WILL YOU LISTEN IN LOVE THIS LENT?

 Readings for Sunday, March 1, 2026 

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Second Sunday of Lent                         Lectionary: 25

Reading 1             Genesis 12:1-4a

The LORD said to Abram: “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.  “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you.” Abram went as the LORD directed him.

Responsorial Psalm               Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22.

Upright is the word of the Lord,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Our soul waits for the Lord,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Reading 2               2 Timothy 1:8b-10

Beloved:     Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our saviour Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Gospel          Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,  and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,  “Lord, it is good that we are here.  If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.  As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

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/////  BIL-MALTI   ////////

"Alla jsejħilna u jdawwalna”

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Qari tat-Tieni Ħadd tar-Randan

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Ġenesi 12:1-4a

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Mulej qal lil Abram: “Qum u itlaq minn artek, minn art twelidek, u minn dar missierek, lejn l-art li jien nurik. U jien nagħmlek ġens kbir, inbierkek u nkabbarlek ismek, u int tkun barka. Jien inbierek lil min ibierkek, u nisħet lil min jisħtek. U jitbierku bik it-tribujiet kollha tal-art”. U telaq Abram kif kien qallu l-Mulej. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 32(33):4-5,18-19,20,22

R/. (22): Ħa tkun, Mulej, it-tjieba tiegħek fuqna.

Sewwa hi l-kelma tal-Mulej,
kollox bil-fedeltà huwa għamel.
Hu jħobb id-dritt u s-sewwa;

bit-tjieba tal-Mulej mimlija l-art. R/.

Ara, għajnejn il-Mulej fuq dawk li jibżgħu minnu,
fuq dawk li jittamaw fit-tjieba tiegħu,
biex jeħilsilhom mill-mewt ħajjithom,
u jaħjihom fi żmien il-ġuħ. R/.

Ruħna tixxennaq għall-Mulej,
hu l-għajnuna u t-tarka tagħna.
Ħa tkun, Mulej, it-tjieba tiegħek fuqna,
kif fik hi t-tama tagħna. R/.

QARI 2                  mit-Tieni Ittra ta’ San Pawl lil Timotju 1:8b-10

Għażiż, aqsam miegħi t-tbatija għall-Evanġelju, u afda fil-qawwa ta’ Alla, li salvana u sejħilna b’sejħa qaddisa, mhux għax qies l-għemejjel tagħna, imma skond il-pjan tiegħu stess u skond il-grazzja tiegħu. Din il-grazzja tahielna qabel iż-żmien tal-eternità fi Kristu Ġesù, imma dehret issa permezz   tad-dehra tas-Salvatur tagħna Kristu Ġesù li qered il-mewt, u dawwal il-ħajja bla tmiem permezz tal-Evanġelju.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skond San Mattew 17:1-9

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù ħa miegħu lil Pietru u lil Ġakbu u lil ħuh Ġwanni, tellagħhom fuq muntanja għolja weħidhom, u tbiddel quddiemhom. Wiċċu sar jiddi bħax-xemx, u lbiesu sar abjad bħad-dawl. U dehrulhom Mosè u Elija jitħaddtu miegħu. Qabeż Pietru u qal lil Ġesù: “Mulej, kemm hu sew li aħna hawn! Jekk trid, intella’ hawn tliet tined, waħda għalik, waħda għal Mosè u waħda għal Elija”. Kif kien għadu jitkellem, sħaba kollha dawl għattiethom, u minn ġos-sħaba nstema’ leħen jgħid: “Dan hu Ibni l-għażiż, li fih sibt l-għaxqa tiegħi; isimgħu lilu”.  Id-dixxipli, kif semgħu dan, waqgħu wiċċhom fl-art, mimlijin biża’. Ġesù resaq lejhom, messhom u qalilhom: “Qumu. La tibżgħux”. Huma refgħu għajnejhom u ma raw lil ħadd ħlief lil Ġesù waħdu.  Huma u neżlin minn fuq il-muntanja, Ġesù ordnalhom u qalilhom: “Tgħidu lil ħadd b’din id-dehra sa ma Bin il-bniedem ikun qam mill-imwiet”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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/////////////  REFLECTION  ///////////////

JESUS AND HUMILITY

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

Introduction:

The common theme of Sunday’s readings is metamorphosis or transformation. The readings invite us to work, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, to transform and renew our lives during Lent, so that we may radiate the glory and grace of the transfigured Lord, which we have just received, all around us by our Spirit-filled lives.

