THE DAY OF THE LORD

Readings for Sunday, NOVEMBER 13, 2022

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 159

 

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

 

 
Reading 1               MALACHI 3:19-20a

Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven,  when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble,  and the day that is coming will set them on fire,  leaving them neither root nor branch,  says the LORD of hosts.  But for you who fear my name, there will arise  the sun of justice with its healing rays.

 Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Malakija 3:19-20a

Ara, jiġi l-Jum, jaqbad qisu forn, u l-kburin kollha u dawk kollha li jagħmlu l-ħażen ikunu tiben, u l-jum li ġej għad jaħraqhom, jgħid il-Mulej tal-eżerċti: hekk li ma jħallilhom la għerq u lanqas fergħa. Imma għalikom li tibżgħu minn ismi titla’ x-xemx tal-ġustizzja, bis-salvazzjoni fuq ġwenħajha. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm              PSALM 98: 5-6, 7-8, 9

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth,
he will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

 Salm Responsorjali                Salm 97(98):5-6,7-8,9a,9bċ

R/. Il-Mulej jagħmel ħaqq mill-popli.

Għannu lill-Mulej biċ-ċetra,
biċ-ċetra u bil-ħlewwa tal-għana,
bit-trombi u bid-daqq tat-trumbetti;
għajtu bil-ferħ quddiem il-Mulej is-sultan! R/.

Ħa jriegħed il-baħar u kulma fih,
id-dinja u kulma jgħammar fiha.
Ħa jċapċpu x-xmajjar idejhom,
u l-muntanji flimkien jgħajtu bil-ferħ quddiem il-Mulej. R/.

Għax il-Mulej ġej
biex jagħmel ħaqq mill-art;
hu jagħmel ħaqq mid-dinja bil-ġustizzja,
u mill-popli bis-sewwa. R/.

Reading 2               2 THESSALONIANS  3:7-12

 Brothers and sisters:  You know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we w nted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others. Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food.

Qari 2                 mit-Tieni Ittra lit-Tessalonikin 3:7-12

Ħuti, intom stess tafu kif jeħtieġ li timxu fuq l-eżempju tagħna. Aħna ma tgħażżinniex meta konna fostkom; il-ħobż li kilna, ħadd ma tahulna b’xejn; imma lejl u nhar ħdimna u tħabatna u batejna biex ma nkunu ta’ piż għal ħadd minnkom. Imxejna hekk mhux għax ma għandniex dritt li żżommuna intom, imma ridna nagħtukom eżempju biex timxu fuqu. Meta konna fostkom aħna ordnajnielkom li jekk xi ħadd ma jridx jaħdem, dan anqas ma għandu jiekol. Issa aħna smajna li hemm xi wħud fostkom li qegħdin jitgħażżnu; mhumiex jaħdmu, imma qed jinħlew fix-xejn. Lil dawn in-nies nordnawlhom u nwissuhom, f’isem il-Mulej Ġesù Kristu, biex jaħdmu sewwa u għajxienhom jaqilgħuh. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               LUKE 21:5-19

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, "All that you see here-- the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down." Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky. Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking  that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

