SPEAKING OUT OUR CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS

Readings for Sunday, January 23, 2021

 

 

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 72

Ir-Raba’ Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1              JEREMIAH 1:4-5, 17-19

The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. But do you gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them;  for it is I this day  who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land: against Judah’s kings and princes, against its priests and people. They will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD. 

Qari 1             mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Ġeremija 1:4-5,17-19

 Fi żmien Ġosija, ġietni l-kelma tal-Mulej u qalli: “Qabel ma sawwartek fil-ġuf, għaraftek; qabel ma ħriġt minn ħdan ommok, ikkonsagrajtek. Jien qegħedtek profeta fuq il-ġnus. Ħażżem ġenbejk, qum u għidilhom kulma nordnalek. La tibżax minnhom, għax inkella nbeżżgħek jien quddiemhom. Arani, illum se nagħmel minnek belt fortizza, kolonna tal-ħadid, ħajt tal-bronż, kontra l-pajjiż kollu, kontra s-slaten ta’ Ġuda, u l-prinċpijiet tiegħu, kontra l-qassisin tiegħu u l-poplu tal-pajjiż. Huma jeħduha kontrik, imma ma jagħmlulek xejn, għax jien inkun miegħek – oraklu tal-Mulej – biex neħilsek minnhom”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm              PSALM 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15-17

In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;
 incline your ear to me, and save me.
R. I will sing of your salvation.

Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
R. I will sing of your salvation.

 For you are my hope, O Lord;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother’s womb you are my strength.
R. I will sing of your salvation.

My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. I will sing of your salvation.

Salm Responsorjali              Salm 70(71):1-2,3-4a,5-6ab,15ab,17
R/: Fommi jxandar il-ġustizzja tiegħek.

Fik, Mulej, jien nistkenn;
ma jkolli qatt għax ninfixel.
Għall-ġustizzja tiegħek salvani u ħarisni;
agħtini widen u fittex eħlisni. R/.

Kun sur ta’ kenn għalija;
int wegħedt li tiġi dejjem issalvani,
għax blata u fortizza int għalija.
Alla tiegħi, ħarisni minn id il-ħażin. R/.

Għax inti, Sidi, it-tama tiegħi;
Mulej, inti l-fiduċja tiegħi sa minn żgħożiti.
Fuqek serraħt sa minn twelidi,
sa minn ġuf ommi inti ħadtni. R/.

Fommi jxandar il-ġustizzja tiegħek,
il-jum kollu l-għemejjel tal-għajnuna tiegħek.
O Alla, sa minn żgħożiti int għallimtni;
u jien s’issa għadni nxandar għeġubijietek. R/.

Reading 2              1 CORINTHIANS 12:31—13:13

Brothers and sisters: Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. But I shall show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in human and angelic tongues, but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, It is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease;  if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Qari 2               mill-Ewwel Ittra lill-Korintin 12:31–13:13

Ħuti, intom ħabirku għal doni ogħla. Imma jien nurikom triq li tgħaddihom ilkoll. Li kont nitkellem bl-ilsna tal-bnedmin u tal-anġli bla ma kelli l-imħabba, kont inkun qisni strument tar-ram iżarżar jew platti jċekċku. U kieku kelli d-don tal-profezija u kont naf il-misteri kollha u l-għerf kollu, kieku kelli l-fidi tiegħi sħiħa li nqanqal il-muntanji, imma ma kellix imħabba, jiena ma kont inkun xejn. U kieku kelli nqassam ġidi kollu fil-karità u nagħti ġismi għall-ħruq bla ma jkolli mħabba, xejn ma jkun jiswieli ta’ ġid. L-imħabba taf tistabar u tħenn; l-imħabba mhijiex għajjura, ma tintefaħx biha nfisha, ma titkabbarx fuq l-oħrajn; ma tagħmilx dak li mhux xieraq; ma tfittixx dak li hu tagħha, xejn ma tinkorla; ma żżommx f’qalbha għad-deni, ma tifraħx bl-inġustizzja, imma tifraħ bil-verità; kollox tagħder, kollox temmen, kollox tittama, kollox tissaporti. L-imħabba ma tintemm qatt. Jgħibu l-profeziji, jisktu l-ilsna, jgħib l-għerf. Għalissa nafu biċċa, u l-profezija tagħna hi nieqsa; imma meta jfeġġ dak li hu sħiħ, jgħib dak li hu nieqes. Meta kont tarbija, kont nitkellem ta’ tarbija, inħoss ta’ tarbija, naħseb ta’ tarbija. Meta sirt raġel warrabt dak li hu ta’ tarbija. Bħalissa naraw bħallikieku f’mera, imċajpar, imma mbagħad naraw wiċċ imb wiċċ. Issa nagħraf biċċa, imbagħad nagħraf bħalma jien magħruf issa. Issa hawn fidi, tama u mħabba, it-tlieta jibqgħu. Il-kbira fosthom l-imħabba! Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel             LUKE 4:21-30

Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.  They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away.

 Evanġelju              Qari skond San Luqa 4:21-30

F’dak iż-żmien Ġesù qal lin-nies fis-sinagoga: “Din il-kitba seħħet illum, intom u tisimgħu”. U lkoll laqgħu kliemu u stagħġbu għall-kliem mimli ħlewwa li kien ħiereġ minn fommu u bdew jgħidu: “Dan mhuwiex bin Ġużeppi?”. Iżda hu qalilhom: “Żgur li se tgħidu għalija dan il-proverbju: ‘Tabib, fejjaq lilek innifsek. Dak kollu li smajna li ġara f’Kafarnahum agħmlu hawn f’pajjiżek ukoll!’”. U żied jgħidilhom: “Tassew, ngħidilkom, ebda profeta ma jilqgħuh tajjeb f’pajjiżu. Għax, ngħidilkom is-sewwa, kien hemm bosta romol f’Iżrael fi żmien Elija meta s-sema baqa’ tliet snin u sitt xhur magħluq u waqa’ ġuħ kbir fil-pajjiż kollu; madankollu għand ħadd minnhom ma ntbagħat Elija, imma għand waħda armla minn Sarefta ta’ Sidon. U kien hemm bosta lebbrużi f’Iżrael fi żmien il-profeta Eliżew, imma ħadd minnhom ma ġie mfejjaq ħlief Nagħman tas-Sirja”. Meta semgħu dan fis-sinagoga kulħadd imtela bil-korla; qamu, u ħarġuh ’il barra mill-belt, ħaduh fuq xifer ta’ rdum tal-għolja li fuqha kienet mibnija l-belt tagħhom, u riedu xħtuh minn hemm fuq għal isfel. Iżda hu għadda minn ġo nofshom u baqa’ sejjer. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

EQUIPPED TO FACE OPPOSITION

Introduction:

The central theme of Sunday’s readings is that we should have, and show in our communities, the courage of our Christian convictions in our Faith and in its practice, even when we face hatred and rejection because of them.

