the depths of the love of your heart ♥♥♥ - a Marian prayer by the Doctrix Amoris (Ste. Thérèse de Lisieux)

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk1-kyWi0Pg .

Rest In Me - A Song of Hope & Encouragement by Todd Vaters & SALM 139

& Salm139

(S:139:1) Lill-mexxej tal-kor. Salm ta' David.
Mulej, int tgħarbilni u tagħrafni;

S:139:2) int taf meta noqgħod u meta nqum, int tagħraf mill-bogħod ħsibijieti.

 (S:139:3) Int tagħraf il-mixi u l-waqfien tiegħi; triqati kollha inti tafhom sewwa.

 (S:139:4) Nkun għadni anqas lissint il-kelma, meta int, Mulej, tkun ġa tafha kollha.

 (S:139:5) Dawramejt inti tħaddanni, u tqegħedli idek fuqi.

 (S:139:6) L-għerf tiegħek ta' l-għaġeb, ma nwassalx għalih; għoli wisq, u ma nlaħħaqx miegħu.

 (S:139:7) Fejn immur 'il bogħod mill-ispirtu tiegħek? Jew fejn nista' naħrab minn quddiem wiċċek?

 (S:139:8) Jekk nitla' fis-smewwiet, hemm int; jekk nimtedd f'qiegħ l-art, int hemm ukoll.

S:139:9) Jekk nilbes il-ġwienaħ tas-sebħ, u mmur ngħammar fi truf il-baħar,

 (S:139:10) hemm ukoll tilħaqni idek, u taqbadni l-leminija tiegħek.

 (S:139:11) Jekk ngħid: "Ħa jaħbini d-dlam, ħa jkunli d-dawl lejl madwari?"

 (S:139:12) anqas id-dlam ma hu mudlam; għalik il-lejl jiddi bħan-nhar; id-dlam bħad-dawl għalik.

 (S:139:13) Għax int sawwart il-ġewwieni tiegħi, u f'ġuf ommi inti nsiġtni.

 (S:139:14) Nroddlok ħajr, għax b'mod ta' l-għaġeb għamiltni:

 ta' l-għaġeb huma l-għemejjel tiegħek. U 'l ruħi inti tafha tajjeb.

 (S:139:15) Ma kienx moħbi għadmi minnek, meta kont qiegħed insir

fis-satra u nintiseġ fil-qigħan ta' l-art.

 (S:139:16) Raw għajnejk l-għemejjel tiegħi: kollha nkitbu fil-ktieb tiegħek; u jiemi kienu ġa magħduda meta ebda wieħed ma kien għad hemm.

 (S:139:17) Kemm huma tqal ħsibijietek għalija, o Alla! Kemm hu bla tarf l-għadd tagħhom!

 (S:139:18) Li kelli ngħoddhom, huma aktar mir-ramel; xħin nasal

fl-aħħar, nkun għadni fil-bidu miegħek.



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The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas Gospel --- Dec 29 Gospel - Lk 2:22-35 -- Jesus Presented in the Temple - Il-preżentazzjoni ta' Ġesù fit-tempju

Dec 29 Gospel - Lk 2:22-35 -- Jesus Presented in the Temple - Il-preżentazzjoni ta' Ġesù fit-tempju

THE FIFTH DAY IN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS GOSPEL --- Il-Ħames Jum fost l-Ottava tal-Milied.
Il-preżentazzjoni ta' Ġesù fit-tempju
[Lq:2:22] Wara li għalqilhom iż-żmien għall-purifikazzjoni tagħhom skond il-Liġi ta' Mosè, ħaduh Ġerusalemm biex jippreżentawh lill-Mulej, [Lq:2:23] kif hemm miktub fil-Liġi tal-Mulej, li 'kull tifel li jitwieled l-ewwel, jiġi kkonsagrat lill-Mulej,' [Lq:2:24] u biex joffru b'sagrifiċċju 'par gamiem jew żewġ bċieċen,' kif jingħad ukoll fil-Liġi tal-Mulej.
[Lq:2:25] F'Ġerusalemm kien hemm wieħed, jismu Xmun, raġel ġust u tajjeb, li kien jistenna l-faraġ ta' Iżrael u li kellu l-Ispirtu s-Santu fuqu. [Lq:2:26] L-Ispirtu s-Santu kien nebbħu li ma kienx se jara l-mewt qabel ma jara l-Messija tal-Mulej. [Lq:2:27] Mar mela fit-tempju, mqanqal mill-Ispirtu, u xħin il-ġenituri daħlu bit-tarbija Ġesù biex jagħmlulu dak li kienet trid il-Liġi, [Lq:2:28] huwa laqgħu fuq dirgħajh, bierek lil Alla u qal:
[Lq:2:29] "Issa, o Sid, tista' tħalli l-qaddej tiegħek
 imur fis-sliem, skond kelmtek,
[Lq:2:30] għaliex għajnejja raw
is-salvazzjoni tiegħek
[Lq:2:31] li int ħejjejt għall-popli kollha,
[Lq:2:32] dawl biex idawwal il-ġnus,
u glorja tal-poplu tiegħek Iżrael."
 [Lq:2:33] Missieru u ommu baqgħu mistagħġba b'dak li kien qiegħed jingħad fuqu. [Lq:2:34] Xmun berikhom, u qal lil ommu Marija: "Ara, dan se jġib il-waqgħa u l-qawmien ta' ħafna f'Iżrael; se jkun sinjal li jmeruh, [Lq:2:35] - u inti wkoll, sejf jinfidlek ruħek! - biex jinkixfu l-ħsibijiet moħbija fil-qlub ta' ħafna."




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28th Dec - Mt 2:13-18 -- The Escape to Egypt - Il-ħarba lejn l-Eġittu

Il-ħarba lejn l-Eġittu

Evanġelju
Mt 2: 13-18

Qari mill-Evanġelju skont San Mattew.

Meta telqu l-maġi, deher anġlu tal-Mulej f’ħolma lil Ġużeppi u qallu: “Qum, ħu miegħek lit-tifel u ’l ommu, u aħrab lejn l-Eġittu. Ibqa’ hemm sa ma ngħidlek jien, għax Erodi sa jfittex lit-tifel biex joqtlu”. 

Ġużeppi qam, ħa miegħu lit-tifel u ’l ommu bil-lejl, u warrab lejn l-Eġittu, u baqa’ hemm sal-mewt ta’ Erodi. B’hekk seħħ dak li kien qal il-Mulej permezz tal-profeta, meta qal, ‘Mill-Eġittu sejjaħt lil ibni’. Erodi mbagħad meta ra li l-Maġi kienu għaddewh ta’ tifel, inkorla bis-sħiħ, u bagħat joqtol f’Betleħem u fl-inħawi kollha tagħha lit-tfal subien kollha ta’ minn sentejn ’l isfel, skont iż-żmien li sar jaf minn għand il-Maġi. Imbagħad seħħ dak li kien ingħad permezz tal-profeta Ġeremija, meta qal, ‘F’Rama nstema’ leħen, biki u lfiq kbir: Rakel tibki ’l uliedha, u ma tridx min ifarraġha, għax ma għadhomx iżjed’.


Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.
R/. Tifħir lilek Kristu.

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LECTIO DIVINA: THE HOLY INNOCENTS

http://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-holy-innocents 

 



Lectio Divina:  Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Christmas Time
Reading: Mt 2:13-18 
When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
"Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him."
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.
 

Lectio
Through the departure of the Magi this text is connected to four passages that have preceded it - that is to the story of their visit. The following context covers a period of many years following the death of Herod and also telling of the return of Joseph, Mary and Jesus to Palestine and their settling down in Nazareth.

The text of the Gospel of the infancy according to Matthew, is contrasted with that which appears in the account of the slavery in Egypt and the Exodus. This is a combination of different elements: the name of Joseph which recalls the son of Jacob who went down to Egypt, the massacre of the children, and the return from Egypt.

