"BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD."

 Readings for Sunday, January 18, 2026 

 

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 64

Reading 1                Isaiah 49:3, 5-6

The LORD said to me: You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory. Now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength! It is too little, the LORD says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. 

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

I have waited, waited for the LORD,

and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Reading 2               1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel              John 1:29-34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptising with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptise with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit.’  Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

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

It-Tieni Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 49:3,5-6

Il-Mulej qalli: “Iżrael, inti l-qaddej tiegħi, bik jiena nkun imfaħħar”. Issa tkellem il-Mulej, li minn ġuf ommi għamilni qaddej tiegħu, biex għandu nraġġa’ lura lil Ġakobb, u biex Iżrael jinġabar miegħu mill-ġdid – għax jien kont imfaħħar f’għajnejn il-Mulej, u Alla tiegħi kien il-qawwa tiegħi – u Hu qalli: “Tkun ħaġa żgħira wisq għalik, li inti tkun il-qaddej tiegħi, biex tqajjem it-tribù ta’ Ġakobb, u traġġa’ lura l-fdal ta’ Iżrael. Jien nagħmel minnek dawl għall-ġnus, biex is-salvazzjoni tiegħi sa truf l-art tinfirex”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                    Salm 39(40):2,4ab,7-8a,8b-9,10

R/. (8a,9a): Hawn jien, Mulej, ġej nagħmel ir-rieda tiegħek.

Ittamajt b’tama qawwija fil-Mulej;
hu niżel ħdejja u sama’ l-għajta tiegħi.
Qegħedli fuq fommi għanja ġdida,
għanja ta’ tifħir lil Alla tagħna. R/.

Int ma titgħaxxaqx b’sagrifiċċji u b’offerti;
imma widnejja inti ftaħtli;
ma tlabtnix vittmi tal-ħruq u tat-tpattija.
Imbagħad jien għedt: “Hawn jien, ġej”. R/.

“Fil-bidu tal-ktieb hemm miktub fuqi
li nagħmel ir-rieda tiegħek.
Alla tiegħi, dan jogħġobni;
il-liġi tiegħek ġewwa qalbi”. R/.

Xandart il-ġustizzja f’ġemgħa kbira;
xufftejja ma żammejthomx magħluqa.
Mulej, dan inti tafu. R/.

QARI 2              Bidu tal-Ewwel Ittra ta’ S. Pawl lill-Korintin 1:1-3

Pawlu, li Alla ried isejjaħlu biex ikun appostlu ta’ Kristu Ġesù, u Sòsteni ħuna, lill-Knisja ta’ Alla li qiegħda f’Korintu; lil dawk li tqaddsu fi Kristu Ġesù, imsejħa biex ikunu qaddisin flimkien ma’ dawk kollha li f’kull pajjiż isejħu l-isem ta’ Ġesù Kristu, is-Sid tagħhom u tagħna; grazzja u sliem mingħand Alla missierna u l-Mulej Ġesù Kristu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

EVANĠELJU   Qari skond San Ġwann 1:29-34

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġwanni, ra lil Ġesù riesaq lejh, u qal: “Araw il-Ħaruf ta’ Alla, li jneħħi d-dnub tad-dinja. Dan hu li għalih għedtilkom: ‘Warajja ġej bniedem li hu aqwa minni, għax kien qabli’. Anqas jien stess ma kont nafu, imma jien għalhekk ġejt ngħammed bl-ilma, biex hu jkun mgħarraf lil Iżrael”. U Ġwanni xehed għalih u qal: “Jiena rajt l-Ispirtu nieżel mis-sema bħal ħamiema u joqgħod fuqu. Tabilħaqq, anqas jien ma kont nafu; imma dak li bagħatni ngħammed bl-ilma, hu stess qalli: ‘Fuq min tara l-Ispirtu jinżel u joqgħod, dak hu li jgħammed bl-Ispirtu s-Santu’. Dan rajtu b’għajnejja, u għalhekk xhedt, dan hu l-Iben ta’ Alla”.   

Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.    R/. Tifħir lilek, Kristu.

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/////////////                      REFLECTION.....

JESUS' BAPTISM... AND OUR MISSION  (part 2)

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

Introduction: 

The central theme of Sunday’s readings is a challenge to live like the Lamb of God and to die like the Lamb of Godand thus bear witness to Christ the “Lamb of God.” We have to choose to accept John’s testimony in today’s Gospel as a personal and corporate call from God to us to become witnesses to the Lamb of God. 

Scripture summarized: 

In both the first and second readings, God calls individuals to His service entrusting them with a mission. The first reading is from the “Songs of the Suffering Servant” in Isaiah, where the prophet was chosen by God from his mother’s womb and consecrated to be the “light to the nations”. Here,aspects of Jesus' own life as sacrificial lamb and mission as salvation of the world are foreshadowed. 

In the second reading, Paul reminds the Corinthian Christians that they are "sanctified and called to be holy" like all who call on the name of Jesus. They are called by God and consecrated in Christ Jesus for a life of holiness and service. As believers, we too have been called by God to become members of Christ’s Body by our Baptism, and we are consecrated in Christ Jesus for a life of holiness and service. 

The Gospel passage presents three themes, namely, the witness John the Baptist bears to Jesus, the revelation (epiphany) and identification of Jesus as the “Lamb of God,” and the call to discipleship. John’s first declaration probably brought five pictures of the “lamb” to the minds of his Jewish listeners:

    1) The Lamb of Yearly Atonement (Lv 16:20-22) used on Yom Kippur. 

    2) The Lamb of Daily Atonement (Ex 29:38-42; Nm 28:1-8). 

    3) The Paschal Lamb(Ex. 12:11ss). 

    4)The Lamb of the Prophets(Jer 11:19), (Is 53:7). 

     5) The Lamb of the Conquerors.

Life messages: 

1) Live and die like the Lamb of God. 

     (A) Live like a lamb by: 

         i) leading pure, innocent, humble, selfless lives obeying the Christ’s commandment of love; 

       ii) appreciating the loving providence and protecting care of the Good Shepherd in His Church; 

         iii) eating the Body and drinking the Blood of the Good Shepherd and deriving spiritual strength from the Holy Spirit through the the Holy Bible, Sacraments and our prayers. 

      (B) Die like a sacrificial lamb by:

         i) by the sacrificial sharing our blessings of health, wealth and talents with others in the family, parish and community; 

         ii) bearing witness to Christ in our illness, pain and suffering; 

         iii) offering our sufferings for the salvation of souls and as reparation for our sins and those of others. 

2) Be a witness to the Lamb of God by our exemplary life.. Today's Gospel reminds us that being a disciple of Jesus means that we grow by Faith to become witnesses for him. And bearing witness to Christ is an active, not passive, lifetime enterprise. One cannot be a disciple of Jesus at a distance, any more than one can be a distant lover. 

3) "Come and see". The essence of our witnessing is to state what we have seen and believed and then to invite others to "come and see" our experience of Jesus. As with Andrew and John, Faith begins with our responding to Jesus’ invitation to "come and see." We tell others about good restaurants, barbers, optometrists, etc. Why isn't there the same fervor over inviting and encouraging people to come and participate in our Church activities? If we are not willing to invite others into this experience, what does that say about our experiences with Christ and with our Church?