Scripture lessons: 

The first reading describes the transformation of a pagan patriarch into a believer in the one God. His name will be transformed from Abram to Abraham and his small family into a great nation. All Abram has to do is to obey the Lord God’s command, and he does so. The second reading, taken from St. Paul’s second letter to Timothy, explains the type of Lenten transformation expected of us. We are transformed when we recognize the hand of a loving, providing, and disciplining God behind all our hardships, pain, and suffering and try our best to grow in holiness by cooperating with the grace of God given to us through Jesus and his Gospel. 

In the Transfiguration story in Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is revealed as a glorious figure, superior to Moses and Elijah. The primary purpose of Jesus’ Transfiguration was to allow Jesus to consult his Heavenly Father in order to ascertain His plan for His Son’s suffering, death, and Resurrection. The secondary aim was to make his chosen disciples aware of Jesus’ Divine glory, so that they might discard their worldly ambitions and their dreams of him as a conquering political Messiah, and that they might be strengthened in their time of trial. 

On the mountain, Jesús is identified out of the Cloud by the Heavenly Voice (God the Father), as “My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased!” On Jesus, the Holy Spirit would also descend as a dove, confirming for John (Jesus’ Precursor and Baptiser), the the identity of his cousin Jesus of Nazareth, as the Promised Messiah, as John publicly proclaimed. Thus, the Transfiguration narrative is a Christophany, that is, a manifestation or revelation of who Jesus really is. Describing Jesus’ Transfiguration, the Gospel gives us a glimpse of the Heavenly glory awaiting those who do God’s will by putting their trusting Faith in Him, as the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 33), for today, encourages us to do.

Life messages: 

(1) The Transubstantiation in the Holy Mass is the source of our strength. In each Holy Mass our offering of bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus under the appearances of bread and wine. Hence, just as the Transfiguration of Jesus strengthened the Apostles in their time of trial, each Holy Mass should be our source of Heavenly strength for resisting evil when the evil one incites us to disobey the will of God and to choose to serve ourselves as gods turning our backs on God, rejecting His Love, Grace and salvation -- and then yielding ourselves more completely to the evil one’s ways and lies. 

The Holy Mass, then is the best defence against the barrages of temptations for it provides us with and inexhaustible source a source of grace for renewing our lives during Lent and of strengthened protection against temptations at repeated attacks of the evil one. In addition, should be a source of daily transformation of both our minds and hearts, enabling us to see Jesus in every one of our brothers and sisters with whom we come in contact each day. 

(2) Each Sacrament that we receive transforms us. Baptism, for example, transforms us into sons and daughters of God and heirs of heaven. Confirmation makes us the temples of the Holy Spirit. By the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God brings the sinner back to the path of holiness. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, received in Faith, gains for the recipient complete spiritual healing, forgiveness for all our sins and whatever kind of Physical healing God knows will be best for us at that time.

(3) A message of hope and encouragement. In moments of doubt, pain and suffering, disappointment and despair, we need mountain-top experiences to reach out to God and listen to His consoling words: “This is my beloved son/daughter in whom I am well pleased.” Our Lenten penance will lead us to Easter joy.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2026.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

REALISING OUR SINFULNESS...

First Sunday of Lent                             Lectionary:22

Reading 1                            Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7

The LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being. Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and placed there the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the LORD God made various trees grow that were delightful to look at and good for food, with the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals that the LORD God had made.  The serpent asked the woman, “Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?” The woman answered the serpent: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman: “You certainly will not die! No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is evil.” The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;

in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.

