Readings for March 9th, 2014

First Sunday of Lent

Lectionary: 22

L-Ewwel Hadd tar-Randan       

Messalin A pp131

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

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

1 Qari     -      GeNesi 2:7-9; 3:1-7

Il-Mulej Alla sawwar il-bniedem mit-trab ta' l-art u nefaħlu fi mnifsejh nifs il-ħajja, u 

l-bniedem sar ħlejqa ħajja.   U l-Mulej Alla ħawwel ġnien fl-Għeden, in-naħa 

tal-lvant, u qiegħed hemm il-bniedem li kien sawwar.  U l-Mulej Alla nibbet mill-art 

is-siġar kollha li jpaxxu l-għajn u bnina għall-ikel; u s-siġra tal-ħajja f'nofs il-ġnien u 

s-siġra ta' tagħrif it-tajjeb u l-ħażin.   U s-serp kien l-aktar wieħed li jilħaqlu fost 

l-annimali selvaġġi kollha, li kien għamel il-Mulej Alla. U qal lill-mara: ̋Tassew 

li Alla qalilkom: 'La tiklux mis-siġar kollha tal-ġnien'?̏   U l-mara wieġbet lis-serp: 

 ̋Mill-frott tas-siġar fil-ġnien nistgħu nieklu. Imma mill-frott li hemm f'nofs il-ġnien,  

Alla qalilna: 'La tiklux minnu, u lanqas ma għandkom tmissuh, inkella tmutu.'    U 

s-serp qal lill-mara: ̋Le, żgur ma tmutux. Imma Alla jaf li dak in-nhar li tieklu minnu 

jinfetħu għajnejkom u ssiru bħal allat, li jafu t-tajjeb u l-ħażin.”   U l-mara rat li s-siġra 

kienet tajba għall-ikel u tiġbdek fil-għajn, u s-siġra tħajjrek biex tikseb id-dehen; u 

ħadet mill-frott u kielet. Mbagħad tat ukoll lil żewgħa, li kien magħha, u kiel.  U nfetħu 

għajnejhom it-tnejn u ntebħu li kienu għerja, u ħietu weraq tat-tin, u għamlu iħżma.

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

R/ (cf. 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.                               R/

For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
“Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight.”         R/

A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.      R/

Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.   R/

Salm Responsorjali   -   SALM 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17

R/   Henn ghalina Mulej ghaliex dnibna

Ikollok ħniena minni, o Alla,

fi tjubitek; fil-kobor tal-ħniena tiegħek ħassar ħtijieti.

 Aħsilni kollni mill-ħtija tiegħi;

naddafni mid-dnub tiegħi.         R/  

Għax jien nagħrafhom ħtijieti;

id-dnub tiegħi dejjem quddiemi.

 Kontrik biss jiena dnibt,

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

Oħloq fija qalb safja, o Alla,

u spirtu qawwi ġedded fija.

 La twarrabnix minn quddiemek;

