WE ARE CALLED TO BE A WITNESS FOR CHRIST

Readings for Sunday, January 14, 2024

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 65

Qari tat-Tieni Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                  1 SAMUEL 3:3b-10, 19

Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD  where the ark of God was. The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, "Here I am." Samuel ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me." "I did not call you, " Eli said. "Go back to sleep." So he went back to sleep. Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli. "Here I am, " he said. "You called me." But Eli answered, "I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep." At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD, because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet. The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time. Getting up and going to Eli, he said, "Here I am. You called me." Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth. So he said to Samuel, "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening." When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening." Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect.

QARI 1                 mill-Ewwel Ktieb ta’ Samwel 3:3b-10,19

F’dak iż-żmien, Samwel kien mimdud fit-tempju tal-Mulej, fejn kien hemm l-arka ta’ Alla. Il-Mulej sejjaħ: “Samwel!”. U dan wieġeb: “Hawn jien!”. U mar jiġri għand Għeli. “Hawn jien”, qallu, “għalfejn sejjaħtli?”. “Ma sejjaħtlekx”, wieġeb, “erġa’ mur imtedd”. U raġa’ mar jorqod. U ssokta l-Mulej isejjaħ: “Samwel!”. U Samwel qam u mar għand Għeli u qallu: “Hawn jien! Għalfejn sejjaħtli?”. “Ma sejjaħtlekx, ibni”, wieġeb, “erġa’ mur orqod”. Samwel kien għadu ma għarafx il-Mulej, u anqas kienet għadha ma ttgħarrfitlu l-kelma tal-Mulej. U ssokta l-Mulej isejjaħ: “Samwel!” għat-tielet darba. U dan qam, u mar għand Għeli, u qallu: “Hawn jien! Għalfejn sejjaħtli?”. U Għeli fehem li l-Mulej kien qiegħed isejjaħ iż-żagħżugħ. U qal lil Samwel: “Mur orqod. Jekk jerġa’ jsejjaħlek, wieġeb: ‘Tkellem, Mulej, għax il-qaddej tiegħek qiegħed jisma’’”. U Samwel mar jorqod f’postu. U l-Mulej ġie, waqaf ħdejh, u sejjaħ bħal drabi oħra: “Samwel! Samwel!”. U Samwel wieġeb: “Tkellem, għax il-qaddej tiegħek qiegħed jisma’”. Samwel kiber, u l-Mulej kien miegħu, u ma ħalla ebda kelma milli qal tmur fix-xejn.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, "Behold I come."
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!"
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 39(40):2,4ab,7-8a,8b-9,10

R/. (8a.9a): Hawn jien, Mulej, ġej nagħmel ir-rieda tiegħek.

Ittamajt b’tama qawwija fil-Mulej;
hu niżel ħdejja u sama’ l-għajta tiegħi.
Qegħedli fuq fommi għanja ġdida,
għanja ta’ tifħir lil Alla tagħna. R/.

Int ma titgħaxxaqx b’sagrifiċċji u offerti;
imma widnejja inti ftaħtli;
ma tlabtnix vittmi tal-ħruq u tat-tpattija.
Imbagħad jien għedt: “Hawn jien, ġej”. R/.

“Fil-bidu tal-ktieb hemm miktub fuqi
li nagħmel ir-rieda tiegħek.
Alla tiegħi, dan jogħġobni;
il-liġi tiegħek ġewwa qalbi”. R/.

Xandart il-ġustizzja f’ġemgħa kbira;
xufftejja ma żammejthomx magħluqa.
Mulej, dan inti tafu. R/.

Reading 2                 1 CORINTHIANS 6:13c-15a, 17-20

Brothers and sisters: The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body; God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him. Avoid immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the immoral person sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body. 

QARI 2                 mill-1 Ittra lill-Korintin 6:13c-15a,17-20

Ħuti, il-ġisem mhuwiex għaż-żína iżda għall-Mulej, u l-Mulej huwa għall-ġisem. U Alla qajjem il-Mulej u jqajjem lilna wkoll bil-qawwa tiegħu. Ma tafux li l-iġsma tagħkom huma membri ta’ Kristu? Min jingħaqad mal-Mulej hu ruħ waħda miegħu. Aħarbu ż-żína! Kull dnub li wieħed jagħmel hu ’l barra minn ġismu, iżda min jagħmel iż-żína jkun qiegħed jidneb kontra ġismu stess. Jew ma tafux li ġisimkom hu tempju tal-Ispirtu s-Santu, li jinsab jgħammar fikom, li għandkom minn Alla? Ma tafux li intom m’intomx tagħkom infuskom? Bil-għoli kontu mixtrija! Mela agħtu ġieħ lil Alla permezz ta’ ġisimkom. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 JOHN 1:35-42 

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" — which translated means Teacher —, "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah" — which is translated Christ —. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas" — which is translated Peter.

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Ġwann 1:35-42

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġwanni kien hemm ma’ tnejn mid-dixxipli tiegħu. Ħares lejn Ġesù li kien għaddej minn hemm, u qal: “Araw il-Ħaruf ta’ Alla”. Iż-żewġ dixxipli semgħuh jgħid dan, u marru wara Ġesù. Ġesù dar u rahom mexjin warajh, u qalilhom: “Xi tridu?”. Iżda huma staqsewh: “Rabbi” – li tfisser, Mgħallem – “fejn toqgħod?”. Hu weġibhom: “Ejjew u taraw”. U marru miegħu u raw fejn kien joqgħod, u dakinhar baqgħu miegħu. Kien ħabta tal-erbgħa ta’ waranofsinhar. Wieħed mit-tnejn li semgħu x’kien qal Ġwanni u marru wara Ġesù kien Indrì, ħu Xmun Pietru. L-ewwel ma għamel mar isib lil ħuh Xmun, u qallu: “Sibna l-Messija” – li tfisser Kristu. U ħadu għand Ġesù. Ġesù ħares lejh u qallu: “Inti Xmun, bin Ġwanni. Inti tissejjaħ Kefa” – jew Pietru. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil         

OUR DIVINE VOCATION

Introduction: 

The main theme of Sunday’s Scripture readings is Divine vocation – that everyone is called by God to be a witness for Christ by doing something for others with his or her life, using his or her unique gifts and blessings. Hence, today’s readings remind us of our personal and corporate call to become witnesses for Jesus, the Lamb of God, by leading lives of holiness and purity.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading describes how Yahweh called Samuel to His service and how the boy Samuel responded to Him, saying, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” Hence, God blessed him in the mission entrusted to him, and Samuel became an illustrious figure, ranking with Moses and David as a man of God. 

The Refrain for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 40), has us sing, “Here am I Lord! I come to do Your Will!” indicating that our vocation is to obey, to do what God commands us to do. In the second reading, St. Paul explains to the Corinthians that their Divine call is a call to holiness. Hence, they need to keep their bodies pure and their souls holy, because by Baptism they have become parts of Christ’s Body and the temples of the Holy Spirit. 

