blank'/> SHARING THE REAL TRUTH: September 2014

Sunday, September 28, 2014

SEPTEMBER 29 - Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Th Holy Archangels --- Gospel --- Jn 1:47-51 -- (Nathanael meets Jesus - Natanjel jiltaqa' ma' Ġesù)


 
 



ANGELS ARE REAL: 3 Examples - Fr. Mark Goring, CC

 

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Angels—messengers from God—appear frequently in Scripture, but only Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are named.
Michael appears in Daniel's vision as "the great prince" who defends Israel against its enemies; in the Book of Revelation, he leads God's armies to final victory over the forces of evil. Devotion to Michael is the oldest angelic devotion, rising in the East in the fourth century. The Church in the West began to observe a feast honoring Michael and the angels in the fifth century.

Gabriel also makes an appearance in Daniel's visions, announcing Michael's role in God's plan. His best-known appearance is an encounter with a young Jewish girl named Mary, who consents to bear the Messiah.

Raphael's activity is confined to the Old Testament story of Tobit. There he appears to guide Tobit's son Tobiah through a series of fantastic adventures which lead to a threefold happy ending: Tobiah's marriage to Sarah, the healing of Tobit's blindness and the restoration of the family fortune.

The memorials of Gabriel (March 24) and Raphael (October 24) were added to the Roman calendar in 1921. The 1970 revision of the calendar joined their feasts to Michael's.

Comment:

Each of these archangels performs a different mission in Scripture: Michael protects; Gabriel announces; Raphael guides. Earlier belief that inexplicable events were due to the actions of spiritual beings has given way to a scientific world-view and a different sense of cause and effect. Yet believers still experience God's protection, communication and guidance in ways which defy description. We cannot dismiss angels too lightly.
Quote:
"For the honor we pay the angelic creatures in whom you delight redounds to your own surpassing glory, and by their great dignity and splendor you show how infinitely great you are, to be exalted above all things, through Christ our Lord" (Roman Missal, Preface for this feast).
 

 
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PREGHIERA AI TRE ARCANGELI


Venga dal Cielo nelle nostre case l’Angelo della pace, Michele, venga portatore di serena pace e releghi nell’inferno le guerre, fonte di tante lacrime.
 
Venga Gabriele, l’Angelo della forza, scacci gli antichi nemici e visiti i templi cari al Cielo, che Egli trionfatore ha fatto elevare sulla Terra.
 
Ci assista Raffaele, l’Angelo che presiede alla salute; venga a guarire tutti i nostri malati e a dirigere i nostri incerti passi per i sentieri della vita.
                                                                            
                                                                         - PADRE PIO TV - in FACEBOOK




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Quddiesa b'tifkira tat-Trabi li ma tweldux - 29/09/2020


 
 
Holy Mass Readings

First reading
 
Daniel 7:9-10,13-14
As I watched:
Thrones were set in place
and one of great age took his seat.
His robe was white as snow,
the hair of his head as pure as wool.
His throne was a blaze of flames,
its wheels were a burning fire.
A stream of fire poured out,
issuing from his presence.
A thousand thousand waited on him,
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
A court was held
and the books were opened.
And I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven,
one like a son of man.
He came to the one of great age
and was led into his presence.
On him was conferred sovereignty,
glory and kingship,
and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants.
His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty
which shall never pass away,
nor will his empire ever be destroyed.
OR:
Alternative First reading
Apocalypse 12:7-12
Now war broke out in heaven, when Michael with his angels attacked the dragon. The dragon fought back with his angels, but they were defeated and driven out of heaven. The great dragon, the primeval serpent, known as the devil or Satan, who had deceived all the world, was hurled down to the earth and his angels were hurled down with him. Then I heard a voice shout from heaven, ‘Victory and power and empire for ever have been won by our God, and all authority for his Christ, now that the persecutor, who accused our brothers day and night before our God, has been brought down. They have triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the witness of their martyrdom, because even in the face of death they would not cling to life. Let the heavens rejoice and all who live there.’