Thoroughly wash me from my guilt

and of my sin cleanse me.

R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

For I acknowledge my offense,

and my sin is before me always:

“Against you only have I sinned,

and done what is evil in your sight.”

R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

A clean heart create for me, O God,

and a steadfast spirit renew within me.

Cast me not out from your presence,

and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Give me back the joy of your salvation,

and a willing spirit sustain in me.

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Reading 2                  Romans 5:12-19 or 5:12, 17-19 

Brothers and sisters: Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned—for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law. But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come. But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one, the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. And the gift is not like the result of the one who sinned. For after one sin there was the judgment that brought condemnation; but the gift, after many transgressions, brought acquittal.  For if, by the transgression of the one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ. In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act, acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous.

Gospel                  Matthew 4:1-11

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply, “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, ""All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

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>>>>>   BIL_MALTI   <<<<<

Ħenn għalina, Mulej, għaliex dnibna.

Qari tal-Ewwel Ħadd tar-Randan

QARI I           Qari mill-Ktieb tal-Ġenesi  2:7-9; 3:1-7

Il-Mulej Alla sawwar il-bniedem mit-trab tal-art u nefaħlu fi mnifsejh nifs il-ħajja, u l-bniedem sar ħlejqa ħajja. U l-Mulej Alla ħawwel ġnien fl-Għeden, in-naħa tal-Lvant, u qiegħed hemm il-bniedem li kien sawwar. U l-Mulej Alla nibbet mill-art is-siġar kollha li jpaxxu l-għajn u bnina għall-ikel; u s-siġra tal-ħajja f’nofs il-ġnien u s-siġra ta’ tagħrif it-tajjeb u l-ħażin. Is-serp kien l-aktar wieħed li jilħaqlu fost l-annimali selvaġġi kollha, li kien għamel il-Mulej Alla. U qal lill-mara: “Tassew li Alla qalilkom: ‘La tiklux mis-siġar kollha tal-ġnien’?”. U l-mara wieġbet lis-serp: “Mill-frott tas-siġar fil-ġnien nistgħu nieklu. Imma mill-frott li hemm f’nofs il-ġnien, Alla qalilna: ‘La tiklux minnu, u lanqas ma għandkom tmissuh, inkella tmutu’”. U s-serp qal lill-mara: “Le, żgur ma tmutux. Imma Alla jaf li dakinhar li tieklu minnu jinfetħu għajnejkom u ssiru bħal allat, li jafu t-tajjeb u l-ħażin”. U l-mara rat li s-siġra kienet tajba għall-ikel u tiġbdek fil-għajn, u s-siġra tħajrek biex tikseb id-dehen; u ħadet mill-frott u kielet. Imbagħad tat ukoll lil żewġha, li kien magħha, u kiel. U nfetħu għajnejhom it-tnejn u ntebħu li kienu għerja, u ħietu weraq tat-tin, u għamlu iħżma.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

SALM RESPONSORJALI           Salm 50(51):3-4,5-6a,12-13,14,17

R/. (ara 3a): Ħenn għalina, Mulej, għaliex dnibna.

Ikollok ħniena minni, o Alla, fi tjubitek;

fil-kobor tal-ħniena tiegħek ħassar ħtijieti.

Aħsilni kollni mill-ħtija tiegħi;

naddafni mid-dnub tiegħi. R/.

Għax jien nagħrafhom ħtijieti;

id-dnub tiegħi dejjem quddiemi.

Kontrik biss jiena dnibt,

u dak li hu ħażin f’għajnejk għamilt. R/.

Oħloq fija qalb safja, o Alla,

u spirtu qawwi ġedded fija.

La twarrabnix minn quddiemek;

tneħħix minni l-ispirtu qaddis tiegħek. R/.

Roddli l-hena tas-salvazzjoni tiegħek,

u bi spirtu qalbieni wettaqni.

Iftaħli xufftejja, Sidi,

u fommi jxandar it-tifħir tiegħek. R/.

