THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 Readings for Sunday, May 10, 2026 

   

>>>Sixth Sunday of Easter
       Lectionary: 55

Reading 1                 Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing. For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured. There was great joy in that city. Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm                   Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,

sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!”
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:  R. Alleluia.

“Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!”
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:  R. Alleluia.

He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:  R. Alleluia.

Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
Blessed be God who refused me not
my prayer or his kindness!
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or: R. Alleluia.

Reading 2                 1 Peter 3:15-18

Beloved: Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.  For Christ also 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.

Gospel                  John 14:15-21

Jesus said to his disciples:  “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,  because it neither sees nor knows him.  But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you.  I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me,  but you will see me, because I live and you will live.  On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me.  And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

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

Qiegħdu jdejhom fuqhom, u huma rċevew l-Ispirtu s-Santu.

>>>> Qari tas-Sitt Ħadd tal-Għid

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli 8:5-8,14-17

F’dak iż-żmien, Filippu niżel f’belt tas-Samarija u xandar lil Kristu lin-nies tagħha. Il-folol tan-nies b’fehma waħda kienu joqogħdu attenti għal dak li kien jgħidilhom Filippu, meta kienu jisimgħuh u jaraw il-mirakli li kien jagħmel. Kien hemm nies maħkuma mill-ispirti ħżiena, u dawn b’għajat kbir kienu joħorġu minn ħafna minnhom; u ħafna nies oħrajn, mifluġa jew zopop, kienu jitfejqu. U kien hemm ferħ kbir f’dik il-belt.  L-appostli, li kienu Ġerusalemm, semgħu li s-Samarija laqgħet il-kelma ta’ Alla, u bagħtu hemm lil Pietru u lil Ġwanni. Dawn niżlu hemm u talbu biex dawk li emmnu jirċievu l-Ispirtu s-Santu; għax l-Ispirtu s-Santu kien għadu ma niżel fuq ħadd minnhom, imma kienu tgħammdu biss f’isem il-Mulej Ġesù. Imbagħad l-appostli qiegħdu jdejhom fuqhom, u huma rċevew l-Ispirtu s-Santu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 65(66):1-3a,4-5,6-7a,16,20

℟. Għajtu bil-ferħ lil Alla, bnedmin tad-dinja kollha.                                                                             Jew  ℟. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Għajtu bil-ferħ lil Alla,
bnedmin tad-dinja kollha;
għannu s-sebħ ta’ ismu,
xandru s-sebħ u t-tifħir tiegħu.
Għidu lil Alla: “Kemm int tal-biża’ f’għemilek! R/.

L-art kollha tagħtik qima,
tgħannilek u tgħanni lil ismek”.
Ejjew, araw l-għemejjel ta’ Alla;
tal-biża’ f’għemilu fost il-bnedmin. R/.

Biddel il-baħar f’art niexfa,
għaddew bil-mixi minn nofs ix-xmara.
Għalhekk, nifirħu bih!
Hu jsaltan bil-kobor tiegħu għal dejjem. R/.

Ejjew, isimgħu, u ngħidilkom,
intom ilkoll li tibżgħu minn Alla,
ngħidilkom x’għamel miegħi.
Imbierek Alla, li ma warrabx it-talba tiegħi;
ma warrabx minn fuqi t-tjieba tiegħu! R/.

QARI 2                    mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pietru 1 Piet 3:15-18

Għeżież, lill-Mulej Kristu qaddsu f’qalbkom. Kunu dejjem lesti biex tagħtu tweġiba lil kull min jitlobkom il-għala tat-tama li għandkom. Imma wieġbu bil-ħlewwa u bir-rispett. Żommu safja l-kuxjenza tagħkom biex, meta jgħidu fuqkom, dawk stess li jkasbru l-imġiba tajba tagħkom fi Kristu jkollhom għalxiex jistħu. Jekk din tkun ir-rieda ta’ Alla, aħjar tbati għax tkun għamilt it-tajjeb milli għax tkun għamilt il-ħażin.  Għax 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.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skond San Ġwann 14:15-21

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Jekk tħobbuni, ħarsu l-kmandamenti tiegħi. U jiena nitlob lill-Missier, u hu jagħtikom Difensur ieħor biex jibqa’ magħkom għal dejjem, l-Ispirtu tal-verità, li d-dinja ma tistax tirċevih, għax hija la tarah u lanqas tagħrfu. Iżda intom tagħrfuh, għaliex jgħammar magħkom, u huwa fikom. Ma nħallikomx iltiema. Nerġa’ niġi għandkom. Ftit ieħor, u d-dinja ma taranix aktar. Iżda intom għad tarawni, għax jiena ngħix, u intom ukoll għad tgħixu. F’dak il-jum intom tagħrfu li jiena f’Missieri, u intom fija u jiena fikom. Min iżomm il-kmandamenti tiegħi u jħarishom, dak hu li jħobbni; u min iħobb lili, iħobbu wkoll il-Missier, u jiena wkoll inħobbu u nurih lili nnifsi”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  

>>>>>  Meta s-Solennità ta’ Tlugħ il-Mulej fis-Sema tiġi ċċelebrata nhar il-Ħadd li ġej, illum jistgħu jinqraw it-tieni qari u l-Evanġelju tas-Seba’ Ħadd tal-Għid.

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/////////////  REFLECTION 

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

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

Theme: 

Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit to his apostles in Sunday’s readings explains who the Holy Spirit is, what His roles are, and how we can experience Him in our daily lives.

Homily starter - 

What is it that makes some horses winning thoroughbreds? They have more speed, strength, their inherited gene structure, training by expert trainers, and their skillful jockeys to activate and develop their inner powers. We Christians have the stamina given by the Holy Spirit and training by parents, teachers and well-wishers. The question is whether or not we use all this to conquer temptations, avoid sin and practice virtues.

Scripture lesson summarized: 

The first reading describes how the Holy Spirit helped Philip, the Deacon, to preach powerfully and convert the Samaritans in large numbers, and how the Holy Spirit helped Peter and John, giving them a fresh anointing.

In the second reading, Peter shows us that Holy Spirit makes it possible for believers to live God-fearing lives the in the midst of opposition and persecution.

Today’s Gospel, taken from the “Last Supper Discourse,” describes the gift of the Holy Spirit which Jesus is going to give his disciples who obey his commandment of love. Thus, the faithful believers will have the indwelling of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit in their souls.

Role of the Holy Spirit: 

    As the Divine Advocate....

     1) The Holy Spirit will instruct us in Jesus’ doctrines and illumine our minds to receive deeper knowledge of our Faith.

    2) The Divine Advocate will enable us to defend our Faith powerfully when needed.

    3) He will guide us in the proper practice of true Christian love by enabling us to recognize Jesus in the in the poor, in the sick, in the homeless, in the marginalized, in the outcast, in the drug addicts, and even in the criminals (“I was in prison…”), and so to become agents of healing and reconciliation in a broken and divided world.

