JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE

 Readings for Sunday, November 23, 2025 

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

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

Reading 1                  2 Samuel 5:1-3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reading 2                Colossians 1:12-20

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

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

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

Gospel                  Luke 23:35-43

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

EVANĠELJU                Qari skont San Luqa 23:35-43

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

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CROWNING OUR CHRIST AS OUR KING

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

Central theme: 

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

The Biblical basis of the feast: 

   a) Old Testament texts:    

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

   b) New Testament texts: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Life Messages: 

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

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

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

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

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WHEN JESUS COMES AGAIN AS JUDGE

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

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 159

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

Reading 1                 Malachi 3:19-20a

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

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

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

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

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reading 2                2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

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

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

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

Gospel                 Luke 21:5-19

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

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Luqa  21:5-19

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

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OUR FINAL DAYS    

An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings 

by Fr Anthony Kadavil   

Introduction: 

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

Scripture readings summarized: 

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

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

Life messages: 

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

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

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

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JESUS AS THE TEMPLE

 Readings for Sunday, November 9, 2025

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

Festa tad-Dedikazzjoni tal-Bażilka tal-Lateran

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

R/. Tifraħ il-belt ta’ Alla!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gospel                John 2:13-22

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

EVANĠELJU                 skont San Ġwann 2:13-23

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

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

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

Introduction: 

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

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

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

Connection to the New Testament and the Church: 

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

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

Significance for believers: 

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

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