QARI 2              mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lir-Rumani  5:12-19

Ħuti, kien permezz ta’ bniedem wieħed li fid-dinja daħal id-dnub, u permezz tad-dnub il-mewt, u hekk il-mewt laħqet il-bnedmin kollha, għax kollha dinbu. Kienet għadha ma waslitx il-Liġi, id-dnub kien ġa fid-dinja: imma d-dnub ma kienx magħdud, ladarba Liġi ma kienx hemm. Madankollu l-mewt saltnet ukoll minn Adam sa Mosè, imqar fuq dawk li ma waqgħux fid-dnub li fih kien waqa’ Adam, li kien xbieha ta’ dak li kellu jiġi. Imma d-don mhuwiex bħall-ħtija. Għax jekk permezz ta’ ħtija waħda mietet il-kotra, aktar u aktar issa l-grazzja ta’ Alla u d-don mogħti bil-grazzja ta’ bniedem wieħed li hu Ġesù Kristu, xterdu bil-bosta fuq il-kotra. U d-don anqas ma hu bħall-frott ta’ dak il-wieħed li dineb; għax tassew, il-ġudizzju mogħti fuq dnub wieħed wassal sal-kundanna, iżda d-don mogħti wara ħafna dnubiet iwassal għall-ġustifikazzjoni. Għax jekk minħabba fil-ħtija ta’ wieħed waħdu saltnet il-mewt permezz ta’ dak il-wieħed, aktar u aktar dawk li jirċievu l-kotra tal-grazzja u d-don tal-ġustizzja għad isaltnu fil-ħajja permezz ta’ wieħed li hu Ġesù Kristu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

EVANĠELJU               Qari skond San Mattew 4:1-11

F’dak iż-żmien, l-Ispirtu ħa lil Ġesù fid-deżert biex ix-Xitan iġarrbu. U Ġesù baqa’ sajjem għal erbgħin jum u erbgħin lejl, u fl-aħħar ħadu l-ġuħ. U resaq it-tentatur u qallu: “Jekk inti Bin Alla, ordna li dan il-ġebel isir ħobż”. Iżda Ġesù wieġbu: “Hemm miktub: ‘Il-bniedem mhux bil-ħobż biss jgħix, iżda b’kull kelma li toħroġ minn fomm Alla’”.   Imbagħad ix-Xitan ħadu miegħu fil-Belt imqaddsa, qiegħdu fuq il-quċċata tat-tempju, u qallu: “Jekk inti Bin Alla, inxteħet għal isfel; għax hemm miktub li: ‘Lill-anġli tiegħu jordnalhom jieħdu ħsiebek, u li fuq idejhom jerfgħuk, ħalli ma taħbatx riġlek ma’ xi ġebla’”. Qallu Ġesù: “Hemm miktub ukoll: ‘Iġġarrabx lill-Mulej, Alla tiegħek’”.  Għal darb’oħra x-Xitan ħadu miegħu fuq muntanja għolja ħafna, urieh is-saltniet kollha tad-dinja u l-glorja tagħhom, u qallu: “Dawn kollha nagħtihom lilek jekk tinxteħet tadurani”. Imbagħad qallu Ġesù: “Itlaq, Xitan! Għax hemm miktub: ‘Lill-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, għandek tadura, u lilu biss taqdi’”. Imbagħad ix-Xitan ħallieh. U minnufih ġew xi anġli u kienu jaqduh.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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REFLECTION -  

An Eight-minute homily by Fr Anthony Kadavil

Introduction:      Lent is primarily the time of intense spiritual preparation for conquering our temptations, using the means Jesus used during his forty days of preparation in the desert for his public life. It is also the time of repenting for our sins and renewing our lives so that we can celebrate Easter with our Risen Lord Who conquered sin and death by his suffering, death and Resurrection. Today’s readings teach us that we are always tempted by the devil, by the world, and by our own selfish interests. So, we need to cooperate actively with God’s grace, if we are to conquer our temptations and practice prayer, self-control, and charity.