Psalm
Psalm 137:1-5
In the presence of the angels I will bless you, O Lord.
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart:
  you have heard the words of my mouth.
In the presence of the angels I will bless you.
  I will adore before your holy temple.
In the presence of the angels I will bless you, O Lord.
I thank you for your faithfulness and love,
  which excel all we ever knew of you.
On the day I called, you answered;
  you increased the strength of my soul.
In the presence of the angels I will bless you, O Lord.
All earth’s kings shall thank you
  when they hear the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the Lord’s ways:
  ‘How great is the glory of the Lord!’
In the presence of the angels I will bless you, O Lord.



Gospel AcclamationPs102:21
Alleluia, alleluia!
Give thanks to the Lord, all his hosts,
his servants who do his will.
Alleluia!
 
 

Jn 1:47-51 -- You will see heaven laid open, and the Son of Man - Intom għad taraw l-anġli ta’ Alla.


Evanġelju Intom għad taraw l-anġli ta’ Alla. Ġw 1: 47-51 Qari mill-Evanġelju skont San Ġwann F’dak iż-żmien: [Ġw:1:47] Meta Ġesù ra lil Natanael riesaq lejh, qal: "Hawn hu Israeli li jistħoqqlu dan l-isem; ma hemm ebda qerq fih." [Ġw:1:48] Natanael staqsieh: "Rabbi, kif sirt tafni?" U Ġesù wieġbu: "Rajtek taħt is-siġra tat-tin qabel ma kellmek Filippu." [Ġw:1:49] "Rabbi," qallu Natanael, "int l-Iben ta' Alla, inti s-sultan ta' Iżrael!" [Ġw:1:50] Ġesù wieġbu: "Qiegħed temmen għax għedtlek li rajtek taħt is-siġra tat-tin? Għad tara ħwejjeġ akbar minn dawn." [Ġw:1:51] U żied jgħidlu: "Fis-sewws, fis-sewwa ngħidilkom: għad taraw is-sema miftuħ u l-anġli ta' Alla niżlin u telgħin fuq Bin il-bniedem." Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. R/. Tifħir lilek Kristu.
 
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OMELIJA --- 29 ta' Settembru --- Ġw 1:47-51 --- L-Arkanġli Mqaddsa, Mikiel, Gabrijel u Rafel – Festa





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Pope in Santa Marta: We all have struggles that endanger our salvation - Published on Sep 29, 2017




 
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Pope at Santa Marta: The angels defend us


 
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RADJU MARIJA MALTA
 
ANĠLI U ARKANĠLI - minn Patri Marcello Ghirlando OFM
 

 
 
 
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This excerpt from a homily on the Gospels (Hom. 32, 8-9: PL 76, 1250-1251) by St. Gregory the Great is used in the Roman Catholic Office of Readings for the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael on September 29.
http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/254/archangels_michael__gabriel__and_raphael__st._gregory_the_great.html


 
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HOLY ARCHANGELS, ANGELS AND GUARDIAN ANGELS


 
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TALBA lil San Mikiel Arkanġlu 

San Mikiel Arkanġlu, idħol għalina
fit-taqbida; kun int il-għajnuna
tagħna kontra l-ħażen u t-tnassis
tad-demonju. Irażżnu Alla, nitolbuk
bil-ħerqa. Int l-aqwa fost il-qtajja’
tas-sema, itfa' bil-Qawwa t'Alla,
fil-qiegħ ta' l-infern lix-xitan u
l-ispirti ħżiena l-oħra li jiġġerrew
fid-dinja għat-telfien ta' l-erwieħ.
Ammen.

PRAYER to St Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel, defend
us in battle, be our defense against
the wickedness and snares of the
devil; may God rebuke him, we
humbly pray, and do thou O
Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the Divine Power, thrust
into hell satan and all the
evil spirits who prowl about
the world seeking the ruin
of souls. Amen.



