OUR BENEVOLENT, COMPASSIONATE, FORGIVING GOD

 Readings for Sunday, OCTOBER 30, 2022 

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 153

Il-Wieħed u Tletin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

 
Reading 1                WISDOM 11:22-12:2

Before the LORD the whole universe is as a grain from a balance  or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.  But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things;  and you overlook people's sins that they may repent.  For you love all things that are  and loathe nothing that you have made;  for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.  And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it;  or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you?  But you spare all things, because they are yours,  O LORD and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things!  Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little, warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing,  that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O LORD!

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb tal-Għerf 11:22–12:2

Mulej, quddiemek id-dinja kollha qisha traba fil-miżien, jew qatra nida tal-għodwa li tinżel fuq l-art. Iżda int tħenn għal kulħadd, għax tista’ kollox; int tagħlaq għajnejk għal dnubiet il-bnedmin biex huma jindmu. Għax int tħobb il-ħlejjaq kollha, u xejn ma tistmell minn kulma għamilt; li kien hemm xi ħaġa li stajt tobgħodha, int ma kontx tagħmilha. Kif setgħet tibqa’ xi ħaġa fid-dinja kieku int ma ridthiex? Jew kif setgħet iżżomm, kieku int ma sejjaħtilhiex? Imma int, o Sid li tħobb kulma jgħix, lil kulħadd tagħder, għax kollox huwa tiegħek. Għax f’kulħadd hemm nifsek bla ma qatt jintemm. Għalhekk int twiddeb bil-ftit il-ftit lil dawk li jonqsu, twissihom u tfakkarhom fejn dinbu, biex jerġgħu lura mill-ħażen tagħhom,  u fik, Mulej, iqiegħdu t-tama tagħhom.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14

I will extol you, O my God and King,
and I will bless your name forever and ever.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 144(145):1-2,8-9,10-11,13ċd-14

R/.(1) Mulej, inbierek ismek għal dejjem ta’ dejjem.

Ħa nkabbrek, Alla tiegħi, sultan,
u nbierek ismek għal dejjem ta’ dejjem.
Kuljum irrid inbierkek,
u nfaħħar ismek għal dejjem ta’ dejjem. R/.

Twajjeb u ħanin il-Mulej,
idum biex jagħdab u kollu tjieba.
Twajjeb ma’ kulħadd il-Mulej,
tjubitu fuq kulma għamel. R/.

Kulma għamilt iroddlok ħajr, Mulej;
iberkuk il-ħbieb tiegħek kollha.
Is-sebħ tas-saltna tiegħek ixandru,
fuq is-setgħa tiegħek jitkellmu. R/.

Ta’ kelmtu l-Mulej fil-wegħdiet tiegħu kollha,
twajjeb f’dak kollu li għamel.
Iwieżen il-Mulej ’il kull min se jaqa’,
iqajjem ’il kull min hu mitluq. R/.

Reading 2               2 THESSALONIANS 1:11-2:2

Brothers and sisters: We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ. We ask you, brothers and sisters, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a "spirit," or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.

Qari 2                 mit-Tieni Ittra lit-Tessalonikin 1:11–2:2

Ħuti, aħna dejjem nitolbu għalikom li Alla tagħna jagħmilkom denji tas-sejħa tiegħu, u jagħmel li bil-qawwa tiegħu sseħħ kull rieda tajba tagħkom għall-ġid u kull ħidma tal-fidi tagħkom. U hekk l-isem ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu jkun igglorifikat fikom u intom fih skont il-grazzja ta’ Alla tagħna u tal-Mulej Ġesù Kristu. Ħuti, għal dak li għandu x’jaqsam mal-miġja ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu u l-ġemgħa tagħna biex ningħaqdu miegħu, nitolbukom biex ma toqogħdux tħawdu raskom malajr u tinħasdu bħallikieku l-miġja ta’ jum il-Mulej qorbot, u la jekk tkunu mnebbħin mill-ispirtu u lanqas jekk tisimgħu xi kelma jew taqraw xi ittra taparsi mingħandna. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel               LUKE 19:1-10

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."

Evanġelju               Qari skond San Luqa 19:1-10

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù daħal Ġeriko u kien għaddej mit-triq. Mela jkun hemm raġel, jismu Żakkew; dan kien wieħed mill-kapijiet tal-pubblikani, u kien għani. Kellu xewqa li jara min kien Ġesù, imma ma setax minħabba l-folla, billi kien raġel qasir. Għalhekk mar jiġri ’l quddiem u xxabbat ma’ siġra tat-tin selvaġġ, għax minn dik in-naħa kien se jgħaddi. Ġesù, kif wasal hemm, ħares ’il fuq u qallu: “Żakkew, isa, inżel minn hemm, għax illum jeħtieġli noqgħod għandek”. Dak niżel bla telf ta’ żmien, u kollu ferħan laqgħu għandu. In-nies, meta rawh, ilkoll bdew igemgmu bejniethom u jgħidu li għand wieħed midneb daħal jistrieħ. Imma Żakkew, wieqaf, qal lill-Mulej: “Ara, Mulej, nofs ġidi se nagħtih lill-foqra, u jekk jien qarraqt b’xi ħadd irroddlu għal erba’ darbiet iżjed”. Qallu Ġesù: “F’din id-dar illum daħlet is-salvazzjoni, għax dan ir-raġel ukoll huwa bin Abraham. Għax Bin il-bniedem ġie jfittex u jsalva l-mitluf”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil  

THE LOVED SINNER

Introduction:

The common theme of Sunday’s readings is the benevolent, compassionate, forgiving mercy of God for sinners and the response of repentance and conversion expected from us.

Scripture lessons summarized:

The first reading reminds us that God’s Almighty Power includes His strength to be merciful. That is why God, Who created the universe mercifully, waits for sinners to repent. God continues to love us, even when we do not love Him in return. The reading focuses on the love God has for all He has created, the love that overlooks sin so that we all have time for repentance. God shows us His redemptive love through His mercy.

In the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 145), the Psalmist also tells us that the Lord is good to all, and His compassion covers all that He has made. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness (Ps 145:8). In the second reading, St. Paul encourages the Thessalonians to persevere in their Christian Faith, giving glory to God without idly waiting for the “second coming” of Christ in their lifetime. He advises them to continue to live good Christian lives every day, allowing God to work in them so that they may be worthy of their vocation as Christians.

Sunday’s Gospel presents the story of the instantaneous conversion of the tax-collector, Zacchaeus, whom God’s grace led to a moment of conversion. The account describes how Jesus recognized Zacchaeus for exactly what he was, a lost sinner in need of a Saviour, and shows us how God’s grace worked in Zacchaeus to lead him from idle curiosity to repentance, conversion, and restitution. The episode emphasizes the fact that such a conversion can only result from a person’s fully receiving the love, acceptance, and grace offered to everyone one by a merciful Lord.