It is an angel of the Lord that comes to Joseph, who finds himself in danger, and suggests the flight into a land that at that time, was one of the outlets for Hebrew emigration. This warning came in a dream and it points to some sort of particular revelation, perhaps more hidden and perhaps requiring deeper consideration. This would again testify to the characteristic wisdom of Mary's spouse. The flight of Joseph, the child and the mother has a temporal characteristic connotation: it happens at night. We find two Old Testament citations, which throw light upon the events being recounted. Hosea and Jeremiah are cited. After the first citation, short and to the point, the scene moves to Herod who orders the systematic killing of the children of Bethlehem and its surrounds; this agrees with other historical sources that describe him as a ruler without scruples, ready to kill even his own children to keep in power. The final Old Testament citation, which is much longer, closes the section. It takes up the lament of the prophet Jeremiah regarding the Assyrian deportation; the Evangelist locates the slaughter that takes place at the very heart of the suffering people of God.

Meditatio
Recalling the experience of exile and slavery of the people of Egypt and their return to their homeland recalls for us the Passover of the Hebrews, thus opening the passage to its greater meaning.

Furthermore, the perspective given by the text underlines the accomplishment of the Word of God within human experience, even in those people who are the most crewel.
From this emerges the readiness of God to protect the gift given to humankind throughout history: his own Son. But the Son of God is not preserved from pain, another reason for us to grasp the future characteristic of the Easter event. Jesus is saved at this moment so that he can in the future announce the Word in order to give life when the time comes.
And the protector is Joseph, a wise man, who knows how to listen (see Mt 1,20 & 2,19) and act accordingly.

Herod accomplishes his slaughter, driven by his fear of loosing his power and infuriated by failed success of his attempted deception of the Magi. The text expresses it as if it was he who was deceived, and thus it shows the evil reasoning of power, its arrogance that believes that the one who opposes is always wrong.

So we are drawn to ask ourselves why God allows all this. But perhaps this question may conceal our responsibility: our greed and thirst for power, our roots of cruelty that history experiences in every age. And so God answers the question regarding "the why of evil", and he does it not with words but through incarnation in this our history. Thus establishing a history of salvation.
That is why Easter, with its light, is on the horizon at Christmas.

Oratio
So that we might learn from and listen to the Word and put into practice.
For all those who are forced to flee their homeland.
So that we might be aware of the struggles brought about by every form of greed and power seeking, and thus be protected from it.
For all the wounded children of today, the hungry, child-soldiers, the sexually exploited, the sexually abused.

Contemplatio
The text invites us to look into history with the eyes of faith, a history God has chosen to be present to be present in, even beyond all our imaginings. At the same time, God is inviting us to take responsibility for those who, for different reasons, suffer persecution and displacement.

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27th DEC. St. John, Apostle, Evangelist (Feast) -- Jn 20:2-8 -- The Empty Tomb - Il-qawmien ta' Ġesù mill-imwiet

20. Il-qawmien ta' Ġesù mill-imwiet
(Mt 28, 1-10 ; Mk 16, 1-8 ; Lq 24, 1-12)

[Ġw:20:1] Kien l-ewwel jum tal-ġimgħa, fil-għodu kmieni kif kien għadu d-dlam, u Marija ta' Magdala ġiet ħdejn il-qabar u rat il-blata mneħħija mill-qabar.

[Ġw:20:2] Għalhekk telqet tiġri għand Xmun Pietru u għand id-dixxiplu l-ieħor li kien iħobb Ġesù, u qaltilhom: "Qalgħu l-Mulej  mill-qabar, u ma nafux fejn qegħduh!" [Ġw:20:3] Pietru u d-dixxiplu  l-ieħor ħarġu u ġew ħdejn il-qabar. [Ġw:20:4] It-tnejn ġrew flimkien, imma d-dixxiplu l-ieħor ħaffef aktar minn Pietru u laħaq qablu ħdejn il-qabar. [Ġw:20:5] Tbaxxa, u ra l-faxex ta' l-għażel imqiegħda hemm, iżda ma daħalx. [Ġw:20:6] Mbagħad wasal warajh Xmun Pietru, daħal fil-qabar, u ra l-faxex ta' l-għażel imqiegħda hemm, [Ġw:20:7] u l-maktur li kien madwar rasu; dan ma kienx mal-faxex, imma mitwi u mqiegħed f'post għalih. [Ġw:20:8] Mbagħad id-dixxiplu l-ieħor, li kien wasal l-ewwel ħdejn il-qabar, daħal hu wkoll, ra, u emmen.





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Liturġija tas-Siegħat - INNU - 25 ta' Diċ.+ żmien il-Milied + L-Ottava - Fit-Tifħir ta' sbiħ il-jum

Kristu l-Prinċep għoli tagħna
twieled minn Marija Verġni:
semmgħu għanja ma l-art kollha
xandru  l-ferħ ta' dil-ġurnata.

Il-Qaddis, ħallieq tad-dinja,
sura ħa ta' lsir imsejken,
biex bħal bniedem jifdi l-bniedem
u l-għemil ta' jdejh isalva.

Mis-smewwiet il-grazzja tinżel,
timla l-ġuf tax-Xebba safja,
li ssir omm u ġġib fi ħdanha
frott il-fidi fil-misteru.

Ġewwa fiha, dar l-indafa,
jidħol Sidha qisu f'tempju;
xejn ma ttiefset ix-xbubija
tal-qaddejja umli t'Alla.

Biha ħa n-natura tagħna
dak li l-anġlu kien ħabbrilha
u li Ġwanni mibgħut qablu,
ħassu ħdejh sa minn ġuf ommu.

Hu ma stmerrx it-tiben fqajjar
tal-maxtura li laqgħetu;
ftit ħalib kien l-għajxien tiegħu
dak li jitma' mqar l-għasafar.

Il-qtajjiet ta' l-anġli jxandru
fis-smewwiet il-glorja t'Alla;
u r-Ragħaj, li ħalaq kollox,
jidher f'għar lil ftiti ragħajja.

Glorja lilek, Kristu Sidna,
bin Marija, Omm u Verġni;
mal-Missier u ma' l-Ispirtu,
ġieħ jintraddlek, issa u dejjem. Ammen.

Liturġija tas-Siegħat - INNU: 25 ta' Diċ. - Is-Sejħa għat-Tifħir 'l Alla - Fl-Uffiċċju tal-qari

Bjuda li tgħammex, sa minn dejjem Alla,

Kristu, ġejt fostna dawl u ħajja tagħna

ġejt sabiex tkun għall-mard tal-bniedem duwa,

      u bieb tas-salvazzjoni.

 

Qtajja’ ta’ anġli jferrxu ma’ l-art kollha

għana  tas-sema, li żmien ġdid iħabbar;

sebħ lill-Missier ixandru, sliem u hena

      lil dawk li jogħġbu lilu.

 

Ċkejken, f’maxtura, fuq il-ħlejjaq taħkem,

Iben ta’ Xebba mqaddsa, bla mittiefsa,

Kristu, ġa rbaħt għalik id-dinja kollha,

     biex dejjem tibqa’ tħobbok.

 

Għoġbok titwieled biex tagħtina s-sema,

sirt wieħed minna, b’ġisem bħalna mlibbes;

ġedded lil ruħna, iġbed lejk ‘il qlubna

      bi rbit ta’ mħabba safja.

 

B’ferħ għalenija ngħollu b’leħen wieħed

f’xirka ma’ l-anġli għanja ta’ foħrija:

Lilek u lill-Missier u lill-Imħabba,

     tifħir u sebħ għal dejjem. Ammen

24th Dec. Vigil - Mt 1:18-25 -- Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son - It-twe...

Liturġija tas-Siegħat - INNU - 24 ta' Diċ. - Fit-Tifħir ta' Sbieħ il-Jum

Il-profeti, b'leħen għoli,
ħabbru l-miġja tal-Messija
f’din id-dinja, biex jagħtina
grazzja, fidwa u salvazzjoni.

Riesaq issa l-jum mistenni

li l-ferħ tiegħu jimla ‘l qlubna;
nitħejjew għall-bxara t-tajba
tas-sebħ kbir li se jxandrilna.

Għax f’din l-ewwel miġja tiegħu

mhux b’kastig f’idejh ġej Kristu,
Imma biex il-ġrieħi jfejjaq,
ħalli jsalva dak li ntilef.

