mulej fis-Sema

Reading 1                 Acts 1:1-11

In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

QARI 1                   Bidu tal-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli 1:1-11

Fl-ewwel rakkont tiegħi, Teofilu, tkellimt fuq dak kollu li Ġesù kien għamel u għallem minn mindu beda sal-jum li fih kien meħud fis-sema, wara li, permezz tal-Ispirtu s-Santu, ta l-ordnijiet tiegħu lill-appostli li hu kien għażel. Wara l-passjoni tiegħu dehrilhom u tahom ħafna provi li hu ħaj; f’erbgħin jum rawh kemm-il darba u kellimhom fuq il-ħwejjeġ tas-Saltna ta’ Alla. Meta kien għadu magħhom, ordnalhom biex ma jitilqux minn Ġerusalemm, imma joqogħdu jistennew sa ma sseħħ il-wegħda tal-Missier, “li fuqha” – qalilhom – “smajtu x’kont għedtilkom: Ġwanni għammed bl-ilma, imma intom, fi ftit jiem oħra titgħammdu bl-Ispirtu s-Santu”. Kif kienu flimkien staqsewh: “Mulej, hu dan iż-żmien li fih int se terġa’ twaqqaf is-Saltna ta’ Iżrael?”. Hu weġibhom: “Mhijiex biċċa tagħkom li tkunu tafu l-waqt u ż-żmien li l-Missier għażel bis-setgħa tiegħu. Imma meta jiġi fuqkom l-Ispirtu s-Santu, intom tirċievu l-qawwa, u tkunu xhieda tiegħi f’Ġerusalemm, fil-Lhudija kollha u s-Samarija u sa truf l-art”. Wara li qal dan, huma u jħarsu lejh, kien meħud ’il fuq, u sħaba ħadithulhom minn quddiem għajnejhom. Waqt li kienu b’għajnejhom fis-sema jħarsu lejh sejjer, f’daqqa waħda dehru ħdejhom żewġt irġiel libsin l-abjad, u qalulhom: “Irġiel tal-Galilija, x’intom tħarsu lejn is-sema? Dan Ġesù, li kien meħud minn magħkom lejn is-sema, għad jerġa’ jiġi kif rajtuh sejjer”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

All you peoples, clap your hands,

shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:  a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or: R Alleluia.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:  a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or: R Alleluia.

For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:  a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or: R Alleluia.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 46(47):2-3,6-7,8-9
R/.(6): Tela’ Alla b’għajat ta’ ferħ.
jew R/. Hallelujah

Popli kollha, ċapċpu jdejkom,
għajtu b’leħen ta’ ferħ lil Alla!
Għax il-Mulej, l-Għoli, hu tal-biża’,
sultan kbir fuq l-art kollha. R/.

Tela’ Alla b’għajat ta’ ferħ,
il-Mulej bid-daqq tat-trombi.
Għannu lil Alla, għannu,
għannu lis-sultan tagħna, għannu. R/

.
Għax Alla s-sultan tal-art kollha:
għannulu bis-sengħa għanja sabiħa.
Isaltan Alla fuq il-ġnus kollha,
joqgħod Alla fuq it-tron imqaddes tiegħu. R/.

Reading 2                    Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23

Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by  a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf. Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own; if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. Just as it is appointed that men and women die once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ,offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.  herefore, brothers and sisters, since through the blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh, and since we have "a great priest over the house of God," let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy.

