GOD WILL BRING US SAFELY TO HIS HOUSE

 Readings for Sunday, June 29, 2025 

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

Lectionary: 591

Qari tad-29 ta’ Ġunju – Solennità ta’ San Pietru u San Pawl, Appostli

Reading 1               Acts 12:1-11

In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to harm them. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also. –It was the feast of Unleavened Bread.– He had him taken into custody and put in prison under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. He intended to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter thus was being kept in prison, but prayer by the Church was fervently being made to God on his behalf. On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter, secured by double chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison. Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, “Get up quickly.” The chains fell from his wrists. The angel said to him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.” So he followed him out, not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first guard, then the second, and came to the iron gate leading out to the city, which opened for them by itself. They emerged and made their way down an alley, and suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter recovered his senses and said,  “Now I know for certain  that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting.”

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

Għall-ħabta ta’ dak iż-żmien, is-sultan Erodi qatagħha li jaħbat għal xi wħud minn ħdan il-Knisja. Qatel ’il Ġakbu, ħu Ġwanni, bis-sejf. Imbagħad, billi ra li din il-ħaġa għoġbot lil-Lhud, qatagħha li jaqbad ’il Pietru wkoll. Dan kien f’jiem l-Ażżmi. Meta arrestah u tefgħu l-ħabs, qiegħed għassa miegħu erba’ għaqdiet ta’ suldati ta’ erbgħa kull waħda, bil-ħsieb li, wara l-Għid, iressqu quddiem il-poplu. Pietru, mela, kien arrestat fil-ħabs, bil-għassa miegħu. Fl-istess ħin, il-Knisja kienet qiegħda titlob ’l Alla għalih bil-ħeġġa. Fil-lejl stess ta’ qabel ma Erodi kellu joħroġ ’il Pietru, dan kien rieqed bejn żewġ suldati, marbut b’żewġ ktajjen, waqt li xi għassiesa kienu għassa mal-bieb tal-ħabs. F’daqqa waħda ġie hemm anġlu tal-Mulej, u dawl idda mal-kamra. L-anġlu ta lil Pietru daqqa fuq ġenbu, qajmu u qallu: “Qum malajr.” Il-ktajjen waqgħu minn ma’ idejh. Imbagħad l-anġlu qallu: “Dawwar il-mantar miegħek u imxi warajja.” Pietru ħareġ u mexa warajh, bla ma ntebah li dak li kien qiegħed jiġri permezz tal-anġlu kien tassew; ħaseb li kienet xi ħolma.  Għaddew l-ewwel għassa, u t-tieni waħda wkoll, u waslu ħdejn il-bieb tal-ħadid li kien jagħti għall-belt; u dan infetah waħdu. Ħarġu, u mxew tul it-triq. F’daqqa waħda l-anġlu telaq minn ħdejh. Imbagħad Pietru ġie f’tiegħu, u qal: “Issa qiegħed ninduna, tabilħaqq, li l-Mulej bagħat l-anġlu tiegħu u ħelisni minn id Erodi u minn dak kollu li l-Lhud kienu qegħdin jistennew li jsir.”  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
 the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R.        The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R.        The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
 and from all his distress he saved him.
R.        The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

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

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 33, 2-9

R/. Dawk li jibżgħu mill-Mulej, l-anġlu tiegħu jeħlishom!

Kull ħin inbierek ’il-Mulej,
tifħiru dejjem f’fommi.
Bil-Mulej tiftaħar ruħi,
jisimgħu l-fqajrin u jifirħu! R/.

Kabbru ’l-Mulej miegħi,
u ngħollu ismu flimkien.
Jien fittixt il-Mulej, u weġibni,
u minn kull biża’ ħelisni. R/.

Ħarsu lejh u tiddu bil-ferħ,
u wiċċkom ma jistħix.
Dan il-fqajjar sejjaħ il-Mulej, u semgħu,
u mid-dwejjaq kollha tiegħu ħelsu. R/.

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

Reading 2                   2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18

I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my  departure is at hand.  I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever.  Amen.