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

"THIS IS MY BELOVED SON WITH WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED"

Readings for Sunday, January 11, 2026

> >>>>>>                  The Baptism of the Lord           Lectionary: 21

                                    

Reading 1                  Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7

Thus says the LORD: Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. a bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.  I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

Responsorial Psalm            Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10

Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
    give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
    adore the LORD in holy attire.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
    the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty;
    the voice of the LORD is majestic. 
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The God of glory thunders,
    and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
    the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Reading 2                    Acts 10:34-38

Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered in the house of Cornelius, saying:  “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites  as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,  what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil,  for God was with him.”

Gospel                   Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptised by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptised, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

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Il-Magħmudija tal-Mulej – Festa

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 40:1-5,9-11

“Farrġu, farrġu l-poplu tiegħi”, jgħid Alla tagħkom. Kellmu lil qalb Ġerusalemm u għidulha li ntemm il-jasar tagħha, tħallset ħżunitha, ħadet mingħand il-Mulej darbtejn għal dnubietha kollha”. Leħen jgħajjat: “Ħejju t-triq għall-Mulej fid-deżert, wittu għal Alla tagħna mogħdija fix-xagħri. Jintradam kull wied, u jitniżżlu l-muntanji u l-għoljiet; kull art imħattba titwitta kull art imħarbta ssir maqgħad. U tfiġġ il-glorja tal-Mulej, u l-bnedmin jarawha lkoll f’daqqa, għax fomm il-Mulej tkellem”. Itla’ fuq il-muntanja għolja, int li ġġib il-bxara t-tajba lil Sijon! Għolli leħnek bil-qawwa kollha, int li tagħti l-aħbar it-tajba lil Ġerusalemm; għajjat, la tibżax.  Għid lill-ibliet ta’ Ġuda: “Hawn hu Alla tagħkom! Hawn hu Sidi l-Mulej, li ġej bil-qawwa, u jaħkem bil-qawwa ta’ driegħu. Hawn hu bi ħlasu miegħu, u r-rebħa tiegħu quddiemu. Bħal ragħaj li jirgħa l-merħla tiegħu; bi driegħu jiġmagħha, u l-ħrief fi ħdanu jerfagħhom; u n-nagħaġ ireddgħu bil-mod imexxihom”.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                                                                                                                     Salm 103(104):1b-2,3-4,24-25,27-28,29-30

R/.(1): Bierek, ruħ tiegħi, il-Mulej!

Mulej, Alla tiegħi, inti kbir bil-bosta!
Bis-sebħ u l-ġmiel inti mlibbes,
bid-dawl, bħal b’mantell, inti mkebbeb.
Inti frixt is-smewwiet bħal tinda. R/.

Waqqaft fuq l-ilma l-għamajjar għolja tiegħek.
Inti tagħmel is-sħab mirkeb tiegħek,
fuq ġwienaħ ir-riħ tiġġerra.
L-irjieħ tagħmilhom ħabbara tiegħek,
u l-ilsna tan-nar qaddejja tiegħek. R/.

Kemm huma kotrana l-għemejjel tiegħek, Mulej!
Kollha bl-għerf għamilthom;
mimlija l-art bil-ħlejjaq tiegħek.
Dan il-baħar ta’ kobor u wisa’ bla tarf,
li fih jimraħ ħut bla għadd;
bhejjem żgħar u bhejjem kbar. R/.

Minnek jistennew il-ħlejjaq kollha
li tagħtihom ikilhom f’waqtu.
Inti tagħtihom, u huma jiġbru;
tiftaħ idejk, u jixbgħu bil-ġid. R/.

Jekk taħbi wiċċek, huma jinfixlu;
jekk teħdilhom nifishom, imutu,
u lejn it-trab jerġgħu jmorru.
Malli tibgħat in-nifs tiegħek, jinħolqu,
u inti ġġedded il-wiċċ tal-art. R/.

QARI 2                 mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lil Titu 2:11-14; 3:4-7

Ibni, dehret il-grazzja ta’ Alla, għas-salvazzjoni lill-bnedmin kollha; hi trawwimna nwarrbu l-ħażen u l-ġibdiet tad-dinja, biex ngħixu bir-rażna u l-ġustizzja u t-tjieba f’dan iż-żmien, u nistennew it-tama hienja u d-dehra tal-glorja tal-kbir Alla u Salvatur tagħna, Ġesù Kristu. Hu ta lilu nnifsu għalina biex jifdina minn kull ħażen u jnaddafna u jagħmel minna poplu magħżul għalih, poplu mħeġġeġ għall-għemil it-tajjeb.  Iżda meta feġġet it-tjieba ta’ Alla, Salvatur tagħna, u l-imħabba tiegħu għall-bnedmin, hu salvana bil-ħasil ta’ twelid ġdid u t-tiġdid tal-Ispirtu s-Santu, mhux minħabba l-opri tajba li stajna għamilna aħna, iżda minħabba l-ħniena tiegħu. Dan l-Ispirtu hu xerrdu bil-kotra fuqna b’Ġesù Kristu, is-Salvatur tagħna, biex bis-saħħa tal-grazzja tiegħu nitqaddsu u nsiru werrieta tal-ħajja ta’ dejjem skont it-tama li għandna. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Luqa 3:15-16,21-22

F’dak iż-żmien, il-poplu kien qiegħed jistenna ħerqan, u kulħadd kien jistaqsi lilu nnifsu dwar Ġwanni, jekk kienx hu l-Messija. Għalhekk Ġwanni qabad u qal lil kulħadd: “Jien, ngħid għalija, ngħammidkom bl-ilma, imma ġej wieħed aqwa minni, li ma jistħoqqlix inħollu l-qfieli tal-qorq tiegħu. Hu jgħammidkom bl-Ispirtu s-Santu u n-nar”. Ġara li, wara li tgħammed il-poplu kollu, Ġesù tgħammed ukoll u, waqt li kien qiegħed jitlob, is-smewwiet infetħu, u niżel l-Ispirtu s-Santu u deher fuqu fis-sura ta’ ħamiema. U mis-sema ġie leħen jgħid: “Inti Ibni l-għażiż; fik sibt l-għaxqa tiegħi”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

JESUS' BAPTISM...    

AND   

OUR MISSION

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Introduction: 

The Baptism of the Lord is the great event celebrated by the Eastern Churches on the feast of Epiphany because it is the occasion of the first public revelation of all the Three Persons in the Holy Trinity, and the official revelation of Jesus as the Son of God to the world by God the Father. Hence, it is described by all four Gospels. It marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry.

The turning point: 

Jesus’ baptism by John was a mystical experience that Jesus felt deep within his soul at the crucial turning point of his life. The opening of the Heavens with Holy Spirit, descending as a dove upon Jesus, and the Voice declaring of him, "This is My beloved Son with Whom I am well pleased," are God's revelation to mankind of the Mystery that He is Triune. The presence of the Triune God at this baptism, reveals Jesus’ true identity and mission. 