Scripture lessons:        The first reading, taken from the book of Genesis describes the “Original Temptation" – “You will be like gods, knowing what is good and what is evil." Adam and Eve were given the freedom to make a choice to live for God, dependent upon, and obedient to, His will, or to say no to God. The temptation to evil led Adam and Eve to an act of faithlessness and sin. In contrast, today’s Gospel from St. Matthew shows us how Jesus Christ conquered temptation by relying on Faith in God's Word and authority.

In the second reading, St. Paul describes how the disobedience of Adam, who fell to Satan’s Original Temptation, brought him and us sin, death, and a broken relationship with God. Paul explains that Christ regained for us a right relationship with God by his perfect obedience to God his Father. Today’s Gospel teaches us how the "desert experience" of fasting, praying, and soul-strengthening enabled Jesus to confront his temptations successfully and then to preach the Good News of salvation. The tempter urges Jesus to turn stones into loaves of bread. But Jesus rejects that temptation -- to mistrust His Father by satisfying his own immediate, temporal needs -- thus reducing His Divine mission to self-satisfaction! The tempter then suggests that Jesus prove that he is really the Son of God by jumping off the parapet of the Temple. Jesus rejects this as a temptation to act as God’s superior and demand He prove His Trustworthiness! Finally, Jesus rejects the temptation to idolatry, even if worshipping Satan would enrich and empower Jesus with all kingdoms of the world.

Life messages:    

1)   We are to confront and conquer temptations as Jesus did, using the means Jesus employed. Every one of us is tempted to seek sinful pleasures, easy wealth, and a position of authority, power, and glory, and to use any means, even unjust or sinful ones, to gain these things. Jesus serves as a model for us in conquering temptations by strengthening himself through prayer, penance, and the effective use of the Word of God. Hence, during this Lent, let us confront our evil tendencies with prayer (especially by participating in the Holy Mass), with penance, and with meditative reading of the Bible.

2)    We are to grow in holiness during Lent through prayer, reconciliation, and sharing: 

    a) by finding time to be with God every day of Lent, speaking to Him in fervent prayer, and listening to Him through the meditative reading of the Bible; 

    b) by offering penitential acts of reparation for our sins; 

    c) by getting reconciled with God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and reconciled with others by asking their forgiveness for our offenses against them;     d) by sharing our love with others through selfless, humble service, almsgiving, and helping those in need.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2026.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

"CONSIDER YOUR OWN CALLING......"

 Readings for Sunday, February 15, 2026 

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Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 70

Reading 1                  Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger. But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord: the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.

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

The Lord keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets captives free.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!

or: R. Alleluia.

The Lord gives sight to the blind;
the Lord raises up those who were bowed down.
The Lord loves the just;
the Lord protects strangers.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or: R. Alleluia.

The fatherless and the widow the Lord sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The Lord shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or: R. Alleluia.

 Reading 2                  1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord."

 Gospel                  Matthew 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven."

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         ////////////  BIL-MALTI   ////////        

"...Qisu s-sejħa tagħkom..."

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Ir-Raba’ Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

QARI 1   --                      mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Sofonija versi 2:3; 3:12-13

Fittxu lill-Mulej ilkoll, intom, l-umli tal-art, li tagħmlu ordnijietu, fittxu l-ġustizzja, fittxu l-umiltà; biex forsi f’jum il-korla tal-Mulej ikollkom fejn tistkennu. “U nħalli f’nofsok poplu umli u mċekken”. U f’isem il-Mulej ifittxu l-kenn dawk li jifdal minn Iżrael. Ma jagħmlux ħażen, ma jgħidux kliem b’ieħor, u lsien qarrieq ma jibqax iżjed f’fommhom, hekk li joqogħdu jirgħu u jistrieħu bla ma jbeżżagħhom ħadd. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 145(146):7,8-9a,9bc-10

R/. (Mt 5:3): Henjin il-foqra fl-ispirtu.