Life messages:

1) We need to accept the Divine invitation for repentance. We are all sinners to a greater or lesser degree. Jesus is inviting each one of us to total conversion today. Let us remember that Jesus loves us in spite of our ugly thoughts, broken promises, sullied ideals, lack of prayer and Faith, resentments, and lusts. Hence, let us admit our sinfulness and accept God’s call to repentance, conversion and renewal of life.

2) Let us love others as Jesus loved Zacchaeus, despite his sins. Parents and teachers need to accept children lovingly, without first setting up standards of behavior as conditions for being loved. Husband and wife may have qualities that irritate each other. But they should not, because of that, withhold love from each other. Nor should they withhold their love from a rebellious teenager making stupid and even dangerous choices because of immaturity and peer-pressure.

3) We are called to generosity: Jesus wants us to move from our small and feeble Faith to a greater and more powerful Faith, just as Zacchaeus did. He also wants us to be financially and spiritually generous.

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THE RIGHT KIND OF PRAYER

Readings for Sunday, OCTOBER 23, 2022

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 150

 

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

 
Reading 1               BIN SIRAK 35:12-14, 16-18

The LORD is a God of justice,  who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak,  yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.  The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,  nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.  The one who serves God willingly is heard;  his petition reaches the heavens.  The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;  it does not rest till it reaches its goal,  nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,  judges justly and affirms the right,  and the Lord will not delay.

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb ta’ Bin Sirak 35:12-14,16-18

Il-Mulej hu mħallef, u ma jħarisx lejn l-uċuħ. Ma joqgħodx iħares lejn wiċċ dak li jkun b’dannu tal-fqir, u jagħti widen għat-talba tal-magħkus. Ma jagħlaqx widnejh għat-talba bil-ħniena tal-iltim, jew tal-armla li tibki xortiha. Min jaqdi mill-qalb lil Alla jintlaqa’, u t-talba tiegħu titla’ m’ogħla s-sħab. It-talba tal-umli tinfed is-sħab, u ma toqgħodx bi kwietha qabel tasal qrib il-Mulej, u ma tiqafx qabel ma l-Għoli jagħti widen, u jagħti raġun lill-ġusti u jagħmel ħaqq.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 33:2-3,17-18,19,23

R/.(7a): Dan il-fqajjar sejjaħ u l-Mulej semgħu.

Kull ħin inbierek il-Mulej;
tifħiru dejjem fuq fommi.
Bil-Mulej tiftaħar ruħi;
jisimgħu l-fqajrin u jifirħu! R/.

Il-ħarsa tal-Mulej fuq il-ħżiena,
biex jeqred minn fuq l-art tifkirithom.
Jgħajtu l-ġusti għall-għajnuna, u l-Mulej jismagħhom;
mid-dwejjaq kollha tagħhom jeħlishom. R/.

Qrib il-Mulej lejn dawk b’qalbhom maqsuma,
jgħin lil dawk b’ruħhom mifnija.
Jifdi l-Mulej il-ħajja tal-qaddejja tiegħu;
kull min jistkenn fih ma jkollux xi jpatti. R/.

Reading 2               2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8, 16-18

Beloved: I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.  At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever.

Qari 2                mit-Tieni Ittra lil Timotju 4:6-8,16-18

Għażiż, demmi ġa mxerred b’sagrifiċċju, u żmien it-tluq tiegħi wasal. Tqabadt it-taqbida t-tajba, temmejt il-ġirja, ħarist il-fidi. Mill-bqija hemm merfugħa għalija l-kuruna tal-ġustizzja, li biha f’dak il-Jum iħallasni l-Mulej, l-Imħallef ġust, u mhux lili biss, imma wkoll lil dawk kollha li jkunu għexu fl-imħabba tad-Dehra tiegħu. Fl-ewwel difiża tiegħi ħadd ma kien miegħi; kulħadd ħallieni. Jalla ma jkunx magħdud kontrihom! Imma l-Mulej waqaf miegħi u tani l-qawwa biex bis-saħħa tiegħi l-kelma tixxandar sal-aħħar u l-ġnus kollha jisimgħuha. Hekk jien sfajt meħlus minn ħalq l-iljun. Il-Mulej jeħlisni minn kull deni u jħarisni, sa ma nasal fis-saltna tiegħu tas-sema. Glorja lilu għal dejjem ta’ dejjem! Amen. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               LUKE 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Evanġelju                 Qari skont San Luqa  18:9-14

F’dak iż-żmien, kien hemm uħud li kienu jafdaw fihom infushom li huma ġusti u kienu jmaqdru lill-oħrajn. Ġesù qalilhom din il-parabbola: “Żewġt irġiel, wieħed Fariżew u l-ieħor pubblikan, telgħu fit-tempju biex jitolbu. Il-Fariżew, wieqaf, talab hekk f’qalbu: ‘O Alla, niżżik ħajr li m’iniex bħall-bqija tal-bnedmin, ħalliela, inġusti, żienja, jew ukoll bħal dan il-pubblikan. Jiena nsum darbtejn fil-ġimgħa u nħallas l-għexur ta’ kulma ndaħħal’. Iżda l-pubblikan, bilwieqfa fil-bogħod anqas biss ried jerfa’ għajnejh lejn is-sema, imma beda jħabbat fuq sidru u jgħid: ‘O Alla, ħenn għalija, għax jien midneb!’. Ngħidilkom jien li dan, u mhux l-ieħor, niżel id-dar iġġustifikat. Għax kull min jitkabbar, jiċċekken; u min jiċċekken, jitkabbar”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.


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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

The hallmark of our prayers

Introduction:

The main theme of Sunday’s Gospel is that true humility and repentance for our sins must be the hallmark of our prayers. However, the central focus of today’s parable is not on prayer itself, but rather on the evil of pride, the need for true humility, and the role of God’s grace in our salvation.

Scripture lessons summarized:

The first reading, from Sirach, is a perfect companion piece to the Gospel parable. In one striking image from Sirach, the writer declares “the prayer of the lowly, pierces the clouds to reach the unseen throne of God.” Such prayers are heard because they come from the hearts of people who know how much they need God. Although God has no favorites and answers the prayers of all, the oppressed, the orphans, the widows, and those who can least help themselves are His special concern. The best prayer is humble and selfless service.

In the Refrain for Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps) 95, we sing this warning reminder, “If today you hear His Voice, harden not your hearts,” in pride or scorn. In the second reading, the former Pharisee Paul, like the publican in the Gospel parable, humbly acknowledges his work as accomplished by the grace of God, and he thanks God for enabling him to fight a good battle — to run a good race while keeping his Faith intact and proclaiming it.

In today’s Gospel parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus reminds us that God hears the prayers of one who approaches Him in humility with a repentant heart. God did not hear the prayer of this Pharisee because he exalted himself. His prayer was a prayer of thanksgiving that he was not as evil as other people. He announced to God his freedom from sin and detailed his fidelity in observing the prescribed fast and in giving tithes. The tax collector’s prayer, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” was heard because he humbled himself, acknowledging his sins and requesting God’s mercy.