Iżda wkoll jinħtieġ li nishru,

għax ma jdumx ma jerġa’ jiġi
biex lil ħbiebu jrodd ħlas tajjeb
u jiftħilhom bieb is-saltna.

Għandna b’wegħda d-dawl ta’ dejjem,

li diġa nilmħuh iżernaq;
rajna l-kewkba tfeġġ fil-għoli
biex għas-sema tistedinna.

Kristu, temm ix-xewqa tagħna

li narawk kif int, ta’ Alla;
ħa tkun dehra li titfisser
b’għana ta’ tifħir għal dejjem. Ammen.

24th Dec -- Lk 1:67-79 -- Zechariah's Song - Il-profezija ta' Żakkarija

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPtUKEMJ2Gg
Il-profezija ta' Żakkarija
[Lq:1:67] U Żakkarija, missieru, mtela bl-Ispirtu s-Santu u beda jħabbar u jgħid:
[Lq:1:68] "Mbierek il-Mulej, Alla ta' Iżrael,
għaliex ġie jżur u jifdi l-poplu tiegħu,
[Lq:1:69] u waqqaf għalina qawwa ta' salvazzjoni
f'dar David qaddej tiegħu,
[Lq:1:70] bħalma wiegħed fl-imgħoddi
b'fomm il-profeti qaddisin tiegħu,
[Lq:1:71] biex isalvana mill-għedewwa tagħna,
u minn idejn dawk kollha li jobogħduna.
[Lq:1:72] B'hekk juri ħniena ma' missirijietna
u jiftakar fil-patt qaddis tiegħu,
[Lq:1:73] fil-ħalfa li ħalef lil Abraham missierna:
li jagħtina l-grazzja
[Lq:1:74] li, wara li jeħlisna minn idejn l-għedewwa tagħna, naqduh bla biża', tul ħajjitna kollha,
[Lq:1:75] bil-ġustizzja u l-qdusija quddiemu ħajjitna kollha.
[Lq:1:76] U int, tfajjel,
tissejjaħ profeta ta' l-aktar Għoli,
għax tmur qabel il-Mulej
biex tħejjilu triqatu
[Lq:1:77] u tgħarraf lill-poplu tiegħu bis-salvazzjoni
Permezz tal-maħfra ta' dnubiethom,
[Lq:1:78] mogħtija mill-qalb ħanina ta' Alla tagħna,
li mill-għoli jiġi jżurna bħax-xemx tielgħa;
[Lq:1:79] u jdawwal lil min jinsab
fid-dlamijiet u d-dell tal-mewt,
u jmexxi l-passi tagħna fit-triq tas-sliem."

"His appearance beyond human likeness" Isaiah 52:14

Dec 23 - Homily: The First Missionary of Christ, Our Lady

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Dec 23 - Homily: Humility of the Messiah

25th Dec - Jn 1:1-18 -- The Word Became Flesh - Il-Verb sar bniedem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoZexyj_WlY
1. Il-Verb sar bniedem
[Ġw:1:1] Fil-bidu kien il-Verb,
u l-Verb kien ma' Alla,
u l-Verb kien Alla.
[Ġw:1:2] Hu kien fil-bidu ma' Alla.
[Ġw:1:3] Kollox bih sar,
u xejn ma sar mingħajru; 
kull ma sar [Ġw:1:4] kellu l-ħajja fih,
u l-ħajja kienet id-dawl tal-bnedmin.
[Ġw:1:5] Id-dawl jiddi fid-dlam,
imma d-dlam ma għelbux.
[Ġw:1:6] Kien hemm raġel mibgħut minn Alla,
jismu Ġwanni.
[Ġw:1:7] Dan ġie bħala xhud,
biex jixhed għad-dawl,
biex bih kulħadd jemmen.
[Ġw:1:8] Ġwanni ma kienx id-dawl,
imma ġie biex jixhed għad-dawl,
[Ġw:1:9] dak id-dawl veru,
li jdawwal kull bniedem, 
huwa u ġej fid-dinja.
[Ġw:1:10] Kien fid-dinja,
u d-dinja saret bih, 
imma d-dinja ma għarfitux.
[Ġw:1:11] Ġie f'daru,
u niesu ma laqgħuhx.
[Ġw:1:12] Imma lil dawk li laqgħuh
tahom is-setgħa li jsiru wlied Alla, 
dawk li jemmnu f'ismu,
[Ġw:1:13] li twieldu mhux bid-demm, anqas mill-ġibda tal-ġisem, u anqas mir-rieda tal-bniedem, iżda minn Alla.
[Ġw:1:14] U l-Verb sar bniedem u għammar fostna,
u aħna rajna l-glorja tiegħu, 
il-glorja li għandu mill-Missier bħala Ibnu l-waħdieni,
mimli bil-grazzja u l-verità.
[Ġw:1:15] Ġwanni ta xhieda fuqu
meta għajjat u qal:
"Dan hu li għalih għedtilkom, 
'Jiġi warajja, imma hu aqwa minni, 
għax kien minn qabli.' "
[Ġw:1:16] Għax mill-milja tiegħu aħna lkoll ħadna,
grazzja fuq grazzja.
[Ġw:1:17] Alla ta l-Liġi permezz ta' Mosè
imma l-grazzja u l-verità 
seħħu permezz ta' Ġesù Kristu.
[Ġw:1:18] Lil Alla għadu ħadd ma rah;
imma għarrafhulna l-Iben il-waħdieni ta' Alla,
li hu fi ħdan il-Missier.

25th Dec - Jn 1:1-5. 9-14 -- The Word Became Flesh - Il-Verb sar bniedem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Soi-Wj5Dfn0
1. Il-Verb sar bniedem
[Ġw:1:1] Fil-bidu kien il-Verb,
u l-Verb kien ma' Alla,
u l-Verb kien Alla.
[Ġw:1:2] Hu kien fil-bidu ma' Alla.
[Ġw:1:3] Kollox bih sar,
u xejn ma sar mingħajru; 
kull ma sar [Ġw:1:4] kellu l-ħajja fih,
u l-ħajja kienet id-dawl tal-bnedmin.
[Ġw:1:5] Id-dawl jiddi fid-dlam,
imma d-dlam ma għelbux.

[Ġw:1:9] dak id-dawl veru,
li jdawwal kull bniedem, 
huwa u ġej fid-dinja.
[Ġw:1:10] Kien fid-dinja,
u d-dinja saret bih, 
imma d-dinja ma għarfitux.
[Ġw:1:11] Ġie f'daru,
u niesu ma laqgħuhx.
[Ġw:1:12] Imma lil dawk li laqgħuh
tahom is-setgħa li jsiru wlied Alla, 
dawk li jemmnu f'ismu,
[Ġw:1:13] li twieldu mhux bid-demm, anqas mill-ġibda tal-ġisem, u anqas mir-rieda tal-bniedem, iżda minn Alla.
[Ġw:1:14] U l-Verb sar bniedem u għammar fostna,
u aħna rajna l-glorja tiegħu, 
il-glorja li għandu mill-Missier bħala Ibnu l-waħdieni,
mimli bil-grazzja u l-verità.

25th Dec - (at Dawn Mass) - Lk 2:15-20 -- ....the shepherds - ....Ir-rgħ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cChU-DlcYPY
[Lq:2:15] Meta mbagħad l-anġli ħallewhom u telgħu s-sema, ir-rgħajja bdew jgħidu lil xulxin: "Ejjew immorru Betlehem ħa naraw x'ġara kif għarrafna l-Mulej." [Lq:2:16] Marru mela jgħaġġlu, u sabu lil Marija u 'l Ġużeppi, bit-tarbija mimduda f'maxtura. [Lq:2:17] Kif raw dan, bdew jgħarrfu b'kull ma kien intqal lilhom dwar dik it-tarbija, [Lq:2:18] u kull min semagħhom baqa' mistagħġeb b'dak li qalulhom ir-rgħajja. [Lq:2:19] Marija, min-naħa tagħha, baqgħet tgħożż f'qalbha dawn il-ħwejjeġ kollha u taħseb fuqhom bejnha u bejn ruħha. [Lq:2:20] Ir-rgħajja mbagħad reġgħu lura, isebbħu u jfaħħru lil Alla għal kull ma kienu raw u semgħu, kif l-anġlu kien qalilhom.