The Heavens’ opening also indicates that this was a moment of God’s powerful intervention in human history and in the life of His Son. According to Rev. William Barclay (non-Catholic Bible scholar) Jesus' baptism by John was a very important event in the life of Jesus.

(1) it was a moment of decision. It marked the end of Jesus' private life which had prepared him for his public ministry. 

(2) it was a moment of identification with his people in their God-ward movement initiated by John the Baptist (quality of a good leader). 

(3) it was a moment of approval. Jesus might have been waiting for a signal of approval from his Heavenly Father, and during his baptism Jesus got this approval of himself as the Father's "beloved Son." Fourth, it was a moment of conviction. 

At this baptism, Jesus received certainties (assurances) from Heaven about His identity (although he knew it as God even as a child), 

      a) He was the "Chosen One" and the "beloved Son of God"; and the nature of His mission: 

       b) his mission of saving mankind would be fulfilled, not by conquering the Romans, but by becoming the "suffering servant" of God, i.e., by the cross. 

This was a moment of equipment. When He descended on Jesus in the form of a dove (symbol of gentleness), the Holy Spirit equipped Jesus (although Holy Spirit was one with Jesus always) with the power of preaching the "Good News" that God is a loving Father, Who wants to save all human beings from their sins through His Son Jesus, in contrast to the "axe" and "fire" preaching of John the Baptist about an angry God's judgment on sinners.

Life messages: 

(1) The baptism of Jesus reminds us of our identity. It reminds us of who we are and Whose we are. By Baptism we become sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus, members of his Church, heirs of heaven and temples of the Holy Spirit. 

(2) Jesus’ baptism reminds us also of our mission:

      a) to experience the presence of God within us, to acknowledge our own dignity as God’s children, and to appreciate the Divine Presence in others by honoring them, loving them and serving them in all humility; 

      b) to live as the children of God in thought, word and action. 

      c) to lead a holy and transparent Christian life and not to desecrate our bodies (the temples of the Holy Spirit and members of Jesus' Body), by impurity, injustice, intolerance, jealousy or hatred; 

      d) to accept both the good and the bad experiences of life as the gifts of a loving Heavenly Father for our growth in holiness; 

      e) to grow daily in intimacy with God by personal and family prayers, by meditative reading of the Word of God, by participating in the Holy Mass, and by frequenting the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

(3) It is a day to thank God for the graces we have received in Baptism, to renew our Baptismal promises and to preach Christ’s ‘Good News’ by our transparent Christian lives of love, mercy, service and forgiveness. (L/26)

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

THE WORLD BOWS TO THE LORD

 Readings for Sunday, January 4, 2026 

>> >>>>>>  

The Epiphany of the Lord

Lectionary: 20

Reading 1                  Isaiah 60:1-6

Rise up in splendour, Jerusalem!  Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory.  Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;  all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.  

Responsorial Psalm                 Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13.

O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Reading                   Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit,  namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:  that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Gospel                 Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod,  behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,  “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”  When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled,  and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,  He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,  for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.”  Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said,  “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word,  that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out.  And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,  until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star,  and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures  and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

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L-Epifanija tal-Mulej. Solennità.

Qari 1  ---      mill-Ktieb 
                       tal-Profeta Isaija 60, 1-6

Qum! Ħa jiddi wiċċek!  Id-dawl tiegħek wasal! Jiddi fuqek sebħ il-Mulej! Ara d-dlamijiet jiksu l-art, u sħab iswed il-popli: iżda fuqek jiddi l-Mulej, u s-sebħ tiegħu jfiġġ fuqek. Il-ġnus għad jimxu fid-dawl tiegħek, u s-slaten fid-dija tas-sebħ tiegħek. Għolli u dawwar għajnejk madwarek u ara:  ilkoll miġbura ġejjin għandek. Uliedek ġejjin mill-bogħod, u bnietek iġorruhom fuq id-dirgħajn. Imbagħad tħares u wiċċek jiddi, u tħabbat u timtela qalbek, għax fuqek taqa’ l-kotra tal-ġid tal-ibħra, u l-għana tal-ġnus jiġi għandek. Imrieħel ta’ iġmla għad jgħattuk, l-iġmla żgħar ta’ Midjan u Għefa; ilkoll minn Seba jiġu, mgħobbija bid-deheb u l-inċens, u jxandru t-tifħir tal-Mulej.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Salm Responsorjali                Salm 71 (72), 1-2.7-8.10-11,12-13

R/. (ara 11): Il-ġnus kollha tal-art jagħtuk qima, Mulej

O Alla, agħti lis-sultan il-ħaqq tiegħek,
il-ġustizzja tiegħek lil bin is-sultan,
biex jiġġudika l-poplu tiegħek bil-ġustizzja,
u bil-ħaqq l-imsejknin tiegħek. R/.

Tħaddar f’jiemu l-ġustizzja,
u sliem kotran sa ma jintemm il-qamar.
Isaltan minn baħar sa baħar,
u mix-xmara sa truf l-art. R/.

Is-slaten ta’ Tarsis u tal-gżejjer jagħtuh ir-rigali,
is-slaten ta’ Seba u ta’ Saba għotjiet iġibulu.
Iqimuh is-slaten kollha,
il-ġnus kollha lilu jaqdu. R/.

Għax hu jeħles lill-fqir li jsejjaħlu,
u lill-imsejken li m’għandux min jgħinu.
Iħenn għad-dgħajjef u għall-fqajjar;
il-ħajja tal-fqajrin isalva. R/.

Qari 2                 mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Efesin 3, 2-3a. 5-6

Ħuti, intom smajtu bil-pjan tal-grazzja li Alla tani għall-ġid tagħkom, jiġifieri, li permezz ta’ rivelazzjoni għarrafni l-misteru. Dan hu l-misteru li fil-ġenerazzjonijiet l-imgħoddija ma kienx mgħarraf lill-bnedmin bħalma issa ġie rrivelat lill-appostli qaddisa tiegħu u lill-profeti fl-Ispirtu, jiġifieri, li l-pagani huma msejħa biex ikollhom sehem mill-istess wirt, ikunu membri tal-istess ġisem, ikollhom sehem mill-istess wegħda, fi Kristu Ġesù permezz tal-Evanġelju. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Evanġelju                 Qari skont San Mattew  2, 1-12