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

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

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

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Korintin 1:26-31

Ħuti, qisu s-sejħa tagħkom: għax mhumiex ħafna fostkom li huma għorrief skont il-qies tad-dinja; mhumiex ħafna s-setgħana, mhumiex ħafna n-nobbli.  Imma Alla għażel in-nies boloh għad-dinja biex iħawwad l-għorrief; għażel id-dgħajfa tad-dinja biex iħawwad il-qawwija; għażel il-mistmerra mid-dinja, u n-nies li ma huma xejn, biex iġib fix-xejn lil dawk li huma xi ħaġa. Hekk ebda bniedem ma jkun jista’ jiftaħar quddiem Alla.  Minnu li intom tinsabu fi Kristu Ġesù li sar għalina l-għerf mingħand Alla, ġustizzja, qdusija u fidwa, biex bħalma hu miktub, min jiftaħar, ħa jiftaħar fil-Mulej. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

EVANĠELJU                 Qari mill-Evanġelju skond San Mattew 5:1-12a

F’dak iż-żmien, kif ra l-folol, Ġesù tala’ fuq il-muntanja, qagħad bilqiegħda, u resqu lejh id-dixxipli tiegħu. Fetaħ fommu u qabad jgħallimhom u jgħid:  “Henjin il-foqra fl-ispirtu, għax tagħhom hija s-Saltna tas-Smewwiet. Henjin l-imnikkta, għax huma jkunu mfarrġa. Henjin ta’ qalbhom ħelwa, għax huma jkollhom b’wirthom l-art. Henjin dawk li huma bil-ġuħ u bl-għatx tal-ġustizzja, għax huma jkunu mxebbgħin. Henjin dawk li jħennu, għax huma jsibu ħniena. Henjin dawk li huma safja f’qalbhom, għax huma jaraw lil Alla. Henjin dawk li jġibu l-paċi, għax huma jissejħu wlied Alla. Henjin dawk li huma ppersegwitati minħabba s-sewwa, għax tagħhom hija s-Saltna tas-Smewwiet. Henjin intom, meta jgħajrukom u jippersegwitawkom u jaqilgħu kull xorta ta’ ħażen u gideb kontra tagħkom minħabba fija. Ifirħu u thennew, għax ħlaskom kbir fis-smewwiet”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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/////////////   REFLECTION.........

THE VALUES THAT CHRIST CARES ABOUT

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

Introduction:

Sunday’s readings define our Christian goal of eternal happiness and explain the attitudes and actions necessary to reach it. They form the outline for Christ-like living, noting the personal qualities expected of a disciple of Jesus and pointing out the way of life to be lived by a disciple. They show us the values that Christ cares about. In essence, the Beatitudes both fulfill and complete the Ten Commandments which stress the “Thou shalt nots.” But Jesus presents the Beatitudes in a positive sense, as the virtues in life which will ultimately lead to the rewards of salvation - not in this world, but in the next.

Scripture lessons: 

Zephaniah, in the first reading, calls the “moral minority” of the Jews of his time “blessed” because they seek justice, humility, truth, and righteousness, thus making a declaration of dependence on God. In the second reading, Paul advises his Corinthian Christians to use their gifts and Heaven-sent blessings for the good of the community because God has chosen to give them life in Jesus, by whom He justified, sanctified and redeemed them.

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus instructs his disciples in the paradoxical blessedness of poverty, hunger, sorrow, and persecution. In poverty, we recognize God’s reign; in hunger, His providence; in sorrow, true happiness; and in persecution, true joy. In other words, the blessed in Jesus’ list are poor in spirit, compassionate, meek, merciful, clean of heart, peace-makers and those who are willing even to be insulted and persecuted for their lived Faith in him 

Each of the inspired authors of today’s readings, Zephaniah, Paul, and Matthew, “makes a motion,” that each of us should consider making a personal Declaration of Dependence on God, and then work with His grace to lead a holier and happier life.