QARI 2                mill-Ittra lil-Lhud 9:24-28; 10:19-23

Kristu ma daħalx f’santwarju magħmul b’idejn il-bnedmin li hu biss xbieha tas-santwarju veru, imma daħal fis-sema stess, biex issa jidher għalina quddiem Alla. U daħal hemm mhux biex minn żmien għal żmien joffri lilu nnifsu bħalma l-qassis il-kbir jidħol kull sena fis-santwarju biex joffri demm ħaddieħor. Li kieku kien hekk, kien ikollu jbati ħafna drabi sa mill-ħolqien tad-dinja. Iżda issa deher darba għal dejjem, meta waslet il-milja taż-żminijiet, biex ineħħi d-dnub bis-sagrifiċċju tiegħu nnifsu. U kif hu miktub għall-bnedmin li għandhom imutu darba biss, u wara dan isir il-ġudizzju, hekk ukoll Kristu, wara li offra lilu nnifsu darba biss biex jitgħabba bid-dnubiet tal-kotra, għad jerġa’ jidher darb’oħra, mhux biex ineħħi d-dnubiet, imma biex isalva lil dawk li qegħdin jistennewh bil-ħerqa.  Ladarba, ħuti, għandna l-fiduċja li nidħlu fis-Santwarju bis-saħħa tad-demm ta’ Ġesù billi ngħaddu mit-triq, ġdida u ħajja, li hu fetħilna ’l ġewwa mill-velu, li hu l-ġisem tiegħu stess; u ladarba għandna dan il-qassis il-kbir imqiegħed fuq il-familja ta’ Alla, ejjew nersqu b’qalb sinċiera u b’fidi sħiħa, bi qlubna mnaddfin minn kuxjenza ħażina u l-ġisem tagħna maħsul b’ilma safi. Inżommu sħiħ fl-istqarrija qawwija tat-tama tagħna, għax ta’ kelmtu huwa dak li għamlilna l-wegħda.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                   Luke 24:46-53

Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.

EVANĠELJU                   skond San Luqa 24:46-53

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Hekk kien miktub, li l-Messija jbati u fit-tielet jum iqum mill-imwiet, u li l-indiema għall-maħfra tad-dnubiet tixxandar f’ismu lill-ġnus kollha, ibda minn Ġerusalemm. Intom xhud ta’ dan. U jiena, araw, nibgħat fuqkom lil dak li wiegħed Missieri. Imma intom ibqgħu fil-belt, sa ma Alla jkun libbiskom bil-qawwa tiegħu”.  Imbagħad ħadhom sa ħdejn Betanja, u rafa’ jdejh u berikhom. U ġara li, huwa u jberikhom, infired minnhom u kien meħud fis-sema. Huma nxteħtu fl-art jagħtuh qima, u mimlijin b’ferħ kbir reġgħu lura lejn Ġerusalemm, u qagħdu l-ħin kollu fit-tempju jbierku lil Alla. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings describe the Ascension of the Lord Jesus into his Heavenly glory after promising his disciples the Holy Spirit as their source of Heavenly power and commanding them to bear witness to him throughout the world by their lives and preaching. But the ascended Jesus is still with us through his indwelling Holy Spirit as he has promised, "I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.” Today’s feast is a celebration of Jesus’ final glorification after his suffering, death, and Resurrection – a glory in which we, too, hope to share.

The Scripture lessons:

The first reading gives an account of the event of the Ascension as recorded in the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. First, Jesus instructedhis apostlesto remain in Jerusalem and wait for the baptism by the Holy Spiritso that they might become his “witnesses to the ends of the earth” by the power of the Holy Spirit. Then a cloud took Jesus from the sight of the disciples and two Heavenly messengers in white garments gave them the assurance of Jesus’ “second coming” or return in glory. 

The Refrain for Sunday's Responsorial Psalm (Ps 47) suggests that by his Ascension, the risen Lord "mounts his throne" in glory. In the second reading, Paul explains the theological meaning of Jesus’ exaltation, giving us the assurance that one day, we, too, will be ascending to Heavenly Glory, provided we fulfill the mission entrusted to us by the ascending Lord. Today's Gospel describes how Jesus ascended to Heaven after giving his final blessing and missionary command to his disciples. The command was to “proclaim the Good News to the whole creation,” “to be his witnesses," and “to make disciples of all nations.” (Mt 28:16-20, Mk 16:15-20, Lk 24:46-53, Acts 1:1-11).

Life messages: 

1) We need to be proclaimers and evangelizers: To be a Christian is to be a proclaimer and an evangelizer. There is a difference between preaching and proclaiming. We preach with words, but we proclaim with our lives. Let us ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as we bear witness to Jesus by our transparent Christian lives.

2) We have a teaching mission: Jesus taught us lessons of Faith, Hope, Love, forgiveness, mercy, and salvation by his life and preaching and gave as we have experienced our Lord and Savior.

