ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JESUS AND HIS BIRTH-RIGHT!

 Readings for Sunday, December 21, 2025 

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Fourth Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 10

Qari tar-Raba’ Ħadd tal-Avvent

Reading 1                  Isaiah 7:10-14

The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying:  Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask!  I will not tempt the LORD!" Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,  and shall name him Emmanuel.

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 7, 10-14

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Mulej issokta jkellem lil Aħaż u jgħidlu: “Itlob sinjal għalik mingħand il-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, f’qiegħ l-art jew fl-għoli tas-smewwiet”. U Aħaż wieġeb: “Ma nitlobx: ma rridx nittanta lill-Mulej”. U l-profeta wieġeb: “Isimgħu, mela, dar David! Mhux biżżejjed għalikom li tkiddu lill-bnedmin, biex issa se tkiddu lil Alla tiegħi? Għalhekk is-sinjal jagħtihulkom Sidi stess: Araw, ix-xebba titqal u tiled iben, u ssemmih Għimmanu-El”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6.

R. (7c and 10b) Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.  /R

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.  /R.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his saviour.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.  /R. 

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 23 (24), 1-2.3-4ab.5-6

R/. (7c.10b): Ħa jidħol il-Mulej, hu s-Sultan tal-glorja

Tal-Mulej hi l-art u kull ma fiha,
id-dinja u kull ma jgħix fiha.
Għax hu fuq l-ibħra waqqafha
u fuq ix-xmajjar fis-sod qegħedha. R/.

Min jista’ jitla’ fuq l-għolja tal-Mulej,
min joqgħod fil-post imqaddes tiegħu?
Min għandu idejh indaf u qalbu safja,
min ma jagħtix ruħu għall-frugħa. R/.

Dan ikollu barka mingħand il-Mulej,
u l-ħlas li ħaqqu minn Alla, is-Salvatur tiegħu.
Dan hu n-nisel ta’ dawk li jfittxuh;
li jfittxu ’l wiċċek, Alla ta’ Ġakobb. R/.

Reading 2                  Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised previously through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures, the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy.  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

QARI 2                  Bidu tal-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lir-Rumani 1, 1-7

Pawlu, qaddej ta’ Kristu Ġesù, imsejjaħ biex ikun appostlu, maħtur għall-Evanġelju ta’ Alla. Dan hu l-Evanġelju li Alla kien wiegħed permezz tal-profeti fil-Kotba Mqaddsa dwar Ibnu Ġesù Kristu Sidna li, skont it-tnissil tal-ġisem, twieled min-nisel ta’ David, u, skont l-Ispirtu s-Santu, ġie rivelat bħala l-Iben ta’ Alla b’kull qawwa permezz tal-qawmien mill-imwiet. Bih aħna rċevejna l-grazzja tal-appostolat biex inwasslu għall-ubbidjenza tal-fidi l-bnedmin fost il-ġnus kollha għall-ġieħ ta’ ismu. Fosthom tinsabu intom ukoll, imsejħin biex tkunu ta’ Ġesù Kristu; lill-maħbubin kollha ta’ Alla li jinsabu Ruma msejħin biex ikunu qaddisin: grazzja ilkom u sliem mingħand Alla Missierna u Sidna Ġesù Kristu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.        

Gospel               Matthew 1:18-24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.  When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Mattew 1, 18-24

It-tnissil ta’ Ġesù l-Messija sar hekk: ommu Marija, wara li tgħarrset ma’ Ġużeppi, qabel ma marru joqogħdu flimkien, saret omm bil-ħidma tal-Ispirtu s-Santu. Żewġha Ġużeppi, li kien raġel ġust u ma riedx ixandarha quddiem kulħadd, għamel il-ħsieb li jibgħatha bil-moħbi tan-nies. Meta kien għadu qiegħed jaħsibha, deherlu anġlu tal-Mulej fil-ħolm u qallu: “Ġużeppi, bin David, xejn la tibża’ tieħu għandek lil martek Marija, għax dak li tnissel fiha ġej mill-Ispirtu s-Santu. Hi se jkollha iben, u inti ssemmih Ġesù, għax hu jsalva l-poplu tiegħu minn dnubiethom”. Dan kollu ġara biex iseħħ dak li kien qal il-Mulej permezz tal-profeta, meta qal: “Ara, ix-xebba tnissel u jkollha iben, u jsemmuh Għimmanu-El”, li bi lsienna jfisser “Alla magħna”. Ġużeppi, meta qam, għamel kif ordnalu l-anġlu tal-Mulej, u ħa lil martu għandu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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"LET THE LORD ENTER!"

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

Introduction: 

St. Joseph’s loving, responsive obedience to God is modelled for us in Matthew’s Gospel. This obedience is the central theme of Sunday’s readings, with special emphasis on the Virgin Birth of Jesus.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the First Reading, the prophet Isaiah gives a sign from God to King Ahaz of Judah: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (Is 7:14). Matthew considers this prophecy as one of the most descriptive and definite prophecies foretelling the future Messianic King, the Christ, who will be born as a descendant of David. 

The Refrain for Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 24), “Let the Lord enter; He is King of Glory” reminds us that we must choose to allow Him enter our hearts with His love and grace so our lives can be shaped in His Image and Likeness again. We must also choose to surrender our entire being to Him so that He may rule over our lives and we may become saints. For God never forces anyone to receive His gifts. In the second reading, Paul asserts that Jesus was a descendant of David and thus the Messiah: “from David according to the flesh” (Rom 1:3). Paul explains that the only begotten Son of God, become Incarnate as Jesus, was revealed and established by the Father as Son of God in power by his Resurrection from the dead. Then Paul provides a sweeping summary of God’s mighty acts in history through Jesus Christ. 

Today’s Gospel, from Matthew, focuses on the person and role of Joseph. For Jesus to fulfill the Messianic prophecy given by Isaiah, Joseph had to, and freely did, accept Jesus as his son. This formal acceptance made Jesus a legal descendant of David because Joseph was a descendant of David. Hence, Matthew makes it clear that Jesus was not the biological child of Joseph. But because Joseph was the husband of Mary at the time Jesus was born, Jesus was legally the son of Joseph and thus a descendant of David.

Life messages: 

1) Like Joseph, we need to trust in God, listen to Him, and be faithful. Although we may face financial problems, job insecurity, tensions in the family and health concerns, let us try to be like St. Joseph, trusting and faithful. Instead of relying on our own schemes to get us through life, let us trust in God and be strengthened by talking to Him in fervent prayer and by listening to Him speaking through the Bible.

2) We need to experience Emmanuel in our lives -- and so change the world: The Good News and consoling message of Christmas is that the Child Jesus still waits today to step into our hearts—your heart and mine—and to change us and the world around us by the beauty of God’s love, kindness, mercy and compassion. Let us take some time to welcome the Christ Child into our hearts and lives this week, so that God may change our world of miseries with the beauty of that love.

3) Do we have any gift for our “Birthday Boy?” Let us check to see if Jesus is on our list this Christmas and if we have a special gift in mind for him. A heart filled with love for God and our fellow-human beings is the birthday gift which Jesus really wants from us. Hence, let us prepare our heart for Jesus, filling it with love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness on this Christmas and every day of our lives.

