KNOCK...AND THER DOOR WILL OPEN!

 Readings for Sunday, July 27, 2025 

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 111

Iz-17-il Ħadd matul is-Sena

Reading 1                 Genesis 18:20-32

In those days, the LORD said: "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave, that I must go down and see whether or not their actions fully correspond to the cry against them that comes to me. I mean to find out."  While Abraham's visitors walked on farther toward Sodom, the LORD remained standing before Abraham. Then Abraham drew nearer and said: "Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city; would you wipe out the place, rather than spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent people within it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to make the innocent die with the guilty so that the innocent and the guilty would be treated alike! Should not the judge of all the world act with justice?" The LORD replied, "If I find fifty innocent people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake." Abraham spoke up again: "See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord, though I am but dust and ashes! What if there are five less than fifty innocent people? Will you destroy the whole city because of those five?" He  answered, "I will not destroy it, if I find forty-five there." But Abraham persisted, saying "What if only forty are found there?" He replied, "I will forbear doing it for the sake of the forty." Then Abraham said, "Let not my Lord grow impatient if I go on. What if only thirty are found there?" He replied, "I will forbear doing it if I can find but thirty there." Still Abraham went on, "Since I have thus dared to speak to my Lord, what if there are no more than twenty?" The LORD answered, "I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty." But he still persisted: "Please, let not my Lord grow angry if I speak up this last time. What if there are at least ten there?" He replied, "For the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it."

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Ġenesi 18:20-32

F’dak iż-żmien il-Mulej qal: “L-għajta ta’ Sodoma u Gomorra hi tassew qawwija, u t-toqol ta’ dnubhom hu kbir. U issa se ninżel u nara jekk għamlux għalkollox skont l-għajta tagħhom li waslet għandi. Jekk le, inkun naf”. Dawk l-irġiel kisru minn hemm, u rħewlha lejn Sodoma; imma l-Mulej baqa’ wieqaf quddiem Abraham. Abraham resaq lejn il-Mulej u staqsieh: “U int se teqred it-tajjeb mal-ħażin? U jekk hemm ħamsin bniedem ġust f’nofs il-belt, jaqaw lil dawn se teqridhom u ma taħfirx lill-pajjiż minħabba l-ħamsin ġust li hemm f’nofsha? Ma jkun qatt li inti tagħmel ħaġa bħal din, li toqtol il-bniedem ġust mal-ħażin, u l-ġust u l-ħażin tmisshom l-istess xorti. Ma jkun qatt minnek, l-imħallef tal-art kollha, li ma tagħmilx ġustizzja”. U l-Mulej wieġeb: “Jekk jiena nsib ħamsin bniedem ġust f’nofs il-belt, jien naħfirha lill-post kollu minħabba fihom”. Wieġeb Abraham u qal: “Arani, jien issugrajt nitkellem mal-Mulej, għalkemm jien trab u rmied. U jekk hemm nieqsa ħamsa għall-ħamsin ġust, minħabba ħamsa u erbgħin se teqred il-belt kollha?”. U wieġbu l-Mulej: “Ma neqridhiex jekk insib fiha ħamsa u erbgħin”.  Imma Abraham kompla jitkellem miegħu u jgħidlu: “U jekk issib hemm erbgħin?”. U wieġbu: “Ma nagħmilx dan, minħabba l-erbgħin”. Qal Abraham: “La tagħdabx, Sidi, jekk nerġa’ nitkellem: u jekk jinstabu tletin?”. U hu wieġeb: “Ma nagħmilx dan, jekk insib hemm tletin”. U raġa’ qallu: “Ara kif nissogra nkellem lil Sidi: U jekk jinstabu hemm għoxrin?”. U l-Mulej wieġeb: “Ma neqridhiex minħabba l-għoxrin”. U wieġeb: “La tagħdabx, Sidi, jekk nerġa’ nitkellem darba oħra biss: U jekk jinstabu hemm għaxra?”. U hu qallu: “Ma neqridhiex minħabba l-għaxra”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

The LORD is exalted, yet the lowly he sees,
and the proud he knows from afar.
Though I walk amid distress, you preserve me;
against the anger of my enemies you raise your hand.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 137(138):1-2a,2bċ-3,6-7ab,7ċ-8

R/.(3a): Meta sejjaħtlek, int weġibtni, Mulej.