In the Gospel, John the Baptist claims that his vocation is to introduce Jesus to two of his own disciples as the “Lamb of God,” suggesting Jesus’ vocation to become a sacrificial lamb to atone for our sins. The disciples followed Jesus to his residence, accepting his invitation to “come and see.” They stayed with him that day. Then Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus, presenting him to Jesus as the Messiah. 

Thus, today’s Gospel also describes the call or vocation of the first apostles and challenges us to invite others to Christ by our Christian witnessing.

Life messages: 

1) Our Christian vocation is to live and die like the Lamb of God. We live like the Lamb of God: a) by leading pure, innocent, humble, selfless lives, obeying Christ’s commandment of love; b) by appreciating the loving providence and protecting care of the Good Shepherd for his Church; c) by partaking of the Body and Blood of the Good Shepherd in the Holy Eucharist and deriving spiritual strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the Sacraments. 

2) We are called to die like the Lamb of God: 

a) by sharing sacrificially our blessings of health, wealth, and talents with others in the family, parish, and community; 

b) by bearing witness to Christ in our illness, pain, and suffering through our graceful acceptance of all of it; 

c) by offering our sufferings for God’s glory, as penance for our sins, and for the conversion of sinners.

3) Our call is to bear witness to the Lamb of God. Doing this requires a personal experience of Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. 

a) We get this personal experience of Jesus in our daily lives through the meditative reading and study of the Bible, through personal and family prayers, and through our active participation in the Eucharistic celebration. 

b) Once we have experienced the personal presence of Jesus in our daily lives, we will start sharing with others the Good News of love, peace, justice, tolerance, mercy, and forgiveness preached and lived by Jesus.

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WHAT GIFT CAN WE OFFER JESUS?

Readings for Sunday, January 7, 2024

The Epiphany of the Lord
Lectionary: 20

L-Epifanija tal-Mulej. Solennità.

Reading 1                 ISAIAH 60:1-6

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

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija  60, 1-6

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

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13.

O God, with your judgment endow the king, 

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

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

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

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

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 71 (72), 1-2.7-8.10-11,12-13

R/. (ara 11): Il-ġnus kollha tal-art jagħtuk qima, Mulej

O Alla, agħti lis-sultan il-ħaqq tiegħek,
il-ġustizzja tiegħek lil bin is-sultan,
biex jiġġudika l-poplu tiegħek bil-ġustizzja,
u bil-ħaqq l-imsejknin tiegħek. R/.

Tħaddar f’jiemu l-ġustizzja,
u sliem kotran sa ma jintemm il-qamar.
Isaltan minn baħar sa baħar,
u mix-xmara sa truf l-art. R/.

Is-slaten ta’ Tarsis u tal-gżejjer jagħtuh ir-rigali,
is-slaten ta’ Seba u ta’ Saba għotjiet iġibulu.
Iqimuh is-slaten kollha,
il-ġnus kollha lilu jaqdu. R/.

Għax hu jeħles lill-fqir li jsejjaħlu,
u lill-imsejken li m’għandux min jgħinu.
Iħenn għad-dgħajjef u għall-fqajjar;
il-ħajja tal-fqajrin isalva. R/.

Reading 2                 EPHESIANS 3:2-3a, 5-6

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

QARI 2                 mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lill-Efesin 3, 2-3a. 5-6

Ħuti, intom smajtu bil-pjan tal-grazzja li Alla tani għall-ġid tagħkom, jiġifieri, li permezz ta’ rivelazzjoni għarrafni l-misteru. Dan hu l-misteru li fil-ġenerazzjonijiet l-imgħoddija ma kienx mgħarraf lill-bnedmin bħalma issa ġie rrivelat lill-appostli qaddisa tiegħu u lill-profeti fl-Ispirtu, jiġifieri, li l-pagani huma msejħa biex ikollhom sehem mill-istess wirt, ikunu membri tal-istess ġisem, ikollhom sehem mill-istess wegħda, fi Kristu Ġesù permezz tal-Evanġelju. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                MATTHEW 2:1-12

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

Evanġelju                 Qari skond San Mattew 2, 1-12

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

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tommy Lane                                           

The events of the Epiphany played out today

Jesus came for everyone. Next Sunday we celebrate what we call the Epiphany of Jesus, that is, the revelation or manifestation of Jesus for everyone. Jesus was revealed by the Father to the world as its Saviour when the light of a star guided the wise men from the East to worship him, when the Father spoke from heaven at Jesus’ baptism declaring Jesus to be his beloved Son, and when Jesus performed his first miracle at Cana. So, we sometimes speak of three events in the epiphany - or revelation - of Jesus to the world as our Saviour; the visit of the wise men, the baptism of Jesus, and the miracle of Cana.

Today we celebrate the light of a star leading and revealing Jesus as the Saviour of the world to wise men. They were not members of the Chosen Jewish People, so the Epiphany today shows Jesus came for all people. The body language of the wise men before Jesus spoke of their attitude; they prostrated themselves before Jesus. They worshipped him, and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh: gold because Jesus is king, frankincense because Jesus is divine, and myrrh pre-figuring his Passion. 

There is another attitude in Sunday’s Gospel (Matt 2:1-12), the attitude of Herod. He does not have an attitude of reverence and respect for Jesus. Herod pretends that he is just as respectful to Jesus as the wise men. He tells them, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” (Matt 2:8) However his thoughts were not thoughts of homage, he merely wanted to trick the wise men into telling him where Jesus was so that he could have him murdered. Herod did not want to lose power and control to somebody else, so he rejected the baby Jesus even though Jesus would be no threat to his kingly power. Herod’s problem was not Jesus but Herod himself, and some peoples’ problem is not Jesus or the Church.

Herod said to the wise men, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” He was speaking to the wise men with a forked tongue; he was telling lies. The baby Jesus was surrounded in Bethlehem by those who worshipped him but in Jerusalem there was a crowd of liars. They said one thing but meant the opposite; truth was lacking. In our own time we see this being played out in many walks of life, but it is easier to see it in the world of the media and politics. 

The next step after the lies, deception, and double-speak was Herod trying to kill the baby Jesus because Herod completely misunderstood what Jesus meant. In the massacre of the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem, Herod had all boys in Bethlehem under the age of two killed. (Matt 2:16-18). In the case of Herod, it was only one further step from his double-speak to persecution and murder. We might wonder if similar trials may lie ahead of the Church in many parts of the world. 

Today in some places we hear the preaching of Catholic moral norms being described as hate crimes; Catholic moral norms that were taken for granted as normal until just recently are now being labeled as hate crimes by some. It has taken just a small number of years for this development, and we might wonder if we are heading back to a persecution of the Church and martyrdom like the early Church in Rome experienced.

Jesus came for everyone, as Sunday’s feast teaches us. But some have rejected Jesus and his Church. Herod’s problem was not Jesus but Herod himself. He was not truthful, and the truth is compromised in many ways today also. 