Evanġelju               Qari skont San Luqa 21:5-19

F’dak iż-żmien, kien hemm xi wħud li bdew jgħidu fuq kemm it-tempju kien imżejjen b’ġebel sabiħ u għotjiet; iżda Ġesù qalilhom: “Kulma qegħdin taraw, għad jiġi żmien li ma tibqax ġebla fuq oħra minnu li ma tiġġarrafx”. U huma staqsewh u qalulu: “Mgħallem, issa dan meta għad jiġri? U x’se jkun is-sinjal li dawn il-ħwejjeġ ikunu waslu biex iseħħu?”. Qalilhom: “Araw li ma titqarrqux. Għax għad jiġu ħafna f’ismi u jgħidu: ‘Jien hu’, u: ‘Iż-żmien wasal’. Tmorrux warajhom! Meta tisimgħu min jitkellem fuq gwerer u taqlib fil-pajjiżi, tinħasdux, għax jeħtieġ li l-ewwel jiġri dan, iżda t-tmiem ma jasalx minnufih”. Imbagħad qalilhom: “Għad iqum ġens kontra ġens u saltna kontra saltna, l-art titheżżeż bil-kbir, f’ħafna bnadi jkun hemm il-ġuħ u mard li jittieħed, u fis-sema jidhru ħwejjeġ tal-biża’ u sinjali tal-għaġeb. Imma qabel dan kollu jixħtu jdejhom fuqkom u jippersegwitawkom, jagħtukom f’idejn il-mexxejja tas-sinagoga u jitfgħukom il-ħabs, u jeħdukom quddiem slaten u gvernaturi minħabba f’ismi. Dan ikun jiswielkom biex tistgħu tagħtu xhieda. U żommu sewwa f’moħħkom: toqogħdux taħsbu minn qabel kif se tiddefendu ruħkom, għax jien nagħtikom kliem u għerf li kull min ikun kontra tagħkom ma jkunx jista’ jiqaflu jew imerih. U jittradukom saħansitra l-ġenituri tagħkom u ħutkom u qrabatkom u ħbiebkom, u lil xi wħud minnkom joqtluhom, u kulħadd isir jobgħodkom minħabba f’ismi. Imma xagħra waħda minn raskom ma tintilifx. Jekk tibqgħu sħaħ sal-aħħar issalvaw ħajjitkom!”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

///////////////////////////////////////////////
Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

THE SECOND COMING

Introduction:

The central theme of Sunday’s readings is “The Day of the Lord” or the “Second Coming” of Jesus in glory, as Judge, at the end of the world. The readings warn us about the final days of the world, our own death, and the final judgment.

Scripture readings summarized:

Malachi, in the first reading, foretells this Day, which will bring healing and reward for the just and punishment in fire for the “proud and all evil doers.” Although St. Paul expected that Jesus would return during his lifetime, he cautions the Thessalonians, in the second reading, against idleness in anticipating the end of the world. Paul advises the Thessalonians that the best preparation for welcoming Jesus in his “Second Coming” is to keep working and doing one’s duties faithfully, as he did.

Sunday’s Gospel passage underlines the truth that the date of the end of the world is uncertain. Signs and portents will precede the end, and the Christians will be called upon to testify before kings and governors. The Good News is that those who persevere in faithfulness to the Lord will save their souls and enter God’s eternal kingdom. Christ’s Second Coming is something to celebrate because he is going to present all creation to his Heavenly Father. That is why we say at Mass, “We proclaim Your death, O Lord, and profess Your Resurrection, until You come again.”

Since Luke’s community had experienced much persecution, today’s Gospel would have given them a cheering reminder: “Don’t give up because God is always with us!” Jesus’ promise of the protective power of a providing God was meant to encourage His disciples to persevere in their Faith and its practice. Jesus later adds the signs for the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world to prepare His disciples and to remind them to rely upon him for Salvation, not their own power.

Life messages:

1) We must be prepared daily for our death and private judgment. We make this preparation by trying to do God’s will every day, leading holy lives of selfless love, trust in God, mercy, compassion, and unconditional forgiveness. In order to do this, we must recharge our spiritual batteries every day by personal prayer, that is, by talking to God, and by listening to Him through reading the Bible. Daily examination of our conscience at bedtime and asking God’s pardon and forgiveness for the sins of the day will also prepare us to face God any time to give Him an account of our lives.

2) We need to attain permanence in a passing world by leading exemplary lives. We must remember that our homes, our Churches, and even our own lives are temporary. Our greatness is judged by God, not on our worldly achievements, but on our fidelity to our Faith, and our practice of that Faith in loving service of others.

How our faithfulness is expressed each day is the most important thing. We are to persevere in our Faith in spite of worldly temptations, attacks on our religion and moral values by the atheistic or agnostic media, threats of social isolation, and direct or indirect persecution because of our religious beliefs.

Let us conclude this Church year by praying for the grace to endure patiently all our trials, for they are essential to our affirmation of Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.


//////////////////////////////////////     http://frtonyshomilies.com

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

THE DAY OF THE LORD

Readings for Sunday, NOVEMBER 13, 2022

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 159

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

 

Reading 1         MALACHI 3:19-20a

Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven,  when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble,  and the day that is coming will set them on fire,  leaving them neither root nor branch,  says the LORD of hosts.  But for you who fear my name, there will arise  the sun of justice with its healing rays.

 Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Malakija 3:19-20a

Ara, jiġi l-Jum, jaqbad qisu forn, u l-kburin kollha u dawk kollha li jagħmlu l-ħażen ikunu tiben, u l-jum li ġej għad jaħraqhom, jgħid il-Mulej tal-eżerċti: hekk li ma jħallilhom la għerq u lanqas fergħa. Imma għalikom li tibżgħu minn ismi titla’ x-xemx tal-ġustizzja, bis-salvazzjoni fuq ġwenħajha. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm              PSALM 98: 5-6, 7-8, 9

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth,
he will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Salm Responsorjali                Salm 97(98):5-6,7-8,9a,9bċ

R/. Il-Mulej jagħmel ħaqq mill-popli.

Għannu lill-Mulej biċ-ċetra,
biċ-ċetra u bil-ħlewwa tal-għana,
bit-trombi u bid-daqq tat-trumbetti;
għajtu bil-ferħ quddiem il-Mulej is-sultan! R/.

Ħa jriegħed il-baħar u kulma fih,
id-dinja u kulma jgħammar fiha.
Ħa jċapċpu x-xmajjar idejhom,
u l-muntanji flimkien jgħajtu bil-ferħ quddiem il-Mulej. R/.

Għax il-Mulej ġej
biex jagħmel ħaqq mill-art;
hu jagħmel ħaqq mid-dinja bil-ġustizzja,
u mill-popli bis-sewwa. R/.

Reading 2               2 THESSALONIANS  3:7-12
Brothers and sisters:  You know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we w nted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others. Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food.

Qari 2                 mit-Tieni Ittra lit-Tessalonikin 3:7-12

Ħuti, intom stess tafu kif jeħtieġ li timxu fuq l-eżempju tagħna. Aħna ma tgħażżinniex meta konna fostkom; il-ħobż li kilna, ħadd ma tahulna b’xejn; imma lejl u nhar ħdimna u tħabatna u batejna biex ma nkunu ta’ piż għal ħadd minnkom. Imxejna hekk mhux għax ma għandniex dritt li żżommuna intom, imma ridna nagħtukom eżempju biex timxu fuqu. Meta konna fostkom aħna ordnajnielkom li jekk xi ħadd ma jridx jaħdem, dan anqas ma għandu jiekol. Issa aħna smajna li hemm xi wħud fostkom li qegħdin jitgħażżnu; mhumiex jaħdmu, imma qed jinħlew fix-xejn. Lil dawn in-nies nordnawlhom u nwissuhom, f’isem il-Mulej Ġesù Kristu, biex jaħdmu sewwa u għajxienhom jaqilgħuh. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               LUKE 21:5-19

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, "All that you see here-- the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down." Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky. Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

Evanġelju               Qari skont San Luqa 21:5-19

F’dak iż-żmien, kien hemm xi wħud li bdew jgħidu fuq kemm it-tempju kien imżejjen b’ġebel sabiħ u għotjiet; iżda Ġesù qalilhom: “Kulma qegħdin taraw, għad jiġi żmien li ma tibqax ġebla fuq oħra minnu li ma tiġġarrafx”. U huma staqsewh u qalulu: “Mgħallem, issa dan meta għad jiġri? U x’se jkun is-sinjal li dawn il-ħwejjeġ ikunu waslu biex iseħħu?”. Qalilhom: “Araw li ma titqarrqux. Għax għad jiġu ħafna f’ismi u jgħidu: ‘Jien hu’, u: ‘Iż-żmien wasal’. Tmorrux warajhom! Meta tisimgħu min jitkellem fuq gwerer u taqlib fil-pajjiżi, tinħasdux, għax jeħtieġ li l-ewwel jiġri dan, iżda t-tmiem ma jasalx minnufih”. Imbagħad qalilhom: “Għad iqum ġens kontra ġens u saltna kontra saltna, l-art titheżżeż bil-kbir, f’ħafna bnadi jkun hemm il-ġuħ u mard li jittieħed, u fis-sema jidhru ħwejjeġ tal-biża’ u sinjali tal-għaġeb. Imma qabel dan kollu jixħtu jdejhom fuqkom u jippersegwitawkom, jagħtukom f’idejn il-mexxejja tas-sinagoga u jitfgħukom il-ħabs, u jeħdukom quddiem slaten u gvernaturi minħabba f’ismi. Dan ikun jiswielkom biex tistgħu tagħtu xhieda. U żommu sewwa f’moħħkom: toqogħdux taħsbu minn qabel kif se tiddefendu ruħkom, għax jien nagħtikom kliem u għerf li kull min ikun kontra tagħkom ma jkunx jista’ jiqaflu jew imerih. U jittradukom saħansitra l-ġenituri tagħkom u ħutkom u qrabatkom u ħbiebkom, u lil xi wħud minnkom joqtluhom, u kulħadd isir jobgħodkom minħabba f’ismi. Imma xagħra waħda minn raskom ma tintilifx. Jekk tibqgħu sħaħ sal-aħħar issalvaw ħajjitkom!”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