Irroddlok ħajr, Mulej, b’qalbi kollha,
għaliex int smajt kliem fommi.
Quddiem l-allat irrid ngħannilek.
B’wiċċi fl-art ninxteħet quddiem is-santwarju tiegħek. R/.

Irroddlok ħajr għat-tjieba u l-fedeltà tiegħek,
għax int kabbart ismek u kelmtek fuq kollox.
Meta sejjaħtlek, int weġibtni,
kattarli l-qawwa f’ruħi. R/.

Kbir il-Mulej, imma jieħu ħsieb iż-żgħar;
u, għalkemm fl-għoli, jagħraf mill-bogħod.
Jekk insib ruħi fl-għali, inti tħarisli ħajti;
terfa’ idek kontra l-għedewwa tiegħi. R/.

Il-leminija tiegħek issalvani mill-qilla tagħhom.
Il-Mulej iżomm kelmtu miegħi.
It-tjieba tiegħek, Mulej, tibqa’ għal dejjem;
la titlaqx għemil idejk! R/.

 Reading 2                    Colossians 2:12-14

Brothers and sisters: You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. And even when you were dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions;  obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lill-Kolossin 2:12-14

Ħuti, intom indfintu ma’ Kristu bil-magħmudija u rxuxtajtu miegħu permezz tal-fidi tagħkom fil-qawwa ta’ Alla li qajmu mill-imwiet. Kontu mejta minħabba dnubietkom u għax ma kellkomx iċ-ċirkonċiżjoni f’ġisimkom; imma issa Alla takom il-ħajja flimkien ma’ Kristu: Ħafrilna dnubietna kollha. Ħassar il-kont tad-dejn li kellna bl-obbligi li kien hemm kontrina; neħħieh min-nofs u sammru mas-salib.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                  Luke 11:1-13

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test." And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,' and he says in reply from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.' I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.  "And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skond San Luqa 1:1-13

Darba Ġesù kien qiegħed xi mkien jitlob. Kif spiċċa mit-talb, wieħed mid-dixxipli tiegħu qallu: “Mulej, għallimna nitolbu, bħalma Ġwanni wkoll għallem lid-dixxipli tiegħu”. U qalilhom: “Meta titolbu, għidu: ‘Missier, jitqaddes ismek, tiġi Saltnatek. Ħobżna ta’ kuljum agħtina kuljum. U aħfrilna dnubietna, għax aħna wkoll naħfru lil kull min hu ħati għalina, u la ddaħħalniex fit-tiġrib’”.  Qalilhom ukoll: “Wieħed minnkom ikollu ħabib li jiġih f’nofs ta’ lejl u jgħidlu: ‘Ħabib, islifni tliet ħobżiet, għax ġie għandi wieħed ħabib tiegħi mill-vjaġġ u ma għandix x’nagħtih’. U l-ieħor iwieġbu minn ġewwa u jgħidlu: ‘Iddejjaqnix; issa l-bieb magħluq, u wliedi qegħdin fis-sodda miegħi; ma nistax inqum nagħtik’. Ngħidilkom jien, li jekk ma jqumx jagħtih għax ħabib tiegħu, iqum u jagħtih kulma jkollu bżonn minħabba l-wiċċ sfiq tiegħu. U jiena ngħidilkom: Itolbu u jingħatalkom, fittxu u ssibu, ħabbtu u jiftħulkom. Għax min jitlob, jaqla’; min ifittex, isib; u min iħabbat, jiftħulu.  Min hu dak il-missier fostkom li, jekk ibnu jitolbu ħuta, minflok ħuta jagħtih serp? Inkella jekk jitolbu bajda jagħtih skorpjun? Mela jekk intom, nies ħżiena bħalkom, tafu tagħtu lil uliedkom ħwejjeġ tajba, kemm aktar il-Missier mis-smewwiet jagħti spirtu qaddis lil dawk li jitolbuhulu!”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

THE POWER OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER

Introduction: 

The main themes of next Sunday’s Scripture readings are the power of intercessory prayer, the Our Father as the ideal prayer, and the necessity for persistence and perseverance in prayer, with trusting faith and boldness. In short, the readings teach us what to pray for and how to pray.