Life messages:

1) Let us evict the Pharisee and revive the publican in each of us. We become the proud Pharisee when we brag about our achievements giving no credit to God, when we seek praise and recognition from others for our accomplishments, and when we degrade others with insensitive comments, hurting their feelings. In today’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us to imitate the humble publican (tax collector), by acknowledging our total dependence on God and His grace for all our achievements and blessings; by confessing to God daily our sinfulness; by asking for His strengthening through the daily anointing of His Holy Spirit living within us; and by becoming more sensitive to the needs and feelings of others, serving Jesus in them as best as we can.

2) Let us include all the necessary ingredients in our prayers. Our personal prayers must include our request for pardon and forgiveness for our sins, thanksgiving for the numerous blessings we receive daily from God, praise and worship, the unconditional surrender of our life and all our activities completely and unconditionally to God, the acknowledgement of our weakness and total dependence on Him, and finally, the presentation of our needs and petitions, accompanied by the fervent request for God’s strengthening in our weakness and temptations by the daily anointing of His Holy Spirit. Let us pray every day: “Be merciful to me, a sinner.”


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PERSEVERING AND TRUSTING IN GOD

Readings for Sunday, OCTOBER 16, 2022

 

 

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 147

 

 

Id-Disgħa u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena
 

Reading 1               EXODUS 17:8-13

In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel. Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, "Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses'hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Qari 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Eżodu 17:8-13

F’dak iż-żmien, il-poplu ta’ Għamalek qam u tqabad ma’ Iżrael f’Rafidim. Mosè qal lil Ġożwè: “Agħżel irġiel u mur tqabad ma’ Għamalek; jien noqgħod wieqaf fuq il-quċċata tal-għolja, bil-ħatar ta’ Alla f’idi”. Ġożwè għamel kif qallu Mosè, u mar jitqabad mal-Għamalekin. Mosè, Aron u Ħur telgħu fuq il-quċċata tal-għolja. Kull meta Mosè kien jerfa’ jdejh, Iżrael kien jirbaħ; u kull meta kien iniżżel idejh, kienu jirbħu l-Għamalekin. Meta jdejn Mosè bdew jitqalu, ħadu ġebla u qegħduhielu taħtu; u hu qagħad bilqiegħda, waqt li Aron u Ħur żammewlu dirgħajh, wieħed kull naħa. Hekk idejh baqgħu sodi merfugħa sa nżul ix-xemx. U Ġożwè qered lil Għamalek u l-poplu tiegħu b’xifer ix-xabla.Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

May he not suffer your foot to slip;
may he slumber not who guards you:
indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,
the guardian of Israel.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.
The sun shall not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The LORD will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 120(121):1-2,3-4,5-6,7-8

 R/.(2): L-għajnuna tiegħi mingħand il-Mulej.

Nerfa’ għajnejja lejn l-għoljiet;
mnejn se tiġini l-għajnuna?
L-għajnuna tiegħi mingħand il-Mulej,
li għamel is-sema u l-art. R/.

Ma jħalli qatt li riġlek jogħtor;
ma jongħosx dak li jħarsek.
Ara, la jongħos u lanqas jorqod
dak li jħares lil Iżrael. R/.

Il-Mulej hu dak li jħarsek;
il-Mulej hu d-dell tiegħek fuq lemintek.
Ma tolqtokx ix-xemx binhar,
anqas il-qamar billejl. R/.

Iħarsek il-Mulej minn kull deni;
hu jħarislek ħajtek.
Il-Mulej iħarsek fil-ħruġ u d-dħul tiegħek,
minn issa u għal dejjem. R/.

Reading 2               2 TIMOTHY 3:14-4:2

Beloved: Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.

Qari 2              mit-Tieni Ittra lil Timotju  3:14–4:2

Għażiż, ibqa’ miexi f’dak li tgħallimt u emmint bis-sħiħ, għax taf mingħand min tgħallimtu, u għax sa minn żgħoritek sirt midħla tal-Kotba Mqaddsa, li jistgħu jagħtuk l-għerf li jwassal għas-salvazzjoni permezz tal-fidi fi Kristu Ġesù. L-Iskrittura kollha hija mnebbħa minn Alla, u tiswa biex wieħed jgħallem, iċanfar, iwiddeb u jrawwem fis-sewwa, biex hekk il-bniedem ta’ Alla jkun perfett, imħejji għal kull ħidma tajba. Nitolbok bil-ħerqa, quddiem Alla u Kristu Ġesù, li għandu jagħmel ħaqq mill-ħajjin u mill-mejtin, f’isem id-Dehra tiegħu u s-Saltna tiegħu: xandar il-kelma, insisti f’waqtu u barra minn waqtu, ċanfar, widdeb, wissi, bis-sabar kollu u bit-tagħlim.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               LUKE 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.' For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, 'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'" The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

 Evanġelju               Qari skont San Luqa 18:1-8

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal parabbola lid-dixxipli tiegħu biex jurihom li għandhom dejjem jitolbu bla ma jaqtgħu. Qalilhom: “Kien hemm f’belt wieħed imħallef, li la kien jibża’ minn Alla u lanqas iħabbel rasu minn ħadd. F’dik il-belt kien hemm waħda armla, u kienet tmur għandu u tgħidlu: “Agħmilli ħaqq kontra l-għadu tiegħi”. Hu ma riedx, u dam ħafna hekk; iżda mbagħad bejnu u bejn ruħu qal: “Mhux għax nibża’ minn Alla jew għax se nħabbel rasi min-nies, imma għall-inqas għax din l-armla dejqitni; ħa nagħmlilha ħaqq, biex ma tibqax ġejja u sejra sa ma tifnini”. U l-Mulej qal: “Isimgħu ftit x’jgħid l-imħallef il-ħażin. Imbagħad Alla, lill-magħżulin tiegħu li jgħajtulu lejl u nhar, sejjer ma jagħmlilhomx ħaqq? Se joqgħod itawwal magħhom? Jiena ngħidilkom li malajr jagħmlilhom ħaqq. Imma taħsbu intom li Bin il-bniedem se jsib il-fidi fuq l-art meta jiġi?”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

Persevere in prayer and trust in God

Introduction:

Sunday’s readings are mainly about prayer — perseverance in prayer, constancy in prayer and trust in God as we pray. They are also about the Trustworthiness and Justice of God, the type of Justice that reaches out to the poor and the weak, enabling them to fight against injustice.

Scripture lessons summarized:

In the first reading, Moses, after sending Joshua to fight against Amalek, is presented as making tireless intercession with constancy for the victory of Israel’s army. Both Moses and the widow in today’s Gospel story teach us how we should pray with trusting Faith and perseverance. In the second reading, St. Paul instructs Timothy to persevere in his ministry, to proclaim the word of God with persistence in all circumstances, and to use it to “correct, reprove and appeal with patience.”

