"If your hand causes you to sin, chop it off"?!

 Readings for Sunday, September 22, 2024 

                                                                      

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 137

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

Reading 1               BOOK OF NUMBERS 11:25-29

The LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses.  Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses, the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders; and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied. Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad, were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp. They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent; yet the spirit came to rest on them also, and they prophesied in the camp. So, when a young man quickly told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, " Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses' aide, said, "Moses, my lord, stop them." But Moses answered him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets! Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"

QARI 1                        mill-Ktieb tan-Numri 11:25-29

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Mulej niżel fi sħaba jkellem lil Mosè, u ħa mill-ispirtu li kellu fih, u tah lis-sebgħin xiħ; u ġara li, hekk kif l-ispirtu qagħad fuqhom, bdew jipprofetizzaw, imma ma ssuktawx. Issa fil-kamp kien baqa’ żewġt irġiel, wieħed jismu Eldad u l-ieħor Medad, u fuqhom ukoll niżel l-ispirtu. Hekk dawn ġew magħduda mal-magħżulin għax, għalkemm ma marrux fit-tinda, bdew jipprofetizzaw fil-kamp. Dlonk mar wieħed żagħżugħ jgħarraf b’dan lil Mosè, u qallu: “Eldad u Medad qegħdin jipprofetizzaw fil-kamp”. U Ġożwè bin Nun, li minn ċkunitu kien qaddej ta’ Mosè, qabad u qal: “Sidi Mosè, tħallihomx aktar”. Iżda Mosè wieġbu: “Jaqaw qiegħed tgħir minħabba fija? Jalla l-poplu tal-Mulej ikun kollu profeti, u jalla l-Mulej iqiegħed fuqhom l-ispirtu tiegħu!”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14

The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Though your servant is careful of them,
very diligent in keeping them,
yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown faults!
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and innocent
of serious sin.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 18(19):8,10,12-13,14

R/.(9a): Il-preċetti tal-Mulej dritti, u jferrħu l-qalb.

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

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

Fehemhom sewwa l-qaddej tiegħek;
ħlas tajjeb għandu min iħarishom.
In-nuqqas min jista’ jagħrfu?
Minn dak li ma nafx bih saffini. R/.

Mill-kburija wkoll ħares il-qaddej tiegħek,
tħalliha qatt taħkimni.
Imbagħad inkun bla ħtija
u ħieles minn dnub kbir. R/.

Reading 2                 JAMES 5:1-6

Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. You have stored up treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one;  he offers you no resistance.

QARI 2                 mill-Ittra ta’ San Ġakbu Appostlu 5:1-6

Ejjew issa, intom il-għonja, ibku u ixhru fuq l-għawġ li ġej fuqkom! Ġidkom tħassar, ħwejjiġkom kilithomlkom il-kamla. Id-deheb u l-fidda tagħkom rabbew is-sadid, u s-sadid tagħkom għad jixhed kontra tagħkom u jiklilkom ġisimkom bħan-nar. Ħżintu l-ġid fl-aħħar jiem! Ara, il-ħlas tal-ħaddiema li ħasdu l-għelieqi tagħkom – ħlas li intom żammejtuhulhom bil-qerq – qiegħed jgħajjat kontra tagħkom, u l-biki ta’ dawk li ħasdu wasal f’widnejn il-Mulej tal-eżerċti. Fuq l-art għextu fix-xalar u l-lussu; qgħadtu tissemmnu għall-jum tal-qatla. Intom ikkundannajtu l-ġust, qtiltuh għax ma jistax jiqfilkom! Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.      

Gospel                MARK 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

At that time, John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"

EVANĠELJU                Qari skont San Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġwanni qal lil Ġesù: “Mgħallem, wieħed raġel, li s-soltu ma jkunx magħna, rajnieh ikeċċi x-xjaten f’ismek u ridna nżommuh, għax hu mhuwiex wieħed minn tagħna”. Imma Ġesù qal: “La żżommuhx, le, għax ma hemm ħadd li se jagħmel miraklu f’ismi u mbagħad malajr se jkollu ħila jgħid kontra tiegħi. Għax min mhuwiex kontra tagħna, huwa magħna.  Min jagħtikom tazza ilma x’tixorbu għax intom tal-Messija, ngħidilkom is-sewwa li ma jibqax mingħajr il-ħlas tiegħu. Imma min jagħti skandlu lil wieħed minn dawn iċ-ċkejknin li jemmnu fija, ikun jaqbillu jekk jorbtulu ma’ għonqu ġebla tat-tħin minn dawk li jdawru l-ħmir u jixħtuh fil-baħar. U jekk idek hija għalik okkażjoni ta’ dnub, aqtagħha barra; jaħbatlek aħjar li tidħol b’id waħda fil-ħajja, milli tmur b’idejk it-tnejn fl-infern, fin-nar li ma jintefiex. U jekk riġlek hu għalik okkażjoni ta’ dnub, aqtgħu barra; jaħbatlek aħjar li tidħol b’riġel wieħed fil-ħajja, milli tinxteħet b’riġlejk it-tnejn fl-infern. U jekk għajnek hi għalik okkażjoni ta’ dnub, aqlagħha barra; jaħbatlek aħjar li tidħol b’għajn waħda fis-Saltna ta’ Alla milli tinxteħet b’għajnejk it-tnejn fl-infern, fejn id-dud tagħhom ma jmutx u fejn in-nar ma jintefiex”.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil    

THE DANGER OF ALLOWING SIN INTO YOUR LIFE

Introduction: 

Sunday’s Scripture readings give us a strong warning against jealousy, intolerance, and giving scandal. 

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the first reading, we find jealousy, in its destructive form of envy, raising its ugly head in Moses’ assistant and successor, Joshua. Moses and seventy future helpers were called by the Lord God to the Tent of Meeting for the Spirit-giving Ordination ceremony. But two of the invitees were absent, and Joshua could not tolerate these absent men prophesying in the camp without receiving God’s Spirit in the Tent of Meeting. Moses had to instruct Joshua to be tolerant. This selection is intended to provide a Biblical background for Jesus’ response to the same kind of jealousy apparent in the apostles. 

The Refrain for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 19), “The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart,” reminds us that obedience to the spirit of the Law will draw us closer to God and so give us lasting joy. In the second reading, James warns the rich against giving scandal by their denial of social justice to their workers in refusing to give them a living wage, by ignoring the needs of others, and by condemning and murdering the innocent, and the righteous. Withholding a day-labourer’s wage was a terrible act of injustice, tantamount to murder in the agricultural economy of the ancient Middle East. Baptism commits every Christian to work for social justice through peaceable, rather than violent, means. 

In the Gospel, we find intolerance among the apostles of Christ. John complains to Jesus that a man outside their group of selected disciples has been exorcising demons in Jesus’ Name, despite their attempt to prevent him from doing so. Jesus responds by giving the Apostles lessons in his own kind of tolerance and in the reward to be given to outsiders for good deeds they have done for the apostles because they are the disciples of Jesus.

We also hear the strong warning of Jesus against giving scandal, especially to innocent children, to vulnerable members of the community, and to beginners in the Faith. Jesus instructs the Apostles, and us, that, just as a doctor might remove by surgery a limb or some part of the body to preserve the life of the whole body, so we must be ready to part with anything that causes us, or others, to sin and so leads to spiritual death.