Scripture lessons:

The first reading tells us how God called Jeremiah as His prophet and equipped him to face opposition and rejection. In living out his prophetic vocation while encountering rejection and persecution, Jeremiah prefigured Jesus, the greatest of all prophets. The Responsorial Psalm, Ps 71, offers us a prayer in time of persecution and a declaration of our trust in God with its foundation in Him. 

In the second reading, we hear Paul speaking with the courage of his Christian convictions in correcting the Corinthian Christian community where the exercise of God’s gifts was causing competition, jealousy, and divisiveness. He courageously presents to them a “way” which surpasses all others, namely, the way of love, and instructs them to exercise their gifts with love. 

Today’s Gospel is a continuation of last Sunday’s Gospel presenting his own people’s negative reaction to Jesus’ “Inaugural Address” at the synagogue of Nazareth when Jesus applied to himself the words of Isaiah 61, announcing a new time of jubilee, liberation, and healing in God’s name. The passage shows us how Jesus faced skepticism and criticism with prophetic courage. Jeremiah, Paul, and Jesus believed that they were commissioned by God to proclaim a disturbing prophetic message (Jer 1:4-5, 17-19). No matter how strong the opposition, the three had the conviction that God was with them.

Life messages:

1) We need to face rejection with prophetic courage and optimism. Perhaps we have experienced the pain of rejection, betrayal, abandonment, violated trust, neglect, or abuse, even from friends and family members, when we reached out to them as God’s agents of healing and saving grace. Perhaps we ourselves are guilty of offering such rejection. Perhaps we, too, have been guilty of ignoring or humiliating people with our arrogance and prejudice. Let us learn to correct our mistakes and face rejection from others with courage.

2) Let us not, like the people in Jesus’ hometown, reject God in our lives. We reject God when we are unwilling to be helped by God, or by others. Such unwillingness prevents us from recognizing God’s directions, help, and support in our lives through His words in the Bible, through the teaching of the Church, and through the advice and examples of others. 

3) We need tofollow Christ, not political correctness, and to speak the truth of Christ in love, without being hypocritical or disrespectful. We must never remain silent in the face of evil for fear of being thought “politically incorrect.” Jesus taught us to love and respect others without condoning or encouraging sinful behavior. We need to be kind, charitable, honest, — forgiving, but clear, in speaking out our Christian convictions as Jesus was when he spoke in the synagogue at Nazareth.

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WE ARE CHALLENGED TO LISTEN

Readings for Sunday, January 23, 2021

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 69

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

 

Reading 1                NEHEMIAH 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak till midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law. Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform  that had been made for the occasion. He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it — for he was standing higher up than any of the people — and, as he opened it, all the people rose. Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, “Amen, amen!” Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD, their faces to the ground. Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people: “Today is holy to the LORD your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep”— for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. He said further: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!”

Qari 1             . mill-Ktieb ta’ Neħemija 8:2-4a,5-6,8-10

F’dak iż-żmien, Esdra l-qassis ġieb il-Ktieb tal-Liġi quddiem il-ġemgħa, li kienet magħmula minn irġiel, nisa u oħrajn, li kienu jifhmu dak li jisimgħu. U mis-sebħ sa nofsinhar qara minnu quddiem l-irġiel, in-nisa, u dawk li kienu kapaċi jifhmu, iħares lejn il-misraħ li hemm quddiem Bieb l-Ilma. U l-poplu kollu kien attent jisma’ l-qari tal-Ktieb tal-Liġi. Esdra l-iskriba kien wieqaf fuq palk tal-injam, li kienu waqqfu għall-okkażjoni. Esdra fetaħ il-Ktieb u rah kulħadd jagħmel dan billi kien fil-għoli ’l fuq mill-poplu kollu. U meta fetaħ il-ktieb kulħadd qam bilwieqfa. U Esdra bierek il-Mulej, Alla l-kbir, u l-poplu kollu b’idejh merfugħin ’il fuq wieġeb: “Ammen, ammen”. U nxteħtu għarkupptejhom b’wiċċhom mal-art jagħtu qima lill-Mulej. Dawn qraw mill-Ktieb tal-Liġi b’mod li jiftiehem, fissruh, u spjegaw il-qari. Neħemija, li kien il-gvernatur, Esdra, il-qassis u skriba, u l-Leviti li kienu qegħdin jgħallmu lill-poplu, qalu lin-nies kollha: “Dan hu jum qaddis, ikkonsagrat lill-Mulej Alla tagħkom. Titnikktux u tibkux!”. Għax il-poplu kollu kien infexx jibki meta sama’ kliem il-Liġi. U żiedu jgħidulhom: “Morru u kulu laħam imsemmen u ixorbu nbid ħelu, u lil dak li ma ħejjewlu xejn ibagħtulu sehem minn dak li għandkom. Dan hu jum qaddis għall-Mulej. La ssewdux qalbkom, għax il-ferħ tal-Mulej il-qawwa tagħkom”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm             PSALM 19:8, 9, 10, 15

The law of the LORD is perfect,
 refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
 giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Salm Responsorjali              Salm 18(19):8,9,10,15

R/. (Ġw 6:63ċ): Il-kliem tiegħek, Mulej, huwa spirtu u ħajja. 

 Il-liġi tal-Mulej perfetta,
u tagħti l-ħajja;
ix-xhieda tal-Mulej hi sewwa,
u tgħallem lil min ma jafx. R/.

Il-preċetti tal-Mulej dritti,
u jferrħu l-qalb;
il-kmandament tal-Mulej safi,
u jdawwal l-għajnejn. R/.