4) Let us be a Christmas gift to others: The greatest gift we can give to those we love, is to have faith in them, believe in their good dreams and try to help them realize them. We need to believe in the good dreams of our husband, wife, children, parents, heroes, leaders and friends, then try our best to help them realize those dreams.

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

"REJOICE IN THE LORD, ALWAYS!"

 Readings for Sunday, December 14, 2025 

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Third Sunday of Advent                             Lectionary: 7  

It-Tielet Ħadd tal-Avvent

Reading 1        Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10

The desert and the parched land will exult;  the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened.  Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you.  Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.  Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.

QARI 1                  Qari mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 35:1-6a,10

Ħa jifirħu d-deżert u l-art maħruqa; ħa jifraħ ix-xagħri u jwarrad, ħa jwarrad bħar-ranġis. Ħa tifraħ fuq li tifraħ, taqbeż u tgħanni. Sebħ il-Libanu jingħata lilha, il-ġmiel tal-Karmel u ta’ Saron. Għad jaraw is-sebħ tal-Mulej, il-ġmiel ta’ Alla tagħna. Qawwu l-idejn mitruħa; saħħu l-irkopptejn imriegħda. Għidu lil dawk b’qalbhom imbeżżgħa: “Agħmlu l-ħila, la tibżgħux! Araw, Alla tagħkom ġej jitħallas; il-ħlas ta’ Alla wasal; Hu stess ġej biex isalvakom”. Imbagħad jinfetħu għajnejn l-għomja, jinfetħu widnejn it-torox. Imbagħad iz-zopp jaqbeż bħal għażżiela u lsien l-imbikkma jinħall bil-ferħ. Jerġgħu lura l-mifdijin tal-Mulej, u jidħlu f’Sijon jgħajtu bil-ferħ, b’ferħ ta’ dejjem fuq rashom. Il-ferħ u l-hena jiksbu, u jgħibu swied il-qalb u l-krib. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej..

Responsorial Psalm          Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10.

The LORD God keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Lord, come and save us.
or: R. Alleluia.

The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
R. Lord, come and save us.
or: R. Alleluia.

The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations.
R. Lord, come and save us.
or: R. Alleluia.

SALM RESPONSORJALI          Salm 146(147):7,8-9a,9bc-10

R/. (Iż 34:4): Ejja, Mulej, ħa ssalvana.

jew R/. Hallelujah.

Il-Mulej iżomm kelmtu għal dejjem,
jagħmel ħaqq lill-maħqurin,
u jagħti l-ħobż lill-imġewħin.
Il-Mulej jeħles lill-imjassrin. R/.

Il-Mulej jiftaħ għajnejn l-għomja;
il-Mulej jerfa’ lill-milwijin;
il-Mulej iħobb lill-ġusti;
il-Mulej iħares lill-barranin. R/.

Hu jżomm lill-iltim u lill-armla,
imma lill-ħżiena jħarbtilhom triqathom.
Il-Mulej isaltan għal dejjem;
Alla tiegħek, Sijon, minn nisel għal nisel. R/.

Reading 2            James 5:7-10

Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

QARI 2         mill-Ittra ta’ San Ġakbu Appostlu 5:7-10

Ħuti, stabru, sa ma jasal il-Mulej. Ara, il-bidwi joqgħod b’sabar kbir jistenna l-frott għażiż tal-art, sa ma jieħu x-xita bikrija u mwaħħra. Stabru intom ukoll; qawwu qalbkom, għax il-miġja tal-Mulej hi fil-qrib.  Tgergrux kontra xulxin, ħuti, biex ma tkunux iġġudikati: araw, l-Imħallef qiegħed hawn, quddiem il-bieb! Bħala eżempju tat-tbatija u s-sabar, ħuti, ħudu l-profeti li tkellmu f’isem il-Mulej.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel          Matthew 11:2-11

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,  "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out?  To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."   

EVANĠELJU            Qari skont San Mattew 11:2-11

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġwanni, li kien fil-ħabs, sama’ bl-għemejjel tal-Messija, u bagħat għandu tnejn mid-dixxipli tiegħu u qallu: “Inti huwa dak li għandu jiġi, jew nistennew lil ħaddieħor?”.  Ġesù wieġeb u qalilhom: “Morru agħtu lil Ġwanni l-aħbar ta’ dak li qegħdin tisimgħu u taraw: l-għomja jaraw, iz-zopop jimxu, il-lebbrużi jfiqu, it-torox jisimgħu, il-mejtin iqumu, l-Evanġelju jixxandar lill-foqra. Hieni hu min ma jitfixkilx minħabba fija”.  Meta dawk telqu, Ġesù qabad ikellem lin-nies fuq Ġwanni: “Xi ħriġtu taraw fid-deżert? Qasba tixxejjer mar-riħ? Xi ħriġtu taraw? Raġel liebes fin? Dawk li jilbsu fin fil-palazzi tas-slaten issibhom. Mela xi ħriġtu taraw? Profeta? Iva, ngħidilkom, anzi xi ħaġa iżjed minn profeta. Dan hu li fuqu hemm miktub: ‘Ara, jiena nibgħat qablek il-ħabbâr tiegħi biex iħejji triqtek quddiemek’. Tassew, ngħidilkom, li fost ulied in-nisa ħadd ma qam akbar minn Ġwanni l-Battista. U b’danakollu l-iżgħar wieħed fis-Saltna tas-Smewwiet hu akbar minnu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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AN INVITATION TO GO AND TELL OTHERS WHAT YOU HEAR AND SEE

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

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings invite us to rejoice at the rebirth of Jesus in our lives as we are preparing for our annual Christmas celebration. Today is called Gaudete Sunday because the Mass begins with the opening antiphon: “Gaudete in Domino semper,” i.e., “Rejoice in the Lord always.” So, to express our joy in the coming of Jesus as our Saviour into our hearts and lives, we light the rose candle in the Advent wreath, and the priest may wear rose-coloured vestments.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The prophet Isaiah, in Sunday’s first reading, encouraged the exiled Jews in Babylon to rejoice because their God was going to liberate them from slavery and lead them safely to their homeland. The Refrain for Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm has us sing, “Lord, come and save us!” In the second reading, James the Apostle encourages the early Christians to rejoice and wait with patience for the imminent second coming of Jesus. 

Finally, in the first part of today’s Gospel reading, Jesus encourages John the Baptist in prison to rejoice by casting away his wrong expectations about the Messiah and simply accepting Jesus’ healing and preaching ministry as the fulfilment of the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah. In the second part of Sunday’s Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus, the true Messiah, paying the highest compliments to John the Baptist as his herald and the last of the prophets, and giving special credit to the courage of John’s prophetic convictions, asking his listeners to rejoice in the greatness of his herald.

Life messages: 

1) We need to learn how to survive a Faith crisis: If John the Baptist, even after having had a direct encounter with Jesus, the Messiah, had his doubts about Jesus and his teachings, we, too, can have our crises of Faith. On such occasions, let us remember the truth that all our Christian dogmas are based on our trusting Faith in the Divinity of Jesus who taught them, and on his Divine authority which he gave to his Church to teach what he taught. Hence, it is up to us to learn our Faith in depth and ask the Lord to remove our doubts.