Life messages: 

#1): Let us avoid conduct that can lead to giving scandal. We give scandal and become stumbling blocks to others: a) when we are unkind or unjust in our treatment of them; b) when we humiliate them by hurting their pride and damaging their self-image; c) when we discourage, ignore, or refuse to accept them; and d) when we become judgmental about those who are still struggling to reach a level of commitment that we feel is too low to be useful. 

#2): Let us learn the Christian virtue of tolerance: Christian tolerance asks that we bear with the weaknesses of others (without condoning the evil they do), by: 

a) remaining true to our conscience and beliefs; 

b) respecting the differences we encounter; 

c) working together on projects of common interest; 

d) affirming what is good in the other person’s position, even when we disagree on certain things; and 

e) allowing the light of Christ to shine through our loving words and deeds.

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THE LORD UPLIFTS OUR LIVES

 Readings for Sunday, September 22, 2024 

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 134

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

Reading 1                 WISDOM 2:12, 17-20

The wicked say: Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him. 

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Għerf 2:12,17-20

In-nies il-ħżiena qalu: “Nonsbulu lill-ġust għaliex hu ta’ xkiel għalina fi triqitna, hu kontra l-għemejjel tagħna, iċanfarna għax niksru l-Liġi, jixlina għax immorru kontra t-tagħlim li ħadna. Ħa naraw hux veru kliemu, naraw fl-aħħar x’se jsir minnu. Jekk il-ġust hu iben Alla, jaqbeż għalih Alla, u jeħilsu minn id l-għedewwa tiegħu. Inġarrbuh bit-tagħjir u l-moħqrija, biex naraw xi tjubija għandu u nkejlu sa fejn jasal sabru. Naqtgħuhielu għall-mewt b’mistħija, għax, kif jgħid hu, għandu min iħarsu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8

O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. The Lord upholds my life.

For the haughty men have risen up against me,
the ruthless seek my life;
they set not God before their eyes.
R. The Lord upholds my life.

Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. The Lord upholds my life.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 53(54):3-4,5,6,8

R/.(6b): Il-Mulej hu dak li jżommni.

B’ismek, o Alla, salvani;
agħmilli ħaqq bil-qawwa tiegħek.
Isma’, o Alla, it-talba tiegħi;
agħti widen għal kliem fommi. R/.

Għax nies kburin qamu kontrija,
nies kefrin jonsbuli ħajti;
ma jżommux ’l Alla quddiem għajnejhom. R/.

Ara, Alla l-għajnuna tiegħi;
il-Mulej hu dak li jżommni.
Minn qalbi noffrilek is-sagrifiċċju;
irrodd ħajr lil ismek, għax hu tajjeb. R/.

Reading 2                 JAMES 3:16—4:3

Beloved:  Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask. You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

QARI 2                 mill-Ittra ta’ San Ġakbu Appostlu 3:16–4:3

Għeżież, fejn hemm l-għira u l-ġlied, hemm issib it-taqlib u kull xorta ta’ ħażen. L-għerf li ġej mis-sema, qabel kollox hu għerf safi, imbagħad hu għerf li jfittex is-sliem, it-tjubija u l-ħlewwa; huwa kollu ħniena u frott tajjeb, bla ma jħares lejn l-uċuħ u bla qerq. Dawk li jfittxu s-sliem jiżirgħu fis-sliem u jkollhom il-frott tal-ġustizzja. Mnejn hu ġej il-ġlied u t-tilwim bejnietkom? Jaqaw mhux minn dan, mill-passjonijiet li hemm jitqabdu f’ġisimkom? Tixtiequ, u ma ssibu xejn; imbagħad toqtlu, u tgħiru, bla ma tistgħu tieħdu xejn; imbagħad tiġġieldu u titqabdu. Ma għandkom xejn għax ma titolbux. Titolbu, u ma tiksbux, għax titolbu ħażin: titolbu ħa jkollkom xi tberbqu fix-xalar.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 MARK 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Mark 9:30-37

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù u d-dixxipli tiegħu għaddew minn nofs il-Galilija, u ma ried li ħadd ikun jaf, għax beda jgħallem lid-dixxipli tiegħu u jgħidilhom: “Bin il-bniedem se jingħata f’idejn il-bnedmin u joqtluh; u meta jkun maqtul, wara tlitt ijiem iqum mill-mewt”. Iżda huma ma fehmuhx dan il-kliem, u beżgħu jistaqsuh. Waslu Kafarnahum; u meta kienu d-dar staqsiehom: “X’kontu qegħdin titħaddtu bejnietkom fit-triq?”. Iżda huma baqgħu siekta, għax fit-triq kienu qagħdu jitħaddtu bejniethom fuq min kien l-akbar. Imbagħad qagħad bilqiegħda, sejjaħ it-Tnax, u qalilhom: “Jekk xi ħadd irid ikun l-ewwel wieħed, għandu joqgħod wara kulħadd u jkun qaddej ta’ kulħadd”.  U ressaq lejh tfajjel ċkejken, qiegħdu f’nofshom, ħaddnu bejn dirgħajh u qalilhom: “Kull min jilqa’ wieħed minn dawn iċ-ċkejknin minħabba f’ismi, ikun jilqa’ lili; u min jilqa’ lili, ikun jilqa’ mhux lili, imma lil dak li bagħatni”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil        

 

What walking the path of righteousness looks like in action 

Introduction: 

This Sunday’s readings invite us to become great in the sight of God by doing God’s will as Jesus did, surrendering our lives to Him in the service of others.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The passage from the Book of Wisdom sounds like a messianic prophecy similar to the “Suffering Servant” prophecy in Isaiah referring to Christ’s passion. It urges us to choose the path of righteousness in spite of painful consequences. In today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 54), the psalmist prays for help against the insolent people who rise against the upright.

The second reading is in tune with the dispute in today’s Gospel, in which the apostles are competing among themselves to discover who about who will be the greatest in the coming Messianic Kingdom. In the second reading, James warns the church - and us - that selfish ambitions destroy peace and cause conflicts and war. So, James advises us to choose the path of righteousness and humble service which leads to lasting peace.

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a glimpse of what walking that path of righteousness, mentioned in the first and second readings, looks like in action — welcoming and serving the vulnerable in our midst, especially defenseless children, the despairing poor, the mentally ill, and the marginalized. Jesus also teaches his apostles that child-like humility and selfless service make one great in the eyes of God.

Life messages: 

# 1: We must become great through humble, self-giving service. Greatness, in Jesus’ view, is found in our willingness to accept, welcome, and serve those who are considered unacceptable by reason of class, color, religion, language, wealth, or culture. We must welcome people the way a child welcomes them before he is taught discrimination. If we are to be truly great, we must be ready to accept four challenges: 

    (1) to put ourselves last, 

    (2) to be the servant of all, 

    (3) to receive the most insignificant human beings with love, and 

    (4) to expect nothing in return. 

During the Holy Mass let us pray for the true spirit of service and for an attitude of love for those around us. May the Holy Spirit help us to become truly great through humble, selfless service.