tneħħix minni l-ispirtu qaddis tiegħek.      R/  

Roddli l-hena tas-salvazzjoni tieghek

U bi spirtu qwalbieni wettaqni

 Iftaħli xufftejja, Sidi,

u fommi jxandar it-tifħir tiegħek.      R/  

Reading 2               ROMANS 5:12-19

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

2 Qari     -       RuMANi 5:12-19

Għalhekk, bħalma kien permezz ta' bniedem wieħed li id-dinja daħal id-dnub, u permezz tad-dnub il-mewt,  u hekk il-mewt laħqet il-bnedmin kollha,  għax kollha dinbu...  Kienet għadha ma waslitx il-Liġi, id-dnub kien ġa fid-dinja: imma d-dnub ma kienx magħdud,  ladarba Liġi ma kienx hemm.  Madankollu l-mewt saltnet ukoll minn Adam sa Mosè, mqar fuq dawk li ma waqgħux fid-dnub li fih kien waqa' Adam, li kien xbieha ta' dak li kellu jiġi. Imma d-don m'huwiex bħall-ħtija. Għax jekk permezz ta' ħtija waħda mietet il-kotra,  aktar u aktar issa l-grazzja ta' Alla u  d-don mogħti bil-grazzja ta' bniedem wieħed li hu Ġesù Kristu,  xterdu  bil-bosta fuq il-kotra.  U d-don anqas ma hu bħall-frott ta' dak il-wieħed li dineb; għax tassew, il-ġudizzju mogħti fuq dnub wieħed wassal sal-kundanna, iżda d-don mogħti wara ħafna dnubiet iwassal għall-ġustifikazzjoni.   Għax jekk minħabba fil-ħtija ta' wieħed waħdu saltnet il-mewt, permezz ta' dak il-wieħed, aktar u aktar dawk li jirċievu l-kotra  tal-grazzja u d-don tal-ġustizzja  għad isaltnu fil-ħajja permezz ta' wieħed li hu Ġesù Kristu.  Mela kif bil-ħtija ta' wieħed waħdu waslet il-kundanna fuq il-bnedmin kollha, hekk ukoll bl-opra tal-ġustizzja ta' wieħed waslet lill-bnedmin kollha  l-ġustifikazzjoni tal-ħajja. Għax kif bid-diżubbidjenza ta' bniedem wieħed il-ħafna saru midinbin, hekk ukoll bl-ubbidjenza ta' wieħed  il-ħafna jsiru ġusti. 

Gospel        -         matthew 4: 1-11

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

Vangelju       -         mattew 4: 1-11

Mbagħad l-Ispirtu ħa lil Ġesù fid- deżert biex ix-Xitan iġarrbu.  U Ġesù baqa' sajjem għal erbgħin jum u erbgħin lejl, u   fl-aħħar ħadu l-ġuħ.  U resaq it-tentatur u qallu: "Jekk inti Bin Alla, ordna li dan il-ġebel isir ħobż."  Iżda Ġesù wieġbu: "Hemm miktub, Mbagħad ix-Xitan ħadu miegħu fil-Belt imqaddsa, qiegħdu fuq il-quċċata tat-tempju, u qallu: "Jekk inti Bin Alla, inxteħet għal isfel; għax hemm miktub li,   Qallu Ġesù: "Hemm miktub ukoll,  Għal darb'oħra x-xitan ħadu miegħu fuq muntanja għolja ħafna, urieh is-saltniet kollha tad-dinja u l-glorja tagħhom,  u qallu: "Dawn kollha nagħtihom lilek jekk tinxteħet tadurani."  Mbagħad qallu Ġesù: "Itlaq, Xitan! Għax hemm miktub,  Mbagħad ix-Xitan ħallieh. U minnufih ġew xi anġli u kienu jaqduh.

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COMMENTARY: by Larry Broding, www.word-sunday.com

 

What little delights in life tempt you? Are they hard to resist? Why?

Diet or indulgence. Exercise or relaxation. Fiscal management or a little extravagance. Luxury tempts us to give in and enjoy life. Every small temptation, however, exposes the means (the "how") of a larger temptation. Jesus's encounter with Satan details means and substance of temptation. Like Luke, Matthew presented the temptation of Jesus in three areas: food, mighty deeds, and power. Each represent a style of Messiahship that Jesus rejected. In his denial of each, Jesus defined what sort of Messiah he would be.

Before we look at the Temptation itself, we must answer the question: why are we tempted? To test our true character. Sometimes we need testing even after a life changing experience of God. After such a blinding revelation, we might seek a retreat to place that insight into the context of life. The retreat would provide us a time of testing, a time to find our personal resolve. After Spirit came upon Jesus in his baptism, the Spirit led (literally "drove") Jesus into a desert retreat so he could, indeed, measure his own resolve. [4:1-2]

There, Satan tested Jesus not only with food, mighty deeds, and power. Satan tempted the Lord with three popular views of the Messiah: care-giver, wonder-worker, and source of power. In the first scenario, Satan challenged Jesus with his baptismal title (And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17). If Jesus was truly God's Son, Satan declared, then he could provide food for himself and all the people. He could become the Savior of material needs, like the State under communism. But, Jesus responded with Scripture (Deuteronomy 8:3). Salvation can not be found in materials goods (food, clothing, shelter); it can only be found in a faith relationship with God. [4:3-4] The Messiah would not provide a social "safety net."