2) “Go and tell others what you hear and see.” We rejoice at the thought that Jesus is going to be reborn in our lives, deepening in us his gifts of love, mercy, forgiveness and the spirit of humble and sacrificial service during this Christmas season. Hence, let us joyfully share God’s bountiful grace, forgiveness, and mercy with others. What Jesus demanded of John’s disciples, he demands of us as well: “Go and tell others what you hear and see.” This means that we have to share with others our experience of the rebirth of Jesus within us,

3) We need to open our hearts and let God transform our lives: Today’s readings remind us that our lives can also be transformed if we are patient and place our trust in God. The message of Advent is that God is present among us, in our everyday lives. We must prepare our hearts to recognize and welcome him by allowing a metánoia (a change of thinking about God, ourselves, and the world) -- wrought by the Holy Spirit, with our cooperative assent, of course -- to take place in us during Advent.

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

WELCOME ONE ANOTHER AS CHRIST WELCOMES YOU

 Readings for Sunday, December 7, 2025 

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Second Sunday of Advent  
Lectionary: 4

It-Tieni Ħadd tal-Avvent

Reading 1                  Isaiah 11:1-10

On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength,  a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.  Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobr a's den,and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea. On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.  

QARI 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 11:1-10

Għad toħroġ fergħa miz-zokk ta’ Ġesse, għad tinbet rimja minn għeruqu: fuqu jistrieħ l-ispirtu tal-Mulej, l-ispirtu tal-għerf u d-dehen, l-ispirtu tal-għaqal u l-qawwa, l-ispirtu tal-għerf u l-biża’ tal-Mulej, u l-għaxqa tiegħu fil-biża’ tal-Mulej. Ma jiġġudikax skont ma jidher fl-għajnejn, u ma jagħtix sentenza skont ma jisma’, iżda jiġġudika l-imsejknin skont il-ġustizzja, u jagħti sentenza skont is-sewwa lill-fqajrin tal-art. Isawwat il-kiefra bix-xettru ta’ fommu, u b’nifs xufftejh joqtol lill-ħażin. Il-ħżiem ta’ ġenbejh tkun il-ġustizzja, u l-fedeltà l-ħżiem ta’ qaddu. Il-lupu jibda jgħix mal-ħaruf, il-leopard mal-gidi, u jirgħu flimkien l-għoġol u ferħ l-iljun, daqsxejn ta’ tfajjel isuqhom. Il-baqra u l-ors jirgħu flimkien, u l-frieħ tagħhom flimkien jistrieħu. L-iljun bħall-gendus jiekol it-tiben. It-tarbija tal-ħalib titliegħeb fil-ħofra tas-serp; u t-tifel miftum idaħħal idu fil-bejta tal-lifgħa. Ma jagħmlux aktar deni u anqas ħsara fuq il-muntanja qaddisa kollha tiegħi, għax mimlija hi l-art bl-għarfien tal-Mulej bħalma l-baħar hu miksi bl-ilmijiet. Imbagħad jiġri f’dak il-jum li l-għerq ta’ Ġesse jieqaf bħala sinjal għall-popli. Lilu jfittxu l-ġnus, u l-għamara tiegħu tkun imsebbħa. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king's son;
he shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for 

Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

SALM RESPONSORJALI               Salm 71(72):1,7-8,12-13,17

R/. (7): Tħaddar f’jiemu l-ġustizzja.

O Alla, agħti lis-sultan il-ħaqq tiegħek,
il-ġustizzja tiegħek lil bin is-sultan,
biex jiġġudika l-poplu tiegħek bil-ġustizzja,
u bil-ħaqq l-imsejknin tiegħek. R/.

Tħaddar f’jiemu l-ġustizzja,
u sliem kotran sa ma jintemm il-qamar.
Isaltan minn baħar sa baħar,
u mix-xmara sa truf l-art. R/.

Għax hu jeħles lill-fqir li jsejjaħlu,
u lill-imsejken li m’għandux min jgħinu.
Iħenn għad-dgħajjef u għall-fqajjar;
il-ħajja tal-fqajrin isalva. R/.

Ismu jibqa’ jissemma għal dejjem;
idum ismu sakemm iddum ix-xemx!
Bih jitbierku l-ġnus kollha tal-art;
il-popli kollha jsejħulu hieni. R/.

Reading 2                  Romans 15:4-9

Brothers and sisters:   Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Welcome one another, then, as Christ  welcomed you, for the glory of God.  For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs, but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.

QARI 2                   mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lir-Rumani 15:4-9

Ħuti, kulma nkiteb fl-Iskrittura fl-imgħoddi nkiteb għat-tagħlim tagħna, biex bis-sabar u bil-faraġ li tagħtina l-Iskrittura aħna jkollna t-tama. Alla, li minnu ġej kull sabar u faraġ, jagħtikom il-grazzja li tkunu fehma waħda bejnietkom skont Kristu Ġesù, biex b’fomm wieħed u b’qalb waħda tfaħħru lil Alla u Missier Sidna Ġesù Kristu. Għalhekk ilqgħu lil xulxin bħalma Kristu wkoll laqa’ lilkom, għall-glorja ta’ Alla. Jiena ngħidilkom li Kristu sar qaddej tal-Lhud ċirkonċiżi minħabba l-fedeltà ta’ Alla, biex iseħħu l-wegħdiet li għamel lill-Patrijarki, u biex il-pagani wkoll ifaħħru lil Alla minħabba l-ħniena tiegħu, bħalma hu miktub: “Għalhekk jiena nfaħħrek fost il-ġnus u ngħanni tifħir ismek”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 Matthew 3:1-12

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptised by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit  will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptising you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.  I am not worthy to carry his sandals.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

EVANĠELJU                   Qari skont San Mattew 3:1-12

F’dawk il-jiem, deher Ġwanni l-Battista jipprietka fid-deżert tal-Lhudija u jgħid: “Indmu, għax is-saltna tas-smewwiet waslet”. Għax għalih kien ingħad permezz tal-profeta Iżaija, meta qal: “Leħen ta’ wieħed jgħajjat fid-deżert: Ħejju t-triq tal-Mulej, iddrittaw il-mogħdijiet tiegħu”. Dan Ġwanni kellu fuqu libsa tax-xagħar tal-ġemel, bi ħżiem tal-ġild madwar qaddu, u l-ikel tiegħu kien ġradijiet u għasel selvaġġ. U kienet tmur għandu Ġerusalemm u l-Lhudija kollha u l-inħawi kollha ta’ madwar il-Ġordan, u kienu jitgħammdu minnu fix-xmara Ġordan huma u jistqarru dnubiethom.  Kif ra bosta mill-Fariżej u mis-Sadduċej ġejjin għall-magħmudija tiegħu, qalilhom: “Ja nisel il-lifgħat, min uriekom kif għandkom taħarbu mill-korla li ġejja? Agħmlu mela frott xieraq tal-indiema, u taħsbux li tistgħu tgħidu fikom infuskom: ‘Għandna b’missier lil Abraham’. Ngħidilkom li Alla, minn dan l-istess ġebel, jista’ jqajjem ulied lil Abraham. Il-mannara ġa tressqet ma’ għerq is-siġra; u għalhekk, kull siġra li ma tagħmilx frott tajjeb titqaċċat u tinxteħet fin-nar.  Jien, ngħid għalija, ngħammidkom bl-ilma għall-indiema; imma min ġej warajja hu aqwa minni, u jien ma jistħoqqlix inġorr il-qorq tiegħu. Hu jgħammidkom bl-Ispirtu s-Santu u n-nar. Il-midra qiegħda f’idu, biex iderri l-qiegħa tiegħu u jiġbor il-qamħ fil-maħżen, imma t-tiben jaħarqu b’nar li ma jintefiex”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An Invitation To Renew Your Life Through Repentence And Works Of Charity.  