3) The ascended Jesus is our source of strength and encouragement: We will be able to overcome doubts about our Faith, as well as baseless fears, anxieties and worries, by meditating on Jesus’ Ascension and the lesson it teaches

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2025.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

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MAY OUR WAYTO SALVATION BE KNOWN TO US UPON EARTH

 Readings for Sunday, May 25, 2025 

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Lectionary: 57

Is-Sitt Ħadd tal-Għid

Reading 1                 Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,  you cannot be saved.” Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. This is the letter delivered by them:  “The apostles and the elders, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings.  Since we have heard that some of our number who went out without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: ‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right.  Farewell.’”

QARI 1                    mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli 15:1-2,22-29

F’dak iż-żmien, niżlu xi wħud mil-Lhudija u bdew jgħallmu lill-aħwa: “Jekk ma toqogħdux għaċ-ċirkonċiżjoni skont id-drawwa li ġejja minn Mosè, ma tistgħux issalvaw”. Pawlu u Barnaba qamu kontra tagħhom u ħaduha magħhom bis-sħiħ; għalhekk qatgħuha li Pawlu u Barnaba u xi wħud oħra minnhom jitilgħu Ġerusalemm ikellmu lill-appostli u l-presbiteri fuq din il-kwistjoni.  Imbagħad l-appostli u l-presbiteri, flimkien mal-Knisja kollha, dehrilhom li kellhom jagħżlu lil xi wħud minnhom u jibagħtuhom Antjokja ma’ Pawlu u Barnaba. Dawn kienu Ġuda, jgħidulu Barsaba, u Sila, li kienu minn ta’ quddiem fost l-aħwa. U bagħtu magħhom din l-ittra: “L-appostli u l-presbiteri, ħutkom, lill-aħwa ta’ Antjokja, tas-Sirja u taċ-Ċiliċja, li ġew mill-ġnus; is-sliem għalikom! Aħna smajna li xi wħud min-nies tagħna, mingħajr ebda ordni tagħna, ġew ħawdukom u qallbulkom moħħkom bi kliemhom. Għalhekk aħna qbilna lkoll bejnietna u dehrilna li kellna nagħżlu lil xi wħud u nibagħtuhom għandkom flimkien mal-għeżież tagħna Barnaba u Pawlu, nies li ddedikaw ħajjithom għall-isem ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu. Għalhekk bgħatnielkom lil Ġuda u ’l Sila, biex jgħidulkom bi kliemhom l-istess ħaġa. Għax lill-Ispirtu s-Santu u lilna dehrilna li aħna ma għandna ngħabbukom b’ebda piż ieħor aktar minn dak li hu meħtieġ, jiġifieri, li titbiegħdu mill-ikel issagrifikat lill-idoli, mid-demm, mil-laħam tal-annimali fgati u miż-żwieġ ħażin. Tagħmlu tajjeb jekk tħarsu rwieħkom minn dawn. Saħħa!”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

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

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

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

SALM RESPONSORJALI               Salm 66(67):2-3,5,6,8

R/: Fost il-ġnus Alla wera s-salvazzjoni tiegħu.

jew R/. Hallelujah.

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

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

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

Reading 2                   Revelations 21:10-14, 22-23

The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It gleamed with the splendour of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites. There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.   I saw no temple in the city for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it,  for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.

QARI 2                   mill-Ktieb tal-Apokalissi ta’ S. Ġwann Appostlu 21:10-14,22-23

L-anġlu ħadni fl-ispirtu fuq muntanja kbira u għolja, u wrieni l-Belt il-Qaddisa, Ġerusalemm, nieżla mis-sema mingħand Alla, bil-glorja ta’ Alla fiha, tiddi bħal ħaġra mill-aktar prezzjuża, bħal ġaspru jleqq daqs il-kristall.  Għandha ħajt kbir u għoli, bi tnax-il bieb fih, u tnax-il anġlu fil-bibien li fuqhom hemm miktuba ismijiet, l-ismijiet tat-tnax-il tribù ta’ wlied Iżrael. Tlieta minn dawn il-bibien jagħtu għan-naħa tal-Lvant, tlieta għan-naħa tat-Tramuntana, tlieta għan-naħa tan-Nofsinhar, u tlieta għan-naħa tal-Punent. U l-ħajt tal-Belt għandu tnax-il pedament, li fuqhom hemm it-tnax-il isem tat-tnax-il appostlu tal-Ħaruf.  Ebda tempju ma rajt fiha, għax il-Mulej hu t-tempju tagħha, Alla li jista’ kollox, u l-Ħaruf. U l-Belt ma teħtieġ la xemx u lanqas qamar biex idawluha, għax biex iddawwalha għandha l-glorja ta’ Alla, u l-musbieħ tagħha l-Ħaruf. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                  according to John 14:23-29

Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. “I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Ġwann 14:23-29

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Jekk xi ħadd iħobbni, iħares kelmti, u Missieri jħobbu, u aħna niġu u ngħammru għandu. Min ma jħobbnix ma jħarisx kliemi. U l-kelma li qegħdin tisimgħu mhijiex tiegħi, imma tal-Missier li bagħatni. Għedtilkom dan meta għadni magħkom. Imma d-Difensur, l-Ispirtu s-Santu, li l-Missier jibgħat f’ismi, jgħallimkom kollox u jfakkarkom dak kollu li għedtilkom. Jiena nħallilkom is-sliem; nagħtikom is-sliem tiegħi; ma nagħtihulkomx kif tagħtih id-dinja. Tħallux qalbkom titħawwad u anqas titbeżża’. Smajtu x’għedtilkom: ‘Jiena sejjer u nerġa’ niġi għandkom’. Kieku kontu tħobbuni, kontu tifirħu li sejjer għand il-Missier, għax il-Missier hu akbar minni. U għedtilkom dan minn issa qabel ma jseħħ, biex meta jseħħ temmnu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

A vision of hope through the Holy Spirit

Introduction:  

Sunday’s readings show us the effects of the abiding presence of God in His Church and of His indwelling in each one of us. Scripture lessons: The first reading, taken from the Acts of the Apostles, tells us how the Holy Spirit, indwelling in the Church, helped the apostles to solve a major doctrinal problem about the Gentiles becoming Christians, which shook the very foundation of the early Church. 

The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 67) prays that all the nations on the earth may recognize their God and praise Him. The second reading, taken from the Book of Revelation, describes the Church as the Heavenly Jerusalem which replaces the holy presence of God in the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem. This New Jerusalem is a city united in love, with the victorious Jesus residing in it and in each of its members. The Gospel passage reminds us that the Holy Spirit, abiding within us, is our Teacher, our Advocate, and the Source of our peace and joy. The passage offers a vision of hope as well. Jesus promises his followers that the Holy Spirit will come and instruct them in everything they need to know.

Life messages: 

1)    Let us be aware of the abiding presence of God within us: We live in the New Covenant of Jesus, daily facing uncertainty, conflict, and temptations. It is the abiding presence of God within us that enables us to face the future with undying hope and true Christian courage. The Holy Spirit, Whom the risen Lord asked His Father to send upon His Church, prompts us to turn to His Holy Scriptures for support and encouragement, enables us to learn the Divine truths, and grants us His peace at all times. However, to be able to receive these gifts, it is necessary for us to spend a little time each day in personal prayer, talking to God and listening to Him. We must deepen our relationship with Jesus, learn to get in touch with him, and sincerely love him. 

When we listen to the Holy Spirit, we will know His plan for our life and His solutions to whatever problems we face. We will be able to love our fellow human beings, and there will be a core of peace within us. The Holy Spirit teaches us through the Scriptures and preaching during the Holy Mass. Jesus loves us and comes to us in Communion. When the Mass is ended, we go forth in the peace of Christ – and all of this takes place successfully under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2)    We need to have the conviction that we are not alone: One of the great social and ethical problems of our time is isolation. Today approximately 25% of all adults live alone. Spouses, parents, and children often live as virtual strangers to one another. This is unfortunate because we never need to be alone. Jesus shares his joy with us and replaces the burden of our guilt with the freedom of forgiveness. He takes our grief and turns it into joy. So, we need only allow Jesus into our lives to be rid of this loneliness. Oneness with Jesus is the greatest gift we can give our children, our friends, or those who see no purpose in life. We can help to bring people into unity with Jesus, a unity that will change their lives. As we celebrate this Eucharistic meal, our Mass, let us celebrate in a special way the price Jesus paid for our redemption. May this Eucharistic celebration empower us to lead a true Life of the Spirit!