Il-biża’ tal-Mulej sinċier,
u jibqa’ għal dejjem;
il-ġudizzji tal-Mulej sewwa,
u mseddqa għalkollox. R/.

Ħa jkunu milqugħa quddiemek
kliem fommi u ħsieb qalbi,
Mulej, blata tiegħi u feddej tiegħi. R/.

Reading 2             1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-30

Brothers and sisters: As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body, “ it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. Or if an ear should say, “Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body, “ it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you, “ nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.”Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honour, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Qari 2                           mill-Ewwel Ittra lill-Korintin 12:12-30

Ħuti, bħalma l-ġisem hu wieħed, u fih ħafna membri, u l-membri kollha tal-ġisem, għad li huma ħafna, jagħmlu ġisem wieħed, hekk ukoll Kristu. Għax aħna wkoll, ilkoll tgħammidna fi Spirtu wieħed biex nagħmlu ġisem wieħed, sew Lhud sew Griegi, sew ilsiera sew ħielsa, u lkoll xrobna minn Spirtu wieħed. Issa l-ġisem mhuwiex membru wieħed, imma magħmul minn ħafna membri. Kieku s-sieq kellha tgħid: “Ladarba m’iniex l-id, jien m’iniex biċċa mill-ġisem”, b’daqshekk mhijiex parti mill-ġisem? U kieku l-widna kellha tgħid: “Ladarba m’iniex l-għajn, jien m’iniex biċċa mill-ġisem”, ma jkunx ifisser b’daqshekk li hi mhijiex biċċa mill-ġisem. Kieku l-ġisem kollu kien għajn, fejn kien ikun is-smigħ? U kieku kien kollu smigħ, fejn kien ikun ix-xamm? Iżda Alla qiegħed il-membri fil-ġisem kull wieħed f’postu, kif għoġbu hu. Kieku kollha kellhom ikunu membru wieħed, fejn hu l-ġisem? Imma ħafna, iva, huma l-membri, iżda wieħed hu l-ġisem. L-għajn ma tistax tgħid lill-id: “Jiena ma għandix bżonnok”, anqas ir-ras ma tgħid lis-saqajn: “Ma għandix bżonnkom”. Mhux hekk biss, imma l-membri tal-ġisem li jidhru l-aktar dgħajfa, huma l-aktar meħtieġa; u dawk li nqisu bl-inqas ġieħ fil-ġisem, lil dawn l-aktar li nieħdu ħsiebhom; u ’l dawk li ma għandhomx ġmiel, inlibbsuhom b’aktar ġmiel; għax il-membri sbieħ ma għandhom bżonn xejn. Alla imma bena l-ġisem b’mod li żejjen b’aktar ġieħ lil dawk li jeħtiġuh l-aktar. B’hekk ma jkunx hemm firda fil-ġisem, imma l-membri kollha jaħsbu f’xulxin. Jekk membru jbati, ibatu lkoll miegħu; jekk membru jingħata l-ġieħ, jifirħu lkoll miegħu. Intom il-ġisem ta’ Kristu, u kull wieħed minnkom membru tiegħu. Lil xi wħud Alla qegħedhom fil-Knisja fl-ewwel post bħala appostli, it-tieni bħala profeti, it-tielet bħala għalliema. Imbagħad id-don tal-mirakli, imbagħad id-don tal-fejqan, l-għajnuna, it-treġija, u d-don ta’ ilsna diversi. Jaqaw ilkoll appostli? Ilkoll profeti? Ilkoll għalliema? Ilkoll bid-don tal-mirakli? Ilkoll għandhom id-don tal-fejqan? Ilkoll jitkellmu bl-ilsna? Ilkoll ifissru? Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel             LUKE 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

 Evanġelju              Qari skont San Luqa 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Bosta kienu dawk li ħadu f’idejhom ix-xogħol li jiġbru bl-ordni f’rakkont wieħed il-ġrajja li seħħew fostna, kif għaddewhom lilna dawk li sa mill-bidu rawhom b’għajnejhom stess u saru ministri tal-Kelma. Hekk ukoll jien, għażiż Teofilu, wara li bir-reqqa kollha qgħadt infittex it-tagħrif dwar kulma ġara sa mill-bidu nett, deherli li għandi niktiblek kollox ħaġa b’ħaġa, biex tagħraf sewwa l-verità sħiħa dwar kulma tgħallimt. Jum wieħed, Ġesù, bil-qawwa tal-Ispirtu, reġa’ mar il-Galilija; u l-fama tiegħu xterdet ma’ dawk l-inħawi kollha, għax hu kien jgħallem fis-sinagogi tagħhom fost it-tifħir ta’ kulħadd. U ġie Nazaret fejn kien trabba. Daħal fis-sinagoga tagħhom, kif kien imdorri jagħmel nhar ta’ Sibt, u qam biex jaqra. Tawh f’idejh il-ktieb ta’ Iżaija l-profeta, fetħu u sab fejn kien hemm miktub dan li ġej: “L-Ispirtu tal-Mulej fuqi, għax hu kkonsagrani. Bagħatni nħabbar il-ħelsien lill-imjassrin, inwassal il-bxara t-tajba lill-fqajrin, u d-dawl mill-ġdid lill-għomja, irrodd il-ħelsien lill-maħqurin u nxandar is-sena tal-grazzja tal-Mulej”. Imbagħad raġa’ għalaq il-ktieb, tah lura lill-qaddej u qagħad bilqiegħda. Għajnejn kulħadd fis-sinagoga kienu msammra fuqu. U beda jgħidilhom: “Din il-kitba seħħet illum, intom u tisimgħu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

THE LIBERATING POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD

Central theme:

Sunday’s Gospel, presenting Jesus’ “inaugural address” in the synagogue of Nazareth and outlining his theology of total liberation, marks a great moment in Jesus’ ministry. The Scripture readings for today focus our attention on the importance and liberating power of the Word of God as “sacramental,” making God present in our midst. The readings challenge us to listen to the Word, accept it into our hearts, then put it into practice as we live out our lives, thus liberating ourselves and others from all types of bondages.

Scripture lessons summarized:

Today’s first reading, taken from Nehemiah, and Luke’s Gospel both describe a public reading of Sacred Scripture which challenges the hearers to make a “fresh beginning” with a new outlook. In the first reading, after rebuilding the Temple and restoring the city, Ezra leads the people in a “Covenant renewal” ceremony by reading and interpreting the Law. 

Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 19) sings the praises of the Law of the Lord and its effects on those who accept it. The Second Reading, taken from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, reminds us that “together we are Christ’s Body, but each of us is a different part of it.” This suggests that, as different parts of Christ’s Body, each of us has a share, as instruments in God’s hands, in bringing the freeing and saving mission of Christ to our world in our times.

Sunday’s Gospel describes how, on a Sabbath, Jesus stood before the people in the synagogue of his hometown, Nazareth, reading and interpreting what Isaiah had prophesied about the Messiah and his mission. Jesus claims that he is One sent “to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberation to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and freedom for the oppressed”—language that reflects the Biblical year of Jubilee. 

To the great amazement and disbelief of his own townsmen, Jesus declares that Isaiah’s prophecy is being fulfilled at that very moment “in your hearing,” because the prophecy foretells and describes Jesus’ own mission and ministry. Jesus’ mission is still to give liberation to everyone who will listen to his “Good News,” accept it and put it into practice. Luke reports that surprise and admiration were the initial reactions of the people who were astonished at the power and eloquence. of this son of their soil

Life messages:

1) We need to receive Christ’s freedom, live it and pass it on to others: As members of Christ’s Mystical Body, we share in the freeing, saving mission of Jesus. But we are captives of sin. We need Christ to set us free. We are often blinded by our evil habits, addictions and need for financial security. Once we receive true liberation from Christ, we have to share it with those we encounter in our daily lives, families, neighborhoods, parishes and workplaces.

2) We need to let the power of the Holy Spirit fill us, and then be ready to have miracles done through us. Today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus performed miracles because he was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us be ready to become Spirit-filled instruments of Christ’s saving freedom.

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LET US FOLLOW MARY'S INSTRUCTIONS

 Readings for Sunday, January 16, 2021

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 66

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

 

 Reading 1                ISAIAH 62:1-5

For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,    for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her vindication shines forth like the dawn    and her victory like a burning torch. Nations shall behold your vindication,    and all the kings your glory; you shall be called by a new name    pronounced by the mouth of the LORD. You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,    a royal diadem held by your God. No more shall people call you “Forsaken, “ or your land “Desolate, “ but you shall be called “My Delight, “ and your land “Espoused.” For the LORD delights in you and makes your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin,    your Builder shall marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride    so shall your God rejoice in you.

QARI 1             mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Iżaija 62:1-5

Minħabba f’Sijon ma nehdiex, minħabba f’Ġerusalemm ma niskotx, sa ma tfeġġ bħal dija l-ġustizzja tagħha, tħeġġeġ bħal torċa s-salvazzjoni tagħha. Il-ġustizzja tiegħek għad jarawha l-ġnus, u s-sebħ tiegħek jarawh is-slaten kollha. B’isem ġdid għad isejħulek, isem li għad jagħżlu fomm il-Mulej. Għad tkun kuruna ta’ ġmiel f’id il-Mulej, u dijadema ta’ sultan f’id Alla tiegħek. Ma jgħidulekx aktar l-Abbandunata, lanqas lil artek l-Imħarbta. Lilek għad isejħulek Għaxqti Fiha, u lil artek għad jgħidulha Għarusa, għax l-għaxqa tal-Mulej fik, u artek għad titgħarras. Bħalma għarus jitgħarras xebba, hekk jitgħarrsek il-Bennej tiegħek; u bħalma l-għarus jitgħaxxaq b’għarustu, hekk jitgħaxxaq bik Alla tiegħek. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm             PSALMs 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10

Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

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. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.  

SALM RESPONSORJALI              Salm 95:1-2a,2b-3,7-8a,9-10aċ

R/.(3): Xandru fost il-popli kollha l-għeġubijiet tal-Mulej.

Għannu lill-Mulej għanja ġdida;
għannu lill-Mulej fl-art kollha!
Għannu lill-Mulej, bierku ismu! R/.

Ħabbru minn jum għal ieħor is-salvazzjoni tiegħu.
Xandru fost il-ġnus is-sebħ tiegħu,
fost il-popli kollha l-għeġubijiet tiegħu. R/.

Agħtu lill-Mulej, familji tal-popli,
agħtu lill-Mulej sebħ u qawwa;
agħtu lill-Mulej is-sebħ ta’ ismu! R/.

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

Reading 2               1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-11

Brothers and sisters: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;  there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another, the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another, faith by the same Spirit; to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another, mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, discernment of spirits; to another, varieties of tongues; to another, interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.

QARI 2               mill-1 Ittra ta’ San Pawl lill-Korintin 12:4-11

Ħuti, hemm diversi doni, imma l-istess wieħed hu l-Ispirtu; hemm diversi ministeri, imma l-istess wieħed hu l-Mulej; hemm diversi ħidmiet, imma l-istess Alla, li jaħdem kollox f’kulħadd. Lil kull wieħed tingħata r-rivelazzjoni tal-Ispirtu għall-ġid ta’ kulħadd: lil wieħed kliem l-għerf, mill-istess Spirtu; lil ieħor il-kelma tas-sapjenza mill-istess Spirtu; lil ieħor il-fidi mill-istess Spirtu; lil ieħor id-don tal-fejqan mill-istess Spirtu; lil ieħor is-setgħa tal-mirakli; lil ieħor id-don tal-profezija; lil ieħor id-don tal-għażla tal-ispirti; lil ieħor diversi ilsna; lil ieħor it-tifsir tal-ilsna. Dan kollu jaħdmu l-istess Spirtu wieħed, li jqassam lil kull wieħed kif jogħġbu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               JOHN 2:1-11

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it.  And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from — although the servers who had drawn the water knew —, the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