Scripture lessons: 

The first reading, taken from the book of Genesis, gives us a model for intercessory prayer provided by Abraham in his dialogue with God. Although Abraham seems to be trying to manipulate God through his skillful bargaining and humble, persistent intercession, God is actually being moved to mercy by the goodness of a few innocent souls. The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 138), with the Psalm Response, “Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me,” is a hymn of hope and trust in the Lord, reminding us that God is close to the humble of heart and to all those who call upon Him in their need. The second reading, taken from Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, though it does not address prayer,reminds us of the need for perseverance in our living Faith in Christ, which provides the basis for all Christian prayers, especially for liturgical prayer: the mystery of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul assures us that, even when we were dead in sin, God gave us new life through Jesus and pardoned all our sins. In the Gospel passage, after teaching a model prayer, Jesus instructs his disciples to pray to God their Heavenly Father with the same boldness, daring, intimacy, conviction, persistence, and perseverance that Abraham displayed and that the friend in need in the parable employed. He gives us the assurance that God will not be irritated by our requests nor unwilling to meet them with generosity.

Life Messages: 

1) Prayer is essential for Christian family life. To remain faithful in marriage, the spouses must pray, not only individually, but together. They need to thank God and offer intercessory prayers for each other, for their children, and for their dear ones. Daily prayer will help married couples tocelebrate and reverence God’s vision of human sexuality and honor life from conception to natural death. Here is St. John Marie Vianney’s advice to a couple: "Spend three minutes praising and thanking God for all you have. Spend three minutes asking God’s pardon for your sins and presenting your needs before Him. Spend three minutes reading the Bible and listening to God in silence. And do this every day."  

2) We need to accept others as children of God and thereby our brothers and sisters: Through the Our Father, Jesus is giving us a new vision of human relationships: that we all, irrespective of color, creed, or social background, are the children of God and thereby are brothers and sisters. When we learn this lesson -- if we can, and will, learn this lesson, if we are able to treat God as our Father and love Him accordingly, and if we are able to treat every other human being as our own dear brother and sister and love each accordingly -- then, and then only, shall we experience the Kingdom of God here on earth and enjoy it in the next life. When we love each other, and forgive each other’s failings, God also will love us and forgive us. This is the foundation of true Faith. (Joe Vemp).

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

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GOD WANTS US TO BE HOSPITABLE PEOPLE

 Readings for Sunday, July 20, 2025 

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 108

Is-16-il Ħadd matul is-Sena

Reading 1                  Genesis 18:1-10a

The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot.  Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground, he said: "Sir, if I may ask you this favour, please do not go on past your servant.  Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest yourselves under the tree. Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way."  The men replied, "Very well, do as you have said."   Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah, "Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls."  He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it. Then Abraham got some curds and milk, as well as the steer that had been prepared, and set these before the three men; and he waited on them under the tree while they ate. They asked Abraham, "Where is your wife Sarah?" He replied, "There in the t ent."  One of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son."

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Ġenesi 18:1-10a

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Mulej deher lil Abraham ħdejn il-ballut ta’ Mamri; u hu kien fil-bieb tal-għarix fl-aqwa tas-sħana tal-jum. U rafa’ għajnejh u ħares, u ra tlitt irġiel weqfin quddiemu; u malli rahom mar jiġri jilqagħhom mill-bieb tal-għarix u nxteħet wiċċu fl-art quddiemhom. U qal: “Sidi, jekk jien sibt ħniena f’għajnejk, tibqax għaddej minn quddiem il-qaddej tiegħek. Ħa nġib ftit ilma u aħslu riġlejkom, u strieħu taħt is-siġra, sakemm inġibilkom gidma ħobż, biex titrejqu, imbagħad tibqgħu sejrin – għax għalhekk għaddejtu għand il-qaddej tagħkom”. U huma qalulu: “Tajjeb, agħmel kif għedt”.  U Abraham ħaffef lejn l-għarix, ħdejn Sara, u qalilha: “Fittex lesti tliet sigħan smid, agħġnu u agħmlu ftajjar”. U Abraham mar jiġri ħdejn il-baqar u ħa għoġol tari u sabiħ, u tah lill-qaddej; u dan fittex ilestih. U ħa l-baqta u l-ħalib u l-għoġol li kien lesta, u qegħedhom quddiemhom. U hu baqa’ bilwieqfa quddiemhom taħt is-siġra, u huma bdew jieklu. U staqsewh: “Fejn hi Sara, martek?”. U hu weġibhom: “Hemm fl-għarix”. U qallu: “Nerġa’ niġi għandek bħal dan iż-żmien sena, u ara, Sara martek ikollha iben”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

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

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

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

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

R/.(1a): Mulej, min jgħammar fid-dar tiegħek?