#2: We need to practice humility in thoughts, words, and actions: “Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart,” Jesus invites us. St. Augustine asks, "What is the essential thing in the religion and discipline of Jesus Christ?” then responds, “I shall reply: first humility, second humility, and third humility.” We should not seek recognition and recompense for the services we do for Christ and the Church as parents, teachers, pastors, etc. Trusting Faith, both causes and results from, true humility, for these two synergize, deepening each other, and both are essential for all corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Since children reflect the innocence, purity, simplicity, and tenderness of our Lord, and since they are given the protection of a guardian angel, we are to love them, train them, and take care not to give scandal to them. We need to try to treat everyone with love and respect because, “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life” (St. Basil), CCC # 336.

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The importance of the birth of Mary

 Readings for Sunday, September 8, 2024 

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Solemnity of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 128

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

Solennità tat-Twelid tal-Imqaddsa Verġni Marija

Reading 1                MIKEA 5: 1-4

Marshal your troops now, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel’s ruler on the cheek with a rod.  “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans[b] of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”   Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.  He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Mikea 5: 1-4a

Dan jgħid il-Mulej: Int, Betlehem Efrata, ċkejkna biex tkun fost il-familji ta’ Ġuda, minnek għad joħroġli dak li jkun ħakem f’Israel; hu għandu l-bidu tiegħu mill-qedem, sa minn dejjem. Għalhekk il-Mulej jitlaqhom sa ma teħles dik li hi fl-uġigħ tal-ħlas; imbagħad il-bqija ta’ ħutu jerġgħu lura fost ulied Israel, u hu joqgħod jirgħa l-merħla tiegħu bil-qawwa tal-Mulej, fis-sebħ ta’ isem il-Mulej, Alla tiegħu. U huma jgħammru, għax issa tkun kbira setegħtu sat-trufijiet tal-art. U dan ikun is-sliem!Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM          PSALM 13:6ab, 6c

Though I trusted in your mercy,
let my heart rejoice in your salvation.
R. With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

Let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.”
R. With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 12: 6

Jien fit-tjieba tiegħek, Mulej, ittamajt;
tifraħ qalbi fis-salvazzjoni tiegħek. 
R/. Nifraħ b’ferħ kbir fil-Mulej!

Ngħanni lill-Mulej, għax għamilli l-ġid:
ngħanni lill-isem tal-Mulej, il-Għoli. 
R/. Nifraħ b’ferħ kbir fil-Mulej!

Reading 2                 ROMANS 8: 28-30                 

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lir-Rumani 8: 28-30

Ħuti:  Aħna nafu li Alla, ma’ dawk li jħobbuh, ma’ dawk li huma msejjħin skont il-provvidenza tiegħu, f’kollox jaħdem id f’id għall-ġid tagħhom. Għax lil dawk li hu għarafhom mill-bidu, ippredestinahom ukoll biex jieħdu s-sura fuq ix-xbieha ta’ Ibnu, ħalli dan ikun il-kbir fost ħafna aħwa; lil dawk li ppredestinahom, sejħilhom ukoll; lil dawk li sejħilhom, iġġustifikahom ukoll; lil dawk imbagħad li ġġustifikahom, igglorifikahom ukoll. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

ALLELUIA

Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise;
from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.

Gospel                  MATTHEW 1: 1-16. 18-23

This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham[a]:  Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram.  Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon.  Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse.  Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).  Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was the father of Abijah. Abijah was the father of Asa.  Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram. Jehoram was the father[e] of Uzziah.  Uzziah was the father of Jotham. Jotham was the father of Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah.  Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amon.  Amon was the father of Josiah.  Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon).  After the Babylonian exile: Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel.   Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud.  Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor.  Azor was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Akim. Akim was the father of Eliud.  Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob.  Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.   This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement[h] quietly.  As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:   “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!  She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,  which means ‘God is with us.’”

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skond San Mattew 1: 1-16. 18-23

Ktieb in-nisel ta’ Ġesù Kristu, Bin David, bin Abraham. Abraham nissel ’l Iżakk, Iżakk nissel ’il Ġakobb, Ġakobb nissel ’il Ġuda u ’l ħutu, Ġuda nissel lil Fares u lil Żaraħ minn Tamar, Fares nissel lil Ħesron, Ħesron nissel lil Aram, Aram nissel ’il Għaminadab, Għaminadab nissel ’il Naħson, Naħson nissel ’il Salmon, Salmon nissel ’il Bogħoż, minn Raħab, Bogħoż nissel ’il Għobed, minn Rut, Għobed nissel ’il Ġesse.  Ġesse nissel lis-sultan David, David nissel ’il Salamun, mill-mara ta’ Urija, Salamun nissel ’il Robogħam, Robogħam nissel ’l Abija, Abija nissel ’l Asa, Asa nissel ’il Ġosafat, Ġosafat nissel ’il Ġoram, Ġoram nissel ’il Għużżija, Għużżija nissel ’il Ġoatam, Ġoatam nissel ’l Aħaż, Aħaż nissel ’il Ħeżekija, Ħeżekija nissel ’il Manasse, Manasse nissel ’l Amon, Amon nissel ’il Ġosija, Ġosija nissel ’il Ġekonija u ’l ħutu; kien żmien l-eżilju f’Babel. Wara l-eżilju f’Babel, Ġekonija nissel ’il Salatjel, Salatjel nissel ’il Żorobabel, Żorobabel nissel ’l Abihud, Abihud nissel ’l Eljakim, Eljakim nissel ’l Ażor, Ażor nissel ’il Sadok, Sadok nissel ’l Akim, Akim nissel ’l Elihud, Elihud nissel ’l Elgħażar, Elgħażar nissel ’il Mattan, Mattan nissel ’il Ġakobb, Ġakobb nissel ’il Ġużeppi, ir-raġel ta’ Marija, li minnha twieled Ġesù, li jsejħulu Kristu. It-tnissil ta’ Ġesù Kristu sar hekk: Ommu Marija, wara li tgħarrset ma’ Ġużeppi, qabel ma marru joqogħdu flimkien, ħarġet tqila bil-ħidma tal-Ispirtu s-Santu. Żewġha Ġużeppi, li kien raġel ġust u li ma riedx ixandarha quddiem kulħadd, għamel f’rasu li jibgħatha bil-moħbi tan-nies. Wara li qatagħha li jagħmel hekk, deherlu anġlu tal-Mulej fil-ħolm u qallu: “Ġużeppi, bin David, la tibżax tilqa’ għandek lil Marija b’martek, għax dak li tnissel fiha ġie bil-ħidma tal-Ispirtu s-Santu. Hi jkollha iben, u inti ssemmih Ġesù, għax hu jsalva l-poplu tiegħu minn dnubiethom”. Dan kollu ġara biex iseħħ li kien qal il-Mulej permezz tal-profeta, meta qal: ‘Ara, ix-xebba tnissel u jkollha iben, u jsemmuh Għimmanu-El’, li bi lsienna jfisser ‘Alla magħna’.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil      

   

Two Questions answered: 

Q 1: Do Catholics worship Mary? Fact 1: Catholics don’t worship or adore Mary because we worship only God, and Mary is not God. Fact 2: We venerate her, honour her, and love her as Jesus’ mother and our Heavenly Mother.

Q 2: Why do Catholics venerate Mary? Mary herself gives the reason in her “Magnificat” recorded in Luke (1:48-49):  “For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.  The Mighty One has done great things for me, and Holy is his Name.” 