Life message: 

    1) We need to welcome the Holy Spirit, allow Him to act in us, and seek His help every day for our steady growth in spiritual life: 

    a) To conquer temptations from our habitual sins and to avoid the near occasions of these and other sins.

    b) To remove the blocks caused by our addictions, evil habits, and from the various forms of abuse which we suffered in our early life, preventing our spiritual growth.

    c) To discern and recognize the presence of Jesus in all the people we meet during the day and to offer them humble, loving service.

    d) To become agents of reconciliation and healing to others in our family and this community, by asking forgiveness from those we have offended, and graciously granting forgiveness to those who continue to hurt our feelings and ill-treat us.

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

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"I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE"

  Readings for Sunday, MAY 3, 2026 

 >>> Fifth Sunday of Easter 
         Lectionary: 52

 Reading 1                 Acts 6:1-7

As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.  So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

         Responsorial Psalm               Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or: R. Alleluia.

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

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

         Reading 2                  1 Peter 2:4-9

Beloved:  Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.  Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.  You are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises" of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  

        Gospel            John 14:1-12

Jesus said to his disciples:  "Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You have faith in God; have faith also in me.  In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you know me, then you will also know my Father.  From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him,  "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."  Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.  Amen, amen, I say to you,  whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these,  because I am going to the Father."

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 Il-Hames HADD TA' GHID  

"Jiena hu t-triq, il-verita' u l-hajja.          

        QARI 1                           mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli  6:1-7

F’dawk il-jiem l-għadd tad-   ixxipli kien qiegħed jiżdied; għalhekk sar xi tgergir mil-Lhud Griegi kontra l-Lhud, għax dehrilhom li ma kienx hemm min jieħu ħsieb ir-romol tagħhom fil-ministeru ta’ kuljum.  Għalhekk it-Tnax sejħu l-ġemgħa tad-dixxipli u qalulhom: “Mhux sewwa li aħna nħallu l-kelma ta’ Alla biex naqdu fl-imwejjed. Mela, l-aħwa, ħudu ħsieb u agħżlu minn fostkom sebat irġiel li għandhom isem tajjeb u li huma mimlijin bl-Ispirtu u bl-għerf, u nħallu din il-ħidma f’idejhom. U aħna nagħtu ruħna għat-talb u għall-ministeru tal-Kelma”.  Dan il-kliem għoġob lill-ġemgħa kollha; u għażlu lil Stiefnu, bniedem mimli bil-fidi u bl-Ispirtu s-Santu, lil Filippu, lil Prokoru, lil Nikanor, lil Timon, lil Parmena, u lil Nikola, prosèlita minn Antjokja. Lil dawn ressquhom quddiem l-appostli, li talbu u qiegħdu jdejhom fuqhom. U l-kelma ta’ Alla kienet tixtered dejjem aktar; l-għadd tad-dixxipli kien jiżdied ħafna f’Ġerusalemm, u kotra kbira ta’ qassisin kienu joqogħdu għall-fidi.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

        SALM RESPONSORJALI                   Salm 32(33):1-2,4-5,18-19

℟.: Ħa tkun, Mulej, it-tjieba tiegħek fuqna, kif fik hi t-tama tagħna.
jew  ℟. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Għannu, ġusti, bil-ferħ lill-Mulej;
jixirqilhom ifaħħruh in-nies sewwa.
Faħħru l-Mulej bid-daqq taċ-ċetra;
għannulu fuq l-arpa b’għaxar kordi. ℟.

Għax sewwa hi l-kelma tal-Mulej,
kollox bil-fedeltà huwa għamel.
Hu jħobb id-dritt u s-sewwa;
bit-tjieba tal-Mulej mimlija l-art. ℟.

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

        QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pietru Appostlu 2:4-9

Għeżież, ersqu lejn il-Mulej, li hu dik il-ġebla ħajja li kienet imwarrba mill-bennejja, imma magħżula minn Alla bħala ġebla għażiża. U intom ukoll, bħal ġebel ħaj, inbnew f’dar spiritwali, saċerdozju qaddis, biex toffru sagrifiċċji spiritwali li jogħġbu lil Alla permezz ta’ Ġesù Kristu. Għax hekk hemm miktub fl-Iskrittura: “Jien inqiegħed f’Sijon ġebla tax-xewka, magħżula u għażiża; min jemmen fiha ma jkollux għax jitħawwad”.  Għalikom, mela, li temmnu, dan huwa ġieħ! Għal dawk li ma jemmnux, din l-istess ġebla li warrbu l-bennejja saret il-ġebla tax-xewka, ġebla ta’ tiġrif u tfixkil. Tfixklu għax ma qagħdux għall-kelma ta’ Alla. Għal dan kienu ddestinati. Imma intom ġens maħtur, saċerdozju rjali, nazzjon qaddis, poplu li Alla kiseb għalih, biex ixxandru t-tifħir ta’ dak li sejħilkom mid-dlam għad-dawl tiegħu tal-għaġeb.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

        EVANĠELJU                    Qari skond San Ġwann 14:1-12

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Tħallux qalbkom titħawwad! Emmnu f’Alla, u emmnu fija wkoll. Fid-dar ta’ Missieri hemm ħafna postijiet. Li ma kienx hekk, kont ngħidilkom: ‘Sejjer inħejjilkom fejn toqogħdu?’. U meta mmur u nħejjilkom post, nerġa’ niġi biex neħodkom miegħi biex, fejn inkun jien, tkunu intom ukoll. U t-triq għall-post fejn sejjer tafuha”.  Tumas qallu: “Mulej, aħna ma nafux fejn inti sejjer. Kif nistgħu nafu t-triq?”. Wieġbu Ġesù: “Jiena hu t-triq, il-verità u l-ħajja. Ħadd ma jmur għand il-Missier jekk mhux permezz tiegħi. Kieku għaraftu lili, kontu tagħrfu wkoll lil Missieri: minn issa ’l quddiem tagħrfuh, anzi diġà rajtuh”. Qallu Filippu: “Mulej, urina l-Missier, u jkun biżżejjed għalina”. Ġesù wieġeb: “Ili daqshekk magħkom, Filippu, u għadek ma għaraftnix? Min ra lili ra lill-Missier. Kif tgħidli: “Urina l-Missier?”. Ma temminx li jiena fil-Missier u l-Missier fija? Il-kliem li ngħidilkom jien, ma ngħidux minn moħħi iżda l-Missier li jgħammar fija qiegħed jagħmel l-opri tiegħu.  Emmnuni! Jiena fil-Missier u l-Missier huwa fija. Jekk mhux għal ħaġ’oħra, emmnuni minħabba dawn l-opri stess. Tassew tassew ngħidilkom, min jemmen fija hu wkoll għad jagħmel l-opri li qiegħed nagħmel jien, u akbar minnhom għad jagħmel, għax jiena sejjer għand il-Missier”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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

        

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings tell us how the early Church accepted the challenge of keeping Jesus’ memory alive by remaining a dynamic Christian community, bearing witness to Christ by their unity, fidelity in worship and spirit of loving, humble service. Today’s Gospel introduces Jesus as the Way to God, the Truth to be accepted, and the Life to be shared and lived.