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

Introduction: 

On the one hand, salvation is God's doing, and we cannot earn His blessings. We are saved by His grace. On the other hand, we must cooperate with God’s grace because God can not force his bounty upon us without invalidating our free will. That is why John the Baptist in Sunday’s Gospel summons us to play our essential part by leading lives of repentance, conversion, and renewal, thus preparing the way for the Lord's second coming. We start this process by spiritually preparing for the annual celebration of Christmas, the Lord’s first coming, as we reform and renew our lives by repentance and works of charity.

Scripture lessons: 

The first reading describes how God will reform the lives of His Chosen People by sending the Messiah. Because of the bad example of the unfaithful successors of King David, the Chosen People were wavering in their loyalty to Yahweh. Hence, in the first reading, the Lord God, through His prophet, Isaiah, tries to dispel their fears and to stir up hope among His people with His promise of a new Davidic King (a son of Jesse), who will establish peace and a glorious Kingdom of justice on earth. 

In Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 72), the Psalmist pictures the Messiah as one who will show compassion to the poor, the lowly, and the afflicted. In the second reading, Paul is praying for the reformation of the Jewish Christians of Rome and instructing them to draw endurance and encouragement from the Old Testament books. They are to live in harmony with Gentile Christians, accepting them as equal, brothers and sisters, while they wait together for the second coming of Jesus. 

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptizer urges the Pharisees and Sadducees to give evidence that they mean to reform their lives so as to recognize and be ready to meet and accept the promised Messiah. He challenges them to repentance, conversion, and renewal. He tells the common people, who expect the Messiah to come soon, to act with justice and charity, letting their lives reflect the transformation that will occur when the Messiah enters their lives. In the same way, as we prepare to welcome Christ at C,hristmas, John advises us to "prepare the way of the Lord.”

Life messages: 

1) We need to prepare for Christ’s coming by allowing him to be reborn daily in our lives: Advent is the time for us to make this preparation by repenting of our sins and renewing our lives through prayer, penance, and the sharing of our blessings with others. Let us humbly admit the truth about our need with the German mystic Angelus Silesius: “Christ could be born a thousand times in Bethlehem – but all in vain until He is born in me.” ( https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Angelus_Silesius). He means that Jesus must be reborn in our own hearts during this season of Advent and every day of our lives, radiating through our living his love, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, and spirit of humble service to the world.

2) We need to answer the call for a change of life. John the Baptist challenges our superficial attempts at change, demanding that, while obeying the commandments faithfully, we must correct our relationships with others, mend ruptures, soothe frictions, face family responsibilities, work honestly, and treat our employers/employees justly. Let us share our love with others as selfless and humble service. "Do small things but with great love" advise St. Theresa of Lisieux and St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa). Therefore, following John's advice, let us celebrate the memory of Jesus’ first advent, prepare for Jesus’ daily advent into our lives through the Sacraments and the Bible, and wait confidently for his second advent at our own death or the end of the world whichever comes first.

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

THE SON OF MAN WILL BE COMING SOON!

 Readings for Sunday, November 30, 2025 

First Sunday of Advent      Lectionary: 1

L-Ewwel Ħadd tal-Avvent

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Reading 1                 Isaiah 2:1-5

This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come, the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: "Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths." For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 2:1-5

Il-kelma li ġiet f’dehra lil Iżaija bin Amos, dwar Ġuda u Ġerusalemm. Għad jiġri fl-aħħar jiem li l-għolja tad-dar tal-Mulej togħla ’l fuq mill-qċaċet tal-muntanji, u tintrefa’ ’l fuq mill-għoljiet, lejha għad jiġru l-ġnus kollha. Kotra ta’ popli għad jiġu u jgħidu: “Ħalli mmorru u nitilgħu fuq l-għolja tal-Mulej, lejn id-dar ta’ Alla ta’ Ġakobb, biex jgħallimna triqatu, u nimxu fil-mogħdijiet tiegħu”. Għax minn Sijon joħroġ it-tagħlim, u l-kelma tal-Mulej minn Ġerusalemm.  Il-Mulej jagħmel il-ħaqq bejn il-ġnus, u jaqta’ s-sentenza bejn ħafna popli; u huma jibdlu x-xwabel tagħhom f’sikek tal-moħriet, u l-lanez tagħhom fi mnieġel. Ebda ġens ma jerfa’ x-xabla kontra ġens ieħor, u s-sengħa tal-gwerra ma jitgħallmuhiex iżjed. Ejja, dar Ġakobb, ħalli nimxu fid-dawl tal-Mulej!  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm            Psalm 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Because of my brothers and friends
I will say, "Peace be within you!"
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI          Salm 121(122):1-2,4-5,6-7,8-9

R/.(ara 1): Immorru ferħana f’dar il-Mulej!

Fraħt meta qaluli:
“Sejrin f’dar il-Mulej!”.
Diġà qegħdin riġlejna
fi bwiebek, Ġerusalemm! R/.

Lejha t-tribujiet jitilgħu,
it-tribujiet tal-Mulej,
biex, skont il-liġi ta’ Iżrael,
ifaħħru isem il-Mulej.
Għax hemm twaqqfu t-tronijiet tal-ħaqq,
it-tronijiet tad-dar ta’ David. R/.

Itolbu s-sliem għal Ġerusalemm:
ħa jkollhom is-sliem dawk kollha li jħobbuk!
Ħa jkun hemm is-sliem ġewwa l-ħitan tiegħek,
u l-ġid fil-palazzi tiegħek! R/.

Minħabba ħuti u ħbiebi,
ħallini ngħidlek: “Is-sliem għalik!”.
Minħabba f’dar il-Mulej, Alla tagħna,
nixtieq illi jkollok il-ġid. R/.

Reading 2             Romans 13:11-14

Brothers and sisters:  You know the time;  it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. 