Min jgħix bla ħtija u jagħmel it-tajjeb,
min jgħid is-sewwa f’qalbu;
min ma jqassasx bi lsienu. R/.

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

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

Reading 2                Colossians 1:24-28

Brothers and sisters:  Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones, to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lill-Kolossin 1:24-28

Ħuti, jien issa nifraħ bit-tbatijiet tiegħi minħabba fikom, għaliex bihom jiena ntemm f’ġismi dak li jonqos mit-tbatijiet ta’ Kristu għall-ġisem tiegħu li hu l-Knisja. Tagħha jiena sirt ministru, skont ma tani nagħmel Alla għalikom, jiġifieri li nxandar b’mod sħiħ il-Kelma ta’ Alla, il-misteru li kien moħbi sa miż-żminijiet u l-ġenerazzjonijiet kollha, u li issa hu mgħarraf lill-qaddisin tiegħu. Lil dawn Alla ried jgħarrafhom kemm huwa kbir l-għana tal-glorja ta’ dan il-misteru fost il-pagani: Kristu hu fikom, it-tama tal-glorja tagħkom. Lilu aħna nħabbru lill-bnedmin kollha, u nwissu u ngħallmu lil kulħadd bl-għerf kollu biex inwasslu lil kull bniedem għall-perfezzjoni fi Kristu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                    Luke 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me." The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Luqa 10:38-42

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù daħal f’raħal, u laqgħetu għandha waħda mara jisimha Marta. Din kellha oħtha, jisimha Marija, li niżlet bilqiegħda f’riġlejn il-Mulej tisimgħu x’kien qiegħed jgħid. Iżda Marta kienet moħħha fuq il-ħafna xogħol tad-dar. Imbagħad resqet u qaltlu: “Mulej, m’intix tara kif oħti ħalliet ix-xogħol kollu fuqi biss? Mela għidilha taqbad tagħmel xi ħaġa miegħi”. Qabeż il-Mulej u qalilha: “Marta, Marta! Inti taħseb wisq u tinkwieta fuq ħafna ħwejjeġ; imma waħda hi meħtieġa. U Marija għażlet l-aħjar sehem, li ma jitteħdilhiex”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

THE IMPORTANCE OF HOSPITALITY

Introduction: 

The central themes of Sunday’s readings are the importance of hospitality in Christian life and the necessity of listening to God before acting. The key to the Christian life is setting priorities: Jesus Christ first, then everything else. The only way really to learn that lesson is to spend some time every day, "sitting at the feet of Jesus."

Scripture lessons: 

Sunday’s first reading describes how Abraham and Sarah’s hospitality to angels in the guise of strangers was rewarded by God, who blessed them with a son in their old age. The refrain for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 15) “He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord,” reminds us of our intended final destination. In the second reading, Paul declares that he has been commissioned by God to minister to the Church as the revealer of the mystery of salvation and the preacher of the word in its fullness (v. 25). He invites believers to open their hearts and minds and to show their hospitality to the mystery of Christ which he preaches. Paul also challenges us to cultivate that quality of hospitality which welcomes all others in Christ. 

Sunday’s Gospel passage describes how Martha, a genuine child of Abraham, wanted to extend the traditional generous hospitality of her people to Jesus, the true Messiah, by preparing an elaborate meal for him (while her sister Mary spent her time in talking to Jesus and listening to him). This story invites us to serve others with Martha’s diligence after recharging our spiritual batteries every day by prayer - listening to God and talking to God – as Mary did. We can minister truly to the needs of others only after welcoming God’s Word into in our hearts and minds.

Life Messages: 

1) We need to recharge our spiritual batteries: We should put aside the work we do for the Lord in serving others and just spend some time being with Him, talking to Him and listening to Him, fully aware of His holy presence in our souls. We may also recharge our spiritual energy by means of our personal and family prayers, our meditative reading of the Bible and our participation in the celebration of the Holy Mass. 

