"Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. " (John 12)
Photo copyright : John R Portelli

Thursday 14 March 2024

IF A GRAIN OF WHEAT DIES IT PRODUCES MUCH FRUIT

 Readings for Sunday, March 17, 2024 


Fifth Sunday of Lent  / Year B
Lectionary: 35


Qari tal-Ħames Ħadd tar-Randan / Sena B




Reading 1                 JEREMAIAH  31:31-34

The days are coming, says the LORD,  when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand  to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they broke my covenant, and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD. I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives how to know the LORD. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Ġeremija 31:31-34

Araw, għad jiġi żmien, oraklu tal-Mulej, meta jien nagħmel patt ġdid ma’ dar Iżrael u dar Ġuda;  mhux bħall-patt li għamilt ma’ missirijiethom fiż-żmien meta qbadthom minn idejhom biex ħriġthom mill-art tal-Eġittu, il-patt tiegħi li huma kisru, għalkemm jien kont l-għarus tagħhom, oraklu tal-Mulej.Imma dan ikun il-patt li għad nagħmel ma’ dar Iżrael wara dawk il-jiem, oraklu tal-Mulej. Inqiegħed il-liġi tiegħi fosthom u niktibha f’qalbhom; u jiena nkun Alla tagħhom, u huma jkunu l-poplu tiegħi. Ma jgħallmux iżjed lil xulxin, u ħadd ma jgħid lil ħuh: “Agħraf il-Mulej”, għaliex ilkoll kemm huma jkunu jafuni, miż-żgħir sal-kbir, oraklu tal-Mulej. Għax jien naħfrilhom ħżunithom, u ħtijiethom ma niftakarhomx aktar. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. 

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15

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. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

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. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Give me back the joy of your salvation,
    and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
    and sinners shall return to you.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 50(51):3-4,12-13,14-15

R/. (12a): Oħloq fija qalb safja, o Alla.

Ikollok ħniena minni, o Alla, fi tjubitek;
fil-kobor tal-ħniena tiegħek ħassar ħtijieti.
Aħsilni kollni mill-ħtija tiegħi;
naddafni mid-dnub tiegħi. 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.
Lill-midinbin ngħallem triqatek,
u l-ħatjin lejk jerġgħu lura. R/.

Reading 2                 HEBREWS 5:7-9

In the days when Christ Jesus was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lil-Lhud 5:7-9

Meta kien jgħix fuq din l-art, Kristu offra talb u suppliki b’leħen għoli u bid-dmugħ lil dak li seta’ jsalvah mill-mewt. U kien mismugħ minħabba fil-qima tiegħu lejn Alla. Għad li kien Iben, tgħallem minn dak li bata xi tfisser l-ubbidjenza. U, billi laħaq il-perfezzjoni, sar awtur tas-salvazzjoni ta’ dejjem għal kull min jisma’ minnu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 JOHN 12:20-33

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew;  then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honour whoever serves me. I am troubled now.  Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven,  “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Ġwann 12:20-33

F’dak iż-żmien, fost dawk li telgħu biex iqimu lil Alla fil-festa kien hemm xi Griegi. Dawn marru għand Filippu li kien minn Betsajda tal-Galilija, u talbuh: “Sinjur, nixtiequ naraw lil Ġesù”. Filippu mar jgħid lil Indrì, u mbagħad Indrì u Filippu marru jgħidu lil Ġesù. U Ġesù weġibhom: “Waslet is-siegħa li fiha Bin il-bniedem ikun igglorifikat. Tassew tassew ngħidilkom, jekk il-ħabba tal-qamħ ma taqax fl-art u tmut, hi tibqa’ weħidha; imma jekk tmut, tagħmel ħafna frott. Min iħobb lil ħajtu jitlifha; imma min jobgħod lil ħajtu f’din id-dinja jħarisha għall-ħajja ta’ dejjem. Jekk xi ħadd irid jaqdini, hu għandu jimxi warajja, u fejn inkun jien, hemm ukoll ikun il-qaddej tiegħi. Min jaqdi lili, il-Missier jagħtih ġieħ. Issa qiegħed inħoss ruħi mħawda. U x’naqbad ngħid? Missier, eħlisni minn din is-siegħa? Imma jien għalhekk ġejt: għal din is-siegħa. Missier, agħti glorja lil ismek”. Dak il-ħin instama’ leħen mis-sema: “Jien diġà gglorifikajtu, u nerġa’ nigglorifikah”. In-nies li kienu hemm semgħuh, u qalu li kien qiegħed iriegħed. Oħrajn qalu: “Kellmu xi anġlu”. Ġesù wieġeb: “Dan il-leħen ma ġiex għalija, imma għalikom. Il-ġudizzju ta’ din id-dinja qiegħed isir issa. Issa se jitkeċċa l-Prinċep ta’ din id-dinja. U meta nintrefa’ ’l fuq mill-art, jiena niġbed il-bnedmin kollha lejja”. Hu qal dan biex jurihom b’liema mewt kien sejjer imut.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

DIEING T0 SELF AND LIVING IN SELF-GIVING SERVICE

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings focus on the approaching death of Jesus which Paul considers a priestly sacrifice and John considers the moment of Jesus’ “exaltation” and “glorification.” The readings offer us a challenge. Just as Jesus became the “Promised Messiah of Glory” and the “Conquering Son of Man” by offering his life for others, we, too, if we would come to Heaven, must die to self by loving obedience, spending our lives in self-giving, sacrificial service.

Scripture lessons: 

The first reading, taken from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah, explains how God will replace the Old Covenant of Judgment with a New Covenant of Forgiveness of sins. This New or Renewed Covenant prophesied by Jeremiah was fulfilled, at least in part, through Jesus’ life, death and Resurrection. In the second reading, St. Paul tells the Hebrews that it is by Jesus’ suffering and death, in obedience to his Father’s will, that Jesus established the New Covenant. 

Using metaphors of the “sown wheat grain "and the “spent life” in today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches the lessons St. Paul will repeat. The Gospel hints at the inner struggle of Jesus in accepting the cup of suffering to inaugurate the New and Eternal Covenant. However, Jesus accepts the cross as his “hour,” meaning the stepping-stone to his passion, death, Resurrection, and exaltation. 

Jesus also considers his “hour” as the way of glorifying his Heavenly Father and of being glorified by his Father. In addition, it is the way by which all people will be drawn into the saving action of God. Finally, the “lifting up” of Jesus on the cross and later into Heavenly glory by Resurrection and Ascension is the assurance of our own exaltation and glorification, provided we accept our crosses.

Life messages: 

1) Sunday’s Gospel teaches us that new life and eternal life are made possible only by the death of the self through obedience, suffering and service. Salt gives its taste by dissolving in water. A candle gives light by having its wick burned and its wax melted. The oyster produces a priceless pearl by transforming a grain of sand through a long and painful process. Loving parents sacrifice themselves so that their children can enjoy a better life than they themselves have had. Let us pray that we may acquire this self-sacrificing spirit, especially during Lent.