"Alright," the devil seemed to say, "prove your Father is worthy of trust. Throw yourself down from the highest point of the Temple. If you are truly God's Son, your Father should save you" Satan not only challenged Jesus's title, he tested the trust relationship the title implied. The Son would not merely place himself in the hands of the Father, as a private matter. The way he placed that trust would show others the way to the Father. Proof of trust must then be public. Using the same mode of arguing Jesus employed in the first temptation, Satan even quoted Scripture to make his point (Psalm 91:11-12). [4:5-6]

Satan was half-right. Jesus would prove his trust of the Father in public. But, Satan wanted a great sign of wonder that would lead people only to Jesus. Amazed, the people would praise the Wonder-Worker. Then, Jesus' pride would swell and the Father would be trapped doing the Son's bidding. In the end, Satan would have conquered the power of the Father through his Son. And, he would have used pride to drive a wedge between them. The ministry of the Son would end even before it began.

Of course, Jesus saw through the ruse. God cannot be tempted, otherwise he would not be GOD! Using Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:16), Jesus stated this obvious fact. [4:7]

Finally, Satan tempted Jesus on the top of a mountain, a symbol of close contact with God. The devil had the audacity to tempt Jesus in the presence of his Father not by pointing up (to God) but by pointing down (to the world). Even within the so close a proximity to God, Satan tried to usurp His place. "Worship me," the devil seemed to say, "and be the source of all worldly power. Be my son, not His." [4:8-9]  Again, Jesus rejected Satan's advance through Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:13). [4:10] In the end, Satan could not use physical cravings, pride, or lust for power to turn Jesus from his Father and his mission.

What are the great personal temptations people face? What lies or illusions convince people to give into temptation?

In the same way he tempted Jesus, Satan tempts us with hunger, pride, and a lust for power to turn away from God. He appeals to the ego, paints false mental images of a glorified self, and twists logic to gain his way. Evil uses evil means to gain an evil end. God challenges us to see evil as it truly is, not as the illusion it pretends to be.

Some temptations are harmless, others are truly perverse. If we know the true nature of our character, the means with which we are tempted, and the assistance God offers us, we can, with God's help, battle personal temptation.

What are my personal temptations? How has God helped me in the past to battle these temptations? How can he help me in the future?

READINGS FOR march 2, 2014

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 82

It-Tmien Ħadd matul is-Sena

Messalin A pp. 290

Reading 1       ISaiah 49:14-15

Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me;  my LORD has forgotten me.”  Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.   This is the Word of The Lord.

1 QARI  - Isaija 49:14 – 15

U Sijon kienet tgħid: 'Ħallieni l-Mulej,' u: 'Sidi nsieni.' Tista' mara tinsa t-tarbija tagħha, u ma tħennx għal bin ġufha? Mqar jekk din tinsa, jien ma ninsiek qatt!    Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm      PSalm 62:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R/ (6a) Rest in God alone, my soul.

Only in God is my soul at rest;
from him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all.       R/ 

Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.         R/

With God is my safety and my glory,
he is the rock of my strength; my refuge is in God.
Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him.                    R/ 

Salm Responsoriali     Salm 62:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R/  F'Alla biss il-mistrieħ ta' ruħi:

F'Alla biss il-mistrieħ ta' ruħi:

mingħandu tiġini s-salvazzjoni.

 Hu biss il-blata u s-salvazzjoni tiegħi,

hu l-kenn tiegħi; xejn ma jċaqlaqni.              R/ 

F'Alla biss il-mistrieħ ta' ruħi,

għax mingħandu tiġini t-tama.

Hu biss il-blata u s-salvazzjoni tiegħi,

hu l-kenn tiegħi; xejn ma jċaqlaqni.              R/ 

F'Alla s-salvazzjoni u l-ġieħ tiegħi,

hu l-blata qawwija tiegħi,  u l-kenn tiegħi f'Alla.