QARI 2           mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lir-Rumani  13:11-14a

Ħuti, waslet is-siegħa li intom tqumu min-ngħas; għax is-salvazzjoni tagħna hi eqreb minn meta bdejna nemmnu. Il-lejl għoddu għadda, u qorob il-jum. Inwarrbu mela l-għemil tad-dlam u nilbsu l-armi tad-dawl. Ngħixu kif jixraq, bħal f’binhar; mhux bl-ikel iż-żejjed u s-sokor, mhux biż-żìna u t-tbahrid, mhux bil-ġlied u l-għira. Imma ilbsu lil Sidna Ġesù Kristu u ħallukom mill-ħsieb tal-ġisem u l-ġibdiet tiegħu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel              Matthew 24:37-44

Jesus said to his disciples: "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,  up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.  So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Mattew 24:37-44

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Bħal fi żmien Noè, hekk tkun il-miġja ta’ Bin il-bniedem. Għax kif fiż-żmien ta’ qabel id-dilluvju kienu jieklu u jixorbu, jiżżewġu u jżewġu sa dakinhar li Noè daħal fl-arka, u b’xejn ma ntebħu sa ma wasal id-dilluvju u ġarr lil kulħadd, hekk tkun il-miġja ta’ Bin il-bniedem. Imbagħad tnejn ikunu fl-għalqa: wieħed jittieħed u l-ieħor jitħalla; żewġ nisa jkunu jitħnu flimkien: waħda tittieħed u l-oħra titħalla.  Ishru, mela, għax ma tafuhx il-jum li fih jiġi Sidkom. Kunu afu dan, li kieku sid id-dar kellu jkun jaf f’liema sahra tal-lejl se jiġi l-ħalliel, kien jishar u ma jħallix min jinfidlu l-ħitan ta’ daru. Mela kunu lesti intom ukoll, għax qatt ma tistgħu tobsru s-siegħa li fiha jiġi Bin il-bniedem”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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We Are 

Entering The

Advent

Season

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

Introduction:           Next Sunday we begin our yearly pilgrimage through the events of Salvation History starting with the preparation for the birthday celebration of Jesus and ending with the reflection the glorious “second coming” of Jesus as our Judge at the end of the world. We are entering the Advent season. Advent means coming. We are invited to meditate on Jesus’ first coming in history as a baby in Bethlehem, his daily coming into our lives in mystery through the Sacraments, through the Bible, through the worshipping community, and finally, his Second Coming at the end of the world to reward the just and to punish the wicked. 

We see the traditional signs of Advent in our Church: violet vestments and hangings, dried flowers or plain green plants, and the Advent wreath. These signs remind us that we must prepare for the rebirth of Jesus in our hearts and lives, enabling him to radiate his love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness around us.

Scripture lessons summarized:                          In the first reading (Is 2:1-5), Isaiah describes his prophetic vision of all nations making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, affirming their Faith in the one true God. Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 122), is a joyous hymn originally sung as pilgrims journeyed up to the Temple in Jerusalem. They prepare us for our yearly pilgrimage. In the second reading (Romans 13:11-14), Paul exhorts the Roman Christian community to get ready to meet Jesus in his Second Coming by discharging their duties properly and by freeing themselves from their former pagan tendencies toward excessive drinking, sexual promiscuity, jealousy, and rivalry. We, too, are challenged to make spiritual preparations for Christ’s birth in our lives. 

In next Sunday’s Gospel (Mt 24:37-44), Jesus warns us of the urgency of vigilant preparation on our part that we may meet him as our Judge both at the end of our lives on earth and on the day of the Last Judgment when he comes in his glory. Jesus reminds us that the unrepentant and ill-prepared evil people were destroyed by the flood in the time of Noah and that a thief would break in and plunder the precious belongings of an ill-prepared house owner. Using additional examples later, Jesus repeats his warning for us to be vigilant and well-prepared all the time, doing the will of God by loving Him in Himself and in everyone else.

Life message:                                                     1) We need to be alert and watchful while spiritually preparing for Christmas by offering our daily work to God for His glory, by practicing more self-control in resisting our evil habits and inclinations, by seeking reconciliation daily with God and our fellow-humans, and by asking God’s pardon and forgiveness as we extend our unconditional forgiveness to those who have hurt us.

                                                                             2) Let us begin each day by praying for the strength and power of the Holy Spirit to prepare ourselves for Jesus’ rebirth in our hearts and lives.

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

JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE

 Readings for Sunday, November 23, 2025 

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The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Lectionary: 162

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

Reading 1                  2 Samuel 5:1-3

In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said: "Here we are, your bone and your flesh.  In days past, when Saul was our king, it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back. And the LORD said to you, 'You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.'" When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD, and they anointed him king of Israel.

QARI 1                   mit-Tieni Ktieb ta’ Samwel 5:1-3

F’dak iż-żmien, it-tribujiet kollha ta’ Iżrael ġew għand David f’Ħebron u qalulu: “Arana, għadmek u laħmek aħna! Fl-imgħoddi, meta Sawl kien sultan fuqna, kont int li kont toħroġ lil Iżrael għall-gwerra u ġġibhom lura, u l-Mulej qallek: ‘Int għad tirgħa l-poplu tiegħi u tkun prinċep fuq Iżrael’”.  U x-xjuħ kollha ta’ Iżrael ġew għand is-Sultan f’Ħebron u s-sultan David għamel patt magħhom f’Ħebron quddiem il-Mulej; u lil David dilkuh sultan fuq Iżrael. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5

I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 121(122):1-2,4-5

R/.(ara 1): Sejrin ferħana f’dar il-Mulej.

Fraħt meta qaluli:
“Sejrin f’dar il-Mulej!”.
Diġà qegħdin riġlejna
fi bwiebek, Ġerusalemm! R/.

Ġerusalemm, mibnija bħal belt,
magħquda ħaġa waħda.
Lejha t-tribujiet jitilgħu,
it-tribujiet tal-Mulej. R/.

Biex, skont il-liġi ta’ Iżrael,
ifaħħru isem il-Mulej.
Għax hemm twaqqfu t-tronijiet tal-ħaqq,
it-tronijiet tad-dar ta’ David. R/.

Reading 2                Colossians 1:12-20

Brothers and sisters: Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth , the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

QARI 2                   mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Kolossin 1:12-20

Ħuti, roddu ħajr lill-Missier, li għamilkom denji li tissieħbu fil-wirt tal-qaddisin fis-saltna tad-dawl.  Hu ħelisna mill-ħakma tad-dlam, u daħħalna fis-saltna ta’ Ibnu l-maħbub, li bih għandna l-fidwa, il-maħfra tad-dnubiet. Hu x-xbieha ta’ Alla li ma jidhirx, il-kbir fost il-ħlejjaq kollha; għax fih kien maħluq kollox, fis-sema u fl-art, dak kollu li jidher u dak kollu li ma jidhirx, Troni u Ħakmiet, Prinċipati u Setgħat. Kollox bih u għalih kien maħluq, hu li hu qabel kollox, u kollox fih qiegħed iżomm. Hu r-Ras tal-Ġisem, li hu l-Knisja.  Hu li hu l-bidu, il-kbir li qam mill-imwiet, sabiex ikun hu l-ewwel f’kollox. Hekk Alla għoġbu li tgħammar fih il-milja kollha; bih Alla għoġbu jerġa’ jħabbeb kollox miegħu; bid-demm tiegħu, imxerred fuq is-salib,  ġieb is-sliem permezz tiegħu fis-sema u fl-art.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                  Luke 23:35-43