        Scripture lessons: 

The first reading, taken from Acts, shows us the early Church as a loving, serving, and worshipping community (Acts 6:1-7). Hence, it easily solved a problem of perceived discrimination by instituting the Diaconate for the service of the community. In the second reading, St. Peter advises the early Christians to renew the memory of Jesus by allowing God to make of them ”living stones, ” and to build them into a spiritual edifice, a community of believers, with Christ for its “Living Cornerstone” (I Pt 2:4-5). Peter praises Christians, both Gentile and Jewish, as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s own people.” 

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus consoles his apostles (who are sad and disheartened at His announcement that He will be leaving them soon), by assuring them that he is going to prepare an everlasting accommodation for them in his Father’s House in Heaven. He gives them the assurance that he will come back to take them to their Heavenly abodes. It is then that Thomas says, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus answers Thomas’ question with, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” 

The basic doctrine of Judaism is that Yahweh is the Way the Truth and the Life. Hence, Jesus is making a revolutionary claim that he is equivalent to Yahweh. Jesus also declares that he, himself, is the safest and surest way to God, discrediting the modern notions that all religions are equally sure ways to reach God, and that no organized religion but only living a good life of sharing love is necessary to reach God. But Jesus is the Way which he calls narrow because it is the way of focused, loving, humble, sacrificial service. 

Jesus is the Truth who teaches revealed truths about God and God’s relation to man. Jesus also teaches moral truths and demonstrates them in his life. Jesus is the Life because, as God, he possesses the eternal life of God and shares his Divine life with his disciples through the Word of God and the Sacraments. In short, Jesus reveals the Father in the Way he lives, in the Truth of his word and in the new Life that he brings.

        Life messages: 

We need to accept Jesus in our life as the Way, the Truth, and the Life because:

1) We accept Jesus as the Way by walking his narrow way of loving, humble, sacrificial service.

  2) We accept Jesus as the Truth by learning and practicing what he has taught us, as given in the Bible and in the teachings of the Church. 

3) We accept Jesus as the Life by sharing in the Divine Life of God in His Church, making use of the means Jesus has established. 

4) We do all of this ....

     a) by actively participating in the Eucharistic celebration and properly receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion; 

     b) by the worthy reception of the other Sacraments; 

     c) by the meditative, daily reading of the Word of God; 

     d) by allowing the Holy Spirit, living in the Church and within us, to guide and strengthen us; and 

     e) by communicating with God, the Source of Life, in personal and family prayers.

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

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THE LORD IS OUR SHEPHERD

Readings for Sunday, April 26, 2026 

Fourth Sunday of Easter
Lectionary: 49

Reading 1            Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: "Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, "What are we to do, my brothers?" Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call." He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized,  and about three thousand persons were added that day. 

Responsorial Psalm              Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b4, 5, 6

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:R. Alleluia. 

He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or: R. Alleluia.

You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. 
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or: R. Alleluia.

Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or: R. Alleluia.

 Reading 2              1 Peter 2:20b-25

Beloved:  If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.  When he was insulted, he returned no insult;  when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

 Gospel                John 10:1-10

Jesus said:  "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.  But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers." Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.  So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."  

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/////  BIL-MALTI   ////////

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" Intom erġajtu lura għand ir-ragħaj u l-għassies ta’ ruħkom."

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Qari tar-Raba’ Ħadd tal-Għid
(jew il-Ħadd tal-Vokazzjonijiet)

QARI I                   mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli 2:14a,36-41

Nhar Għid il-Ħamsin, Pietru flimkien mal-Ħdax qam u qal lil-Lhud b’leħen għoli: “Ħa jkun jaf fiż-żgur il-poplu kollu ta’ Iżrael li lil dan Ġesù, li intom sallabtuh, Alla għamlu Mulej u Messija”.  Dan il-kliem li semgħu laqtilhom qalbhom, u qalu lil Pietru u lill-Appostli l-oħra: “L-aħwa, x’għandna nagħmlu aħna?”. U Pietru weġibhom: “Indmu, u jitgħammed kull wieħed minnkom fl-isem ta’ Ġesù Kristu għall-maħfra ta’ dnubietkom; u intom tirċievu d-don tal-Ispirtu s-Santu. Għax il-wegħda qiegħda għalikom u għal uliedkom u għal dawk kollha li huma fil-bogħod, dawk kollha li l-Mulej Alla tagħna sejħilhom”.  U b’ħafna kliem ieħor tahom xhieda u wissiehom billi qalilhom: “Salvaw lilkom infuskom minn dan in-nisel ħażin”. Għalhekk dawk li laqgħu kliemu tgħammdu u dakinhar ingħaqdu mad-dixxipli madwar tlitt elef ruħ.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  ℟. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 22(23):1-3a,3b-4,5,6

℟. (1): Il-Mulej hu r-ragħaj tiegħi: xejn ma jonqosni.
Jew ℟. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Il-Mulej hu r-ragħaj tiegħi:
xejn ma jonqosni.
F’mergħat kollha ħdura jqegħedni,
ħdejn l-ilma, fejn nistrieħ, jeħodni.
Hemm hu jrejjaqni. ℟.

Imexxini fit-triq tas-sewwa
minħabba l-isem tiegħu.
Imqar jekk nimxi f’wied mudlam,
ma nibżax mill-ħsara, għax inti miegħi.
Il-ħatar tiegħek u l-għasluġ tiegħek,
huma jwennsuni. ℟.

Inti tħejji mejda għalija
quddiem l-għedewwa tiegħi.
Biż-żejt tidlikli rasi,
u l-kalċi tiegħi tfawwarli. ℟.

Miegħi, iva, jimxu t-tjieba u l-ħniena
il-jiem kollha ta’ ħajti.
U ngħammar f’dar il-Mulej
sakemm indum ħaj! ℟.

QARI 2                          mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pietru 2:20b-25

Għeżież, jekk tagħmlu t-tajjeb u ssofru t-tbatija bis-sabar, din tkun grazzja quddiem Alla. Għal dan intom kontu msejħa, għax Kristu wkoll bata għalikom u ħallielkom eżempju, biex timxu fuq il-passi tiegħu: hu li ma kien għamel ebda dnub, u ebda qerq ma nstab f’fommu, meta għajruh ma weġibx bit-tagħjir, meta bata ma heddidx imma ħalla f’idejn l-Imħallef ġust. Hu tgħabba bi dnubietna sa fuq is-salib, biex aħna mmutu għad-dnubiet, u ngħixu għall-ġustizzja. Bil-ġrieħi tiegħu intom fiqtu. Intom kontu bħal nagħaġ mitlufa, imma issa rġajtu lura għand ir-ragħaj u l-għassies ta’ ruħkom.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  ℟. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skond San Ġwann 10:1-10

