THREE WONDROUS EVENTS....

READINGS FOR SUNDAY January 4

The Epiphany of the Lord

L-Epifanija tal-Mulej –

Messalin 'B' pp128

Reading 1                 Isaiah 60:1-6

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

L-Ewwel Lezzjoni  -  Qari mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 60, 1—6

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

Responsorial Psalm      -   PSALM 10-11, 12-13.

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

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

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

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

Salm Responsorjali                                                                                    (Salm 71 (72)

                R/  Il-ġnus kollha tal-art jagħtuk qima, Mulej.

O Alla, agħti lis-sultan il-ħaqq tiegħek,

il-ġustizzja tiegħek lil bin is-sultan,

biex  jiġġudika l-poplu tiegħek bil-ġustizzja,

u bil-ħaqq l-imsejknin tiegħek.                                                R/

Tħaddar f'jiemu l-ġustizzja,

u s-sliem kotran sa ma jintemm il-qamar.

Isaltan minn baħar sa baħar,

u mix-xmara sa truf l-art.                                                             R/

Is-slaten ta' Tarsis tal-gżejjejr jagħtuh ir-rigali,

is-slaten ta' Seba u ta' Saba għotjiet iġibulu.

Iqimhu is-slaten kollha,

il-ġnus kollha lilu jaqdu.                                                               R/

Għax hu jeħles lill-fqir li jsejjaħlu,

u lill-imsejken lim'għandux min jgħinu.

Iħenn għad-dgħajjef u għall-fqajjar;

il-ħajja tal-fqajrin isalva.                                                               R/

Reading 2                             Ephesiansa, 5-6

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

It-Tieni Lezzjoni  - Qari mill-Ittra lill-Efesin  3, 2-3a, 5-6

Ħuti, intom smajtu bil-pjan tal-ġustizzja li Alla tani għall-ġid tagħkom, jiġifieri, li permezz ta'  rivelazzsjoni għarrafni l-misteru. Dan hu l-misteru li fil-ġenerazzjonijiiet l-imgħoddija ma kienx  mgħarrraf lill-bnedmin bħalma issa ġie rrivelat lill-appotli qaddisa tiegħu u lill-profeti  fl-Ispirtu, jiġifieri, li l-pagani huma msejħa biex  ikollhom sehem mill-istess wirtr, ikunu membri tal-istess ġisem, ikollhom sehem mill-istess wegħda, fi Kristu Ġesu' permezz tal-Evanġelu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel    -    Matthew 2:1-12

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

Evanġelju -  Qari skond San Mattew 2, 1-12

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

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COMMENTARY:

Fr Raniero Cantalamessa on the Epiphany of The Lord

"We Celebrate Three Wondrous Events on This Holy Day"

"We celebrate three wondrous events on this holy day:  Today the star leads the Magi to the stable, today the water is changed into wine at the wedding feast at Cana, today Christ is baptized by John in the Jordan for our salvation."   With these words the liturgy describes Sunday's feast; it consists in the triple revelation of Christ: to the magi, at the wedding feast at Cana, and in Jesus' baptism in the Jordan. Since ancient times, that which has brought about the unification of these three events in a single feast is their common theme of manifestation (in Greek "epiphania"). In these events Jesus progressively reveals what he is in reality, the Messiah and saviour.

Christ reveals himself to all peoples and to each category of persons with signs appropriate and comprehensible to them. To simple shepherds he sends an angel; to the wise who scrutinize the courses of the heavenly bodies he sends a star; to the Jews attached to signs, he gives a sign, that is, a miracle: He changes water into wine. 

With what signs does Christ manifest himself to the men of our time? The Second Vatican Council gave important attention to the "signs of the times" ("Gaudium et Spes," No. 11). Among these are the sense of solidarity and the interdependence that is developing between nations, Christian ecumenism, the promotion of the laity, the liberation of women, the new sense of religious freedom.

When Jesus spoke of the "signs of the times," he meant above all the messianic signs: "The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news preached to them" (Matthew 11:5). Are there such signs today? Certainly there are! The blind receive the light of faith and hope through contact with the word of God; the spiritually lame (and sometimes the physically lame) get up and walk; those who are prisoners in themselves, of evil, or of men, are freed from their chains; in sum, people are converted and live through the power of Christ and his Spirit.

