WHERE DO WE SEE CHRIST?

Readings for Sunday, November 26, 2023

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Lectionary: 160

Qari tas-Solennità ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu Sultan tal-Ħolqien 

Reading 1                  EZEKIEL 34:11-12, 15-17

Thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep. As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep. I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark. I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy, shepherding them rightly. As for you, my sheep, says the Lord GOD, I will judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats.

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Eżekjel 34, 11-12.15-17

Dan jgħid Sidi l-Mulej: Arawni, hekk jien se nfittex in-nagħaġ tiegħi u nieħu ħsiebhom. Bħalma r-ragħaj jaħseb fil-merħla tiegħu meta jsib ruħu f’nofs in-nagħaġ imxerrda tiegħu, hekk naħseb jien fin-nagħaġ tiegħi, u nsalvahom minn kull fejn xterdu fi żmien is-sħab u s-swied tal-ajru. Jiena stess nirgħa n-nagħaġ tiegħi, u jiena nserraħhom. Oraklu ta’ Sidi l-Mulej. Jiena nfittex il-mitlufa, irreġġa’ lura l-imxerrda, ninfaxxa l-ġrieħi tal-miġrugħa, u nqawwi l-marida. Inħares is-smina u l-qawwija, u nirgħahom bil-ġustizzja. Imma għalik, merħla tiegħi, hekk jgħid Sidi l-Mulej: Ara, jiena nagħmel ħaqq bejn nagħġa u nagħġa, bejn imtaten u bdabad. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 22 (23), 1-2a.2b-3.5-6

R/. (1): Il-Mulej hu r-ragħaj tiegħi, xejn ma jonqosni

Il-Mulej hu r-ragħaj tiegħi,
xejn ma jonqosni;
f’mergħat kollha ħdura jqegħedni. R/.

Ħdejn l-ilma, fejn nistrieħ, jeħodni;
hemm hu jrejjaqni.
Imexxini fit-triq tas-sewwa
minħabba l-isem tiegħu. R/.

Int tħejji mejda għalija
quddiem l-għedewwa tiegħi.
Biż-żejt tidlikli rasi,
u l-kalċi tiegħi tfawwarli. R/.

Miegħi, iva, jimxu t-tjieba u l-ħniena
il-jiem kollha ta’ ħajti.
U ngħammar f’dar il-Mulej
sakemm indum ħaj! R/.

Reading 2                1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-26, 28

Brothers and sisters:    Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all. 

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra lill-Korintin 15, 20-26.28

Ħuti, Kristu kien imqajjem tassew mill-imwiet, l-ewwel frott fost dawk li raqdu. Għaliex, jekk permezz ta’ bniedem feġġet il-mewt, bi bniedem ukoll iseħħ il-qawmien mill-imwiet. Għax bħalma l-bnedmin kollha jmutu f’Adam, hekk ilkoll jiksbu l-ħajja fi Kristu. Imma kulħadd skond kif imissu; jibda l-ewwel frott li hu Kristu; wara, dawk li huma ta’ Kristu, f’jum il-miġja tiegħu. Imbagħad it-tmiem, meta Kristu jerħi s-saltna f’idejn Alla l-Missier, wara li jkun qered kull ħakma u kull setgħa u kull qawwa. Għax jeħtieġ li hu jsaltan sa ma jqiegħed l-għedewwa kollha taħt riġlejh. L-aħħar għadu li jinqered tkun il-Mewt. U meta kollox ikun imqiegħed taħtu, imbagħad l-Iben stess jitqiegħed taħt Dak li jkun qegħedlu kollox taħtu, sabiex Alla jkun kollox f’kollox. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 MATTHEW 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him,  he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of th e world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.' Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.' Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?' He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 25, 31-46

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Meta jiġi Bin il-bniedem fil-glorja tiegħu u bl-anġli kollha miegħu, imbagħad joqgħod fuq it-tron glorjuż tiegħu. U quddiemu jinġabru l-ġnus kollha, u hu jifridhom minn xulxin, bħalma r-ragħaj jifred in-nagħaġ mill-mogħoż: in-nagħaġ iqegħedhom fuq il-lemin tiegħu u l-mogħoż fuq ix-xellug. Imbagħad is-Sultan jgħid lil dawk ta’ fuq il-lemin tiegħu: “Ejjew, imberkin minn Missieri, ħudu b’wirt tagħkom is-Saltna li tħejjiet għalikom sa mill-ħolqien tad-dinja. Għax jien kont bil-ġuħ u tmajtuni, kont bil-għatx u sqejtuni, kont barrani u lqajtuni, kont għeri u libbistuni, kont marid u ġejtu tarawni, kont fil-ħabs u ġejtu żżuruni”. Imbagħad iweġbuh il-ġusti: “Mulej, meta rajniek bil-ġuħ u tmajniek, jew bil-għatx u sqejniek? Meta rajniek barrani u lqajniek, jew għeri u libbisniek? Meta rajniek marid jew fil-ħabs u ġejna nżuruk?”. U s-Sultan iweġibhom u jgħid: “Tassew, ngħidilkom, kull ma għamiltu ma’ wieħed mill-iżgħar fost dawn ħuti, għamiltuh miegħi”. Imbagħad jgħid ukoll lil dawk ta’ fuq ix-xellug: “Morru minn quddiemi, misħutin, fin-nar ta’ dejjem li tħejja għax-xitan u għall-anġli tiegħu. Għax jien kont bil-ġuħ u ma tmajtunix, kont bil-għatx u ma sqejtunix, kont barrani u ma lqajtunix, kont għeri u ma libbistunix, kont marid u fil-ħabs u ma ġejtux iżżuruni!”. Imbagħad huma wkoll iweġbuh: “Mulej, meta rajniek bil-ġuħ, jew bil-għatx, jew barrani, jew għeri, jew marid, jew fil-ħabs, u aħna ma waqafniex miegħek?”. Iweġibhom imbagħad u jgħidilhom: “Tassew, ngħidilkom, dak li ma għamiltux ma’ wieħed min dawk iż-żgħar, anqas miegħi ma għamiltuh”. U dawn imorru fit-tbatija ta’ dejjem u l-ġusti fil-ħajja ta’ dejjem”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej    

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil

HE COMES IN GLORY AND POWER

Introduction: 

This Sunday’s Scripture Readings revolve around the Last Judgment scene of Jesus Christ coming in glory and power. It was Pope Pius XI who brought the Feast of Christ the King into the liturgy in 1925 to bring Christ as Ruler, and Christian values, back into lives of Christians, into society, and into politics. The Feast was a reminder to the totalitarian governments of Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin that Jesus Christ is the only Sovereign King. Although Emperors and Kings now exist mostly in history books, we still honor Christ as the King of the Universe by enthroning Jesus in our hearts, surrendering our lives to God. This feast challenges us to see Christ the King in everyone, especially those whom our society considers the least important, and to treat each person with the same love, mercy, and compassion Jesus showed. (+ a homily starter anecdote)

Scripture lessons, summarized: 

The first reading, taken from the Prophet Ezekiel, introduces God as the Good Shepherd, reminding us of Christ’s claim to be the Good-Shepherd-King, leading, feeding and protecting his sheep. In today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 23), we rejoice in Jesus, who is our Good Shepherd. In the second reading, St. Paul presents Christ as the all-powerful Ruler-King Who raises the dead and to Whom every form of power and authority must eventually give way. 

Sunday’s Gospel describes Christ the King coming in Heavenly glory to judge us, based on how we have shared our love and blessings with others through genuine acts of charity in our lives. Jesus is present to us now, not only as our Good Shepherd leading, feeding, and healing his sheep, but also as dwelling in those for whom we care. In the parable of the separation of the sheep from the goats at the Last Judgment, every person to whom we give ourselves, “whether hungry, thirsty or a stranger, naked, sick or in prison,” is revealed to us as having been the risen Jesus. Our reward or punishment depends on how we have recognized and treated this risen Jesus in the needy.