On the other hand, the response of the magi to Jesus is a model for our reflection:   "on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (Matt 2:11)

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Copyright © Fr. Tommy Lane 2013  

(This homily was delivered in a parish in Maryland, USA) 

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Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

 Readings for Sunday, December 31, 2023

The Holy Family 
 Lectionary: 17

Il-Ħadd fost l-Ottava tal-Milied 
- Il-Familja Mqaddsa

Reading 1                   GENESIS 15:1-6; 21:1-3

The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying: “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be, if I keep on being childless and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?” Abram continued, “See, you have given me no offspring, and so one of my servants will be my heir.” Then the word of the LORD came to him: “No, that one shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir.” The Lord took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness. The LORD took note of Sarah as he had said he would; he did for her as he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time that God had stated. Abraham gave  the name Isaac to this son of his whom Sarah bore him.

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb ta’ Ġenesi 15, 1-6; 21, 1-3

F’dak iż-żmien, ġiet il-kelma tal-Mulej lil Abram f’dehra u qallu: “La tibżax, Abram! Jiena tarka għalik; ħlasek ikun kbir ħafna”. U Abram qallu: “Sidi Mulej, x’se tagħtini, għax se nibqa’ bla tfal, u l-werriet ta’ dari se jkun Eligħeżer ta’ Damasku”. U Abram żied jgħid: “Ara, int lili ma tajtnix nisel, u qaddej dari se jiritni”. U ara, waslitlu l-kelma tal-Mulej u qallu: “Ma jirtekx dan, imma wieħed ħiereġ mill-ġewwieni tiegħek, hu għad jirtek”. U ħarġu barra u qallu: “Ħares sewwa lejn is-smewwiet u għodd il-kwiekeb, jekk għandek ħila tgħoddhom”. U żied jgħidlu: “Hekk għad ikun nislek”. U hu emmen fil-Mulej, u dan għaddhulu b’ġustizzja. U l-Mulej żar lil Sara bħalma kien qalilha, u għamel magħha dak li kien wegħedha. U Sara tqalet u wildet iben lil Abraham fi xjuħitu, fiż-żmien li kien qallu Alla. U Abraham semma ’l ibnu li twelidlu, li kienet wilditlu Sara, Iżakk. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
constantly seek his face.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations
which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

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

R/. (7a.8a): Jaħweh hu Alla tagħna! Jiftakar għal dejjem fil-patt tiegħu

Faħħru l-Mulej u xandru ismu,
għarrfu lill-ġnus bl-għemejjel tiegħu.
Għannulu u doqqulu,
xandru l-għeġubijiet tiegħu kollha. R/.

Ftaħru bl-isem qaddis tiegħu;
tifraħ il-qalb ta’ dawk li jfittxu l-Mulej.
Ħabirku biex tagħrfu l-Mulej u l-qawwa tiegħu,
fittxu ’l wiċċu l-ħin kollu. R/.

Ftakru fil-ħwejjeġ kbar li għamel,
fl-għeġubijiet u l-ġudizzji tiegħu.
Nisel Abraham, il-qaddej tiegħu,
ulied Ġakobb, il-maħtur tiegħu. R/.

Jiftakar għal dejjem fil-patt tiegħu,
fil-kelma li ta għal elf nisel,
fil-patt li għamel ma’ Abraham,
fil-wegħda li ħalef lil Iżakk. R/.

Reading 2                 HEBREWS 11:8, 11-12, 17-19

Brothers and sisters: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age --and Sarah herself was sterile-- for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac,  and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.” He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.

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

    Ħuti, kienet il-fidi li ġagħlet lil Abraham jobdi s-sejħa ta’ Alla, meta dan qallu biex imur f’art li kien se jagħtih b’wirt; u telaq, bla ma kien jaf fejn kien sejjer. Kienet ukoll il-fidi li biha Sarah, mara mdaħħla fiż-żmien, setgħet titqal, għax hija għarfet li ta’ kelmtu kien dak li għamlilha l-wegħda. Kien għalhekk li minn bniedem wieħed, li kien tista’ tgħid mejjet, twieldu nies bil-kotra daqs il-kwiekeb tas-sema u daqs ir-ramel ta’ xatt il-baħar, li ħadd ma jista’ jgħoddu. Kienet il-fidi li ġagħlet lil Abraham joffri ’l Iżakk meta Alla ġarrbu; u kien se joffri lil ibnu l-waħdieni sewwasew dak li kien ħa l-wegħdiet, hu li Alla kien qallu: “Minn Iżakk int għad ikollok nisel”. Huwa fehem li Alla kellu s-setgħa saħansitra li jqajjem mill-mewt; u, fis-sens ta’ tixbiha, ħadu tabilħaqq lura mill-mewt.

Gospel                LUKE 2:22-40

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

EVANĠELJU                Qari skont San Luqa 2, 22-40

Wara li għalqilhom iż-żmien għall-purifikazzjoni tagħhom skont il-Liġi ta’ Mosè, Marija u Ġużeppi ħadu lil Ġesù Ġerusalemm biex jippreżentawh lill-Mulej, kif hemm miktub fil-Liġi tal-Mulej: “Kull tifel li jitwieled l-ewwel, jiġi kkonsagrat lill-Mulej” – u biex joffru b’sagrifiċċju par gamiem jew żewġ bċieċen, kif jingħad ukoll fil-Liġi tal-Mulej. F’Ġerusalemm kien hemm wieħed, jismu Xmun, raġel ġust u tajjeb, li kien jistenna l-faraġ ta’ Iżrael u li kellu l-Ispirtu s-Santu fuqu. L-Ispirtu s-Santu kien nebbħu li ma kienx se jara l-mewt qabel ma jara l-Messija tal-Mulej. Mar mela fit-tempju, imqanqal mill-Ispirtu, u xħin il-ġenituri daħlu bit-tarbija Ġesù biex jagħmlulu dak li kienet trid il-Liġi, huwa laqgħu fuq dirgħajh, bierek lil Alla u qal: “Issa, o Sid, tista’ tħalli l-qaddej tiegħek imur fis-sliem, skont kelmtek, għaliex għajnejja raw is-salvazzjoni tiegħek li int ħejjejt għall-popli kollha, dawl biex idawwal il-ġnus, u glorja tal-polpu tiegħek Iżrael”. Missieru u ommu baqgħu mistagħġba b’dak li kien qiegħed jingħad fuqu. Xmun berikhom, u qal lil ommu Marija: “Ara, dan se jġib il-waqgħa u l-qawmien ta’ ħafna f’Iżrael; se jkun sinjal li jmeruh, – u inti wkoll, sejf jinfidlek ruħek! – biex jinkixfu l-ħsibijiet moħbija fil-qlub ta’ ħafna”. Kien hemm ukoll waħda profetissa, Anna, bint Fanwel, mit-tribù ta’ Aser. Kienet imdaħħla ħafna fiż-żmien; wara xbubitha kienet għamlet seba’ snin miżżewġa, u mbagħad romlot. Sa ma kellha erbgħa u tmenin sena ma kienet titwarrab qatt mit-tempju, lejl u nhar taqdi lil Alla fis-sawm u t-talb. Dak il-ħin stess waslet, u bdiet trodd ħajr lil Alla u titkellem fuq it-tarbija ma’ dawk kollha li kienu jistennew il-fidwa ta’ Ġerusalemm. Meta temmew kull ma kellhom jagħmlu skont il-Liġi tal-Mulej reġgħu lura lejn il-Galilija fil-belt tagħhom ta’ Nazaret. U t-tifel baqa’ jikber u jissaħħaħ, mimli bl-għerf. U l-grazzja ta’ Alla kienet fuqu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                          

OFFERING OUR FAMILIES FOR GOD'S BLESSING ON THE ALTAR

Introduction: 

On the last Sunday of the year, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family.  We are here to offer all the members of our own families on the altar for God’s blessing.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading (Gen 15:1-6, 21: 1-3) Today we hear God’s promise (Chapter 15),  of numerous descendants  to Abraham whom Judaism, Christianity, Islam consider their father, and its fulfilment (Chapter 21) when Abraham’s wife, Sarah, gave birth to Isaac.