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."   Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ?  Save yourself and us."    The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,  "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation?  And indeed, we have been condemned justly,  for the sentence we received  corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal."  Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

EVANĠELJU                Qari skont San Luqa 23:35-43

F’dak iż-żmien, wara li sallbu lil Ġesù, il-poplu waqaf hemm iħares, waqt li l-kapijiet bdew jiddieħku b’Ġesù u jgħidu: “Salva lil oħrajn; ħa jsalva lilu nnifsu jekk dan hu l-Messija, il-Maħtur ta’ Alla!”. Is-suldati wkoll bdew jgħadduh biż-żmien; u resqu lejh, newlulu nbid qares u qalulu: “Jekk inti s-sultan tal-Lhud, salva lilek innifsek”. Fuq rasu kien hemm ukoll kitba li kienet tgħid: “Dan huwa s-sultan tal-Lhud”.  Wieħed mill-ħatjin li kienu msallbin miegħu beda jgħajru u jgħidlu: “Int m’intix il-Messija? Salva lilek innifsek u lilna!”. Imma qabeż l-ieħor, ċanfru u qallu: “Anqas minn Alla int ma tibża’, int li qiegħed taħt l-istess kundanna? Tagħna hija ġusta, tassew, għax qegħdin nieħdu li ħaqqna ta’ kulma għamilna; imma dan ma għamel xejn ħażin”. Imbagħad qal: “Ġesù, ftakar fija meta tidħol fis-Saltna tiegħek”. U Ġesù wieġbu: “Tassew ngħidlek, illum tkun fil-Ġenna miegħi”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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CROWNING OUR CHRIST AS OUR KING

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

Central theme: 

The thirty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time ends the Church’s liturgical year, so the readings describe the enthronement of the victorious Christ as King in Heaven in Glory. This year, marks the one-hundredth anniversary of Pope Pius XI’s 1925 institution of next Sunday’s Feast of Christ the King with the proclamation, “Pax Christi in regno Christi” (the peace of Christ in the reign of Christ). This means that we live in the peace of Christ when we surrender our lives to him every day, accept him as our God, Saviour and King and allow him to rule our lives.

The Biblical basis of the feast: 

   a) Old Testament texts:    

The title "Christ the King" has its roots both in Scripture and in the whole theology of the Kingdom of God. In most of the Messianic prophecies given in the Old Testament books of Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel, Christ the Messiah is represented as a King. 

   b) New Testament texts: 

1) In the Annunciation, recorded in Lk 13:2-33, we read: “The Lord God will make him a King, as his ancestor David was, and He will be the King of the descendants of Jacob forever and His Kingdom will never end." In fact, the Kingdom of God is the centre of Jesus’ teaching and the phrase "Kingdom of God" occurs in the Gospels 122 times, of which 90 instances are uses by Jesus. 

2) The Magi from the Far East came to Jerusalem and asked the question: (Mt. 2:2) “Where is the baby born to be the King of the Jews? We saw his star… and we have come to worship him." 

3) During the royal reception given to Jesus on Palm Sunday, the Jews shouted: (Lk 19:38) “God bless the King, who comes in the name of the Lord." 

4) During the trial of Jesus described in today’s Gospel, Pilate asked the question: “Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus replied: “You say that I am a king. I was born and came into this world for this one purpose, to bear witness to the Truth." (Jn 18:37): 

5) Sunday’s Gospel tells us that the board hung over Jesus’ head on the cross read: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” (Lk 23:38; see also, Mt 27:37; Mk 15:26; Jn 19:19-20), and that, to the repentant thief on the cross who made the request: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom,” Jesus promised Paradise with him that very day. (Lk 23:39-43). 

6) Before his Ascension into Heaven, Jesus declared, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth” (Mt 28:18). 7) Finally, in Mt 25:31-46, we read that The Son of man will come in glory to judge us on the Day of the Last Judgment.

Life Messages: 

1) We need to accept Christ the King as our Lord, King and Savior and surrender our lives to him. We surrender our lives to Jesus every day when we give priority to his teaching in our daily choices, especially in moral decisions. We should not exclude Christ our King from any area of our personal or family lives. In other words, Christ must be in full charge of our lives, and we must give him sovereign power over our bodies, our thoughts, our heart, and our free will.

2) We need to be serving disciples of a Servant King. Jesus declared that he came not to be served but to serve and showed us the spirit of service by washing of the feet of his disciples. We become Jesus’ followers when we recognize his presence in everyone, especially the poor, the sick, the outcast, and the marginalized in the society and render humble and loving service to Jesus in each of them. 

3) We need to accept Jesus Christ as the King of love. Jesus came to proclaim to all of us the Good News of God’s love and salvation, gave us his new commandment of love: “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 15:12), and demonstrated that love by dying for us sinners. We accept Jesus as our King of love when we love others as Jesus loved

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

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WHEN JESUS COMES AGAIN AS JUDGE

 Readings for Sunday, November 16, 2025 >>>>>  

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 159

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

Reading 1                 Malachi 3:19-20a

Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven,  when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble,  and the day that is coming will set them on fire,  leaving them neither root nor branch,  says the LORD of hosts.  But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.  

QARI 1                  Qari mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Malakija 3:19-20a

Ara, jiġi l-Jum, jaqbad qisu forn, u l-kburin kollha u dawk kollha li jagħmlu l-ħażen ikunu tiben, u l-jum li ġej għad jaħraqhom, jgħid il-Mulej tal-eżerċti: hekk li ma jħallilhom la għerq u lanqas fergħa. Imma għalikom li tibżgħu minn ismi titla’ x-xemx tal-ġustizzja, bis-salvazzjoni fuq ġwenħajha.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,

with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice. 

Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice. 

Before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth,
he will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
 
SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 97(98):5-6,7-8,9a,9bċ

R/.(ara 9): Il-Mulej jagħmel ħaqq mill-popli.

Għannu lill-Mulej biċ-ċetra,
biċ-ċetra u bil-ħlewwa tal-għana,
bit-trombi u bid-daqq tat-trumbetti;
għajtu bil-ferħ quddiem il-Mulej is-sultan! R/.

Ħa jriegħed il-baħar u kulma fih,
id-dinja u kulma jgħammar fiha.
Ħa jċapċpu x-xmajjar idejhom,
u l-muntanji flimkien jgħajtu bil-ferħ quddiem il-Mulej. R/.

Għax il-Mulej ġej
biex jagħmel ħaqq mill-art;
hu jagħmel ħaqq mid-dinja bil-ġustizzja,
u mill-popli bis-sewwa. R/.

Reading 2                2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

Brothers and sisters:  You know how one must imitate us.  For we did not act in a disorderly way among you,  nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others. Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food.