2) Only a life spent for others will be glorified, sometimes here in this world, but always in Heaven. We know that the world owes everything to people who have spent their time and talents for God and for their fellow human beings. Mother Teresa, for instance, gave up her comfortable teaching career, and with just 5 rupees (17 cents) in her pocket began her challenging life for the “poorest of the poor” in the crowded slums of Calcutta. We see similar cases in the history of great saints, scientists, and benefactors of mankind in all walks of life. They chose to burn out rather than to rust out. (Examples are the Rockefeller Foundation for scientific progress and the Bill Gates Foundation for AIDS Research). 

Let us, too, spend ourselves for others

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Thursday 7 March 2024

GOD'S COMPASSION AND PATIENCE WITH US

Readings for Sunday, March 10, 2024 



Fourth Sunday of Lent / Year B
Lectionary: 32

Ir-Raba’ Ħadd tar-Randan




Reading 1                2 CHRONICLES 36:14-16, 19-23    

In those days, all the princes of Judah, the priests, and the people added infidelity to infidelity, practicing all the abominations of the nations and polluting the LORD’s temple which he had consecrated in Jerusalem. Early and often did the LORD, the God of their fathers, send his messengers to them, for he had compassion on his people and his dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised his warnings, and scoffed at his prophets, until the anger of the LORD against his people was so inflamed that there was no remedy. Their enemies burnt the house of God, tore down the walls of Jerusalem, set all its palaces afire, and destroyed all its precious objects. Those who escaped the sword were carried captive to Babylon, where they became servants of the king of the Chaldeans and his sons until the kingdom of the Persians came to power. All this was to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah: “Until the land has retrieved its lost sabbaths, during all the time it lies waste it shall have rest while seventy years are fulfilled.” In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD inspired King Cyrus of Persia  to issue this proclamation throughout his kingdom, both by word of mouth and in writing: “Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD, the God of heaven, has given to me, and he has also charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever, therefore, among you belongs to any part of his people, let him go up, and may his God be with him!”

QARI 1                 mit-Tieni Ktieb tal-Kronaki 36:14-16,19-23

F’dak iż-żmien, il-kbarat kollha tal-qassisin u l-poplu komplew jidinbu u jagħmlu l-qżiżijiet kollha tal-ġnus, u niġġsu t-tempju tal-Mulej li hu kien qaddes f’Ġerusalemm. U billi ġietu ħasra mill-poplu tiegħu, u mill-għamara tiegħu, il-Mulej, Alla ta’ missirijiethom, kien ta’ sikwit jibgħat iwiddibhom bil-messaġġiera tiegħu. Iżda huma kienu jiddieħku bil-mibgħutin tiegħu, imaqdru kliemu, u jkasbru l-profeti tiegħu, sa ma saħnet il-korla tal-Mulej għall-poplu tiegħu, hekk li ma setgħux jeħilsuha aktar. U ħarqulhom it-tempju ta’ Alla, ġarrfu s-swar ta’ Ġerusalemm, taw in-nar lill-palazzi kollha tagħha, u hekk qerdulha kulma kellha prezzjuż. U dawk li ħelsu mill-qerda tax-xabla, Nabukodonosor eżiljahom lejn il-Babilonja, u baqgħu suġġetti għalih u għal uliedu, sa ma ġew jaħkmu fuqhom il-Persjani. Hekk seħħ dak li qal Alla b’fomm Ġeremija: “Sakemm tgawdi l-art il-mistrieħ ta’ Sibtijietha, ma tinħadimx l-art iż-żmien kollu tal-ħerba tagħha, sa ma jgħaddu sebgħin sena”. Fl-ewwel sena ta’ Ċiru, sultan tal-Persja, biex isseħħ il-kelma tal-Mulej li kienet intqalet b’fomm Ġeremija, il-Mulej qanqal lil Ċiru, sultan tal-Persja, u dan xandar proklama fis-saltna tiegħu kollha, saħansitra bil-miktub, li kienet tgħid: “Dan jgħid Ċiru sultan tal-Persja: ‘Il-Mulej, Alla tas-sema, tani f’idejja s-saltniet kollha tal-art, u hu qabbadni nibnilu tempju f’Ġerusalemm, li hi f’Ġuda. Kull min minnkom hu mill-poplu tiegħu, ħa jkun il-Mulej miegħu, u jitla’’”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                   PSALM 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

By the streams of Babylon
    we sat and wept
    when we remembered Zion.
On the aspens of that land
    we hung up our harps.
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!

For there our captors asked of us
    the lyrics of our songs,
And our despoilers urged us to be joyous:
    “Sing for us the songs of Zion!”
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!

How could we sing a song of the LORD
    in a foreign land?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
    may my right hand be forgotten!
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!

May my tongue cleave to my palate
    if I remember you not,
If I place not Jerusalem
    ahead of my joy.
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!

SALM RESPONSORJALI             Salm136(137):1-2,3,4-5,6

R/. (6a): Jeħilli lsieni mas-saqaf ta’ ħalqi, jekk ma niftakarx fik, Ġerusalemm!

F’xatt ix-xmajjar ta’ Babilonja,
hemm qgħadna bilqiegħda u bkejna,
aħna u niftakru f’Sijon.
Mas-siġar tal-luq tagħha,
dendilna ċ-ċetri tagħna. R/
.
Għax hemm, dawk li ijassruna,
talbuna ngħannulhom xi għanja;
dawk li hemm għakksuna
stennew minna għana ta’ ferħ:
“Għannulna mill-għana ta’ Sijon”. R/.

Kif nistgħu ngħannu l-għana tal-Mulej
f’art barranija?
Tibbiesli idi l-leminija,
jekk qatt ninsa lilek, Ġerusalemm! R/.

Jeħilli lsieni mas-saqaf ta’ ħalqi,
jekk ma niftakarx fik,
jekk ma nżommx ’il Ġerusalemm
’il fuq minn kull ferħ tiegħi! R/.