 Ittama fih f'kull żmien, o poplu;

iftħu qalbkom quddiemu. Alla hu kenn għalina!           R/ 

Readng 2       1 CORinthians 4:1-5

Brothers and sisters:  Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the  mysteries of God. Now it is of course required of stewards  that they be found trustworthy.   It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord. Therefore do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God.   This is the Word of The Lord.

2 Qari -  1 Korintin 4:1-5

 In-nies għandhom iħarsu lejna bħala ministri ta' Kristu u amministraturi tal- misteri ta' Alla. Issa barra minn dan,  l-amministraturi wieħed jistenniehom li jkunu  fidili.Iżda ngħid għalija, ftit li xejn jimpurtani li nkun iġġudikat minnkom jew minn xi tribunal tal-bnedmin; anqas jiena stess ma niġġudika lili nnifsi. Tassew li jiena stess ma nħoss xejn fuq il-kuxjenza tiegħi; iżda mhux b'daqshekk jien iġġustifikat; hu l-Mulej li jiġġudikani. Għalhekk tiġġudikawx qabel il-waqt sa ma jiġi l-Mulej: hu għad joħroġ għad-dawl dak li hu moħbi fid-dlam, u jikxef  il-fehmiet mistura tal-qlub. U mbagħad kull wieħed jieħu mingħand Alla t-tifħir li jkun jistħoqqlu.   Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel     MatThew 6:24-34

Jesus said to his disciples:  “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,  what you will eat or drink,  or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds in the sky;  they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes?  Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.  They do not work or spin.   But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was clothed like one of them.  If God so clothes the grass of the field,  which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?  So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’or ‘What are we to wear?’  All these things the pagans seek.  Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,  and all these things will be given you besides.  Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”    This is the Word of The Lord.

VANGELJU -  Mattew 6:  24 – 34

 "Ħadd ma jista' jaqdi żewġ sidien; għax jew ikun jobgħod lil wieħed u jħobb lill-ieħor, jew jintrabat ma' wieħed u jistmell lill-ieħor. Ma tistgħux taqdu lil Alla u lill-flus. "Għalhekk ngħidilkom: tinkwetawx ruħkom għal ħajjitkom, x'se tieklu jew x'tixorbu, anqas għal ġisimkom x'se tilbsu. Jaqaw il-ħajja m'hijiex aqwa mill-ikel, u l-ġisem aqwa mill-ilbies? Ħarsu lejn   l-għasafar tas-sema; la jiżirgħu u lanqas jaħsdu u lanqas igeddsu fl-imħażen, u madankollu Missierkom li hu fis-smewwiet jitmagħhom! Intom ma tiswewx aktar minnhom? U min minnkom, bl-inkwiet kollu tiegħu, se jseħħlu jtawwal għomru mqar b'jum wieħed biss? U għall-ilbies għalfejn tinkwetaw ruħkom? Ħarsu lejn il-ġilji ta' l-għelieqi, kif jikbru! U la jitħabtu u lanqas jinsġu. Madankollu, ngħidilkom, anqas Salamun, fil-glorja kollha tiegħu, ma kien jilbes bħal wieħed minnhom. Mela jekk Alla jlibbes hekk imqar ħaxixa selvaġġa li llum hawn u għada tinxteħet fil-forn, kemm aktar lilkom, nies ta' fidi ċkejkna! Għalhekk toqogħdux tinkwetaw ruħkom u tgħidu,"X'se nieklu?' jew 'X'se nixorbu?' jew 'X'se nilbsu?', għax dawn huma kollha ħwejjeġ li jfittxuhom il-pagani. Imma Missierkom li hu fis-smewwiet jaf li dan kollu teħtiġuh. Mela fittxu l-ewwel is-Saltna u l-ġustizzja ta' Alla, u dan kollu jingħatalkom ukoll. Mela toqogħdux tħabblu raskom għall-għada, għax il-jum ta' għada jħabbel rasu hu għalih innifsu. Biżżejjed hu għall-jum it-taħbit tal-ġurnata."     Kelma tal-Mulej.