///////////////////////////////////////////////
Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

THE SECOND COMING

Introduction:

The central theme of Sunday’s readings is “The Day of the Lord” or the “Second Coming” of Jesus in glory, as Judge, at the end of the world. The readings warn us about the final days of the world, our own death, and the final judgment.

Scripture readings summarized:

Malachi, in the first reading, foretells this Day, which will bring healing and reward for the just and punishment in fire for the “proud and all evil doers.” Although St. Paul expected that Jesus would return during his lifetime, he cautions the Thessalonians, in the second reading, against idleness in anticipating the end of the world. Paul advises the Thessalonians that the best preparation for welcoming Jesus in his “Second Coming” is to keep working and doing one’s duties faithfully, as he did.

Sunday’s Gospel passage underlines the truth that the date of the end of the world is uncertain. Signs and portents will precede the end, and the Christians will be called upon to testify before kings and governors. The Good News is that those who persevere in faithfulness to the Lord will save their souls and enter God’s eternal kingdom. Christ’s Second Coming is something to celebrate because he is going to present all creation to his Heavenly Father. That is why we say at Mass, “We proclaim Your death, O Lord, and profess Your Resurrection, until You come again.”

Since Luke’s community had experienced much persecution, today’s Gospel would have given them a cheering reminder: “Don’t give up because God is always with us!” Jesus’ promise of the protective power of a providing God was meant to encourage His disciples to persevere in their Faith and its practice. Jesus later adds the signs for the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world to prepare His disciples and to remind them to rely upon him for Salvation, not their own power.

Life messages:

1) We must be prepared daily for our death and private judgment. We make this preparation by trying to do God’s will every day, leading holy lives of selfless love, trust in God, mercy, compassion, and unconditional forgiveness. In order to do this, we must recharge our spiritual batteries every day by personal prayer, that is, by talking to God, and by listening to Him through reading the Bible. Daily examination of our conscience at bedtime and asking God’s pardon and forgiveness for the sins of the day will also prepare us to face God any time to give Him an account of our lives.

2) We need to attain permanence in a passing world by leading exemplary lives. We must remember that our homes, our Churches, and even our own lives are temporary. Our greatness is judged by God, not on our worldly achievements, but on our fidelity to our Faith, and our practice of that Faith in loving service of others.

How our faithfulness is expressed each day is the most important thing. We are to persevere in our Faith in spite of worldly temptations, attacks on our religion and moral values by the atheistic or agnostic media, threats of social isolation, and direct or indirect persecution because of our religious beliefs.

Let us conclude this Church year by praying for the grace to endure patiently all our trials, for they are essential to our affirmation of Jesus as our Lord and Savior.


//////////////////////////////////////     http://frtonyshomilies.com

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

LIFE AFTER DEATH

Readings for Sunday, NOVEMBER 6, 2022



Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 156

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

 

Reading 1               2 MACCABEES 7:1-2, 9-14

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law.  One of the brothers, speaking for the others, said: "What do you expect to achieve by questioning us? We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors."  At the point of death he said: "You accursed fiend, you are depriving us of this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up to live again forever. It is for his laws that we are dying." After him the third suffered their cruel sport. He put out his tongue at once when told to do so, and bravely held out his hands, as he spoke these noble words: "It was from Heaven that I received these; for the sake of his laws I disdain them; from him I hope to receive them again." Even the king and his attendants marveled at the young man's courage, because he regarded his sufferings as nothing. After he had died, they tortured and maltreated the fourth brother in the same way. When he was near death, he said, "It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope God gives of being raised up by him; but for you, there will be no resurrection to life."