EVANĠELJU              Qari skont San Ġwann 2:1-11

F’dak iż-żmien, sar tieġ f’Kana tal-Galilija, u omm Ġesù kienet hemm. Ġesù kien mistieden għat-tieġ hu wkoll flimkien mad-dixxipli tiegħu. Billi ma kienx fadal iżjed inbid, omm Ġesù qaltlu: “Ma għandhomx inbid”. U Ġesù qalilha: “X’hemm bejni u bejnek, mara? Is-siegħa tiegħi għadha ma waslitx”. Omm Ġesù qalet lill-qaddejja: “Agħmlu kulma jgħidilkom hu”. Issa kien hemm sitt ġarar tal-ħaġar, imqiegħda hemm għar-rit tal-purifikazzjoni tal-Lhud, kull waħda minnhom tasa’ xi mitt jew mija u għoxrin litru. Ġesù qal lill-qaddejja: “Imlew il-ġarar bl-ilma”. U dawk imlewhom sax-xifer. Imbagħad qalilhom: “Issa ħudu minnu u newluh lil dak li qiegħed jieħu ħsieb il-mejda”. U huma marru jagħtuhulu. Hu daq l-ilma mibdul fi nbid; u billi ma kienx jaf mnejn ġie, għalkemm il-qaddejja li ħadu mill-ilma kienu jafu, sejjaħ lill-għarus u qallu: “Kulħadd l-inbid it-tajjeb iservi l-ewwel; meta mbagħad ikun ħadhom iġibu dak li jkun inqas tajjeb. Imma int l-inbid it-tajjeb erfajtu sa issa”.Dan li għamel Ġesù f’Kana tal-Galilija kien l-ewwel wieħed fost is-sinjali tiegħu. Bih wera l-glorja tiegħu u d-dixxipli tiegħu emmnu fih.
Il-Kelma tal-Mulej   

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

OUR MARRIAGE WITH GOD

 

Central theme:

This week we are at a wedding in Cana where Jesus reveals Divine power by transforming water into wine. The Bible begins with one wedding, that of Adam and Eve in the garden (Gn 2:23-24), and ends with another, the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rv 19:9, 21:9, 22:17). At Cana, Jesus also blesses human marriage, perhaps at that moment instituting the Sacrament of Matrimony. Throughout the Bible, marriage is the symbol of the Covenant relationship between God and His chosen people. God is the faithful Bridegroom and humanity is His beloved bride. Let us pray for God’s daily miracles in our families.( An anecdote may be added here)

Scripture lessons summarized:

We see this theme beautifully presented in Sunday’s first reading, where Isaiah uses the metaphor of spousal love to describe God’s love for Israel. God’s fidelity to his people is compared to a husband’s fidelity to his wife.Isaiah predicts God’s salvation of Jerusalem after the return of the Babylonian exiles and visualizes it as a wedding between God and Jerusalem. 

Jesus’ provision of abundant wine for the wedding feast in Cana signifies that the day foreseen by Isaiah has arrived. Anticipating the joy of this wedding, the Psalmist urges us in the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 96),” Sing to the Lord a new song.” In today’s second reading, St. Paul reminds us that the new wine that Jesus pours out for us is the gift of the Holy Spirit, given to His Bride. 

In today’s Gospel, John describes the first of the seven “signs’ by which Jesus showed forth His Divinity. When the wine “ran short,” Jesus’ Mother told Jesus about it. At first Jesus seemed to refuse to do anything about it. But later he told the servants to fill six large stone jars with water and take some of the miraculous water-made-wine to the headwaiter. When they did so, the headwaiter expressed his surprise that such a great wine had been reserved for late use.

Life messages:

1) Let us “invite Jesus and Mary to remain with us in our homes” when we feel shortages in our family lives. The spouses need Jesus and Mary when their dreams are gone, mutual love seems dried up, the relationship becomes boring, and raising the children becomes a burden draining all their energy. The awareness of the presence of Jesus and Mary in the family will encourage parents to create an atmosphere of prayer, Bible-reading, mutual love, and respect, with a spirit of forgiveness and sacrificial service at home. This change will refresh and renovate family life, removing its boredom.

2) Let us follow Mary’s instruction, “Do whatever He tells you.“ This is the only recorded command given by Mary in the New Testament, and it is a prerequisite for miracles in our families. The Bible tells us how to do the will of God and effect salvific changes in our daily lives. 3) Just as Jesus filled the empty water jars with wine, let us fill the empty hearts around us with love. By the miracle of Cana, Jesus challenges us also to enrich the empty lives of those around us with the new wine of love, mercy, concern, and care. 4) Let us learn to appreciate the miracles of God’s providence in our lives. God, often as an uninvited guest in our families, works daily miracles in our lives by protecting us from physical and moral dangers, providing for our needs, inspiring us, and strengthening us with His Holy Spirit. Let us also appre, where God transforms our offering of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus.

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THE LORD'S BAPTISM ...AND OURS

 Readings for Sunday, January 9, 2022

The Baptism of the Lord
Lectionary: 21

iv-Ħadd wara l-Epifanija
Il-Magħmudija tal-Mulej

 

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 a 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 imħabbta 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 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30

O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
     you are clothed with majesty and glory,
robed in light as with a cloak.
     You have spread out the heavens like a tent-cloth;
R. O bless the Lord, my soul.

You have constructed your palace upon the waters.
     You make the clouds your chariot;
you travel on the wings of the wind.
     You make the winds your messengers,
and flaming fire your ministers.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul.

How manifold are your works, O LORD!
     In wisdom you have wrought them allC
the earth is full of your creatures;
     the sea also, great and wide,
in which are schools without number
     of living things both small and great.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul.

They look to you to give them food in due time.
     When you give it to them, they gather it;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul.

If you take away their breath, they perish and return to the dust.
     When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul.

Salm Responsorjali             Salm 103(104):1b-2,3-4,24-25,27-28,29-30

R/.(1): Bierek, ruħ tiegħi, il-Mulej!
Mulej, Alla tiegħi, inti kbir bil-bosta!
Bis-sebħ u l-ġmiel inti mlibbes,
bid-dawl, bħal b’mantell, inti mkebbeb.
Inti frixt is-smewwiet bħal tinda. R/.

Waqqaft fuq l-ilma l-għamajjar għolja tiegħek.
Inti tagħmel is-sħab mirkeb tiegħek,
fuq ġwienaħ ir-riħ tiġġerra.
L-irjieħ tagħmilhom ħabbara tiegħek,
u l-ilsna tan-nar qaddejja tiegħek. R/.