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COMMENTARY:

Just When You Think Life Is for the Birds, Take Heart —

by Fr. Thomas Rosica CSB
CEO Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation

In next Sunday’s reading from Matthew’s Gospel  Jesus does not deny the reality of human needs, but forbids making them the object of anxious care and, in effect, becoming their slave. Those who truly know God as the heavenly Father revealed by Jesus cannot be concerned about human needs in the same way. While disciples have to take reasonable care of themselves and of those for whom they are responsible, such concerns take second place to dedication to the rule of God and the “righteousness”  for which it calls.

Verse 25 of Sunday’s Gospel indicates two major areas of concern for the human being: sustenance (food and drink) necessary for life, and clothing. Each of the areas is addressed — food (vv. 26-27), clothing (vv. 28-30) — in an argument that rests upon a New Testament logic. If God takes such care of the birds in the air, and ensures their feeding, and sees to it that the lilies of the field are magnificently adorned, how much more then will our heavenly Father take pains to see that the disciples shall not go wanting, since they are more precious in the divine sight than the birds of air and the flowers of the field?    In using this analogy, Jesus is by no means making a moral statement, but rather an imaginative appeal.

Worrywart  -    The great Christian author and apologist C.S. Lewis was a devout Christian, but he admitted that throughout his life he was a great worrier! Commenting on today’s Gospel passage (Matthew 6:25-34), Lewis frequently wrote to his friends saying: “If God wanted us to live like the birds of the air, it would have be nice for him to have given us a constitution that was more like theirs!”     Jesus did not seem to be a person who worried a great deal; he lived his life on the principle of trusting his heavenly Father, and he tried to teach his followers to do the same. The refrain running through today’s Gospel contains the sentiments of “do not worry” (vv. 25, 27, 28, 31 and twice in 34). A better translation of the expression could be, “do not fret” or “do not be preoccupied.” Disciples may have legitimate concerns for material goods, but if those concerns are filled with insecurities and cause new forms of enslavement to wealth, they will inevitably lead people into slavery to two separate masters. We are called to serve God and God alone in the deepest sense in order to experience authentic freedom.

Providential care   -    The three Scripture readings for this Sunday invite us to reflect on God’s providential care of us. When we say ‘Divine Providence,’ we are referring to the name of God, especially God as Father and Creator, which brings all of the dynamics of human existence into meaning. Providence is often expressed only as a design for the universe in which all is ordered and formed as care for lilies and sparrows. Though the term Providence is applied to God only three times in Scripture (Ecclesiastes 5:5; Wisdom 14:3; Judith 9:5), and once to Wisdom (Wisdom 6:17), teaching about Providence is consistently found in both the Old and the New Testaments. God’s will governs all things. God loves all people, desires the salvation of all and God’s paternal Providence extends to all nations. God desires not the death of sinners, but rather that they should repent; for God is above all things a merciful God and a God of much compassion. God rewards us according to our works, our thoughts and our devices. God alone converts evil into good.

You are worth more    -   Jesus taught about God’s provident care for his children and on not being anxious for the future. Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Jesus invited his disciples then and now to “consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!” What holds true for food applies also to clothing and other necessities of life (“consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these”).    Those who see reality permeated by the Providence of God gradually grow in wisdom. Serenity, born of time and grace, becomes evident to onlookers and passersby. The terrible beauty of the earth, with its calms and its storms, its gentle breezes and its hurricanes, its new life and its deaths, seems somehow to be within the person who lives by trustingly believing in God’s Providence.

What is worth fearing?     -   Throughout the Old Testament, humans are the main subjects of fear. The reasons for this fear are war, death, enslavement, loss of a wife or child, disaster, or even a particular place. Trust in God brings freedom from fear. Fear also arises in the presence of those who stand in a special relation to God, such as Moses (Exodus 34:30), Joshua (Joshua 4:14), or Samuel (1 Samuel 12:18).    How many times in the Gospels do we hear Jesus telling people to “Fear not!”  Jairus is not to be anxious (Mark 5:36); the disciples receive assurance (Mark 6:50); the three apostles atop Mount Tabor are enabled to look up (Matthew 17:7); the women’s fear gives way to proclamation and resurrection faith (Matthew 28:10); those whom the angels visit in the infancy narratives are told not to fear (Luke 1:13, 30; 2:10); and in a vision, Peter and Paul are both told by the Lord not to fear in a context of discipleship and service (Luke 5:10 and Acts 18:9).