2) We need listening Marthas and serving Marys: Martha has become a symbol of action-oriented, responsible people who get the job done. Our world and our parish churches need such dynamic and generous men, women, boys and girls. We need them to sing in the choir, to help in the Church, to teach in the Sunday school, to visit the sick and the shut-ins and to serve in all other ministries of the parish community. 

3) We need to be good listeners, like Mary, at home and in the workplace. Active and busy as we are, we must find time every day to listen to God, to our spouse, kids, and neighbors. Listening and quiet caring are essential for the success of married life, of family life and of the rearing of children with love, affection, and a gentle, firm discipline. Human love begins at home, and it begins with listening

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

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WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR?

 Readings for Sunday, July 13, 2025 

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 105

Qari tal-15-il Ħadd matul is-Sena

Reading 1                  Deuteronomy 30:10-14

Moses said to the people: "If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul."For this command that I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you. It is not up in the sky, that you should say, 'Who will go up in the sky to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?' Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, 'Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?' No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out."

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tad-Dewteronomju 30:10-14

Mosè kellem lill-poplu u qal: “Il-Mulej jifraħ bik u jagħmel il-ġid miegħek, jekk int tisma’ l-kelma tal-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, u tħares l-ordnijiet tiegħu u l-liġijiet miktuba fil-ktieb ta’ din il-liġi; jekk terġa’ lejn il-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, b’qalbek kollha u b’ruħek kollha. Din il-liġi li qiegħed nagħtik illum, mhijiex tqila għalik u anqas ’il bogħod minnek. Mhijiex fis-sema biex int tgħid: ‘Min se jitlgħalna s-sema jġibhielna u jsemmagħhielna u nagħmluha?’. U anqas ma hi ’l hemm mill-baħar biex int tgħid: ‘Min se jmur ’l hemm mill-ibħra u jġibhielna, u jsemmagħhielna, u nagħmluha?’. Imma din il-ħaġa hi qribek sewwa f’fommok u f’moħħok, biex tagħmilha”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11

The law of the LORD is perfect,
 refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
 giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The precepts of the LORD are right,
 rejoicing the heart;
the command of the LORD is clear,
 enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The fear of the LORD is pure,
 enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
 all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

They are more precious than gold,
 than a heap of purest gold;
sweeter also than syrup
 or honey from the comb.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 18:8,9,10,11

R/.(9a): Il-preċetti tal-Mulej dritti, u jferrħu l-qalb.

Il-liġi tal-Mulej perfetta,
u tagħti l-ħajja;
ix-xhieda tal-Mulej hi sewwa,
u tgħallem lil min ma jafx. R/.

Il-preċetti tal-Mulej dritti,
u jferrħu l-qalb;
il-kmandament tal-Mulej safi,
u jdawwal l-għajnejn. R/.

Il-biża’ tal-Mulej sinċier,
u jibqa’ għal dejjem;
il-ġudizzji tal-Mulej sewwa,
u mseddqa għalkollox. R/.

Egħżeż mid-deheb,
mid-deheb l-aktar fin,
oħla mill-għasel
u mill-qtar tax-xehda. R/.

Reading 2                 Colossians 1:15-20

Christ Jesus 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 Appostlu lill-Kolossin 1:15-20

Ħuti, Kristu 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 10:25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself." He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live."  But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.  They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.' Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Luqa 10:25-37