Reading 2                 EPHESIANS 2:4-10

Brothers and sisters:  God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ — by grace you have been saved — raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lill-Efesin 2:4-10

Ħuti, Alla, għani fil-ħniena tiegħu, bis-saħħa tal-imħabba kbira li biha ħabbna, meta aħna konna mejta minħabba fi dnubietna, tana ħajja ġdida flimkien ma’ Kristu – bi grazzja intom salvi. Qajjimna miegħu u qegħedna fis-smewwiet ma’ Kristu Ġesù, biex juri fiż-żminijiet li ġejjin l-għana bla qies tal-grazzja tiegħu bit-tjieba li wera magħna fi Kristu Ġesù. Intom salvi bil-grazzja, permezz tal-fidi; u dan mhux bis-saħħa tagħkom, imma b’don ta’ Alla; mhux bl-opri, biex ħadd ma jiftaħar. Aħna ħolqien tiegħu, maħluqa fi Kristu Ġesù biex nagħmlu l-opri tajba li Alla ħejjielna minn qabel li għandna nagħmlu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                JOHN 3:14-21

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,  but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Ġwann 3:14-21

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lil Nikodemu: “Kif Mosè rafa’ s-serp fid-deżert, hekk jeħtieġ li jkun merfugħ Bin il-bniedem, biex kull min jemmen fih ikollu l-ħajja ta’ dejjem.Għax Alla hekk ħabb lid-dinja li ta lil Ibnu l-waħdieni, biex kull min jemmen fih ma jintilifx, iżda jkollu l-ħajja ta’ dejjem. Għax Alla ma bagħatx lil Ibnu fid-dinja biex jagħmel ħaqq mid-dinja, imma biex id-dinja ssalva permezz tiegħu. Min jemmen fih ma jkunx ikkundannat; iżda min ma jemminx huwa ġa kkundannat, għax ma emminx fl-isem tal-Iben il-waħdieni ta’ Alla. U l-ġudizzju huwa dan: li d-dawl ġie fid-dinja, imma l-bnedmin ħabbew id-dlam aktar mid-dawl, għax l-għemil tagħhom kien ħażin. Għax kull min jagħmel il-ħażen jobgħod id-dawl, u ma jersaqx lejn id-dawl, biex għemilu ma jinkixifx. Imma min jagħmel is-sewwa jersaq lejn id-dawl, biex juri li hemm Alla f’għemilu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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


THE FREE GIFT OF A MERCIFUL GOD


Introduction: 

The Fourth Sunday of Lent is called Lætare (Rejoice) Sunday, from the first words of Sunday’s liturgy. As on Gaudete Sunday in Advent, rose-coloured vestments may replace violet, and flowers may grace the altar, symbolizing the Church’s joy in anticipation of the Resurrection of Our Lord. The central theme of Sunday’s readings is that our salvation is the free gift of a merciful God, given to us sinners through Jesus, His Son. The readings stress God’s mercy and compassion and remind us of the great love, kindness, and grace extended to us in Christ.

The Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the first reading, taken from the Second Book of Chronicles, we see the compassion and patience of God. God chose Cyrus the Great, a pagan conqueror, to become the instrument of His mercy to, and salvation of, His chosen people exiled in Babylon. In Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 137), the Psalmist voices the pain of exile the captives of Judah suffered. 

In the second reading, Paul tells us that God is so rich in mercy that He has granted us eternal salvation and eternal life as a free gift through Christ Jesus. Sunday’s Gospel provides a theme that parallels the Gospel, but on a much higher level. Jesus, the Son of God, becomes the agent of God’s salvation, not just for one sinful nation but for the sinfulness of the whole world. Through John 3:16, the Gospel teaches us that God has expressed His love, mercy, and compassion for us by giving His Only Son for our salvation.

Nicodemus, the wealthy Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, meets Jesus by night and begins a long religious discussion. Jesus explains to him that he must believe Jesus’ words because Jesus is the Son of God. Then, by referring to the story of Moses and the bronze serpent (Nm 21:1-9), Jesus further explains God’s plan of salvation. Just as God saved the victims of serpent bite from death through the bonze serpent, He is going to save mankind from its sins by permitting the crucifixion and death of His Son Jesus, because the love of God for mankind is that great.

Life messages: 

1) We need to love the cross, the symbol of God’s forgiving and merciful love: As a forceful reminder not only of God’s love and mercy, but also of the price of our salvation, the crucifix invites us to more than simple generosity and compassion. It inspires us to remove the suffering of other people’s misery. It encourages us not only to feel deep sorrow for another’s suffering, but also to try our best to remove that suffering. Hence, let us love the cross, wear its image, and carry our own daily cross with joy, while helping other to carry their heavier crosses.

2) We need to reciprocate God’s love by loving Him in others. God’s love is unconditional, universal, forgiving, and merciful. Let us try to make an earnest attempt to include these qualities in sharing our love with others during Lent. 3) Our rebirth by water and the Spirit must be an ongoing process. That is, we must lead a life of repentance and conversion which will bring us, with the help of the Holy Spirit living within us, to an ongoing renewal of life through prayer, adoration, Bible reading, frequenting the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist, and doing corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

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Thursday 29 February 2024

CLEANING OUT EVIL IN US

 Readings for Sunday, March 3, 2024 

Third Sunday of Lent / Year B
Lectionary: 29

It-Tielet Ħadd tar-Randan / sena B


Reading 1                 EXODUS 20:1-17

In those days, God delivered all these commandments: “I, the LORD, am your God,  who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. You shall not have other gods besides me. You shall not carve idols for yourselves  in the shape of anything in the sky above  or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth; you shall not bow down before them or worship them. For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their fathers’ wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation; but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments. “You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain. For the LORD will not leave unpunished the one who takes his name in vain. “Remember to keep holy the sabbath day. Six days you may labour and do all your work,  but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD, your God. No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter, or your male or female slave, or your beast, or by the alien who lives with you. In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them; but on the seventh day he rested.That is why the LORD has blessed the sabbath day  and made it holy.  “Honour your father and your mother,  that you may have a long life in the land  which the LORD, your God, is giving you. You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.You shall not covet your neighbour's house. ou shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass, nor anything else that belongs to him.”

      QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Eżodu 20:1-17

F’dak iż-żmien, Alla tkellem u qal dan kollu lill-poplu: “Jiena hu l-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, li ħriġtek mill-art tal-Eġittu, minn dar il-jasar. Ma jkollokx allat oħra għajri. La tagħmilx għalik suriet minquxa u ebda xbieha ta’ ebda ħaġa li hemm fl-għoli tas-sema, jew isfel fl-art, jew fil-baħar taħt l-art. La tmilx quddiemhom: la tadurahomx għaliex jiena hu l-Mulej Alla tiegħek, Alla għajjur, li npatti l-ħażen tal-missirijiet fuq l-ulied sat-tielet u r-raba’ ġenerazzjoni lil dawk li jobogħduni; imma nagħder sal-elf nisel lil min iħobbni u jżomm il-kmadamenti tiegħi. La ssemmix l-isem tal-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, fix-xejn: għaliex lil min isemmi l-isem tiegħu fix-xejn, il-Mulej ma jħallihx bla kastig. Ftakar f’jum is-Sibt u qaddsu. Sitt ijiem taħdem u tagħmel kulma għandek tagħmel; imma s-seba’ jum hu jum il-mistrieħ f’ġieħ il-Mulej, Alla tiegħek. Dan il-jum ma tagħmel ebda xogħol, int, ibnek, il-qaddej u l-qaddejja tiegħek, il-bhejjem tiegħek, u l-barrani li jkun ġewwa bwiebek. Għax f’sitt ijiem il-Mulej għamel is-smewwiet u l-art; il-baħar u kulma hemm fihom, u strieħ fis-seba’ jum. Għalhekk il-Mulej bierek is-seba’ jum u qaddsu.Weġġaħ lil missierek u lil ommok, sabiex jitkattru jiemek fuq l-art li l-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, jagħtik. La toqtolx. La tagħmilx adulterju. La tisraqx. La tagħtix xhieda giddieba kontra għajrek. La tixtieqx dar għajrek: la tixtieqx il-mara ta’ għajrek, il-qaddej jew il-qaddejja tiegħu, l-għoġol jew il-ħmar tiegħu, u xejn minn kulma għandu għajrek”.Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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


The law of the LORD is perfect,
    refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
    giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

The precepts of the LORD are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the command of the LORD is clear,
    enlightening the eye.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life. 