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2025.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

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"I GIVE YOU A NEW COMMANDMENT - LOVE ONE ANOTHER!"

 Readings for Sunday, May 18, 2025 

Fifth Sunday of Easter
Lectionary: 54

Il-Ħames Ħadd tal-Għid

Reading 1                 Acts 14:21-27

After Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the good news to that city and made a considerable number of disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch. They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” They appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith. Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now accomplished. And when they arrived, they called the church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

QARI 1                    mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli 14:21b-27

F’dak iż-żmien, Pawlu u Barnaba reġgħu lura lejn Listra, Ikonju u Antjokja, jagħmlu l-qalb lid-dixxipli u jħeġġuhom biex jibqgħu fil-fidi, għaliex, kif kienu jgħidulhom, “jeħtiġilna nbatu ħafna biex nidħlu fis-Saltna ta’ Alla”. Għamlulhom ukoll presbiteri f’kull Knisja, u bit-talb u s-sawm ħallewhom f’idejn il-Mulej, li fih kienu emmnu. Imbagħad għaddew minn Pisidja u ġew fil-Pamfilja. Wara li xandru l-kelma f’Perġe, niżlu Attalija; minn hemm marru bil-baħar lejn Antjokja, mnejn kienu bagħtuhom u rrikkmandawhom f’idejn il-grazzja ta’ Alla għax-xogħol li temmew. Meta waslu, laqqgħu l-membri tal-Knisja u qagħdu jgħarrfuhom b’dak kollu li Alla għamel magħhom, u wrewhom kif fetaħ il-bieb tal-fidi għall-pagani.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13

The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:R Alleluia.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:R Alleluia.

Let them make known your might to the children of Adam,
and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or: R Alleluia.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 144(145):8-9,10-11,12-13ab

R/.: Imbierek ismek għal dejjem, Mulej.
jew R/. Hallelujah

Twajjeb u ħanin il-Mulej,
idum biex jagħdab u kollu tjieba.
Twajjeb ma’ kulħadd il-Mulej,
tjubitu fuq kulma għamel. R/.

Kulma għamilt iroddlok ħajr, Mulej;
iberkuk il-ħbieb tiegħek kollha.
Is-sebħ tas-saltna tiegħek ixandru,
fuq is-setgħa tiegħek jitkellmu. R/.

Jgħarrfu lill-bniedem il-qawwa tiegħek,
u s-sebħ u l-ġmiel tas-saltna tiegħek.
Saltnatek hi saltna għaż-żminijiet kollha,
minn nisel għal nisel il-ħakma tiegħek. R/.

Reading 2                  Revelation 21:1-5a

Then I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.” The One who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”

 QARI 2              Qari mill-Ktieb tal-Apokalissi 21:1-5a

Jiena, Ġwanni, rajt sema ġdid u art ġdida, għax is-sema ta’ qabel u l-art ta’ qabel għabu, u ma kienx hemm iżjed baħar. U l-Belt il-qaddisa, Ġerusalemm il-ġdida, rajtha nieżla mis-sema mingħand Alla, imħejjija bħal għarusa mże jna għall-għarus tagħha.    U smajt leħen qawwi ġej mit-tron jgħid: “Din hi l-għamara ta’ Alla mal-bnedmin! Hu jgħammar magħhom, u huma jkunu l-poplu tiegħu, u Alla nnifsu jkun magħhom, Alla tagħhom. Hu jixxuttalhom kull demgħa minn għajnejhom; ma jkunx hemm iżjed mewt, anqas biki jew għajat jew tbatija ma jkun hemm iżjed, għax għabu l-ħwejjeġ ta’ qabel”. Imbagħad dak li hu bilqiegħda fuq it-tron qal: “Ara, se nġedded kollox”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 John 13:31-33a, 34-35

When Judas had left them, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and God will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Ġwann 13:31-33a,34-35