Qari 1                mit-Tieni Ktieb tal-Makkabej 7:1-2,9-14

F’dak iż-żmien, qabdu sebat aħwa u ’l ommhom; u s-sultan beda biex jisfurzahom bid-daqqiet tas-swat u tan-nerv biex jieklu l-laħam tal-majjal li ma jiswiex. Wieħed minnhom beda jitkellem f’isem l-oħrajn u qal: “X’int tfittex tistaqsi u trid taf minna? Aħna lesti mmutu, imma m’aħniex lesti niksru l-liġijiet ta’ missirijietna”. U t-tieni wieħed, kif kien fl-aħħar nifs, qallu: “Int, bniedem mill-agħar, int se ċċaħħadna mill-ħajja ta’ issa, imma s-sultan tad-dinja għad iqajjimna għall-ħajja ta’ dejjem, lilna li se mmutu għal-liġijiet tiegħu”. Imbagħad wara dan bdew jittorturaw it-tielet wieħed u malli talbuh ħareġ minnufih ilsienu u bla biza’ ta’ xejn midd idejh u ta’ qalbieni li kien għajjat: “Mis-sema ksibthom dawn, u għal-liġijiet tiegħu jien nistmerrhom, għax mingħandu nittama li għad nerġa’ niksibhom”. Saħansitra s-sultan u dawk ta’ madwaru stagħġbu bil-qawwa ta’ dan iż-żagħżugħ, kif l-uġigħ ma kien iqisu xejn. Meta miet dan, bdew jittorturaw u jbiċċru r-raba’ wieħed bl-istess mod. Meta wasal fl-aħħar qal: “Aħjar li wieħed imut b’idejn il-bnedmin meta jkollu t-tama mingħand Alla li għad iqajmu mill-ġdid. Imma għalik m’hemmx qawmien għall-ħajja”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15

Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

My steps have been steadfast in your paths,
my feet have not faltered.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

Keep me as the apple of your eye,
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
But I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking I shall be content in your presence.
R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 16(17):1,5-6,8b,15

R/.(15b): Meta nqum, nithenna bid-dehra tiegħek.

Isma’, Mulej, il-kawża ġusta tiegħi,
ilqa’ l-għajta tiegħi,
agħti widen għat-talb tiegħi;
bla qerq huma xufftejja. R/.

Il-mixi tiegħi żammejt fi triqatek,
qatt ma għotru riġlejja.
Insejjaħlek, għax int tweġibni, o Alla;
ressaq widintek lejja, isma’ kliemi. R/.

Għad-dell ta’ ġwenħajk kenninni.
Jien, fil-ħaqq, għad nara ’l wiċċek;
meta nqum, nithenna bid-dehra tiegħek. R/.

Reading 2                2 THESSALONIANS 2:16-3:5

Brothers and sisters: May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace,
encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word. Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may speed forward and be glorified, as it did among you, and that we may be delivered from perverse and wicked people, for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. We are confident of you in the Lord that what we instruct you, you are doing and will continue to do. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ.

Qari 2                      mit-Tieni Ittra lit-Tessalonikin 2:16–3:5

Ħuti, Sidna Ġesù Kristu stess u Alla Missierna, li ħabbna u tana l-kuraġġ ta’ dejjem u t-tama sħiħa bil-grazzja, iqawwilkom qalbkom u jsaħħaħkom f’kull għemil u kelma tajba. Mill-bqija, ħuti, itolbu għalina biex il-kelma tal-Mulej tiġri l-ġirja tagħha u tkun milqugħa bil-ġieħ bħalma ġara fostkom. Itolbu biex inkunu meħlusa minn nies ħżiena u bla liġi. Għax mhux kulħadd għandu l-fidi. Iżda l-Mulej hu fidil: hu jwettaqkom u jħariskom mill-Ħażin. Aħna żguri minnkom fil-Mulej, jiġifieri, li intom qegħdin tagħmlu u għad tagħmlu dak li ordnajnielkom. Jalla l-Mulej iwassal lil qlubkom għall-imħabba ta’ Alla u s-sabar ta’ Kristu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               LUKE 20:27-38

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to Jesus, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone's brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless. Then the second and the third married her, and likewise all the seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her." Jesus said to them, "The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called out 'Lord, ' the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive."