In the second reading, (Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19)taken from the letter to the Hebrews, the sacred author further shows us the trusting faith of Abraham in the promises of God, first,  in Abraham’s willingness to move his whole family to an unknown place to which God said He would lead him; second, in the way Abraham and Sarah trusted God’s power to give  them  a son born to them in their very old age and third, in the way Abraham’s unwavering Faith in his God enabled him to obey, without hesitation, his God’s order to sacrifice his only son.

Today’s Gospel (Lk 2:22-40) presents the head of the Holy Family, Joseph, faithfully obeying God’s law given through Moses concerning the purification of the mother and the redeeming of the child by presenting Mary and the Baby Jesus in the Temple. The events recounted here are also found on February 2nd, the Feast of Presentation of Jesus.

 Life messages: 

1) We need to learn lessons from the Holy Family: The Church encourages us to look to the Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph for inspiration, example and encouragement.   They were a model family in which both parents worked hard, helped each other, understood and accepted each other, and took good care of their Child so that Jesus might grow up not only in human knowledge but also as a Child of God.

2) We need to make the family a confessional rather than a courtroom.  A senior Judge of the Supreme Court congratulated the bride and groom in a marriage with a pertinent piece of advice: “See that you never convert your family into a courtroom; instead let it be a confessional. If the husband and wife start arguing like attorneys in an attempt to justify their behavior, their family becomes a court of law and nobody wins.  On the other hand, if the husband and the wife — as in a confessional — are ready to admit their faults and try to correct them, the family becomes a heavenly one.”

3) Marriage is a sacrament of holiness. Each family is called to holiness. By the Sacrament of Matrimony (marriage), Jesus sanctifies not only the spouses but also the entire family. The husband and wife attain holiness when they discharge their duties faithfully, trusting in God, and drawing on the power of God by prayer.

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MARY IN THE WORK OF OUR SALVATION

Readings for Sunday, December 24, 2023

Fourth Sunday of Advent and the vigil of the birth of our Lord Jesus        Lectionary: 11

Ir-Raba’ Ħadd tal-Avvent u l-Vġili tat-Twelid ta’ Sidna Ġesu’ Kristu

Reading 1                

2 SAMUEL 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

When King David was settled in his palace, and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!" Nathan answered the king, "Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you." But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said: "Go, tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in?' "It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever."

Qari 1                  

mit-Tieni Ktieb ta’ Samwel 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16

Meta s-Sultan David mar joqgħod f’daru, u l-Mulej serrħu mill-għedewwa kollha ta’ madwaru, is-sultan qal lil Natan il-profeta: “Issa, ara jien qiegħed f’dar taċ-ċedru, u l-arka ta’ Alla qiegħda f’nofs ta’ tinda!”. U qal Natan lis-sultan: “Kulma għandek fi ħsiebek li tagħmel, mur agħmlu, għax il-Mulej miegħek”. Imma dak il-lejl stess ġiet il-kelma tal-Mulej lil Natan u qallu: “Mur għid lill-qaddej tiegħi David: ‘Dan jgħid il-Mulej: Se tibnili int dar biex noqgħod fiha? Ara, jiena ħadtek mill-mergħat minn wara l-imrieħel biex tkun prinċep fuq il-poplu tiegħi Iżrael. Dejjem kont miegħek f’kulma kont tidħol għalih; u meta int qridt l-għedewwa tiegħek kollha minn quddiemek. Issa jiena nibnilek isem kbir jixbah l-ismijiet il-kbar li hawn fid-dinja. Nagħmel post għall-poplu tiegħi Iżrael, u nqiegħdu hemm fejn jgħammar bla biża’, u ma jgħakksuhx iżjed il-ħżiena bħalma għamlu sa minn dejjem, jiġifieri sa minn meta qajjimt l-imħallfin fuq il-poplu tiegħi Iżrael; u nserrħek mill-għedewwa tiegħek kollha. Lilek imbagħad il-Mulej jagħtik kelma li jibnilek dar. U meta inti ttemm żmienek, u tkun striħajt ma’ missirijietek, jiena nqajjem nislek warajk, nisel ħiereġ mill-ġewwieni tiegħek, u nsaħħaħ is-saltna tiegħu. Jiena nkun għalih missier, u hu jkun għalija iben. Il-familja tiegħek u s-saltna tiegħek jibqgħu sħaħ għal dejjem quddiemi. It-tron tiegħek jibqa’ sħiħ għal dejjem’”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29

The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

"I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations."
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. 

"He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm."
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 89(88):2-5,27,29

R/.(2): It-tjieba tal-Mulej irrid dejjem ngħanni.

F’kull żmien ixandar fommi l-fedeltà tiegħek.
Għax jien għedt:
“Tjubitek tibqa’ sħiħa għal dejjem;
bħas-smewwiet int wettaqt il-fedeltà tiegħek”. R/.

“Għamilt patt mal-magħżul tiegħi,
ħlift lil David, il-qaddej tiegħi:
Jien nagħmel li nislek jibqa’ għal dejjem,
li f’kull żmien jibqa’ sħiħ it-tron tiegħek”. R/.

“Hu jsejjaħli: ‘Int missieri
u Alla tiegħi, fortizza u salvazzjoni tiegħi!’.
It-tjieba tiegħi nżommha fuqu għal dejjem,
u l-patt tiegħi miegħu jibqa’ sħiħ”. R/.

Reading 2                  ROMANS 16:25-27

Brothers and sisters: To him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith, to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen. 