24th Dec - Midnight - Lk 2:1-14 -- The Birth of Jesus - It-twelid ta' Ġe...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xGldETBjpA
2. It-twelid ta' Ġesù Kristu
(Mt 1, 18-25)
[Lq:2:1] F'dik il-ħabta Ċesari Awgustu ħareġ digriet biex isir ċensiment fid-dinja kollha. [Lq:2:2] Dan kien l-ewwel ċensiment li sar meta Kirinu kien gvernatur tas-Sirja. [Lq:2:3] U kulħadd mar biex jinkiteb, kull wieħed fil-belt tiegħu. [Lq:2:4] Ġużeppi wkoll mar mill-Galilija, mill-belt ta' Nazaret, u tala' l-Lhudija, fil-belt ta' David jisimha Betlehem - għax hu kien mid-dar u l-familja ta' David - [Lq:2:5] biex jinkiteb flimkien ma' Marija l-għarusa tiegħu, li kienet tqila. [Lq:2:6] Ġara li, meta kienu hemm, Marija għalqilha ż-żmien biex teħles, [Lq:2:7] u wildet l-ewwel iben tagħha, fisqietu u medditu f'maxtura, għax ma kienx hemm post għalihom fil-lukanda.
Ir-rgħajja u l-anġli
[Lq:2:8] F'dawk l-inħawi kien hemm xi rgħajja fir-raba', għassa mal-merħla tagħhom billejl. [Lq:2:9] U dehrilhom anġlu tal-Mulej, il-glorja tal-Mulej iddiet madwarhom, u qabadhom biża' kbir. [Lq:2:10] Iżda l-anġlu qalilhom: "Tibżgħux, għax araw, qiegħed inħabbrilkom ferħ kbir, ferħ li se jkun għall-poplu kollu. [Lq:2:11] Illum, fil-belt ta' David, twildilkom Salvatur, li hu l-Messija, il-Mulej. [Lq:2:12] U bħala sinjal ikollkom dan; issibu tarbija mfisqija u mimduda f'maxtura." [Lq:2:13] F'daqqa waħda ngħaqdu ma' l-anġlu għadd kbir ta' qtajja' tas-sema, ifaħħru lil Alla u jgħidu:
     [Lq:2:14] "Glorja lil Alla fl-ogħla tas-smewwiet,
     u sliem fl-art lill-bnedmin li jogħġbu lilu!"

24th Dec -- Lk 1:67-79 -- Zechariah's Song - Il-profezija ta' Żakkarija

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPtUKEMJ2Gg
Il-profezija ta' Żakkarija
[Lq:1:67] U Żakkarija, missieru, mtela bl-Ispirtu s-Santu u beda jħabbar u jgħid:
[Lq:1:68] "Mbierek il-Mulej, Alla ta' Iżrael,
għaliex ġie jżur u jifdi l-poplu tiegħu,
[Lq:1:69] u waqqaf għalina qawwa ta' salvazzjoni
f'dar David qaddej tiegħu,
[Lq:1:70] bħalma wiegħed fl-imgħoddi
b'fomm il-profeti qaddisin tiegħu,
[Lq:1:71] biex isalvana mill-għedewwa tagħna,
u minn idejn dawk kollha li jobogħduna.
[Lq:1:72] B'hekk juri ħniena ma' missirijietna
u jiftakar fil-patt qaddis tiegħu,
[Lq:1:73] fil-ħalfa li ħalef lil Abraham missierna:
li jagħtina l-grazzja
[Lq:1:74] li, wara li jeħlisna minn idejn l-għedewwa tagħna, naqduh bla biża', tul ħajjitna kollha,
[Lq:1:75] bil-ġustizzja u l-qdusija quddiemu ħajjitna kollha.
[Lq:1:76] U int, tfajjel,
tissejjaħ profeta ta' l-aktar Għoli,
għax tmur qabel il-Mulej
biex tħejjilu triqatu
[Lq:1:77] u tgħarraf lill-poplu tiegħu bis-salvazzjoni
Permezz tal-maħfra ta' dnubiethom,
[Lq:1:78] mogħtija mill-qalb ħanina ta' Alla tagħna,
li mill-għoli jiġi jżurna bħax-xemx tielgħa;
[Lq:1:79] u jdawwal lil min jinsab
fid-dlamijiet u d-dell tal-mewt,
u jmexxi l-passi tagħna fit-triq tas-sliem."

23rd Dec -- Lk 1:57-66 -- The Birth of John the Baptist - It-twelid ta' ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o017QiGDdO4
It-twelid ta' Ġwanni l-Battista
[Lq:1:57] Eliżabetta għalqilha ż-żmien biex teħles, u kellha tifel. [Lq:1:58] Il-ġirien u qrabatha semgħu li l-Mulej wera ħniena kbira magħha, u marru jifirħu magħha. [Lq:1:59] Meta mbagħad fit-tmien jum ġew biex jagħmlu ċ-ċirkonċiżjoni lit-tifel riedu jsemmuh Żakkarija għal missieru, [Lq:1:60] imma qabżet ommu u qalet: "Le, iżda Ġwanni jkun jismu." [Lq:1:61] Qalulha: "Ma hemm ħadd li jismu hekk fost qrabatek!" [Lq:1:62] Mbagħad bdew jistaqsu bis-sinjali lil missieru x'ried isemmih, [Lq:1:63] u hu talabhom xi ħaġa fuqiex jikteb, u kiteb hekk: "Ismu huwa Ġwanni." U kulħadd baqa' mistagħġeb. [Lq:1:64] Dak il-ħin stess Żakkarija nfetaħlu fommu, lsienu nħall, u beda jitkellem u jfaħħar lil Alla. [Lq:1:65] U l-ġirien tagħhom ilkoll qabadhom il-biża', u bdew ixandru dawn il-ġrajjiet kollha ma' l-għoljiet kollha tal-Lhudija, [Lq:1:66] u kull min kien jismagħhom kien iżommhom f'qalbu u jgħid: "Mela x'għad ikun dan it-tifel?" U tassew, id il-Mulej kienet miegħu.

21st Dec -- Lk 1:39-45 -- Mary Visits Elizabeth - Iż-żjara ta' Marija lil Eliżabetta

.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lUGApGRvQ0
Iż-żjara ta' Marija lil Eliżabetta
[Lq:1:39] F'dawk il-ġranet Marija qamet u marret tħaffef lejn l-għoljiet, f'belt tal-Lhudija. [Lq:1:40] Daħlet għand Żakkarija u sellmet lil Eliżabetta. [Lq:1:41] Malli Eliżabetta semgħet lil Marija ssellmilha, it-tarbija qabżet fil-ġuf tagħha u Eliżabetta mtliet bl-Ispirtu s-Santu; [Lq:1:42] u nfexxet f'għajta kbira u qalet: "Mbierka inti fost  in-nisa, u mbierek il-frott tal-ġuf tiegħek! [Lq:1:43] U minn fejn ġieni dan li omm il-Mulej tiegħi tiġi għandi? [Lq:1:44] Għax ara, malli smajt f'widnejja leħen it-tislima tiegħek, it-tarbija li għandi fil-ġuf qabżet bil-ferħ. [Lq:1:45] Iva, hienja dik li emmnet li jseħħ kull ma bagħat jgħidilha l-Mulej!" .