 QARI 2                    mit-Tieni Ittra ta’ San Pawl lit-Tessalonikin             

Ħuti, intom stess tafu kif jeħtieġ li timxu fuq l-eżempju tagħna. Aħna ma tgħażżinniex meta konna fostkom; il-ħobż li kilna, ħadd ma tahulna b’xejn; imma lejl u nhar ħdimna u tħabatna u batejna biex ma nkunu ta’ piż għal ħadd minnkom. Imxejna hekk mhux għax ma għandniex dritt li żżommuna intom, imma ridna nagħtukom eżempju biex timxu fuqu. Meta konna fostkom aħna ordnajnielkom li jekk xi ħadd ma jridx jaħdem, dan anqas ma għandu jiekol. Issa aħna smajna li hemm xi wħud fostkom li qegħdin jitgħażżnu; mhumiex jaħdmu, imma qed jinħlew fix-xejn. Lil dawn in-nies nordnawlhom u nwissuhom, f’isem il-Mulej Ġesù Kristu, biex jaħdmu sewwa u għajxienhom jaqilgħuh. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 Luke 21:5-19

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, "All that you see here-- the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."  Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end." Then he said to them,  "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky. "Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony.  Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Luqa  21:5-19

F’dak iż-żmien, kien hemm xi wħud li bdew jgħidu fuq kemm it-tempju kien imżejjen b’ġebel sabiħ u għotjiet; iżda Ġesù qalilhom: “Kulma qegħdin taraw, għad jiġi żmien li ma tibqax ġebla fuq oħra minnu li ma tiġġarrafx”. U huma staqsewh u qalulu: “Mgħallem, issa dan meta għad jiġri? U x’se jkun is-sinjal li dawn il-ħwejjeġ ikunu waslu biex iseħħu?”. Qalilhom: “Araw li ma titqarrqux. Għax għad jiġu ħafna f’ismi u jgħidu: ‘Jien hu’, u: ‘Iż-żmien wasal’. Tmorrux warajhom! Meta tisimgħu min jitkellem fuq gwerer u taqlib fil-pajjiżi, tinħasdux, għax jeħtieġ li l-ewwel jiġri dan, iżda t-tmiem ma jasalx minnufih”.  Imbagħad qalilhom: “Għad iqum ġens kontra ġens u saltna kontra saltna, l-art titheżżeż bil-kbir, f’ħafna bnadi jkun hemm il-ġuħ u mard li jittieħed, u fis-sema jidhru ħwejjeġ tal-biża’ u sinjali tal-għaġeb. Imma qabel dan kollu jixħtu jdejhom fuqkom u jippersegwitawkom, jagħtukom f’idejn il-mexxejja tas-sinagoga u jitfgħukom il-ħabs, u jeħdukom quddiem slaten u gvernaturi minħabba f’ismi. Dan ikun jiswielkom biex tistgħu tagħtu xhieda. U żommu sewwa f’moħħkom: toqogħdux taħsbu minn qabel kif se tiddefendu ruħkom, għax jien nagħtikom kliem u għerf li kull min ikun kontra tagħkom ma jkunx jista’ jiqaflu jew imerih. U jittradukom saħansitra l-ġenituri tagħkom u ħutkom u qrabatkom u ħbiebkom, u lil xi wħud minnkom joqtluhom, u kulħadd isir jobgħodkom minħabba f’ismi. Imma xagħra waħda minn raskom ma tintilifx. Jekk tibqgħu sħaħ sal-aħħar issalvaw ħajjitkom!”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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OUR FINAL DAYS    

An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings 

by Fr Anthony Kadavil   

Introduction: 

The central theme of next Sunday's readings is “The Day of the Lord” or the “Second Coming” of Jesus in glory, as Judge, at the end of the world. The readings warn us about the final days of the world, our own death, and the final judgment.

Scripture readings summarized: 

The Prophet Malachi, in the first reading, foretells this Day, which will bring healing and reward for the just and punishment in fire for the “proud and all evil doers.” Although St. Paul expected that Jesus would return during his lifetime, he cautions the Thessalonians, in the second reading, against idleness in anticipating the end of the world. Paul advises the Thessalonians that the best preparation for welcoming Jesus in his “Second Coming” is to keep working and doing one’s duties faithfully, as Paul himself was doing.

Today’s Gospel passage underlines the truth that the date of the end of the world is uncertain. Signs and portents will precede the end, and the Christians will be called upon to testify before kings and governors. The Good News is that those who persevere in faithfulness to the Lord will save their souls and enter God's eternal kingdom. Christ’s Second Coming is something to celebrate because Jesus is going to present all creation to his Heavenly Father. That is why we say at Mass, "We proclaim Your death, O Lord, and profess Your Resurrection, until You come again." Since Luke's community had experienced much persecution, today’s Gospel would have given them a cheering reminder: “Don’t give up because God is always with us!” Jesus' promise of the protective power of a providing God was meant to encourage His disciples to persevere in their Faith and its practice. Jesus later adds the signs of the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world to prepare His disciples and to remind them to rely upon him, not their own power, for Salvation.

Life messages: 

    1) We must be prepared daily for our death and private judgment. We make this preparation by trying to do God’s will every day, leading holy lives of selfless love, humble service, mercy, compassion, and unconditional forgiveness. In order to do this, we must recharge our spiritual batteries every day by personal prayer, that is, by talking to God, and by listening to Him through reading the Bible. Daily examination of our conscience at bedtime and asking God’s pardon and forgiveness for the sins of the day will also prepare us to face God any time to give an account of our lives. 

    2) We need to attain permanence in a passing world by leading exemplary lives. We must remember that our homes, our Churches and even our own lives are temporary. God judges our greatness is judged, not on our worldly achievements, but on our fidelity to the Faith and our practice of that Faith in loving humble service of others. How our faithfulness is expressed each day is the most important thing. We are to persevere in our Faith in spite of worldly temptations, attacks on religion and moral values by the atheistic or agnostic media, threats of social isolation, and direct or indirect persecution because of our religious beliefs. Let us conclude this Church year by praying for the grace to endure patiently any trials, for they are essential to our affirmation of Jesus as our Lord and Savior.e.

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

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JESUS AS THE TEMPLE

 Readings for Sunday, November 9, 2025

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Lectionary: 671

Festa tad-Dedikazzjoni tal-Bażilka tal-Lateran

Reading 1                  Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

The angel brought me  back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the façade of the temple was toward the east; the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple, south of the altar. He led me outside by the north gate, and around to the outer gate facing the east, where I saw water trickling from the southern side. He said to me, "This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah, and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh. Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine."