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal: “Tassew tassew ngħidilkom, min ma jidħolx fil-maqjel tan-nagħaġ mill-bieb imma jaqbeż ġewwa minn naħa oħra, dak hu ħalliel u brigant. Imma min jidħol mill-bieb hu r-ragħaj tan-nagħaġ.  Min ikun mal-bieb lilu jiftaħ, in-nagħaġ minn leħnu jisimgħu, u hu jsejjaħ in-nagħaġ tiegħu waħda waħda b’isimhom u joħroġhom barra. U meta joħroġ in-nagħaġ tiegħu, huwa jmur quddiemhom u n-nagħaġ jimxu warajh, għax jisimgħu leħnu. Imma wara wieħed barrani ma jimxux, anzi jaħarbu minnu, għax leħen barrani ma jafuhx”.  Din il-parabbola qalhielhom Ġesù, iżda huma ma fehmux x’ried jgħidilhom biha. Għalhekk Ġesù raġa’ qalilhom: “Tassew, tassew ngħidilkom li l-bieb tan-nagħaġ huwa jien. Dawk kollha li ġew sa issa qabli huma ħallelin u briganti. Iżda n-nagħaġ lilhom ma semgħuhomx. Jiena hu l-bieb; jekk xi ħadd jidħol ġewwa permezz tiegħi jsalva, u jidħol u joħroġ u jsib fejn jirgħa. Il-ħalliel ma jidħolx jekk mhux biex jisraq u joqtol u jeqred. Jiena ġejt biex ikollkom il-ħajja, u ħajja bil-kotra”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Become Shepherds of God's flock 

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

Introduction: 

On this Good Shepherd Sunday and the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the Church reminds us of our call to become good shepherds of God’s flock and good sheep of His parishes and invites us to pray for vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate, and the consecrated life. Both the Old and New Testaments use the image of a Shepherd and His flock to describe the unique relationship of God with Israel and of the Christ with Christians. 

The first reading is taken from St. Peter’s first sermon, given on the day of Pentecost. Peter as a Christ-appointed good shepherd of the Church, invites his Jewish listeners to enter into communion with the new Christ-founded community after repenting of their sin of crucifying Jesus, by accepting him as their Lord and Savior, and by receiving Baptism in his name. As the gate of the new Christian fold, Peter opens the gate for all new believers in Christ. The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 23), introduces Yahweh as the Good Shepherd of Israel Who cares for us, His sheep, providing for our needs. 

In the second reading, Peter encourages the persecuted and suffering Christians to follow in the footsteps of their Good Shepherd, Jesus, the “suffering servant,” realizing the truth that Jesus’ suffering and death have enabled them to become more fully the children of God. In today’s Gospel, two brief parables or similes show us Jesus, first, as a selfless, caring “good shepherd” who provides for his sheep protection, food and life itself, and then, as our unique gateway ("sheep gate"), to eternal salvation. That is, besides guiding his flock to Eternal Life as the Good Shepherd, Jesus is himself the gateway to Eternal Life.

Life Messages: 

1) We need to become good shepherds and good leaders: Everyone who is entrusted with the care of others is a shepherd. Hence, pastors, parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, government officials, and caregivers, among others, are all shepherds. We become good shepherds by loving those entrusted to us, praying for them, spending our time, talents, and blessings for their welfare, and guarding them from physical and spiritual dangers. Parents must be especially careful in fulfilling their duties toward their children, giving them good example and instruction and training them in Christian principles. 

2) We need to become good sheep in the fold of Jesus, the Good Shepherd: Our local parish is our sheepfold, and our pastors are our shepherds. Jesus is the High Priest, the Bishops are the successors of the Apostles, the pastors are their helpers, the deacons assist them faithfully, and the parishioners are the sheep. Hence, as the good sheep of the parish, parishioners are expected to 

a) Hear and follow the voice of our shepherds through their homilies, Bible classes, counseling, and advice. 

b) Receive the spiritual food given by our pastors through our regular participation in the Holy Mass, our frequenting of the Sacraments, and our participation in the prayer services, renewal programs, and missions they offer. 

c) Cooperate with our pastors by giving them positive suggestions for the welfare of the parish, encouraging them in their duties, offering them loving, constructive advice when they are found misbehaving or failing in their duties, and always by praying for them.

d) Actively participate in the activities of various councils, ministries, and parish associations. 

3) We need to pray for those invited to life-vocations by the Holy Spirit to accept them, enter upon them, and persevere in living them out until death. 

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

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"Stay with us..."

  Readings for Sunday, April 19, 2026 

Third Sunday of Easter    

Lectionary: 46

Reading 1                  Acts 2:14, 22-33

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed:  "You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. You who are Israelites, hear these words. Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. For David says of him:  'I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. '    "My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. Exalted at the right hand of God, he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father and poured him forth, as you see and hear."

Responsorial Psalm             Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;

I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or: R. Alleluia.

I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or: R. Alleluia.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, 
my body, too, abides in confidence;
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or: R. Alleluia.

You will show me the path to life,
abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or: R. Alleluia.

 Reading 2            1 Peter 1:17-21

Beloved: If you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one's works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb. He was known before the foundation of the world  but revealed in the final time for you, who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

 Gospel            Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week,  two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast.  One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?" And he replied to them, "What sort of things?" They said to him,  "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this,  it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning  and did not find his body; they came back and reported  that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see."  And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.  And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?" So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalemwhere they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!"  Then the two recounted  what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.  

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/////  BIL-MALTI   ////////

"Ibqa’ magħna, għax issa sar ħafna ħin.”

>>>>>>  It-Tielet Ħadd tal-Għid

QARI 1                   

mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli 2:14,22-33

Nhar Għid il-Ħamsin, Pietru flimkien mal-Ħdax qam u qal lil-Lhud b’leħen għoli: “Nies tal-Lhudija, u intom ilkoll li toqogħdu f’Ġerusalemm, kunu afu dan u isimgħu sewwa x’se ngħidilkom jien. Ġesù ta’ Nazaret kien bniedem li Alla takom prova tiegħu permezz tal-mirakli u l-għeġubijiet u s-sinjali li għamel bih fostkom, kif intom stess tafu. Lil dan Ġesù, Alla telaqhulkom f’idejkom skont l-għerf u l-pjan li fassal minn qabel, u intom neħħejtuh billi sallabtuh permezz ta’ nies ħżiena. Imma Alla qajmu mill-imwiet billi ħall l-irbit tal-mewt, għaliex ma setax ikun li l-mewt iżżommu taħt is-setgħa tagħha. Għax David jgħid fuqu: “Żammejt lill-Mulej dejjem quddiemi, għax hu fuq il-lemin tiegħi, biex qatt ma nitħarrek. Għalhekk ferħet qalbi u mtela bl-hena lsieni; u ġismi wkoll jistrieħ fit-tama, għax inti ma titlaqx fl-imwiet lil ruħi, u ma tħallix il-Qaddis tiegħek jara t-taħsir. Inti għarraftni t-triq tal-ħajja, timlieni bil-ferħ meta nkun quddiemek”. Ħuti, ħalluni ngħidhielkom kif inħossha fuq il-patrijarka David; hu miet u kien midfun u l-qabar tiegħu għadu magħna sal-lum stess. Issa hu kien profeta, u kien jaf li Alla ħaliflu b’ġurament li kellu jqiegħed fuq it-tron tiegħu bniedem ġej minn nislu. David ra minn qabel u ħabbar il-qawmien tal-Messija, u qal: “La kien mitluq fl-imwiet, u lanqas ġismu ma ra t-taħsir”.  Lil dan Ġesù, Alla qajmu mill-imwiet, u ta’ dan aħna lkoll xhieda. Għalhekk, issa li Alla għollieh bil-leminija tiegħu, huwa rċieva mingħand il-Missier l-Ispirtu s-Santu li kien imwiegħed, u sawbu fuqna, kif qegħdin taraw u tisimgħu”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla. 