20th Dec -- Lk 1:26-38 -- The Birth of Jesus Foretold - It-taħbira tat-twelid ta' Ġesù Kristu

It-taħbira tat-twelid ta' Ġesù Kristu
[Lq:1:26] Mbagħad fis-sitt xahar Alla bagħat l-anġlu Gabrijel f'belt tal-Galilija. jisimha Nazaret, [Lq:1:27] għand xebba, mgħarrsa ma' raġel jismu Ġużeppi mid-dar ta' David. Dix-xebba kien jisimha Marija. [Lq:1:28] L-anġlu daħal għandha u qalilha: "Sliem għalik, mimlija bil-grazzja, il-Mulej miegħek." [Lq:1:29] Hi tħawwdet ħafna għal dan il-kliem, u bdiet taħseb bejnha u bejn ruħha x'setgħet qatt tfisser din it-tislima. [Lq:1:30] Iżda l-anġlu qalilha: "Tibżax, Marija, għax inti sibt grazzja quddiem Alla. [Lq:1:31] Ara, inti se tnissel fil-ġuf u jkollok iben u ssemmih Ġesù. [Lq:1:32] Hu jkun kbir, u jkun jissejjaħ Bin l-Għoli. Il-Mulej Alla jagħtih it-tron ta' David missieru [Lq:1:33] u jsaltan għal dejjem fuq dar Ġakobb, u ma jkunx hemm tmiem għas-saltna tiegħu." [Lq:1:34] Iżda Marija qalet lill-anġlu: "Kif ikun dan, ladarba ma nagħrafx raġel?" [Lq:1:35] Wieġeb l-anġlu u qalilha: "L-Ispirtu s-Santu jiġi fuqek, u l-qawwa ta' l-Għoli tixħet id-dell tagħha fuqek. U għalhekk dak li jitwieled minnek ikun qaddis, u jissejjaħ Bin Alla. [Lq:1:36] Ara, il-qariba tiegħek Eliżabetta, fi xjuħitha, hi wkoll nisslet iben fil-ġuf, u ġa għandha sitt xhur dik li għaliha kienu jgħidu li ma jistax ikollha tfal, [Lq:1:37] għax għal Alla ma hemm xejn li ma jistax isir." [Lq:1:38] Mbagħad qalet Marija: "Ara, jiena l-qaddejja tal-Mulej: ħa jsir minni skond kelmtek!" U l-anġlu telaq minn quddiemha.

19th Dec -- Lk 1:5-25 -- The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold - It-taħbira tat-twelid ta' Ġwanni l-Battista

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It-taħbira tat-twelid ta' Ġwanni l-Battista

[Lq:1:5] Fi żmien Erodi, sultan tal-Lhudija, kien hemm qassis jismu Żakkarija, mit-taqsima ta' Abija; martu, li kien jisimha Eliżabetta, kienet minn ulied Aron. [Lq:1:6] It-tnejn kienu nies ġusti quddiem Alla u jimxu bla nuqqas ta' xejn skond il-preċetti u l-kmandamenti kollha tal-Mulej. [Lq:1:7] Ulied ma kellhomx, għax Eliżabetta ma setax ikollha, u t-tnejn kienu mdaħħlin fiż-żmien.
[Lq:1:8] Mela ġara li Żakkarija kien qiegħed jaqdi dmiru ta' qassis quddiem Alla, għax kien imissha t-taqsima tiegħu, [Lq:1:9] u, skond id-drawwa tal-liturġija, ntgħażel hu bix-xorti biex jidħol ġewwa fis-santwarju tal-Mulej ħalli jaħraq l-inċens.[Lq:1:10] Waqt ir-rit ta' l-inċens, il-kotra kollha tal-poplu kienet qiegħda titlob barra.
[Lq:1:11] U deherlu anġlu tal-Mulej, wieqaf in-naħa tal-lemin ta' l-altar ta' l-inċens. [Lq:1:12] Żakkarija, malli rah, tħawwad u waqa' biża' fuqu. [Lq:1:13] Imma l-anġlu qallu: "Tibżax, Żakkarija, għax it-talba tiegħek instemgħet: martek Eliżabetta se tagħtik iben, u inti ssemmih Ġwanni. [Lq:1:14] Din tkun għalik ħaġa li tqanqlek bil-ferħ u thennik ħafna, u jkun hemm bosta li jifirħu bit-twelid tat-tifel. [Lq:1:15] Għax hu jkun kbir quddiem il-Mulej; ma jkun jixrob ebda inbid jew xorb qawwi, u jimtela bi spirtu qaddis sa minn ġuf ommu. [Lq:1:16] Huwa jreġġa' lil ħafna minn ulied Iżrael lejn il-Mulej Alla tagħhom, [Lq:1:17] u hu ġej qabel il-Mulej, mimli bl-ispirtu u l-qawwa ta' Elija, biex iraġġa' l-qlub  tal-missirijiet lejn uliedhom, u lil dawk li ma jridux jobdu jreġġagħhom għall-għaqal tal-ġusti, ħalli jlesti poplu mħejji sewwa  għall-Mulej." [Lq:1:18] Imma Żakkarija qal lill-anġlu: "Kif inkun żgur minn dan? Għax jiena raġel xiħ, u marti mdaħħla fiż-żmien!" [Lq:1:19] Wieġeb l-anġlu u qallu: "Jiena Gabrijel, li qiegħed quddiem Alla. Hu bagħatni nkellmek u nwassallek din il-bxara t-tajba. [Lq:1:20] U issa, talli int ma emmintx kliemi, li għad iseħħ meta jasal il-waqt, ara, int tibqa' mbikkem u ma tkunx tista' titkellem sa dak in-nhar li jiġri kull ma ħabbartlek."  
[Lq:1:21] Sadattant il-poplu kien qiegħed jistenna lil Żakkarija, u kulħadd stagħġeb bid-dewmien tiegħu fis-santwarju [Lq:1:22] Meta mbagħad ħareġ, ma setax ikellimhom, u ntebħu li kellu xi dehra fis-santwarju. Beda jfehemhom bis-sinjali, u baqa' mbikkem. [Lq:1:23] Wara li mbagħad għalaqlu ż-żmien tas-servizz tiegħu, raġa' lura lejn id-dar.
[Lq:1:24] Xi żmien wara, martu Eliżabetta nisslet fil-ġuf, u għal ħames xhur sħaħ fittxet li tinħeba min-nies, għax bdiet tgħid: [Lq:1:25] "Hekk għamel miegħi l-Mulej, li għoġbu jneħħili minn fuqi l-għajb li kelli quddiem in-nies!"




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18th Dec -- Mt 1:18-24 -- Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son - .......It-t...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IA0C0IxKiM
It-twelid ta' Ġesù Kristu
(Lq 2,1-7)
[Mt:1:18] It-tnissil ta' Ġesù l-Messija sar hekk: ommu Marija, wara li tgħarrset ma' Ġużeppi, qabel ma marru joqogħdu flimkien, saret omm bil-ħidma ta' l-Ispirtu s-Santu. [Mt:1:19] Żewġha Ġużeppi, li kien raġel ġust u ma riedx ixandarha quddiem kulħadd, għamel il-ħsieb li jibgħatha bil-moħbi tan-nies. [Mt:1:20] Meta kien għadu qiegħed jaħsibha, deherlu anġlu tal-Mulej fil-ħolm u qallu: "Ġużeppi, bin David, xejn la tibża' tieħu għandek lil martek Marija, għax dak li tnissel fiha ġej mill-Ispirtu  s-Santu. [Mt:1:21] Hi se jkollha iben, u inti ssemmih Ġesù, għax hu jsalva l-poplu tiegħu minn dnubiethom.
"[Mt:1:22] Dan kollu ġara biex iseħħ dak li kien qal il-Mulej permezz tal-profeta, meta qal:
  [Mt:1:23] 'Ara, ix-xebba tnissel u jkollha iben,
u jsemmuh Għimmanu-El',
Li bi lsienna jfisser 'Alla magħna'. [Mt:1:24] Ġużeppi, meta qam, għamel kif ordnalu l-anġlu tal-Mulej, u ħa lil martu għandu.