Life messages: 

1) We need to recognize and appreciate Christ’s presence within us and surrender our lives to Christ’s rule: Since Christ, our King, lives in our hearts with the Holy Spirit and His Heavenly Father and fills our souls with His grace, we need to learn to surrender our lives to Him, to live in His Holy Presence, and to do God’s will by sharing His forgiving love with others around us. Aware of His presence in the Bible, in the Sacraments, and in the worshipping community, we need to listen and talk to Him.

2) We need to learn to be servers: Since Christ was a Servant-King we are invited to be His loyal citizens by rendering humble service to others and by sharing Christ’s mercy and forgiveness with others. 

3) We need to use our authority to support the rule of Jesus. This feast is an invitation to all those who have power or authority in the public or the private realms to use it for Jesus by bearing witness to Him in the way we live. Parents are expected to use their God-given authority to train their children in Christian ideals and in the ways of committed Christian living. 

4)  We need to accept Jesus Christ as the King of love. Jesus. who came to proclaim to all of us the Good News of God’s love and salvation, gave us His new commandment of love: “Love one another as I have loved you,” (Jn 13:34), and demonstrated that love by dying for us sinners. We accept Jesus as our King of love when we love others as Jesus already loves us — unconditionally, sacrificially, and with agape love.iven us, is to put it to work and make it bear fruit.

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USING OUR TALENTS AS GOD WANTS

Readings for Sunday, November 19, 2023

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 157

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

Reading 1                 PROVERBS 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize. She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She obtains wool and flax and works with loving hands. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle. She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her a reward for her labours, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

Qari 1                 Għeluq tal-Ktieb tal-Proverbi 31, 10-13.19-20.30-31

Mara ta’ ħila min isibha?Tiswa ħafna aktar mill-ġawhar. Fuqha tistrieħ qalb żewġha, u dan żgur ikunlu ta’ ġid. Riżq tajjeb iġġiblu, u mhux ħażin, il-jiem kollha ta’ ħajjitha. Tfittex suf u ħjut tal-qoton, u taħdmu bil-qalb b’idejha. Tmidd idejha għall-magħżel, jaqbdu d-dussies idejha. Tiftaħ mal-fqir idejha, tmidd idejha lejn l-imsejken. Qarrieqa l-ħlewwa tal-mara, fiergħa sbuħitha; mara li tibża’ mill-Mulej ta’ min ifaħħarha. Agħtuha mill-frott ta’ xogħol idejha. Ħa jfaħħruha f’bibien il-belt l-għemejjel tagħha. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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

R. (cf. 1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

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

SALM RESPONSORJALI               Salm 127 (128), 1-2.3.4-5

R/. (1a): Hieni kull min jibża’ mill-Mulej

Hieni kull min jibża’ mill-Mulej,
kull min jimxi fit-triqat tiegħu!
Mix-xogħol ta’ idejk inti tiekol;
hieni int, u riżqek tajjeb! R

/.

Martek tkun bħal dielja għammiela
fl-irkejjen ta’ darek;
uliedek bħal xitel taż-żebbuġ
madwar il-mejda tiegħek. R/.

Ara, kif ikun imbierek il-bniedem
li jibża’ mill-Mulej!
Ibierkek il-Mulej minn Sijon!
Jalla tara l-ġid ta’ Ġerusalemm
tul ħajtek kollha!
Jalla tara wlied uliedek! R/.

Reading 2                1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-6

Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. When people are Saying, "Peace and security, " then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labour pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober. 

QARI 2                mill-Ewwel Ittra lit-Tessalonkin 5, 1-6

Dwar il-ħin u ż-żmien, ħuti, ma għandix bżonn niktbilkom. Intom tafu sewwa li Jum il-Mulej jiġi għal għarrieda bħal ħalliel bil-lejl. Meta kulħadd jibda jgħid: “Sliem u mistrieħ”, dak il-ħin stess, bħal-luġigħ fuq mara li tkun waslet għall-ħlas, tiġi fuqhom għal għarrieda l-qerda u ma jeħilsu b’xejn. Ħuti, intom m’intomx fid-dlam biex Jum il-Mulej jeħodkom għal għarrieda bħal ħalliel. Intom ilkoll ulied id-dawl u wlied il-jum; aħna m’aħniex ulied il-lejl, anqas ulied id-dlam. Għalhekk ma għandniex norqdu bħall-oħrajn, iżda nishru u ngħixu bil-qjies. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                MATTHEW 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one-- to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money. "After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, 'Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.' His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 25, 14-30

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu din il-parabbola: “Wieħed li kien se jsiefer, sejjaħ lill-qaddejja tiegħu u ħallielhom ġidu f’idejhom. Lil wieħed tah ħames talenti, lil ieħor tnejn, u lil ieħor wieħed, kull wieħed skond il-ħila tiegħu. U siefer. Dak li kien ħa l-ħames talenti mar minnufih iħaddimhom u qala’ ħamsa oħra. Hekk ukoll dak li kien ħa tnejn qala’ tnejn oħra. Iżda dak li ħa wieħed mar ħaffer fl-art u ħeba flus sidu. Wara ħafna, sid dawk il-qaddejja raġa’ lura u beda jagħmel il-kontijiet magħhom. Resaq quddiemu dak li kien ħa ħames talenti u ġieblu ħames talenti oħra. “Sinjur – qallu – ħames talenti ħallejtli f’idejja; hawn, ara, qlajt ħamsa oħra”. Qallu s-sinjur: “Sewwa, qaddej tajjeb u fidil; int kont fidil fil-ftit, u jien se nafdak fuq ħafna; idħol fl-hena ta’ sidek”. Resaq ukoll dak li kien ħa żewġ talenti, u qallu: “Sinjur, żewġ talenti ħallejtli f’idejja; hawn, ara, qlajt tnejn oħra”. Qallu s-sinjur: “Sewwa, qaddej tajjeb u fidil; int kont fidil fil-ftit, u jien se nafdak fuq ħafna; idħol fl-hena ta’ sidek”. Iżda resaq ukoll dak li kien ħa talent wieħed, u qal: “Sinjur, lilek nafek bħala raġel aħrax, taħsad fejn ma żrajtx u tiġbor fejn ma xerridtx. Bżajt, u mort ħbejt it-talent tiegħek fl-art: hawn, ara, għandek dak li hu tiegħek”. Qabeż is-sinjur u qallu: “Qaddej ħażin u għażżien, kont taf li jien naħsad fejn ma żrajtx u niġbor fejn ma xerridtx. Mela kien imissek mort qegħedt flusi l-bank biex, meta niġi, kont immur niġborhom bl-imgħax. Ħudulu mela t-talent u agħtuh lil dak li għandu l-għaxar talenti. Għax kull min għandu, jingħatalu, u jkollu żżejjed ukoll; iżda min ma għandux, jitteħidlu saħansitra dak li għandu. U lil dan il-qaddej bla fejda itfgħuh ’il barra fid-dlam; hemmhekk ikun hemm il-biki u t-tgħażżiż tas-snien””. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                          

ARE WE FAITHFUL SERVANTS OF GOD?

Introduction: 

This penultimate Sunday of the liturgical year reminds us not only of the end of the liturgical year but also of the end of all things and of the preparations we need to make to reach Heaven. The main theme of the three readings is an invitation to live in such a way that we make the best use of the talents God has given us, so that at the hour of our death Our Lord will say: “Well done, my good and faithful servant!… Come and share the joy of your master” Mt 25: 21).

The Scripture lessons: 

The first reading suggests that we should be as diligent and industrious as a loyal and faithful wife, in the use of our God-given gifts and talents with “the fear of the Lord.” Unlike the one-talent man, she takes her gifts and “brings forth good, not evil”; she “reaches her hands to the poor and extends her arms to the needy.” 

In Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm, Ps 128, the Psalmist echoes the concept of the blessedness of the faithful servant of the Lord. The Psalm affirms that the fear of the Lord is the key to human happiness and success. In the second reading, Paul advises us to keep awake and be sober, encouraging and building each other up as we wait for the “Day of the Lord.” He challenges the Thessalonians to turn fear of the Lord into positive, constructive and life-affirming action. 