Meta twieled Ġesù f’Betlehem tal-Lhudija, fi żmien is-sultan Erodi, xi maġi mil-Lvant ġew Ġerusalemm jistaqsu: “Fejn hu dak li twieled sultan tal-Lhud? Għax rajna l-kewkba tiegħu tielgħa, u ġejna nqimuh”. Is-sultan Erodi sama’ bihom, u tħawwad hu u Ġerusalemm kollha miegħu. Ġabar flimkien il-qassisin il-kbar u l-kittieba kollha tal-poplu, u ried jaf mingħandhom fejn kellu jitwieled il-Messija. U huma qalulu: “F’Betlehem tal-Lhudija, għax hekk inkiteb mill-profeta: “U int, Betlehem, art ta’ Ġuda, le, m’intix l-iżgħar fost il-bliet il-kbar ta’ Ġuda, għax minnek joħroġ mexxej li jirgħa l-poplu tiegħi Iżrael”.  Erodi mbagħad sejjaħ lill-maġi bil-moħbi, u tkixxef bir-reqqa kollha mingħandhom iż-żmien li fih dehritilhom il-kewkba; bagħathom Betlehem u qalilhom: “Morru, staqsu sewwa għat-tifel, u meta ssibuh ejjew għiduli, ħalli jien ukoll niġi nqimu”. Dawk, wara li semgħu lis-sultan, telqu, u ara, il-kewkba li kienu raw tielgħa bdiet miexja quddiemhom sakemm waslet u waqfet fuq il-post fejn kien hemm it-tifel. Kif raw il-kewkba mtlew b’ferħ kbir tassew. Meta mbagħad daħlu d-dar u raw lit-tifel ma’ ommu Marija, inxteħtu fl-art iqimuh; fetħu t-teżori tagħhom u offrewlu rigali deheb, inċens u mirra. Imbagħad, billi kienu mwissijin f’ħolma biex ma jerġgħux imorru għand Erodi, telqu lura lejn arthom minn triq oħra.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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COME LET US ADORE HIM TOO

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

Introduction: 

The Greek word Epiphany (επιφάνεια), means appearance or manifestation. Multiple revelations of Jesus as God are celebrated on this Feast of the Epiphany. In the Western Church, the Feast of the Epiphany celebrates Jesus’ first appearance to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, while in the Eastern Church, the Epiphany event is celebrated in the commemoration of the Baptism of Christ when the Father and the Holy Spirit gave combined testimony to Jesus’ identity as Son of God. Later, in the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus revealed Himself as the promised Messiah, and at Cana Jesus revealed His Divinity by transforming water into wine. The Church celebrates all these epiphany events on this Feast of Epiphany.

Scripture lessons summarized:

Sunday’s Gospel teaches us how Christ enriches those who bring him their hearts. The adoration of the Magi fulfills the oracle of Isaiah (first reading), prophesying that the nations of the world would travel to the Holy City following a brilliant light and would bring gold and incense to contribute to the worship of God. 

Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 72) includes a verse about kings coming from foreign lands to pay homage to a just king in Israel. Paul's letter to the Church of Ephesus (Sunday’s second reading), expresses God’s secret plan in clear terms: "the Gentiles are…co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel." Today’s Gospel reminds us that if God permitted the Magi – foreigners and pagans – to recognize and give Jesus proper respect as the King of Jews, we should know that there is nothing in our sinful lives that will keep God from bringing us to Jesus. 

There were three groups of people who reacted to the Epiphany of Christ’s birth. The first group, headed by King Herod the Great, tried to eliminate the Child, the second group, priests and scribes, ignored him, and the third group, represented by the shepherds and the Magi, came to adore him.

Life Messages: 

(1) Let us make sure that we belong to the third group: 

      a) by worshiping Jesus at Mass with the gold of our love, the myrrh of our humility, and the frankincense of our adoration; 

      b) by giving a new direction to our lives. As the Magi chose another route to return to their homes, we need to choose a better way of life, abstaining from proud and impure thoughts, evil habits and selfish behaviour; 

      c) by becoming stars leading others to Jesus as the star led the Magi to Jesus -- removing the darkness of the evil around us and radiating Jesus’ love through selfless service, unconditional forgiveness, and compassionate care. 

(2) On this feast of the Epiphany, let us, like the Magi, offer Jesus our grateful use of his gifts to us: 

    (a) His gift of friendship with God in the form of wholehearted love and devotion; 

    (b) His gift of friendship with others by leading them to Jesus through our exemplary lives of Christian charity in action;     

    (c) His gift of reconciliation with God by making use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently, by asking daily for His pardon and forgiveness for our sins and by giving unconditional forgiveness to those who wound us; and

     (d)His gift of peace by seeking God’s peace in our own lives through prayer, leading a Sacramental life, and meditation daily on the Word of God.

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

RECIPE FOR A HOLY FAMILY

 Readings for Sunday, December 28, 2025 

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Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph                                                   Lectionary: 17

Reading 1   -  Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

God sets a father in honour over his children;  a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them.  When he prays, he is heard;  he stores up riches who reveres his mother.  Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,  and, when he prays, is heard. Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;  he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother. My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;  revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins  —a house raised in justice to you.

Responsorial Psalm               Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5.

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,

who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Reading 2                    Colossians 3:12-21

Brothers and sisters:   Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another,  if one has a grievance against another;  as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love,  that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,  as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.  Fathers, do not provoke your children,  so they may not become discouraged.

Gospel                   Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod had died, hold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee.  He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazorean.

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Festa tal-Familja Mqaddsa ta’ Ġesù, Marija u Ġużeppi

QARI 1                  

mill-Ktieb ta’ Bin Sirak.3, 2-6. 12-14

Il-Mulej għolla l-missier fuq it-tfal, u saħħaħ dritt l-omm fuq l-ulied. Min jibża’ minn missieru jagħmel tajjeb għal dnubietu, u min iweġġaħ lil ommu qisu qed jiġma’ f’teżor. Min jibża’ minn missieru jifraħ b’uliedu, u meta jitlob jinstama’. Min iweġġaħ lil missieru jkollu għomor twil, u min iserraħ lil ommu jkun qed jisma’ mill-Mulej. Ibni, ieqaf ma’ missierek fi xjuħitu, u matul ħajtu tweġġagħlux qalbu. Ukoll jekk moħħu jeħfief, agħdru, u tonqsux mill-ġieħ meta għadek f’saħħtek, għax il-ħniena ma’ missierek ma tintesiex, imma tingħaddlek bi ħlas għal dnubietek. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 127: 1-2.3.4-5

R/. Hieni kull min jibża’ mill-Mulej!

Hieni kull min jibża’ mill-Mulej,
kull min jimxi fit-triqat tiegħu!
Mix-xogħol ta’ idejk inti tiekol;
hieni int, u riżqek tajjeb! R/.

Martek tkun bħal dielja għammiela
fl-irkejjen ta’ darek;
uliedek bħal xitel taż-żebbuġ
madwar il-mejda tiegħek. R/.

Ara, kif ikun imbierek il-bniedem
li jibża’ mill-Mulej!
Ibierkek il-Mulej minn Sijon!
Jalla tara l-ġid ta’ Ġerusalemm
tul ħajtek kollha! R/.