17th DECEMBER --- Mt 1. 1-17 -- The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah - L-antenati ta' Ġesù Kristu --- + --- Homily

1. L-antenati ta' Ġesù Kristu
(Lq 3, 23-38)
[Mt:1:1] Ktieb in-nisel ta' Ġesù Kristu, bin David, bin Abraham. [Mt:1:2] Abraham nissel lil Iżakk, Iżakk nissel lil Ġakobb, Ġakobb nissel lil Ġuda u lil ħutu, [Mt:1:3] Ġuda nissel lil Fares u lil Żaraħ minn Tamar, Fares nissel lil Ħesron, Ħesron nissel lil Aram, [Mt:1:4] Aram nissel lil Għamminadab, Għamminadab nissel lil Naħson, Naħson nissel lil Salmon, [Mt:1:5] Salmon nissel lil Bogħaż minn Raħab, Bogħaz nissel lil Għobed minn Rut, Għobed nissel lil Ġesse, [Mt:1:6] Ġesse nissel lil David, is-sultan.
David nissel lil Salamun mill-mara ta'Urija, [Mt:1:7] Salamun nissel lil Robogħam, Robogħam nissel lil Abija, Abija nissel lil Asa, [Mt:1:8] Asa nissel lil Ġosafat, Ġosafat nissel lil Ġoram, Ġoram nissel lil Għużżija, [Mt:1:9] Għużżija nissel lil Ġotam, Ġotam nissel lil Aħaż, Aħaż nissel lil Ħeżekija, [Mt:1:10] Ħeżekija nissel lil Manassi, Manassi nissel lil Amon, Amon nissel lil Ġosija, [Mt:1:11] Ġosija nissel lil Ġekonija u lil ħutu; kien żmien l-eżilju f'Babilonja.
[Mt:1:12] Wara l-eżilju f'Babilonja, Ġekonija nissel lil Salatjel, Salatjel nissel lil Żorobabel,[Mt:1:13] Żorobabel nissel lil Abiħud, Abiħud nissel lil Eljakim, Eljakim nissel lil Ażor, [Mt:1:14] Ażor nissel lil Sadok, Sadok nissel lil Akim, Akim nissel lil Eliħud, [Mt:1:15] Eliħud nissel lil Elgħazar, Elgħażar nissel lil Mattan, Mattan nissel lil Ġakobb, [Mt:1:16] Ġakobb nissel lil Ġużeppi, ir-raġel ta' Marija, li minnha twieled Ġesù li jsejjħulu l-Messija.
[Mt:1:17] Mela n-nisel kollu kien, minn Abraham sa David, erbatax-il nisel, minn David sa l-eżilju ta' Babilonja, erbatax-il nisel; u mill-eżilju ta' Babilonja sal-Messija, erbatax-il nisel.

The reading and reflection on the Gospel of Mt 1:1-17

ADVENT --- ERO CRAS - the '0' Antiphons --- Advent hymn O Come O Come Emmanuel ...& ... CHRISTMAS

Sr. Emmanuel: "My Prayer to Jesus, Hidden in Mary's Womb".

Right from God's choosing Abram as the first patriarch,  to the birth of Jesus, the Hebrews had been waiting for the promised Messiah for 4000 years: 

This is why the Catholic Church spreads THE ADVENT SEASON into 4 weeks - one week for every one thousand years of waiting for Our Saviour ... in Hope, in Peace, in Joy and in Love.

It-Twelid ta' Ġesù (sena C)

Riflessjoni minn Patri Elija Vella OFM Conv.

video published on December 21, 2021

Canto - VERBUM PANIS (Balduzzi) 

Montaggio audiovisivo con il canto VERBUM PANIS (Mite Balduzzi) proposto nella diocesi di Piacenza - Bobbio in occasione dell'Avvento 2007.

https://www.laikos.org/KKD_Avvent.htm
 

ŻMIEN L-AVVENT

Test tal-Kongregazzjoni għall-Kult Divin u d-Dixxiplina tas-Sagramenti biex nirriflettu fuq it-tifsira taż-żmien liturġiku tal-Avvent, bi tħejjija għall-Milied.

L-Avvent hu żmien ta’ stennija, ta’ konverżjoni, ta’ tama:

- stennija - tifkira tal-ewwel miġja umli tal-Feddej fil-ġisem mortali tagħna; stennija - supplika tal-aħħar miġja glorjuża ta’ Kristu, Sid l-istorja u Mħallef universali;

- konverżjoni, li spiss il-Liturġija ta’ dan iż-żmien tistedinna għaliha bil-leħen tal-profeti u fuq kollox ta’ Ġwanni l-Battista: “Indmu, għax is-Saltna tas-smewwiet hi fil-qrib” (Mt3:2);

- tama hienja lis-salvazzjoni li diġà ġab Kristu (ara Rum 8:24-25) u r-realtajiet tal-grazzja diġà preżenti fid-dinja jaslu għall-maturazzjoni u l-milja tagħhom, biex hekk il-wegħda tinbidel f’kisba, il-fidi f’viżjoni, u “aħna nkunu bħalu, għax narawh kif inhu” (1 Ġw3:2).

Il-pjetà popolari hi sensibbli għal żmien l-Avvent fuq kollox bħala tifkira tat-tħejjija għall-miġja tal-Messija. Fil-poplu Nisrani għandu għeruq qawwi l-għarfien tal-istennija twila li kien hemm qabel it-twelid tal-Feddej. Il-fidili jafu li Alla wieżen bi profeziji t-tamiet ta’ Iżrael fil-miġja tal-Messija.

Lill-pjetà popolari ma tistax taħarbilha, anzi tosserva kollha għoġba, il-ġrajja straordinarja li fiha Alla tal-glorja sar tarbija
fil-ġuf ta’ mara verġni, umli u fqira. Il-fidili huma partikularment sensibbli għad-diffikultajiet li l-Verġni Marija kellha tħabbat wiċċha magħhom tul it-tqala u jitqanqlu għall-ħsieb li fil-lukanda ma kienx hemm post għal Ġużeppi u għal Marija, li kienet waslet biex tiled lit-Tarbija (ara Lq2:7).


Il-Verġni Marija fl-Avvent

Fi żmienl-Avvent il-Liturġija tiċċelebra spiss u b’mod eżemplari lill-Verġni Mqaddsa: tfakkar xi nisa tal-Patt il-Qadim, li kienu figura u profezija tal-missjoni tagħha; tfaħħar l-imġiba ta’ fidi u ta’ umiltà li biha Marija ta’ Nazaret twaħħdet minnufih u b’mod sħiħ mal-pjan salvifiku ta’ Alla; tixħet dawl fuq il-preżenza tagħha fil-ġrajjiet ta’ grazzja li seħħu qabel it-twelid tal-Feddej. Anki l-pjetà popolari tiddedika, fi żmien l-Avvent, attenzjoni partikulari lill-Imqaddsa Marija; dan bla dubju jixhduh il-bosta atti ta’ qima, fuq kollox in-noveni tal-Immakulata u tal-Milied.

Madankollu, il-valur tal-Avvent “bħala żmien partikularment adatt għall-qima ta’ Omm il-Mulej” ma jfissirx li dan iż-żmien liturġiku għandu jiġi ppreżentat bħala “xahar ta’ Marija”.

Fil-kalendarji liturġiċi tal-Lvant Nisrani, il-perjodu ta’ tħejjija għall-misteru tal-manifestazzjoni (l-Avvent) tal-fidwa divina (Teofanija) fil-misteri tal-Milied - Epifanija tal-Iben Waħdieni ta’ Alla l-Missier, jidher li hu partikularment Marjan. L-attenzjoni tikkonċentra fuq it-tħejjija għall-miġja tal-Mulej
fil-misteru tad-Deipara (Dik li welldet lil Alla). Għal-Lvant,
il-misteri Marjani kollha huma misteri Kristoloġiċi, jiġifieri jirriferu għall-misteru tas-salvazzjoni tagħna fi Kristu. Hekk
fir-Rit Kopt, matul dan il-perjodu, jitkanta l-Lawdi ta’ Marija fit-Theotokia; fil-Lvant Sirjan iż-żmien jissejjaħ Subbara, jiġifieri Tħabbira, b’enfasi fuq il-fiżjonomija Marjana tiegħu. Ir-Rit Biżantin iħejji għall-Milied b’serje tikber ta’ festi u ta’ ritornelli Marjani.