By introducing the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow in today’s Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the “necessity of praying always and not losing heart.” Constancy in prayer is Faith in action. Jesus presents the widow in Sunday’s Gospel as a model of the trust and tenacity with which his disciples are to pray. The widow was asking for something which God would certainly want for her – justice.

Life messages:

1)  We need to combine formal prayers with action prayer: It is ideal that we start our prayers by reading from the Bible, especially the Psalms and the Gospels. Formal, memorized and liturgical prayers are also essential for the Christian prayer life. Personal prayer is of great importance in our life of prayer. Talking to God in our own words — praising Him, thanking Him and presenting our needs before Him — transforms our whole life into prayer.

We should perfect our prayers by bringing ourselves into God’s presence during our work several times during the day and by offering to God all that we are, all that we have, and all that we do. Along with formal and memorized prayers, this type of prayer life enables us to pray always and pray with constancy and trusting perseverance.

2) We should not expect to get whatever we pray for. This parable does not suggest that God writes a blank cheque, guaranteeing whatever we want, whenever we want, it in the form we ask for. But we conveniently forget the fact that, often, a loving father has to refuse the request of a child, because he knows that what the child asks would hurt rather than help him (e.g., a sharp knife). God is like that. He knows what to give, when to give and how to give it.

Only God sees time whole, and, therefore, only God knows what is good for us in the long run. That is why Jesus said that we must never be discouraged in prayer. Instead, we have to leave the answer to God’s decision saying, “Thy will be done.” Sincere and persistent prayer makes us ready to accept His will.

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DON 'T FORGET TO SAY THANK YOU

Readings for Sunday, OCTOBER 9, 2022


Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 144


It-Tmienja u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

  Reading 1               2 KINGS 5:14-17

Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of Elisha, the man of God.  His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean of his leprosy. Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God. On his arrival he stood before Elisha and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel. Please accept a gift from your servant." Elisha replied, "As the LORD lives whom I serve, I will not take it;" and despite Naaman's urging, he still refused. Naaman said: "If you will not accept, please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth, for I will no longer offer holocaust or  to any other god except to the LORD."

Qari 1                 mit-Tieni Ktieb tas-Slaten  5:14-17

F’dak iż-żmien, Nagħman, il-kmandant tal-eżerċtu tas-Sultan ta’ Aram, niżel fil-Ġordan, u għodos seba’ darbiet, bħalma qallu Eliżew, il-bniedem ta’ Alla, u ġismu raġa’ sarlu qisu l-ġisem ta’ tfajjel żagħżugħ, u ndaf mil-lebbra tiegħu. U raġa’ lura għand Eliżew, il-bniedem ta’ Alla, hu u kull min kellu miegħu; daħal, waqaf quddiemu u qallu: “Ara, issa naf, iva, li ma hemmx Alla ieħor fid-dinja kollha, ħlief f’Iżrael. Ilqa’, nitolbok, dan ir-rigal mingħand il-qaddej tiegħek”. U qallu Eliżew: “Daqskemm hu ħaj il-Mulej li lilu naqdi, jien ma nieħu xejn”. U ma ħadhulux, għad li l-ieħor issikkah ħafna. Għalhekk Nagħman qallu: “La ma tridx, nitolbok li tingħata lill-qaddej tiegħek tagħbija ta’ żewġ bgħula ħamrija; għax il-qaddej tiegħek mhuwiex se jagħmel iżjed sagrifiċċji tal-ħruq u offerti lil allat oħra, jekk mhux lill-Mulej”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. 

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

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

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

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 97(98):1,2-3ab,3ċd-4

R/.(ara 2b): Il-Mulej għarraf is-salvazzjoni lill-ġnus.

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

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

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

Reading 2              2 TIMOTHY 2:8-13

Beloved: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

Qari 2                mit-Tieni Ittra lil Timotju  2:8-13

Għażiż, ftakar f’Ġesù Kristu, li qam mill-imwiet, li hu min-nisel ta’ David, skond l-Evanġelju li ħabbart jien. Għalih jien qiegħed inbati sa l-irbit tal-ktajjen bħallikieku għamilt xi delitt. Imma l-kelma ta’ Alla mhijiex marbuta! Għalhekk kollox nieħu bis-sabar għall-imħabba ta’ dawk li Alla għażel, biex huma wkoll jiksbu s-salvazzjoni, li hi ta’ glorja għal dejjem fi Kristu Ġesù. Din hi kelma ta’ min joqgħod fuqha: Jekk aħna mitna miegħu, għad ngħixu miegħu wkoll; jekk insofru bis-sabar, għad insaltnu miegħu wkoll; jekk niċħduh, jiċħadna hu wkoll; jekk nonqsu mill-kelma li tajna, hu jibqa’ jżomm kelmtu; għax hu ma jistax iqarraq bih innifsu.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.
 
Gospel               LUKE 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan.Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you."

Evanġelju                Qari skont San Luqa 7:11-19                

Ġara li huwa u sejjer lejn Ġerusalemm, Ġesù għadda minn bejn is-Samarija u l-Galilija. Kif kien dieħel f’raħal, iltaqgħu miegħu għaxart irġiel morda bil-lebbra. Waqfu ’l bogħod minnu, għollew leħinhom u qalulu: “Ġesù, mgħallem, ikollok ħniena minna!”. Kif rahom, qalilhom: “Morru uru rwieħkom lill-qassisin”. U ġara li, huma u sejrin, fiequ mill-marda tagħhom. Wieħed minnhom, kif ra ruħu mfejjaq, raġa’ lura jgħajjat u jfaħħar lil Alla, inxteħet wiċċu fl-art f’riġlejn Ġesù u raddlu ħajr. Issa dan kien Samaritan. U Ġesù qabad u qal: “Mhux l-għaxra fiequ mil-lebbra? Fejn huma d-disgħa l-oħra? Ma kien hemm ħadd minnhom li raġa’ lura biex jagħti glorja lil Alla ħlief dan il-barrani?”. Imbagħad qallu: “Qum, mur; il-fidi tiegħek salvatek”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

A God who desires gratitude from us

 

Introduction:

The central theme of Sunday’s readings is gratitude – in particular, the expression of gratitude God expects from us. Today’s Gospel story of ‘the forgetful lepers presents a God Who desires gratitude from us for the many blessings we receive from Him, and Who feels pain at our ingratitude.

Scripture lesson summarized:

Naaman, the Syrian military commander in the first reading, was an outcast, not only because of his leprosy, but because he was also a non-Israelite, a pagan. But he returned to thank the Prophet Elisha for curing his leprosy, and as a sign of his gratitude, transferred his allegiance to the God of Israel.

St. Paul, in the second reading, advises Timothy to be grateful to God even in his physical sufferings and amid the dangers associated with spreading the Word of God because God will always be faithful to His people.