Kif ħareġ Ġuda miċ-ċenaklu, Ġesù qal: “Bin il-bniedem huwa gglorifikat issa, u permezz tiegħu huwa gglorifikat Alla. Jekk Alla huwa gglorifikat permezz ta’ Bin il-bniedem, Alla wkoll permezz tiegħu nnifsu għad jigglorifika lilu, u dalwaqt jigglorifikah. Uliedi, ftit ieħor se ndum magħkom. Nagħtikom kmandament ġdid, li tħobb
u lil xulxin. Bħalma ħabbejtkom jien, hekk ukoll ħobbu intom lil xulxin. Minn dan jagħraf kulħadd li intom dixxipli tiegħi, jiġifieri, jekk ikollkom l-imħabba bejnietkom”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

Easter V -  

 Discovering God's new things!

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings are about renewal and new things: The New Jerusalem, a new Heaven with a new earth, and a new commandment. 

Scripture lessons: 

The first reading, taken from the Acts of the Apostles, describes how the small Christian communities helped the work of renewal in their members by their agápe love, imitating the agápe love of Paul and Barnabas. The second reading, from the Book of Revelation, explains how God renews His Church, the New Jerusalem, by being present in her members, in their parish communities, and in their liturgical celebrations. "See, I am making all things new." Today’s Gospel passage gives us the secret of Christian renewal as the faithful practice of Jesus’ new commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13:35). Jesus has added a new element to the Old Testament command of love by teaching us that the true test of discipleship is to love other people in the same way that he has loved us, with sacrificial, selfless, self-giving and unconditional, agápe love. Hence, the renewal of Christian life means a radical change of vision and a reordering of our priorities in life. Such a renewal brings us to embrace new attitudes, new values, and new standards of relating to God, to other people and, indeed, to our whole environment.

Life messages: 

1) Let us learn to love ourselves so that we may learn to love each other. The old commandment says: “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Lv 19:1-2, 9-18). We cannot learn to cherish others and care for them if we have never learned to do the same for ourselves. We live in a world that denies our basic human worth. How do we reclaim our basic worth? We can become whole, and hol, only when we learn to love ourselves properly, acknowledging the fact that we are children of God and that the Triune God resides in our souls, making our body the “temple of the Holy Spirit.”

2) Let us love others in our daily lives: We are asked to love as Jesus loved, in the ordinary course of our lives. We love others by responding to their everyday needs with love and compassion. We love others by comforting and protecting those who have experienced loss. We love others by serving others in every possible way, no matter how small, seeing the face of Jesus in each of them. We love others by forgiving rather than condemning, and by challenging rather than condoning. Finally, we love others by sacrificially sharing our time, talents, and blessings with them.

3) Let us demonstrate our love for others in our gatherings and parish assemblies: When we are assembled as a religious or social community, we have an opportunity to demonstrate our love for one another. People must see Christians as people who interact with a love and concern for one another that reveals their strong love and appreciation for each other. They should see in us a quickness to appreciate and a readiness to forgive, even as Christ has forgiven us.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2025.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

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"I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD"

Readings for Sunday, May 11, 2025 

Fourth Sunday of Easter
Lectionary: 51

Ir-Raba’ Ħadd tal-Għid

Reading 1                 Acts of the Apostles 13:14, 43-52

Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats. Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.  On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.  When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said. Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.  For so the Lord has commanded us, I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.”  The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region. The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium.  The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