Jesus insists on one of these signs in particular: "The good news is announced to the poor" (Luke 7:22). Is not the concern, typical of our time, that the Gospel be preached to the poor, a sign that Christ is at work in the Church? Perhaps today we are able to discover a new meaning in that saying of Jesus: "The poor you will always have with you but you will not always have me" (Matthew 26:11); that is to say: When I am no longer with you physically, the poor who represent me will be with you: do to them what you would do to me! 

The bringing of the Gospel to the poor may sometimes appear too slow and uncertain and not always consistent, but it would be unjust to deny that there is alive in the whole Church an interest, a zeal -- which is also a positive sign -- a strong feeling in regard to the poor, whether they be individuals or an entire people. It is a new consciousness that "manifests" the power of the word of Christ. 

These are some of the signs of the epiphany of Christ that continue to manifest themselves among us. We all have the task of discovering and evaluating these signs and becoming ourselves a sign of the presence of Christ in the world!

© Innovative Media Inc.

"Mary Meditated on All These Things in Her Heart"

READINGS FOR JANUARY 1, 2015

The Octave Day of Christmas  Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God Solennita ta’ Marija Omm Alla,  Omm il-Paċi Messalin Ċ pp 123

Reading 1                         Numbers 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses:   “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:  This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”  This is the Word of The Lord.

L-Ewwel Qari -   Qari mill-Ktieb tan-Numri 6, 22-27

Il-Mulej kellem ‘il Mose’ u qallu: “Kellem lil Aron u ‘l uliedu u għidilhom: Meta tbierku ‘l ulied Israel,  hekk għandkom tgħidulhom: ‘Ibierkek il-Mulej u jħarsek! Jixħet il-Mulej id-dija ta’ wiċċu fuqek  u jurik il-ħniena! Iħares lejk il-Mulej bi mħabba, u jagħtik is-sliem!” Hekk huma jsejħu ismi fuq ulied Irael,  U jien nberikhom.”              Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                   PSALM 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

May God have pity on us and bless us;

   may he let his face shine upon us.

So may your way be known upon earth;

   among all nations, your salvation.

May God bless us in his mercy.

May the nations be glad and exult

   because you rule the peoples in equity;

   the nations on the earth you guide.

May God bless us in his mercy.

May the peoples praise you, O God;

   may all the peoples praise you!

May God bless us,

   and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

May God bless us in his mercy.

Salm Responsorjali                    Salm 66 (67)  

                Iħenn għalina Alla, u jberikna.

Iħenn għalina Alla, u  jberikna;

idawwar għal fuqna d-dija ta’ wiċċu!

Biex jingħarfu fuq l-art triqatek,

fost il-ġnus kollha s-salvazzjoni tiegħek.              R/

Jithennew il-ġnus u jgħannu bil-ferħ,

għax trieġi l-popli bis-sewwa,

u l-ġnus fuq l-art inti tmexxihom.                            R/

Ifaħħruk il-popli o Alla,

ifaħħruk il-popli kollha.

Iberikna Alla, u tibża minnu

l-art kollha minn tarf għall-ieħor!                             R/

Reading II                                                                Galatians  4:4-7

Brothers and sisters:  When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,  to ransom those under the law,  so that we might receive adoption as sons. As proof that you are sons,  God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,  crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son,  and if a son then also an heir, through God. This is the Word of The Lord.

It-Tieni Qari                                     Qari mill-ittra lill-Galaltin  4, 4-7

Ħuti, meta waslet il-milja taż-żmien,  Alla bagħat lil Ibnu, imwieled minn mara, imwieled taħt il-Liġi, biex jifdi lil  dawk li kienu taħt il-Liġi, biex ikollna l-adozzjoni ta’ wlied . U għax intom ulied,  Alla bagħat l-Ispirtu ta’  Ibnu f’qalbna jgħajjat”“Abba Missier!” U hekk m’intix iżjed ilsir, iżda iben, werriet ukoll bil-grazzja ta’ Alla.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                                                                                Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message  that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen  just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.  This is the Word of The Lord.