Next Sunday’s Gospel story tells us of a single non-Jewish leper (a “Samaritan, considered by the Jews as heretic”), who returned to thank Jesus for healing him, while the nine Jewish lepers went their way. Perhaps, they were under the false impression that healing was their right as God’s “chosen people.” So, they hurried off to obtain health certificates from the priests. “Where are the other nine?” Jesus asked the returned Samaritan and the crowd rhetorically.

Sunday’s readings also remind us that Faith and healing go hand in hand. It was Faith that prompted Naaman to plunge himself into the waters of the Jordan River, and it was Faith in Jesus which prompted the lepers to present themselves first to Jesus and then to the priests. The readings also demonstrate the universal love of God for all peoples, including the Samaritans (whom the Israelites hated), and the pagans, Israel’s enemies, whom Naaman represented.

Life Messages:

1) We need to learn to be thankful to God and to others. We can express our gratitude to our loving and providing God by offering grace before meals and by allotting a few minutes of the day for family prayer. Let us show our gratitude to our forgiving God by forgiving others and by loving God in them, radiating His love, mercy, and compassion to all we encounter, including our families and friends. It is by taking good care of our old and sick parents that we express our gratitude to them for the loving sacrifices they have made in raising us.

2) We need to celebrate the Holy Eucharist as the supreme act of thanksgiving: The Greek word “Eucharist” means profoundly religious and thoroughly spiritual “thanksgiving” (from the efkaristo). When we celebrate Holy Mass together, we are thanking God for giving us the great gift of His Son in the Holy Eucharist so that we can share His Divine life and recharge our spiritual batteries, and for giving us His teaching, guiding, strengthening Holy Spirit. We express our thanks to God as a parish community by sharing our time, talents, and material blessings in the various ministries and services of the parish and by our active participation in its outreach programs in the community.

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HOW "FAITH" WORKS IN OUR LIVES

Readings for Sunday, OCTOBER 2, 2022

 

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 141


Is-Sebgħa u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

 

 Reading 1                HABAKKUK 1:2-3; 2:2-4

How long, O LORD?  I cry for help but you do not listen!  I cry out to you, "Violence!"  but you do not intervene.  Why do you let me see ruin;  why must I look at misery?  Destruction and violence are before me;  there is strife, and clamorous discord.  Then the LORD answered me and said:  Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets,  so that one can read it readily.  For the vision still has its time,  presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint;  if it delays, wait for it,  it will surely come, it will not be late.  The rash one has no integrity;  but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Ħabakuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4

Mulej, kemm se ndum nokrob għall-għajnuna u int ma tismax, jew ngħajjat: “Vjolenza!” u int ma ssalvax? Għaliex turini l-ħażen, u inti toqgħod tħares lejn il-ħtija? Quddiemi qerda u vjolenza, hemm it-tilwim, u l-ġlied dejjem jiżdied. Imbagħad il-Mulej wieġeb u qalli: “Ikteb id-dehra, onqoxha fuq tavlozzi, hekk li jkun jista’ jħaffef min jaqraha. Għax id-dehra sseħħ meta jkun waqtha, tistenna sa ma ttemm, u ma tqarraqx. Jekk hija ddum ma tasal, int stennieha, għax tiġi żgur, ma tiddawwarx ma tasal! Arah jinfena min mhux ruħu sewwa, iżda l-ġust jgħix bil-fedeltà tiegħu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
 let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
 let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us bow down in worship;
 let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
 and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

 "Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
 as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
 they tested me though they had seen my works."
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 94(95):1-2,6-7,8-9

R/. (ara 8): Isimgħu leħen il-Mulej, u twebbsux qalbkom.

Ejjew, ħa nfaħħru bl-hena l-Mulej,
ħa ngħajtu bil-ferħ lill-blata tas-salvazzjoni tagħna!
Nersqu quddiemu b’għana ta’ radd il-ħajr,
ngħannulu b’għajat ta’ ferħ. R/.

Ejjew inqimuh u ninxteħtu quddiemu,
għarkupptejna quddiem il-Mulej li ħalaqna!
Għaliex hu Alla tagħna,
u aħna l-poplu tal-mergħa tiegħu u n-nagħaġ tiegħu. R/.

Mhux li kontu llum tisimgħu leħnu!
“La twebbsux qalbkom bħal f’Meriba,
bħal dakinhar f’Massa, fid-deżert,
meta ġarrbuni u ttantawni missirijietkom,
għalkemm raw dak li jien għamilt”. R/.

Reading 2               2 TIMOTHY 1:6-8, 13-14

Beloved:  I remind you, to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.

Qari 2                mit-Tieni Ittra lil Timotju 1:6-8,13-14

Għażiż, infakkrek biex tqajjem fik id-don ta’ Alla, li jinsab fik bit-tqegħid ta’ jdejja; għax Alla ma taniex spirtu ta’ biża’, imma Spirtu ta’ qawwa, ta’ mħabba u ta’ rażan. Mela tistħi xejn minħabba fix-xhieda għal Sidna, anqas minħabba fija, priġunier tiegħu, imma aqsam miegħi t-tbatija għall-Evanġelju, u afda fil-qawwa ta’ Alla. Żomm quddiem għajnejk l-eżempju tat-tagħlim sħiħ li smajt mingħandi, fil-fidi u fl-imħabba li huma fi Kristu Ġesù. Ħares bl-għajnuna tal-Ispirtu s-Santu li jgħammar fina t-teżor sabiħ li kien fdat f’idejk.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               LUKE 17:5-10

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. "Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'? Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"

Evanġelju                Qari skont San Luqa 17:5-10

F’dak iż-żmien, l-appostli qalu lill-Mulej: “Kattar fina l-fidi!”. Weġibhom il-Mulej: “Kieku kellkom fidi mqar daqs żerriegħa tal-mustarda, kontu tgħidu lil din is-siġra tat-tut: “Inqala’ u mur tħawwel fil-baħar”, u hi kienet tisma’ minnkom.  Wieħed minnkom ikollu qaddej qiegħed jaħrat jew jirgħa; meta jidħol mill-għalqa x’se jgħidlu: “Ejja, isa, u oqgħod għall-ikel”? jew: “Lestili x’niekol, ilbes il-fardal u newwilli sa ma niekol u nixrob jien, u mbagħad tiekol u tixrob int”? Jaqaw se jroddlu ħajr lill-qaddej talli jkun għamel li ordnalu? Hekk ukoll intom, meta tagħmlu kulma tkunu ordnati, għidu: “Aħna qaddejja li ma niswew għal xejn; għamilna biss dak li kellna nagħmlu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

Trusting in God and faithfully living out His Covenant     

Introduction:  

All three readings for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time speak a lot about “Faith” and how it works in our lives. “To one who has Faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without Faith, no explanation is possible.” (St. Thomas Aquinas). It is this Faith that is the nucleus of all of our readings today. They give us three dimensions of Faith. The theological virtue of Faith enables us to believe something to be true and therefore worthy of trust simply because it has been revealed to us by God.