Evanġelju               Qari skond San Luqa 20:27-38

F’dak iż-żmien, resqu fuqu xi wħud mis-Sadduċej, dawk li jiċħdu l-qawmien mill-imwiet, u staqsewh: “Mgħallem, Mosè ħallielna miktub: ‘Jekk wieħed imutlu ħuh miżżewweġ u dan ikun bla tfal, dak ikollu jiżżewweġ l-armla biex inissel ulied lil ħuh’. Issa jkun hemm sebat aħwa, u l-kbir iżżewweġ u miet bla tfal. It-tieni wieħed, u mbagħad it-tielet, f’kelma waħda, is-sebgħa li kienu, ħadu l-armla, u mietu bla ma ħallew tfal. Fl-aħħar mietet il-mara wkoll. Issa din, fil-qawmien tal-imwiet, mart min minnhom tkun? Għax is-sebgħa jkunu żżewġuha”. Weġibhom Ġesù: “Il-bnedmin f’din id-dinja jiżżewġu u jżewġu; imma dawk li jkun jistħoqqilhom jgħaddu għad-dinja l-oħra u jqumu mill-imwiet, dawn la jżewġu u lanqas jiżżewġu. Għax anqas jistgħu jmutu iżjed, għaliex ikunu bħall-anġli, u huma wlied Alla ladarba qamu mill-imwiet. U li l-mejtin iqumu, Mosè wkoll urieh, fir-rakkont tax-xitla tal-għollieq, għax lill-Mulej isejjaħlu Alla ta’ Abraham, Alla ta’ Iżakk, u Alla ta’ Ġakobb. Issa hu mhuwiex Alla tal-mejtin, iżda tal-ħajjin, għax għalih kulħadd jgħix”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil  

THE END TIMES

As we near the end of the Church’s liturgical year, the readings become more eschatological — having to do with the end times. The main theme of Sun/day’s readings is the reality of life after death and of the relationship between our lives on earth and the life of glory or punishment that will follow. The readings invite us to consider the true meaning of the Resurrection in our lives.

 

Scripture lessons summarized:

The first reading describes a Jewish family, consisting of a mother and her seven sons, who refuse their conqueror’s command to eat pork, forbidden as “unclean” by Jewish Law. Because of their obedient Faith in God, they endure suffering and accept martyrdom. During their torture, three of the brothers speak, and each of them finds strength in the belief that he will eventually be raised and rewarded by God.

In the refrain for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 17) we proclaim our Faith: “Lord, when Your glory appears, my joy will be full!” The second reading encourages the Thessalonians who were waiting for the Parousia or the second coming of Christ, to trust in the fidelity of God Who would strengthen their hearts in every good work and word.

Thie same belief in the resurrection of the dead is the basis of the confrontation described in Sunday’s Gospel passage. In this confrontation, Jesus ingeniously escapes from a doctrinal trap set for him and explains the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, supported by the Pharisees and denied by the Sadducees. Jesus speaks of God as the God of the living and declares that heavenly life with God in glory is totally different from earthly life, explaining that there is no marriage in Heaven in the earthly sense.

Life messages:

1) We need to live as people of the Resurrection This means that we are not to lie buried in the tomb of our sins and evil habits. Instead, we are to live joyful and peaceful lives, constantly experiencing the real Presence of the Risen Lord. In addition, the hope of our resurrection to eternal life with God provides us with lasting peace and celestial joy to counter the boredom and tension of our day-to-day lives. Cultivating our awareness of the all-pervading Presence of the Spirit of the living God will help us to control our thoughts, desires, words, and behavior.

The salutary thought of our own resurrection and eternal glory, or eternal punishment, should also inspire us to honor our bodies, keeping them holy, pure, and free from evil habits, and to respect those with whom we come in contact, rendering them loving and humble service.

2) We need to offer living worship to a living God. If our God is the God of the living, our worship of this living God also has to be alive. That means our participation in prayers and songs during the Holy Mass should be active and our behavior in Church reverent, as we offer our lives and all our activities to our living God on the altar with repentant and grateful hearts.


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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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