Jesus is Messiah and Lord from the beginning.

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

 

           Solennita' tal-Epifanija tal-Mulej                                     

Messalin A pp 116

 

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

¹Qum!  Ħa jiddi wiċċek! Id-dawl tiegħek wasal! Jiddi fuqek sebħ il-Mulej! ² Ara d-dlamijiet jiksu l-art, u sħab iswed il-popli: iżda fuqek jiddi l-Mulej, u s-sebħ tiegħu jfiġġ fuqek. Il-ġnus għad jimxu fid-dawl tiegħek, u s-slaten fid-dija tas-sebħ tiegħek. ⁴ Għolli u dawwar għajnejk madwarek u ara: ilkoll miġbura ġejjin għandek. Uliedek ġejjin mill-bogħod,  u bnietek iġorruhom fuq id-dirgħajn.  ⁵ Imbagħad tħares u wiċċek jiddi, u tħabbat u timtela qalbek, għax fuqek taqa' l-kotra tal-ġid ta' l-ibħra, u l-għana tal-ġnus jiġi għandek. ⁶ Imrieħel ta' iġmla għad jgħattuk, l-iġmla żgħar ta'  Midjan u Għefa; ilkoll minn Seba jiġu,mgħobbija id-deħeb u l-inċens, u jxandru t-tifħir tal-Mulej. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm         

PSalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

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

Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth. 

R/ Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.

                           
R/ Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.                    

R/ Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Salm  Responsorjali                            

Salm 71 (72) 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13)

                               

¹ O Alla, agħti lis-sultan il-ħaqq tiegħek,

il-ġustizzja tiegħek lil bin is-sultan,

² biex jiġġudika l-poplu tiegħek bil-ġustizzja,

u bil-ħaqq l-imsejknin tiegħek.              

R/.  11)   Il-ġnus kollha ta' l-art jagħtuk qima, Mulej

                                        

⁷ Tħaddar f'jiemu l-ġustizzja,

u sliem kotran sa ma jintemm il-qamar.

⁸ Isaltan minn baħar sa baħar,

u mix-xmara sa truf l-art.                                 

R/.  11)   Il-ġnus kollha ta' l-art jagħtuk qima, Mulej

¹⁰ Is-slaten ta' Tarsis u tal-gzejjer jagħtuh ir-rigali,

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

¹¹ Iqimuh is-slaten kollha,

il-ġnus kollha lilu jaqdu.                        

R/.  11)   Il-ġnus kollha ta' l-art jagħtuk qima, Mulej

¹² Għax hu jeħles lill-fqir li jsejjaħlu,

u lill-imsejken li m'għandux min jgħinu.

¹³ Iħenn għad-dgħajjef u għall-fqajjar;

il-ħajja tal-fqajrin isalva.                                   

R/.  11)   Il-ġnus kollha ta' l-art jagħtuk qima, Mulej

Reading 2                         

EPHesians 3:2-3A, 5-6

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

It-Tieni Lezzjoni

Qari mill-Ittra ta' San Pawl Appostlu lill-Efesin 3, 2-3a, 5-6

Ħuti, ²intom smajtu bil-pjan tal-grazzja li Alla tani għall-ġid tagħkom,  jiġifieri, li  permezz ta' rivelazzjoni  għarrafni l-misteru. ⁵ Dan  hu l-misteru li fil-ġenerazzjonijiet l-imgħoddija ma kienx  mgħarraf lill-bnedmin bħalma issa ġie rrivelat  lill-appostli qaddisa  tiegħu u lill-profeti fl-Ispirtu,  ⁶ jiġifieri, li l-pagani huma msejħa biex ikollhom sehem  mill-istess wirt, ikunu membri ta' l-istess ġisem ikollhom sehem mill-istess wegħda, fi Kristu Ġesu' permezz ta' l-Evanġelju.  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. This is the Word of the Lord