Evanġelju  - Qari skond San Luqa  2, 16-21)

F’dak iż-żmien: ir-rgħajja marru jgħaġġlu, u sabu lil Marija u lil Ġużeppi,  bit-tarbija mimduda f’maxtura. Kif raw dan, bdew igħarrfu b’kulma kien  intqal lilhom dwar dik it-tarbija, u kull min semgħhom baqa’ mistagħġeb b’dak li qalulhom ir-rgħajja. Marija, min-naħa tagħha, baqgħet tgħożż f’qalbha  dawn il-ħwejjeġ kollha u taħseb fuqhom bejnha u bejn ruħha. Ir-rgħajja mbagħad reġgħu lura, isebbħu u jfaħħru lil Alla għal kulma  kienu raw u semgħu,  kif l-anġlu kien qalilhom. Meta wasal it-tmien jum biex lit-tifel  jgħmlulu ċ-ċirkonċiżjoni, semmewh Ġesu’, bl-isem li kien tah l-anġlu qabel ma tnissel fil-ġuf.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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COMMENTARY:

Fr Raniero Cantalamessa on the Mother of God       

" Can we become mothers of Christ? “

The Council taught us to look upon Mary as a "figure" of the Church, that is, as the Church's perfect exemplar, as the first fruits of the Church. But can Mary be a model of the Church even as "Mother of God," the title with which she is honored on the first day of 2015? Can we become mothers of Christ?

Not only is this possible, but some fathers of the Church have said that, without this imitation, Mary's title is useless to me: "What does it matter," they said, "if Christ was once born to Mary in Bethlehem but is not born by faith in my soul?"

Jesus himself was the first to apply this title, "Mother of Christ," to the Church when he declared: "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice" (Luke 8:21).

Thursday's liturgy presents Mary to us as the first of those to become mother of Christ through attentive listening to his word. The Church has chosen for this feast the Gospel passage where it is written that "Mary, for her part, treasured all these words, meditating on them in her heart." How one concretely becomes a mother of Christ is explained to us by Jesus himself: hearing the word and putting it into practice.

There are two types of incomplete or interrupted motherhood. One is the old one which we know: early termination of the pregancy. This happens when a woman conceives a life but does not give birth to it because, in the meantime, either for natural causes or the sin of men, the child dies. Until a short time ago this was the only known form of incomplete motherhood.

Today, however, we know another which consists, on the contrary, in giving birth to a child without having conceived it. This happens when child is first conceived in a test tube and then inserted into the womb of a woman. In some terrible and squalid cases, the womb is borrowed, sometimes rented, to bear a human life conceived elsewhere. In this case, that which the woman gives birth to does not come from her, is not "first conceived in her heart."

Unfortunately, also on the spiritual plane there are these two sad possibilities. There are those who conceive Jesus without giving birth to him. Such are those who welcome the word without putting it into practice, those who have one spiritual abortion after another, formulating plans for conversion which are then systematically forgotten and abandoned at the halfway point; they behave toward the word as hasty observers who see their faces in a mirror and then go away immediately forgetting what they looked like (cf. James 1:23-24). In sum, these are those who have faith but not works.

On the other hand, there are those who give birth to Christ without having conceived him. Such are those who do many works, perhaps even good ones, which do not come from the heart, from love of God and right intention, but rather from habit, from hypocrisy, from the desire for their own glory or interests, or simply from the satisfaction of doing something, acting. In sum, these are those who have works but not faith.

These are the negative cases of an incomplete maternity. St. Francis of Assisi describes for us the positive case of a complete maternity which makes us resemble Mary: "We are mothers of Christ," he writes, "when we carry him in our hearts and our bodies through divine love and pure and sincere conscience; we give birth to him through holy works, which should shine as an example before others!"

We -- the saint says -- conceive Christ when we love him with sincerity of heart and with rectitude of conscience, and we give birth to him when we accomplish holy works that manifest him to the world.     © Innovative Media Inc.

THE FAMILY OF GOD

 

Readings for December 28, 2014 

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

………

Il-Familja Mqaddsa ta’ Gesù, Marija u Guzeppi  

(NOTA:   Il-Qari bil-Malti li jsegwi  huwa skond dak li hemm fil-Lezzjonarju ufficjali li jintuza fil-knejjes Maltin u ghal xi raguni ma jaqbilx ma dak ippublikat fil-missallin Malti kif ukoll dak li jintuza bl-Ingliz. Ghalhekk ser tindunaw b’xi differenzi fl-1 u t-2 Qari kif ukoll fis-Salm. Pero, l-Evangelju huwa l-istess wiehed.) 