QARI 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli 13:14,43-52

F’dak iż-żmien, Pawlu u Barnaba minn Perge baqgħu sejrin sa ma waslu f’Antjokja ta’ Pisidja. F’jum is-Sibt daħlu fis-sinagoga u qagħdu bilqiegħda. U meta xterdet il-ġemgħa tas-sinagoga, ħafna, kemm mil-Lhud u kemm mill-prosèliti twajba, marru ma’ Pawlu u ma’ Barnaba, u dawn ħeġġewhom biex jibqgħu fil-grazzja ta’ Alla. Is-Sibt ta’ wara, tista’ tgħid il-belt kollha nġabret biex tisma’ l-kelma tal-Mulej. Il-Lhud, meta raw il-folol, imtlew bl-għira u bdew imieru lil Pawlu u jidgħulu. Imma Pawlu u Barnaba bil-kuraġġ kollu qalu: “Hekk kien meħtieġ, li l-kelma ta’ Alla titħabbar lilkom l-ewwel. Billi intom qegħdin twarrbuha, u jidhrilkom li ma tistħoqqilkomx il-ħajja ta’ dejjem, aħna se nduru fuq il-pagani. Għax hekk ordnalna l-Mulej: ‘Jien għamiltek dawl tal-ġnus, biex twassal is-salvazzjoni sa truf l-art’”.  Il-pagani, meta semgħu dan, bdew jifirħu u jigglorifikaw il-kelma tal-Mulej, u dawk kollha li kienu magħżula għall-ħajja ta’ dejjem emmnu. Hekk il-kelma tal-Mulej baqgħet tixtered mal-art kollha. Imma l-Lhud xewxu n-nisa twajba u magħrufa u wkoll il-kbarat tal-belt, u qajmu persekuzzjoni kontra Pawlu u Barnaba u keċċewhom ’il barra minn arthom. Huma farfru għal fuqhom it-trab minn ma’ riġlejhom u marru Ikonju. Iżda d-dixxipli mtlew bil-ferħ u bl-Ispirtu s-Santu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;

serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or: R. Alleluia.

Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R.We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or: R. Alleluia.

The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or: R. Alleluia.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                   Salm 99(100):2,3,5

R/.(3c): Aħna l-poplu tiegħu u n-nagħaġ tal-mergħa tiegħu.
jew R/. Hallelujah

Għajtu bil-ferħ lill-Mulej fl-art kollha,
aqdu bil-ferħ lill-Mulej,
idħlu quddiemu b’għana ferrieħi. R/.

Kunu afu li Jaħweh hu Alla:
hu ħalaqna, u aħna tiegħu,
aħna l-poplu tiegħu u n-nagħaġ tal-mergħa tiegħu. R/.

Għax twajjeb il-Mulej,
għal dejjem it-tjieba tiegħu;
minn żmien għal żmien il-fedeltà tiegħu. R/.

Reading 2                 Revelation 7:9, 14b-17

I, John, had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. Then one of the elders said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “For this reason they stand before God’s throne and worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

QARI 2                 mill-Ktieb tal-Apokalissi ta’ San Ġwann Appostlu 7:9,14b-17

Jiena, Ġwanni, ħarist, u ara, kien hemm kotra kbira li ħadd ma jista’ jgħoddha, minn kull ġens u tribù, minn kull poplu u lsien, weqfin quddiem it-tron u quddiem il-Ħaruf, lebsin ilbiesi twal bojod, u bil-friegħi tal-palm f’idejhom.  U wieħed mix-Xjuħ qalli: “Dawn huma dawk li ġejjin mit-taħbit il-kbir, u l-ilbiesi tagħhom ħasluhom u bajduhom fid-demm tal-Ħaruf. Għalhekk jinsabu quddiem it-tron ta’ Alla, lejl u nhar jaqduh fit-tempju tiegħu; u dak li qiegħed fuq it-tron jeħodhom jgħammru taħt il-kenn tiegħu. Ma jbatux aktar ġuħ, anqas għatx ma jagħmel bihom aktar; ix-xemx ma taħkimhomx, u anqas ebda għomma, ladarba l-Ħaruf, li hemm f’nofs it-tron, ikun ir-ragħaj tagħhom; u hu jwassalhom ħdejn ilmijiet tal-għejun tal-ħajja. U Alla jixxuttalhom kull demgħa minn għajnejhom”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                  John 10:27-30

Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Ġwann 10:27-30

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal: “In-nagħaġ tiegħi jisimgħu leħni, u jiena nagħrafhom, u huma jimxu warajja. U jiena nagħtihom il-ħajja ta’ dejjem; u huma ma jintilfu qatt, u minn idejja ma jaħtafhomli ħadd. Missieri, li tahomli, hu akbar minn kulħadd, u ħadd ma jista’ jaħtafhom minn id il-Missier. Jien u l-Missier aħna ħaġa waħda”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

Good Shepherd Sunday (World Day of Prayer for Vocations) 

Introduction:

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, known as Good Shepherd Sunday, is also the “World Day of Prayer for Vocations.” Each year on this Sunday, we reflect on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, devotedly and kindly taking care of his flock. The title "Pastor" means shepherd. A shepherd leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects his flock—responsibilities that belong to all Church leaders, parents, civil leaders, and all who are in charge of others.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

Today's first reading describes how Paul and Barnabas opted to listen to the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd and follow him, and so, to suffer as their Master had done, being rebuffed and rejected by many when they tried to share the good news of salvation. The reading also suggests that the sympathy of the early Christians for the Gentiles occasioned a rupture between those following Jesus and Judaism. The second reading, taken from the Book of Revelation, depicts Jesus as both the glorified Lamb (slain but still standing) and the Shepherd. John's vision encourages his readers with the assurance that every person who has ever followed Christ and led others to him will share everlasting life with him. The Gospel text offers us both comfort and a great challenge. The comforting message is that no one can snatch the sheep out of his Father’s hands. The challenge is that pastors should be good shepherds to those entrusted to their care, while their flock of lay people should respond by being good sheep.

Shepherds in the Bible: 

In the Old Testament, the image of the Shepherd is often applied to God as well as to the leaders of the people. The book of Exodus represents Yahweh several times as a Shepherd. The prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel compare Yahweh’s ongoing care of His people to care a shepherd exercises for his flock. Ezekiel represents God as a loving Shepherd who searches diligently for the lost sheep. Psalm 23 is David’s famous picture of God as The Good Shepherd: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” 

In the New Testament: Jesus introduces himself as the Good Shepherd of his flock and makes these claims in Sunday’s Gospel:

1) He knows his sheep and his sheep hear his voice: 

2) He gives eternal life to us, his sheep by giving us Faith in him through Baptism, and then by strengthening that Faith through Confirmation, through nourishing our souls with the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Bible, and by making our society holy through the Sacraments of Matrimony and the priesthood (Holy Orders). 

3) He protects his sheep by placing them in the loving hands of his Almighty Father. St. John’s Gospel adds two more claims: 

4) He goes in search of stray lambs and heals the sick ones (through the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the sick). 

5) Jesus died for us, his sheep, to free us from our sins, giving us Life.

Life Messages: 

Let us become good shepherds and good sheep, good leaders and good followers. 

(1) Let us become good shepherds: Everyone who is entrusted with the care of others is a shepherd. Hence, pastors, parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, government officials, etc. are all shepherds. We become good shepherds by loving those entrusted to us, praying for them, spending our time and talents for their welfare, and guarding them from physical and spiritual dangers. 

(2) Let us be good sheep in the fold of Jesus, the Good Shepherd: Our local parish is our sheepfold, and our pastors are our shepherds. Hence, as the good sheep of the parish, parishioners are expected to 

a) hear and follow the voice of their shepherds through their homilies, Bible classes, counseling, and advice; 

b) receive the spiritual food their pastors provide by regular participation in the Holy Mass, by frequenting the Sacraments, and by attending prayer services, renewal programs, and missions; 

c) cooperate with their pastors by giving them positive suggestions for the welfare of the parish, by encouraging them in their duties, by lovingly offering them constructive criticism when they are found misbehaving or failing in their duties, by praying for them always, forgiving them at need; and 

d) by cooperating in the activities of the various councils, ministries, and parish associations. 

(3) Let us pray for vocations to priestly and religious life so that we may have more good shepherds to lead, feed, and protect the Catholic community.

ADDENDUM  -  

Since we also celebrate Mother's Day on this Sunday here also follow a few short thoughts from my Mother’s Day homily:

Today we thank our mothers, pray for them, and honour them by celebrating this Mother’s Day, offering our mothers on the altar of God, and praying for them. This is a day to admit gratefully the fact that none of us can return, in the same measure, all the love that our mothers have given us. Our mothers are the good shepherds we all experienced. 

They gave us life, nursed us, fed us, taught us, disciplined us and showed Christ’s self-sacrificing agape love for us, their children, practicing Christ’s commandment of love: “Love others as I have loved you.” Let us remember that we have two mothers, one earthly and one Heavenly. Hence, let us entrust our earthly mothers to our Heavenly Mother, Mary, the mother of Jesus as his last gift to us as he was dying on the cross. 

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