The fear of the LORD is pure,
    enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
    all of them just.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life. 

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

      SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 18(19):8,9,10,11

R/. (Ġw 6:68ċ): Mulej, int għandek il-kliem tal-ħajja ta’ dejjem.

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

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

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

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

Reading 2                1 CORINTHIANS 1:22-25

Brothers and sisters: Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we proclaim Christ crucified,  a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

      QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra lill-Korintin 1:22-25

Ħuti, il-Lhud jitolbu s-sinjali, u l-Griegi jfittxu l-għerf, imma aħna nxandru ’l Kristu msallab, skandlu għal-Lhud u bluha għall-Griegi; iżda għal dawk li huma msejħin, sew Lhud sew Griegi, Kristu huwa l-qawwa ta’ Alla u l-għerf ta’ Alla. Għax il-bluha ta’ Alla hija għarfa iktar mill-bnedmin, u d-dgħufija ta’ Alla hija aqwa mill-bnedmin. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                  JOHN 2:13-25

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. While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.

      EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Ġwann 2:13-25

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 kien 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 jien 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’dak 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. Imma Ġesù, min-naħa tiegħu, ma kienx jafda fihom, għax hu kien jaf lil kulħadd u ma kellux bżonn min jagħtih xhieda fuq il-bniedem, għax hu stess kien jaf x’hemm fil-bniedem. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

TIME TO CLEAN UP OUR HEARTS

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings from Holy Scripture teach us that Lent is the ideal time to clean out the Temple of our own hearts and to offer to God proper Divine worship by obeying the Ten Commandments. They also teach us that our New Covenant with God demands that we should keep our parish Church holy, and our Divine worship vibrant by our active participation in the liturgy with hearts cleansed by repentance, and made holy by allowing the Holy Spirit to control our hearts and lives.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

Today’s first reading teaches us that the Ten Commandments are the basis of our religious and spiritual life. Instead of restricting our freedom, the Commandments really help us to love and respect our God and our neighbors. The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 19) depicts the Mosaic Law’s life-enhancing attributes: it refreshes the soul and rejoices the heart; it is pure and true, more precious than gold. 

The second reading reminds us that we must appreciate the Divine “foolishness” of the crucified Christ and obey His commandment of love as our expression of Divine worship. Today’s Gospel gives us the dramatic account of Jesus’ cleansing the Temple of its merchants and moneychangers, followed by a prediction of his death and Resurrection. 

The synoptic Gospels place the “cleansing of the Temple” immediately after Jesus’ triumphant arrival in Jerusalem on the back of a colt on Palm Sunday, while John places it at the beginning of his Gospel. Jesus cleansed the Temple which King Herod began to renovate in 20 BC. The abuses which kindled the prophetic indignation of Jesus were the conversion of God’s Temple into a “noisy marketplace” by the animal merchants and into a “hideout of thieves” by the moneychangers with their grossly unjust business practices – sacrilege in God’s Holy Place. Jesus’ reaction to this commercialized Faith was fierce. Since no weapons were allowed inside the Temple, Jesus constructed his own, a whip of cords, and used it to drive out the merchants and moneychangers from the Court of the Gentiles.

Life messages: 

1) We need to avoid a calculating mentality in Divine worship: Our relationship with God must be that of a child to his parent, one of mutual love, respect and a desire for the family’s good, with no thought of personal loss or gain. We are not supposed to think of God as a vending machine into which we put our sacrifices and good deeds to get back His blessings. 

2) Let us remember that we are the temples of the Holy Spirit: St. Paul reminds us that we are God’s temples, body and soul, because the Spirit of God dwells in us. Hence, we have no right to desecrate God’s temple by impurity, injustice, pride, hatred, or jealousy. Let us be cleansed by asking God’s forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

3) Let us love our parish Church as our “Heavenly Father’s house” and make it a holier place by our care for it, by our active participation in the liturgy, by offering our time and talents in the various ministries, and by our financial support for its maintenance and development.

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Thursday 15 February 2024

METANOIA - TRUE REPENTANCE

Readings for Sunday, February 18, 2024 

First Sunday of Lent
Lectionary: 23

Qari tal-Ewwel Ħadd tar-Randan


Reading 1                GENESIS 9:8-15

God said to Noah and to his sons with him: "See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you: all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals that were with you and came out of the ark. I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth." God added: "This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you: I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds, I will recall the covenant I have made between me and you and all living beings, so that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all mortal beings."

QARI 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Ġenesi 9:8-15

Alla kellem lil Noè u lil uliedu miegħu u qalilhom: “Arawni, hawn jien se nagħmel il-patt tiegħi magħkom u ma’ nisilkom warajkom; ma’ kull ħliqa ħajja li hemm magħkom, mat-tjur u mal-bhejjem, ma’ kull bhima selvaġġa li hemm magħkom, u mal-bhejjem kollha li ħarġu magħkom mill-arka. Jien nagħmel il-patt tiegħi magħkom, li qatt iżjed ma jinqered, ebda laħam ħaj, bl-ilmijiet tad-dulluvju; u qatt iżjed ma jkun hemm dulluvju biex iħarbat l-art”. U żied jgħid Alla: “Dan ikun is-sinjal tal-patt li jien qiegħed nagħmel bejni u bejnkom, u bejn kull ħliqa ħajja li hemm magħkom, għall-ġenerazzjonijiet kollha għal dejjem. Inqiegħed il-qaws tiegħi fis-sħab, u jkun sinjal tal-patt bejni u bejn l-art. Meta niġma’ s-sħab fuq l-art u tfeġġ il-qawsalla fis-sħab, jien niftakar fil-patt bejni u bejnkom u bejn kull ruħ ħajja f’kull laħam; u ma jkunx hemm iżjed l-ilma tad-dilluvju biex jeqred kull laħam ħaj”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9.

R. (cf. 10) Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

Good and upright is the LORD,
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and he teaches the humble his way.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 24(25):4-5ab,6-7bċ,8-9

R/. (10): Il-mogħdijiet tal-Mulej kollhom tjieba u fedeltà.