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 15(16):1-2a,5,7-8,9-10,11

R/. (11a): Mulej, int tgħallimni t-triq tal-ħajja.
Jew R/. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Ħarisni, o Alla, għax fik jien nistkenn.
Jien għedt lill-Mulej: “Int Sidi,
m’għandix ġid ieħor ħliefek”.
Mulej, inti s-sehem tal-wirt u r-risq tiegħi,
inti żżomm f’idejk xortija. R/.

Inbierek lill-Mulej li tani l-fehma;
imqar billejl qalbi tgħallimni.
Inżomm lill-Mulej dejjem quddiemi,
għax bih f’leminti qatt ma nitħarrek. R/.

Hekk tifraħ qalbi u tithenna ruħi,
u ġismi wkoll jistrieħ fil-kwiet.
Għax int ma titlaqnix fl-imwiet,
ma tħallix il-maħbub tiegħek jara l-qabar. R/.

Int tgħallimni t-triq tal-ħajja;
hemm il-milja tal-ferħ quddiemek,
hemm l-għaxqa għal dejjem f’lemintek. R/.

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pietru 1:17-21

Għeżież, jekk intom issejħu Missier lil dak li, bla ma jħares lejn l-uċuħ, jagħmel ħaqq minn kulħadd skont l-għemil ta’ kull wieħed, għixu fil-biża’ ż-żmien tal-ħajja li qegħdin tgħaddu f’art barranija. Kunu afu li intom kontu mifdija mill-ħajja tagħkom fiergħa li ħadtu mingħand missirijietkom, mhux b’xi ħaġa li tintemm, bħalma hi l-fidda jew id-deheb, imma bid-demm għażiż ta’ Kristu, li kien bħal ħaruf bla għajb u bla tebgħa. Hu kien ippredestinat sa minn qabel ma saret id-dinja, imma deher fl-aħħar taż-żminijiet minħabba fikom. Bih intom temmnu f’Alla, li qajmu mill-imwiet u tah il-glorja; hekk il-fidi tagħkom hi wkoll tama f’Alla.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla.

Evanġelju                  Qari skont San Luqa 24:13-35

Dakinhar stess fl-ewwel jum tal-ġimgħa, ġara li tnejn mid-dixxipli kienu sejrin lejn raħal jismu Għemmaws, xi sittin stadju bogħod minn Ġerusalemm, jitħaddtu bejniethom fuq kull ma kien ġara. Huma u jitħaddtu u jitkixxfu bejniethom, Ġesù nnifsu resaq lejhom u baqa’ miexi magħhom. Imma għajnejhom kellhom xi jżommhom u ma setgħux jagħrfuh. U hu qalilhom: “X’intom tgħidu bejnietkom intom u miexja?”. U huma waqfu, b’ħarsa ta’ niket fuq wiċċhom. Imbagħad wieħed minnhom, jismu Kleofa, wieġeb u qallu: “Inti waħdek il-barrani f’Ġerusalemm li ma tafx x’ġara hemmhekk f’dawn il-jiem?”.  “X’ġara?”, staqsiehom Ġesù. Qalulu: “Dak li ġara lil Ġesù ta’ Nazaret, li kien profeta setgħan fl-għemil u fil-kliem quddiem Alla u quddiem il-poplu kollu, kif il-qassisin il-kbar u l-kapijiet tagħna tawh f’idejn il-gvernatur biex ikun ikkundannat għall-mewt u sallbuh. Aħna konna nittamaw li hu kien dak li kellu jifdi lil Iżrael; iżda issa, fuq kollox ġa għaddew tlitt ijiem minn dawn il-ġrajja!   Issa wkoll xi wħud min-nisa tagħna ħasduna, għax marru kmieni ħdejn il-qabar u l-katavru tiegħu ma sabuhx; ġew jgħidu wkoll li dehrulhom xi anġli li qalulhom li hu ħaj. Imbagħad marru ħdejn il-qabar xi wħud minn tagħna u sabu kollox kif kienu qalu n-nisa, imma lilu ma rawhx!”.  Qalilhom Ġesù: “Kemm intom boloh u tqal biex temmnu kulma qalu l-profeti! U ma kellux il-Messija jbati dan kollu u hekk jidħol fil-glorja tiegħu?”. U beda minn Mosè u l-profeti kollha jfissrilhom kulma kien hemm fl-Iskrittura fuqu.  Meta qorbu lejn ir-raħal fejn kienu sejrin hu għamel tabirruħu li kien se jibqa’ sejjer aktar ’il bogħod. Iżda huma ġegħluh jibqa’ magħhom u qalulu: “Ibqa’ magħna, għax issa sar ħafna ħin u l-jum ġa wasal biex jintemm”. Imbagħad daħal biex joqgħod magħhom. U waqt li kien fuq il-mejda magħhom, qabad il-ħobż, qal il-barka, qasmu u tahulhom. Imbagħad infetħulhom għajnejhom u għarfuh, iżda hu għab minn quddiemhom. U wieħed lill-ieħor bdew jgħidu: “Ma kinitx imkebbsa qalbna ġewwa fina huwa u jkellimna fit-triq u jfissrilna l-Iskrittura?”.  Dak il-ħin stess qamu u reġgħu lura Ġerusalemm. Hemm sabu lill-Ħdax u lil sħabhom miġbura flimkien, u dawn qalulhom: “Il-Mulej qam tassew, u deher lil Xmun!”. U huma wkoll tarrfulhom x’kien ġralhom fit-triq, u kif kienu għarfuh fil-qsim tal-ħobż.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  R/. Tifħir lilek, Kristu.

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/////////////  REFLECTION 

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

Jesus meets us on our Emmaus Road. 

Introduction: 

Our Scripture lessons for today have one common, encouraging theme: No matter what happens in our lives, the risen Jesus is always with us. God is always near to those who seek Him and desire to live in His presence, doing His will.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading, from Acts, taken from the beginning of Peter’s first public proclamation about Jesus, tells us how God raised Jesus from death, thus fulfilling the Messianic prophecies about the promised descendant of David. The Refrain for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 16), has us singing, “Lord, You will show us the path of Life.” In the second reading, Peter exhorts the early Christians to place their Faith and Hope in God Who has saved them through the precious Blood of His Son and Who has raised Jesus from the dead. The Emmaus incident described in today’s Gospel shows us a God who will not abandon us when we are hurt or disappointed. The message of today’s Scripture readings is that the followers of Jesus are to maintain contact with their Risen Lord through prayer, the Eucharist, and the Bible. The readings also remind us that our belief in Jesus’ Real Presence in the consecrated Bread and Wine should help us to understand better his presence in the Bible and in the believing and worshipping community. Putting the two appearances (to the Emmaus disciples and to Peter), together, it is clear that the risen Jesus wanted Peter to act as spokesman for him, and that the faithful who seek to follow Jesus should seek his company in prayer, the Eucharist, and the Bible under the direction of Peter and his successors.