 
 
Tertullian --- Through the power of the angels, the power of the devil is subject to the power of man



- - - - - - -


OPUS SANCTORUM ANGELORUM -Work of the Holy Angels 
http://www.opusangelorum.org/english.html





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Talba lil San Mikiel Arkanglu - Prayer to St Michael the Archangel --- & --- The Chaplet of St Michael with Mother Angelica --- & --- THE APPARITIONS OF ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL ON MOUNT GARGANO

SHARING THE REAL TRUTH: Talba lil San Mikiel Arkanglu - Prayer to St Michael the Archangel --- & --- The Chaplet of St Michael with Mother Angelica --- & --- THE APPARITIONS OF ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL ON MOUNT GARGANO (medjugorjemalta.blogspot.com)





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Archangels Feast Day Prayer
to Michael, Gabriel and Raphael (the Archangels)


 
Heavenly King, You have given us archangels
to assist us during our pilgrimage on earth.
Saint Michael is our protector;
I ask him to come to my aid,
fight for all my loved ones,
and protect us from danger.
 
Saint Gabriel is a messenger of the Good News;
I ask him to help me
clearly hear Your voice
and to teach me the truth.
 
Saint Raphael is the healing angel;
I ask him to take my need for healing
and that of everyone I know,
lift it up to Your throne of grace
and deliver back to us the gift of recovery.
 
Help us, O Lord,
to realize more fully the reality of the archangels
and their desire to serve us.
 
Holy angels,
pray for us.
Amen.
 

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St Raphael the Healer














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KATEKEŻI --- IŻ-ŻWIEĠ U L-FAMILJA --- Mend it – don’t end it --- SAVING MARRIAGE


SAVING MARRIAGE --- LET US GIVE IMPORTANCE TO OFF-DUTY, PERSONAL, QUALITY TIME, TOGETHER --- EVEN SWITCHING OFF MOBILES, COMPUTERS, TELEVISIONS...BECAUSE ALL OF US LOVE TO BE APPRECIATED...GOD TREATS ALL HUMANS WITH DIGNITY, PATIENCE, MERCY, FORGIVENESS............



http://www.cakmalta.org/jumilmulej/katekezi_familja/kat15.htm

Mend it – don’t end it
Min minna qatt ma kellu xi jgħid fiż-żwieġ? Min minna qatt ma staqsa lilu nnifsu: ‘Imma jien x’jien nagħmel hawn?’ Min minna qatt ma għaddielu l-ħsieb minn ġo moħħu li jippakkja u jitlaq? Imma billi aħna nemmnu li l-familja titwieled minn iva reċiproka, responsabbli u definittiva ta’ raġel u mara, wieħed jirbaħ u jwarrab dan il-ħsieb ħażin u jkompli jiddedika ħajtu għall-familja tiegħu.
Dan is-slogan, mend it-don’t end it, ħareġ bih l-imħallef Ingliż, Sir Paul Coleridge, u mill-ewwel laqatni. L-imħallef li għandu esperjenza wiesgħa fil-qasam tal-familja, l-ewwel bħala avukat u issa bħala imħallef, kien qed jitkellem fuq id-diffikultajiet li jgħaddu minnhom il-koppja u l-ulied meta jsofru t-tkissir taż-żwieġ.
Faċli fir-rabja xi ħadd jgħid, ‘daqshekk’, ‘xbajt’, ‘ma niflaħx iżjed.’ Faċli tkisser, faċli tħott, iżda biex tibni u tkompli miexi trid ħafna paċenzja u sabar kif ukoll ħafna għaqal u sens komun. Is-suġġeriment tal-imħallef huwa sempliċi iżda impenjattiv, tkissrux iż-żwieġ, iġġibux fix-xejn, taqtax qalbek. Kompli aħdem għalih, ara kif tista’ ssewwih, ara kif tista’ tirranġah. Agħraf li aħjar miżżewweġ milli separat jew iddivorzjat. Hu jgħid li, ‘breakdown in families is as destructive as effects of global warming.’
Coleridge jgħid li t-tisħiħ taż-żwieġ jiddependi l-aktar: a. mill-għażliet personali li wieħed jagħmel. b. mill-imġiba u l-aġir tal-persuna; u ċ. mill-kultura u l-arja li fiha qed ngħixu.
Għalhekk, kull miżżewweġ jagħmel tajjeb meta jistaqsi lilu nnifsu:
a. L-għażliet tiegħi u d-deċiżjonijiet tiegħi ta’ kuljum, juru tassew li jien għandi l-familja għal qalbi?
b. L-imġiba u l-aġir tiegħi, juru li jien tassew miżżewweġ? Waħda mir-raġunijiet għaliex nilbsu ċ-ċurkett tat-tieġ f’subgħajna huwa sewwasew biex dejjem ifakkarna li aħna miżżewġin.
ċ. Jien qed inkun immexxi mill-kultura u l-arja ta’ madwarna jew aktar mill-prinċipji li nemmen fihom? Jekk qed inkun immexxi iżjed mill-kultura għaliex qed narmi l-prinċipji li trawwimt fihom?
Naħseb li l-punti li jqajjem Sir Paul huma relevanti ħafna għalina biex inkomplu nħarsu ż-żwieġ u l-familja. Hija ħasra li llum il-ġurnata, ngħidu aħna, il-kelma maħfra fiż-żwieġ ma għadhiex daqshekk moda, donnha qed tgħib mill-vokabolarju tagħna. Il-maħfra hija għażla. Il-maħfra hija deċiżjoni u determinazzjoni li nkompli nemmen fiż-żwieġ u fil-kelma li tajt. Il-maħfra llum forsi tidher bluha iżda hija maturità Nisranija kbira li tqawwik biex tkompli taħdem għaż-żwieġ. Il-maħfra hija grazzja li wieħed jgħix bil-qawwa ta’ Alla. Huwa veru li m’intix sa tinsa l-weġgħa tal-imgħoddi iżda huwa daqstant ieħor veru li tista’ taħdem ukoll fuq il-memorja tiegħek u tħalli lil Alla jdewwi l-feriti tal-imgħoddi u tibqa’ miexi ’l quddiem.
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Dun Joe Mizzi