 F’dak iż-żmien, iqum wieħed għaref fil-Liġi u, biex iġarrab lil Ġesù, staqsieh: “Mgħallem, x’nagħmel biex niret il-ħajja ta’ dejjem?”. Qallu Ġesù: “Fil-Liġi x’hemm miktub? Inti x’taqra fiha?”. U dak wieġeb: “Int għandek tħobb il-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, b’qalbek kollha, u b’ruħek kollha, bil-qawwa tiegħek kollha, u b’moħħok kollu, u lill-proxxmu tiegħek bħalek innifsek”.  Qallu Ġesù: “Sewwa weġibt; agħmel hekk u tgħix”. Iżda dak, biex juri li kellu raġun, qal lil Ġesù: “U l-proxxmu tiegħi min hu?”. U Ġesù raġa’ qabad jgħidlu: “Wieħed raġel kien nieżel Ġeriko minn Ġerusalemm, u waqa’ f’idejn il-ħallelin; dawn neżżgħuh, biċċruh bis-swat u telqu, u ħallewh nofsu mejjet. Inzerta kien nieżel qassis minn dik it-triq u rah, għadda minn mal-ġenb u baqa’ sejjer. Hekk ukoll wieħed levita, meta wasal hemm u rah, għadda minn mal-ġenb u baqa’ sejjer. Imma kien għaddej minn hemm wieħed Samaritan, wasal ħdejh, rah u tħassru. Resaq lejh, dewwielu l-ġrieħi biż-żejt u l-inbid u rabathomlu, u mbagħad tellgħu fuq il-bhima tiegħu, wasslu f’lukanda u ħa ħsiebu. L-għada ħareġ biċċtejn flus, tahom lil tal-lukanda u qallu: “Ħu ħsiebu; jekk tonfoq xi ħaġa iżjed, irroddhielek jien meta nerġa’ ngħaddi”. Minn dawn it-tlieta, int min jidhirlek li ġieb ruħu ta’ proxxmu ma’ dak li waqa’ f’idejn il-ħallelin?”. “Min ħenn għalih”, wieġbu dak. Qallu Ġesù: “Mur, u agħmel hekk int ukoll”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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WE GAIN ETERNAL LIFE BY BEING GOOD NEIGHBOURS

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

Introduction: 

The central theme of Sunday’s Scripture readings is that we gain eternal life by loving God, in Himself and living in our neighbours, by becoming good neighbours.

Scripture lessons: 

The first reading, taken from Deuteronomy, reminds us that God not only gives us His Commandments in Holy Scriptures, but that He has also written them in our hearts so that we may obey them and inherit eternal life with God. The refrain for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 69) condenses the lessons of the three readings in a single memorable statement, “Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.” 

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds the Colossians, and us, that just as Christ Jesus is the “visible image of the invisible God,” so our neighbours are the visible image of Christ living in our midst. In Sunday’s Gospel, a scribe asks Jesus a very basic religious question: “What should I do to inherit eternal life?” In answer to the question, Jesus directs the scribe’s attention to the Sacred Scriptures. The Scriptural answer is, “love God, and express that love by loving your neighbor.” However, to the scribe the word “neighbour” means another scribe or Pharisee – never a Samaritan or a Gentile. Hence, the scribe insists on clarification of the word “neighbour.” So, Jesus tells him the parable of the Good Samaritan. The parable clearly indicates that a “neighbour” is anyone who needs help. Thus, the correct approach is not to ask, “Who is my neighbour?” but rather to ask, “Am I a good neighbour to others?” Jesus, the Heavenly Good Samaritan, gives us a final commandment during the Last Supper, “Love one another as I have loved you,” because the invisible God dwells in every human being.

Life messages: 

1) Let us remember that the road from Jerusalem to Jericho passes right through our home, parish, school, and workplace. We may find our spouse, children or parents “lying wounded” by bitter words or scathing criticism (ours?) or by other more blatant forms of verbal, emotional or physical abuse. Hence, Jesus invites us to show our love to others, in our own home, in school, in the workplace, and in the neighbourhood, as the Good Samaritan did. 

2) Let us check to see if we are good neighbours. We become good neighbours when we are people of generosity, kindness, and mercy toward all who are suffering. Our sincere smile, a cheery greeting, an encouraging word of appreciation, a heartfelt “thank you” can all work wonders for a suffering soul. 

3) Let us allow the “Good Samaritans” to touch our lives. Let us be willing to touch, or be touched by, persons we have once despised. For some of us, it may be persons of another colour or race; for others, it may mean persons of a different political persuasion. Let us pray that the Spirit of the Living God may melt us, mold us, and use us, so that there will no longer be even one person who is untouchable or outside the boundaries of our compassion. 

4) Let us accept God’s invitation to be loving and merciful to our enemies. These enemies include both the people we hate, and those who hate us, for our God, is extending to people of all times His invitation to love and serve Him in loving and serving eveyone, including those from whom we are estranged.

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

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GOD WILL BRING US SAFELY TO HIS HOUSE

 Readings for Sunday, July 6, 2025 

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 102

L-Erbatax-il Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                  Isaiah 66:10-14c

Thus says the LORD:  Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her,  all you who love her;  exult, exult with her,  all you who were mourning over her! Oh, that you may suck fully  of the milk of her comfort,  that you may nurse with delight  at her abundant breasts!  For thus says the LORD:  Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river,  and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent.  As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms,  and fondled in her lap;  as a mother comforts her child,  so will I comfort you;  in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.  When you see this, your heart shall rejoice  and your bodies flourish like the grass;  the LORD's power shall be known to his servants.