Life messages: 

1) We need to respond to the challenge of the Beatitudes in daily life. The Beatitudes propose to us a way of life inviting us to identify with the poor, those who mourn, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst after justice. They challenge us to be compassionate people, to be men and women who are pure in heart, and to become the peacemakers in our dealings with one another, in our families, and in the society at large, even when this approach to things exposes us to ridicule and persecution. Let us remember that each time we reach out to help the needy, the sick, and the oppressed, we share with them a foretaste of the promises of the Beatitudes here and now.

2) We need to choose the way wisely. "There are two Ways, one of Life and one of Death, and there is a great difference between the two Ways." These are the opening lines of the Didache, a first century Christian catechism used to teach new Christians the essence of the Christian Faith. 

The Way of Life is the WAY Jesus IS.  And JESUS IS the only WAY that leads to eternal life. The challenge of the Beatitudes is: “Are you going to be happy in the world’s way or in Christ’s way?” God wants us to love Him with our entire soul and body, mind and heart, and to love each other selflessly along with everyone else as brothers and sisters of Jesus Whose Father, God, has adopted us into His Family.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2026.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  / 

"YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"

 Readings for Sunday, February 8, 2026 

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Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 73

Reading 1                Isaiah 58:7-10

Thus says the LORD: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.

 Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Light shines through the darkness for the upright;

he is gracious and merciful and just.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.  or: R. Alleluia.
He shall never be moved;

the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or: R. Alleluia.

His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
His justice shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or: R. Alleluia.

 Reading 2                  1 Corinthians 2:1-5

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

 Gospel                  Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."

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////////  BIL-MALTI  /////////

Intom id-dawl tad-dinja.

Il-Ħames Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

QARI 1                                                                      mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 58:7-10

Dan jgħid il-Mulej: “Mhux dan is-sawm li jiena rrid, li taqsam ħobżok ma’ min hu bil-ġuħ, u ddaħħal f’darek lill-imsejken bla saqaf? Mhux li tlibbes lil min tara għarwien, u n-nies ta’ darek ma tinsihomx? Imbagħad ifeġġ bħaż-żerniq id-dawl tiegħek, u malajr tagħlaqlek il-ġerħa tiegħek. Quddiemek timxi l-ġustizzja tiegħek, u l-glorja tal-Mulej timxi warajk. Jekk biss issejjaħlu, iwieġeb il-Mulej; jekk tgħajjatlu, jgħidlek: ‘Hawn jien!’. Jekk tneħħi minn nofsok il-moħqrija, ma tmiddx subgħek u ma tagħmilx deni bi lsienek, jekk int qalbek toħroġ għall-imġewwaħ, u xxabba’ qalb l-imnikket, imbagħad id-dawl tiegħek ifiġġ fid-dlam, u s-swied tiegħek ikun bħan-nofsinhar”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 111(112):4-5,6-7,8a,9

R/. (4a): Dawl fid-dlam ifeġġ għat-tajbin.

Dawl fid-dlam ifeġġ għat-tajbin;
twajjeb u ħanin il-bniedem sewwa.
Tajjeb il-bniedem li jħenn u jislef,
li jmexxi ħwejġu bir-reqqa. R/.

Għax il-bniedem ġust qatt ma jitfixkel;
għal dejjem tibqa’ t-tifkira tiegħu.
Xejn ma jibża’ minn aħbar ħażina;
qalbu qawwija bit-tama tal-Mulej. R/.

Qalbu qawwija, m’għandux mniex jibża’.
Iqassam u jagħti lill-foqra;
għal dejjem tibqa’ l-ġustizzja tiegħu;
rasu merfugħa bil-ġieħ. R/.