QARI 2                     mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lir-Rumani 16:25-27

Ħuti, lil Alla li għandu l-qawwa li jwettaqkom fl-Evanġelju li nħabbar jien, jien u nxandar lil Ġesù Kristu, skont ir-rivelazzjoni tal-misteru li kien moħbi fis-skiet tal-eternità; lil dan Alla li issa rrivelalna dan il-misteru, u għarrfu lill-ġnus bil-kitba tal-Profeti, skont l-ordni tiegħu, Alla ta’ dejjem, biex iwassalhom għall-ubbidjenza tal-fidi; lil dan Alla, waħdu fl-għerf, il-glorja għal dejjem ta’ dejjem b’Ġesù Kristu. Ammen. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                LUKE 1:26-38 

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

EVANĠELJU                  Qari skond San Luqa 1:26-38

F’dak iż-żmien, Alla bagħat l-anġlu Gabrijel f’belt tal-Galilija, jisimha Nazaret, għand xebba, mgħarrsa ma’ raġel jismu Ġużeppi mid-dar ta’ David. Dix-xebba kien jisimha Marija. L-anġlu daħal għandha u qalilha: “Sliem għalik, mimlija bil-grazzja, il-Mulej miegħek”. Hi tħawdet ħafna għal dan il-kliem, u bdiet taħseb bejnha u bejn ruħha x’setgħet qatt tfisser din it-tislima. Iżda l-anġlu qalilha: “Tibżax, Marija, għax int sibt grazzja quddiem Alla. Ara, int se tnissel fil-ġuf u jkollok iben u ssemmih Ġesù. Hu jkun kbir, u jkun jissejjaħ Bin l-Għoli. Il-Mulej Alla jagħtih it-tron ta’ David missieru, u jsaltan għal dejjem fuq dar Ġakobb, u ma jkunx hemm tmiem għas-saltna tiegħu”.  Iżda Marija qalet lill-anġlu: “Kif ikun dan, ladarba ma nagħrafx raġel?”. Wieġeb l-anġlu u qalilha: “L-Ispirtu s-Santu jiġi fuqek, u l-qawwa tal-Għoli tixħet id-dell tagħha fuqek. U għalhekk dak li jitwieled minnek ikun qaddis, u jissejjaħ Bin Alla. Ara, l-qariba tiegħek Eliżabetta, fi xjuħitha, hi wkoll nisslet iben fil-ġuf, u ġa għandha sitt xhur dik li għaliha kienu jgħidu li ma jistax ikollha tfal, għax għal Alla ma hemm xejn li ma jistax isir”. Imbagħad qalet Marija: “Ara, jien il-qaddejja tal-Mulej: ħa jsir minni skont kelmtek!”. U l-anġlu telaq minn quddiemha. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                                   

BY YOUR "YES", JESUS WILL BE BORN - OR REBORN - IN OTHERS TOO!

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings - Christmas eve - focus on the circumstances leading up to the first coming of Jesus, the event which sets the pattern for His coming to us now and at the end of time. The Gospel stresses the key role of Mary in the work of our salvation. In addition, today’s Scripture texts describe God’s promise to David and its fulfilment in Jesus, the Son of David. They also tell us that God’s preparation for the coming of Jesus was full of surprises.

Scripture lessons: 

The unfolding of God’s plan of salvation though history has contained many surprises. The first reading surprises us by telling of God’s promise to David that he would have a long line of royal descendants culminating in a final King, Jesus Christ. In the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 89), the Psalmist recalls all of God’s promises and surprises us, describing God’s promise to David and his descendants in terms of a Covenant. 

The second reading surprises us with Paul’s explanation of the unveiling of God’s plan for human salvation through Jesus. In today’s Gospel, the Angel Gabriel surprises Mary with seven announcements. 

i) Even as a virgin betrothed to Joseph, she will become a mother. 

ii) She will become a mother through “the Holy Spirit [Who] will come upon you, and the Power of the Most High will overshadow you.” 

iii) The angel continues, “Therefore, the Child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God.” 

iv) She is to “name the child Jesus,” which means Saviour. 

v) God will make Him a King and, as a descendant in the line of David, 

vi) “He will rule over the House of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end.” 

vii) As a Divine sign, Elizabeth, Mary’s aged barren cousin is six months pregnant, “for,” says Gabriel, “nothing shall be impossible with God!” The Gospel narrative also surprises us by reminding us that God’s promise is best fulfilled not in buildings, or even in great kings like Solomon, but rather in humble souls like Mary who trusted in God’s promise.

Life messages: 

1) We need to say a courageous and generous “yes” to God: True obedience comes from a free choice made in the light of what is true and good. Such a self-surrender often requires a great deal of courage because it can involve going against the tide of social expectations. True obedience also aims at putting oneself at the service of something/Someone that is greater than oneself, accepting what God clearly wants us to do or what He wants to do through us. It is by saying, with Jesus and Mary, a wholehearted and totally unconditional “Yes” – “Fiat! May it be done in me,” to Jesus that he will be re-born in each of us, or maybe even born in me for the first time. By my saying “Yes,” Jesus will be born or re-born in others, too. 

2) We need to try to learn God’s plan for our lives: The Good News in today’s Scripture message is not only that God is making provision for the salvation of His people, but also that He has a plan for each individual person. In many cases, our work for God seems rather ordinary, but each ordinary task which we carry out fits into God’s plan in ways that we cannot yet understand. God desires not only the skill of our hands and talents but the love of our hearts. The Babe in the Manger reminds us of what God has done and is still doing for us. What are we doing for Him in return? Let us show our gratitude to God by living as true followers of Christ: “Behold, here I am, Lord! I come to do Your will.”

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REJOICE... AS WE PREPARE THE WAY

Readings for Sunday, December 17, 2023

Third Sunday of Advent

Lectionary: 8

Qari tat-Tielet Ħadd tal-Avvent

Reading 1                 ISAIAH 61:1-2A, 10-11

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favour from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God. I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,  like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, so will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.    

Qari 1             mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 61:1-2a,10-11

L-ispirtu ta’ Sidi l-Mulej fuqi, għax il-Mulej ikkonsagrani, biex inwassal il-bxara t-tajba lill-fqajrin, bagħatni ndewwi l-qalb miksura; biex inħabbar il-ħelsien lill-imjassrin, u lill-ħabsin il-ftuħ tal-ħabs; biex inniedi s-sena tal-grazzja tal-Mulej.  Nifraħ fuq li nifraħ bil-Mulej, taqbeż bil-ferħ ruħi b’Alla tiegħi. Għax hu libbisni bi lbies is-salvazzjoni, bil-mantar tal-ġustizzja għattieni, bħal għarus imżejjen b’kuruna, bħal għarusa tlellex bil-ġawhar tagħha. Bħalma l-art tnibbet, bħalma l-ġnien inibbet il-miżrugħ fih, hekk il-Mulej inibbet il-ġustizzja u l-foħrija, quddiem kollha kemm huma l-ġnus.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 LUKE 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
R. My soul rejoices in my God.

The Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
R. My soul rejoices in my God.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
R. My soul rejoices in my God.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Luqa 1:46-48,49-50,53-54

R/. (Iż 61:10b): Taqbeż bil-ferħ ruħi b’Alla tiegħi.

Ruħi tfaħħar il-kobor tal-Mulej,
u l-ispirtu tiegħi jifraħ f’Alla s-Salvatur tiegħi,
għax hu xeħet għajnejh fuq iċ-ċokon tal-qaddejja tiegħu.
Iva, minn issa ’l quddiem
kull nisel isejjaħli hienja. R/.

Għax is-Setgħani għamel miegħi ħwejjeġ kbar;
qaddis hu l-isem tiegħu.
Il-ħniena tiegħu tinfirex f’kull żmien
fuq dawk li jibżgħu minnu. R/.

Mela b’kull ġid lil min hu bil-ġuħ,
u l-għonja bagħathom ’il barra b’xejn.
Ħa ħsieb Iżrael qaddej tiegħu,
għax ftakar fil-ħniena tiegħu. R/.

