"THE ONE WHO HUMBLIES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED."

Readings for Sunday, October 26, 2025 

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Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 150

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

Reading 1                  Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18

The LORD is a God of justice,  who knows no favorites.  Though not unduly partial toward the weak,  yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.  The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,  nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.  The one who serves God willingly is heard;  his petition reaches the heavens.  The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;  it does not rest till it reaches its goal,  nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,  judges justly and affirms the right,  and the Lord will not delay.

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb ta’ Bin Sirak 35:12-14,16-18

Il-Mulej hu mħallef,u ma jħarisx lejn l-uċuħ. Ma joqgħodx iħares lejn wiċċ dak li jkun b’dannu tal-fqir, u jagħti widen għat-talba tal-magħkus. Ma jagħlaqx widnejh għat-talba bil-ħniena tal-iltim, jew tal-armla li tibki xortiha. Min jaqdi mill-qalb lil Alla jintlaqa’, u t-talba tiegħu titla’ m’ogħla s-sħab. It-talba tal-umli tinfed is-sħab, u ma toqgħodx bi kwietha qabel tasal qrib il-Mulej, u ma tiqafx qabel ma l-Għoli jagħti widen, u jagħti raġun lill-ġusti u jagħmel ħaqq.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

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 Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The LORD is close to the broken-hearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 33:2-3,17-18,19,23

R/.(7a): Dan il-fqajjar sejjaħ u l-Mulej semgħu.

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

Il-ħarsa tal-Mulej fuq il-ħżiena,
biex jeqred minn fuq l-art tifkirithom.
Jgħajtu l-ġusti għall-għajnuna, u l-Mulej jismagħhom;
mid-dwejjaq kollha tagħhom jeħlishom. R/.

Qrib il-Mulej lejn dawk b’qalbhom maqsuma,
jgħin lil dawk b’ruħhom mifnija.
Jifdi l-Mulej il-ħajja tal-qaddejja tiegħu;
kull min jistkenn fih ma jkollux xi jpatti. R/.

Reading 2                  2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Beloved: I 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.  At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But 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 4:6-8,16-18

Għażiż, 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 fl-imħabba tad-Dehra tiegħu. Fl-ewwel difiża tiegħi ħadd ma kien miegħi; kulħadd ħallieni. Jalla ma jkunx magħdud kontrihom! Imma l-Mulej waqaf miegħi u tani l-qawwa biex bis-saħħa tiegħi l-kelma tixxandar sal-aħħar u l-ġnus kollha jisimgħuha. Hekk jien sfajt meħlus 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! Amen. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                  Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

EVANĠELJU                  mill-Evanġelju skont San Luqa 18:9-14

F’dak iż-żmien, kien hemm uħud li kienu jafdaw fihom infushom li huma ġusti u kienu jmaqdru lill-oħrajn. Ġesù qalilhom din il-parabbola: “Żewġt irġiel, wieħed Fariżew u l-ieħor pubblikan, telgħu fit-tempju biex jitolbu. Il-Fariżew, wieqaf, talab hekk f’qalbu: ‘O Alla, niżżik ħajr li m’iniex bħall-bqija tal-bnedmin, ħalliela, inġusti, żienja, jew ukoll bħal dan il-pubblikan. Jiena nsum darbtejn fil-ġimgħa u nħallas l-għexur ta’ kulma ndaħħal’. Iżda l-pubblikan, bilwieqfa fil-bogħod anqas biss ried jerfa’ għajnejh lejn is-sema, imma beda jħabbat fuq sidru u jgħid: ‘O Alla, ħenn għalija, għax jien midneb!’. Ngħidilkom jien li dan, u mhux l-ieħor, niżel id-dar iġġustifikat. Għax kull min jitkabbar, jiċċekken; u min jiċċekken, jitkabbar”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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THE TRUE HUMILITY AND REPENTENCE FOR OUR SINS .....

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

Introduction: 

The main theme of Sunday’s Gospel is that true humility and repentance for our sins must be the hallmark of our prayers. However, the central focus of Sunday’s parable is not on prayer itself, but rather on the evil of pride, the need for true humility, and the role of God’s grace in our salvation.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading, taken from the book of Sirach, is a perfect companion piece to the Gospel parable. In one striking image from Sirach, the writer declares "the prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds to reach the unseen throne of God.” Such prayers are heard because they come from the hearts of people who know how much they need God. Although God has no favorites and answers the prayers of all, the oppressed, the orphans, the widows, and those who can least help themselves are His special concern. 