Sunday’s Gospel challenges us to ask the questions: Are we using our talents and gifts primarily to serve God? Are we doing everything we can to carry out God’s will? The parable of the talents challenges us to do something positive, constructive and life-affirming with our talents here and now.

Life messages: 

1) We need to trust God enough to make use of the gifts and abilities we have been given. We may be especially talented in teaching children or cooking meals or repairing homes or programming computers. So, we should ask ourselves how we are using our particular gifts in the service of our Christian community and the wider society.

2) We need to make use of our talents in our parish. In addition to our homes and families, the best place to do this is in our parish. This means that we should be always willing to share our abilities in creative worship in the Church and in various ministries of our parish, such as Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, lector, usher, Sunday school teacher, singer in the choir, volunteer, and member of one or more parish organizations and community outreach programs.

3) We need to “trade” with our talent of Christian Faith: All of us in the Church today have received at least one talent namely, the gift of Faith. Our responsibility is not just to preserve and “keep” the Faith, but to work with it. We need to promote and add value to Faith by living it out. The way to preserve the Faith, or any other talent that God has given us, is to put it to work and make it bear fruit.

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GETTING READY FOR WHAT'S COMING!

Readings for Sunday, November 12, 2023

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 154

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

Reading 1                WISDOM 6:12-16

Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire; Whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate. For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence, and whoever for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care; because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude.

QARI 1                  Qari mill-Ktieb tal-Għerf  6, 12-16

L-għerf jiddi, bla qatt ma jnemnem, malajr jagħrfuh dawk li jħobbuh,  u jsibuh dawk li jfittxuh. Hu jħabrek biex jidher lil dawk li jixtiquh. Min ibakkar ifittxu, ma jitħabatx, għax ħdejn biebu bilqiegħda jsibu. L-aqwa tal-għaqal hu li taħseb fl-għerf,u min jishar għalih malajr jeħles mill-inkwiet. L-għerf idur u jfittex lil dawk li jixirqulu, kollu ħlewwa jidhrilhom fit-triq, u jiltaqa’ magħhom f’kull ħsieb tagħhom. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
For your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

I will remember you upon my couch,

and through the night-watches I will meditate on you:
You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 62 (63), 2.3-4.5-6.7-8

R/. (2b): Mulej, Alla tiegħi, ruħi bil-għatx għalik

Alla, Alla tiegħi int; lilek ħerqan infittex.
Ruħi bil-għatx għalik,
għalik imxennaq jiena,
bħal art niexfa, maħruqa, bla ilma. R/.

Għalhekk ġejt narak fit-tempju mqaddes tiegħek,
biex nitgħaxxaq bis-setgħa u l-glorja tiegħek.
Għax it-tjieba tiegħek aħjar mill-ħajja,
xufftejja jxandru t-tifħir tiegħek. R/.

Għalhekk inbierkek tul ħajti kollha;
ngħolli idejja u nsejjaħ ismek.
Bħal b’ikel mill-aħjar li jsemmen nimtela,
u jgħannilek fommi b’xufftejn ferrieħa. R/

.
Meta, mimdud fuq friexi, fik niftakar,
u naħseb fuqek fis-sahriet tal-lejl.
Għax inti kont għajnuna għalija,
għad-dell ta’ ġwenħajk ngħanni bil-ferħ. R/.

Reading 2                 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,  so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.

QARI 2                 mill-Ewwel Ittra lit-Tessalonkin 4, 13-14

Ma rridux li ma tkunux tafu, ħuti, fuq il-mejtin biex ma ssewdux qalbkom bħall-oħrajn li ma għandhomx tama. Jekk aħna nemmnu li Ġesù miet u qam mill-imwiet, hekk ukoll Alla jiġbor miegħu lil dawk li raqdu f’Ġesù. Dan ngħidulkom fuq il-kelma t l-Mulej, jiġifieri li aħna li nkunu għadna hawn ħajjin għall-miġja tal-Mulej, ma mmorrux qabel dawk li jkunu raqdu. Għaliex il-Mulej innifsu mal-kmand, mal-leħen ta’ l-arkanġlu u t-tromba ta’ Alla, jinżel mis-sema, u dawk li jkunu mietu fi Kristu jqumu l-ewwel. Imbagħad aħna li nkunu ħajjin, li nkunu għadna hawn, ninħatfu magħhom fis-sħab biex niltaqgħu mal-Mulej fl-ajru. Hekk inkunu dejjem mal-Mulej. Agħmlu l-qalb lil xulxin b’dan il-kliem. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                 MATTHEW 25:1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'But the wise ones replied, 'No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.' While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.' Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." 

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 25, 1-13

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu din il-parabbola: “Is-Saltna tas-Smewwiet ixebbhuha ma’ għaxar xebbiet li ħarġu bl-imsiebaħ tagħhom biex jilqgħu l-għarus. Ħamsa minnhom kienu boloh u ħamsa għaqlin, il-boloh ħadu l-imsiebaħ imma ma ħadux żejt magħhom, waqt li l-għaqlin ħadu mhux biss l-imsiebaħ iżda wkoll iż-żejt fil-kwies. L-għarus iddawwar ma ġie, u għalhekk ilkoll ħadhom in-ngħas u raqdu. Imbagħad f’nofs ta’ lejl instama’ min jgħajjat: “Ara l-għarus! Oħorġu ilqgħuh!”. Dawk ix-xebbiet qamu lkoll u ħejjew l-imsiebaħ tagħhom. Iżda l-boloh qalu lill-għaqlin: “Agħtuna ftit żejt minn tagħkom, għax l-imsiebaħ tagħna jintfew”. Qabżu l-għaqlin u qalu: “Għandu mnejn ma jibqax biżżejjed, la għalina u lanqas għalikom! L-aħjar morru għand tal-ħanut u ixtru għalikom”. Xħin dawk marru biex jixtru jiġi l-għarus; dawk li kienu lesti daħlu miegħu għall-festa tat-tieġ, u l-bieb ingħalaq. Saflaħħar waslu wkoll ix-xebbiet l-oħra, u bdew jgħidu: “Sinjur, Sinjur, iftħilna!”. Iżda hu weġibhom u qal: “Tassew, ngħidilkom, lilkom ma nafkomx”. Ishru, mela, għaliex la tafu l-jum u lanqas is-siegħa”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                                   

WHAT'S YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE?

Introduction: 

This Sunday’s readings bring the usual warnings about preparation for the end of our own world, the end of our own time, and our passage to another world. They tell us that a searching, watching, and growing heart is essential for a lively, dynamic Faith in God. They ask us whether we are ready for these events and how we are preparing for them. 

Scripture lessons summarized: 

Because Jesus’ parable in today’s Gospel has five well-prepared wise women, the first reading chosen for today is one which personifies wisdom as a woman. The author advises Jews in Alexandria not to envy the wisdom of the pagan philosophers, because they themselves have true wisdom in their Sacred Scripture, a wisdom which regulates not only this life but the next also. Hence, they must live their lives in strict conformity with the Divine wisdom given them so generously by God. 

In the second reading, Paul offers Christian wisdom, assuring those Christians who expected Jesus’ second coming in their lifetime that the death and Resurrection of Jesus is powerful enough to save even those who die before Jesus’ second coming. But they need to be alert, well-prepared, and vigilant. In the Gospel parable of the ten virgins, the foolish virgins represent the “Chosen People of God” who were waiting for the Messiah but were shut out from the messianic banquet because they were unprepared. The parable teaches us that, like the five wise virgins, we should attend to duties of the present moment, preparing now, rather than waiting until it is too late.

Life messages: 

1) We need to be wise enough to remain ever prepared: Wise Christians find Jesus in the most ordinary experiences of daily living — in the people they meet, the events that take place, and the situations in which they find themselves — and they carefully make their daily choices for God. They are ready to put the commandment of love into practice by showing kindness, mercy and forgiveness. 