Friday, September 26, 2014

Gospel Lk 9:7-9 - THURSDAY MASS READINGS - WEEK 25 IN ORDINARY TIME --- Pope: Vain Christians are like bubbles. They may look nice, but they're bound to pop



First reading
Ecclesiastes 1:2-11
Vanity of vanities, the Preacher says. Vanity of vanities. Vanity of vanities. All is vanity! For all his toil, his toil under the sun, what does man gain by it?
  A generation goes, a generation comes, yet the earth stands firm for ever. The sun rises, the sun sets; then to its place it speeds and there it rises. Southward goes the wind, then turns to the north; it turns and turns again; back then to its circling goes the wind. Into the sea all the rivers go, and yet the sea is never filled, and still to their goal the rivers go. All things are wearisome. No man can say that eyes have not had enough of seeing, ears their fill of hearing. What was will be again; what has been done will be done again; and there is nothing new under the sun. Take anything of which it may be said, ‘Look now, this is new.’ Already, long before our time, it existed. Only no memory remains of earlier times, just as in times to come next year itself will not be remembered.

Psalm
Psalm 89:3-6,12-14,17
O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.
You turn men back to dust
  and say: ‘Go back, sons of men.’
To your eyes a thousand years
  are like yesterday, come and gone,
  no more than a watch in the night.
O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.
You sweep men away like a dream,
  like the grass which springs up in the morning.
In the morning it springs up and flowers:
  by evening it withers and fades.
O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.
Make us know the shortness of our life
  that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Lord, relent! Is your anger for ever?
  Show pity to your servants.
O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.
In the morning, fill us with your love;
  we shall exult and rejoice all our days.
Let the favour of the Lord be upon us:
  give success to the work of our hands.
O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.

Gospel Acclamation                                 Jn 14:6
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord;
No one can come to the Father except through me.
Alleluia!

GospelLuke 9:7-9
Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see Jesus.

Lk 9:7-9 -- Herod perplexed - Erodi mħasseb


THURSDAY GOSPEL OF WEEK 25 IN ORDINARY TIME

Evanġelju 
Lil Ġwanni qtajtlu rasu; mela min hu dan li fuqu qiegħed nisma’ dan kollu? 
Lq 9, 7-9 

 Qari mill-Evanġelju skont San Luqa 

 F’dak iż-żmien, [Lq:9:7] dawn il-ġrajja kollha waslu f'widnejn Erodi t-tetrarka u beda jitħasseb, għaliex xi wħud kienu qegħdin jgħidu li Ġwanni qam mill-imwiet, [Lq:9:8] waqt li oħrajn qalu li deher Elija, u oħrajn li qam wieħed mill-profeti ta' l-imgħoddi. [Lq:9:9] Iżda Erodi qal: "Lil Ġwanni qtajtlu rasu; mela min hu dan li fuqu qiegħed nisma' dan kollu?" U beda jfittex li jarah. 