Kemm huma kotrana l-għemejjel tiegħek, Mulej!
Kollha bl-għerf għamilthom;
mimlija l-art bil-ħlejjaq tiegħek.
Dan il-baħar ta’ kobor u wisa’ bla tarf,
li fih jimraħ ħut bla għadd;
bhejjem żgħar u bhejjem kbar. R/.

Minnek jistennew il-ħlejjaq kollha
li tagħtihom ikilhom f’waqtu.
Inti tagħtihom, u huma jiġbru;
tiftaħ idejk, u jixbgħu bil-ġid. R/.

Jekk taħbi wiċċek, huma jinfixlu;
jekk teħdilhom nifishom, imutu,
u lejn it-trab jerġgħu jmorru.
Malli tibgħat in-nifs tiegħek, jinħolqu,
u inti ġġedded il-wiċċ tal-art. R/.

Reading 2                  TITUS 2:11-14; 3:4-7

Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good. When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,  whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Qari 2              mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl lil Titu 2:11-14; 3:4-7

Ibni, dehret il-grazzja ta’ Alla, għas-salvazzjoni lill-bnedmin kollha; hi trawwimna nwarrbu l-ħażen u l-ġibdiet tad-dinja, biex ngħixu bir-rażna u l-ġustizzja u t-tjieba f’dan iż-żmien, u nistennew it-tama hienja u d-dehra tal-glorja tal-kbir Alla u Salvatur tagħna, Ġesù Kristu. Hu ta lilu nnifsu għalina biex jifdina minn kull ħażen u jnaddafna u jagħmel minna poplu magħżul għalih, poplu mħeġġeġ għall-għemil it-tajjeb. Iżda meta feġġet it-tjieba ta’ Alla, Salvatur tagħna, u l-imħabba tiegħu għall-bnedmin, hu salvana bil-ħasil ta’ twelid ġdid u t-tiġdid tal-Ispirtu s-Santu, mhux minħabba l-opri tajba li stajna għamilna aħna, iżda minħabba l-ħniena tiegħu. Dan l-Ispirtu hu xerrdu bil-kotra fuqna b’Ġesù Kristu, is-Salvatur tagħna, biex bis-saħħa tal-grazzja tiegħu nitqaddsu u nsiru werrieta tal-ħajja ta’ dejjem skont it-tama li għandna. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel             LUKE 3:15-16, 21-22

The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

:Evanġelju              Qari mill-Evanġelju skont San Luqa 3:15-16,21-22

F’dak iż-żmien, il-poplu kien qiegħed jistenna ħerqan, u kulħadd kien jistaqsi lilu nnifsu dwar Ġwanni, jekk kienx hu l-Messija. Għalhekk Ġwanni qabad u qal lil kulħadd: “Jien, ngħid għalija, ngħammidkom bl-ilma, imma ġej wieħed aqwa minni, li ma jistħoqqlix inħollu l-qfieli tal-qorq tiegħu. Hu jgħammidkom bl-Ispirtu s-Santu u n-nar”. Ġara li, wara li tgħammed il-poplu kollu, Ġesù tgħammed ukoll u, waqt li kien qiegħed jitlob, is-smewwiet infetħu, u niżel l-Ispirtu s-Santu u deher fuqu fis-sura ta’ ħamiema. U mis-sema ġie leħen jgħid: “Inti Ibni l-għażiż; fik sibt l-għaxqa tiegħi”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej
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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

RENEWING OUR OWN BAPTISM

while witnessing the Baptism of the Lord

Introduction:

The Baptism of the Lord is the great event celebrated by the Eastern churches on the feast of Epiphany because it is the occasion of the first public revelation of all the Three Persons in the Holy Trinity, and the official revelation of Jesus as the Son of God to the world by God the Father. Hence, it is described by all four Gospels. It marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. (A homily starter anecdote may be added here)

The turning point: 

Jesus' baptism by John was a very important event in the Messianic mission. First it was a moment of identification with us sinners. Sinless, Jesus received the baptism of repentance to identify Himself with His people who realized for the first time that they were sinners. (As given in the anecdotes, St. Damien, Blessed Mother Teresa, Gandhi, and Mandela identified with the people whom they served).  

Second, it was a moment of conviction about Jesus’ identity and mission: that He is the Son of God and His mission was to preach the Good News of God’s love and salvation and to atone for our sins by becoming the “suffering servant.” God the Father’s words, “This is My beloved Son,” (Psalm 2:17), confirmed Jesus’ identity as Incarnate Son of God, and the words “with Whom I am well pleased,” (Isaiah 42:1), referring to the “suffering servant“), pointed to Jesus’ mission of atoning for the sins of the world by suffering and dying on the cross. 

Third, it was a moment of equipment. The Holy Spirit, descending and resting upon Jesus in the form of a dove, bestowed on Jesus the power to preach and heal.  

Fourth, receiving the approval of God, His Heavenly Father, as His Beloved Son presented Jesus with a moment of decision   to begin public ministry at the most opportune time.

Life messages:

(1) The baptism of Jesus reminds us of our identity. It reminds us of who we are and Whose we are.  By Baptism we become sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus, members of his Church, heirs of Heaven, and temples of the Holy Spirit.

(2) Jesus’ baptism reminds us also of our mission:  

    a) to experience the presence of God within us, to acknowledge our own dignity as God’s children, and to appreciate the Divine Presence in others by honoring them, loving them and serving them in all humility; 

    b) to live as the children of God in thought, word and action.

    c) to lead  holy and transparent Christian lives and not to desecrate  our bodies (the temples of the Holy Spirit and members of Jesus’ Body), by impurity, injustice, intolerance, jealousy, or hatred; 

    d) to accept both the good and the bad experiences of life as the gifts of a loving Heavenly Father for our growth in holiness; e) to grow daily in intimacy with God by personal and family prayers, by meditative reading of the Word of God, by participating in the Holy Mass, and by frequenting the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

(3) It is a day to thank God for the graces we have received in Baptism, to renew our Baptismal promises and to preach Christ’s “Good News” by our transparent Christian lives of love, mercy, service and forgiveness.

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WHEN GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH

 Readings for Sunday, January 2, 2021

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 your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

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

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

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

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

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 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 mill-Evanġelju skont 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  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

JESUS SHOWS US HIS PLANS

Introduction: 

The Greek word Epiphany (επιφάνεια), means appearance or manifestation. First, the angels revealed Jesus to the shepherds. In the Western Church, the Feast of the Epiphany celebrates Jesus’ first manifestation to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, while in the Eastern Church, the Feast commemorates the baptism of Christ, at which the Father and the Holy Spirit gave combined testimony to Jesus’ identity as Son of God. 