2) Let us be sure that our Lamps are ready for the end of our lives: Spiritual readiness, preparation, and growth are the result of intentional habits built into one’s life. We cannot depend on a Sunday Mass or morning service to provide all our spiritual needs. We cannot depend on Christian fellowship to provide us with spiritual development. The meeting of spiritual needs and spiritual development itself come through routine, mundane attention to ordinary spiritual disciplines — making sure we have enough oil or spiritual fuel: oil of compassion and mercy, oil of patience, sympathy, and forgiveness. We open ourselves to receive these graces by taking time for prayer, and being alone with God; by reading God’s Word; by living a sacramental life; by offering acts of service to others; by moral faithfulness, by loving obedience, and by spending time with other Christians for mutual prayer, study, and encouragement. When we receive the graces we need, we thank God for His generous love. As taking these ways becomes habitual, they cease to be a struggle and begin to be a source of strength and blessing. They make our lives powerful against the onslaught of the world. 

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A STRONG CHALLENGE - Living Out Our Faith

Readings for Sunday, November 5, 2023

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 151

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

Reading 1                Malachi  1:14b-2:2b, 8-10

A great King am I, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. And now, O priests, this commandment is for you: If you do not listen, if you do not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the LORD of hosts, I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse. You have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction; you have made void the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts. I, therefore, have made you contemptible and base before all the people, since you do not keep my ways, but show partiality in your decisions. Have we not all the one father? Has not the one God created us? Why then do we break faith with one another, violating the covenant of our fathers?

QARI 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Malakija 1, 14b – 2, 2b.8-10

Jien Sultan kbir – jgħid il-Mulej tal-eżerċti – u ismi ta’ min jibża’ minnu fost il-ġnus. U issa għalikom, qassisin, huwa dan il-kmandament: Jekk intom ma tisimgħux u jekk ma tfittxux minn qalbkom li ssebbħu lil ismi, jgħid il-Mulej tal-eżerċti, jiena nibgħat fuqkom is-saħta, u nisħet il-barkiet tagħkom. Intom twarrabtu mit-triq, ġagħaltu ’l ħafna jitfixklu bit-tagħlim tagħkom; ħassartu l-patt ta’ Levi, jgħid il-Mulej tal-eżerċti. Għalhekk jien ukoll tlaqtkom għaż-żebliħ  u għat-tmaqdir tal-poplu kollu, bħalma intom ma żammejtux triqati, u ħaristu lejn l-uċuħ fit-tagħlim tagħkom. Mhux Missier wieħed għandna lkoll kemm aħna? Mhux Alla wieħed ħalaqna? Mela għaliex nimxu bil-qerq bejnietna u nonqsu mill-ġieħ lejn il-patt ta’ missirijietna? Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 131:1, 2, 3

O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother's lap,
so is my soul within me.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 130 (131), 1.2.3

R/. Mulej, ħarisli ruħi fis-sliem

Mulej, ma tkabbritx qalbi,
anqas ma ntrefgħu għajnejja;
jien ma ġrejtx wara ħwejjeġ kbar,
jew wara ħwejjeġ ogħla minni. R/.

Imma żammejt ruħi fis-skiet u l-mistrieħ,
bħal tarbija f’ħoġor ommha;
bħal tarbija miftuma,
hekk hi ruħi ġewwa fija. R/.

Ittama, Iżrael, fil-Mulej,
minn issa u għal dejjem! R/.

Reading 2                1 THESSALONIANS 2:7b-9, 13

Brothers and sisters: We were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us. You recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery. Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.  And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra lit-Tessalonkin 2, 7b-9.13

Ħuti, aħna ġibna ruħna magħkom bil-ħlewwa, bħalma omm tradda’ tħaddan lil uliedha. Aħna għożżejniekom hekk li ridna naqsmu magħkom mhux biss l-Evanġelju ta’ Alla imma wkoll ħajjitna stess, daqskemm ħabbejniekom. Intom, ħuti, tiftakru fit-taħbit u t-tbatija kbira tagħna. Sakemm konna qegħdin inxandrulkom l-Evanġelju ta’ Alla, aħna ħdimna bil-lejl u binhar, biex lil ħadd minnkom ma ngħabbu. Aħna niżżu ħajr bla heda lil Alla talli l-kelma ta’ Alla, li intom smajtu mingħandna, iltqajtuha mhux bħala kelma ta’ bniedem, iżda bħala kelma ta’ Alla, kif tassew hi, dik il-kelma li qiegħda taħdem fikom li emmintu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                 MATTHEW 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honour at banquets, seats of honour in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari mill-Evanġelju skond San Mattew 23, 1-12

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù kellem lin-nies u lid-dixxipli tiegħu, u qalilhom: “Fuq il-katedra ta’ Mosè qagħdu l-kittieba u l-Fariżej. Mela kull ma jgħidulkom huma agħmluh u ħarsuh, iżda tagħmlux kif jagħmlu huma, għax huma kliem biss għandhom, imma fatti xejn. Huma jorbtu qatet kbar u tqal u jgħabbuhom fuq spallejn ħaddieħor, waqt li huma stess anqas b’sebagħhom wieħed ma jridu jħarrkuhom. Kull ma jagħmlu, jagħmluh għal għajnejn in-nies; għalhekk ikabbru l-filatteri u jtawlu l-ġmiemen tagħhom. Iħobbu l-postijiet ewlenin fl-imwejjed, u s-siġġijiet ta’ quddiem fis-sinagogi, u jixtiequ min isellmilhom fil-pjazez u li n-nies isejħulhom “rabbi”. Imma intom tħallux min isejħilkom “rabbi”, għax l-Imgħallem tagħkom wieħed hu, u intom ilkoll aħwa. U ssejħu lil ħadd “missier” fuq din l-art, għax il-Missier tagħkom wieħed hu, dak li hu fis-smewiet. Hekk ukoll tħallux min issejħilkom “mexxejja”, għax il-Mexxej tagħkom wieħed hu, il-Messija. Il-kbir fostkom għandu jkun il-qaddej tagħkom; min jitgħolla, jitbaxxa, u min jitbaxxa, jitgħolla”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                              

A WARNING AGAINST HYPOCRICY AND 

STATUS-SEEKING

Introduction: 

The central theme of Sunday’s readings is a strong invitation and challenge to render humble, selfless, diligent, committed, loving service to others in the community without expecting honour or rewards in return. Today’s Gospel is a warning against hypocrisy and status-seeking, given to the early Church and to our own Church communities.

Scripture lessons: 

In the first reading, the prophet Malachi condemns the irresponsible, proud, lazy priests of his day. In the second reading, St. Paul presents himself as an ideal example of servant leadership in a serving Christian community. In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus offers a word of judgment against contemporary religious leaders who are more concerned about self-promotion than service to others. 

Christ-like leadership calls for integrity and honesty from all those in authority, whether priests, parents, teachers or politicians. There should be in leaders no double standards. Rather, there should grow a deep sense of equality with, and mutual respect between, leaders and those they rule. Each should seek to serve the other. Service, not status, is the mark of this new community, and true humility is the only position its members should seek.

Life messages: 

1) We need to become servant leaders in a serving community: The Church is a servant community in which the hungry are to be filled; the ignorant are to be taught; the homeless to receive shelter; the sick to be cared for; the distressed, consoled; and the oppressed, set free so that they may more fully realize their human potential and more readily enjoy life with God. Hence, the leaders should have a spirit of humble service in thought, word and deed. “The measure of a true Christian is not how many servants he has, but how many people he serves.” 

2) We need to live the Faith we profess. Religious people are all too often like the Pharisees and scribes, laying heavy loads on other people’s shoulders without lifting a finger to help them. Instead of judging the poor, we should be serving them through our efforts for economic justice. Instead of criticizing those of other races, we should be serving them through our efforts for racial justice. Instead of ignoring the homeless, we should be serving them through efforts to supply them with adequate housing. We need to live the Faith we profess. Our Faith tells us that we are all brothers and sisters, children of the same Heavenly Father. The only way for us to practice our Faith is to build a human community of love and justice. 