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 66:10-14ċ

Ifirħu lil Ġerusalemm, thennew biha, intom ilkoll ħbieb tagħha! Aqbżu bil-ferħ, intom ilkoll li qsamtu swied il-qalb magħha! Hekk intom terdgħu u tixbgħu minn sider il-faraġ tagħha; terdgħu u titgħaxxqu mis-sider mimli tagħha. Għaliex dan jgħid il-Mulej: “Arani! Se nifrex fuqha s-sliem bħal xmara, u bħal xmara tfur il-ġid tal-ġnus. U intom terdgħu u fuq id-dirgħajn tintrefgħu, u jżiegħlu bikom fuq l-irkupptejn. Bħalma omm tfarraġ lil binha, hekk jiena nfarraġ lilkom u f’Ġerusalemm titfarrġu.  Taraw u tifraħ qalbkom, u għadamkom bħal ħaxix iħaddar; u jagħrfu fil-qaddejja tiegħu id il-Mulej”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
 sing praise to the glory of his name;
 proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, "How tremendous are your deeds!"
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

"Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
 sing praise to your name!"
Come and see the works of God,
 his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

He has changed the sea into dry land;
 through the river they passed on foot;
 therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
 what he has done for me.
Blessed be God who refused me not
 my prayer or his kindness!
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 65(66):1-3a,4-5,6-7a,16,20

R/.(1): Għajtu bil-ferħ lil Alla.

Għajtu bil-ferħ lil Alla,
bnedmin tad-dinja kollha;
għannu s-sebħ ta’ ismu,
xandru s-sebħ u t-tifħir tiegħu.
Għidu lil Alla: “Kemm int tal-biża’ f’għemilek!”. R/.

“L-art kollha tagħtik qima,
tgħannilek u tgħanni lil ismek”.
Ejjew, araw l-għemejjel ta’ Alla;
tal-biża’ f’għemilu fost il-bnedmin. R/.

Biddel il-baħar f’art niexfa,
għaddew bil-mixi minn nofs ix-xmara.
Għalhekk, nifirħu bih!
Hu jsaltan bil-kobor tiegħu għal dejjem! R/.

Ejjew, isimgħu, u ngħidilkom,
intom ilkoll li tibżgħu minn Alla,
ngħidilkom x’għamel miegħi.
Imbierek Alla, li ma warrabx it-talba tiegħi;
ma warrabx minn fuqi t-tjieba tiegħu!  R/.

Reading 2                   Galatians 6:14-18

Brothers and sisters:  May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation. Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

QARI 2                  Għeluq tal-Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lill-Galatin 6:14-18

Ħuti, ngħid għalija, ma jkun qatt li niftaħar jekk mhux bis-salib ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu, li bih id-dinja hi msallba għalija u jien għad-dinja. Għaliex, biċ-ċirkonċiżjoni jew mingħajrha, xejn ma hemm ta’ siwi, ħlief il-ħolqien ġdid. U dawk kollha li jimxu fuq din ir-regola, is-sliem u l-ħniena fuqhom, u wkoll fuq Iżrael ta’ Alla. Mil-lum ’il quddiem ħadd ma għandu jħabbatni iżjed; jien inġib f’ġismi l-marki ta’ Kristu. Il-grazzja ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu tkun magħkom, ħuti. Amen. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                   Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 

At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest  to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.'  If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another.  Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,  eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.' Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 'The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.' Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town."  The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name." Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.  Behold, I have given you the power to 'tread upon serpents' and  scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you.  Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Luqa 10:1-12,17-20