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








Pope: Vain Christians are like bubbles. They may look nice, but they're bound to pop - Published on 25 Sep 2014





Lectio Divina on Luke 9:7-9
Order of the Brothers of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel
http://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-luke-97-9
Lectio Divina: 
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Ordinary Time
 
1) Opening prayer
Father,
guide us, as you guide creation
according to your law of love.
May we love one another
and come to perfection
in the eternal life prepared for us.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 9,7-9
Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was going on; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life.
But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see him.
 
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel presents a reaction from Herod listening to the preaching of Jesus. Herod does not know how to place himself before Jesus He had killed John the Baptist and now he wants to see Jesus close to him. It is always threatening.
• Luke 9, 7-8: Who is Jesus? The text begins with the exposition of the opinion of the people and of Herod on Jesus. Some associated Jesus to John the Baptist and to Elijah. Others identified him with a Prophet, that is, with a person who speaks in the name of God, who has the courage to denounce injustices of those in power and who knows how to give hope to the little ones. He is the Prophet announced in the Old Testament like a new Moses (Dt 18, 15). These are the same opinions that Jesus received from the disciples when he asked them: “Who do people say I am?” (Lk 9, 18). Persons tried to understand Jesus starting from things that they knew, thought and expected. They tried to set him against the background of the familiar criteria of the Old Testament with its prophecies and hopes, and of the Tradition of the Ancients with their laws. But these were insufficient criteria; Jesus could not enter into them, he was much bigger!
• Luke 9, 9: Herod wants to see Jesus. But Herod said: “John, I beheaded him; so who is this of whom I hear such things?” “And he was anxious to see him”. Herod, a superstitious man without scruples, recognizes that he was the murderer of John the Baptist. Now, he wants to see Jesus. Luke suggests thus that the threats begin to appear on the horizon of the preaching of Jesus. Herod had no fear to kill John. He will not be afraid to kill Jesus. On the other side, Jesus does no fear Herod. When they tell him that Herod wanted to take him to kill him, he sent someone to tell him: “You may go and give that fox this message: Look, today and tomorrow I drive out devils and heal, and on the third day I attain my end.” (Lk 13, 32). Herod has no power over Jesus. When at the hour of the passion, Pilate sends Jesus to be judged by Herod, Jesus does not respond anything (Lk 23, 9). Herod does not deserve a response.
• From father to son. Some times the three Herods, who lived during that time are confused, then the three appear in the New Testament with the same name: a) Herod, called the Great, governed over the whole of Palestine from 37 before Christ. He appears at the birth of Jesus (Mt 2, 1). He kills the new-born babies of Bethlehem (Mt 2, 16). b) Herod, called Antipas, governed in Galilee from the year 4 to 39 after Christ. He appears at the death of Jesus (Lk 23, 7). He killed John the Baptist (Mk 6, 14-29). c) Herod, called Agrippa, governed all over Palestine from the year 41 to 44 after Christ. He appears in the Acts of the Apostles (Ac 12, 1.20). He killed the Apostle James (Ac 12, 2).
When Jesus was about four years old, King Herod, the one who killed the new-born babies of Bethlehem died (Mt 2, 16). His territory was divided among his sons, Archelaus, would govern Judea. He was less intelligent than his father, but more violent. When he assumed the power, approximately 3000 persons were massacred on the square of the Temple! The Gospel of Matthew says that Mary and Joseph, when they learnt that Archelaus had taken over the government of Galilee, were afraid and returned on the road and went to Nazareth, in Galilee, which was governed by another son of Herod, called Herod Antipas (Lk 3, 1). This Antipas governed over 40 years. During the thirty-three years of Jesus there was no change of government in Galilee.
Herod, the Great, the father of Herod Antipas, had constructed the city of Caesarea Maritime, inaugurated in the year 15 before Christ. It was the new port to get out the products of the region. They had to compete with the large port of Tyron in the North and, thus, help to develop trade and business in Samaria and in Galilee. Because of this, from the time of Herod the Great, the agricultural production in Galilee began to orientate itself no longer according to the needs of the families, as before, but according to the demands of the market. This process of change in the economy continued during all the time of the government of Herod Antipas, another forty years, and found in him an efficient organizer. All these governors were ‘servants of power’. In fact, the one who commanded in Palestine, from the year 63 before Christ, was Rome, the Empire.
 