QARI 2                   mit-Tieni Ittra ta’ San Pawl lil Timotju 4:6-8. 17-18

Għażiż: Jiena ngħid għalija, demmi ġa mxerred b’sagrifiċċju, u żmien it-tluq tiegħi wasal. Tqabadt it-taqbida t-tajba, temmejt il-ġirja, ħarist il-fidi. Mill-bqija hemm merfugħa għalija l-kuruna tal-ġustizzja, li biha f’dak il-jum iħallasni l-Mulej, l-Imħallef ġust, u mhux lili biss, imma wkoll lil dawk kollha li jkunu għexu bix-xewqa tad-dehra tiegħu. Il-Mulej waqaf miegħi u tani l-qawwa biex, bis-saħħa tiegħi, il-kelma tixxandar sal-aħħar u l-ġnus kollha jisimgħuha. Hekk jien inħlist minn ħalq l-iljun. Il-Mulej jeħlisni minn kull deni u jħarisni sa ma nasal fis-saltna tiegħu tas-sema. Glorja lilu għal dejjem ta’ dejjem. Ammen. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                   Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples,  “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.   I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Mattew 16:13-19

F’dak iż-żmien: Meta wasal fl-inħawi ta’ Ċesarija ta’ Filippu, Ġesù staqsa lid-dixxipli tiegħu u qalilhom: “In-nies min jgħidu li hu Bin il-bniedem?” U huma weġbuh: “Xi wħud Ġwanni l-Battista, oħrajn Elija, u oħrajn Ġeremija jew wieħed mill-profeti.” “Imma intom,” qalilhom, “intom min tgħidu li jien?” U qabeż Xmun Pietru u qallu: “Inti l-Messija, l-Iben ta’ Alla ħaj.” U wieġbu Ġesù u qallu: “Imbierek int, Xmun, bin Ġona, għax mhux il-laħam u d-demm urewk min jien, imma Missieri li hu fis-smewwiet. U min-naħa tiegħi ngħidlek: Inti Pietru, u fuq din il-ġebla jiena nibni l-Knisja tiegħi, u l-bibien tal-infern ma jegħlbuhiex. Lilek nagħtik l-imfietah tas-Saltna tas-Smewwiet, u kulma torbot fuq l-art ikun marbut fis-smewwiet, u kulma tħoll fuq l-art ikun maħlul fis-smewwiet.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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GOD'S CHOSEN PILLARS FOR HIS CHURCH

An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil  on Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

 Importance: 

St. Peter and St. Paul are the principal pillars of the Church. That is why this Sunday (June 29th), we celebrate the feast of their martyrdom, replacing the normal readings for the Thirteenth Sunday [C] in Ordinary Time

    (1)  Peter was son of Jona and brother of Andrew. He was a professional fisherman from Bethsaida, a fishing town on the Lake of Galilee (Gennesaret). He might have been a follower of John the Baptist. It was his brother Andrew who introduced him to Jesus, and Jesus who changed his name from Simon to Cephas or Peter. Jesus made him the leader of his apostles. At Caesarea Philippi Jesus promised to make him the head of his Church, and the risen Jesus confirmed Peter’s precedence. 

It was the Holy Spirit who inspired Peter’s Proclamation of the Good News to all in Jerusalem on the day of the Pentecost bringing the Church into living action. Peter made missionary journeys to Lydda, Joppa and Caesarea and convened the first Council in Jerusalem. Peter wrote two epistles addressed to the whole Church. He was martyred by crucifixion under the emperor Nero.

    (2) Paul the “Apostle to the Gentiles” and the greatest missionary was a Roman citizen by birth as he was born in Tarsus of Cilicia, a Province of Rome. His original name was Saul. He was trained as a tent-maker and practiced that trade. As a Pharisee he was sent to Jerusalem by his parents to study the Mosaic Law under the great Rabbi Gamaliel. Well-versed in the Scriptures, he became a religious fanatic and was ready to destroy the Christian faith. 

When Stephen was stoned to death by Jewish fanatics, Saul was there to support them. But he was miraculously converted on his way to Damascus to arrest the Christians. He made several missionary journeys, converted hundreds of Jews and Gentiles and established Church communities. He wrote 14 epistles.   He was arrested and kept in prison for two years in Caesarea and on his way to Rome he was shipwrecked in Malta  which he converted bwefore continuing to Rome to spend two more years in a Rome jail. Finally, he was martyred by beheading at Tre Fontane in Rome. 

Let us pray  - for the apostolic zeal and missionary spirit of both these Saints, Peter & Paul.

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

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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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