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Mulej għażel tnejn u sebgħin oħra u bagħathom tnejn tnejn qablu f’kull belt u post fejn kien se jmur hu. U qalilhom: “Il-ħsad huwa kbir, imma l-ħaddiema ftit! Itolbu mela lil Sid il-ħsad biex jibgħat ħaddiema għall-ħsad tiegħu! Morru: araw, qiegħed nibgħatkom bħal ħrief qalb l-ilpup. Teħdux magħkom la but, la ħorġa u lanqas qrieq, u fit-triq issellmu lil ħadd. Fid-dar fejn tidħlu, l-ewwel għidu: ‘Is-sliem lil din id-dar’. U jekk fiha jkun hemm min iħobb is-sliem, jistrieħ is-sliem tagħkom fuqu; jekk le, it-tislima tagħkom terġa’ lura għandkom. Ibqgħu għand dik il-familja, u kulu u ixorbu milli jkollhom huma, għax il-ħaddiem ħaqqu ħlasu. Toqogħdux idduru minn familja għal oħra. F’kull belt li fiha tmorru u jilqgħukom, kulu dak li jqegħdulkom quddiemkom; fejqu l-morda li jkun hemm; u lin-nies għidulhom: ‘Is-Saltna ta’ Alla waslitilkom’. Imma l-belt li fiha tidħlu u ma jilqgħukomx, oħorġu fil-pjazez tagħha u għidu: ‘Sat-trab ta’ beltkom infarfru minn ma’ riġlejna, u nħalluh għalikom. Imma kunu afu dan: is-Saltna ta’ Alla waslet’. Ngħidilkom li dak il-jum ikun eħfef għal Sodoma milli għal dik il-belt”.  It-tnejn u sebgħin reġgħu lura ferħana jgħidu: “Mulej, ix-xjaten ukoll joqogħdu għalina minħabba f’ismek”. U hu qalilhom: “Iva, jien kont narah lix-Xitan jaqa’ bħal berqa mis-sema. Araw, tajtkom is-setgħa li tirfsu fuq sriep u skorpjuni u li tegħlbu kull qawwa tal-għadu u ebda ħsara ma jagħmlulkom. Madankollu mhux b’dan ifirħu, li l-ispirti joqogħdu għalikom, imma ifirħu għax għandkom isimkom miktub fis-smewwiet”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

THE GOOD NEWS OF HIS KINGDOM

Introduction: 

Sunday’s Scriptures are about announcing the Good News. They remind us that announcing the Good News of the Kingdom by words, deeds and life is not the task of only a few. Rather, it is a task for all baptized Christians.

Scripture lessons:

In the first reading, Isaiah announces the good news to the returned Babylonian exiles that the ruined and desolate Jerusalem will take care of them “as a mother comforts her baby son.” Isiah assures the returned Jews that they will live in the certainty of Yahweh’s promises of love, protection, prosperity, and salvation. In today’s second reading, Paul removes the confusion created by the Judaizers in the minds of the new Gentile Christians of Galatia. He clearly conveys the good news that it is Jesus’ death on the cross which brings one’s salvation and not Jewish heritage or practice of Torah laws. Paul reminds us that the mission of each member of the Church is to bear witness to the saving power of the cross of Christ through a life of sacrificial, self-giving service. In today’ Gospel, Luke describes the fulfillment of the prophetic promise made by Isaiah in Jesus’ commissioning of 72 disciples to preach the Gospel or the good news of God’s love and salvation in towns and villages in preparation for his own visit. Jesus gives the paired disciples “travel tips” for their missionary journey. They must be walking witnesses of God’s providence, relying on the hospitality of others, living very simple lives, preaching the Good News and healing the sick. Today’s Gospel reminds us that we, the 1.5 billion Christians in the world today, have the mission of the 72, to preach the Gospel of Christ to the rest of world’s 4.5 billion non-Christians.

Life Messages: 

1) We need to continue the proclamation of the Gospel: Just as Jesus, in today’s Gospel, gave instructions to the seventy-two missionaries, he also gives each one of us a mission to carry out. As faithful Christians, we should attract others to the Faith by leading exemplary lives, just as a rose silently attracts people by its beauty and fragrance. This is our job and our responsibility. We must not miss the current opportunities to be apostles through our words and deeds in everyday life.

2) We need to avoid giving the counter-witness of practicing the “supermarket Catholicism” of our politicians who publicly proclaim their “Catholicism” and yet support abortion, gay marriage, human cloning, and experimentation with human embryos. Nor should we be “armchair Catholics,” “cafeteria Catholics” or “Sunday Catholics” who bear counter-witness to Christ through our lives.

3) Let us start proclaiming the Gospel in our families by leading exemplary Christian lives, in which spouses love and respect each other, raise their children in the spirit of obedience and service, discipline them with forgiving love and teach them through persistent example to pray, love and help others by sharing their blessings.

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

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