4) Personal questions
• It is well always to ask ourselves: Who is Jesus for me?
• Herod wants to see Jesus. His was a superstitious and morbid curiosity. Others want to see Jesus because they seek a sense for their life. And I, what motivation do I have which moves me to see and encounter Jesus?
 
5) Concluding Prayer
Each morning fill us with your faithful love,
we shall sing and be happy all our days;
let our joy be as long as the time that you afflicted us,
the years when we experienced disaster. (Ps 90,14-15)




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Wednesday, September 24, 2014

IS-SIMBOLI TAL-ISPIRTU S-SANTU


(how can I not include this uplifting Gospel video clip !)  JESUS - GOD - MAN --- The second Person in perfect unity in the Holy Trinity
 





Ġesù wiegħed lil Appostli, l-Ispirtu s-Santu, id-difensur, l-avukat, is-sors ta’ kull kuraġġ, qawwa u enerġija spiritwali. L- Ispirtu s-Santu li huwa Wieħed mill-Persuni tat-Trinità Qaddisa, huwa Alla.  
 

L-ISPIRTU S-SANTU HUWA PERSUNA U L-PERSONALITÀ SĦIĦA TIEGĦU TURINA L-KARATTRU U L-ĦIDMA TA' L-ISPIRTU QADDIS TIEGĦU B'DAWN IT-TMIEN SIMBOLI


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IT-TMIEN SIMBOLIŻMI TA' L-ISPIRTU S-SANTU LI NSIBU FIL-KELMA T'ALLA:
  1. L-ilma, 
  2. l-unzjoni (id-dilka taż-żejt),
  3. Is-siġill,
  4. In-nar,
  5. Is-sħaba u d-dawl,
  6. l-id,
  7. Is-saba' u
  8. l-ħamiema.

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1.   L-ilma 


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2.   l-unzjoni (id-dilka taż-żejt)


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3.   Is-siġill


Fejqan permezz tad-Dilka tal-Morda - 1 (Fr. Hayden Williams OFM Cap) 


[Ġak:5:13] Hemm xi ħadd fostkom imnikket? Ħalli dan jitlob. Hemm xi ħadd ferħan? Ħalli jkanta s-salmi. [Ġak:5:14] Hemm xi ħadd marid fostkom? Ħalli dan isejjaħ lill-presbiteri tal-Knisja, biex dawn jitolbu għalih u jidilkuh biż-żejt f'isem il-Mulej; [Ġak:5:15] it-talba tal-fidi ssalva lill-marid, u l-Mulej iqajjmu; u jekk ikun għamel xi dnubiet, jinħafrulu. [Ġak:5:16] Stqarru wieħed lill-ieħor in-nuqqasijiet tagħkom u itolbu għal xulxin, biex hekk tfiqu. It-talba tal-bniedem ġust magħmula bil-ħerqa għandha qawwa kbira. [Ġak:5:17] Elija bniedem bħalna kien: meta talab bil-ħerqa biex ma tagħmilx ix-xita, għal tliet snin u sitt xhur sħaħ ix-xita ma għamlitx fuq l-art. [Ġak:5:18] U meta raġa' talab, is-sema radd ix-xita u l-art għamlet il-frott.   


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James 5:13-18 New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

IV. The Power of Prayer

Anointing of the Sick. 13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, 15 and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
Confession and Intercession. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. 17 Elijah was a human being like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain upon the land. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit.
 