Evanġelju

Qari mill-Evanġelju skond San Mattew 2. 1-12

¹ Meta twieled  Ġesu' f'Betlehem tal-Lhudija, fi żmien is-sultan Erodi,   xi maġi mill-Lvant ġew Ġerusalemm jistaqsu:  ² "Fejn hu dak  li twieled sultan tal-Lhud?  Għax rajna l-kewkba tiegħu tielgħa, u ġejna nqimuh."   ³ Is-sultan Erodi sama' bihom, u tħawwad hu u Ġerusalemm kollha miegħu.  ⁴ Ġabar flimkien il-qassisin il-kbar u l-kittieba kollha tal-poplu, u ried jaf mingħandhom fejn kellu jitwieled il-Messija.  ⁵ U huma qalulu:  "F'Betlehem, tal-Lhudija, għax hekk inkiteb mill-profeta:  ⁶ "U int, Betlehem, art ta' Ġuda, le, m'intix l-iżgħar fost il-bliet il-kbar ta' Ġuda, għax minnek joħroġ mexxej li jirgħa l-poplu tiegħi Iżrael."  ⁷ Erodi  mbagħad sejjaħ lill-maġi bil-moħbi, u tkixxef bir-reqqa kollha mingħandhom iż-żmien li fih dehritilhom il-kewkba:  ⁸ bagħathom Betlehem u qalilhom: "Morru, staqsu sewwa għat-tifel, u meta ssibuh ejjew għiduli, ħalli jien ukoll niġi nqimu"  ⁹ 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. ¹⁰Kif raw il-kewkba mtlew b'ferħ kbir tassew.   ¹¹ Meta mbagħad daħlu d-dar u raw lit-tifel ma'  ommu Marija,  inxteħtu fl-art iqimuh;  fetħu t-teżori tagħhom u offrewlu rigali deheb,   inċens u mirra.   ¹² Imbagħad, billi kienu mwissijin f'ħolma biex ma  erġgħux imorru għand Erodi, telqu lura lejn arthom minn triq oħra.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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The Tedious Journey to Truth and Joy -- A Biblical Reflection for the Solemnity of the Epiphany

Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB

The word "epiphany" means "to show forth".  Epiphanies, both large and small, tend to be private events- yet events with great significance for the public.  Trying to share the details with another of an epiphany is fraught with complications.  The words are never quite right, and even the most sympathetic listener cannot fully bridge the gap between description and what is was like being there.  Most of us keep our personal experiences of the Holy to ourselves.  Who would believe it?  And who would really understand?  The irony is that epiphanies are made for sharing, even as they are impossible to communicate fully.

Jesus is Messiah and Lord from the beginning. The purpose of the whole magi story is clearly Christological.  The foreigners are Gentiles, illustrating the universal breadth of the good news brought by the “king of the Jews.”  They are people of good will, open to God, ready to hear and follow the call of God.  They are people willing to follow a star, wherever it might lead.  Open and starry-eyes, they are naive, guileless, easily taken-in by self-serving priests and murderous kings.  They are romantic and lovable figures, pursing the truth and searching for a deep and abiding joy that the world cannot give.

What does the story mean for us?

When we read the story of the turmoil the child Jesus brought into the lives of Mary, Joseph, the Magi, Herod, the whole of Jerusalem, and all the newborn babies of Bethlehem -- we are forced to ask ourselves whether the adult Christ challenges and moves our lives in the same way.  When we read the story of the shepherds and their vision of angelic choirs, we discover anew how God can break into our life as well.  In remembering and reliving the angelic roles in Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the veil that separates us from the world of the spirit is drawn back.  The experience of the Magi reminds us that all who make the tedious journey to the truth will finally encounter it and be changed in the process. They can never go back to a "business as usual" way of life. When we meet Christ and see who he really is, we will never be the same -- and only then can we hope to begin to share in his mission.