What is worth fearing? Jesus warns his followers about those who can harm the soul. To what does this refer today? To those people or situations who can dehydrate the spirit, crushing it and sapping it of life, killing hopes and dreams, destroying faith and joy. Often those who dehydrate the spirit and kill hope and joy are not “bad” people! In fact, they are often very good people, and yes, even “church” people and ‘religious’ people! We often harm the souls of others through our cynicism, our meanness of spirit and smallness of mind and heart; our lack of faith, hope and joy. How often have we denied Jesus through our own reluctance to talk about him and give witness to him, for fear of excluding others?    It is consoling to know once in a while that all of our trials and tribulations, our pains anxieties are not in vain. The next time we get that fearful feeling that our life is for the birds, let us take heart, and have a bit more courage and confidence in the Father’s care.

Readings for February 23, 2014

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 79

Is-Seba Ħadd matul is-Sena

Messalin A pp. 284

Reading 1    -   leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18

The LORD said to Moses,  “Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them:   Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.  “You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart.  Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen,  do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”  This is the Word of the Lord.

1 Qari  -  mill-Ktieb tal-Levitiku  19:1-2, 17-18

U l-Mulej kellem lil Mosè u qallu:     ̋Ghid lill-gemgha kollha ta' wlied Iżrael: Ghandkom tkunu qaddisin, ghax qaddis jien,  il-Mulej Alla taghkom.    ̋La tbejjitx lil huk f'qalbek, imma lil ghajrek wissih u erga' wissih, biex ma tkunx hati tieghu.   ̋La tithallasx b'idejk, u la żżommx f'qalbek ghal ulied niesek, imma hobb lil ghajrek bhalek innifsek: Jiena l-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R/ The Lord is kind and merciful.

He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R/ The Lord is kind and merciful.

Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R/ The Lord is kind and merciful.

As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
R/ The Lord is kind and merciful.

Salm Responsorjali                                                                    (Salm 103 (102)

                        R/  Ħanin u ta’ qalb tajba l-Mulej

Bierek, ruħ tiegħi, il-Mulej,

Kull ma hu go fija, bierek l-isem qaddis tiegħu.

Bierek, ruħ tiegħi, il-Mulej,

u la tinsiex il-ġid kollu li għamel miegħek.         R/

Hu li jaħfer dnubietek kollha;

ifejjaq il-mard tiegħek kollu;

jifdi lil ħajtek mill-qabar;

iħaddnek bit-tjieba u l-ħniena;                               R/

Ħanin u twajjeb il-Mulej,

idum ma jagħdab u kollu mogħdrija.

Ma mexiex magħna skond ma ħaqqhom ħtijietna;

ma ħallasniex skond ma ħaqqha ħżunitna.            R/

Daqs kemm hu mbiegħed il-lvant mill-punent,

hekk hu jbiegħed minna ħtijietna.

 Bħalma jħenn il-missier għal uliedu,

hekk iħenn il-Mulej għal min għandu l-biża' tiegħu.     R/

reading 2    -    1 corinthians 3:16-23

Brothers and sisters:  Do you not know that you are the temple of God,  and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy. Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool, so as to become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: God catches the wise in their own ruses,  and again: The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you,  Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death,  or the present or the future:   all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.  This is the Word of The Lord.

2 QARI - 1Korintin: 3:16-23

Ma tafux li intom tempju ta' Alla, u li l-Ispirtu ta' Alla jgħammar fikom? Jekk xi ħadd jeqred it-tempju ta' Alla, Alla jeqred lilu. Għax qaddis hu t-tempju ta' Alla, li huwa intom. Ħadd ma għandu jitqarraq! Jekk xi ħadd fostkom jaħseb li hu għaref f'din id-dinja, ħa jiblieh, biex isir għaref. Għax l-għerf ta' din id-dinja hu bluha quddiem Alla. Għax hemm miktub: u terġa': Għalhekk ħadd ma għandu jiftaħar bil-bnedmin; għax kollox hu tagħkom, sew jekk Pawlu, sew jekk Apollo, sew jekk Kefa, sew jekk id-dinja, sew jekk     il-ħajja, sew jekk il-mewt sew jekk iż-żmien ta' issa, sew jekk li ġej; kollox hu tagħkom, u intom ta' Kristu, u Kristu ta' Alla. Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel   -   matthew 5:38-48