In his instructions to Timothy, Paul, who elsewhere defined Faith as, “the assurance of the things hoped for,” shows Faith operating as a believing, trusting, loving relationship with Christ, Finally, Christian Faith is that trusting Faith in God in action, expressed by steadfast loyalty, fidelity and total commitment to Him, resulting in our offering ourselves to Him in those we encounter, through our humble, loving service.

Scripture lessons, summarized:

The first reading presents Faith as trusting in God and faithfully living out His Covenant with us. Here, Faith is shown as hope and steadfast expectation in the face of suffering and delay. God assures the prophet that Faith gives us access to Divine power, and, hence, the just will live righteous lives in the midst of encircling evil because of their Faith.  

In Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 95), God is characterized as a sturdy rock and a caring shepherd, surely worthy of our trusting Faith. In the second reading, Paul presents Faith as our acceptance of Jesus as the fulfillment of the promises of God.  Paul stresses the need for a living Faith in, and loyalty to, Christ’s teachings handed down to us by the Church. Hence, Faith is belief in, and acceptance of, revealed truths based on the authority and veracity of God, and Hope is trust in God.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches his Apostles that Faith is sharing in God’s power, and, hence, even in small quantities, it allows God to work miracles in our lives and in the lives of others. It is Faith, meaning reliance on, or confidence in, God, which makes one just, putting him into right relation with God and neighbor.  While the Apostles ask for an increase in the quantity of their Faith Jesus reminds them, and so us, that the quality of one’s Faith is more important than the quantity.

A small amount of deep Faith can accomplish great things if that small amount of Faith is placed in a great, mighty, and all-powerful God. Using a master-servant parable, Jesus also teaches them, and us, that for Faith to be effective, it must be linked with trust, obedience and total commitment — an active submission to God with a willingness to do whatever He commands.

Life messages:

1) We need to thank God, giving Him the credit for our well- being.  Most of us are inclined to forget God’s providence when our earthly affairs are going well.  We pray to Him only when trouble strikes.  In His Infinite Goodness, God often answers such prayers. Stronger Faith enables us to accept the adversities and the trials of life asking God, “Increase our Faith, Lord!” at all times.

 2) We need to increase our Faith by becoming dutiful servants of God.   We grow in Faith as we act in Faith. A sincere Christian can find many ways to help to make Christ known to his neighbor.  A quiet word, a charitable gesture, an unselfish interest in a neighbor’s troubles can do more good than a series of sermons given by some renowned theologian.

3) We need to grow in Faith by using the means Christ has given us in his Church.  We must cultivate our Faith through prayer, Bible study, participation in the Holy Mass (‘the mystery of Faith”) and leading a well-disciplined spiritual life.

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Readings for Sunday, SEPTEMBER 25, 2022

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 138

Is-Sitta u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ matul is-Sena

 
Reading 1               AMOS 6:1a, 4-7

Thus says the LORD the God of hosts:  Woe to the complacent in Zion!  Lying upon beds of ivory,  stretched comfortably on their couches,  they eat lambs taken from the flock,  and calves from the stall!  Improvising to the music of the harp,  like David, they devise their own accompaniment.  They drink wine from bowls  and anoint themselves with the best oils;  yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph!  Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile,  and their wanton revelry shall be done away with. 

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Għamos 6:1a,4-7

Dan jgħid il-Mulej li jista’ kollox: “Ħażin għalihom dawk li f’Sijon għandhom moħħhom mistrieħ, dawk li qalbhom qawwija fil-muntanja tas-Samarija! Fuq sodod tal-avorju mimduda, jitmattru fuq il-friex; u ħrief il-merħla jieklu, għoġiela mill-istalla. Mal-arpa jqabblu l-għana, bħal David strumenti jivvintaw. L-inbid ilegilguh minn bwieqi kbar, u bl-ifjen żjut jindilku, bla xejn ma jsewdu qalbhom għall-qerda ta’ Ġużeppi. Għalhekk ikunu l-ewwel fost dawk li jittieħdu fl-eżilju, u tintemm imbagħad l-għajta tal-imhejmin”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 146:7, 8-9, 9-10

R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!

Blessed is he who keeps faith forever,
 secures justice for the oppressed,
 gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

The LORD gives sight to the blind;
 the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
 the LORD protects strangers.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
 but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
 your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

 Salm Responsorjali               Salm 145(146):7,8-9a,9bċ-10

R/.(1b): Faħħar, ruħ tiegħi, il-Mulej!

Il-Mulej li jagħmel ħaqq lill-maħqurin,
u jagħti l-ħobż lill-imġewħin.
Il-Mulej li jeħles lill-imjassrin. R/.

Il-Mulej li jiftaħ għajnejn l-għomja;
il-Mulej li jerfa’ lill-milwijin;
il-Mulej li jħobb lill-ġusti;
il-Mulej li jħares lill-barranin. R/.

Il-Mulej iżomm lill-iltim u lill-armla,
imma lill-ħżiena jħarbtilhom triqathom.
Il-Mulej isaltan għal dejjem;
Alla tiegħek, Sijon, minn nisel għal nisel. R/.

Reading 2               1 TIMOTHY 6:11-16

But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession, to keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ that the blessed and only ruler will make manifest at the proper time, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, and whom no human being has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal power.  Amen.

Qari 2                 mill-Ewwel Ittra lil Timotju  6:11-16

Int, bniedem ta’ Alla, fittex li jkollok il-ġustizzja, it-tjieba, il-fidi, l-imħabba, is-sabar, il-ħlewwa. Tqabad it-taqbida t-tajba tal-fidi; qis li tirbaħ il-ħajja ta’ dejjem li għaliha kont imsejjaħ u li tagħha għamilt l-istqarrija sabiħa quddiem ħafna xhieda. Inwissik quddiem Alla li jagħti l-ħajja lill-ħlejjaq kollha, u quddiem Kristu Ġesù li xehed u għamel l-istqarrija sabiħa quddiem Ponzju Pilatu. Inwissik biex tħares l-istruzzjonijiet li rċevejt u żżomm ruħek bla tebgħa u bla ħtija sa jum id-dehra ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu, li għad juriha f’waqtha. Dak li hu l-hieni u waħdu setgħani, is-Sultan tas-slaten u s-Sid tas-sidien, li hu biss ma jmut qatt u jgħammar f’dawl li ħadd ma jista’ jersaq lejh, hu li ebda bniedem qatt ma rah u anqas qatt jista’ jarah. Lilu ġieħ u setgħa għal dejjem! Amen.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 LUKE 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: "There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.' He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"