 God has honoured Mary in four ways, and we honour her because God honoured her:

a) He chose her as the mother of His Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah.

b) In preparation for this role, God made her “Full of grace” by her Immaculate Conception.

c) He anointed her twice with His Holy Spirit: at the Annunciation and at Pentecost, making her the most Spirit -filled of all women.

d) God allowed her to participate actively in Christ’s suffering and death, suffering in soul all Jesus suffered in body.

    2) Mary is our Heavenly Mother, given to us by Jesus from the cross.   Mary is our role model for all virtues, particularly, love, fidelity, humility, obedience, surrender to the will of God, and patience.

Life magazine estimated that the prayer “Hail Mary” is said two billion times every day, and each year five to ten million people make a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, let aone to other places of pilgrimage around the world where She has made personal appearances.  Mary is prayed to as advocate and helper, and even in the sports arena there is a reference to her power: the last desperate pass by a losing football team was once called a “Hail Mary pass.” 

Mary is also venerated by Muslims. It is reported that when the Prophet Muhammad cleared the idols out of the Kaaba in Mecca, he allowed only a fresco of the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus to remain. In every Muslim mosque, the “mihrab” or prayer niche in the wall is dedicated to Mary. In the Qur’an, she is described as having been sent as “a mercy for the worlds.” (http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/days/features.php?id=15974)

A bit of History:

As one of the oldest Marian solemnities, this feast is based on the second century (A.D. 175), apocryphal book Protoevagelium Jacobi (The Pre-Gospel of James), which reflects the traditions of the early Church, although it is not considered an inspired book. According to this book, Mary’s parents were Joachim and Anna. Mary was born either in Jerusalem or in Sephoris, three miles north of Bethlehem. The Annunciation is believed to have taken place later in the house of Mary’s parents. The feast originated in the fifth century in Syria or Palestine. St. Romanus of Syria is supposed to have brought it to Rome. The Roman Church adopted it in the 7th century and fixed it on September 8th. It is found in the 8th and 9th century Gregorian Sacramentary.

Importance: 

The feast is the birthday celebration of the mother of Jesus, our Heavenly Mother and the Mother of the Church. It is the birthday of an ordinary woman who was chosen to become the mother of an extraordinary Divine Child. The Church celebrates the death day of a saint as his/her feast day, considering it his/her “birthday in Heaven.” The three exceptions are Jesus’ birthday (Christmas), Mary’s birthday (September 8), and John the Baptist’s birthday (June 24). Mary’s birthday is celebrated because of her Immaculate Conception. John the Baptist, in Elizabeth’s womb, was filled with the Holy Spirit during Mary’s visitation of Elizabeth. 

We honour Mary because God has done great things for her (Luke 1:49), 

    a) by choosing her as the mother of Jesus His Son, 

    b) by filling her with His Holy Spirit twice, 

    c) by making her the embodiment of all virtues (“full of grace”), and our Heavenly Mother and 

    d) by allowing her to become the most active participant with Christ, her son, in our redemption.

Life Message: 

Let us, as Mary’s children, give a suitable birthday gift to our Heavenly Mother. Every mother wants her children to inherit and acquire all her good qualities. Hence, the best birthday gift to Mary is for us to become holy children of a Holy Mother, practicing her virtues of humility, total trust in God, unconditional surrender to the will of God and humble sharing of the agape love of our heavenly mother.

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 Readings for Sunday, September 1, 2024 

WHY DO WE HAVE RULES?

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 125

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

Reading 1                DEUTERONOMY 4:1-2, 6-8

Moses said to the people: "Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin upon you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it. Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, 'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.' For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?"

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tad-Dewteronomju 4:1-2,6-8

Mosè kellem lill-poplu u qal: “U issa, Iżrael, agħti widen għal-liġijiet u l-ordnijiet li qiegħed ngħallimkom tagħmlu, ħalli tgħixu, u tidħlu tieħdu l-art li se jagħtikom il-Mulej, Alla ta’ missirijietkom. La żżidu xejn ma’ dak li qiegħed nordnalkom u lanqas tnaqqsu minnu; qisu li tħarsu l-liġijiet tal-Mulej, Alla tagħkom, bħalma qiegħed nagħtihomlkom jien. Ħarsuhom u agħmluhom, għax hekk tidhru għorrief u għaqlin f’għajnejn il-ġnus li, kif jisimgħu b’dawn il-liġijiet kollha, jgħidu: ‘M’hemmx poplu ieħor għaref u għaqli għajr dan il-ġens kbir’. Għax liema ġens hu hekk kbir li għandu l-allat hekk qrib tiegħu daqskemm hu qrib tagħna l-Mulej, Alla tagħna, kull xħin insejħulu? Jew liema ġens hu hekk kbir li għandu liġijiet u ordnijiet hekk sewwa daqs dak kollu li fiha din il-liġi li qiegħed noffrilkom illum jien?”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5

R. (1a) The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Whoever walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
by whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 14(15):2-3a,3ċd-4ab,5

R/. (1a): Mulej, min jgħammar fid-dar tiegħek?
Min jgħix bla ħtija u jagħmel it-tajjeb,
min jgħid is-sewwa f’qalbu;
min ma jqassasx bi lsienu. R/.

Min ma jagħmilx deni lil ġaru,
u ma jgħajjarx lil għajru;
min ma jistmax lill-bniedem ħażin,
imma jweġġaħ lil dawk li jibżgħu mill-Mulej. R/.

Min jislef u ma jitlobx imgħax,
u ma jixxaħħamx kontra min hu bla ħtija.
Min jagħmel dan qatt ma jitħarrek. R/.

Reading 2                 JAMES 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

Dearest brothers and sisters:  All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra ta’ San Ġakbu 1:17-18,21b-22,27

Għeżież, kull ħaġa tajba li tingħata u kull don perfett jiġi mis-sema, jinżel mingħand il-Missier, l-għajn tad-dawl, li fih ma hemm ebda tibdil u anqas dell ta’ tidwir. Għax ried hu, wilidna bil-kelma tal-verità, biex inkunu l-ewwel frott tal-ħlejjaq tiegħu. Ilqgħu bil-ħlewwa l-Kelma mħawla fikom, li tista’ ssalvalkom ruħkom. Kunu intom dawk li jagħmlu l-Kelma, u mhux tisimgħuha biss u hekk tqarrqu bikom infuskom. Quddiem Alla u Missierna r-reliġjon ġenwina u bla tebgħa hija din: iżżur l-iltiema u r-romol fl-hemm tagħhom, u żżomm ruħek bla tinġis ’il bogħod mid-dinja. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 MARK 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. —For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. — So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, "Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?" He responded, "Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honours me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition. He summoned the crowd again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile. "From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Mark  7:1-8,14-15,21-23