The best prayer is humble and selfless service. In the Refrain for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 95), we sing this warning reminder, “If today you hear His Voice, harden not your hearts,” in pride or scorn. In the second reading, Paul, the former Pharisee Saul, like the publican in the Gospel parable, humbly acknowledges his work as accomplished by the grace of God, and he thanks God for enabling him to fight a good battle, to run a good race, while keeping his Faith intact and proclaiming it. 

In Sunday’s Gospel parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus reminds us that God hears the prayers of one who approaches Him in humility with a repentant heart. God did not hear the prayer of this Pharisee because he exalted himself. His prayer was a prayer of thanksgiving that he was not as evil as other people. He announced to God his freedom from sin and detailed his fidelity in observing the prescribed fast and in giving tithes. The tax collector’s prayer, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” was heard because he humbled himself, acknowledging his sins and requesting God’s mercy.

Life messages: 

1) Let us evict the Pharisee and revive the publican in each of us. We become the proud Pharisee when we brag about our achievements, giving no credit to God or those who help us, when we seek praise and recognition from others for our accomplishments, and when we degrade others with insensitive comments, hurting their feelings. In today’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us to imitate the humble publican (tax collector), by acknowledging our total dependence on God and His grace for all our achievements and blessings; by confessing to God daily our sinfulness; by asking for His strengthening through the daily anointing of His Holy Spirit living within us; and by becoming more sensitive to the needs and feelings of others, serving Jesus in them as best as we can.

2) Let us include all the necessary ingredients in our prayers. Our personal prayers must include our request for pardon and forgiveness for our sins, our thanksgiving for the numerous blessings we receive daily from God, our praise and worship, the unconditional surrender of our life and all our activities completely and unconditionally to God, the acknowledgement of our weakness and total dependence on Him, and finally, the presentation of our needs and petitions, asking that they be granted only to the extent that they are in accord with His Holy Will, accompanied by the fervent request for God’s strengthening in our weakness and temptations through the daily anointing of His Holy Spirit. Let us pray every day: “Be merciful to me, a sinner.”

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

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"I TELL YOU THE FATHER WILL SEE TO IT THAT JUSTICE IS DONE FOR THOSE WHO ASK."

 Readings for Sunday, October 19, 2025 

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 147

Id-Disgħa u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                  Exodus 17:8-13

In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel. Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, "Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses'hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Eżodu 17:8-13

F’dak iż-żmien, il-poplu ta’ Għamalek qam u tqabad ma’ Iżrael f’Rafidim. Mosè qal lil Ġożwè: “Agħżel irġiel u mur tqabad ma’ Għamalek; jien noqgħod wieqaf fuq il-quċċata tal-għolja, bil-ħatar ta’ Alla f’idi”. Ġożwè għamel kif qallu Mosè, u mar jitqabad mal-Għamalekin. Mosè, Aron u Ħur telgħu fuq il-quċċata tal-għolja. Kull meta Mosè kien jerfa’ jdejh, Iżrael kien jirbaħ; u kull meta kien iniżżel idejh, kienu jirbħu l-Għamalekin. Meta jdejn Mosè bdew jitqalu, ħadu ġebla u qegħduhielu taħtu; u hu qagħad bilqiegħda, waqt li Aron u Ħur żammewlu dirgħajh, wieħed kull naħa. Hekk idejh baqgħu sodi merfugħa sa nżul ix-xemx. U Ġożwè qered lil Għamalek u l-poplu tiegħu b’xifer ix-xabla. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

May he not suffer your foot to slip;
may he slumber not who guards you:
indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,
the guardian of Israel.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.
The sun shall not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The LORD will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 120(121):1-2,3-4,5-6,7-8

R/.(2): L-għajnuna tiegħi mingħand il-Mulej.

Nerfa’ għajnejja lejn l-għoljiet;
mnejn se tiġini l-għajnuna?
L-għajnuna tiegħi mingħand il-Mulej,
li għamel is-sema u l-art. R/.

Ma jħalli qatt li riġlek jogħtor;
ma jongħosx dak li jħarsek.
Ara, la jongħos u lanqas jorqod
dak li jħares lil Iżrael. R/.