 
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4.   In-nar - li jittrasformana

 
Il-Profeta Elija


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5.   Is-sħaba u d-dawl





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Mt 17:1-9 -- It-Trasfigurazzjoni - The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ

F’dak iż-żmien: Ġesù ħa miegħu ‘l Pietru u ‘l Ġakbu u ‘l ħuh Ġwanni weħidhom, tellagħhom fuq muntanja għolja, u tbiddel quddiemhom. Wiċċu sar jiddi bħax-xemx, u lbiesu sar abjad bħad-dawl. U dehrulhom Mosè u Elija jitħaddtu miegħu. Qabeż Pietru u qal lil Ġesù: “Mulej, kemm hu sew li aħna hawn! Jekk trid, intella’ hawn tliet tined, waħda għalik, waħda għal Mosè u waħda għal Elija.”
Kif kien għadu jitkellem, sħaba kollha dawl għattiethom, u minn ġos-sħaba nstema’ leħen jgħid: “Dan hu Ibni l-għażiż, li fih sibt il-għaxqa tiegħi; isimgħu lilu.” Id-dixxipli, kif semgħu dan, waqgħu wiċċhom fl-art, mimlijin bil-biża’. Ġesù resaq lejhom, messhom u qalilhom: “Qumu, tibżgħux.” Huma refgħu għajnejhom u ma raw ’il ħadd ħlief ’il Ġesù waħdu.
Huma u niżlin minn fuq il-muntanja, Ġesù ordnalhom u qalilhom: “Tgħidu lil ħadd b’din id-dehra sa ma Bin il-bniedem ikun qam mill-imwiet.”

 

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6.   l-id

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7.   Is-saba'


 





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ĠESÙ L-KRISTU, IL-MIDLUK - JESUS THE ANOINTED ONE


8.   l-ħamiema.






 

Is-Simboli tal-Ispirtu s-Santu (Fr. Hayden Williams OFM Cap)






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SEPTEMBER 24 - OUR LADY OF MERCY ( Our Lady for the Redemption of Captives) - IL-MADONNA TAL-ĦNIENA --- (Pope Francis: Migrants and refugees have a privileged place in the heart of the Church)




Madonna of Mercy_GHIRLANDAIO, Domenico

Illum l-Erbgħa 24 ta' Settembru, hija l festa tal-Madonna tal-Ħniena. ejjew flimkien inselmu lil din ommna tas-sema waqt li ngħidula;

Sliem għalik, Sultana, omm tal-ħniena, ħajja, ħlewwa u tama tagħna. Sliem għalik, lilek ingħajtu, aħna, turufnati, ulied Eva. Lilek nitniehdu, aħna li nibku u nolfqu f’dan il-wied tad-dmugħ.

Ejja mela, avukata tagħna; dawwar lejna dawk l-għajnejn tiegħek tal-ħniena. Urina, wara dan it-turufnament, lil Ġesù frott imbierek tal-ġuf tiegħek, o ħanina, o pija, o ħelwa, Verġni Marija






In the early part of the thirteenth century of the era of our Lord, the greatest and fairest part of Spain lay crushed under the yoke of the Sara
cens, and countless numbers of the faithful were held in brutal slavery, with the most lively danger of being made to deny the Christian faith and of losing everlasting salvation. Amid such sorrows the most Blessed Queen of heaven came mercifully to the rescue, and showed how the greatness of her motherly love was fain for their redemption. Holy Peter Nolasco, in the full bloom of the treasures of godliness as well as rich in earthly wealth, was earnestly pondering with himself how he could succour so many suffering Christians dwelling in bondage to the Moors. To him appeared with gracious visage the Most Blessed Virgin, and bade him know that it would be well pleasing in her own sight, and in the sight of her Only-begotten Son, that an Order of Religious men should be founded in her honour, whose work it should be to redeem prisoners from Mohammedan slavery. Strengthened by this heavenly vision, the man of God began to burn with wonderful charity, nursing in his heart the one desire that he himself and the Order which he should found might exercise that love, greater than which hath no man, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John xv. 13.)Upon the same night the same most holy Virgin appeared to the Blessed Raymund de Penafuerte, and to James, King of Aragon, charging them concerning the founding of the Order, and desiring them to help in raising up so great a work. Peter betook himself forthwith to the feet of Raymund, who was his confessor, and laid the matter before him, whom also he found taught from heaven, and to whose governance he right humbly submitted himself. Then came King James, who appointed to carry out this revelation, which himself also had received from the Most Blessed Virgin. The three took counsel together, and all with one consent entered upon the institution of an Order in honour of the said Virgin Mother, to be placed under the invocation of St Mary of Ransom, for the redemption of captives.
Upon the 10th of August, in the year of our Lord 1218, the above-named King James decreed the establishment of this Order, thus already conceived by these holy men. The brethren take, (in addition to the vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience,) a fourth vow, whereby they bind themselves to remain in pawn with the unbelievers, if need so require, for the liberation of Christians. The King granted them the right to bear on their breasts his own Royal blazon, and obtained from Gregory IX. the confirmation of this Institute and Order so nobly marked by brotherly charity. God Himself, through the Virgin Mother, gave the increase, causing this Institute speedily and prosperously to spread through all the world, and to blossom with holy men, great in love and godliness, to spend in the redemption of their neighbours the alms which are committed to them by Christ’s faithful people, to that end, and some whiles to give themselves up for the ransom of many. That due thanks might be rendered to God and to the Virgin Mother for the great blessing of this Institute, the See Apostolic among other well-nigh countless favours bestowed upon it, permitted that this special Feast-day should be kept and this Office said.