Is-Solennità tal-Immakulata (fit-8 ta’ Diċembru), għażiża ħafna għall-fidili, tagħti lok għal bosta manisfestazzjonijiet ta’ pjetà popolari, li l-espressjoni ewlenija tagħhom hi n-Novena tal-Immakulata. Ma hemmx dubju li l-kontenut tal-festa tat-Tnissil safi u bla ħtija ta’ Marija, bħala tħejjija oriġinarja għat-twelid ta’ Ġesù, jorbot tajjeb ma’ xi temi qawwija tal-Avvent: anki din tfakkarna fl-istennija twila messjanika u fil-profeziji u simboli tat-Testment il-Qadim, użati wkoll mil-Liturġija tal-Avvent. Fejn tiġi ċċelebrata n-Novena tal-Immakulata għandha ssir enfasi fuq it-testi profetiċi, li, ibda mit-tħabbira ta’ Ġenesi 3:15, iwasslu sat-tislima ta’ Gabrijelli ll-“mimlija bil-grazzja” (Lq1:28) u sat-tħabbira tat-twelid tal-Feddej (ara Lq 1:31-33).

Akkumpanjata minn bosta manifestazzjonijiet popolari, fil-Kontinent Amerikan tiġi ċċelebrata, qrib il-Milied,il-festa ta’ Sidtna Marija ta’ Guadalupe (12 ta’ Diċembru), li tiffavorixxi tajjeb id-dispożizzjoni tal-qalb tagħna biex nilqgħu lill-Feddej: Marija, “imxierka intimament mat-twelid tal-Knisja fl-Amerika, kienet il-Kewkba tiddi li dawlet it-tħabbira ta’ Kristu l-Feddej lil ulied dawn il-popli”.

“Expectación del Parto”, skultura tal-Verġni Marija mill-artista Spanjol Juan Alberto Pérez Rojas (2011). Parroquia de la Encarnación de Marbella (Málaga), Spanja.

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ERO CRAS

Il-Knisja fil-Liturġija tal-Avvent mis-17 ta' Diċembru ’l quddiem tesprimi b'mod l-aktar qawwi ix-xewqa li terġa tiċċelebra t-tifkira tat-twelid tal-Messija permezz tal-Antifoni msejħin ‘O’. Dawn l-antifoni jikkonsistu f’test qasir iżda qawwi, fejn ir-riferenzi u x-xbihat bibbliċi huma marbutin waħda wara l-oħra bħal f’katina biex iwasluna sal-Messija li wasal biex jiġi.

Dawn l-antifoni nstabu minquxa f'waħda mill-kappelli mħaffra fil-blat qrib l-għar ta' Betlem fejn twieled Ġesù. Kienu nstabu fuq żewġ kolonni madwar it-tabernaklu ta' din il-kappella. Fuq iż-żewġ kolonni kien hemm miktuba l-bidu ta' kull antifona: O Sapientia, O Adonai, O Radix lesse, O Clavis David, O Oriens, O Rex Gentium, O Emmanuel.

Interessanti hu l-fatt li meta wieħed l-ewwel ittra ta' kull antifona bil-Latin (fl-ordni ta’ mit-23 sas-17 ta’ Diċembru) jiġu ffurmati żewġ kelmiet ERO CRAS li bil-Malti jfissru: GĦADA SER INKUN HAWN. F’kelma waħda dak li tħabbar u dak li kien mistenni issa wasal.

 

 

 

 

 

Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel

 

 Veni Emmanuel (New York Polyphony)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





ADVENT - ERO CRAS - the '0' Antiphons ---  and the Advent hymn O Come O Come Emmanuel

Most familiar today from the Advent hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," the seven traditional "O Antiphons" are actually more than a thousand years old. They have long been used at the very end of Advent (Dec. 17-23 - with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil) in the liturgical prayer of the Church, as Antiphons for the "Magnificat" sung or recited during Vespers (the Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours). Since the Second Vatican Council, they have also been adapted (slightly reworded and rearranged) for the "Alleluia Verse" of the Mass (the short scriptural text or paraphrase that immediately precedes the Gospel reading). Each Antiphon invokes the coming of the Messiah, beginning with a biblical title and closing with a specific petition. The importance of “O Antiphons” is twofold:

Each one highlights a title for the Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. Also, each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah.

Let’s now look at each antiphon with just a sample of Isaiah’s related prophecies :

(Dec 17) O Sapientia: “O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.” (11:2-3), and “Wonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom.” (28:29).

(Dec 18) O Adonai: “O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.” Isaiah had prophesied, “But He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.” (11:4-5); and “Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, he it is who will save us.” (33:22).

(Dec 19) O Radix Jesse: “O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.” Isaiah had prophesied, “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.” (11:1), and A On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.” (11:10). Remember also that Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:1).

(Dec 20) O Clavis David: “O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.” Isaiah had prophesied, AI will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut, when he shuts, no one will open.” (22:22), and “His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over His kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.” (9:6).

(Dec 21) O Oriens: “O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.” (9:1).

(Dec 22) O Rex Gentium: “O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.” Isaiah had prophesied, “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” (9:5), and “He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” (2:4)

(Dec 23) O Emmanuel: “O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” (7:14). Remember “Emmanuel” means “God is with us.”

In the traditional arrangement, when viewed from Christmas Eve backward, the first letters of the Latin texts (Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia) spell out the phrase ero cras ("I come tomorrow"). So the “O Antiphons” not only bring intensity to our Advent preparation, but bring it to a joyful conclusion.

                                                                                          - - - - - - -

Note that the first verse of the popular hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", is actually the last of the traditional "O Antiphons" (for Dec. 23!), while the other verses of the hymn (in the order printed in most hymnals) correspond to the Antiphons for Dec. 17 to Dec. 22.

• Unfortunately, many churches sing the first verse of the hymn over and over again throughout the Advent season, maybe also sing verses two and three, but never get around to singing the other beautiful verses.
• Ideally, the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" ought to be sung only during the last week of Advent. But since it is so popular, and some people might not even realize that it was Advent unless they heard this hymn, it could be sung earlier, possibly even each Sunday (to help unify the season liturgically).
• Yet if this is done, there are better ways of distributing the verses over the four weeks. Since most people know the tune so well, one could easily the first verse until the end, and people could just as easily sing the other verses on the first three Sundays of Advent. To maintain the traditional order, here is one possible suggestion:

• First Sunday: Verses 2 (Wisdom) & 3 (Lord)
• Second Sunday: Verses 4 (Rod of Jesse) & 5 (Key of David)
• Third Sunday: Verses 6 (Dayspring) & 7 (Desire of Nations)
• Fourth Sunday: Verse 1 (Emmanuel) & repeat one or two others

Or, if your congregation insists on singing the first verse on the first Sunday, then at least all sing the other verses throughout the season. Here's another possible suggestion (to be adapted, depending on how many verses your congregation normally sings):

• First Sunday: Verses 1 (Emmanuel) & 2 (Wisdom) & 3 (Lord)
• Second Sunday: Verses 3 (Lord) & 4 (Rod of Jesse) & 5 (Key of David)
• Third Sunday: Verses 5 (Key of David) & 6 (Dayspring) & 7 (Desire of Nations)
• Fourth Sunday: Verse 1 (Emmanuel) & any others you wish to repeat

 

excerpts and references from:

What are the 'O Antiphons'? (catholiceducation.org)


O Antiphons for the Week before Christmas (catholic-resources.org)

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Novena tal-Milied
http://www.laikos.org/Novena_tal-Milied.pdf



EJJA DIVIN MESSIJA - O COME DIVINE MESSIAH --- & --- O ejja ejja Għimmanu-El -- O COME, O COME EMMANUEL
SHARING THE REAL TRUTH: EJJA DIVIN MESSIJA - O COME DIVINE MESSIAH --- & --- O EJJA, EJJA EMMANUEL - O COME, O COME EMMANUEL (medjugorjemalta.blogspot.com)

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Old Testament Prophets Foretold the Birth of Christ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LJIGx86M9Q
 

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The Only Person Ever Pre-Announced

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

 

 

 

https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2015/12/25/person-ever-pre-announced/

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THE WHOLE WORLD AWAITS MARY'S REPLY

Bethlehem  

 



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THE  MEANING  OF  ADVENT

Advent, a season of four Sundays,  is the beginning of a new liturgical year for the Roman Catholic Church. On the first day of Advent, the Church celebrates its New Year's Day. The date for the beginning of Advent falls each year on the Sunday closest to November 30th - the feast day of Saint Andrew the Apostle - and ends on Christmas Eve.