Triqatek, Mulej, għarrafni,
il-mogħdijiet tiegħek għallimni.
Mexxini fis-sewwa tiegħek u għallimni,
għax int Alla tas-salvazzjoni tiegħi. R/.

Ftakar fil-ħniena u t-tjieba tiegħek,
għax huma minn dejjem, Mulej.
Inti tajjeb, Mulej;
ftakar fija skont it-tjieba tiegħek. R/.

Tajjeb u sewwa l-Mulej;
għalhekk juri triqtu lill-ħatja.
Imexxi l-imsejkna fis-sewwa,
jgħallem lill-fqajrin it-triq tiegħu. R/.

Reading 2                1 PETER 3:18-22

Beloved: Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit. In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison, who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water. This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him. 

QARI 2                 mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pietru Appostlu 3:18-22

Għeżież, Kristu wkoll miet darba għal dejjem minħabba d-dnubiet; hu li kien ġust, miet għall-inġusti biex iressaqkom lejn Alla; kien mogħti l-mewt fil-ġisem, imma ħa l-ħajja fl-ispirtu, li bih mar ixandar is-salvazzjoni lill-erwieħ li kienu magħluqa fil-ħabs. Dawn kienu l-erwieħ ta’ dawk li darba ma ridux jisimgħu, meta Alla qagħad jistenna bis-sabar fiż-żmien li Noè kien jibni l-arka. Ftit, jiġifieri tmienja biss, salvaw bis-saħħa tal-ilma. Dan l-ilma huwa tixbiha tal-magħmudija, li issa ssalva lilkom ukoll. Mhux għax tnaddaf il-ħmieġ tal-ġisem, imma għax hi talba lil Alla ħierġa minn kuxjenza safja bis-saħħa tal-qawmien ta’ Ġesù Kristu, li tela’ s-sema u qiegħed fuq il-lemin ta’ Alla u għandu taħtu s-Setgħat u l-Qawwiet tal-anġli. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                MARK 1:12-15

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

EVANĠELJU                Qari skont San Mark 1:12-15

F’dak iż-żmien, l-Ispirtu ħareġ lil Ġesù fid-deżert. U baqa’ fid-deżert erbgħin jum, jiġġarrab mix-Xitan. Kien jgħix mal-bhejjem selvaġġi, u kienu jaqduh l-anġli. Wara li arrestaw lil Ġwanni, Ġesù mar il-Galilija jxandar l-Evanġelju ta’ Alla u jgħid: “Iż-żmien huwa mitmum, u s-Saltna ta’ Alla waslet; indmu u emmnu fl-Evanġelju”.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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




THE PURIFICATION OF OUR MINDS AND HEARTS 

Introduction: 

The primary purpose of Lent is to prepare us for the celebration of Jesus’ death and Resurrection. The second purpose is to bring us to renew our Baptismal promises of rejecting Satan and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, allowing him to rule our lives. Both these aims demand purification of minds and hearts. The Church tries to achieve this goal by leading her children to a metanoia or true “repentance,” and by renewal of life through fasting, prayer, almsgiving, self-control, and practice of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. 

During Lent, we talk to God through personal, family, and liturgical prayers; we listen to Him by meditative Bible reading. We serve the Lord by giving alms, and we practice self-control through fasting. Since by Baptism we share the death and Resurrection of Jesus, today’s readings refer to Baptism directly or indirectly.

The Scripture lessons:  

The first reading tells us that, although man irrevocably broke the original covenant God had made with Adam and Eve, the merciful God selected Noah and his family to renew that covenant. Noah’s rescue from the flood waters symbolizes our being saved through the water of Baptism which cleanses us of sin and makes us one with Christ. 

Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 25) is an exquisite penitential prayer, humbly acknowledging our human insufficiency and radical dependence upon God, His mercy, and His forgiveness. The psalmist lists some of God’s Own characteristics that will shape the life of the forgiven penitent: Truth, Compassion, Love, Kindness, Goodness, Uprightness, Humility, and Justice. 

In the second reading, St. Peter shows us how Noah’s episode prefigured Baptism. He reminds us that, as Noah and his family were saved from the waters of the deluge, so we are saved through the waters of Baptism. Baptism is an outward sign of the New Covenant that God has made with His people. It makes us adopted children of God, heirs of Heaven, and temples of the Holy Spirit. 

In the Gospel, we are told that Jesus faced and defeated the tempter at the end of his forty days of prayer, penance, and communion with the Father in the desert immediately following his baptism. It also tells us how Jesus started preaching his Messianic mission: “The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent. Believe in the Gospel.”


Life messages: 

1)  Let us conquer our temptations as Jesus did, using the methods Jesus employed: prayer, self-denial, and timely use of the word of God. During this Lent, let us confront our evil tendencies by talking to God, by listening to Him speaking to us though the Holy Bible, and by practicing self-control to subdue our evil tendencies. 

2)  Let us convert Lent into a time for spiritual growth and Christian maturity by: 

a) participating in the Mass each day, or at least a few days in the week; 

b) setting aside some part of our day for personal prayer; 

c) reading some Scripture, alone or, better still, with others. 

d) setting aside some money we might spend on ourselves for meals, entertainment, or clothes and giving it to an organization which takes care of the less fortunate in our society; 

e) abstaining from smoking, alcohol, and other evil addictions; 

f) receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Lent and participating in the “Stations of the Cross” on Fridays; 

g) visiting the sick and those in nursing homes, and h) doing some acts of charity, kindness, and mercy every day in the Lent. 

3)  Let us use Lent to fight daily against the evil within us and around us by practicing self-control, relying on the power of prayer, and seeking the assistance and the daily anointing of the Holy Spirit.

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Thursday 8 February 2024

CURE THE LEPER

Readings for Sunday, February 11, 2024


Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 77

Is-Sitt Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena


Reading 1                 Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “If someone has on his skin a scab or pustule or blotch which appears to be the sore of leprosy, he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest, or to one of the priests among his descendants. If the man is leprous and unclean, the priest shall declare him unclean by reason of the sore on his head. “The one who bears the sore of leprosy shall keep his garments rent and his head bare, and shall muffle his beard; he shall cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’ As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean, since he is in fact unclean. He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.”

QARI 1                Qari mill-Ktieb tal-Levitiku 13, 1-2.45-46

Il-Mulej kellem lil Mosè u lil Aron u qalilhom: “Meta xi ħadd ikollu fil-ġilda xi qxur jew xi bużżieqa, jew xi tebgħa bajda, qisha ġerħa tal-ġdiem, jeħduh għand Aron il-qassis, jew għand xi ħadd minn uliedu l-qassisin.  Il-marid bil-ġdiem għandu jilbes ħwejjeġ imqattgħa u jħalli rasu mikxufa, u jitgħatta sa geddumu, u jgħajjat: ‘Imniġġes! Imniġġes!’. Kemm idum marid ikun miżmum b’imniġġes li hu, u jgħix waħdu f’postu barra mill-kamp”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 32:1-2, 5, 11

Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
 whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
 in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
 my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
 and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.

Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just;
 exult, all you upright of heart.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 31 (32), 1-2.5.11

R/. (7): Int kenn għalija, iddawwarni u tferraħni bil-ħelsien tiegħek

Hieni l-bniedem li ħtijietu maħfura,
li għandu d-dnub tiegħu mistur!
Hieni l-bniedem li ebda ħażen ma jgħoddlu l-Mulej,
u ma għandu ebda qerq f’qalbu! R/.

Id-dnub tiegħi jien stqarrejtlek,
u l-ħażen tiegħi ma ħbejtulekx.
Jien għedt: “Quddiem il-Mulej nistqarr ħtijieti”.
U int ħfirtli l-ħażen tad-dnub tiegħi. R/.

Ifirħu, twajbin, u thennew fil-Mulej;
għajtu bil-ferħ, intom ilkoll ta’ qalbkom safja. R/.

Reading 2                 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31—11:1

Brothers and sisters, Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Avoid giving offense, whether to the Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

QARI 2                 mill-Ewwel Ittra lill-Korintin 10, 3-11,1

Ħuti, sew jekk tieklu, sew jekk tixorbu, tagħmlu x’tagħmlu, agħmlu kollox għall-glorja ta’ Alla. Tkunux ta’ tfixkil, la għal-Lhud, la għall-Griegi, u lanqas għall-Knisja ta’ Alla. Hekk jiena nogħġob lil kulħadd f’kollox, bla ma nfittex l-interessi tiegħi, imma tal-ħafna biex isalvaw. Ixbhu lili, bħalma jien nixbah lil Kristu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej 

Gospel                MARK 1:40-45

A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,  touched him, and said to him,  “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

EVANĠELJU                Qari skont San Mark 1, 40-45

F’dak iż-żmien, resaq fuq Ġesù wieħed lebbruż jitolbu bil-ħerqa, inxteħet għarkupptejh quddiemu u qallu: “Jekk trid, tista’ tfejjaqni!”. Imqanqal mill-ħniena, Ġesù medd idu fuqu, messu u qallu: “Irrid, kun imnaddaf!”. U minnufih il-lebbra marritlu u ġismu ndaf. U widdbu bis-sħiħ, bagħtu malajr u qallu: “Qis li ma tgħid xejn lil ħadd; iżda mur uri ruħek lill-qassis, u agħmel offerta għall-fejqan tiegħek kif ordna Mosè, biex tkunilhom ta’ xhieda”. Iżda dak, meta telaq, beda jxandar ma’ kullimkien u jxerred l-aħbar, hekk li Ġesù f’ebda belt ma sata’ iżjed jidħol bid-dieher, imma kien jibqa’ barra fil-kampanja u kienu jmorru ħdejh nies minn kullimkien. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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CALLED TO BECOME PURE & HOLY   

Introduction:

All three readings this Sunday teach us that we are called to become pure and holy. But we don’t become holy by some ritual observances. We become holy by confessing our sins to God and offering our lives for God’s glory and by sharing God’s love with everyone around us without discriminating against anyone based on colour, race, culture, religion, lifestyle, wealth, or social status.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The word Vayikra (the Hebrew name of the Book of Leviticus) means that God called Moses and His chosen people to holiness and purity. That is why the First Reading teaches the theme of freedom from bodily and ritual impurity as a sign of internal holiness. This freedom is symbolized by the precautions against contracting leprosy given in the first reading and by the healing of the leper described in the Gospel. The first reading shows the ancient Jewish attitude toward leprosy and gives the rules for the segregation of lepers. This provides a background for Jesus’ healing of a leper. 

In Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 32), the psalmist says: “I confessed my faults to the LORD, and You took away my guilt.” He teaches us that we become holy by confessing our sins and being reconciled with God every day. The psalm serves as a mini-treatise on reconciliation, covering the meaning of the spiritual leprosy of sin and showing how we are forgiven by a Sacramental encounter with God: “I turn to You, Lord, in times of trouble, and You fill me with the joy of salvation.” 

In today’s Second Reading, St. Paul exhorts us to become holy by doing “everything for the glory of God” and by showing sensitivity toward others who are different from us, rather than passing judgment on them. Today’s Gospel describes how Jesus heals a leper, liberating him both from the disease of leprosy and from the unjust, inhuman social, ritual, and religious isolation and ostracism to which lepers were subjected.

Life messages: 

1) We need to trust in the mercy of a forgiving God who assures us that our sins are forgiven and that we are clean.We are forgiven and made spiritually clean from the spiritual leprosy of sins when we repent of our sins, because God is a God of love Who waits patiently for us. The only condition required of us is that we ask for forgiveness with a repentant heart. We are sure to hear His words of absolution, “Very well — your sins are forgiven, and you are clean,” echoed in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

2) We need to tear down the walls that separate us from others and build bridges of loving relationship. Jesus calls every one of us to demolish the walls that separate us from each other and to welcome the outcasts and the untouchables of society. These include homosexuals, the imprisoned, AIDS victims, alcoholics, drug addicts and marginalized groups – the divorced, the unmarried-single mothers, migrant workers, and the mentally ill. God’s loving hand must reach out to them through us. Jesus wants us to touch their lives. 

Let us re-examine the barriers we have created and approach God with a heart that is ready to welcome the outcasts in our society. 

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Thursday 1 February 2024

Readings for Sunday, February 4, 2024


Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 74

Qari tal-Ħames Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena


Reading 1                JOB 7:1-4, 6-7

Job spoke, saying: Is not man's life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of hirelings?  He is a slave who longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for his wages. So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted to me. If in bed I say, "When shall I arise?" then the night drags on; I am filled with restlessness until the dawn. My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle; they come to an end without hope. Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again. 

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb ta’ Ġob 7, 1-4.6-7

Ġob tkellem u qal: “Ħajjet il-bniedem mhix forsi xogħol bilfors fuq l-art? U għomru mhux bħal jiem il-ħaddiem mikri? Bħalma lsir jixxennaq għad-dell, u bħalma l-mikri jistenna l-ħlas, hekk xhur fiergħa kienu sehmi, u ljieli dwejjaq messew lili. Jekk nimtedd, ngħid: ‘Meta se nqum?’. u meta nqum, ngħid: ‘Meta se jidlam?’. u hekk nixba’ nhewden sa ma jidlam. Eħfef minn mekkuk għaddew jiemi, u bla tama ntemmu. Ftakar li ħajti buffura riħ, u għajnejja ma jerġgħux jaraw ir-riżq”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

Praise the LORD, for he is good;
sing praise to our God, for he is gracious;
it is fitting to praise him.
The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem;
the dispersed of Israel he gathers.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or: R. Alleluia.