http://www.traditionalcatholicpriest.com/2014/09/24/our-lady-of-mercy-september-24/

 
ALSO:-

Our Lady of Ransom  



OUR LADY OF RANSOM
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=6712


AND:-

Our Lady for the Redemption of Captives
http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/Our%20Lady%20of%20Ransom.html


Pope Francis: Migrants and refugees have a privileged place in the heart of the Church (Published on 23 Sep 2014)




Pope Francis: Martyrs show that the strength of the Church is not in its structures  




Mary, Our Mother of Mercy








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Sunday, September 21, 2014

What a bird's nest taught me about God

 

 
Written by Jim Denison
 
 


Janet and I are a pet-less couple.  In our 34 years of marriage we have owned two dogs and a snake (actually, the snake belonged to our oldest son, but we paid his vet bills, which is another story entirely).  Since the snake died, we have been without a pet in our home.

From time to time, friends encourage us to get a dog.  We travel a great deal, however, so keeping up with a pet would be hard.  And we are aware of the fact that dogs want to be fed and walked and scooped-up after (euphemistically speaking), rain or shine.  If we could have a pet that required no maintenance, that would be ideal.

This spring we acquired just such a pet.  A robin made a nest in our backyard where the drain spout curves away from the brick wall and joins the gutter.  She then raised a family before our eyes.  She became very territorial, scolding us if we happened to come too close.  But she didn't ask to be fed, or sheltered, or scooped-up after.  Our détente was mutually beneficial.

Last week, she and her offspring left their nest for parts unknown.  So it fell my lot to climb up a ladder and remove their temporary home.  I was amazed by what I found.  As the picture shows, this mother engineered a remarkable nest.  Using nothing more than the sticks and twigs she found in our neighborhood, she was able to weave a protective, safe shelter for herself and her chicks.  I couldn't have done as well.

When I showed the nest to Janet, she commented on a mother's love for her children.  Her insight led me to think of that same love expressed in Scripture by our Father for us.  He protects us as a mother bird protects her young: "under his wings you will find refuge" (Psalm 91:4).  He teaches us to fly as an eagle teaches her young, pushing them from the nest but catching them when they fall until they learn to use their wings: "Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, he spread his wings and caught them, he carried them on his pinions" (Deuteronomy 32:11).

But here's where the analogy breaks down: the chicks that were hatched and raised in our backyard nest had no choice in the matter.  You and I, however, can choose to trust our Father or not.  We can choose to stay in the nest he provides, or try to build our own.  We can face our enemies in his protection or our power.  We can accept his provision or seek our own.  But as a chick that falls from its nest to the ground and dies, our every effort at self-reliance is doomed ultimately to fail.

Grieving over the people who rejected his love, Jesus mourned: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!  How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Matthew 23:37).  How many times have we been like them?

If a bird can build a better nest than I can engineer, how much more can my omnipotent Father build a better life than I can construct?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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