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Eżekjel 47: 1-2. 8-9. 12

Imbagħad, l-Anġlu ħadni lura ħdejn il-bieb tas-santwarju; u ara, kien hemm l-ilma ħiereġ minn taħt l-għatba tas-santwarju lejn il-lvant – għax is-santwarju kien iħares lejn il-lvant. U l-ilma kien ħiereġ min-naħa tal-lemin tal-għatba, in-naħa tan-nofsinhar tal-altar. Imbagħad ħariġni mill-bieb tat-tramuntana u mexxieni madwar, minn barra, sal-bieb ta’ barra li jħares lejn il-lvant; u l-ilma kien inixxi min-naħa tal-lemin tal-għatba. U qalli: «Dan l-ilma ħiereġ lejn in-naħa tal-lvant u nieżel lejn l-Għaraba; u meta jasal fil-Baħar il-Mejjet b’dak l-ilma mielaħ, l-ilma jsir ilma ħelu. U jiġri li, kull fejn tgħaddi dik ix-xmara, kull ħaġa ħajja li tiċċaqlaq tgħix; u jkun hemm kotra kbira ta’ ħut, għax, minn kull fejn jgħaddi dak l-ilma, l-ilma jitjieb u jkun hemm il-ħajja minn kull fejn tgħaddi x-xmara. Fuq iż-żewġt ixtut tax-xmara jikbru siġar ta’ kull ġens ta’ frott; il-weraq tagħhom ma jidbielx, il-frott tagħhom ma jonqosx. Kull xahar jagħmlu frott ġdid, għax l-ilma tagħhom ħiereġ mit-tempju, u l-frott tagħhom ikun ikel, u l-weraq duwa. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9

God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Therefore, we fear not, though the earth be shaken
and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;
God will help it at the break of dawn.
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

The LORD of hosts is with us;
our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
Come! behold the deeds of the LORD,
the astounding things he has wrought on earth.
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 45: 2-3. 5-6. 8-9

R/. Tifraħ il-belt ta’ Alla!

Kenn u qawwa hu Alla għalina,
għajnuna kbira sibnieh fid-dwejjaq.
Għalhekk ma nibżgħux jekk l-art titriegħed,
jew jiġġarrfu l-muntanji f’nofs ta’ baħar. R/.

Hemm xmara li s-swieqi tagħha
iferrħu l-belt ta’ Alla,
l-għamara qaddisa tal-Għoli.
Hemm Alla f’nofsha, ma titħarrikx;
jgħinha Alla mat-tbexbix tas-sebħ. R/.

Il-Mulej tal-eżerċti magħna,
fortizza għalina Alla ta’ Ġakobb!
Ejjew, araw x’għamel il-Mulej,
għemejjel tal-għaġeb fuq l-art. R/.

Reading 2               1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17

Brothers and sisters:  You are God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ. Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.

QARI 2                   mill-1Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Korintin 3: 9b-11.16-17

Intom il-bini ta’ Alla. Skont il-grazzja li tani Alla, bħala bennej għaqli, jiena qegħedt il-pedament. Ħaddieħor jibni fuqu; imma jqis kull wieħed kif jibni fuqu. Pedament ieħor ħadd ma jista’ jqiegħed ħlief dak li ġa tqiegħed; u dan hu Ġesù Kristu. Ma tafux li intom tempju ta’ Alla, u li l-Ispirtu ta’ Alla jgħammar fikom? Jekk xi ħadd jeqred it-tempju ta’ Alla, Alla jeqred lilu. Għax qaddis hu t-tempju ta’ Alla, li huwa intom.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                John 2:13-22

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, "Take these out of here,  and stop making my Father's house a marketplace." His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

EVANĠELJU                 skont San Ġwann 2:13-23

Kien qorob l-Għid tal-Lhud, u Ġesù tela’ Ġerusalemm. Fit-tempju sab min qiegħed ibigħ barrin, nagħaġ u ħamiem, u min kien bilqiegħda jsarraf il-flus. Għamel sawt mill-ħbula, u keċċiehom ilkoll ’il barra mit-tempju, bin-nagħaġ u l-barrin tagħhom; xerred il-flus ta’ dawk li kienu jsarrfu, u qalbilhom l-imwejjed u lill-bejjiegħa tal-ħamiem qalilhom:  «Warrbu dawn minn hawn, u dar Missieri tagħmluhiex dar tan-negozju!» Id-dixxipli ftakru f’dak li kien hemm miktub fl-Iskrittura, “Il-ħeġġa għal darek fnietni.”  Imbagħad il-Lhud qabdu u qalulu: «X’sinjal se turina li inti tista’ tagħmel dan?» Ġesù weġibhom: «Ħottu dan it-tempju, u fi tlitt ijiem nerġa’ ntellgħu.» Għalhekk il-Lhud qalulu: «Dan it-tempju ħa sitta u erbgħin sena biex inbena, u int se ttellgħu fi tlitt ijiem?» Iżda hu tkellem fuq it-tempju tal-ġisem tiegħu. Meta mbagħad qam mill-imwiet, id-dixxipli tiegħu ftakru f’dan li kien qal, u emmnu fl-Iskrittura u fil-kliem li kien qal Ġesù.  Waqt li kien Ġerusalemm għall-festa tal-Għid, kien hemm ħafna li emmnu f’ismu billi raw is-sinjali li kien jagħmel. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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WHY WE NEED TO COMMEMORATE A CATHEDRAL IN ROME...

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

Introduction: 

On a historical note, next Sunday the Church celebrates the anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral Church of Rome by Pope Sylvester I (AD 314-335), in AD 324. This Church serves as the Episcopal seat of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome and, hence, is called “the Mother and Head of all Churches of Rome and the world.” The Basilica and Baptistery were built originally by the Emperor Constantine and called Basilica Constantinia. Later, the Church was named the Arch-Basilica of the Most Holy Saviour. However, it is now called St. Johns Lateran Basilica because it was built on property donated to the Church by the Laterani family, and because the monks from the monastery of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Divine served in it. The name St. Johns comes, first, from the Baptistery, rebuilt (after its hard treatment by the Visigoths, AD 410), by Pope St. Sixtus II (AD 432-440), and dedicated by him to St. John the Baptist. Later, Pope St. Hilary (AD 461-468), dedicated it to St. John the Evangelist, in thanksgiving to that apostle for saving his life. [Richard P. McBrien, Lives of the Popes (San Francisco, CA: HarperCollins Publishers, 1997), pp. 58-58, 71-72, 77-78. & USCCB video reflections: http://www.usccb.org/bible/reflections/index.cfm]

The First Reading (Ez:47;1-2, 8-9, 12) explained: 

Catholic commentary views the river flowing from Ezekiel's new temple as a powerful symbol of God's life-giving grace, healing, and the new covenant in Jesus Christ. The water, which becomes life-giving wherever it flows, transforms the Dead Sea into a freshwater source, symbolizing how the Holy Spirit and the Church bring life to a world in spiritual death. The trees with leaves for healing and fruit for food represent the life, abundance, and spiritual nourishment provided by God's grace through the new Temple, which is the body of Christ.

Connection to the New Testament and the Church: 

Catholic theology understands the "temple" in this passage to be a prophetic foreshadowing of the new and everlasting temple, which is the body of Jesus Christ, raised in His resurrection. The river from the temple is understood to be the Holy Spirit, flowing out from Christ and the Church to bring life to the world.

The healing and life-giving water is often associated with the sacraments, particularly baptism, which is seen as a spiritual cleansing and rebirth from the waters of new life.

Significance for believers: 

The vision offers hope for a future of restoration, showing that God can heal and renew even the most desolate places and circumstances in people's lives. The imagery of the fruit trees and life-giving water serves as a reminder that the Church and the sacraments provide spiritual food and healing for those who believe. The prophecy points toward God's ultimate plan to bring new life and a transformed world, a kingdom where the barrenness of sin is replaced by the abundance of God's love and grace.

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