Il-Mulej hu dak li jħarsek;
il-Mulej hu d-dell tiegħek fuq lemintek.
Ma tolqtokx ix-xemx binhar,
anqas il-qamar billejl. R/.

Iħarsek il-Mulej minn kull deni;
hu jħarislek ħajtek.
Il-Mulej iħarsek fil-ħruġ u d-dħul tiegħek,
minn issa u għal dejjem. R/.

Reading 2                  2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

Beloved: Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.

QARI 2                   mit-Tieni Ittra ta’ San Pawl lil Timotju 3:14–4:2

Għażiż, ibqa’ miexi f’dak li tgħallimt u emmint bis-sħiħ, għax taf mingħand min tgħallimtu, u għax sa minn żgħoritek sirt midħla tal-Kotba Mqaddsa, li jistgħu jagħtuk l-għerf li jwassal għas-salvazzjoni permezz tal-fidi fi Kristu Ġesù. L-Iskrittura kollha hija mnebbħa minn Alla, u tiswa biex wieħed jgħallem, iċanfar, iwiddeb u jrawwem fis-sewwa, biex hekk il-bniedem ta’ Alla jkun perfett, imħejji għal kull ħidma tajba.  Nitolbok bil-ħerqa, quddiem Alla u Kristu Ġesù, li għandu jagħmel ħaqq mill-ħajjin u mill-mejtin, f’isem id-Dehra tiegħu u s-Saltna tiegħu: xandar il-kelma, insisti f’waqtu u barra minn waqtu, ċanfar, widdeb, wissi, bis-sabar kollu u bit-tagħlim.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                  Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.' For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, 'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally comes and strikes me.'"   The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Luqa 18:1-8

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal parabbola lid-dixxipli tiegħu biex jurihom li għandhom dejjem jitolbu bla ma jaqtgħu. Qalilhom: “Kien hemm f’belt wieħed imħallef, li la kien jibża’ minn Alla u lanqas iħabbel rasu minn ħadd. F’dik il-belt kien hemm waħda armla, u kienet tmur għandu u tgħidlu: “Agħmilli ħaqq kontra l-għadu tiegħi”. Hu ma riedx, u dam ħafna hekk; iżda mbagħad bejnu u bejn ruħu qal: “Mhux għax nibża’ minn Alla jew għax se nħabbel rasi min-nies, imma għall-inqas għax din l-armla dejqitni; ħa nagħmlilha ħaqq, biex ma tibqax ġejja u sejra sa ma tifnini”.  U l-Mulej qal: “Isimgħu ftit x’jgħid l-imħallef il-ħażin. Imbagħad Alla, lill-magħżulin tiegħu li jgħajtulu lejl u nhar, sejjer ma jagħmlilhomx ħaqq? Se joqgħod itawwal magħhom? Jiena ngħidilkom li malajr jagħmlilhom ħaqq. Imma taħsbu intom li Bin il-bniedem se jsib il-fidi fuq l-art meta jiġi?”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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THE TRUSTWORTHINESS AND JUSTICE

 OF GOD  

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

 

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings are mainly about prayer -- perseverance in prayer, constancy in prayer and trust in God as we pray. They are also about the Trustworthiness and Justice of God, the type of Justice that reaches out to the poor and the weak, enabling them to fight against injustice.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the first reading, Moses, after sending Joshua to fight against Amalek, is presented as making tireless intercession (constancy), for the victory of Israel’s army. Both Moses and the widow in today’s Gospel story demonstrate to us the trusting Faith and perseverance with which we should pray. In the second reading, St. Paul instructs Timothy to persevere in his ministry, to proclaim the word of God with persistence in all circumstances, and to use it to “correct, reprove and appeal with patience.”

By introducing the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow in Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the “necessity of praying always and not losing heart.” Constancy in prayer is Faith in action. Jesus presents the widow in today’s Gospel as a model of the trust and tenacity with which his disciples are to pray. The widow was asking for something which God would certainly want for her --justice.