Reading 2                 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-24

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is t he will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything; retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil. May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.

 QARI 2                mill-1 Ittra lit-Tessalonkin 5:16-24

Ħuti, ifirħu dejjem, itolbu bla heda, iżżu ħajr lil Alla f’kollox. Dan hu li jrid Alla mingħandkom fi Kristu Ġesù. Ixxekklux l-Ispirtu, tmaqdrux il-profezija. Ippruvaw kollox: it-tajjeb żommuh, u, fuq kollox, warrbu kull xorta ta’ ħażen. U Alla tas-sliem iqaddiskom f’kollox, u jżommkom sħaħ bla mittiefsa fl-ispirtu, fir-ruħ u fil-ġisem, sa ma jiġi Sidna Ġesù Kristu. Fidil hu Alla li sejħilkom, u huwa jagħmel dan. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him,  “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?  What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’” as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent.  They asked him, “Why then do you baptise if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Ġwann 1:6-8,19-28

Kien hemm raġel mibgħut minn Alla, jismu Ġwanni. Dan ġie bħala xhud, biex jixhed għad-dawl, biex bih kulħadd jemmen. Ġwanni ma kienx id-dawl, imma ġie biex jixhed għad-dawl.  Ix-xhieda ta’ Ġwanni kienet din, meta l-Lhud ta’ Ġerusalemm bagħtu għandu xi qassisin u Leviti biex jistaqsuh: “Int min int?”. Hu stqarr bla ma ċaħad: “Jien m’iniex il-Messija”. Huma reġgħu staqsewh: “Mela min int? Elija?”. “M’iniex”, qalilhom. “Int il-Profeta?”. “Le”, weġibhom. Imbagħad qalulu: “Mela min int? Biex nagħtu tweġiba lil dawk li bagħtuna. Min tgħid li int?”. U hu wieġeb kif qal il-profeta Iżaija: “Jiena l-leħen ta’ wieħed jgħajjat fid-deżert: Wittu t-triq tal-Mulej”.  Issa dawk il-messaġġiera kienu min-naħa tal-Fariżej. Huma staqsewh: “Mela kif qiegħed tgħammed la m’intix il-Messija, u la Elija u lanqas il-Profeta?”. “Jiena ngħammed bl-ilma”, weġibhom Ġwanni, “imma f’nofskom hemm wieħed li intom ma tafuhx, u li ġej warajja; jien anqas ma jistħoqqli nħoll il-qafla tal-qorq tiegħu”.  Dan ġara f’Betanja, in-naħa l-oħra tal-Ġordan, fejn Ġwanni kien jgħammed. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                                

"GAUDETE SUNDAY" -  REJOICE IN THE LORD, ALWAYS!

Introduction: 

The third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete Sunday” because the Mass for today (in its original Latin text), begins with the opening antiphon: “Gaudete in Domino semper” –“Rejoice in the Lord always.” To remind ourselves that we are preparing for the very joyful occasion of the birth of Jesus, we light the rose candle  in the Advent wreath, and the priest may wear rose vestments.  The common theme of the day’s Scripture readings is one of joy and encouragement. The readings urge us to make the preparations required of us as we await the rebirth of Jesus in our hearts and lives.  Holy Scripture reminds us that the coming of Jesus, past, present, and future, is the reason for our rejoicing.

Scripture lessons: 

The Prophet Isaiah, in the first reading, encourages the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to rejoice because their God, Yahweh, is their strong Guide, Provider and Protector. 

In today’s Responsorial Psalm (Luke 1:46 ff.) Mary rejoices in the great blessing given to her, exclaiming: “My soul glorifies the Lord; my spirit finds joy in God my Saviour.”

 St. Paul, in the second reading, advises the Thessalonian Christians to “rejoice always” by leading blameless, holy and thankful lives guided by the Holy Spirit, because Christ’s second coming is near, and he is faithful in his promise to reward them.

Sunday’s Gospel tells us that John the Baptist came to bear witness to Jesus as the Light of the world. The Baptiser wants all the Jews to rejoice because the long-expected Messiah, as the light of the world, will remove the darkness of sin from the world.  We rejoice at the humility of John the Baptiser, who tells the Sanhedrin members challenging him that he is unworthy even to become the slave of Jesus the Messiah. We also rejoice in the sincerity and commitment of John who spent himself completely in preparing people for the long-awaited Messiah. We have an additional reason to rejoice because, like John the Baptiser, we, too, are chosen to bear witness to Christ Jesus, the Light of the world.

Life message: 

We need to bear witness to Christ the Light. Our mission, as brothers and sisters of Christ and members of his Church, is to reflect Christ’s Light to others, just as the moon reflects the light of the sun.   It is especially important during the Advent season that we reflect Christ’s sharing love and his unconditional forgiveness through our lives.  There are too many people who live in darkness and poverty, and who lack real freedom because of their evil addictions and bad choices.  

There are others who are deafened and blinded by the cheap attractions of the world.  Many others feel lonely, unwanted, rejected, and marginalized.  Let us bring the true Light of Christ to illumine the lives of all these brothers and sisters during this Advent season through our sharing love, overflowing mercy, unconditional forgiveness, and humble service. 

We will be able to accomplish this witnessing mission of radiating Christ’s Light only by repenting of our sins, asking God’s pardon every day, and by renewing our lives through our daily prayers, by frequenting the Sacrament of Reconciliation, by attending and taking part in the Eucharistic celebration, by reading the Bible daily in meditative, prayerful fashion, and by performing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

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WHAT CAN WE DO TO BE PREPARED?

Readings for Sunday, December 10, 2023

Second Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 5

Qari tat-Tieni Ħadd tal-Avvent

Reading 1                 ISAIAH 40:1-5, 9-11

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins. A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!  Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Go up on to a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings; cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; here is his reward with him, his recompense before him.Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 40:1-5,9-11

“Farrġu, farrġu l-poplu tiegħi – jgħid Alla tagħkom. Kellmu lil qalb Ġerusalemm u għidulha li ntemm il-jasar tagħha, tħallset ħżunitha, ħadet mingħand il-Mulej darbtejn għal dnubietha kollha”.  Leħen jgħajjat: “Ħejju t-triq għall-Mulej fid-deżert, wittu għal Alla tagħna mogħdija fix-xagħri. Jintradam kull wied, u jitniżżlu l-muntanji u l-għoljiet; kull art imħattba titwitta, kull art imħarbta ssir maqgħad. U tfiġġ il-glorja tal-Mulej, u l-bnedmin jarawha lkoll f’daqqa, għax fomm il-Mulej tkellem”. Itla’ fuq il-muntanja għolja, int li ġġib il-bxara t-tajba lil Sijon; għolli leħnek bil-qawwa kollha, int li tagħti l-aħbar it-tajba lil Ġerusalemm; għajjat, la tibżax. Għid lill-ibliet ta’ Ġuda: “Hawn hu Alla tagħkom! Hawn hu Sidi l-Mulej, li ġej bil-qawwa, u jaħkem bil-qawwa ta’ driegħu. Hawn hu bi ħlasu miegħu, u r-rebħa tiegħu quddiemu. Bħal ragħaj li jirgħa l-merħla tiegħu; bi driegħu jiġmagħha, u l-ħrief fi ħdanu jerfagħhom; u n-nagħaġ ireddgħu bil-mod imexxihom”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14

I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD—for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 84(85):8-9ab,10-14

R/. (8): Uri lilna, Mulej, it-tjieba tiegħek, u s-salvazzjoni tiegħek agħtina.