True joy

The great English Christian writer and apologist C.S. Lewis is associated more than anything else with his use of the word "joy." It is interesting that he used it, not so much to describe his sense of the abiding presence of God, as to speak of the ongoing longing for God.  The story of the Magi and the brightness of the star in the heavens evokes profound feelings despite the fact that, as with many other signs of the sacred, it runs the risk at times of being emptied of its meaning.  The star we contemplate in the manger also speaks to the mind and heart of the men and women of our time.  The journey of the Magi and the star speak to our secularized culture, awakening in our contemporaries the nostalgia of our condition as pilgrims in search of truth, of the absolute desire, and of a deep, abiding joy.

The true work of Christmas

In the end, the Magi went their own way, and because they refused to be seduced by cynicism, because they allowed themselves to be surprised by this great joy, the star to which they had committed themselves appeared again. This is not only the description of the times into which Jesus was born, but also our times. When we have found our lasting joy in the midst of the encircling gloom, cynicism, despair, indifference and meaninglessness, the only thing to do is to kneel and adore, as did those foreign seekers long ago in Bethlehem.

If we are truly wise, let us do what the wise astrologers did. When we hear the voice of the old king of death and fear and cynicism, let us have the courage to go our own way -- rejoicing. The star and the journey will send us onwards, by newer paths, to come into the presence of the Child of Light and the Prince of Peace, who is the fulfillment of humanity's deepest hopes and desires for light, justice, love and peace.

Today we can truly exclaim, with deep and abiding joy: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you!  This poem from the Shaker tradition illustrates what the real work of Christmas and of Christ is all about:

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings are back home,

When the shepherds are once more with their flocks,

When Simeon and Anna have gone to their Master in peace,

Then the work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost, to heal the broken,

To release the prisoners, to rebuild nations,

To bring peace to all people,

To make music in the heart.  Amen.

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Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

January 1, 2017

The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God 1 ta’ Jannar, 2017 Omm Alla, Omm il-Paċi

Reading 1                 

Book of 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.                               

R/   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.               

R/   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!      

R/   May God bless us in his mercy.

Salm Responsorjali

Salm 66 (67)          

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/   Iħenn għalina Alla, u jberikna.

Jithennew il-ġnus u jgħannu bil-ferħ,

għax trieġi l-popli bis-sewwa,

u l-ġnus fuq l-art inti tmexxihom.                     

R/   Iħenn għalina Alla, u jberikna.

Ifaħħruk il-popli o Alla,

ifaħħruk il-popli kollha.

Iberikna Alla, u tibża minnu

l-art kollha minn tarf għall-ieħor!                       

R/   Iħenn għalina Alla, u jberikna.

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 ta’ San Pawl Appostlu 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 mill-Evanġelju skont 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 by Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB

A Feast Rich in Names, Meaning and Mission -- A Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God / Year A 

Although next Sunday’s gospel centres about the  Circumcision and Naming of Jesus, the central figure in this case is not Him but His mother Mary.  Let us consider some of the biblical foundations for the various meanings attached to the Christian New Year.  In antiquity and in the Scriptures, it is a common belief that the name given to a person is not just a label but part of the personality of the one who bears it.  The name carries will and power.  Jesus of Nazareth was born in Bethlehem to Jewish parents [Mt 1-2; Luke 1-2].  At his conception, it was told by an angel that his name would be "Jesus".  The Hebrew and Aramaic name "Yeshua" (Jesus) is a late form of the Hebrew "Yehoshua" or Joshua.

Eight days after his birth, Jesus underwent circumcision, the enduring sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people [Luke 2:21-24].  The Greek christos translates the Hebrew mashiah, "anointed one"; by this name Christians confessed their belief that Jesus was the Messiah.  In the New Testament, the name, person and work of God are inseparably linked to those of Jesus Christ.  True disciples of Jesus are to pray in his name [John 14:13-14].  In John 2:23 believing in the name of Jesus is believing in him as the Christ, the Son of God [3:18].  The name of Jesus has power only where there is faith and obedience [Mark 9:38-39]. Believing in the holy name of Jesus leads to confession of the name [Hebrews 13:15].  Calling on this name is salvation.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of the Lord