Life messages: 

    1) Jesus meets us on our Emmaus Road. The risen Lord meets us on the road to our Emmaus, both in the ordinary experiences of our lives, and in the places to which we retreat when life is too much for us. We, too, have hopes and dreams about better health, healing, financial security, and family relationships. These often shatter. The story promises us, however, that Jesus will come to us in unfamiliar guises to support and strengthen us when we least expect the risen Lord. Emmaus moments come to us when we meet the risen Christ on our life’s journey through rough times.

    2) We meet Jesus on a daily basis in our life’s journey. The Church instructs us to hear Jesus on a daily basis through prayer, through the faithful reading of, and meditation on, the Bible, through our experience of Jesus as we participate in the Eucharistic celebration in which the risen Lord gives us Himself as our spiritual Food and Drink, through our personal and family prayers, and through our family meals. When we meet Jesus in the Eucharist and, through the Word of God, we commune with him in prayer, we renew our part in our relationship of mutual loving service. These meetings enable us to encounter the risen Jesus living in all the people we meet and, in them, to offer our Lord humble, loving, selfless service.

    3) Do our hearts burn when we listen to the risen Lord in the Bible? Christ comes to us most clearly in the Word. Vatican II (Dei Verbum 21) tells us that Jesus is to be equally venerated in the Eucharist and in the Bible. Therefore, we need to study the Bible, learn the Bible, pray with the Bible, memorize the Bible, meditate on the word of God with burning zeal, and practice what the Bible teaches. 

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

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BLESSED ARE THE BELIEVERS WHO HAVE NOT SEEN

 Readings for Sunday, April 12, 2026 

Second Sunday of Easter   

(or Sunday of Divine Mercy)                                                             Lectionary: 43

Reading 1                  Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favour with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Responsorial Psalm                  Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his love is everlasting.

or:  R. Alleluia.

I was hard pressed and was falling,
but the LORD helped me.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just:
R. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:  R. Alleluia.

The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or: R. Alleluia.

Reading 2                1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is not  perishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Gospel                   John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”  Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”   But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”  Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,  and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”  Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”  Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.    

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"Henjin dawk li ma rawx u emmnu.”

>>>>>>   Qari tat-Tieni Ħadd tal-Għid jew il-Ħadd tal-Ħniena Divina

QARI 1              mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli 2:42-47

F’dak iż-żmien, id-dixxipli kienu jżommu sħiħ fit-tagħlim tal-appostli u fl-għaqda ta’ bejniethom, fil-qsim tal-ħobż u fit-talb. Waqa’ mbagħad il-biża’ fuq kulħadd għax ħafna kienu l-mirakli u s-sinjali li kienu jsiru permezz tal-appostli. Dawk kollha li kienu jemmnu kienu ħaġa waħda, u kienu jaqsmu kollox bejniethom, ibigħu ġidhom u kulma kellhom u jqassmu d-dħul bejn kulħadd, skond il-ħtieġa ta’ kull wieħed.  U kuljum kienu jmorru fit-tempju flimkien, jaqsmu l-ħobż fi djarhom, u jissieħbu fl-ikel bi qlub ferħana u safja; u kienu jfaħħru lil Alla, u l-poplu kollu kien iġibhom. U minn jum għal ieħor il-Mulej kien iżidilhom magħhom lil dawk li jkunu salvi.   

Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla.

SALM RESPONSORJALI               Salm 117(118):2-4,13-15,22-24

R/.  Faħħru lill-Mulej, għaliex hu tajjeb, għax għal dejjem it-tjieba tiegħu.

Ħa jgħidu wlied Iżrael:
“Għal dejjem it-tjieba tiegħu”.
Ħa tgħid dar Aron:
“Għal dejjem it-tjieba tiegħu”.
Ħa jgħidu dawk li jibżgħu mill-Mulej:
“Għal dejjem it-tjieba tiegħu”. R/.

B’saħħithom kollha imbuttawni biex naqa’;
imma l-Mulej tani l-għajnuna.
Qawwa tiegħi u għana tiegħi l-Mulej;
hu kien għalija s-salvazzjoni tiegħi.
Għajat ta’ ferħ u rebħ fl-għerejjex tat-tajbin:
il-leminija tal-Mulej għamlet ħwejjeġ ta’ ħila! R/.

Il-ġebla li warrbu l-bennejja
saret il-ġebla tax-xewka.
Bis-saħħa tal-Mulej seħħ dan:
ħaġa tal-għaġeb f’għajnejna.
Dan hu l-jum li għamel il-Mulej;
ħa nifirħu u nithennew fih! R/.

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pietru 1:3-9

Ikun imbierek Alla u Missier Sidna Ġesù Kristu, li fil-ħniena kbira tiegħu raġa’ wilidna għal tama ħajja bil-qawmien ta’ Ġesù Kristu mill-imwiet u għal wirt li la jitħassar, la jittabba’, u lanqas jinxef. Dan il-wirt hu merfugħ għalikom fis-sema għax intom tinsabu taħt il-ħarsien tal-qawwa ta’ Alla fil-fidi tagħkom li twassal għas-salvazzjoni li lesta biex tidher fl-aħħar taż-żminijiet.  Għalhekk għandkom għax tifirħu mqar jekk issa, għal ftit żmien ieħor, jeħtiġilkom titnikktu taħt ħafna provi. Bħalma d-deheb, li jintemm, jgħaddi mill-prova tan-nar, hekk tgħaddi mill-prova l-fidi tagħkom, li tiswa aktar mid-deheb, biex ikun jistħoqqilha tasal għat-tifħir, għall-glorja, u għall-ġieħ, meta jidher Ġesù Kristu. Lilu, għalkemm ma rajtuhx, intom tħobbuh; fih, għad li issa m’intomx tarawh, intom temmnu; fih intom tifirħu b’ferħ glorjuż, li ma jistax jitfisser, waqt li tiksbu l-għan tal-fidi tagħkom, li hu s-salvazzjoni tagħkom.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla.

EVANĠELJU                        Tmint ijiem wara ġie Ġesù.