QARI 2                   mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Kolossin. 3: 12-21

Ħuti, intom il-magħżulin ta’ Alla, il-qaddisin u l-maħbubin tiegħu. Ilbsu mela sentimenti ta’ ħniena, tjieba, umiltà, ħlewwa u sabar. Stabru b’xulxin, u, jekk xi ħadd minnkom ikollu xi jgħid ma’ ħaddieħor, aħfru lil xulxin; bħalma l-Mulej ħafer lilkom, hekk agħmlu intom ukoll. U fuq kollox ilbsu l-imħabba, li hi l-qofol tal-perfezzjoni. Ħalli s-sliem ta’ Kristu jsaltan fi qlubkom, dak is-sliem li għalih kontu msejħa biex issiru ġisem wieħed. U ta’ dan roddu ħajr lil Alla. Ħalli l-kelma ta’ Kristu tgħammar sħiħa fikom; għallmu bl-għerf kollu u widdbu lil xulxin b’salmi u innijiet u b’għana spiritwali, u b’radd il-ħajr kantaw f’qalbkom innijiet lil Alla. Kulma tagħmlu jew tgħidu, agħmlu kollox f’isem il-Mulej Ġesù, u roddu ħajr lil Alla l-Missier permezz tiegħu.  Intom, nisa miżżewġa, obdu lil żwieġkom, kif għandu jkun fil-Mulej. Intom imbagħad, irġiel miżżewġa, ħobbu n-nisa tagħkom, u tkunux iebsa magħhom. Intom, tfal, isimgħu mill-ġenituri tagħkom f’kollox, għax dan hu li jogħġob lill-Mulej. Intom missirijiet, la ddejqux lil uliedkom, għax inkella jistgħu jaqtgħu qalbhom.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Mattew 2: 13-15.19-23

Meta telqu l-Maġi, deher anġlu tal-Mulej f’ħolma lil Ġużeppi u qallu: “Qum, ħu miegħek lit-tifel u lil ommu, u aħrab lejn l-Eġittu. Ibqa’ hemm sa ma ngħidlek jien, għax Erodi se jfittex lit-tifel biex joqtlu”. Ġużeppi qam, ħa miegħu lit-tifel u lil ommu bil-lejl u telaq lejn l-Eġittu, u baqa’ hemmhekk sal-mewt ta’ Erodi, biex hekk iseħħ dak li kien qal il-Mulej permezz tal-profeta, meta qal: “Mill-Eġittu sejjaħt lil ibni”.   Meta miet Erodi, deher l-anġlu tal-Mulej f’ħolma lil Ġużeppi fl-Eġittu u qallu: “Qum ħu miegħek lit-tifel u lil ommu, u erġa’ lura lejn l-art ta’ Iżrael, għax mietu dawk li kienu jfittxu l-ħajja tat-tifel”. Ġużeppi qam, ħa miegħu lit-tifel u lil ommu, u mar fl-art ta’ Iżrael. Imma billi sama’ li fil-Lhudija kien qiegħed isaltan Arkelaws flok Erodi missieru, baża’ jmur hemm. Fuq twissija li kellu fil-ħolm, telaq lejn l-inħawi tal-Galilija, u mar joqgħod f’belt jisimha Nażaret, biex hekk iseħħ dak li kien ingħad permezz tal-profeti, “Ikun jissejjaħ Nażri”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

THE HOUSEHOLD CODE OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Introduction: 

On the last Sunday of the year, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. We are here to offer all the members of our own families on the altar for God’s blessing.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading is a commentary on the fourth commandment: "Honour your father and your mother." Ben Sirach has many good things to say about living properly according to the Torah. Sirach reminds children of their duty to honour their parents – even when it becomes difficult. He also mentions the two-fold reward which God promises to those who honour their father and mother. The first reward is “riches,” and the second, long life: “Whoever reveres his father will live a long life.” He reminds children that God blesses them if they obey, revere, and show compassion to their father.

Paul, in the letter to the Colossians, advises us that we should put on love and remain thankful in our relationships with one another. Paul’s advice is part of the "Household Code" – the rules for members of the Christian family. Though the details date to Paul’s time, the underlying message of being careful with one another – being full of care for one another– is timeless. Paul teaches that children should learn and practice noble qualities like compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and sharing in the warmth of the family. In a truly holy family all members are respected, cherished, nurtured, and supported, united through the bond of love. Sunday’s Gospel describes how Joseph and Mary protected the Child Jesus from the sword of King Herod by escaping with Him to Egypt.

Life messages: 

1) We need to learn lessons from the Holy Family: The Church encourages us to look to the Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph for inspiration, example and encouragement. They were a model family in which both parents worked hard, helped each other, understood and accepted each other, and took good care of their Child so that he might grow up not only in human knowledge but also as a Child of God.

2) We need to make the family a confessional rather than a courtroom. A senior Judge of the Supreme Court congratulated the bride and groom in a marriage with a pertinent piece of advice: “See that you never convert your family into a courtroom; instead let it be a confessional. If the husband and wife start arguing like attorneys in an attempt to justify their behaviour, their family becomes a court of law and nobody wins. On the other hand, if the husband and the wife -- as in a confessional -- are ready to admit their faults and try to correct them, the family becomes a heavenly one.”

3) Marriage is a sacrament of holiness. Each family is called to holiness. By the Sacrament of Matrimony (marriage), Jesus sanctifies not only the spouses but also the entire family. The husband and wife attain holiness when they discharge their duties faithfully, trusting in God, and drawing on the power of God by prayer.

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

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD JESUS (Christmas)

 Readings for  Thursday, December 25, 2025 

Mass during the Day                     Lectionary: 16

Reading 1                  Isaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,
announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, "Your God is King!”      Hark!  Your sentinels raise a cry,  together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD restoring Zion. Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem!  For the LORD comforts his people,  he redeems Jerusalem.  The LORD has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6.

R. (3c)  All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Sing to the LORD a new song, 
for he has done wondrous deeds; 
his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. 
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

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

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Reading 2                  Hebrews 1:1-6

Brothers and sisters: In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe,  who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word.  When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.   For to which of the angels did God ever say:  You are my son; this day I have begotten you? Or again:  I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me? And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says:  Let all the angels of God worship him.

Gospel                    John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.   All things came to be through him,     and without him nothing came to be.  What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light,  so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own,  but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God,  to those who believe in his name,  who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.   And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me  because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

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BIL-MALTI....

It-Twelid ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu

Solennità – Quddiesa ta’ Binhar

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 52, 7-10

Kemm huma sbieħ fuq il-muntanji r-riġlejn ta’ min iħabbar il-bxara, ta’ min ixandar is-sliem, ta’ min iħabbar ir-riżq, ta’ min ixandar is-salvazzjoni, u jgħid lil Sijon: “Alla tiegħek isaltan”. Ismagħha l-għajta! L-għassiesa tiegħek għollew leħenhom, ilkoll flimkien jgħajtu bil-ferħ, għax raw b’għajnejhom lill-Mulej rieġa’ lura f’Sijon. Intom, ħerbiet ta’ Ġerusalemm, għajtu lkoll bil-ferħ, għax farraġ il-Mulej il-poplu tiegħu, feda lil Ġerusalemm. Kixef il-Mulej id-driegħ tiegħu qaddis, quddiem il-ġnus kollha, u raw it-truf kollha tal-art is-salvazzjoni ta’ Alla tagħna.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla

SALM RESPONSORJALI           Salm 97 (98), 1.2-3ab.3ċd-4.5-6

R/. (3ċ): Raw it-truf kollha tal-art is-salvazzjoni ta’ Alla tagħna

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

Għarraf il-Mulej is-salvazzjoni tiegħu,
f’għajnejn il-ġnus wera l-ġustizzja tiegħu.
Ftakar fit-tjieba u l-fedeltà tiegħu
mal-poplu ta’ Iżrael. R/.