He heals the broken-hearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or: R. Alleluia.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
to his wisdom there is no limit.
The LORD sustains the lowly;
the wicked he casts to the ground.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or:R. Alleluia.

SALM RESPONSORJALI             Salm 146 (147), 1-2.3-4.5-6

R/. Faħħru l-Mulej, li jfejjaq il-qlub maqsuma
jew  R/: Allelulja

Faħħru l-Mulej, għax tajjeb li tgħanni lil Alla tagħna;
għax ħelu u xieraq it-tifħir tiegħu.
Jibni ’l Ġerusalemm il-Mulej,
jiġma’ l-imxerrdin ta’ Iżrael. R/.

Hu jfejjaq il-qlub maqsuma,
hu jorbot il-ġrieħi tagħhom.
Hu jgħodd in-numru tal-kwiekeb;
kollha jsejħilhom b’isimhom. R/.

Kbir Sidna l-Mulej, u ta’ qawwa kbira;
bla tarf id-dehen tiegħu.
Jerfa’ l-imsejknin il-Mulej,
u jniżżel sal-art il-ħżiena. R/.

Reading 2                1 CORINTHIANS 9:16-19, 22-23

Brothers and sisters: If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

QARI 2                 mill-1 Ittra lill-Korintin 9. 16-19.22-23

Ħuti, jekk jiena nxandar l-Evanġelju ma għandix biex niftaħar; jien obbligat nagħmlu dan. Ħażin għalija jekk ma nxandarx l-Evanġelju! Jekk dan nagħmlu minn rajja, ikolli dritt għall-ħlas; imma jekk nagħmlu għax obbligat, dan ifisser li qiegħed nagħmel ix-xogħol li Alla fdali f’idejja. X’inhu mela l-ħlas tiegħi? Li meta nxandar l-Evanġelju, inxandru b’xejn, bla ma nfittex id-dritt li jagħtini l-Evanġelju stess. Għax għad li ma jiena marbut ma’ ħadd, jien għamilt lili nnifsi lsir ta’ kulħadd biex nirbaħ lil ħafna. Sirt dgħajjef mad-dgħajfin, biex nirbaħ id-dgħajfin. Sirt kollox ma’ kulħadd, biex insalva lil kulħadd. Nagħmel dan kollu minħabba l-Evanġelju biex ikolli sehem minnu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                MARK 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you." He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

EVANĠELJU                Qari skont San Mark 1, 29-39

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù u d-dixxipli ħarġu mis-sinagoga u baqgħu sejrin ma’ Ġakbu u Ġwanni għand Xmun u Indrì. Issa omm il-mara ta’ Xmun kienet fis-sodda bid-deni, u malajr qalulu biha. Resaq lejha, qabadha minn idha u qajjimha. U d-deni ħallieha, u bdiet isservihom. Filgħaxija, imbagħad, fi nżul ix-xemx, ħadulu quddiemu lil dawk kollha li kienu morda jew li kienu maħkuma mix-xitan. U quddiem il-bieb inġabret il-belt bi ħġarha. U fejjaq ħafna morda minn kull xorta ta’ mard, u ħareġ għadd kbir ta’ xjaten li hu ma kienx iħallihom jitkellmu, għax huma kienu jafu min kien. L-għada filgħodu kmieni, qabel ma żernaq, qam, ħareġ u mar f’post imwarrab u qagħad hemm jitlob. Xmun u sħabu l-oħrajn marru jfittxuh. Kif sabuh, qalulu: “Kulħadd jistaqsi għalik”. U qalilhom: “Ejjew immorru band’oħra, fl-irħula tal-qrib, ħalli nippriedka hemmhekk ukoll, għax għalhekk ħriġt”. U dar il-Galilija kollha, jippriedka fis-sinagogi tagħhom u joħroġ ix-xjaten. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil   

LIFE --

PAIN & SUFFERING

or 

HOPE & OPTIMISM?   

   Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings challenge us to avoid Job’s pessimistic and desperate view of life as a chain of pain and sufferings and to accept life with hope and optimism as a precious gift from God, using it to do good for others and spending our time, talents and lives for others as Jesus did and as St. Paul did.

Scripture lessons: 

While the Gospel presents Jesus enthusiastically living out his Sabbath day of preaching and healing ministry, the first reading details Job’s frustrations in striking contrast: Job complains of the tedium and futility of life and the miseries of human existence. But eventually, his eyes opened by God, Job surrenders himself, his suffering, his work and everything he had had and lost to God’s greater wisdom (Job 42:1-6). Job’s miseries also marked the condition of the people who came to Jesus for healing. Jesus overturns the human condition, bringing hope and healing — then and now. 

The second reading reveals Paul to us as a true, dynamic follower of Jesus, moved as Jesus was by concern for the lost which led him to preach the Gospel without cost to the people, and to serve them as their slave with Jesus’ love and fidelity. Pointing out the spontaneous response of Peter’s mother-in-law after she had been healed by Jesus, today’s Gospel teaches us that true discipleship means giving selfless, loving service to others. 

Mark shows us a typical Sabbath day in Jesus’ ministry: taking part in the synagogue worship, teaching with authority, exorcising a demon, healing Simon’s mother-in-law and, after sundown, curing “many who were sick with various diseases, and [driving] out many demons” – a full day and evening of selfless ministry. Yet, Jesus rises early the next morning and goes off “to a deserted place” to pray, in order to assess his work before God his Father and to recharge his spiritual batteries.

Life messages: 

1) We need to be instruments for Jesus’ healing work. Bringing healing and wholeness is Jesus’ ministry even today. We all need healing for our minds, our memories, and our broken relationships, and now Jesus is also using counselors, doctors, friends, or even strangers in his healing ministry. Let us ask for the ordinary healing we need in our own lives. When we are healed, let us not forget to thank Jesus for his goodness, mercy, and compassion by turning to serve others. 

Our own healing process is completed only when we are ready to help others in their needs and to focus on things outside ourselves. Let us also be instruments for Jesus’ healing by visiting the sick and praying for their healing. But let us remember that we need the Lord’s strength not only to make ourselves and others well, but to make us and others whole. 

2) We need to live for others as Jesus did: Jesus was a man for others, sharing what he had with others. In his life there was time for prayer, time for healing, and time for reconciliation. Let us take up this challenge by sharing love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness with others. Instead of considering life as dull and pointless, let us live our lives as Jesus did, full of dynamism and zeal for the glory of God.

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Thursday 25 January 2024

THE POWER OF THE TEACHER

Readings for Sunday, January 28, 2024

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time  

Lectionary: 71


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



Reading 1                DEUTERONOMY 18:15-20

Moses spoke to all the people, saying: "A prophet like me will the LORD, your God, raise up for you from among your own kin; to him you shall listen. This is exactly what you requested of the LORD, your God, at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, 'Let us not again hear the voice of the LORD, our God, nor see this great fire any more, lest we die.' And the LORD said to me, 'This was well said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kin, and will put my words into his mouth; he shall tell them all that I command him. Whoever will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name, I myself will make him answer for it. But if a prophet presumes to speak in my name an oracle that I have not commanded him to speak, or speaks in the name of other gods, he shall die.'" 