3) We need to learn the art of self-examination, and accept the responsibilities which go with our titles. Instead of criticizing others for their failures, let us ask whether we are different from them in discharging our duties in the family and in the parish community. Let us remember that our titles should remind us of our specific responsibilities in society and our obligation to discharge them faithfully. (L/23)

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THE NUMBER ONE IN LIFE

Readings for Sunday, October 29th, 2023

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 148

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

Reading 1                EXODUS 22:20-26

Thus says the LORD: "You shall not molest or oppress an alien,for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt. You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry. My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword; then your own wives will be widows, and your children orphans. "If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people, you shall not act like an extortioner toward him by demanding interest from him. If you take your neighbour's cloak as a pledge, you shall return it to him before sunset; for this cloak of his is the only covering he has for his body. What else has he to sleep in? If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate."

QARI 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Eżodu 22, 20-26

Dan jgħid il-Mulej: “La taħqarx il-barrani, u la tgħakksux, għax intom ukoll kontu barranin fl-art tal-Eġittu. La taħqrux l-armla jew l-iltim, għax jekk taħqruhom, u huma jsejħuli, jien żgur nismagħha l-għajta tagħhom; u l-qilla tiegħi tixgħel, neqridkom bix-xabla; u n-nisa tagħkom jormlu u wliedkom jisfaw iltiema. Jekk inti tislef lil xi fqir mill-poplu tiegħi, iġġibx ruħek miegħu bħal wieħed sellief, u teħodlux imgħax.  Jekk lil għajrek teħodlu l-libsa tiegħu b’rahan, agħtihielu lura qabel inżul ix-xemx; għax hu dik biss għandu biex jitgħatta, dik biss l-għata ta’ ġismu; inkella fiex tridu jorqod? Għax jekk isejjaħli, jiena nisimgħu, għax jien ħanin”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51

I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength. 

The LORD lives and blessed be my rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 17 (18), 2-3a.3bc-4.47.51ab

R/. (2): Inħobbok, Mulej, qawwa tiegħi

Inħobbok, Mulej, qawwa tiegħi!
Il-Mulej blata tiegħi,
fortizza u ħellies tiegħi. R/.

Alla tiegħi, sur tal-kenn tiegħi u tarka tiegħi,
qawwa tas-salvazzjoni tiegħi u kenn tiegħi!
Insejjaħ lill-Mulej, li hu ta’ min ifaħħru,
u nkun meħlus mill-għedewwa tiegħi. R/.

Ħaj il-Mulej! Imbierek hu, il-blata tiegħi!
Ikun imfaħħar Alla tas-salvazzjoni tiegħi!
Hu jkabbar ir-rebħ lis-sultan tiegħu,
juri mħabbtu mal-midluk tiegħu. R/.

Reading 2                 1 THESSALONIANS 1:5c-10

Brothers and sisters: You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit, so that you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves openly declare about us what sort of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to await his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra lit-Tessalonkin 1, 5c-10

Ħuti, intom tafu kif ġibna ruħna meta konna fostkom għall-ġid tagħkom. Intom sirtu tixbhu lilna u l-Mulej, billi lqajtu l-kelma fost ħafna taħbit bil-ferħ tal-Ispirtu s-Santu. Hekk intom sirtu mudell għal dawk kollha li emmnu fil-Maċedonja u l-Akaja. Mhux biss il-kelma tal-Mulej ħarġet minn għandkom u xterdet fil-Maċedonja u l-Akaja, imma l-fidi li għandkom f’Alla xterdet ma’ kullimkien b’mod li aħna ma għandna għalfejn ngħidu xejn. Huma stess jgħidu x’laqgħa kellna għandkom, u kif dortu lejn Alla u tlaqtu l-idoli biex taqdu lil Alla ħaj u veru u tistennew ġej mis-sema lil Ibnu, li hu qajjem mill-imwiet, Ġesù li ħelisna mill-korla li ġejja.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                 MATTHEW 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law tested him by asking, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skond San Mattew 22, 34-40

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Fariżej, meta semgħu kif lis-Sadduċej kien saddilhom ħalqhom, inġabru madwaru, u wieħed minnhom, għaref fil-Liġi, għamillu din il-mistoqsija biex iġarrbu: “Mgħallem, liema hu l-kmandament il-kbir, fil-Liġi?”. Qallu Ġesù: ““Ħobb lill-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, b’qalbek kollha, b’ruħek kollha, u b’moħħok kollu”. Dan hu l-kmandament il-kbir u l-ewwel wieħed. U t-tieni jixbhu: “Ħobb lil għajrek bħalek innifsek”. Dawn iż-żewġ kmandamenti huma l-qofol tal-Liġi kollha u tal-Profeti”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                                   

NOT A MATTER OF FEELINGS BUT OF DEEDS

Introduction: 

The central theme of Sunday’s Readings is the greatest commandment in the Bible, namely, to respond to God’s love for us by loving Him, and then to express that love in action by loving Him living in our neighbor. Our love for God is tested and put into practice by the way we love our neighbour. 

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The First Reading, taken from Exodus, explains the second greatest commandment, namely, loving one’s neighbours as one loves oneself, especially the underprivileged. The chosen people of Israel should remember that once they were aliens in the land of Egypt. Just as God protected them and treated them kindly, so they are to protect others and treat them with kindness. Thus, they should become a humane society rooted in the basic religious concept of loving God living in their neighbour. In the second reading, St. Paul congratulates the Thessalonians on the positive effects of their example of loving one another as Jesus had commanded them to do. Their mutual love and their loving reception of Paul and response to his preaching, he tells them, has bolstered the Faith of Christians elsewhere who have heard about them.

In the Gospel today, Jesus combines the commandment to love God with the commandment to love one’s neighbour and gives the result as the one Commandment of supreme importance in Christian life. Jesus underlines the principle that we are to love our neighbour as we love ourselves because, as God’s children, both of us bear God’s image, and to honour God’s image is to honour Him. Love for our neighbour should not be a matter of feelings, but of deeds by which we share with others the unmerited love that God lavishes on us.

Life messages: 

1) We need to love God: 

Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, in response to His total love for us, means that we should place God’s will ahead of ours, seek the Lord’s will in all things, and make it paramount in our lives. There are several means by which we can express our love for God and our gratitude to Him for His blessings, acknowledging our total dependence on Him. We need to keep God’s Commandments, and offer daily prayers of thanksgiving, praise and petition. We also need to read and meditate on His word in the Bible and accept His invitation to join Him in the Mass and other liturgical functions. 

2) We need to love our neighbour: God’s will is that we should love everyone, seeing Him in each of them. Since every human being is the child of God and the dwelling place of the Spirit of God, we are giving expression to our love of God by loving our neighbour as Jesus loves him or her. This means we need to help, support, encourage, forgive, and pray for everyone without discrimination based on colour, race, religion, gender, age, wealth, or social status. Forgiveness, too, is vital. 

We love others by refusing to hold a grudge for a wrong done to us. Even a rebuke can be given as an act of love, if it is done with the right heart. We also express love through encouragement and by helping others to grow. We express agápe love in meeting the needs of others by using the talents and blessings that God has given us to comfort each other, to teach each other and to share the Gospel with each other, in deeds and in words. (L/23)

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A QUESTION OF PRIORITIES

Readings for Sunday, October 22nd, 2023

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time   Lectionary: 145

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

Reading 1                ISAIAH 45:1, 4-6

Thus says the LORD to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I grasp, subduing nations before him, and making kings run in his service, opening doors before him and leaving the gates unbarred: For the sake of Jacob, my servant, of Israel, my chosen one, I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not. I am the LORD and there is no other, there is no God besides me. It is I who arm you, though you know me not, so that toward the rising and the setting of the sun people may know that there is none besides me. I am the LORD, there is no other.