Evanġelju               Qari skont San Luqa 16:19-31

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lill-Fariżej: “Mela kien hemm raġel għani, jilbes il-porpra u għażel mill-ifjen; l-hena tiegħu kien li kuljum jagħmel ikla mill-aħjar. U wieħed fqir jismu Lazzru, li kellu ġismu ġerħa waħda, kien imur jinxteħet ħdejn il-bieb ta’ daru, bix-xewqa li jixba’ b’dak li jaqa’ mill-mejda tal-għani. Sal-klieb kienu jmorru jilagħqu l-ġrieħi tiegħu. Ġara li l-fqir miet, u l-anġli ħaduh fi ħdan Abraham. Imbagħad miet ukoll l-għani, u difnuh. Dan, kif sab ruħu fi tbatijiet ħorox f’Art l-Imwiet, rafa’ ħarstu, u mill-bogħod lemaħ lil Abraham, b’Lazzru fi ħdanu. U għolla leħnu u qallu: “Missier Abraham, ikollok ħniena minni u ibgħat lil Lazzru jbill tarf sebgħu fl-ilma ħa jtaffili n-nixfa li għandi fi lsieni, għax qiegħed ninħaqar wisq f’dan in-nar”. Iżda Abraham qallu: “Ibni, ftakar li t-tajjeb tiegħek irċevejtu f’ħajtek; hekk ukoll Lazzru, il-ħażin irċevieh f’ħajtu. Imma issa hu hawnhekk qiegħed jitfarraġ, waqt li inti qiegħed tbati. Barra minn dan, hemm vojt bla qies bejnkom u bejnna, biex min ikun irid jaqsam minn hawn għal għandkom ma jkunx jista’, u anqas ma jgħaddu minn hemm għal għandna”. Qallu l-għani: “Mela nitolbok, missier, ibagħtu f’dar missieri, għax għandi ħames aħwa, ħalli jagħmlilhom twissija kif imiss, li ma jmorrux huma wkoll jiġu f’dan il-post ta’ tbatijiet ħorox!”. Qallu Abraham: “Għandhom lil Mosè u l-Profeti; jisimgħu lilhom”. Qallu dak: “Le, missier Abraham, imma jekk imur għandhom xi ħadd mill-imwiet, jindmu”. Iżda wieġbu Abraham: “Jekk ma jisimgħux lil Mosè u l-Profeti, anqas jekk iqum xi ħadd mill-imwiet ma jemmnu”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

How do we use God’s blessings?    

Introduction:

The main theme of this Sunday’s readings is the warning that the selfish and extravagant use of God’s blessings, like wealth, without sharing them with the poor and the needy, is a serious sin deserving eternal punishment. Sunday’s readings stress the Covenant responsibility of the rich for the poor, reminding us of the truth that wealth without active mercy for the poor is great wickedness. It warns us against making money the goal of our existence.

Scripture lessons:

Amos, in the first reading, issues a powerful warning to those who seek wealth at the expense of the poor and who spend their time and their money on themselves alone. He prophesies that those rich and self-indulgent people will be punished by God with exile because they don’t care for their poor and suffering brothers.

The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 146) praises Yahweh, who cares for the poor. In the second reading, Paul admonishes us to “pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness” – noble goals in an age of disillusionment – rather than riches.

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a warning, pointing to the destiny of the rich man who neglected his duty to show mercy to poor Lazarus. The rich man was punished, not for having riches, but for neglecting the Scriptures and what they taught on sharing his blessings with the poor.

Life messages:

1) We are all rich enough to share our blessings with others.  God has blessed each one of us with wealth or health or special talents or social power or political influence or a combination of many blessings. The parable invites us to share what we have been given with others in various ways instead of using everything exclusively for selfish gains.

2) We need to remember that sharing is the criterion of Last Judgment: Matthew (25:31ff) tells us that all six questions to be asked of each one of us by Jesus when He comes in glory as our judge are based on how we have shared our blessings from him  (food, drink, home, mercy and compassion), with our brothers and sisters, anyone in need, for Jesus identifies himself with each of them.

3) We need to treat the unborn as our brother/sister Lazarus. Lazarus in the 21st century is also our pre-born brother and sister. Many of these babies are brutally executed in their mother’s wombs. Their cries for a chance to live are rejected 4400 times a day in our country. The rich man was condemned for not treating Lazarus as his brother. We also will be condemned for our selfishness if we do not treat the preborn as our brothers and sisters.

4) Our choices here determine the kind of eternity we will have. It has been put this way: “Where we go hereafter depends on what we ‘go after,’ here!” Where we will arrive depends on what road we travel. We will get what we choose, what we live for. We are shaping our moral character to fit forever in one of two places.

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ARE WE TRUSTWORTHY IN VERY SMALL MATTERS?

Readings for Sunday, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 

 

  

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 135

 Il-Ħamsa u Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

 

Reading 1                AMOS 8:4-7

Hear this, you who trample upon the needy  and destroy the poor of the land!  "When will the new moon be over," you ask,  "that we may sell our grain,  and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat?  We will diminish the ephah,  add to the shekel,  and fix our scales for cheating!  We will buy the lowly for silver,  and the poor for a pair of sandals;  even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!" The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob:  Never will I forget a thing they have done!  

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Għamos 8:4-7

Il-Mulej qalli: “Isimgħu dan, intom li tikkalpestaw l-imsejken, intom li ttemmu l-foqra tal-pajjiż, u tgħidu: ‘Meta se jgħaddi l-qamar  ħa nbigħu l-qamħ? Meta se jgħaddi s-Sibt ħa nferrgħu x-xgħir, inċekknu l-efa, u nkabbru x-xekel, u nqarrqu b’miżien falz, nixtru bil-flus il-foqra, u b’żewġt iqrieq l-imsejken? Inbigħu sal-karfa tal-qamħ’”. Il-Mulej ħalef bil-foħrija ta’ Ġakobb: “Ma ninsa qatt xejn minn għemilhom!”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8

Praise, you servants of the LORD,
 praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
 both now and forever.
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.

High above all nations is the LORD;
 above the heavens is his glory.
Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high
 and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.

He raises up the lowly from the dust;
 from the dunghill he lifts up the poor
to seat them with princes,
 with the princes of his own people.
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 112(113):1-2,4-6,7-8

R/. (ara 1a u 7b): Faħħru lill-Mulej, li jerfa’ l-fqir.

Faħħru, qaddejja tal-Mulej,
faħħru isem il-Mulej.
Ikun isem il-Mulej imbierek,
minn issa u għal dejjem! R/.

Għoli fuq il-ġnus kollha l-Mulej,
ogħla mis-smewwiet hu sebħu.
Min hu bħall-Mulej, Alla tagħna,
li qiegħed fl-għoli,
u li jħares ’l isfel,
lejn is-smewwiet u lejn l-art? R/.

Hu li jqajjem mit-trab l-imsejken,
u jerfa’ mill-miżbla l-fqajjar,
biex mal-kbarat iqiegħdu,
mal-kbarat tal-poplu tiegħu. R/.