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Fariżej u xi wħud mill-kittieba li ġew minn Ġerusalemm inġabru ħdejn Ġesù, u raw li xi wħud mid-dixxipli tiegħu kienu qegħdin jieklu b’idejhom mhumiex indaf, jiġifieri mhumiex maħsulin. Għax il-Fariżej, u l-Lhud kollha, biex iħarsu t-tradizzjoni ta’ missirijiethom, ma jmissux ikel qabel ma jkunu ħaslu jdejhom sewwa; hekk ukoll wara li jerġgħu lura mis-suq, ma jiklux jekk ma jinħaslux; u għandhom bosta drawwiet oħra li baqgħu marbutin magħhom minn żmien għal ieħor, bħalma huma l-ħasil tat-tazzi u tal-buqari u tal-ktieli tal-bronż. Mela, il-Fariżej u l-kittieba staqsewh: “Dan l-għala d-dixxipli tiegħek ma jġibux ruħhom skont it-tradizzjoni ta’ missirijiethom, imma jieklu b’idejhom mhumiex indaf?”. Iżda hu weġibhom: “Sewwa ħabbar Iżaija fuqkom, ja nies ta’ wiċċ b’ieħor, bħalma hu miktub: ‘Dan il-poplu bix-xufftejn biss jagħtini ġieħ, imma qalbhom hija ’l bogħod minni. Fiergħa hi l-qima li jagħtuni; jgħallmu duttrina li mhijiex għajr preċetti tal-bnedmin’. Hekk intom, twarrbu l-kmandamenti ta’ Alla biex tħaddnu t-tradizzjoni tal-bnedmin”. Raġa’ sejjaħ in-nies lejh u qalilhom: “Isimgħuni, intom ilkoll, u ifhmuni! Ma hemm xejn minn barra li meta jidħol fi bniedem itebbgħu; imma dak li joħroġ minn ġol-bniedem, dak hu li jtabba’ lill-bniedem. Għax hu minn ġewwa, mill-qalb tal-bniedem, li joħorġu l-ħsibijiet il-ħżiena, żína, serq, qtil, adulterju, regħba, ħażen, qerq, libertinaġġ, għira, malafama, suppervja u bluha. Dal-ħażen kollu minn ġewwa joħroġ u jtabba’ lill-bniedem”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil      

OUR LOVING, OBEDIENT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Introduction: 

Sunday’s readings explain that true religion is not simply a scrupulous, external observance of rules, laws, traditions and rituals. It is, instead, a loving, obedient relationship with God expressed in obeying His Commandments, worshipping Him, recognizing His presence in other human beings and rendering them loving and humble service. Prayers, rituals, Sacraments, and religious practices are our God-given helps to practice this true religion in our daily lives.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading explains that religion is a Covenant relationship with a caring, providing, and protecting God, fostered by keeping His Commandments given through Moses. God gave Israel the Law so that the Israelites might keep their Covenant with Yahweh and thank Him for His love and fidelity to His Chosen People. The Law was also intended to keep them a united, holy, and intelligent nation, proud of their powerful, protective, single God.

The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 15) describes a person who practices true religion — blameless and just, thoughtful and honest in dealing with others.  In the second reading, St. James defines true religion as keeping the word of God and doing His will by helping the needy, the poor, and the weak in the community. He challenges Christians to become doers of the word, not merely hearers.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes true religion as serving God and all His children with a pure and holy heart. The Gospel explains the encounter of Jesus with the Sanhedrin observers and the Pharisees who had been sent to assess Jesus’ unique, controversial teachings. These experts had found Jesus’ teachings an open violation of the “Traditions of the Elders,” and judged Jesus’ implied and spoken claims blasphemous. They also noticed that Jesus’ disciples omitted the required ritual washing before meals. It was in the fifth century BC that the scribes started adding oral traditions as interpretations and practical applications of the Mosaic Law. The Pharisees observed them and insisted that all the Jews should do so. 

The original noble purpose was to sanctify the daily lives of the people, making them “holy as God is holy” (“You are a priestly kingdom, a holy nation” — Ex 19:6), and lived a different in lifestyle from their pagan neighbors. Jesus uses the occasion as a teachable moment to give them the following lessons: 1) Don’t teach human “rules” as dogmas of Faith. 2) Sincerity of heart, internal disposition, purity, and holiness are more important than mere external ritual observances. 3) Keep your heart holy as it is the source of sins, vices and evil habits. The observance of traditions and of washing rituals does not correct the internal motivations and inclinations that really defile people. 4) External piety without internal holiness is hypocrisy.

Life messages: 

1) We need to learn and keep the spirit of the Church’s laws and ritual practices. For example, our Sunday obligation is intended to allow us to worship God in the parish community, to offer our lives to God, to ask His pardon for sins, to thank God for His blessings, and to receive Divine Life and strength from Him in Holy Communion. Our daily family prayers are meant to thank God for His blessings, to present the family’s needs before God, to ask pardon for our sins, to maintain the spirit of unity and love in the family, and to keep a close relationship with God.

2) Let us avoid the tendency to become “cafeteria Christians” — that is, to choose certain Commandments and Church laws to follow, while ignoring the others as we choose certain food items and ignore others in a cafeteria. 

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THE SPIRIT GIVES LIFE - NOT THE FLESH!

Readings for Sunday, August 25, 2024 

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 122  

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

Reading 1                 JOSHUA 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b

Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, summoning their elders, their leaders, their judges, and their officers. When they stood in ranks before God, Joshua addressed all the people: "If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling.  As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."  But the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD for the service of other gods. For it was the LORD, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. He performed those great miracles before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among the peoples through whom we passed. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God."

QARI 1                   mill-Ktieb ta’ Ġożwè 24:1-2a,15-17,18b

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġożwè ġema’ t-tribujiet kollha ta’ Iżrael f’Sikem u sejjaħ lix-xjuħ, lill-kapijiet, lill-imħallfin, lill-uffiċjali u resqu quddiem Alla. U Ġożwè qal lill-poplu kollu: “Jekk ma jogħġobkomx taqdu l-Mulej, għażlu llum lil min tridu taqdu; jekk hux l-allat li kienu jaqdu missirijietkom lil hemm mix-xmara, jew l-allat tal-Amurrin li f’arthom qegħdin tgħammru. Imma jien u dari naqdu l-Mulej”. U l-poplu kollu wieġeb u qal: “Ma jkun qatt li aħna nħallu l-Mulej biex naqdu allat oħra! Għax kien il-Mulej, Alla tagħna, li talla’ lilna u ’l missirijietna mill-art tal-Egittu, minn dar il-jasar, u li għamel quddiemna stess dawn il-ħwejjeġ kbar, u ħarisna matul it-triq kollha li minnha għaddejna u fost il-popli li minn ġo nofshom qsamna. Għalhekk aħna wkoll lill-Mulej naqdu, għaliex hu Alla tagħna”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                  PSALM 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21

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

The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. 

Many are the troubles of the just one,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him;
he watches over all his bones;
not one of them shall be broken.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 33(34):2-3,16-17,18-19,20-21,22-23

R/. (9a): Ippruvaw u taraw kemm hu tajjeb il-Mulej.

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

Għajnejn il-Mulej lejn il-ġusti,
u widnejh miftuħa għall-għajta tagħhom.
Il-ħarsa tal-Mulej fuq il-ħżiena,
biex jeqred minn fuq l-art tifkirithom. R/.

Jgħajtu l-ġusti għall-għajnuna, u l-Mulej jismagħhom;
mid-dwejjaq kollha tagħhom jeħlishom.
Qrib il-Mulej lejn dawk b’qalbhom maqsuma,
jgħin lil dawk b’ruħhom mifnija. R/.
Kbar huma l-ħsarat tar-raġel sewwa,
iżda minnhom kollha jeħilsu l-Mulej.
Iħarislu għadmu kollha,
ebda waħda ma titkissirlu. R/.