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 45, 1. 4-6

Dan jgħid il-Mulej dwar il-midluk tiegħu, dwar Ċiru: “Lilu qbadt minn idu l-leminija biex inrażżan il-ġnus quddiemu u nħoll il-ħżiem ta’ ġenbejn is-slaten; niftaħ il-bibien quddiemu u ebda bieb ma jibqa’ magħluq.Minħabba Ġakobb, il-qaddej tiegħi, u Iżrael, il-maħtur tiegħi, jien sejjaħtlek b’ismek. Tajtek isem ta’ ġieħ għad li lanqas tafni. Jien il-Mulej, m’hemmx ieħor ħliefi, m’hemmx Alla ieħor għajri. Jien ħażżimtek għad li lanqas tafni, biex mnejn titla’ x-xemx safejn tinżel, il-bnedmin jagħrfu li m‘hemm ħadd ħliefi. Jiena l-Mulej, m’hemmx ieħor ħliefi. “  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10

Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Give the Lord glory and honour.

For great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
awesome is he, beyond all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,
but the LORD made the heavens.
R. Give the Lord glory and honour.

Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
Bring gifts, and enter his courts.
R. Give the Lord glory and honour.

Worship the LORD, in holy attire;
tremble before him, all the earth;
say among the nations: The LORD is king,
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Give the Lord glory and honour.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 95 (96), 1.3.4-5.7-8.9-10a.c

R/. (7b): Agħtu lill-Mulej sebħ u qawwa

Għannu lill-Mulej għanja ġdida;
għannu lill-Mulej fl-art kollha!
Xandru fost il-ġnus is-sebħ tiegħu,
fost il-popli kollha l-għeġubijiet tiegħu. R/.

Għax kbir il-Mulej, ta’ min ifaħħru ħafna,
tal-biża’ aktar mill-allat kollha.
Għax kollha frugħa l-allat tal-popli;
Jaħweh hu li għamel is-smewwiet! R/.

Agħtu lill-Mulej, familji tal-popli,
agħtu lill-Mulej sebħ u qawwa;
agħtu lill-Mulej is-sebħ ta’ ismu!
Ġibulu l-offerti, u idħlu fil-btieħi tat-tempju tiegħu. R/.

Inxteħtu quddiem il-Mulej b’tiżjin qaddis,
triegħdu quddiemu, nies kollha tal-art!
Għidu fost il-ġnus: “Il-Mulej isaltan!”.
Hu li jiġġudika l-popli bis-sewwa. R/.

Reading 2                1 THESSALONIANS 1:1-5b

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen. For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.

QARI 2                Bidu tal-Ewwel Ittra lit-Tessalonkin 1, 1-5b

Pawlu u Silvanu u Timotju lill-knisja ta’ Tessalonika f’Alla l-Missier u l-Mulej Ġesù Kristu: grazzja lilkom u sliem. Aħna kull ħin niżżu ħajr lil Alla minħabba fikom ilkoll, u niftakru fikom dejjem meta nitolbu. Niftakru fil-ħidma li hi ġejja mill-fidi tagħkom u fit-taħbit li ħiereġ minn imħabbitkom; niftakru fil-qawwa tat-tama tagħkom f’Sidna Ġesù Kristu quddiem Alla Missierna. Aħna nafu, ħuti, li Alla jħobbkom u għażilkom. Għax l-Evanġelju tagħna lilkom ma kienx biss bil-kliem, imma wkoll bil-qawwa, bl-Ispirtu s-Santu u b’persważjoni sħiħa. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                MATTHEW 22:15-21

The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's." At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 22, 15-21

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Fariżej marru u bdew jiftiehmu bejniethom biex jaraw kif jonsbuh b’xi kelma. U bagħtulu d-dixxipli tagħhom ma’ xi Erodjani u qalulu: “Mgħallem, aħna nafu li int raġel tħobb is-sewwa, u li t-triq ta’ Alla tgħallimha kif tassew hi, bla ma tħabbel rasek minn ħadd, għax int lejn wiċċ ħadd ma tħares. Għidilna ħaġa, mela: Int x’jidhirlek? Sewwa jew le li wieħed iħallas it-taxxa lil Ċesari?”.  Imma Ġesù għaraf il-ħażen ta’ moħħhom, u qalilhom: “Għaliex tridu ġġarrbuni, ja wċuħ b’oħra? Uruni l-munita tax-taxxa”. Urewh dinar, u Ġesù staqsiehom: “Ta’ min huma dan il-wiċċ u din il-kitba?”. Qalulu: “Ta’ Ċesari!”. Imbagħad qalilhom: “Mela agħtu lil Ċesari dak li hu ta’ Ċesari, u lil Alla dak li hu ta’ Alla”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil   

OUR OBLIGATIONS TO GOD AND COUNTRY

Introduction: 

The common theme of Sunday’s readings is the nature of our obligations to God and to our country. The readings show us how, with God’s help, we can be ideal citizens of both earth and Heaven.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the first reading, Isaiah the prophet foretells how, without of the great Persian Emperor Cyrus’ intention, his policies would be made part of God’s saving plan for His chosen people. Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 96) reminds us that when people put God’s Kingdom first, everyone benefits. In the second reading, Paul praises his converts in Thessalonica for their fidelity to God and to Christ His Son, “our Lord Jesus Christ,” and for their practice, with the help of the Holy Spirit, of the Theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. 

In the Gospel, Jesus escapes from the trap in the question, “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” by instructing those who questioned him, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” With this answer, Jesus reminds his questioners that, if they are so concerned and careful about paying taxes to the state, they should be much more concerned and careful about their service to God and their obligations to Him as their Creator and Lord. We fulfill our duties to our country by loyally obeying the just laws of the State and working for the welfare of all citizens. We become good Heavenly citizens by obeying God’s laws.

Life messages: 

1) We need to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”: How? It is the duty of Christians, as citizens of the country, to pay for the services and the privileges that government provides, like paved roads, police and fire departments, banks, schools, and other necessities. If we refuse to pay taxes, how will these needs be met? Another way of “giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s” is to participate actively in the running of the government, electing the most suitable candidates and influencing them through frequent contacts. Third, we must submit to the civil authorities and respect the just laws of our country in order to live in peace. As loyal citizens, we must also see to it that our elected representatives are faithful in maintaining law and order in the country and in promoting the welfare of all its citizens without violating God’s laws.

2) We need to “give to God what is God’s.” How? Since everything is God’s, we must give ourselves to Him 100%, not just 10% on Sundays. We should be generous in fulfilling our Sunday obligations, and we should find time every day for prayer and worship in the family, for the reading of the Bible and the proper training of our children in Faith and morals. We are invited each year to make a stewardship pledge of our financial offering to the local Church for the coming year. Our contribution to the parish Church should be an expression of our gratitude to God, giving back to God all that He has given us. Active participation in the various ministries of the parish is an offering to God of our time and talents, yet another way of giving to God His due, our whole self.

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GOD'S INVITATION THAT LASTS FOREVER

Readings for Sunday, October 15, 2023

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 142

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

Reading 1                ISAIAH 25:6-10a

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said: "Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!" For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

QARI 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 25, 6-10a

Jagħmel il-Mulej tal-eżerċti għall-popli kollha fuq din il-muntanja, mejda b’ikel fin, mejda bi nbejjed ħelwa, b’laħam imsemmen bil-mudullun, u nbejjed fini. U jċarrat minn fuq din il-muntanja il-velu li kien jgħatti wiċċ il-popli kollha, għata li kien jaħbi kollha kemm huma l-ġnus. Jeqred il-mewt għal dejjem, jixxotta Sidi l-Mulej id-dmugħ minn fuq kull wiċċ, u jħassar l-għajb tal-poplu tiegħu minn wiċċ l-art kollha: għax il-Mulej tkellem. U dakinhar jgħidu: “Dan hu Alla tagħna: fih ittamajna li jsalvana; dan hu l-Mulej li fih ittamajna: nifirħu u nithennew bis-salvazzjoni tiegħu. Għax id il-Mulej tinżel fuq din il-muntanja”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 22 (23), 1-3a.3b-4.5-6

R/. (6cd) Ngħammar f’dar il-Mulej sakemm indum ħaj!