Ħa nisma’ xi jgħid Alla;
il-Mulej is-sliem ixandar,
għall-poplu u l-ħbieb tiegħu.
Qrib hi tassew is-salvazzjoni tiegħu
għal dawk li jibżgħu minnu,
biex jgħammar is-sebħ f’artna. R/.

It-tjieba u l-fedeltà jiltaqgħu,
il-ġustizzja u s-sliem jitbewsu.
Il-fedeltà mill-art tinbet,
u l-ġustizzja mis-sema tixref. R/.

Il-Mulej ukoll jagħti l-ġid tiegħu,
u artna tagħti l-frott tagħha.
Il-ġustizzja quddiemu timxi,
u s-sliem fuq il-passi tiegħu. R/.

Reading 2                 2 PETER 3:8-14

Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out. Since everything is to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be, conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion,waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire. But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.

QARI 2                 mit-Tieni Ittra ta’ San Pietru Appostlu 3:8-14

Ħuti għeżież, dan għandkom tkunu tafu: li quddiem il-Mulej jum wieħed hu bħal elf sena, u elf sena bħal jum wieħed. Mhux għax jiddawwar il-Mulej li jtemm il-wegħdiet tiegħu, kif jaħsbu xi wħud, imma qiegħed jistabar bikom għax ma jridx li xi ħadd jintilef, imma, li kulħadd jersaq għall-indiema. Jasal, tabilħaqq, Jum il-Mulej bħal ħalliel; jintemmu mbagħad is-smewwiet bi ħsejjes kbar, jinħallu bin-nar l-elementi tad-dinja, u l-art b’kulma fiha tkun maħruqa min-nar. Ladarba hekk kollox għandu jintemm, araw daqsxejn kif għandkom iġġibu ruħkom, kemm għandha tkun qaddisa u tajba ħajjitkom, waqt li tistennew b’ħerqa kbira l-miġja tal-Jum ta’ Alla. Hu minħabba f’dan il-Jum li s-smewwiet jinħarqu u jinħallu, u l-elementi tad-dinja jinqerdu bin-nar. Imma aħna, skont il-wegħda tiegħu, nistennew smewwiet ġodda u art ġdida, li fihom tgħammar il-ġustizzja. Għalhekk, ħuti għeżież, waqt li nistennew dan kollu, qisu li jsibkom fis-sliem, bla tebgħa u bla dnub. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 MARK 1:1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

EVANĠELJU                Bidu tal-Evanġelju skont San Mark 1:1-8

Il-bidu tal-Evanġelju ta’ Ġesù Kristu, l-Iben ta’ Alla. Bħalma hu miktub fil-ktieb ta’ Iżaija l-profeta: “Ara, jien nibgħat qablek il-ħabbar tiegħi biex iħejji triqtek. Leħen ta’ wieħed jgħajjat fid-deżert: Ħejju t-triq tal-Mulej, iddrittaw il-mogħdijiet tiegħu”. Hekk Ġwanni deher jgħammed fid-deżert u jxandar magħmudija ta’ ndiema għall-maħfra tad-dnubiet. U kienet tmur għandu l-Lhudija kollha u n-nies kollha ta’ Ġerusalemm, jitgħammdu minnu fix-xmara Ġordan waqt li jistqarru dnubiethom. Ġwanni kien jilbes libsa tax-xagħar tal-ġemel, bi ħżiem tal-ġild madwar qaddu, u kien jiekol ġradijiet u għasel selvaġġ. U kien ixandar u jgħid: “Ġej warajja min hu aqwa minni, li jien ma jistħoqqlix nitbaxxa quddiemu u nħoll il-qfieli tal-qorq tiegħu. Jien għammidtkom bl-ilma, iżda huwa jgħammidkom bl-Ispirtu s-Santu”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                                   

Our Real Spiritual "Home Coming"

Introduction: 

Homecoming is the central theme of the Scripture readings for the Second Sunday of Advent. All three readings focus on the absolute necessity of our getting ready for Christ’s “Homecoming” into our hearts and lives by true repentance, reparation, prayer and the renewal of our lives. They also remind us that the past coming of Jesus, some 2000 years ago, the present daily coming of Jesus into our lives through the Eucharistic celebration, through the Scriptures and through the praying community, and his future coming (the Second Coming) are actually the fulfillment of God’s saving plan for us all, from all eternity.

Scripture lessons: 

The first reading, taken from the prophet Isaiah, tells us about the Babylonian exiles coming home to their native country, Judah, and their holy city, Jerusalem. Isaiah assures his people that the Lord will lead them in a grand procession to their homeland and take care of them as a shepherd cares for his sheep. The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 85) describes how shalom or perfect peace is coming home with the Lord’s coming. 

The second reading, taken from the second letter of St. Peter, invites us to get ready to go home to Heaven with Jesus at his Second Coming. Peter tells those who doubt the Second Coming of Jesus that God’s way of counting time is different from ours and that God has His own reasons for delaying the Second Coming of Christ. The Gospel tells us through John the Baptist how we should prepare to receive Jesus our Saviour’s “coming home” into our lives during the Advent season by repentance and the renewal of life. 

John preached that the appropriate behaviour for those preparing “the way of the Lord” was to be baptized “as they confessed their sins.” He wanted the Jews to prepare their lives for the Messiah by filling in the valleys of prejudice, leveling the mountains of pride and straightening out their crooked paths of injustice and immorality. John recommended a baptism of repentance in the river Jordan to the Jews who were familiar with ritual and symbolic washings. The most amazing thing about John’s baptism was that, as a Jew, he was asking fellow-Jews to submit to the baptism of repentance which only a Gentile was obliged to undergo.

Life messages: 

    1) We need to prepare for the rebirth of Jesus: We are invited by the Church to prepare for Christmas by repenting of our sins and renewing our lives so that Jesus may be reborn in us. Let us remember with the German mystic Angelus Silesius “Christ could be born a thousand times in Bethlehem – but all in vain until He is born in me.” (https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Angelus_Silesius). 

    2) We need to allow Jesus to be reborn in our lives. People around us should recognize Jesus’ rebirth in our lives by our sharing love, unconditional forgiveness, compassionate and merciful heart, and spirit of humble and committed service. 

    3) Let us accept the challenge of John the Baptist to turn this Advent season into a real spiritual “homecoming” by making the necessary preparations for the fresh arrival of our Lord and Saviour Jesus into our hearts and lives arrival of our Lord and Saviour Jesus into our hearts and lives.

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HOW DO WE GET READY?