Advent is given to us as a time to prepare our souls for the coming of the Lord. This season is very similar to Lent which helps us to prepare for Easter. In modern times we are tempted to skip over the penitential aspects of Advent and focus on the joy of Christmas. This is a great tragedy. Focusing only on the joy, denies the truth: The Christ Child is our Lord and Saviour Who will suffer and die for our

salvation.

Originally Advent was celebrated over forty days, just like the Lenten season. This has now been shortened to four weeks, but the symbolism remains. You may notice another similarity to Lent when you attend Mass; although we still sing the Alleluia before the Gospel reading, we do not sing the song of the angels - the Gloria. We will sing this song anew with the angels on Christmas day - just as they did over 2000 years ago.

The word, Advent, consists of two Latin words: ad — venire, “to come to.” Advent’s message is that God in Christ is coming to the world. The Message of Advent is to “prepare.” The Lord is coming whether the world is ready or not. For those unprepared, his coming means judgment. For those ready for his coming, it means salvation.

 

How does Advent suggest that we prepare?

1. Repentance — forsake the sins of the world for a godly way of life.
2. Prayer – pray for the coming of Christ, for he shall save.
3. Patience – his coming may be delayed. Watch and wait, for his coming may be sudden
    

The Mood of Advent 

 

Expressed in colour. The mood of Advent is expressed in the liturgical colour, VIOLET. It depicts a feeling of quiet dignity, royalty and repentance. Violet was the traditional colour of a king’s robe - the coming Christ is King of kings. Advent, like Lent, is a time for solemn and sober thought about one’s sins, leading to repentance. It denotes a quiet time for watching, waiting and praying for Christ to come again, personally and universally.

Joy in hope. Advent stresses not so much fulfillment as anticipation of fulfillment: the Lord is coming! Christians have great expectations of Christ’s coming again. As a family looks forward to a son returning from a war and as a bride anticipates her wedding day, so a Christian looks forward with joy to Christ’s coming. In the quiet joy of anticipation and not the joy of celebration of a past event

 

"Maranathà !
Come Lord Jesus !  
 

The Advent Wreath 

 

 

Since circles have no beginning and no end, the circular shape of the Advent Wreath is used to symbolize the endless nature of God’s love for all mankind.. The wreath holds four candles which are lit over the four weeks of Advent - The light of the flame is a visual reminder that Christ is "The Light of the World" (John 8:12). - There are three violet (purple) candles and one rose coloured, the 'Joy' candle, each representing 1,000 years. Added together, the four candles symbolize the 4,000 years that humanity waited for the Saviour: The entire 4000 year period of God's calling his people to Himself - from Abraham to the human birth of Jesus Christ Himself --- The everlasting covenant that involves promises on God’s part and obligations on mankind’s part ---  The apostle Paul is crystal clear on this point: “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring [i.e., seed], heirs according to promise” (Gal. 3:29). It is the true church, those who are of faith (Gal. 3:9), who are the people of the covenant and the recipients of the promises of the Abrahamic treaty. It is not a question of blood lineage for one to be a member, but one of faith. As Paul says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).

 
In consequence, the wonderful blessings of the covenant belong to God’s people today. First, the promise of an abundant seed is coming to pass in the church throughout the ages. Christ commanded His people to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19), and those who come to faith in Christ are of the covenant of Abraham. Paul said, “So that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith” (Gal. 3:14). In addition, believers are recipients of the Promised Land as inheritors of the promise of God to Abraham. Peter remarks, “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3–4). The true, eternal promised land is not some dusty tract in the Middle East, but it is the celestial city that has been reserved in heaven for the people of the covenant by the work of Christ !

 

The sign and seal of the covenant in the New Testament age is BAPTISM: God’s people undergo this ritual as a visible sign that they belong to the covenant and that they will receive the blessings of being in the covenant community: 

Most importantly, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation we will have the grace to receive the Eucharist, God Himself, to guide us in wisdom in our faithfulness and gratitude in Him and in His Church.

 

ADVENT - CHRISTMAS - EPIPHANY ---

 

day by day Gospel Videos

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa58Vv6jmn2CZ0uKuXdFQxcWUDaDHYqli

 

The Advent Wreath draws attention to the anticipation of the coming of a Messiah that weaves its way like a golden thread through Old Testament history. The Israelites yearned for a return of God’s dynamic presence in their midst. And so, God revealed to some of the prophets that indeed He would not leave His people without a true Shepherd.

 

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First Sunday in Advent – Light the first violet candle which is the candle of HOPE and in some traditions prophecy because it reminds us that God foretold the coming of His Son and it represents the period of waiting.

 

 

First Sunday of Advent

 

 

Homily on the Sunday of week 1 in Advent 

- In Year B 

• 1L Is 63, 16b-17.19b; 64, 2-7 Mhux li

kont iċċarrat is-smewwiet u tinżel!

• SR 79 (80), 2aċ.3b.15-16.18-19

Reġġagħna għal li konna Alla tal-eżerċti.

• 2L 1 Kor 1, 3-9 Nistennew id-dehra

ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu.

• E Mk 13, 33-37 Ishru, għax ma tafux

meta jerġa’ jiġi sid id-dar.

Who do you want to be and what are you doing about it?

 

[Is:45:8] "Qattru, smewwiet, mill-għoli,

u jraxxax is-sħab il-ġustizzja;

tinfetaħ l-art u tinbet is-salvazzjoni,

u tinbet magħha l-ġustizzja.

Jiena l-Mulej, jien ħlaqtha.

Rorate coeli - Gregoriano a música da paz

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Second Sunday in Advent – Light the first and the second violet candle which is the candle of PEACE and in some traditions it is called the Bethlehem Candle because it reminds us that even God prepared for the birth of His Son. The manger in Bethlehem became a cradle fit for a King.

 



IL-MADONNA TAL-ISTENNIJA - PELLEGRINAĠĠ FIT-TIENI ĠIMGĦA TA' L-AVVENT 
OUR LADY, THE EXPECTANT VIRGIN MOTHER  - PILGRIMAGE IN THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT

http://medjugorjemalta.blogspot.com.mt/2014/12/il-madonna-tal-istennija-our-lady.html

Second Sunday of Advent

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Third Sunday in Advent – Gaudete Sunday - Light the first two violet candles and the rose candle that is called the candle of JOY and in some traditions the Shepherds’ candle. It reminds us of the poor shepherds who were the first people to see Jesus – that we all need a shepherd and that Jesus is our shepherd. God loves all people. Some are rich and famous, but others are poor and sometimes hungry. Each has a very special place in the heart of God.

 

 

Third Sunday of Advent



 



Gaudete Sunday

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Fourth Sunday in Advent – Light the last violet candle of love (together with the other 2 violet and 1 rose candles).  This candle is also called the Angel’s Candle. It reminds us that LOVE came into the world when Jesus was born and represents rejoicing.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 Fourth Sunday of Advent

 

 

 

 

CYCLE C - ADVENT - 4th SUNDAY

Reading 1 - Micah 5:1-4
Psalm - Psalm 80:2-19
Reading 2 - Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel - Luke 1:29-45

Mary, David and the Theo-Drama (The heavenly joy and strength when we restrain our human ego-drama to concentrate on God)

http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/mary-david-and-the-theo-drama/5022/

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The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Vigil Mass

All the candles are lit, including the white candle in the centre which is Christ’s Candle - THE LIGHT

 

 Happy Birthday dear Jesus

 

The nativity of Jesus - video in Maltese

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 Libera - Gaudete






“Angels from the Realms of Glory”

(mixed with “Angels We Have Heard On High”)

HELU BAMBIN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RA-Us7Oocg

 

ĠESÙ BAMBIN DIVIN

ĠESÙ BAMBIN DIVIN - YouTube

 

 

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