Reading 1                BIN SIRAK 3:2-6, 12-14

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

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Qari 1  -   mill-Ktieb tal-Genesi 15, 1-6; 21, 1-3

F’dak iz-zmien, giet il-kelma tal-Mulej lil Abram f’dehra u qallu:  «La tibzax, Abram! Jiena tarka ghalik; hlasek ikun kbir hafna.» U Abram qallu: «Sidi Mulej, x’se taghtini, ghax se nibqa’ bla tfal, u l-werriet ta’ dari se jkun Elighezer ta’ Damasku.»  U Abram zied jghid: «Ara, int lili ma tajtnix nisel, u qaddej dari se jiritni.»  U ara, waslitlu l-kelma tal-Mulej u qallu: «Ma jirtekx dan, imma wiehed hiereg mill-Gewwieni tieghek, hu ghad jirtek.»  U hargu barra u qallu: «Hares sewwa lejn is-smewwiet u ghodd il-kwiekeb, jekk ghandek hila tghoddhom.» U zied jghidlu: «Hekk ghad ikun nislek.»  U hu emmen fil-Mulej, u dan ghaddhulu b’gustizzja.   U l-Mulej zar lil Sara bhalma kien qalilha, u ghamel maghha dak li kien weghedha.  U Sara tqalet u wildet iben lil Abraham fi xjuhitu, fiz-zmien li kien qallu Alla.  U Abraham semma ’l ibnu li twelidlu, li kienet wilditlu Sara, Izakk. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favoured.

                R/ Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.

                R/ Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

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

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Salm Responsorjali    -   SALM 104 (105), 1b-2.3-4.5-6.8-9

                R/:  Jahweh hu Alla taghna! Jiftakar ghal dejjem fil-patt tieghu

Fahhru l-Mulej u xandru ismu,

gharrfu lill-gnus bl-ghemejjel tieghu.

Ghannulu u doqqulu,

xandru l-ghegubijiet tieghu kollha.                        R/ .

Ftahru bl-isem qaddis tieghu;

tifrah il-qalb ta’ dawk li jfittxu l-Mulej.

habirku biex taghrfu l-Mulej u l-qawwa tieghu,

fittxu ‘l wiççu l-hin kollu.                                             R/ .

5Ftakru fil-hwejjeg kbar li ghamel,

fl-ghegubijiet u l-gudizzji tieghu.

6Nisel Abraham, il-qaddej tieghu,

ulied gakobb, il-mahtur tieghu.                               R/ .

8Jiftakar ghal dejjem fil-patt tieghu,

fil-kelma li ta ghal elf nisel,

9fil-patt li ghamel ma’ Abraham,

fil-weghda li halef lil Izakk.                                         R/ .

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Reading 2                             COLossians 3:12-21

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

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Qari 2   -  mill-Ittra lil-Lhud 11, 8.11-12.17-19

Huti, kienet il-fidi li gaghlet lil Abraham jobdi s-sejha ta’ Alla, meta dan qallu biex imur f’art li kien se jaghtih b’wirt; u telaq, bla ma kien jaf fejn kien sejjer. Kienet ukoll il-fidi li biha Sarah, mara mdahhla fiz-zmien, setghet  titqal, ghax hija gharfet li ta’ kelmtu kien dak li ghamlilha l-weghda.  Kien ghalhekk li minn bniedem wiehed, li kien tista’ tghid mejjet, twieldu nies bil-kotra daqs il-kwiekeb tas-sema u daqs ir-ramel ta’ xatt il-bahar, li hadd ma jista’ jghoddu.  Kienet il-fidi li gaghlet lil Abraham joffri ’l Izakk meta Alla garrbu; u kien se joffri lil ibnu l-wahdieni sewwasew dak li kien ha l-weghdiet, hu li Alla kien qallu: «Minn Izakk int ghad ikollok nisel.»  Huwa fehem li Alla kellu s-setgha sahansitra li jqajjem mill-mewt; u, fis-sens ta’ tixbiha, hadu tabilhaqq lura mill-mewt.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Gospel                             Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification  according to the law of Moses,  They took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord,  Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,  and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,  in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel,  and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit  that he should not see death  before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple;  and when the parents brought in the child Jesus  to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,  He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;  and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,  “Behold, this child is destined  for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted  —and you yourself a sword will pierce—  so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna,  the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years,  having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,  and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple,  but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time,  she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child  to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.  When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee,  to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;  and the favour of God was upon him.  This is the Word of The Lord.