Il-Mulej hu r-ragħaj tiegħi,
xejn ma jonqosni;
f’mergħat kollha ħdura jqegħedni.
Ħdejn l-ilma, fejn nistrieħ, jeħodni;
hemm hu jrejjaqni. R/.

Imexxini fit-triq tas-sewwa
minħabba l-isem tiegħu.
Imqar jekk nimxi f’wied mudlam,
ma nibżax mill-ħsara, għax inti miegħi.
Il-ħatar tiegħek u l-għasluġ tiegħek,
huma jwennsuni. R/.

Int tħejji mejda għalija
quddiem l-għedewwa tiegħi.
Biż-żejt tidlikli rasi,
u l-kalċi tiegħi tfawwarli. R/.

Miegħi, iva, jimxu t-tjieba u l-ħniena
il-jiem kollha ta’ ħajti.
U ngħammar f’dar il-Mulej
sakemm indum ħaj! R/.

Reading 2                PHILIPPIANS 4:12-14, 19-20

Brothers and sisters: I know how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I can do all things in Him who strengthens me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lill-Filippin 4, 12-14.19-20

Ħuti, naf ngħix fl-għaks; u naf ngħix fil-ġid; kollox drajt u noqgħod għal kollox: ix-xaba’ u l-ġuħ, il-ġid u l-għaks. Għal kollox niflaħ bis-saħħa ta’ dak li jqawwini. Għamiltu sewwa ħafna meta qsamtu miegħi tbatijieti.  Jimliekom Alla tiegħi b’kull ġid fil-ħtieġa tagħkom, skond l-għana tal-glorja fi Kristu Ġesù. Lil dan Alla u Missierna, glorja għal dejjem ta’ dejjem. Amen. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                MATTHEW 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those invited: "Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast."' Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.' The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. The king said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' Many are invited, but few are chosen."

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 22, 1-14

F’dak iż-żmien, lill-qassisin il-kbar u lix-xjuħ tal-poplu Ġesù raġa’ qabad ikellimhom bil-parabboli u qalilhom: “Is-saltna tas-smewwiet tixbah lil wieħed sultan li għamel festa għat-tieġ ta’ ibnu. U bagħat għall-mistednin mal-qaddejja tiegħu biex jiġu għall-festa; imma dawk ma ridux jiġu. U reġa’ bagħat qaddejja oħra, u qalilhom: “Għidu lill-mistednin: Ara, il-mejda tiegħi lesta; il-barrin u l-għoġiela msemmna diġa’ maqtula u kollox lest; ejjew għall-festa”. Iżda dawk ma tawx kas; min mar l-għalqa, min għan-negozju tiegħu, u l-bqija qabdu lill-qaddejja tas-sultan, żebilħuhom u qatluhom. Is-sultan inkorla ħafna, u bagħat is-suldati tiegħu, qered lil dawk il-qattiela, u ħarqilhom il-belt tagħhom. Imbagħad qal lill-qaddejja tiegħu: “Il-festa mħejjija, imma lil dawk ma kienx ta’ min jistedinhom għaliha. Mela morru f’salib it-toroq u sejħu għall-festa lil kull min issibu”. Dawk il-qaddejja ħarġu fit-triqat u ġabru lil kull min sabu, ħżiena u tajba, u s-sala mtliet bin-nies għall-mejda. Mela jidħol is-sultan ħalli jara min kien hemm fuq il-mejda, u hemmhekk lemaħ wieħed li ma kienx liebes għall-festa tat-tieġ; u qallu: “Ħabib, dan kif dħalt hawn m’intix liebes għall-festa?”. Dak tbikkem. Imbagħad is-sultan qal lil dawk li kienu qegħdin iservu: “Orbtulu riġlejh u idejh u waddbuh ’il barra fid-dlam; hemmhekk ikun hemm il-biki u t-tgħażżiż tas-snien!”. Għax ħafna huma l-imsejħin, imma ftit il-magħżulin!”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil

A STANDING INVITATION TO THE HEAVENLY BANQUET

Introduction: 

This Sunday’s Scripture readings offer us a standing invitation to the everlasting joy of the Heavenly Banquet and a loving warning to stay ready always for this Heavenly banquet by constantly wearing the wedding garment, i.e., remaining in a state of grace by avoiding sins and by doing good.

Scripture lessons: 

In the first reading, Isaiah describes the Messianic banquet on the Lord’s mountain in the Holy City of Jerusalem, which Yahweh is preparing for His people. The “Good News” is that it is a great feast of “rich food and choice wines.” But, for the children of Israel, the “bad news” is that Yahweh invites all people, including Gentiles, to the banquet. 

Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 23), presents God as the Good Shepherd Who nourishes, leads, and protects His flock. In the second reading, St. Paul advises the Philippians to put their trust in the power and goodness of a providing God, Who, in Jesus, has given His Church everything His followers will need to participate in the Heavenly Banquet. 

In Sunday’s Gospel, by telling an allegorical parable of judgment in the Temple of Jerusalem two days before his arrest, Jesus accuses the Jewish religious and civil leaders of rejecting God’s invitation to the Heavenly Banquet given to them through God’s Own Son, Himself. They have rejected the invitation by not listening to the Good News preached by Jesus and by not reforming their lives. 

This invitation was repeatedly extended to Israel through the prophets, including John the Baptist. But the leadership contemporary with Jesus rejected the reality that Jesus was the fulfillment of all prophecy, refused to accept God’s invitation to righteous living given through John the Baptist and through Jesus, and now planed to kill God’s own Son, Jesus. Hence, God is inviting the sinners and Gentiles to His banquet, and that is why Jesus is keeping the company of sinners.

Life messages: 

1) We need to keep wearing the wedding garment of holiness and righteousness, the state of grace, all the time, do good for everyone, and appreciate and receive God’s graces in the Church: 

a) We received the “wedding garment” of sanctifying grace in Baptism; the other Sacraments provide the additional graces we need to retain it. 

b) Our participation in the Eucharistic celebration and in personal and family prayers helps us to recharge our spiritual batteries and enables us to lead Spirit-filled, prayerful lives, doing good for all. 

c) Jesus nourishes us in the Church through the proclamation of word of God and through His Body and Blood offered to us as spiritual Food and Drink in Holy Communion. 

2) We need to participate in the Eucharistic banquet with proper preparation by repenting of our sins and by actively participating in the prayers and singing during the Holy Mass. Participating in Holy Mass is the best preparation and greatest Source of power for our future participation in the Heavenly banquet.

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WHAT IS FAIR?

Readings for Sunday, October 8, 2023

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 139

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

Reading 1                ISAIAH 5:1-7

Let me now sing of my friend, my friend's song concerning his vineyard. My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside; he spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines; within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press. Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild grapes. Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard: What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done? Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? Now, I will let you know what I mean to do with my vineyard: take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled! Yes, I will make it a ruin: it shall not be pruned or hoed, but overgrown with thorns and briers; I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it. The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished plant; he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed! for justice, but hark, the outcry!