Life messages: 

1) We need to combine formal prayers with action prayer: It is ideal that we start our prayers by reading from the Bible, especially the Psalms and the Gospels. Formal, memorized and liturgical prayers are also essential for the Christian prayer life. Personal prayer is of great importance in our life of prayer. Talking to God in our own words -- praising Him, thanking Him and presenting our needs before Him -- transforms our whole life into prayer. We should perfect our prayers by bringing ourselves into God’s presence during our work several times during the day and by offering to God all that we are, all that we have, and all that we do. Along with formal and memorized prayers, this type of prayer life enables us to pray always and pray with constancy and trusting perseverance.

2) We should not expect to get whatever we pray for. This parable does not suggest that God writes a blank check, guaranteeing whatever we want, whenever we want, it in the form we ask for. But we conveniently forget the fact that, often, a loving father has to refuse the request of a child, because he knows that what the child asks would hurt rather than help him (e.g., a sharp knife, a pet tarantula). God is like that. He knows what to give, when to give and how to give it. Only God sees time whole, and, therefore, only God knows what is good for us in the long run. That is why Jesus says that we must never be discouraged in prayer. Instead, we have to leave the answer to God’s decision saying, “Thy will be done.” Sincere and persistent prayer makes us ready to accept His will.

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

..................  SEE ALSO - 

The Papal exhortation “Dilexe te” which is given as a separate item with the Papal Video we publish weekly on the right side of this blog.

"IS IT ONLY FOREIGNERS WHO RETURN TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD?"

 Readings for Sunday, October 12, 2025 

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 144

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

Reading 1                  2 Kings 5:14-17

Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of Elisha, the man of God.  His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean of his leprosy.  Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God. On his arrival he stood before Elisha and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth,  except in Israel.  Please accept a gift from your servant." Elisha replied, "As the LORD lives whom I serve, I will not take it;"  and despite Naaman's urging, he still refused. Naaman said: "If you will not accept, please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth, for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the LORD."

 QARI 1                             mit-Tieni Ktieb tas-Slaten 5:14-17

F’dak iż-żmien, Nagħman, il-kmandant tal-eżerċtu tas-Sultan ta’ Aram, niżel fil-Ġordan, u għodos seba’ darbiet, bħalma qallu Eliżew, il-bniedem ta’ Alla, u ġismu raġa’ sarlu qisu l-ġisem ta’ tfajjel żagħżugħ, u ndaf mil-lebbra tiegħu. U raġa’ lura għand Eliżew, il-bniedem ta’ Alla, hu u kull min kellu miegħu; daħal, waqaf quddiemu u qallu: “Ara, issa naf, iva, li ma hemmx Alla ieħor fid-dinja kollha, ħlief f’Iżrael. Ilqa’, nitolbok, dan ir-rigal mingħand il-qaddej tiegħek”.  U qallu Eliżew: “Daqskemm hu ħaj il-Mulej li lilu naqdi, jien ma nieħu xejn”. U ma ħadhulux, għad li l-ieħor issikkah ħafna. Għalhekk Nagħman qallu: “La ma tridx, nitolbok li tingħata lill-qaddej tiegħek tagħbija ta’ żewġ bgħula ħamrija; għax il-qaddej tiegħek mhuwiex se jagħmel iżjed sagrifiċċji tal-ħruq u offerti lil allat oħra, jekk mhux lill-Mulej”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands:
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
 
SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 97(98):1,2-3ab,3ċd-4

R/. Il-Mulej għarraf is-salvazzjoni lill-ġnus.

Għannu lill-Mulej għanja ġdida,
għax għamel ħwejjeġ tal-għaġeb.
Ġibitlu r-rebħa l-leminija tiegħu,
u d-driegħ imqaddes tiegħu. R/.

Għarraf il-Mulej is-salvazzjoni tiegħu,
f’għajnejn il-ġnus wera l-ġustizzja tiegħu.
Ftakar fit-tjieba u l-fedeltà tiegħu

mal-poplu ta’ Iżrael. R/.
L-art kollha, minn tarf għall-ieħor,
rat is-salvazzjoni ta’ Alla tagħna.
Għajtu bil-ferħ lill-Mulej fl-art kollha,
infexxu fil-hena, ifirħu u għannu! R/.