Later, in the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus revealed Himself in words as the promised Messiah, and at Cana Jesus revealed His Divinity by transforming water into wine. These multiple revelations are all suggested by the Feast of the Epiphany.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

Sunday’s Gospel teaches us how Christ enriches those who bring Him their hearts and offer their lives to Him. The adoration of the Magi fulfills the oracle of Isaiah (first reading), prophesying that the nations of the world would travel to the Holy City following a brilliant light, bringing gold and incense to contribute to the worship of God. 

Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 72) verses 10-11 picture kings from foreign lands bringing gifts to pay homage to a just king in Israel. Paul’s letter to the Church of Ephesus (today’s second reading), expresses God’s secret plan in clear terms: “the Gentiles are…co-heirs … co-partners in the promise, in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” Today’s also Gospel reminds us that if God brought the Magi – foreigners and pagans – to recognize and give Jesus proper respect as the King of Jews, we should know that there is nothing in our sinful lives that would keep God from bringing us to Jesus. 

There were three groups of people who reacted to the Epiphany of Christ’s birth. The first group, headed by King Herod, tried to eliminate Jesus, the second group, priests and scribes, ignored Jesus, and the third group, represented by the shepherds and the Magi, came to adore Jesus.

Life Messages: 

(1) Let us make sure that we belong to the third group: 

   a) by actively worshiping Jesus at Mass with the gold of our love, the myrrh of our humility and the frankincense of our adoration;

    b) by giving a new direction to our lives. Just as the Magi chose another route to return to their homes, let us choose a better way of life, abstaining from proud, unjust and impure thoughts, words, and actions, evil habits, and selfish behavior; 

   c) by becoming stars leading others to Jesus, as the star led the Magi to Jesus. Let us remove the darkness of the evil around us by radiating the light of Jesus’ love through selfless service, unconditional forgiveness and compassionate care. 

(2) Like the Magi, let us offer Jesus our gifts on this feast of Epiphany and every day: 

   (a) the Gift of our life by offering it on the altar during the Holy Mass and every morning as soon as we get up, asking for the strengthening anointing of the Holy Spirit to do good and avoid evil during the course of the day. 

   b) the Gift of responsive relationship with God by talking to Him in personal and family prayers and listening to Him through reading the Holy Bible every day. 

   c) the Gift of friendship with God by recognizing Jesus’ presence in, and offering loving, humble service to, everyone we encounter, and by getting reconciled to God every night asking His pardon and forgiveness for our sins and failures during the day.

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Celebrating the Mother of God

 Saturday, January 1st, 2022                                                The Octave Day of Christmas  

 

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

 Lectionary: 18

This Saturday we celebrate Our Blessed |Mother Mary as the Virgin Mary, Mother of God... or Theotokos, the title used in the Eastern Orthodox Church as a title of the Virgin Mary, "the love poured into the Theotokos to enable her to love so fully in her turn".

 

Theotokos is a very special title of Mary which is usually translated into Latin as Dei Genitrix or Deipara. Familiar English translations are "Mother of God" or "God-bearer" – but these both have different literal equivalents in Greek, Μήτηρ Θεοῦ and Θεοφόρος.

Is Mary the Theotokos, the Mother of God?

 

 Calling Mary the Theotokos or the Mother of God (Μητηρ Θεου) was never meant to suggest that Mary was co eternal with God, or that she existed before Jesus Christ or God existed. The Church acknowledges the mystery in the words of this ancient hymn: "He whom the entire universe could not contain was contained within your womb, O Theotokos."   Theotokos - OrthodoxWiki

 

 

LEARNING FROM THE HOLY FAMILY

//////////////////////  Readings for Sunday, December 26, 2021

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Lectionary: 17


Il-Ħadd fl-Ottava tal-Milied
Festa tal-Familja Mqaddsa ta’ Ġesù, Marija u Ġużeppi 

 

Reading 1               1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28

In those days Hannah conceived, and at the end of her term bore a son whom she called Samuel, since she had asked the LORD for him. The next time her husband Elkanah was going up with the rest of his household to offer the customary sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vows, Hannah did not go, explaining to her husband, “Once the child is weaned, I will take him to appear before the LORD and to remain there forever; I will offer him as a perpetual nazirite.” Once Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh. After the boy’s father had sacrificed the young bull, Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said: “Pardon, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.” Hannah left Samuel there.

QARI 1              mill-Ewwel Ktieb ta’ Samwel 1, 20-22.24-28

F’dak iż-żmien Anna tqalet, u meta wasal żmienha wildet iben u semmietu Samwel “għaliex – kif qalet hi – tlabtu lill-Mulej”. Elkana bil-familja kollha tala’ joffri s-sagrifiċċju ta’ kull sena lill-Mulej u jtemm il-wegħda tiegħu. Imma Anna ma telgħetx, għaliex qalet lil żewġha: “Meta nkun ftamt it-tifel, imbagħad nieħdu biex jidher quddiem il-Mulej, u jibqa’ hemm għal dejjem”. U meta fatmitu, Anna tellgħet ’il binha magħha fid-dar tal-Mulej f’Silo. Ħadet magħha gendus ta’ tliet snin, efa dqiq u żaqq inbid, u marret bit-tfajjel magħha. Hemm qatlu l-gendus, u ressqu t-tifel quddiem Għeli, u qaltlu: “Nitolbok, sidi; daqskemm int ħaj, sidi, jien dik il-mara li kienet wieqfa hawn ħdejk titlob lill-Mulej. Għal dan it-tifel kont tlabt, u l-Mulej laqa’ t-talba tiegħi, u tani li tlabtu. U issa jien se nagħtih lill-Mulej il-jiem kollha ta’ ħajtu, u kemm idum ħaj ikun tal-Mulej”. U qiemu lill-Mulej hemmhekk. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

 Responsorial Psalm             PSALM 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10.

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!
    My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
R. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.

Happy they who dwell in your house!
    Continually they praise you.
Happy the men whose strength you are!
    Their hearts are set upon the pilgrimage.
R. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.