Evangelju  -  Qari mill-Evangelju skont San Luqa 2, 22-40

Wara li ghalqilhom iz-zmien ghall-purifikazzjoni taghhom skont il-Ligi ta’ Mosè, Marija u guzeppi hadu lil gesù gerusalemm biex jipprezentawh lill-Mulej, kif hemm miktub fil-Ligi tal-Mulej: «Kull tifel li jitwieled l-ewwel, jigi kkonsagrat lill-Mulej» – u biex joffru b’sagrifiççju par gamiem jew zewg bçieçen, kif jinghad ukoll fil-Ligi tal-Mulej. F’gerusalemm kien hemm wiehed, jismu Xmun, ragel gust u tajjeb, li kien jistenna l-farag ta’ Izrael u li kellu l-Ispirtu s-Santu fuqu.  L-Ispirtu s-Santu kien nebbhu li ma kienx se jara l-mewt qabel ma jara l-Messija tal-Mulej.  Mar mela fit-tempju, imqanqal mill-Ispirtu, u xhin il-genituri dahlu bit-tarbija gesù biex jaghmlulu dak li kienet  trid il-Ligi, 28huwa laqghu fuq dirghajh, bierek lil Alla u qal: «Issa, o Sid, tista’ thalli l-qaddej tieghek imur fis-sliem, skont kelmtek, ghaliex ghajnejja raw is-salvazzjoni tieghek li int hejjejt ghall-popli kollha, dawl biex idawwal il-gnus, u glorja tal-polpu tieghek Izrael.» Missieru u ommu baqghu mistaghgba b’dak li kien qieghed jinghad fuqu. Xmun berikhom, u qal lil ommu Marija: «Ara, dan se jgib il-waqgha u l-qawmien ta’ hafna f’Izrael; se jkun sinjal li jmeruh,  - u inti wkoll, sejf jinfidlek ruhek! - biex jinkixfu l-hsibijiet mohbija fil-qlub ta’ hafna.» Kien hemm ukoll wahda profetissa, Anna, bint Fanwel, mit-tribù ta’ Aser. Kienet imdahhla hafna fiz-zmien; wara xbubitha  ghamlet seba’ snin mizzewga, u mbaghad romlot. Sa ma kellha erbgha u tmenin sena ma kienet titwarrab qatt mit-tempju, lejl u nhar taqdi lil Alla fis-sawm u t-talb. Dak il-hin stess waslet, u bidet trodd hajr lil Alla u titkellem fuq it-tarbija ma’ dawk kollha li kienu jistennew il-fidwa ta’ Gerusalemm.  Meta temmew kull ma kellhom jaghmlu skont il-Ligi tal-Mulej  regghu lura lejn il-Galilija fil-belt taghhom ta’ Nazaret.  U t-tifel baqa’ jikber u jissahhah, mimli bl-gherf. U l-grazzja ta’ Alla kienet fuqu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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COMMENTARY by LARRY BRODING

The Jewish Christ of The Underclass

How do people try to hold to the spirit of Christmas?

Another Christmas has passed. The glow of the season dimly lingers on. While many pack up their lights for another season, others want to hold on, even for the briefest moments, to the promise of Christmas. Peace on earth. Goodwill toward all people.

To those who know Christ firmly hold that the Spirit of the season lives on, for that peace and goodwill is Jesus. In Luke's gospel, the Spirit of Christmas not only lingers, it grows stronger. For God favors his child with wisdom and grace. And through his child he favours us all. In Luke's gospel, Joseph and Mary brought the child Jesus to the Temple for two reasons: the child's presentation and the mother's purification. Luke used the ceremonies, the place, and the witnesses to further proclaim Jesus as the Christ.