Readings for Sunday, December 3, 2023

First Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 2

L-Ewwel Ħadd tal-Avvent

Reading 1                

ISAIAH 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7

You, LORD, are our father, our redeemer you are named forever. Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways, and harden our hearts so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage. Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you, while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for, such as they had not heard of from of old. No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him. Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways!  Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful; all of us have become like unclean people, all our good deeds are like polluted rags; we have all withered like leaves, and our guilt carries us away like the wind. There is none who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to cling to you; for you have hidden your face from us and have delivered us up to our guilt. Yet, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands.

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Isaija 63, 16b-17.19b; 64, 2-7

Int, Mulej, missierna, ismek il-Feddej tagħna minn dejjem. Għaliex, Mulej, iġġegħelna nwarrbu minn triqatek, u twebbsilna qalbna biex ma nibżgħux minnek? Erġa’ lura minħabba l-qaddejja tiegħek, it-tribujiet li huma wirtek. Mhux li kont iċċarrat is-smewwiet u tinżel minn hemm!  U jitheżżu l-muntanji quddiemek meta int tagħmel għeġubijiet li ma konniex nistennew, u sa mill-qedem qatt ma smajna bihom! Widna qatt ma semgħet, għajn qatt ma rat Alla bħalek, Alla li jħabrek għal min jittama fih. Int tilqa’ lil min jagħmel is-sewwa bil-ferħ, lil dawk li jiftakru fi triqatek. Ara! Int kont mgħaddab għalina, u aħna dnibna. Domna fi dnubna, u kontrik qomna għal ħafna żmien. Tniġġisna lkoll kemm aħna, bħal ċarruta maħmuġa l-aħjar għemejjel tagħna; bħal werqa lkoll dbilna u ħżunijietna bħal riħ ġarrewna. Ħadd ma hawn li jsejjaħ ismek, li jitħarrek biex iżomm miegħek. Għax int ħbejt wiċċek minna, u rħejtna f’idejn ħżunijietna. Madankollu, Mulej, int missierna; aħna t-tafal, u inti l-fuħħari; aħna lkoll għemil idejk. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19

O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

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. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

 SALM RESPONSORJALI                Salm 79 (80), 2aċ.3b.15-16.18-19

R/. (4): Reġġagħna għal li konna, Alla tal-eżerċti, itfa’ fuqna d-dija ta’ wiċċek, u nkunu salvi

O Ragħaj ta’ Iżrael, agħti widen,
Int li qiegħed fuq il-kerubini, iddi:
Qajjem il-qawwa tiegħek,
u ejja ħa ssalvana. 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/.

Ħa tkun idek fuq il-bniedem ta’ lemintek,
fuq il-bniedem li int saħħaħt għalik.
Aħna ma nitbegħdux minnek;
roddilna l-ħajja, u aħna nsejħu ismek. R/.

 Reading 2                 1 CORINTHIANS 1:3-9 

Brothers and sisters: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

QARI 2                  mill-Ewwel Ittra lill-Korintin 1, 3-9

Ħuti: Grazzja u sliem mingħand Alla Missierna u l-Mulej Ġesù Kristu! Jiena niżżi ħajr dejjem lil Alla tiegħi minħabba fikom għall-grazzja li Alla takom, lilkom fi Kristu Ġesù; fih intom stagħnejtu f’kollox, f’kull kelma, f’kull għerf daqs kemm ix-xhieda ta’ Kristu kienet imwettqa fikom. Għalhekk m’intom nieqsa minn ebda don, intom u tistennew id-dehra ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu. Huwa hu li jwettaqkom sal-aħħar biex tkunu bla ħtija fil-jum ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu. Alla jżomm kelmtu, minnu kontu msejħin biex tidħlu fix-xirka ta’ Ibnu Sidna Ġesù Kristu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 MARK 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

EVANĠELJU                Qari skond San Mark 13, 33-37

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Kunu għajnejkom miftuħa, ishru, għax ma tafux meta se jasal il-waqt. Jiġri bħal meta bniedem ikun siefer u telaq mid-dar, iħalli kollox f’idejn il-qaddejja tiegħu, kull wieħed fuq xogħlu, u lil tal-bieb jordnalu biex jibqa’ jishar. Mela ishru, għax ma tafux meta jiġi Sid id-dar, jekk hux filgħaxija, jew f’nofsillejl, jew xħin jidden is-serduk, jew inkella mas-sebħ, li ma jmurx jiġi għal għarrieda u jsibkom reqdin. U dak li qiegħed ngħid lilkom, qiegħed ngħidu għal kulħadd: ishru!”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute Homily by Fr Tony Kadavil                                   

CHRIST'S SECOND COMING 

Introduction: 

The central theme of next Sunday’s readings is Jesus’ warning to us to be alert, watchful and prepared because Christ’s Second Coming, coinciding with the end of the world, can occur at any time. People, in general, have a paranoid fear about the end of the world. It was expected in AD 204, 999 and 2000. The title of a best-seller published in 1988 was "101 Reasons Why Christ Returns in 1988". An extremely popular film released in 1999 about Christ’s Second Coming was "Omega Code", and another film released in 2005 was "Left Behind". 

Excessive fear of the tribulations accompanying the end of the world led the followers of a religious cult led by Jim Jones (in 1978), and followers of another cult called Heaven’s Gate (in 1997), to commit mass suicide. But Jesus, in Sunday’s Gospel, gives us the assurance that we need not be afraid of the end of the world, Christ’s Second Coming, and the Last Judgment, if we remain alert and prepared. 

The Church invites us on this first Sunday of Advent to prepare for Christ’s Second Coming, 

1) by properly celebrating during this Christmas season the fond memory of Christ’s first coming 2000 years ago, 

2) by experiencing Christ’s daily advent or coming in every Eucharistic celebration, in the Holy Bible, and in the worshipping community, and 

3) by preparing daily for Jesus’ Second Coming which, for us, will happen at the unknown moment of our death or the equally unknown moment when the World will end.

Scripture lessons: 

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah prays for God’s active presence so that the Jewish community, returned from Babylonian exile, may remain faithful to their God.

In the second reading, St. Paul prays for the reconversion of Christians in Corinth who have misused their gifts and charisms and remain ill-prepared for Christ’s Second Coming.

In today’s Gospel, using the short parable of the servants and gatekeeper of an absentee master who could return at any time, Jesus instructs his followers to be alert and watchful while doing their Christian duties with sincerity. The gatekeeper and the household servants are expected to be ever vigilant because their master is sure to return. Although the time of his return is uncertain, the reward or punishment is sure and certain.

Life messages: 

1) Live in the living presence of Jesus every day. The message of this Sunday’s Scripture is that we should live in the living presence of Jesus every day waiting for his Second Coming. We can experience Christ’s living presence in the Holy Eucharist, in the Holy Bible, in the worshiping community of our parish, in our family, in our own souls, and in everyone around us. The early Christians experienced the living presence and coming of Jesus with absolute certainty. So their mutual greeting was not “Hi!” or “Good Morning!” but the Aramaic, “Maran Atha” which means “Come, Lord Jesus.” This greeting acknowledged Jesus present in each of them and about to return. 

May God bless you, and keep you ever prepared for Christ’s second coming.

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