Qari skond San Ġwann 20:19-31

Dakinhar filgħaxija, fl-ewwel jum tal-ġimgħa, meta d-dixxipli kienu flimkien imbeżżgħa mil-Lhud, bil-bibien magħluqa, ġie Ġesù u qagħad f’nofshom; u qalilhom: “Is-sliem għalikom!”. Kif qal hekk, uriehom idejh u ġenbu. Id-dixxipli ferħu meta raw lill-Mulej. Imbagħad Ġesù tenna jgħidilhom: “Is-sliem għalikom! Kif il-Missier bagħat lili, hekk jien nibgħat lilkom”. Kif qal hekk, nefaħ fuqhom u qalilhom: “Ħudu l-Ispirtu s-Santu. Dawk li taħfrulhom dnubiethom ikunu maħfura, u dawk li żżommuhomlhom ikunu miżmuma”. Tumas, wieħed mit-Tnax, jgħidulu t-Tewmi, ma kienx magħhom meta ġie Ġesù. Għalhekk id-dixxipli l-oħra qalulu: “Rajna lill-Mulej”. Iżda hu qalilhom: “Jekk ma narax f’idejh il-marka tal-imsiemer u ma nqigħedx sebgħi fuq il-marka tal-imsiemer u idi fuq ġenbu, jien ma nemminx”. Tmint ijiem wara, id-dixxipli reġgħu kienu ġewwa, u Tumas magħhom. Il-bibien kienu magħluqa, imma Ġesù daħal, qagħad f’nofshom, u qalilhom: “Is-sliem għalikom!”.  Imbagħad qal lil Tumas: “Ġib sebgħek hawn u ara jdejja, u ressaq idek u qegħedha fuq ġenbi; tkunx bniedem bla fidi, iżda emmen”. Wieġeb Tumas u qallu: “Mulej tiegħi u Alla tiegħi!”. Qallu Ġesù: “Emmint għax rajtni! Henjin dawk li ma rawx u emmnu”.  Hemm ħafna sinjali oħra li Ġesù għamel quddiem id-dixxipli tiegħu u li mhumiex imniżżla f’dan il-ktieb. Iżda dawn inkitbu sabiex intom temmnu li Ġesù hu l-Messija l-Iben ta’ Alla, u biex bit-twemmin tagħkom ikollkom il-ħajja f’ismu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.  R/. Tifħir lilek, Kristu. 

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/////////////  REFLECTION 

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

Our love of God put into action

Introduction: 

The readings for this Sunday show us our need for God’s Divine Mercy, offered to us through the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the forgiveness of our sins, and through each celebration of the Sacraments (all instituted to sanctify us), when we receive them in trusting Faith.

The opening prayer addresses the Father as “God of everlasting Mercy.”  In first section of the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 118), we repeat three times, “His mercy endures forever!” God revealed His mercy, first and foremost, by sending His only begotten Son to become our Savior and Lord by His suffering, death and Resurrection.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading (Acts 2:42-47) tells us how the early Church grew every day because of the acts of mercy — sharing, sacrificial agápe love — practiced by the early Christians. In the second reading (1 Pt 1:3-9), St. Peter glorifies God, the Father of Jesus Christ, for showing us His mercy by granting to His Incarnate, Only-begotten Son, Jesus, the gifts of Resurrection from the dead and a glorious Ascension into Heaven, thus giving us the assurance of our own resurrection. Today’s Gospel vividly reminds us of how Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a sacrament of Divine Mercy.  The risen Lord gave his Apostles the power to forgive sins with the words, “Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain, they are retained” (Jn 20:19-23).  Presenting the doubting Thomas’ famous profession of Faith, “My Lord and my God,” the Gospel illustrates how Jesus showed his Divine Mercy to the doubting apostle and emphasizes the importance of Faith for everyone.

Life messages: 

1) We need to accept God’s invitation to celebrate and practice mercy in our Christian lives: One way the Church celebrates God’s mercy throughout the year is through the Holy Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Finding time for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is another good way to receive and give thanks for Divine Mercy. But it is mainly through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy that we practice in our daily lives the Mercy we have received, and, so, become eligible ourselves for God’s merciful judgment.

2) Let us ask God for the Faith which culminates in the self-surrender to God that leads us to serve those we encounter with agápe love. Living Faith enables us to see the risen Lord in everyone, and it gives us the willingness to render to each other our loving service.  

The spiritual Fathers prescribe the following traditional means to grow in the living, dynamic Faith of St. Thomas the Apostle: 

    a)   First, we must come to know Jesus personally and intimately by our daily, meditative reading of              the Bible.  

    b)   Next, we must strengthen our Faith through our personal and communal prayer.  

    c)   Third, we must share in the Divine Life of Jesus by frequenting the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist. St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) presents it this way: “If we pray, we will believe; if we believe, we will love; if we love, we will serve.  Only then we put our love of God into action.”  

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

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"THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE"

 Readings for Sunday, April 5, 2026 

The Resurrection of the Lord

The Mass of Easter Day
Lectionary: 42

Reading 1                         Acts 10:34a, 37-43

Peter proceeded to speak and said: “You know 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. We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.  This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Responsorial Psalm                   Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or: R. Alleluia.

“The right hand of the Lord has struck with power;
the right hand of the Lord is exalted.
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.”
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or: R. Alleluia.

The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or: R. Alleluia.

Reading 2                  Colossians 3:1-4

Brothers and sisters: If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears,    then you too will appear with him in glory.

        Or                 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8

Brothers and sisters: Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough? Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 

Gospel                 John 20:1-9

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

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" Irxoxta mill-mewt Kristu Sidi, li fih ittamajt!.”

5 ta'April, 2026 

Quddiesa tal-Jum

Qari tal-Għid il-Kbir  tal-Qawmien tal-Mulej mill-Imwiet

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb tal-Atti tal-Appostli Atti 10:34a,37-43

F’dak iż-żmien, Pietru qabad jitkellem u qal: “Intom tafu b’dak li ġara mal-Lhudija kollha, ibda mill-Galilija, wara li Ġwanni kien xandar il-magħmudija; tafu kif Alla kkonsagra lil Ġesù ta’ Nazaret bl-Ispirtu s-Santu u bil-qawwa, u kif dan Ġesù għadda jagħmel il-ġid u jfejjaq lil dawk kollha li kienu maħkuma mix-xitan, għax Alla kien miegħu. U aħna xhud ta’ dak kollu li hu għamel fl-art tal-Lhudija u f’Ġerusalemm. Tawh il-mewt billi dendluh mal-għuda tas-salib; imma Alla qajmu mill-imwiet fit-tielet jum u għamel li hu jidher, mhux lil kulħadd, imma lix-xhieda li Alla għażel minn qabel, lilna, li miegħu kilna u xrobna wara l-qawmien tiegħu mill-imwiet. Lilna ordnalna biex inxandruh lill-poplu u nixhdu li dan hu dak li Alla għamlu mħallef tal-ħajjin u tal-mejtin. Il-profeti kollha jixhdu għalih u jgħidu li kull min jemmen fih jaqla’ l-maħfra tad-dnubiet bis-saħħa ta’ ismu”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                  Salm 117(118):1-2,16ab-17,22-23

R/. (24): Dan hu l-jum li għamel il-Mulej; ħa nifirħu u nithennew fih. Hallelujah.

Faħħru lill-Mulej, għaliex hu tajjeb,
għax għal dejjem it-tjieba tiegħu!
Ħa jgħidu wlied Iżrael:
“Għal dejjem it-tjieba tiegħu”. R/.

Il-leminija tal-Mulej ’il fuq merfugħa,
il-leminija tal-Mulej għamlet ħwejjeġ ta’ ħila!
Ma mmutx, imma nibqa’ ngħix,
u nħabbar l-għemejjel tal-Mulej. R/.