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 5:1-7

Ħa ngħanni lill-maħbub tiegħi l-għanja ta’ mħabbtu għall-għalqa tad-dwieli tiegħu. Il-maħbub tiegħi kellu għalqa tad-dwieli fuq għolja għammiela. Għażaqha u naddafha miż-żrar, u ħawwel fiha dwieli mill-aħjar; bena torri f’nofsha, u wkoll ħaffer magħsar fiha. Stennieha tagħmel l-għeneb tajjeb, iżda kulma għamlet kien għeneb qares. U issa, intom li tgħammru f’Ġerusalemm, irġiel ta’ Ġuda, agħmlu intom ħaqq bejni u bejn l-għalqa tad-dwieli tiegħi. X’kien fadalli nagħmel għall-għalqa tiegħi u ma għamiltux? Stennejtha tagħmel għeneb tajjeb, u kulma għamlet kien għeneb qares. U issa ħa nurikom x’sejjer nagħmel jien lill-għalqa tiegħi tad-dwieli. Inneħħilha l-ilqugħ ta’ madwarha, u jħarbtuha; inġarrfilha l-ħajt, biex in-nies tgħaffiġha. Nagħmel minnha xagħra; ħadd ma jiżborha jew jaħdimha, u jinbet fiha x-xewk u l-ħurrieq. Jien ngħid lis-sħab biex ma jagħmilx xita fuqha! Għax l-għalqa tad-dwieli tal-Mulej tal-eżerċti hija d-dar ta’ Iżrael; u l-irġiel ta’ Ġuda huma l-mixtla tal-għalqa tiegħu. Huwa stenna l-ġustizzja, u araw sab it-tixrid tad-demm, stenna s-sewwa, u araw sama’ l-għajat tal-maħqura. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20

A vine from Egypt you transplanted;
you drove away the nations and planted it.
It put forth its foliage to the Sea,
its shoots as far as the River.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Why have you broken down its walls,
so that every passer-by plucks its fruit,
The boar from the forest lays it waste,
and the beasts of the field feed upon it?
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted,
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
O LORD, God of hosts, restore us;
if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 79(80):9,12,13-14,15-16,19-20

R/. (Iż 5:7a): Il-għalqa tal-Mulej hija d-dar ta’ Iżrael.

Inti qlajt dielja mill-Eġittu,
warrabt il-ġnus biex tħawwel lilha.
Meddet sal-baħar il-friegħi tagħha,
sax-xmara ż-żraġen tagħha. R/.

Għaliex, mela, ġarraft il-ħitan tagħha,
u kull min jgħaddi jqaċċat minnha?
Iħarbatha l-ħanżir selvaġġ,
il-bhejjem tar-raba’ jirgħu fiha. R/.

Erġa’ ejja, Alla tal-eżerċti;
ħares mis-sema, u ara,
u żur ’il din id-dielja.
Ħu ħsieb dak li ħawlet lemintek,
ir-rimja li int kabbart għalik. R/.

Aħna ma nitbegħdux minnek;
roddilna l-ħajja, u aħna nsejħu ismek.
Reġġagħna għal li konna, Alla tal-eżerċti;
itfa’ fuqna d-dija ta’ wiċċek, u nkunu salvi. R/.

Reading 2                 PHILIPPIANS 4:6-9

Brothers and sisters:  Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you. 

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lill-Filippin 4:6-9

Ħuti, tħabbtu raskom b’xejn. Fit-talb kollu tagħkom itolbu u uru lil Alla xi jkollkom bżonn, u iżżuh ħajr. U s-sliem ta’ Alla, sliem li jgħaddi kulma l-moħħ jista’ jifhem, iżommilkom qalbkom u moħħkom sħaħ fi Kristu Ġesù. Mill-bqija, ħuti, f’dan għandkom taħsbu: f’kulma hu veru, f’kulma hu xieraq, f’kulma hu ġust, f’kulma hu safi, f’kulma jiġbed l-imħabba, f’kulma jistħoqqlu ġieħ, f’kulma hu virtù, f’kulma ħaqqu t-tifħir; f’dan kollu aħsbu. U kulma tgħallimtu u ħadtu mingħandna, u smajtu u rajtu fina, agħmluh. Alla tas-sliem ikun magħkom. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. .

Gospel                MATTHEW 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: "Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.' They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times." Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit."

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mattew 21:33-43

F’dak iż-żmien Ġesù qal lill-qassisin il-kbar u lix-xjuħ tal-poplu: “Isimgħu parabbola oħra: Kien hemm wieħed, sid ta’ għalqa, u ħawwilha bid-dwieli; tellgħalha ħajt tas-sejjieħ madwarha, ħaffer magħsar fiha, u bnielha torri; u qabbilha lil xi bdiewa. U siefer f’art oħra. Meta wasal żmien il-frott, bagħat il-qaddejja tiegħu għand dawk il-bdiewa biex jiġbrulu l-frott li kien imissu. Iżda l-bdiewa qabdu lill-qaddejja, u lil wieħed sawtuh, lil ieħor qatluh, u lil ieħor ħaġġruh. Reġa’ bagħtilhom qaddejja oħra, aktar minn qabel, u għamlulhom l-istess. Fl-aħħar bagħtilhom lil ibnu. “Minn ibni jistħu”, qal. Iżda kif raw lil ibnu l-bdiewa bdew jgħidu bejniethom: “Ara l-werriet! Ejjew noqtluh, biex il-wirt tiegħu niħduh aħna”. Qabduh, xeħtuh ’il barra mill-għalqa u qatluh. Issa sid l-għalqa x’jagħmlilhom lil dawk il-bdiewa meta jiġi?”. Qalulu: “Jeqridhom bla ħniena, ta’ ħżiena li huma, u l-għalqa jqabbilha lil bdiewa oħra li jroddulu l-frott fi żmienu”. Qalilhom Ġesù: “Qatt ma qrajtu fl-Iskrittura li: ‘Il-ġebla li warrbu l-bennejja saret il-ġebla tax-xewka; bis-saħħa tal-Mulej seħħ dan: ħaġa tal-għaġeb f’għajnejna’? Għalhekk ngħidilkom li s-Saltna ta’ Alla tittieħed mingħandkom u tingħata lil ġens li jagħmel il-frott minnha”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil 

HOW DO WE HANDLE OUR GIFT OF FREE WILL? 

Introduction: 

The common theme of today’s readings is the necessity of bearing fruit in the Christian life. The readings warn us of the punishment for spiritual sterility, ingratitude, and wickedness.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In Sunday’s first reading, called, Isaiah’s Song of the Vineyard, the prophet describes God’s care of, and expectations for, His Chosen People. God’s Chosen People failed to bear fruit, in spite of the blessings lavished upon them by a loving and forgiving God. Further, they were poor tenants in the Lord’s vineyard. Hence, God laments: “I expected My vineyard to yield good grapes. Why did it yield sour ones instead?”

In the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 80), the Psalmist pleads with God to look down from Heaven and to “take care of this vine,” knowing that if any good is to come of the vine, it will be the doing of God, not the people.

In the second reading, Paul tells Philippians about the high expectations he has for them, reminding them that they need to become fruit-producing Christians by praying and giving thanks to God and by practicing justice, purity, and graciousness in their lives.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells an allegorical parable in which the landowner is God, the vineyard is Israel as God’s special people, and the tenants are the political and religious leaders of Israel. The story emphasizes the failure of the tenants, the Chosen People of God and their leaders, to produce fruits of righteousness, justice, and mercy. Giving a theological explanation of Israel’s history of gross ingratitude through the parable, Jesus reminds us Christians that, since we are the “new” Israel, enriched with additional blessings and provisions in the Church, we are expected to show our gratitude to God by bearing fruits of the kingdom, fruits of the Holy Spirit, in our lives, giving Him all the Glory.

Life messages: 

1) Are we good fruit-producers in the vineyard of the Church? Jesus has given the Church everything necessary to make Christians fruit-bearing. 

a) The Bible to know the will of God. 

b) The Sacrament of Holy Orders to consecrate bishops, priests, and deacons to lead the people in God’s ways. 

c) The Sacrament of Reconciliation for the remission of sins. 

d) The Holy Eucharist as our spiritual food. 

e) The Sacrament of Confirmation for a dynamic life of Faith.

f) The Sacrament of Matrimony for the sharing of love in families, the fundamental unit of the Church. 

g) The Sacrament of (Last) Anointing to restore and strengthen spiritual life and bring mental emotional and physical healing as well, if that is what God wills.

 h) Role models in thousands of saints. We are expected make use of these gifts to produce fruits for God.

2) Are we fruit-producers in the vineyard of the family? By the mutual sharing of blessings, by sacrificing time and talents for the members of the family and by humbly and lovingly serving others in the family, whether this is at home or in our spiritual family.

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