Jesus said to his disciples:  “You have heard that it was said,  An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.  When someone strikes you on your right cheek,  turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well.  Should anyone press you into service for one mile,  go for two miles.   Give to the one who asks of you,  and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.  “You have heard that it was said,  You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies  and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your heavenly Father,  for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,  and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?  Do not the tax collectors do the same?   And if you greet your brothers only,  what is unusual about that?  Do not the pagans do the same?  So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  This is the Word of The Lord.

VANGELJU – Mattew 5 : 38-48

F’dak iz-zmien Gesu qal lid-dixxipli tieghu :  "Smajtu x'intqal, 'Għajn b'għajn u sinna b'sinna'. Imma jiena ngħidilkom biex bniedem ħażin ma tiqfulux; anzi jekk xi ħadd jagħtik daqqa ta' ħarta fuq ħaddek tal-lemin, dawwarlu l-ieħor ukoll; u lil min ikun irid itellgħek il-qorti u jeħodlok il-libsa, ħallilu wkoll il-mantar. U jekk xi ħadd iġagħlek timxi miegħu mil wieħed, mur miegħu tnejn. Agħti lil min jitolbok u ddawwarx spallejk lil min ikun irid jissellef mingħandek.  "Smajtu x'intqal, 'Ħobb lil għajrek, u obgħod lill-għadu tiegħek.' Imma jiena ngħidilkom: Ħobbu lill-għedewwa tagħkom, u itolbu għal dawk li jippersegwitawkom, biex tkunu wlied Missierkom li hu fis-smewwiet; għax hu jtalla' x-xemx tiegħu sew fuq il-ħżiena u sew fuq it-tajbin, u jniżżel ix-xita sew fuq min hu tajjeb u sew fuq min m'huwiex. Għax jekk intom tħobbu lil min iħobbkom, xi ħlas jistħoqqilkom? M'hux il-pubblikani wkoll jagħmluh dan? U jekk issellmu lil ħutkom biss, xi tkunu tagħmlu żejjed? M'hux il-pagani wkoll jagħmluh dan? Kunu mela perfetti, bħalma hu perfett Missierkom li hu fis-smewwiet."   Kelma tal-Mulej.

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by Larry Broding /  Catholic Lectionary resources 

How hard is it to respect people that you detest?   Let’s face it. We don’t like everyone we meet and many people don’t like us. It’s the way of the world. But, as Christians, we are called to a higher code of conduct. While we have hurt or broken relationships, even people have to “love” from a distance, how we treat them speaks volumes about our faith and our character. The trick for these distant people is to keep the door of reconciliation open. Maybe, someday, there will be forgiveness and healing. If we cannot give these people friendship, at least we can pray for them. If we must keep our distance for our own mental health, at least we can hope for a change of heart. 

Be perfect as your Father is heaven is perfect. This verse is the capstone for Jesus’ teaching on the Law. Remember from last week’s study on the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) that the term “Law” or “Torah” means more than legal precepts; it can also mean divine instruction or divine revelation. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus stated he came to fulfill the Torah; he was the example of moral living and the interpreter of the Law for his followers. He is the Divine Instructor and the Divine Revelation. He has taught us and shown us who God really is.

We are to teach and treat others the way Jesus does. We are to care for others the way God cares for us (both the good and the evil, the righteous and the unjust) all the time (for the sun shines and the rain pours on both), even to the point of loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us. This is a tall order, but at least we can try. For, as Christians, we are Christ for others. We teach others the way to live by our words and actions; in doing so, we reveal God. In other words, being “perfect” really means being Torah for others, showing others how God is faithful and how he has a loving concern for the world.

How can you show others Christ? How can your words and deeds increase love in your world?