Il-ħażin ħżunitu teqirdu;
min jobgħod il-ġust iħallas għall-ħtija.
Jifdi l-Mulej il-ħajja tal-qaddejja tiegħu;
kull min jistkenn fih ma jkollux xi jpatti. R/.

Reading 2                 EPHESIANS 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32

Brothers and sisters:  Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be  subordinate to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives,even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.  So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his wife loves himself.  For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the  because we are members of his body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.  This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.

QARI 2                   mill-Ittra lill-Efesin 5:21-32

Ħuti, oqogħdu għal xulxin fil-biża’ ta’ Kristu. Intom in-nisa oqogħdu għal żwieġkom bħallikieku għall-Mulej, għax ir-raġel hu ras il-mara, bħalma Kristu hu ras il-Knisja, is-salvatur tal-Ġisem tiegħu. Għalhekk, bħalma l-Knisja toqgħod għal Kristu, hekk ukoll in-nisa għandhom joqogħdu għal żwieġhom f’kollox. Intom, l-irġiel, ħobbu n-nisa tagħkom, kif Kristu ħabb il-Knisja u ta ħajtu għaliha. U dan għamlu biex iqaddisha u jnaddafha bil-ħasil tal-ilma u l-kelma u biex iressaqha quddiemu, din il-Knisja, sabiħa, bla tebgħa, bla tikmix, bla għajb, u b’xejn minn dan, imma qaddisa u bla tmaqdir minn ħadd. Hekk għandhom ukoll l-irġiel iħobbu n-nisa tagħhom bħallikieku ġisimhom stess. Min iħobb ’il martu jkun iħobb lilu nnifsu. Qatt ħadd ma bagħad ’il ġismu stess, iżda jmantnih u jieħu ħsiebu, bħalma jagħmel Kristu mal-Knisja, għax aħna lkoll membri tal-Ġisem tiegħu. Għalhekk ir-raġel iħalli lil missieru u ’l ommu u jingħaqad ma’ martu, u jsiru t-tnejn ġisem wieħed. Dan il-misteru – qiegħed ngħid għal Kristu u għall-Knisja – huwa kbir! Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                  JOHN 6:60-69

Many of Jesus' disciples who were listening said, "This saying is hard; who can accept it?" Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, "Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe." Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father." As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.  Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skont San Ġwann 6:60-69

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù tkellem fuq il-ħobż tal-ħajja. Ħafna dixxipli tiegħu, meta semgħuh, qalu: “Iebes dan il-kliem! Min jiflaħ jisimgħu?”. Ġesù ntebaħ waħdu li d-dixxipli tiegħu kienu qegħdin igergru fuq hekk, u qalilhom: “Dan il-kliem qiegħed ifixkilkom? Mela xi tgħidu kieku kellkom taraw lil Bin il-bniedem tiela’ fejn kien qabel? Hu l-Ispirtu li jagħti l-ħajja, il-ġisem ma jiswa għal xejn. Il-kliem li jiena għedtilkom huwa spirtu u ħajja. Iżda hemm xi wħud fostkom li ma jemmnux”. Għaliex Ġesù kien jaf sa mill-bidu min kienu dawk li ma emmnux u min kien dak li kellu jittradih. U ssokta jgħidilhom: “Kien għalhekk li jiena għedtilkom li ħadd ma jista’ jiġi għandi jekk il-Missier ma jagħtihx li jiġi”.  Minn dakinhar bosta mid-dixxipli tiegħu telquh u ma baqgħux imorru warajh. Imbagħad Ġesù qal lit-Tnax: “Tridux titilqu intom ukoll?”. Wieġbu Xmun Pietru: “Mulej, għand min immorru? Inti għandek il-kliem tal-ħajja ta’ dejjem, u aħna emminna u għarafna li inti l-Qaddis ta’ Alla”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil      

DETERMINING WHOM WE WILL SERVE WITH OUR LIFE

Introduction: 

The main theme of Sunday’s readings is that Christian life is a series of daily choices for God or against God, as we choose to live out or reject the truths He has revealed through His prophets in the Old Testament and especially through His Son Jesus in the New Testament. The fundamental choice we make determines how we live our lives, deciding whom we will serve.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the first reading, Joshua challenges the Israelites to decide whether they will serve the gods of their fathers, the gods of the Amorites in whose country they are presently dwelling, or the God of the Israelites Who has done so much for them. The Renewal of Covenant ceremony in Joshua chapter 24 reminds us that the Eucharist is a Covenant meal that calls for our decision of Faith. Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 34) reminds us that in choosing God for our God we are choosing Life and His Eternal faithfulness and Love as our shelter and salvation.

The second reading emphasizes the unity that must exist in the Body of Christ and the intimate relationship between Jesus and His followers. It also challenges the Ephesian Christians to make the right choice in life and build Christian marriages on mutual respect and love, accepting each other’s rights and dignity. Jesus also uses the husband-wife relationship as an analogy to explain the close relationship between Christ and the Church. Paul reminds us that Jesus nourishes us, the members of His Church, through the Eucharist, making us His own flesh and blood, as husband and wife become one flesh.

Concluding his long Eucharistic discourse, Jesus, in today’s Gospel, challenges his Jewish audience, and later His apostles, to make their choice: to accept Him as the true Bread from Heaven Who gives them His Body and Blood as their Heavenly Food, or to join those who have lost their Faith in Jesus and left Him, expressing their confusion and doubts about His claims. Today’s passage describes the various reactions of the people to Jesus’ claims. Many of the disciples leave, but the apostles freely choose to stay with Jesus.In this Eucharistic celebration, we, too, are called to make a decision, profess our Faith in God’s Son and renew the Covenant ratified in his Life, death and Resurrection.

Life messages:

 # 1:) Let us make our choice for Christ and live it:  We Christians have accepted the challenge of following the way of Christ and making choices for Christ, fortified by the Bread He gives and relying on the power of His Holy Spirit. The Heavenly Bread and the Holy Spirit will give us the courage of our Christian convictions to take a stand for Jesus, accepting the Church’s teachings and will enable us to face ridicule, criticisms, and even social isolation for our adherence to sound Christian principles in our lives. 

 # 2:) That is what we mean by our “Amen” while receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. We express without any conditions or reservations our total commitment to Jesus in the community to which we belong. Christ’s thoughts, attitudes, values, and life-view must become totally ours. 

# 3:)) Above all, we are to identify with Jesus in the offering of His Flesh and the pouring out of his Blood on the cross by spending our lives for others.

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BE WISE AND NOT FOOLISH PERSONS

 Readings for Sunday, August 18, 2024 

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 119

l-Għoxrin Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                 PROVERBS 9:1-6

Wisdom has built her house,  she has set up her seven columns;  she has dressed her meat, mixed her wine, yes, she has spread her table. She has sent out her maidens; she calls from the heights out over the city: "Let whoever is simple turn in here; To the one who lacks understanding, she says, Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed!  Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding." 