According to Leviticus 12:3-4, boys were circumcised eight days after birth.. According to Jewish tradition, this ceremony declared the son legitimate (i.e., "presented") before God and the community. [2:22-23] A child's mother was unclean for thirty-three days. Only after that period could the mother celebrate the rite of purification with an offering. [2:24] While Luke referred to the circumcision of Jesus eight days after his birth in 2:21, he combined the presentation aspect of circumcision with the purification of Mary in one ceremony, extending it to the family (see 2:22; "their cleansing"). Luke, in fact, used the purification ceremony to emphasize the presentation of Jesus, just as Hannah presented (i.e., dedicated) Samuel to God at the Temple (1 Samuel 1:22-28). The question remained, what type of service would Jesus give? Luke portrayed the rituals in the Temple to advance his theme. Jesus would serve God as the Jewish Christ of the underclass.

Let's analyze that theme. First, Jesus was truly Jewish. His parents were devout Jews, piously following the dictates of the Law. In fact, their devotion fulfilled the Law, just as Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. [2:22-24]

Second, Jesus was called to be the Christ. The locale and the monologue promote his title. The Temple was the locus of Jewish devotion, for they believed God definitely dwelt within its walls. One of the most famous scenes in the Temple was Isaiah 6, the young prophet's call by God. With the symbolic connection between God, his palace (i.e., the Temple), and Isaiah the prophet, add his prophetic themes about the promised royal child (see Isaiah 11:1-10). Popular Jewish belief held the coming Messiah would be a king-priest, who would rule and offer true sacrifice. By holding the presentation of Jesus (i.e., his circumcision) in the Temple, Luke not only saw Jesus as the possession of the Father, he also saw Jesus in the Temple as the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Jesus was the Christ-child, future king and priest.

The monologue of the witnesses emphasized the messianic theme. Simeon, the Spirit-filled man, announced this child as the promised One who would bring about the Day of Judgement (when the nation would be saved). Simeon prayed to see the Messiah. The Spirit assured him that his prayer would be answered. [2:25-26] His Canticle was a prayer of thanks and proclamation. The child he held in his arms brought him God's peace. For this Simeon gave thanks. But this child was the salvation of the nation [2:30] who would return honour to God's people [2:32]. At the same time, the non-Jews would witness his rising [2:31]. He would enlighten them with God's wisdom [2:32].

Next, Simeon turned to Mary and proclaimed the child would cause the fall and rising of many. The fall and rising can refer to scandal and faith. It can also refer to condemnation (God's judgment) and resurrection (his salvation). He would be a sign many opposed, but their actions would reveal their true intent. The scandal-judgment of Jesus would cause Mary deep pain. [2:33-35]

Finally, the people in the scene stressed the underclass, the large majority of those living in the ancient world. Notice those in the passage. The poor Jewish couple, Simeon who did not seem to have family, and the widow Anna who lived alone. While Joseph could support Mary with a trade, Simeon and Anna had no apparent income. As a Spirit-filled man, Simeon followed God's lead. As a prophetess, Anna acted as social critique and religious icon. While Simeon appeared to live day-to-day, Anna was nearly homeless as a widow (unless her children or her extended family supported her; widows were synonymous with the homeless in the ancient world).

Notice who was not in the passage: priests or other Temple officials. Steeped in money and privilege, these Sadducees would later oppose Jesus in his Temple ministry. In their absence from the passage, Luke emphasized God's presence with the common people. The Temple aristocrats were not needed as mediators. The child would be the mediator. [2:25-26, 36-37]

The presentation of the child would have an effect. Jesus grew in character as God favoured him with wisdom and his presence.

- Have you ever experienced God in church, but in way unexpected?

- Has God ever caught you by surprise, yet in a way that gave new insight?

- Have children ever caused you to wonder?

- What happened?

In the place of God's dwelling, a child is presented and given a mission. In the experience of a child, God gave the world Good News. In the sight of a family, the world saw the presence of God with his people. Yes, the Spirit of the season lingers on. And it grows stronger as long as we hold the Christ Child close to us.

Take one or two spiritual gifts you have been given this season. Share them with a friend or two this week.