O LORD of hosts, hear our prayer;
    hearken, O God of Jacob!
O God, behold our shield,
    and look upon the face of your anointed.
R. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI              Salm 83 (84), 2-3. 5-6. 9-10
R/. (5a): Henjin dawk li jgħammru f’darek, Mulej

Kemm hi għażiża d-dar tiegħek,
Mulej tal-eżerċti!
Tixxennaq u tinfena ruħi għat-tempju tal-Mulej;
ngħanni ferħan b’ruħi u ġismi lil Alla l-ħaj. R/.

Henjin dawk li jgħammru f’darek;
huma jfaħħruk għal dejjem.
Henjin dawk li jsibu fik il-qawwa tagħhom,
li għandhom għal qalbhom il-pellegrinaġġ għat-tempju. R/.

Mulej, Alla tal-eżerċti, isma’ talbi;
agħti widen, Alla ta’ Ġakobb.
Ħares, o Alla, lejn it-tarka tagħna,
ħares lejn is-sultan, il-midluk tiegħek. R/.

Reading 2             1 JOHN 3:1-2, 21-24

Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. And so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us. Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he gave us.

QARI 2              mill-Ewwel Ittra ta’ San Ġwann Appostlu 3, 1-2, 21-24

Għeżież, araw b’liema għożża ħabbna l-Missier; nistgħu nissejħu wlied Alla, u hekk aħna tassew! Għalhekk id-dinja ma tagħrafniex, għax ma għarfitx lilu. Għeżież, issa aħna wlied Alla, imma x’se nkunu ’l quddiem mhuwiex irrivelat lilna. Madankollu nafu li meta jidher hu, aħna nkunu bħalu, għax narawh kif inhu. Għeżież, jekk il-kuxjenza tagħna ma ċċanfarniex, aħna qalbna qawwija quddiem Alla, u kulma nitolbu naqilgħuh mingħandu, għax qegħdin inżommu l-kmandamenti tiegħu u nagħmlu dak li jogħġob lilu. Dan hu l-kmandament tiegħu: li nemmnu fl-isem ta’ Ibnu Ġesù Kristu, u nħobbu ’l xulxin, kif wissiena hu. Min iżomm il-kmandamenti tiegħu jgħammar f’Alla u Alla fih. B’hekk nagħrfu li hu jgħammar fina: bl-Ispirtu li hu tana. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel             LUKE 2:41-52

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him,  “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favour before God and man.

EVANĠELJU          Qari skond San Luqa 2, 41-52

Ta’ kull sena l-ġenituri ta’ Ġesù kienu jmorru Ġerusalemm għall-festa tal-Għid. Meta kellu tnax-il sena telgħu wkoll, skont id-drawwa ta’ dik il-festa. Wara li għaddew dawk il-ġranet qabdu t-triq lura, imma t-tfajjel Ġesù baqa’ Ġerusalemm bla ma kienu jafu l-ġenituri tiegħu. Huma ħasbuh qiegħed ma’ xi wħud li kienu fit-triq magħhom; iżda meta wara jum mixi fittxewh fost qrabathom u n-nies li kienu jafuhom, ma sabuhx, u għalhekk reġgħu lura Ġerusalemm ifittxuh. Wara tlitt ijiem sabuh fit-tempju, bilqiegħda f’nofs l-għalliema, jismagħhom u jistaqsihom; u kull min semgħu baqa’ mistagħġeb bid-dehen u t-tweġibiet tiegħu. Kif rawh, instamtu, u ommu qaltlu: “Ibni, dan għaliex għamiltilna hekk? Ara, missierek u jiena konna qegħdin infittxuk b’qalbna maqsuma”. U hu qalilhom: “U għaliex kontu qegħdin tfittxuni? Ma tafux li jiena għandi nkun f’dak li hu ta’ Missieri?”. Iżda kliemu ma fehmuhx. Imbagħad niżel magħhom u raġa’ mar Nazaret; u kien jobdihom. U ommu kienet tgħożż f’qalbha dawn il-ħwejjeġ kollha. U hekk Ġesù baqa’ jikber fl-għerf, fis-snin u fil-grazzja, quddiem Alla u quddiem il-bnedmin. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight-minute  Gospel reflection by Fr Antony Kadavil   

Offering our own families on the altar to God

Central theme:

On the last Sunday of the calendar year, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. On this feast day we are offering our own families and all their members on the altar to ask God’s blessing on them and to obtain for them the guidance of the Holy Family. 

Scripture lessons summarized:

The first reading, taken from the First Book of Samuel, describes how Elkanah and Hannah presented their child Samuel in the Temple, consecrated him to the service of the Lord as a perpetual Nazarite, and left him in the Temple under the care of Eli, the priest. In Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 128), the Psalmist reminds us that happy homes are the fruit of our faithfulness to the Lord. 

In the second reading, John reminds us that, as children of God the Father, we are members of God’s own family, and as such we are expected to obey the greatest commandment of God: “Love one another,” so that we may remain united to God in the Holy Spirit. 

In today’s Gospel, Luke concludes his detailed story of Christ’s infancy, with the events of Jesus’ visit to the Temple in Jerusalem at the age of twelve to become “a son of the Law” and to take up the obligations of the Law. Jesus lingered behind in the Temple, attending the Sanhedrin classes on religious and theological questions as an eager student of Mosaic Law. Finally, when Mary and Joseph had found him in the Temple after three days of anxious search, Jesus reminded them that He “had to be” in his Father’s House. It was as if Jesus had had a blaze of realization about His Divine Sonship. 

The Gospel then summarizes the next 18 years of Jesus’ life, stating that Jesus grew up at Nazareth like any other young man, obeying his parents, faithfully discharging all his duties to God, to his parents, and to the community, “advancing in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.”

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 He 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 and gave them 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) Parents need to examine their consciences: On the Feast of the only perfect Family that ever lived on this earth, all parents might examine themselves to see how well they are fulfilling the grave responsibility which God has placed on them. As they heard during their marriage ceremony: “children are a gift from God to you” for whom their parents are accountable before God, as they must, in the end, return these, His children, to Him. Let us pray for the grace of caring for one another in our own families, for each member of our parish family, and for all families of the universal Church. May God bless all our families in the New Year!
 
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