QARI 2                    mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Korintin 2:1-5

Meta jiena wasalt għandkom, ħuti, ma ġejtx inħabbrilkom il-Misteru ta’ Alla bi kliem kbir jew għaref. Ma ppretendejtx li kont naf xi ħaġa fostkom, ħlief lil Ġesù Kristu, u lil dan imsallab. Jiena ġejt għandkom dgħajjef, imbażża’ u mriegħed. Il-kelma u l-predikazzjoni tiegħi ma kinux imlibbsa bil-kliem qawwi tal-għerf, imma bil-wiri tal-Ispirtu u l-qawwa, sabiex il-fidi tagħkom tinbena mhux fuq l-għerf tal-bniedem, imma fuq il-qawwa ta’ Alla. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skond San Mattew 5:13-16

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Intom il-melħ tal-art. Imma jekk il-melħ jaqta’, biex jerġa’ jieħu t-togħma? Ma jibqa’ tajjeb għal xejn iżjed ħlief biex jintrema barra u jintrifes min-nies.Intom id-dawl tad-dinja. Belt li tkun qiegħda fuq muntanja ma tistax tinħeba. Anqas ma jixegħlu l-musbieħ u jqegħduh taħt is-siegħ, iżda fuq l-imnara, u hekk idawwal lil kull min ikun fid-dar. Hekk għandu jiddi d-dawl tagħkom quddiem il-bnedmin, biex jaraw l-għemejjel tajba tagħkom u jagħtu glorja lil Missierkom li hu fis-smewwiet”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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REFLECTION     /////////////

TO BE SALT...  AND LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS... TO OTHERS

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

Introduction: 

The common theme of next Sunday’s three readings is our two-fold mission to the world, to be salt and to be the light of a city built on a hilltop. (For a beautiful sermon on this topic by Gary Hamrick  you can click on https://youtu.be/nPAeaj6l00I)

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In our first reading, the Lord God through His prophet Isaiah gives us examples of how we are to allow the light of God to shine through us. “Share your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday” (58:7,10). 

The refrain for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps.112), reminds us, “The just man is a light in the darkness to the upright.” St. Paul, in the second reading, tells us that our proclamation of Faith will carry the Spirit and His power when we rely on the power and wisdom of God. Using two simple metaphors of salt and the light of a city on a mountaintop in today’s Gospel, Jesus outlines the role of Christians in this world. 

As a symbol of purity, salt was the common ingredient in sacrifices offered to God by Jews and pagans. In the ancient world, salt was the commonest of all the preservatives used to prevent the putrefaction of meat, fish, and fruits in pickles. Since Salt lends flavour to food items, it was also used to season and preserve food. 

A light has always been something which is meant to be seen. A lamp or light is a guide to make clear the way. A light serves also as a warning (e.g., red traffic lights which tell us to halt when there is danger ahead. Finally, light, particularly the sun’s, gives warmth and heat. 

Life messages:

1) We need to be the salt of the earth: 

a) As salt is a symbol of purity, used in sacrifices, the Christian must be an example of purity in speech, in conduct, and even in thought. 

b) As salt is an antiseptic and healing agent, the Christian must have a certain antiseptic influence on life and society, defeating corruption, fighting against injustice and making it easier for others to avoid sin. 

c) As salt preserves foods, we need to preserve the religious Faith, Christian cultural values, and moral principles which Jesus has given us, and to work at reconciling quarreling factions in families and communities. 

d) As salt is a food-flavouring agent, we need to add flavor to the lives of desperate people through outreach programs, which give meaning to their lives, boost their morale, offer them occasions to help others, and provide hope where there is none.

2) We need to be the light of the world: The second role of Christians is to receive the light of Christ and radiate it to everyone as love, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, humble service, and respect for those with different ethnic backgrounds, different lifestyles, other faiths -- or no faith at all. 

As a guiding light in darkness, our duty as Christians is to show the correct and safe way and to shine through the darkness with Christ’s Light, thus removing the darkness caused by hatred, prejudice, spite, and jealousy. As a warning light, as Christians, our duty is to give timely and loving warning of physical and moral danger to those we encounter. As a warming light, our duty as Christians is to warm the cold hearts of others with warm, affectionate words and deeds.

//////////////////////////////////////     Fr Tony's Homilies © 2026.  /  https://frtonyshomilies.com  /