Reading 2                  2 Timothy 2:8-13

Beloved: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David:  such is my gospel, for which I am suffering,  even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy:  If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

QARI 2                  mit-Tieni Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lil Timotju 2:8-13

Għażiż, ftakar f’Ġesù Kristu, li qam mill-imwiet, li hu min-nisel ta’ David, skont l-Evanġelju li ħabbart jien. Għalih jien qiegħed inbati sa l-irbit tal-ktajjen bħallikieku għamilt xi delitt. Imma l-kelma ta’ Alla mhijiex marbuta!  Għalhekk kollox nieħu bis-sabar għall-imħabba ta’ dawk li Alla għażel, biex huma wkoll jiksbu s-salvazzjoni, li hi ta’ glorja għal dejjem fi Kristu Ġesù. Din hi kelma ta’ min joqgħod fuqha: Jekk aħna mitna miegħu, għad ngħixu miegħu wkoll; jekk insofru bis-sabar, għad insaltnu miegħu wkoll; jekk niċħduh, jiċħadna hu wkoll; jekk nonqsu mill-kelma li tajna, hu jibqa’ jżomm kelmtu; għax hu ma jistax iqarraq bih innifsu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. 

Gospel                 Luke 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not?  Where are the other nine?  Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?  Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you."

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Luqa 17:11-19

Ġara li huwa u sejjer lejn Ġerusalemm, Ġesù għadda minn bejn is-Samarija u l-Galilija. Kif kien dieħel f’raħal, iltaqgħu miegħu għaxart irġiel morda bil-lebbra. Waqfu ’l bogħod minnu, għollew leħinhom u qalulu: “Ġesù, mgħallem, ikollok ħniena minna!”. Kif rahom, qalilhom: “Morru uru rwieħkom lill-qassisin”. U ġara li, huma u sejrin, fiequ mill-marda tagħhom. Wieħed minnhom, kif ra ruħu mfejjaq, raġa’ lura jgħajjat u jfaħħar lil Alla, inxteħet wiċċu fl-art f’riġlejn Ġesù u raddlu ħajr. Issa dan kien Samaritan. U Ġesù qabad u qal: “Mhux l-għaxra fiequ mil-lebbra? Fejn huma d-disgħa l-oħra? Ma kien hemm ħadd minnhom li raġa’ lura biex jagħti glorja lil Alla ħlief dan il-barrani?”. Imbagħad qallu: “Qum, mur; il-fidi tiegħek salvatek”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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THE EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE THAT GOD EXPECTS FROM US    

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

Introduction: 

The central theme of Sunday’s readings is gratitude – in particular, the expression of gratitude God expects from us. Today’s Gospel story of The Forgetful Lepers presents a God Who desires gratitude from us for the many blessings we receive from Him, and Who feels pain at our ingratitude.

Scripture lesson summarised -- 

Naaman, the Syrian military commander in the first reading, was an outcast, not only because of his leprosy, but because he was also a non-Israelite, a pagan. But he returned to thank the Prophet Elisha for curing his leprosy, and as a sign of his gratitude, transferred his allegiance to the God of Israel.

St. Paul, in the second reading, advises Timothy to be grateful to God even in his physical sufferings and amid the dangers associated with spreading the Word of God because God will always be faithful to His people.

Sunday’s Gospel story tells us of a single non-Jewish leper (a “Samaritan, considered by the Jews as heretic”), who returned to thank Jesus for healing him, while the other nine now-healed Jewish lepers went their way. Perhaps, they were under the false impression that healing was their right as God’s “chosen people,” so, they hurried off to obtain health certificates from the priests. “Where are the other nine?” Jesus asked (rhetorically) of the returned Samaritan and the crowd. Today’s readings also remind us that Faith and healing go hand in hand. It was Faith that prompted Naaman to plunge himself into the waters of the Jordan River, and it was Faith in Jesus which prompted the lepers to present themselves first to Jesus and then to the priests. The readings also demonstrate the universal love of God for all peoples, including the Samaritans (whom the Israelites hated), and the pagans, Israel's enemies, whom Naaman represented.

Life Messages:

1) We need to learn to be thankful to God and to others. We can express our gratitude to our loving and providing God by offering grace before meals and by allotting a few minutes of the day for family prayer. Let us show our gratitude to our forgiving God by forgiving others and by loving God in them, radiating His love, mercy, and compassion to all we encounter, including our families and friends. It is by taking good care of our old and sick parents that we express our gratitude to them for the loving sacrifices they have made in raising us. Thus, let us have an “attitude of gratitude” to God and to our neighbors. 