QARI 1                  mill-Ktieb tal-Proverbji 9:1-6

L-għerf bena d-dar tiegħu, waqqaf is-seba’ kolonni tagħha; qatel il-bhejjem imsemmna, ħejja l-inbid u l-mejda tiegħu. U bagħat il-qaddejja jxandru l-istedina minn fuq l-imkejjen għolja tal-belt: “Min hu ċkejken ħa jiġi għandi!”. U lil min hu bla moħħ jgħidlu: “Ejjew, kulu l-ħobż tiegħi u ixorbu l-inbid li ħejjejt għalikom. Warrbu l-bluhat tagħkom, u tgħixu, u timxu ’l quddiem fl-għaqal”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

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

Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 33(34):2-3,10-11,12-13,14-15

R/. (9a): Ippruvaw u taraw kemm hu tajjeb il-Mulej.

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

Ibżgħu mill-Mulej, qaddisin tiegħu;
xejn ma jonqsu min jibża’ minnu.
Is-setgħana jiftaqru u jbatu l-ġuħ;
min ifittex lill-Mulej xejn ma jkun jonqsu. R/.

Ejjew, uliedi, isimgħu lili;
jiena l-biża’ tal-Mulej ngħallimkom.
Min hu l-bniedem li jħobb il-ħajja,
u jixtieq jara għomru kollu riżq? R/.

Ħares ilsienek mill-ħażen,
u xufftejk minn kliem il-qerq.
Tbiegħed mill-ħażen u agħmel it-tajjeb,
fittex is-sliem u imxi warajh. R/.

Reading 2                 EPHESIANS 5:15-20

Brothers and sisters:   Watch carefully how you live,   not as foolish persons but as wise,  making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil.    Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord.   And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lill-Efesin 5:15-20

Ħuti, qisu sewwa kif iġġibu ruħkom, mhux bħal nies bla dehen, iżda bħal nies għorrief, li jgħożżu ż-żmien, għaliex ħżiena huma l-jiem. Għalhekk tkunux bla għaqal, imma fittxu x’inhi r-rieda tal-Mulej. U tiskrux bl-inbid, li fih hemm ħajja bla lġiem, iżda mtlew bl-Ispirtu. Kantaw flimkien salmi, innijiet u għana spiritwali; kantaw u għannu minn qalbkom lill-Mulej. Roddu dejjem ħajr għal kollox lil Alla u l-Missier, f’isem Sidna Ġesù Kristu. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 JOHN 6:51-58

Jesus said to the crowds:  "I am the living bread that came down from heaven;   whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give Is my flesh for the life of the world."  The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood  has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and  drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skond San Ġwann 6:51-58

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lin-nies: “Jiena hu l-ħobż il-ħaj, li niżel mis-sema. Jekk xi ħadd jiekol minn dan il-ħobż jgħix għal dejjem. U l-ħobż li jiena nagħti huwa ġismi għall-ħajja tad-dinja”. Fuq hekk il-Lhud tlewmu bejniethom, u bdew jgħidu: “Kif jista’ dan jagħtina ġismu biex nikluh?”. Ġesù mela qalilhom: “Tassew tassew ngħidilkom, jekk ma tiklux il-ġisem ta’ Bin il-bniedem u ma tixorbux demmu, ma jkollkomx il-ħajja fikom. Min jiekol ġismi u jixrob demmi għandu l-ħajja ta’ dejjem, u jiena nqajmu mill-imwiet fl-aħħar jum. Għax ġismi huwa tassew ikel, u demmi hu tassew xorb. Min jiekol ġismi u jixrob demmi jibqa’ fija u jiena fih. Bħalma bagħatni l-Missier, li hu ħaj, u jiena ngħix b’Missieri, hekk ukoll min jiekol lili, hu wkoll jgħix bija. Dan huwa l-ħobż li niżel mis-sema; mhuwiex bħal dak li kielu missirijietkom u mietu; min jiekol dan il-ħobż jgħix għal dejjem”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil      

WISDOM AND THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST

Introduction: 

Sunday's readings stress the fact that the Holy Eucharist, the perfect fulfillment of the symbol of the manna of the Old Testament, is the Food that gives us life forever. In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus declared that the Bread he gives is his Flesh. This Sunday, Jesus asserts that to eat this Bread is to have eternal life.

Scripture lessons: 

In today’s first reading, taken from the Book of Proverbs, Lady Wisdom, representing God, offers wisdom and understanding in the form of a rich banquet to all those who are willing to heed her invitation. The early Christians often identified Jesus as the Wisdom of God. They regarded the Eucharist as Wisdom’s banquet, where they shared in the Divine Wisdom now Incarnate in Jesus. 

The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 34), thanks God for His providential care and His close association with His people, and invites all to “taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” In the second reading, Paul advises the Gentile Christians to show their gratitude to God for calling them, along with the Jews, to Christianity, and for giving them a share in Christ’s life. They will be able to receive this life by avoiding their former foolish ways, like getting drunk on wine. Instead, they are to be Spirit-filled with their talk edifying, always trying to discern and do the will of God. 

In Sunday’s Gospel passage, Jesus asserts that eating the Living Bread, himself, allows us to participate in his life and to grow here and now in our eternal life with God. Jesus emphasizes the eternal-life dimensions of eating his Body and drinking his Blood – that those who have faith in Jesus and do so have already stepped into Heaven in this life, sharing in God’s own life and therefore in eternal life. Our participation in the Eucharist also concretizes and energizes our relationship with Christ and with one another. When we share in the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, Jesus himself comes to dwell within us. This communion with the Lord makes us one Body, brings us eternal life, and sends us forth to be Christ’s Body for the life of the world.

Life messages: 

# 1: We need to allow our body to be broken and our blood to be shed for others as Jesus did. That is why, at the end of the Mass, we are sent out to announce the Gospel of the Lord by our humble service and exemplary lives, radiating Jesus’ love, mercy, forgiveness and spirit of service all around us. Let us say with Jesus, “This is my body, given over for you” and “This is my blood, poured out for you,“ and live out these words by living for others.

#2: We need to keep the hunger and thirst for God alive in our hearts: Every human being is blessed at creation with an insatiable longing for God. We want God as our Father to hold us gently in His arms, keeping us safe throughout the dangers we face. But often we use substitutes as an escape from that need: fast living, fast-food, fast cars, needless luxuries, unrestricted sexual fulfillment. We demand the right to do whatever we want to do whenever we want. But let us remember the truth that unless we keep the hunger for God strong in our hearts, we will eventually realize the emptiness of our lives without Him.

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HOW DEEP IS THE HUNGER IN YOUR LIFE?

Readings for Sunday, August 11, 2024 

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 116

Id-Dsatax-il Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                 1 KINGS 19:4-8

Elijah went a day's journey into the desert, until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it. He prayed for death saying: "This is enough, O LORD! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers." He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree, but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat. Elijah looked and there at his head was a hearth cake and a jug of water. After he ate and drank, he lay down again, but the angel of the LORD came back a second time, touched him, and ordered, "Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!" He got up, ate, and drank; then strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.