QARI 1                 mill-Ktieb tad-Dewteronomju 18:15-20

Mosè kellem lill-poplu u qal: “Il-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, iqajjimlek profeta bħali minn ġensek, minn fost ħutek; lilu għandkom tisimgħu. Dan kollu skont ma tlabt inti stess lill-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, fil-Ħoreb f’jum il-laqgħa, meta għedt: ‘Jalla ma nismax aktar leħen il-Mulej, Alla tiegħi, u ma narax aktar dan in-nar iħeġġeġ, ħalli ma mmutx’. U l-Mulej qalli: ‘Sewwa għamlu li tkellmu. Jiena nqajmilhom profeta bħalek, minn fost ħuthom; inqiegħed kliemi fuq fommu, u jħabbrilhom kulma nordnalu. Min ma jagħtix widen għal kliemi li huwa jħabbar f’ismi, jiena nitolbu kont talli jkun naqas. U jekk xi profeta jfettillu jgħid f’ismi ħwejjeġ li ma nkunx qabbadtu jgħid, jew inkella jħabbar f’isem allat oħra, dan il-profeta jkun ħaqqu l-mewt’”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

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/. (8): Mhux li kontu llum tisimgħu leħen il-Mulej,

la 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                1 CORINTHIANS 7:32-35

Brothers and sisters: I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction. 

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra lill-Korintin 7:32-35

Ħuti, iva, jiena rridkom bla ħsibijiet. Ir-raġel mhux miżżewweġ, ħsiebu fil-ħwejjeġ tal-Mulej, jiġifieri, kif jogħġob lill-Mulej. Min hu miżżewweġ, ħsiebu fil-ħwejjeġ tad-dinja, jiġifieri, kif jogħġob lil martu, u hu mifrud fih innifsu!  Hekk ukoll il-mara mhix miżżewġa u x-xebba ħsiebhom fil-ħwejjeġ tal-Mulej, jiġifieri, biex ikunu qaddisa f’ġisimhom u f’ruħhom. Iżda l-mara miżżewġa ħsiebha fil-ħwejjeġ tad-dinja, jiġifieri, kif togħġob lil żewġha. Dan qiegħed ngħidhulkom għall-ġid tagħkom, mhux biex inxekkilkom, iżda għall-ġid tagħkom u biex tgħixu marbutin mal-Mulej bla tixrid ta’ moħħ. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 MARK 1:21-28

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!" The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him." His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

EVANĠELJU                Qari skont San Mark 1:21-28

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù u d-dixxipli tiegħu daħlu Kafarnahum. Malajr, f’jum is-Sibt, daħal fis-sinagoga u qagħad jgħallem. In-nies baqgħu mistagħġbin bil-mod tat-tagħlim tiegħu, għax beda jgħallimhom bħal wieħed li għandu s-setgħa, u mhux bħall-kittieba. Mela jkun hemm fis-sinagoga tagħhom raġel bi spirtu ħażin u qabad jgħajjat u jgħid: “Aħna x’għandna x’naqsmu, Ġesù ta’ Nazaret? Ġejt biex teqridna? Jien naf min int: il-Qaddis ta’ Alla!”. Imma Ġesù kkmandah: “Iskot! Oħroġ minnu!”. Imbagħad l-ispirtu ħażin lir-raġel beda jħabbtu ħafna, għajjat għajta kbira u ħareġ minnu.  U lkoll stagħġbu, u bdew jistaqsu lil xulxin u jgħidu: “Dan x’inhu? X’tagħlim ġdid mogħti bis-setgħa! Sa lill-ispirti ħżiena jikkmanda, u huma joqogħdu għalih!”. U l-fama tiegħu malajr xterdet mal-inħawi kollha tal-Galilija. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil   

A LISTENING HEART   

Introduction: 

The common theme of Sunday’s readings is Divine authority, as exercised in this world by the prophets of the Old Testament in their messages, by the apostles (including St. Paul), in their writings and teaching in the New Testament, and by Jesus in his teaching and healing ministry. The readings remind us that we should have a “listening heart” (Gospel), instead of a “hardened heart” (Responsorial Psalm) or “divided heart” (Second reading) to welcome the authoritative word of God.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

Sunday’s first reading tells us that a true prophet like Moses speaks with authority because it is God Who speaks through him. After the Babylonian exile, the Jewish priests began to interpret the words of Moses given in the first reading, namely, “a prophet like me,” as referring to one individual, the expected Messiah. This passage is chosen for today’s first reading because it refers to Jesus, the “preacher with authority,” mentioned in today’s Gospel. 

The response for today’s Responsorial Psalm, (Ps 95), speaks of not hardening our hearts when we hear God’s authoritative voice through the Scripture and the Church’s teaching authority. In the second reading, St. Paul exercises his God-given authority as the Apostle to the Gentiles to teach people in Corinth that marriage is a holy state ordained by God and that it is a life-long partnership according to the teaching of the Lord. But he opts for, and recommends, celibacy, so that one may serve the Lord without the distractions of married life. 

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Mark describes one sample Sabbath day of Jesus’ public life. Jesus joins in public worship in the synagogue as a practicing Jew, heals the sick, drives out evil spirits and prays privately. People immediately notice that Jesus teaches with authority and heals with Divine power. Jesus explains the Scriptures with complete confidence, and when questioned by people, he answers with authority. Jesus is using his real (authentic) Divine authority to teach, empower, liberate, and heal others. In today’s Gospel, the evil spirit recognizes and loudly declares Jesus as the Messiah. By his simple, if harsh, command, “Be quiet! Come out of him,” Jesus exorcises the demon who departs, obedient to His Divine authority.

Life Messages: 

1) We need to approach Jesus for liberation: Jesus did not use his authority and Divine power to rule and control people, but to set them free. Hence, let us approach Jesus with trusting Faith so that he may free us from the evil spirits that keep us from praying and that prevent us from loving others and sharing our blessings with them. Jesus also frees us from all the “evil spirits” of fear, jealousy, anger, envy, addictions, compulsions, selfishness, resentment, and hostility. May God free us from all those spirits which make us deaf, dumb, blind, lame, and paralyzed, physically and spiritually.

2) We need to use our God-given authority to build up lives. So many people with authority have made a lasting impression on our lives either for good or ill. Perhaps it was a grandparent, an uncle, or a parent, who loved us and cared for us. Perhaps it was a Sunday school teacher who encouraged us in our Faith and exerted a positive impact on our lives. Perhaps we remember the kindness as well as the firm discipline that a schoolteacher gave us. Teachers are powerful because they change and mould lives. Hence, let us all become good teachers like Jesus and use our authority to mould young lives in the right way.

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