2) We need to celebrate the Holy Eucharist as the supreme act of thanksgiving: The Greek word “Eucharist” means a profoundly religious and thoroughly spiritual “thanksgiving.” When we celebrate the Holy Mass together, we are thanking God for giving us the great gift of His Son in the Holy Eucharist, both so that we can share His Divine life and so that we can recharge our spiritual batteries. We also thank Him for giving us His teaching, guiding, strengthening Holy Spirit in His One, Holy, Datholic and Apostolic Church. We also express our thanks to God as a parish community by sharing our time, talents, and material blessings in the various ministries and services of the parish and by our active participation in its outreach programs in the community.

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"IF ONLY YOU HAD FAITH!"

Readings for Sunday, October 5, 2025 

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time   

Lectionary: 141

Is-Sebgħa u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                  Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4

How long, O LORD?  I cry for help  but you do not listen!  I cry out to you, "Violence!"  but you do not intervene.  Why do you let me see ruin;  why must I look at misery? Destruction and violence are before me;  there is strife, and clamorous discord.  Then the LORD answered me and said:  Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets,  so that one can read it readily.  For the vision still has its time,  presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint;  if it delays, wait for it,  it will surely come, it will not be late.  The rash one has no integrity;  but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.

QARI 1                            mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Ħabakuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4

Mulej, kemm se ndum nokrob għall-għajnuna u int ma tismax, jew ngħajjat: “Vjolenza!” u int ma ssalvax? Għaliex turini l-ħażen, u inti toqgħod tħares lejn il-ħtija? Quddiemi qerda u vjolenza, hemm it-tilwim, u l-ġlied dejjem jiżdied. Imbagħad il-Mulej wieġeb u qalli: “Ikteb id-dehra, onqoxha fuq tavlozzi, hekk li jkun jista’ jħaffef min jaqraha. Għax id-dehra sseħħ meta jkun waqtha, tistenna sa ma ttemm, u ma tqarraqx. Jekk hija ddum ma tasal, int  tennieha, għax tiġi żgur, ma tiddawwarx ma tasal! Arah jinfena min mhux ruħu sewwa, iżda l-ġust jgħix bil-fedeltà tiegħu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;   
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation. 
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;  
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 

Come, let us bow down in worship;  let us kneel before the LORD who made us. 
For he is our God,
 and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
 "Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
 as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
 they tested me though they had seen my works."
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 94(95):1-2,6-7,8-9

R/. (ara 8): Isimgħu leħen il-Mulej, u twebbsux qalbkom.

Ejjew, ħa nfaħħru bl-hena l-Mulej,
ħa ngħajtu bil-ferħ lill-blata tas-salvazzjoni tagħna!
Nersqu quddiemu b’għana ta’ radd il-ħajr,
ngħannulu b’għajat ta’ ferħ. R/.

Ejjew inqimuh u ninxteħtu quddiemu,
għarkupptejna quddiem il-Mulej li ħalaqna!
Għaliex hu Alla tagħna,
u aħna l-poplu tal-mergħa tiegħu u n-nagħaġ tiegħu. R/.

Mhux li kontu llum tisimgħu leħnu!
“La twebbsux qalbkom bħal f’Meriba,
bħal dakinhar f’Massa, fid-deżert,
meta ġarrbuni u ttantawni missirijietkom,
għalkemm raw dak li jien għamilt”. R/.

Reading 2                  2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14

Beloved: I remind you, to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.

QARI 2                   mit-Tieni Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lil Timotju 1:6-8,13-14

Għażiż, infakkrek biex tqajjem fik id-don ta’ Alla, li jinsab fik bit-tqegħid ta’ jdejja; għax Alla ma taniex spirtu ta’ biża’, imma Spirtu ta’ qawwa, ta’ mħabba u ta’ rażan. Mela tistħi xejn minħabba fix-xhieda għal Sidna, anqas minħabba fija, priġunier tiegħu, imma aqsam miegħi t-tbatija għall-Evanġelju, u afda fil-qawwa ta’ Alla. Żomm quddiem għajnejk l-eżempju tat-tagħlim sħiħ li smajt mingħandi, fil-fidi u fl-imħabba li huma fi Kristu Ġesù. Ħares bl-għajnuna tal-Ispirtu s-Santu li jgħammar fina t-teżor sabiħ li kien fdat f’idejk.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                  Luke 17:5-10