QARI 1                  mill-Ewwel Ktieb tas-Slaten 19:4-8

F’dak iż-żmien, il-profeta Elija rħielha lejn id-deżert. Wara jum mixi waqaf, inxteħet taħt siġra tal-ġummar, talab li jmut, u qal: “Issa biżżejjed, Mulej; ħudli ’l ħajti, għax m’iniex aħjar minn missirijieti!”.  U mtedd għad-dell tal-ġummara, u raqad. Kif kien rieqed messu anġlu, u qallu: “Qum u kul!”. Elija dawwar wiċċu, u lemaħ ħdejn rasu ftira moħmija u ġarra ilma; kiel u xorob, u raġa’ mtedd.  Għat-tieni darba ġie l-anġlu tal-Mulej, u raġa’ messu u qallu: “Qum u kul, inkella ma tkunx tiflaħ għall-mixja li fadallek”. Elija qam, kiel u xorob, u bis-saħħa ta’ dak l-ikel baqa’ miexi għal erbgħin jum u erbgħin lejl sa ma wasal Ħoreb, il-muntanja tal-Mulej.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                 PSALM 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.

R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Glorify the LORD with me,
Let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
And delivered me from all my fears.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy.
And your faces may not blush with shame.
When the afflicted man called out, the LORD heard,
And from all his distress he saved him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

SALM RESPONSORJALI                 Salm 33(34):2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9

R/. (9a): Ippruvaw u taraw kemm hu tajjeb il-Mulej.

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

Xandru l-kobor tal-Mulej miegħi;
ħa ngħollu ismu flimkien.
Jien fittixt il-Mulej, u weġibni,
minn kull biża’ tiegħi ħelisni. R/.

Ħarsu lejh u jiddi bil-ferħ wiċċkom,
u ma jkollkomx għax tistħu.
Dan il-fqajjar sejjaħ u l-Mulej semgħu,
u mid-dwejjaq tiegħu kollha ħelsu. R/.

L-anġlu tal-Mulej jgħasses
madwar dawk li jibżgħu minnu, u jeħlishom.
Ippruvaw u taraw kemm hu tajjeb il-Mulej;
hieni l-bniedem li jistkenn fih. R/.

Reading 2                 EPHESIANS 4:30—5:2

Brothers and sisters:  Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.    

QARI 2                  mill-Ittra lill-Efesin  4:30–5:2

Ħuti, tnikktux l-Ispirtu s-Santu ta’ Alla, li fih intom issiġillati għal jum il-fidwa. Imrar, saħna, korla, tagħjir, għajat, dan kollu warrbuh minnkom, u wkoll kull ħażen ieħor. Kunu twajba ma’ xulxin, ħennu għal xulxin, aħfru lil xulxin, bħalma Alla ħafer lilkom fi Kristu. Kunu, mela, tixbhu lil Alla, bħala wlied maħbuba, u imxu fl-imħabba, bħalma Kristu wkoll ħabb lilna u ta lilu nnifsu għalina, offerta u sagrifiċċju jfuħu quddiem Alla.   Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel                 JOHN 6:41-51

The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven, " and they said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Stop murmuring among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day.  It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God.  Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.  Not that anyone has seen the Father  except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father.  Amen, amen, I say to you,  whoever believes has eternal life.  I am the bread of life.  Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;  this is the bread that comes down from heaven  so that one may eat it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever;  and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."

EVANĠELJU                 Qari skond San Ġwann 6:41-51

F’dak iż-żmien, il-Lhud bdew igergru fuq Ġesù għax kien qal: “Jiena hu l-ħobż li niżel mis-sema”. U bdew jgħidu: “Dan mhuwiex Ġesù bin Ġużeppi? Lil missieru u ’l ommu ma nafuhomx? Mela kif qiegħed jgħid: ‘Jiena nżilt mis-sema’?”. Ġesù weġibhom: “Toqogħdux tgorru bejnietkom. Ħadd ma jista’ jiġi għandi jekk il-Missier li bagħatni ma jiġbdux lejja; u jiena nqajmu mill-imwiet fl-aħħar jum. Hemm miktub fil-Profeti: ‘U kulħadd ikun imgħallem minn Alla’. Mela kull min jisma’ lill-Missier u jitgħallem minnu jiġi għandi. Mhux għax xi ħadd qatt ra lill-Missier ħlief dak li hu minn Alla; hu dan li ra lill-Missier. Tassew tassew ngħidilkom, min jemmen għandu l-ħajja ta’ dejjem. Jiena hu l-ħobż tal-ħajja. Missirijietkom kielu l-manna fid-deżert, u mietu; dan hu l-ħobż nieżel mis-sema, biex min jiekol minnu ma jmutx. Jiena hu l-ħobż il-ħaj, li niżel mis-sema. Jekk xi ħadd jiekol minn dan il-ħobż jgħix għal dejjem. U l-ħobż li jiena nagħti huwa ġismi għall-ħajja tad-dinja”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil      

GETTING OUR SPIRITUAL FOOD REGULARLY

Introduction: 

Sunday's gospel reminds us thst we are living in a world where people of all races and creeds hunger more for spiritual sustenance than for physical food. In response to the spiritual hunger of people in his own day, Jesus proclaims Himself to be “the Bread of Life that came down from Heaven” and feeds them with His words.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading describes the physical and spiritual hungers experienced by the prophet Elijah. The Bread of Life Jesus speaks about is prefigured in this reading by the miraculous food with which the angel nourished the Prophet Elijah in the desert while he was fleeing from the soldiers of Queen Jezebel. After being nourished by the Lord, Elijah was strengthened for the long journey of “forty days and forty nights,” to Mount Horeb where God instructed Elijah to continue his prophetic work. 

The second reading presents Christ Jesus, the “Bread of Life,” as a “sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.” Paul reminds the Ephesian Christians that, instead of seeking satisfaction in the stale food of anger, slander, bitterness, and malice, they are to nourish one another with the spiritual food of compassion, kindness, and mutual forgiveness. 

Today’s Gospel describes Jesus’ discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum on his return there after miraculously feeding the five thousand. During the discourse, Jesus reveals himself as the true “Bread of Life that came down from Heaven,” to give life to the world. Jesus proclaims that it is He Himself, the Incarnate Son of God, who is the new and perfect manna, literally “come down from Heaven.” This means that in the Holy Eucharist, Jesus gives us a share of eternal life while we are still on earth. But some of Jesus’ followers turn away when Jesus explains the Source of His mysterious power and Heavenly origin.

Life messages: 

# 1) Let us accept the challenge to become bread and drink for others: “You are what you eat?” Let us recognize that Jesus whom we consume in the Holy Eucharist is actually God Who assimilates us into His being. Thus, from Sunday to Saturday we will grow into Jesus as Jesus grows in us, our lives will be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and we will become more like Jesus. In this way, we shall share in the joyous and challenging life of being the Body of Christ for the world – Bread for a hungry world, and Drink for those who thirst for justice, peace, fullness of life, and even eternal life. In other words, the Eucharist challenges us to sacrifice ourselves for others as Christ has done for each of us.

# 2) Let us appreciate Christ’s presence in the Holy Eucharist: Since the Holy Eucharist is “the Body and Blood, together with the soul and Divinity, of our Lord, Jesus Christ,” the Sacrament therefore        

        a) increases our intimate union with Christ; 

b) preserves, increases, and renews the Sanctifying Grace we received at Baptism; 

c) cleanses us of past sin and preserves us from future sins; 

       d) strengthens the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity in us, thus enabling us to be separated from our disordered attachments and to be rooted in Christ; and 

        e) unites us more deeply with the mystery of the Church.

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