"Mary" comes from the Hebrew "Miriam" whose etymology is probably from the Egyptian word meaning "beloved".  She is the disciple par excellence who introduces us to the goodness and humanity of God.  Mary received and welcomed God's word in the fullest sense, not knowing how the story would finally end.  She did not always understand that word throughout Jesus' life but she trusted and constantly recaptured the initial response she had given the angel and literally "kept it alive", "tossed it around", "pondered it" in her heart [Lk 2:19].  It was only on a Friday afternoon at Calvary, some 33 years later, that she would experience the full responsibility of her "yes".

Daughter of Zion

Vatican II gave Mary a new title and role in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium #52.  For the first time, the Church officially referred to her as the "Daughter of Zion", a title with a rich Scriptural foundation.  The title evokes the great biblical symbolism of the Messianic Zion.  Mary is mother both of the Messiah and of the new people of God: the individual person and the whole people being very closely united, in line with the cultural structures of Israel.  For the prophets the Daughter of Zion was the spouse of the Lord when she observed the covenant.  As "Mother Zion", she not only welcomes and represents Israel, but the Church, the People of God of the New Covenant.  Mary is the first Daughter of Zion, leading all of God's people on the journey towards the Kingdom.

Mary’s womanhood is not in itself a sign of salvation but it is significant for the manner and way in which salvation happens.  There is salvation in no other name but that of the man Jesus, but through this woman, Mary, we have humanity's assent to salvation.  The Holy Names of Jesus and Mary are joined together in a very special way.

World Day of Prayer for Peace

The most recent "theme" attached to the Christian New Year has been the "World Day of Prayer for Peace".  Christians are invited to begin a New Year praying for peace.  But this action is not limited only to those who celebrate New Year's on January 1!  The Jewish people, in particular, are deeply united with Christians in praying for peace and making peace.  Our God is peace.  Even though we Christians consider God's intervention in Jesus Christ to be decisive, this intervention did not represent the coming of the messianic kingdom for our Jewish brothers and sisters.

In contemporary Christian theology, we have placed a strong emphasis on the "not yet" dimension of the Christ-event.  As we wait together and work together as Christians and Jews for this messianic kingdom, we must work together especially in the areas of justice and peace.  The Jewish people are privileged partners with Christians in bringing about this kingdom of justice, love and peace.  The messianic kingdom for both Christians and Jews still lies ahead.  It is not enough for us simply to pray for peace.  We must work for peace, together.  That is the work of those who long for the Messiah's kingdom to fully take hold of our lives and our world.

A time to remember and give thanks

New Year's is a time to reminisce about the past and to share hopes for the future.  Authentic religion teaches us a reverence for life and gives us a sense of the holiness of God's name.  When we consider the various meanings attached to Rosh Hashanah and to the Christian New Year, we see some clear parallels.  The God that Jews and Christians worship does not seek the death of sinners, but that they may return to Him and live.  Both Judaism and Christianity teach that to destroy a single life is to destroy an entire world and to sustain a single life is to sustain an entire world.

The Jewish-Christian God speaks this word to all peoples:  'Seek me and live', and 'Choose life'.  Jews and Christians exist to reveal the holiness of God's name and God's sovereignty over all creation.  In a world filled with so many voices and things demanding first place, Judaism and Christianity recognize God as sovereign over all creation.  Finally, Jews and Christians yearn for the day when swords will be turned into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks.

Rosh Hashanah and the Christian New Year are excellent opportunities for the celebration of life, a commitment to uphold its dignity and sacredness, and a plea for its continuance.  They are feasts when we beg to be joined with women and men of good will everywhere, especially with those who know God as the God of the Exodus, and those who know God as the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

At the beginning of this New Year of grace, may the Lord give us an ever deeper sense of the holiness of the names of Jesus and Mary.  May God send us out on mission, to be  instruments and agents of life and peace.

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