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

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

QARI 2                  Bidu tal-Ittra lil-Lhud 1, 1-6

Alla fl-imgħoddi kellem lil missirijietna ħafna drabi u b’ħafna manjieri permezz tal-profeti. Issa f’dan l-aħħar żmien, huwa kellimna permezz ta’ Ibnu, li hu għamlu werriet ta’ kollox, u li bih ukoll għamel il-ħolqien. Hu, l-Iben, li hu d-dija tal-glorja ta’ Alla u x-xbieha tal-essenza tiegħu, u li jżomm id-dinja kollha bil-kelma setgħana tiegħu, wara li naddafna minn dnubietna, qagħad fuq il-lemin tal-kobor ta’ Alla fl-għoli tas-smewwiet, u b’hekk sar daqshekk aqwa mill-anġli daqskemm ogħla minn tagħhom hu l-isem li kiseb. Għax lil min mill-anġli qatt qal Alla: “Inti ibni, jiena llum nissiltek!”? Jew: “Jiena nkun missieru, u hu jkun ibni!”? Imbagħad, hu u jdaħħal lil Ibnu l-Kbir fid-dinja, jgħid ukoll: “Ħa jqimuh l-anġli kollha ta’ Alla”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej  //  R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla

EVANĠELJU                  Bidu tal-Evanġelju skont San Ġwann 1, 1-18

Fil-bidu kien il-Verb, u l-Verb kien ma’ Alla, u l-Verb kien Alla. Hu kien fil-bidu ma’ Alla. Kollox bih sar, u xejn ma sar mingħajru; kulma sar kellu l-ħajja fih, u l-ħajja kienet id-dawl tal-bnedmin. Id-dawl jiddi fid-dlam, imma d-dlam ma għelbux. Kien hemm raġel mibgħut minn Alla, jismu Ġwanni. Dan ġie bħala xhud, biex jixhed għad-dawl, biex bih kulħadd jemmen. Ġwanni ma kienx id-dawl, imma ġie biex jixhed għad-dawl, dak id-dawl veru, li jdawwal kull bniedem, huwa u ġej fid-dinja. Kien fid-dinja, u d-dinja saret bih, imma d-dinja ma għarfitux. Ġie f’daru, u niesu ma laqgħuhx. Imma lil dawk li laqgħuh tahom is-setgħa li jsiru wlied Alla, dawk li jemmnu f’ismu, li twieldu mhux mid-demm, anqas mill-ġibda tal-ġisem, u anqas mir-rieda tal-bnedmin, iżda minn Alla. U l-Verb sar bniedem u għammar fostna, u aħna rajna l-glorja tiegħu, il-glorja li għandu mill-Missier bħala Ibnu l-waħdieni, mimli bil-grazzja u l-verità. Ġwanni ta xhieda fuqu meta għajjat u qal: “Dan hu li għalih għedtilkom: Jiġi warajja, imma hu aqwa minni, għax kien minn qabli”. Għax mill-milja tiegħu aħna lkoll ħadna, grazzja fuq grazzja. Alla ta l-Liġi permezz ta’ Mosè imma l-grazzja u l-verità seħħu permezz ta’ Ġesù Kristu. Lil Alla għadu ħadd ma rah; imma għarrafhulna l-Iben il-waħdieni ta’ Alla, li hu fi ħdan il-Missier.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej  //  R/. Tifħir lilek Kristu.

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"LET THE LORD ENTER!"

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

Introduction: 

St. Joseph’s loving, responsive obedience to God is modeled for us in Matthew’s Gospel. This obedience is the central theme of Sunday’s readings, with special emphasis on the Virgin Birth of Jesus.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the First Reading, the prophet Isaiah gives a sign from God to King Ahaz of Judah: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (Is 7:14). Matthew considers this prophecy as one of the most descriptive and definite prophecies foretelling the future Messianic King, the Christ, who will be born as a descendant of David. 

The Refrain for Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 24), “Let the Lord enter; He is King of Glory” reminds us that we must choose to allow Him enter our hearts with His love and grace so our lives can be shaped in His Image and Likeness again. We must also choose to surrender our entire being to Him so that He may rule over our lives and we may become saints. For God never forces anyone to receive His gifts. In the second reading, Paul asserts that Jesus was a descendant of David and thus the Messiah: “from David according to the flesh” (Rom 1:3). Paul explains that the only begotten Son of God, become Incarnate as Jesus, was revealed and established by the Father as Son of God in power by his Resurrection from the dead. Then Paul provides a sweeping summary of God’s mighty acts in history through Jesus Christ. 

Today’s Gospel, from Matthew, focuses on the person and role of Joseph. For Jesus to fulfill the Messianic prophecy given by Isaiah, Joseph had to, and freely did, accept Jesus as his son. This formal acceptance made Jesus a legal descendant of David because Joseph was a descendant of David. Hence, Matthew makes it clear that Jesus was not the biological child of Joseph. But because Joseph was the husband of Mary at the time Jesus was born, Jesus was legally the son of Joseph and thus a descendant of David.

Life messages: 

1) Like Joseph, we need to trust in God, listen to Him, and be faithful. Although we may face financial problems, job insecurity, tensions in the family and health concerns, let us try to be like St. Joseph, trusting and faithful. Instead of relying on our own schemes to get us through life, let us trust in God and be strengthened by talking to Him in fervent prayer and by listening to Him speaking through the Bible.

2) We need to experience Emmanuel in our lives -- and so change the world: The Good News and consoling message of Christmas is that the Child Jesus still waits today to step into our hearts—your heart and mine—and to change us and the world around us by the beauty of God’s love, kindness, mercy and compassion. Let us take some time to welcome the Christ Child into our hearts and lives this week, so that God may change our world of miseries with the beauty of that love.

3) Do we have any gift for our “Birthday Boy?” Let us check to see if Jesus is on our list this Christmas and if we have a special gift in mind for him. A heart filled with love for God and our fellow-human beings is the birthday gift which Jesus really wants from us. Hence, let us prepare our heart for Jesus, filling it with love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness on this Christmas and every day of our lives.

4) Let us be a Christmas gift to others: The greatest gift we can give to those we love, is to have faith in them, believe in their good dreams and try to help them realize them. We need to believe in the good dreams of our husband, wife, children, parents, heroes, leaders and friends, then try our best to help them realize those dreams.

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

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JESUS AND HIS BIRTH-RIGHT!

 Readings for Sunday, December 21, 2025 

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Fourth Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 10

Qari tar-Raba’ Ħadd tal-Avvent

Reading 1                  Isaiah 7:10-14

The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying:  Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask!  I will not tempt the LORD!" Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,  and shall name him Emmanuel.