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."  The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. "Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'? Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'?  Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been  commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Luqa 17:5-10

F’dak iż-żmien, l-appostli qalu lill-Mulej: “Kattar fina l-fidi!”. Weġibhom il-Mulej: “Kieku kellkom fidi mqar daqs żerriegħa tal-mustarda, kontu tgħidu lil din is-siġra tat-tut: “Inqala’ u mur tħawwel fil-baħar”, u hi kienet tisma’ minnkom. Wieħed minnkom ikollu qaddej qiegħed jaħrat jew jirgħa; meta jidħol mill-għalqa x’se jgħidlu: “Ejja, isa, u oqgħod għall-ikel”? jew: “Lestili x’niekol, ilbes il-fardal u newwilli sa ma niekol u nixrob jien, u mbagħad tiekol u tixrob int”? Jaqaw se jroddlu ħajr lill-qaddej talli jkun għamel li ordnalu? Hekk ukoll intom, meta tagħmlu kulma tkunu ordnati, għidu: “Aħna qaddejja li ma niswew għal xejn; għamilna biss dak li kellna nagħmlu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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OUR FAITH IS BELIEF IN - AND ACCEPTANCE OF - REVEALED TRUTH    

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

Introduction: 

All three readings for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time speak about Faith and how it works in our lives. “To one who has Faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without Faith, no explanation is possible.” (St. Thomas Aquinas). It is this Faith that serves as the nucleus of our readings today, showing us three dimensions of Faith. 

1) The theological virtue of Faith enables us to believe something to be true, and therefore worthy of trust, simply because it has been revealed to us by God. 

2) In his instructions to Timothy, Paul, who elsewhere defines Faith as, “the assurance of the things hoped for” (Heb 11:1),shows Faith operating as a believing, trusting, loving relationship with Christ, 

3) Finally, Christian Faith is that trusting Faith in God in action, expressed by steadfast loyalty, fidelity, and total commitment to Him, resulting in our offering ourselves to Him in those we encounter, through our humble, loving service.

Scripture lessons, summarized: 

The first reading presents Faith as trusting in God and faithfully living out His Covenant with us. Here, Faith is shown as hope and steadfast expectation in the face of suffering and delay. God assures the prophet that Faith gives us access to Divine power, and, hence, the just will live righteous lives in the midst of encircling evil because of their Faith. 

In Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm(Ps 95), God is characterized as a sturdy Rock and a caring Shepherd, surely worthy of our trusting Faith. In the second reading, Paul presents Faith as our acceptance of Jesus as the fulfillment of the promises of God. Paul stresses the need for a living Faith in, and loyalty to, Christ’s teachings handed down to us by the Church. Hence, Faith is belief in, and acceptance of, revealed truths based on the authority and veracity of God, and Hope is trust in God. 

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches his Apostles that Faith gives us a share in God’s power, and, hence, even in small quantities, it allows God to work miracles in our lives and in the lives of others. It is Faith, meaning reliance on, or confidence in, God, which makes one just, putting one into right relation with God and neighbor. While the Apostles ask for an increase in the quantity of their Faith Jesus reminds them, and so us, that the quality of one’s Faith is more important than the quantity. A small amount of deep Faith can accomplish great things if that small amount of Faith is placed in a great, mighty, and all-powerful God. Using a master-servant parable, Jesus also teaches them, and us, that for Faith to be effective, it must be linked with trust, obedience, and total commitment — an active submission to God with a willingness to do whatever He commands.

Life messages: 

1) We need to thank God for everything, giving Him the credit for our well-being. Most of us are inclined to forget God’s providence when our earthly affairs are going well. We pray to Him only when trouble strikes. In His Infinite Goodness, God often answers such prayers. Stronger Faith enables us to accept the adversities and the trials of life asking God, “Increase our Faith, Lord!” at all times. 

2) We need to increase our Faith by becoming dutiful servants of God. We grow in Faith as we act in Faith. A sincere Christian can find many ways to help to make Christ known to his neighbour. A quiet word, a charitable gesture, an unselfish interest in a neighbor’s troubles can do more good than a series of sermons given by some renowned theologian.

3) We need to grow in Faith by using the means Christ has given us in his Church. We must cultivate our Faith through prayer, Bible study, participation in the Holy Mass (‘the mystery of Faith”) and leading a well-disciplined spiritual life.

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