Reading 2                 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-8

Beloved:  First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our saviour, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as ransom for all. This was the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed preacher and apostle — I am speaking the truth, I am not lying —, teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.

Qari 2                mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Pawl lil Timotju 2:1-8

Għażiż, nitolbok l-ewwel nett li jsiru suppliki, orazzjonijiet, talb u radd il-ħajr għall-bnedmin kollha; għas-slaten, għal dawk kollha li għandhom xi awtorità, biex inkunu nistgħu ngħaddu ħajja fil-kwiet u fis-sliem, fit-tjieba u kif jixraq. Dan hu tajjeb u jogħġob lil Alla s-Salvatur tagħna, li jrid li l-bnedmin kollha jsalvaw u jaslu biex jagħrfu l-verità. Għax wieħed hu Alla, u wieħed hu l-medjatur bejn Alla u l-bniedem, il-Bniedem Kristu Ġesù, li ta lilu nnifsu bħala prezz tal-fidwa għal kulħadd; u x-xhieda ta’ dan ngħatat f’waqtha. Hu għal dan li jien kont magħmul xandâr u appostlu – qiegħed ngħid is-sewwa, m’iniex nigdeb – biex ngħallem lill-ġnus il-fidi u l-verità. Nixtieq li l-irġiel jitolbu kullimkien, jerfgħu ’l fuq idejn safja bla għadab u bla ġlied. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               LUKE 16:1-13

Jesus said to his disciples, "A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, 'What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.' The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.' He called in his master's debtors one by one. To the first he said, "How much do you owe my master?' He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.' Then to another the steward said, 'And you, how much do you owe?' He replied, 'One hundred kors of wheat.' The steward said to him, 'Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.' And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. "For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant 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 both God and mammon."

 Evanġelju               Luqa 16:1-13
 
F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Kien hemm raġel għani li kellu amministratur, u lil dan xlewh lil sidu li kien qiegħed iberbaqlu ġidu. Għalhekk is-sid sejjaħlu u qallu: ‘Dan x’inhu li qiegħed nisma’ fuqek? Agħtini kont tal-amministrazzjoni tiegħek, għax ma tistax tibqa’ iżjed amministratur tiegħi’. L-amministratur bejnu u bejn ruħu qal: ‘Issa x’sejjer nagħmel, ladarba sidi se jneħħini mill-amministrazzjoni? Immur nagħżaq? Ma niflaħx. Nittallab? Nistħi. Naf x’nagħmel, ħalli meta nitwarrab minn fuq din l-amministrazzjoni, insib lil ħaddieħor li jilqagħni għandu’. U wieħed wieħed bagħat għal dawk li kellhom jagħtu lil sidu. ‘Kemm għandek tagħtih lil sidi?’, staqsa lill-ewwel wieħed. ‘Mitt barmil żejt’, wieġbu dak. Qallu l-amministratur: ‘Oħroġ il-karti tiegħek, oqgħod bilqiegħda malajr u ikteb ħamsin’. Lil ieħor staqsieh: ‘U int, kemm għandek tagħti?’. ‘Mitt xkora qamħ’, wieġbu. Qallu: ‘Oħroġ il-karti tiegħek u ikteb tmenin’.  U s-sid faħħru lil dak l-amministratur ħażin talli ħadem b’rasu. Għax ulied din id-dinja jimxu bil-għaqal aktar minn ulied id-dawl ma’ min hu tal-qatgħa tagħhom. U jiena ngħidilkom: agħmlu għalikom infuskom ħbieb ta’ qligħ il-ħżunija, ħalli meta jonqoskom, jilqgħukom fl-għerejjex ta’ dejjem.   Min hu fidil f’ħaġa tassew żgħira, hu fidil ukoll fil-ħafna; min hu diżonest f’ħaġa tassew żgħira, hu diżonest ukoll fil-ħafna. Jekk mela ma wrejtux ruħkom fidili fil-qligħ il-ħażin, min se jafdalkom il-ġid veru? U jekk ma wrejtux ruħkom fidili f’dak li hu ta’ ħaddieħor, min se jagħtikom dak li hu tagħkom? Ebda qaddej ma jista’ jaqdi żewġ sidien, għax jew ikun jobgħod lil wieħed minnhom u jħobb lill-ieħor, jew jintrabat ma’ wieħed u jistmell lill-ieħor. Ma tistgħux taqdu lil Alla u lill-flus”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.


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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

God expects faithful and prudent stewardship from us

 

Introduction:

This Sunday’s readings remind us that we are God’s stewards, and that God expects faithful and prudent stewardship from us. They challenge us to use our God-given talents and blessings, like wealth, wisely to attain Heavenly bliss.

Scripture lessons summarized:

In the first reading, Amos, the prophet of social justice, condemns the crooked business practices of the 8th century BC Jewish merchants of Judea and reminds the Israelites and us to be faithful to our Covenant with Yahweh, God of Justice. We need to practice justice and mercy to all, as God’s faithful stewards. Amos warns us also against setting making money by any means as the goal of our life.

Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 113) reminds us that the All-seeing God protects and cares for the poor.  In the second reading, St. Paul instructs the first century Judeo-Christians to become true stewards of the Gospel of Jesus, the only mediator, by preaching the “Good News” to the pagans and by including them in intercessory prayers, too.

Today’s Gospel story tells us about the crooked, but resourceful, manager and challenges us to use our blessings — time, talents, health and wealth – wisely and justly so that they will serve us for our good in eternity. We use our earthly wealth wisely when we spend it for our own needs in moderation and when we love and help the needy around us, because these are the purposes for which God has entrusted His blessings to us.

Life messages:

1) We need to be faithful in the little things of life: Let us remember Saint John Chrysostom’s warning, “Faithfulness in little things is a big thing,” and the reminder of St. Theresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa, canonized September 4, 2016 by Pope Francis), “Do little things with great love.”  Hence, let us not ignore doing little things, like acknowledging a favor with a sincere “thank you,” congratulating others for their success, sharing in their sorrows and/or offering them help and support in their needs.  

2) We need to use our spiritual resources wisely. The manager in Jesus’ story used all his resources to secure his future. We must be no less resourceful. We have at our disposal the Holy Mass and the Seven Sacraments as sources of Divine grace, the Holy Bible as the word of God for daily meditation and practice, and the teaching authority of the Spirit-guided Church to direct us in our Christian life. We need to use these resources in such a way that it will be said of us, “And the master commended them because they acted so prudently.”

3) We need to be prepared to give an account of our stewardship.  We insure our houses against fire, storms, flood, and thieves, just as we insure our lives, buying life insurance, health insurance, and car insurance. In the same way, let us “insure” ourselves (with God, not Prudential!) for the one thing that most certainly will happen, namely, our meeting God to give Him an account of our lives. What really matters, at that time of our Private Judgment by God at the moment of our death is how wisely we have used our blessings during our life, lovingly and generously sharing them with others in need.

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