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 7, 10-14

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Mulej issokta jkellem lil Aħaż u jgħidlu: “Itlob sinjal għalik mingħand il-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, f’qiegħ l-art jew fl-għoli tas-smewwiet”. U Aħaż wieġeb: “Ma nitlobx: ma rridx nittanta lill-Mulej”. U l-profeta wieġeb: “Isimgħu, mela, dar David! Mhux biżżejjed għalikom li tkiddu lill-bnedmin, biex issa se tkiddu lil Alla tiegħi? Għalhekk is-sinjal jagħtihulkom Sidi stess: Araw, ix-xebba titqal u tiled iben, u ssemmih Għimmanu-El”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6.

R. (7c and 10b) Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.  /R

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.  /R.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his saviour.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.  /R. 

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 23 (24), 1-2.3-4ab.5-6

R/. (7c.10b): Ħa jidħol il-Mulej, hu s-Sultan tal-glorja

Tal-Mulej hi l-art u kull ma fiha,
id-dinja u kull ma jgħix fiha.
Għax hu fuq l-ibħra waqqafha
u fuq ix-xmajjar fis-sod qegħedha. R/.

Min jista’ jitla’ fuq l-għolja tal-Mulej,
min joqgħod fil-post imqaddes tiegħu?
Min għandu idejh indaf u qalbu safja,
min ma jagħtix ruħu għall-frugħa. R/.

Dan ikollu barka mingħand il-Mulej,
u l-ħlas li ħaqqu minn Alla, is-Salvatur tiegħu.
Dan hu n-nisel ta’ dawk li jfittxuh;
li jfittxu ’l wiċċek, Alla ta’ Ġakobb. R/.

Reading 2                  Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised previously through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures, the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy.  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

QARI 2                  Bidu tal-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lir-Rumani 1, 1-7

Pawlu, qaddej ta’ Kristu Ġesù, imsejjaħ biex ikun appostlu, maħtur għall-Evanġelju ta’ Alla. Dan hu l-Evanġelju li Alla kien wiegħed permezz tal-profeti fil-Kotba Mqaddsa dwar Ibnu Ġesù Kristu Sidna li, skont it-tnissil tal-ġisem, twieled min-nisel ta’ David, u, skont l-Ispirtu s-Santu, ġie rivelat bħala l-Iben ta’ Alla b’kull qawwa permezz tal-qawmien mill-imwiet. Bih aħna rċevejna l-grazzja tal-appostolat biex inwasslu għall-ubbidjenza tal-fidi l-bnedmin fost il-ġnus kollha għall-ġieħ ta’ ismu. Fosthom tinsabu intom ukoll, imsejħin biex tkunu ta’ Ġesù Kristu; lill-maħbubin kollha ta’ Alla li jinsabu Ruma msejħin biex ikunu qaddisin: grazzja ilkom u sliem mingħand Alla Missierna u Sidna Ġesù Kristu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.        

Gospel               Matthew 1:18-24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.  When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skont San Mattew 1, 18-24

It-tnissil ta’ Ġesù l-Messija sar hekk: ommu Marija, wara li tgħarrset ma’ Ġużeppi, qabel ma marru joqogħdu flimkien, saret omm bil-ħidma tal-Ispirtu s-Santu. Żewġha Ġużeppi, li kien raġel ġust u ma riedx ixandarha quddiem kulħadd, għamel il-ħsieb li jibgħatha bil-moħbi tan-nies. Meta kien għadu qiegħed jaħsibha, deherlu anġlu tal-Mulej fil-ħolm u qallu: “Ġużeppi, bin David, xejn la tibża’ tieħu għandek lil martek Marija, għax dak li tnissel fiha ġej mill-Ispirtu s-Santu. Hi se jkollha iben, u inti ssemmih Ġesù, għax hu jsalva l-poplu tiegħu minn dnubiethom”. Dan kollu ġara biex iseħħ dak li kien qal il-Mulej permezz tal-profeta, meta qal: “Ara, ix-xebba tnissel u jkollha iben, u jsemmuh Għimmanu-El”, li bi lsienna jfisser “Alla magħna”. Ġużeppi, meta qam, għamel kif ordnalu l-anġlu tal-Mulej, u ħa lil martu għandu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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"LET THE LORD ENTER!"

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

Introduction: 

St. Joseph’s loving, responsive obedience to God is modelled for us in Matthew’s Gospel. This obedience is the central theme of Sunday’s readings, with special emphasis on the Virgin Birth of Jesus.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the First Reading, the prophet Isaiah gives a sign from God to King Ahaz of Judah: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (Is 7:14). Matthew considers this prophecy as one of the most descriptive and definite prophecies foretelling the future Messianic King, the Christ, who will be born as a descendant of David. 

The Refrain for Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 24), “Let the Lord enter; He is King of Glory” reminds us that we must choose to allow Him enter our hearts with His love and grace so our lives can be shaped in His Image and Likeness again. We must also choose to surrender our entire being to Him so that He may rule over our lives and we may become saints. For God never forces anyone to receive His gifts. In the second reading, Paul asserts that Jesus was a descendant of David and thus the Messiah: “from David according to the flesh” (Rom 1:3). Paul explains that the only begotten Son of God, become Incarnate as Jesus, was revealed and established by the Father as Son of God in power by his Resurrection from the dead. Then Paul provides a sweeping summary of God’s mighty acts in history through Jesus Christ. 

Today’s Gospel, from Matthew, focuses on the person and role of Joseph. For Jesus to fulfill the Messianic prophecy given by Isaiah, Joseph had to, and freely did, accept Jesus as his son. This formal acceptance made Jesus a legal descendant of David because Joseph was a descendant of David. Hence, Matthew makes it clear that Jesus was not the biological child of Joseph. But because Joseph was the husband of Mary at the time Jesus was born, Jesus was legally the son of Joseph and thus a descendant of David.

Life messages: 

1) Like Joseph, we need to trust in God, listen to Him, and be faithful. Although we may face financial problems, job insecurity, tensions in the family and health concerns, let us try to be like St. Joseph, trusting and faithful. Instead of relying on our own schemes to get us through life, let us trust in God and be strengthened by talking to Him in fervent prayer and by listening to Him speaking through the Bible.

2) We need to experience Emmanuel in our lives -- and so change the world: The Good News and consoling message of Christmas is that the Child Jesus still waits today to step into our hearts—your heart and mine—and to change us and the world around us by the beauty of God’s love, kindness, mercy and compassion. Let us take some time to welcome the Christ Child into our hearts and lives this week, so that God may change our world of miseries with the beauty of that love.

3) Do we have any gift for our “Birthday Boy?” Let us check to see if Jesus is on our list this Christmas and if we have a special gift in mind for him. A heart filled with love for God and our fellow-human beings is the birthday gift which Jesus really wants from us. Hence, let us prepare our heart for Jesus, filling it with love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness on this Christmas and every day of our lives.

4) Let us be a Christmas gift to others: The greatest gift we can give to those we love, is to have faith in them, believe in their good dreams and try to help them realize them. We need to believe in the good dreams of our husband, wife, children, parents, heroes, leaders and friends, then try our best to help them realize those dreams.

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

"REJOICE IN THE LORD, ALWAYS!"