Il-ġebla li warrbu l-bennejja
saret il-ġebla tax-xewka.
Bis-saħħa tal-Mulej seħħ dan:
ħaġa tal-għaġeb f’għajnejna. R/.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Kolossin 3:1-4

Ħuti, jekk intom irxuxtajtu ma’ Kristu, fittxu l-ħwejjeġ tas-sema, fejn Kristu qiegħed fuq il-lemin ta’ Alla. Aħsbu fil-ħwejjeġ tas-sema, mhux f’dawk tal-art. Għax intom mittu, imma ħajjitkom hi moħbija flimkien ma’ Kristu f’Alla. Meta jidher Kristu, li hu l-ħajja tagħkom, imbagħad intom ukoll tidhru flimkien miegħu fil-glorja. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Jew                    mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-5:6b-8

Ħuti, ma tafux li ftit ħmira ttalla’ l-għaġna kollha? Tnaddfu mill-ħmira l-qadima ħalli tkunu għaġna ġdida, kif intom bla ħmira. Il-Ħaruf tal-Għid tagħna, li hu Kristu, hu maqtul! Nagħmlu festa, mhux bil-ħmira l-qadima, anqas bil-ħmira tal-qerq u tal-ħażen, imma bil-ħobż bla ħmira tas-safa u tas-sewwa.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

SEKWENZA

Ħa jgħollu l-Insara b’tifħirhom
il-Vittma tal-Għid:
għax feda l-Ħaruf in-nagħaġ tiegħu
mill-jasar tal-mewt;
Ġesù raġa’ ħabbeb il-midneb
ma’ Alla l-Missier.
F’taqbida tal-għaġeb mal-Ħajja
inqerdet il-Mewt;
u qam Sid il-ħajja mill-qabar,
isaltan rebbieħ.
“Għidilna, Marija, ħabbrilna:
fit-triq lil min rajt?”.
“Jien rajt qabar Kristu li rxoxta
fis-sebħ tal-qawmien;
rajt l-Anġli li ġew jagħtu xhieda,
il-faxxa, il-liżar.
Irxoxta mill-mewt Kristu Sidi,
li fih ittamajt!
Mar hu l-Galilija qabilkom:
hemmhekk se tarawh”.
O, nemmnu li llum Kristu rxoxta
tassew mill-imwiet!
Int mela, Sultan, ħenn għalina,
O Kristu rebbieħ.
Amen! Hallelujah!

EVANĠELJU                   Qari skond San Ġwann 20:1-9

Kien l-ewwel jum tal-ġimgħa, filgħodu kmieni kif kien għadu d-dlam, u Marija ta’ Magdala ġiet ħdejn il-qabar u rat il-blata mneħħija mill-qabar. Għalhekk telqet tiġri għand Xmun Pietru u għand id-dixxiplu l-ieħor li kien iħobb Ġesù, u qaltilhom: “Qalgħu lill-Mulej mill-qabar, u ma nafux fejn qegħduh!”.  Pietru u d-dixxiplu l-ieħor ħarġu u ġew ħdejn il-qabar. It-tnejn ġrew flimkien, imma d-dixxiplu l-ieħor ħaffef aktar minn Pietru u laħaq qablu ħdejn il-qabar. Tbaxxa, u ra l-faxex tal-għażel imqiegħda hemm, iżda ma daħalx. Imbagħad wasal warajh Xmun Pietru, daħal fil-qabar, u ra l-faxex tal-għażel imqiegħda hemm, u l-maktur li kien madwar rasu; dan ma kienx mal-faxex, imma mitwi u mqiegħed f’post għalih. Imbagħad id-dixxiplu l-ieħor, li kien wasal l-ewwel ħdejn il-qabar, daħal hu wkoll, ra, u emmen. Sa dakinhar kienu għadhom ma fehmux l-Iskrittura li tgħid li kellu jqum mill-imwiet.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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/////////////  REFLECTION 

WHY DO WE BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS?

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

(1)  Jesus himself testified to his Resurrection from the dead, giving it as a sign of his divinity. (Mk 8:31; Mt 17:22; Lk 9:22). “Tear down this temple and in three days I will build it again”(Jn 2: 19).

(2) The tomb was empty on Easter Sunday (Lk 24:3). Although the guards claimed (Mt 28:13), that the disciples of Jesus had stolen the body, every sensible Jew knew that it would have been impossible for the terrified disciples of Jesus to steal the body of Jesus from a tomb guarded by an armed, 16-member Roman Guard detachment.

(3) The initial disbelief of Jesus’ own disciples in Jesus’ Resurrection, despite His repeated apparitions, serves as a strong proof of his Resurrection. Their initial disbelief explains why the Apostles started preaching the Risen Christ only after receiving the anointing of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the 50th after the Passover and Jesus death and burial.

(4) The transformation of Jesus’ disciples: Jesus’ Resurrection and the anointing of the Holy Spirit transformed men who were hopeless and fearful after the crucifixion (Lk 24:21, Jn 20:19), into men who now were confident, bold witnesses to the Resurrection (Acts 2:24, 3:15, 4:2), powerfully preaching the Risen Lord.

(5) Neither the Jews nor the Romans could disprove Jesus’ Resurrection by presenting the dead body of Jesus.

(6) The Apostles and early Christians would not have fearlessly preached Christ as Savior and faced martyrdom if they were not absolutely sure of Jesus’ Resurrection.

(7) The Apostle Paul’s conversion from a persecutor of Christians to a zealous preacher of Jesus supports the truth of Jesus’ Resurrection (Gal 1:11-17, Acts 9:1, Acts 9:24-25, Acts 26:15-18).

(8) The sheer existence of a thriving, empire-conquering early Christian Church, bravely facing and surviving three centuries of persecution, supports the truth of the Resurrection claim.

(9) The New Testament witnesses do not bear the stamp of dupes or deceivers. The Apostles and the early Christians were absolutely sure about the Resurrection of Jesus.

Life Messages:

1) Let us live the lives of Resurrection people:   We are not supposed to lie buried in the tomb of our sins, evil habits, dangerous addictions, despair, discouragement or doubts. Instead, we are expected to live joyful and peaceful lives, constantly experiencing the living presence of the Risen Lord Who loves us in all the events of our lives and amid the boredom, suffering, pain, and tensions of our day-to-day living out of our Faith.

2) The conviction of the real presence of the Risen Lord with us, within us, and all around us, enables us to lead disciplined Christian lives. This conviction of Faith will help us to control our thoughts, desires, words, behavior and actions.

3) The salutary awareness of the presence of the Risen Lord within us as in a Tabernacle will inspire us to honour our bodies, keeping them holy, pure, and free from evil habits and addictions. Our conviction that the loving presence of the Risen Lord dwells in our neighbors and in all those we encounter, should encourage us to respect them and to render them loving, humble, and selfless service.

4) We need to become transparent Christians, radiating the Risen Lord around us in the form of selfless, sacrificial agape love, mercy, compassion, and the spirit of humble service. Each time we try to practice Christian charity, mercy, and forgiveness, and each time we fight against temptations, we share in the Resurrection of Jesus. (L/23)

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