 Readings for Sunday, December 14, 2025 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>  

Third Sunday of Advent                             Lectionary: 7  

It-Tielet Ħadd tal-Avvent

Reading 1        Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10

The desert and the parched land will exult;  the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened.  Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you.  Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.  Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.

QARI 1                  Qari mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 35:1-6a,10

Ħa jifirħu d-deżert u l-art maħruqa; ħa jifraħ ix-xagħri u jwarrad, ħa jwarrad bħar-ranġis. Ħa tifraħ fuq li tifraħ, taqbeż u tgħanni. Sebħ il-Libanu jingħata lilha, il-ġmiel tal-Karmel u ta’ Saron. Għad jaraw is-sebħ tal-Mulej, il-ġmiel ta’ Alla tagħna. Qawwu l-idejn mitruħa; saħħu l-irkopptejn imriegħda. Għidu lil dawk b’qalbhom imbeżżgħa: “Agħmlu l-ħila, la tibżgħux! Araw, Alla tagħkom ġej jitħallas; il-ħlas ta’ Alla wasal; Hu stess ġej biex isalvakom”. Imbagħad jinfetħu għajnejn l-għomja, jinfetħu widnejn it-torox. Imbagħad iz-zopp jaqbeż bħal għażżiela u lsien l-imbikkma jinħall bil-ferħ. Jerġgħu lura l-mifdijin tal-Mulej, u jidħlu f’Sijon jgħajtu bil-ferħ, b’ferħ ta’ dejjem fuq rashom. Il-ferħ u l-hena jiksbu, u jgħibu swied il-qalb u l-krib. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej..

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

The LORD God keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Lord, come and save us.
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. Lord, come and save us.
or: R. Alleluia.

The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations.
R. Lord, come and save us.
or: R. Alleluia.

SALM RESPONSORJALI          Salm 146(147):7,8-9a,9bc-10

R/. (Iż 34:4): Ejja, Mulej, ħa ssalvana.

jew R/. Hallelujah.

Il-Mulej iżomm kelmtu għal dejjem,
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/.

Reading 2            James 5:7-10

Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

QARI 2         mill-Ittra ta’ San Ġakbu Appostlu 5:7-10

Ħuti, stabru, sa ma jasal il-Mulej. Ara, il-bidwi joqgħod b’sabar kbir jistenna l-frott għażiż tal-art, sa ma jieħu x-xita bikrija u mwaħħra. Stabru intom ukoll; qawwu qalbkom, għax il-miġja tal-Mulej hi fil-qrib.  Tgergrux kontra xulxin, ħuti, biex ma tkunux iġġudikati: araw, l-Imħallef qiegħed hawn, quddiem il-bieb! Bħala eżempju tat-tbatija u s-sabar, ħuti, ħudu l-profeti li tkellmu f’isem il-Mulej.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel          Matthew 11:2-11

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,  "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out?  To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."   

EVANĠELJU            Qari skont San Mattew 11:2-11

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġwanni, li kien fil-ħabs, sama’ bl-għemejjel tal-Messija, u bagħat għandu tnejn mid-dixxipli tiegħu u qallu: “Inti huwa dak li għandu jiġi, jew nistennew lil ħaddieħor?”.  Ġesù wieġeb u qalilhom: “Morru agħtu lil Ġwanni l-aħbar ta’ dak li qegħdin tisimgħu u taraw: l-għomja jaraw, iz-zopop jimxu, il-lebbrużi jfiqu, it-torox jisimgħu, il-mejtin iqumu, l-Evanġelju jixxandar lill-foqra. Hieni hu min ma jitfixkilx minħabba fija”.  Meta dawk telqu, Ġesù qabad ikellem lin-nies fuq Ġwanni: “Xi ħriġtu taraw fid-deżert? Qasba tixxejjer mar-riħ? Xi ħriġtu taraw? Raġel liebes fin? Dawk li jilbsu fin fil-palazzi tas-slaten issibhom. Mela xi ħriġtu taraw? Profeta? Iva, ngħidilkom, anzi xi ħaġa iżjed minn profeta. Dan hu li fuqu hemm miktub: ‘Ara, jiena nibgħat qablek il-ħabbâr tiegħi biex iħejji triqtek quddiemek’. Tassew, ngħidilkom, li fost ulied in-nisa ħadd ma qam akbar minn Ġwanni l-Battista. U b’danakollu l-iżgħar wieħed fis-Saltna tas-Smewwiet hu akbar minnu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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AN INVITATION TO GO AND TELL OTHERS WHAT YOU HEAR AND SEE

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

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings invite us to rejoice at the rebirth of Jesus in our lives as we are preparing for our annual Christmas celebration. Today is called Gaudete Sunday because the Mass begins with the opening antiphon: “Gaudete in Domino semper,” i.e., “Rejoice in the Lord always.” So, to express our joy in the coming of Jesus as our Saviour into our hearts and lives, we light the rose candle in the Advent wreath, and the priest may wear rose-coloured vestments.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The prophet Isaiah, in Sunday’s first reading, encouraged the exiled Jews in Babylon to rejoice because their God was going to liberate them from slavery and lead them safely to their homeland. The Refrain for Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm has us sing, “Lord, come and save us!” In the second reading, James the Apostle encourages the early Christians to rejoice and wait with patience for the imminent second coming of Jesus. 

Finally, in the first part of today’s Gospel reading, Jesus encourages John the Baptist in prison to rejoice by casting away his wrong expectations about the Messiah and simply accepting Jesus’ healing and preaching ministry as the fulfilment of the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah. In the second part of Sunday’s Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus, the true Messiah, paying the highest compliments to John the Baptist as his herald and the last of the prophets, and giving special credit to the courage of John’s prophetic convictions, asking his listeners to rejoice in the greatness of his herald.

Life messages: 

1) We need to learn how to survive a Faith crisis: If John the Baptist, even after having had a direct encounter with Jesus, the Messiah, had his doubts about Jesus and his teachings, we, too, can have our crises of Faith. On such occasions, let us remember the truth that all our Christian dogmas are based on our trusting Faith in the Divinity of Jesus who taught them, and on his Divine authority which he gave to his Church to teach what he taught. Hence, it is up to us to learn our Faith in depth and ask the Lord to remove our doubts.

2) “Go and tell others what you hear and see.” We rejoice at the thought that Jesus is going to be reborn in our lives, deepening in us his gifts of love, mercy, forgiveness and the spirit of humble and sacrificial service during this Christmas season. Hence, let us joyfully share God’s bountiful grace, forgiveness, and mercy with others. What Jesus demanded of John’s disciples, he demands of us as well: “Go and tell others what you hear and see.” This means that we have to share with others our experience of the rebirth of Jesus within us,

3) We need to open our hearts and let God transform our lives: Today’s readings remind us that our lives can also be transformed if we are patient and place our trust in God. The message of Advent is that God is present among us, in our everyday lives. We must prepare our hearts to recognize and welcome him by allowing a metánoia (a change of thinking about God, ourselves, and the world) -- wrought by the Holy Spirit, with our cooperative assent, of course -- to take place in us during Advent.

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