Homily by Archbishop Charles Jude Scicluna
My brothers and sisters, first of all, a very warm welcome to you all. I know that you come from different countries, but you are now here with us. I would like you to feel welcome in the main church of the Archdiocese of Malta, the Cathedral — the seat of the bishop’s teaching, his service, and his guidance in the Church. So, a very warm welcome to you all.
I imagine that you may learn a word or two in Maltese. When we want to say ‘welcome’, we say ‘merħba’. And when we say ‘thank you’ — and I hope you will hear this often — we say, ‘grazzi’. And when it is ‘thank you very much’, we say ‘grazzi ħafna’. Please enjoy being with us as we enjoy having you with us.
Today’s Gospel speaks about Jesus being tempted — and about his victory through the power of the Word of God. He is tempted three times by Satan, and three times he answers by using the Word of God, quoting the Scripture. As St Augustine says: “In Him we were tempted, so that through Him we may gain victory.” And as we know, in the prayer He taught us, we say: “Lead us not into temptation.” That is, be with us when we are tempted, because we are weak and we need your help. The example Jesus gives us at the beginning of Lent should be — and indeed is for us — a source of encouragement. In Him we were tempted; in Him we will also gain victory.
The second part of my reflection today is to share with you a pastoral letter that we, the Bishops of Malta and Gozo, are addressing to our Christian community, including you. It concerns the donation of organs — something very beautiful, but which must be done ethically.
One last word. As we welcome you to these islands, my dear brothers and sisters, I invite you to be strong in your faith. We need your witness; we need to be enriched by your faith, your hope, and your love. We also need to be reminded that we are one great family, a global family. Each one of you represents many beautiful parts of the world, much bigger than Malta, I would say. But you are here now, on this tiny rock that we call Malta, which 2,000 years ago welcomed a prisoner in chains. His name was Paul, who brought us the faith and healing in the name of Jesus Christ.
So I thank you for your patience with us and I wish you a beautiful experience among us. May your encounter with our faith — which is at times weak, not always very strong, but faith it is — be enriched by the way we celebrate our feasts and especially by the beautiful celebrations we have during Holy Week. Be part of it; feel part of our family and of the way we celebrate our faith.
But do not forget your roots. Your roots are precious; a great part of your heart remains there. Never forget your families, your grandparents, your ancestors — they are part of you, and they are also with us in the communion of saints. And whenever you return home, be kind enough to say a good word about Malta.
✠ Charles Jude Scicluna
Archbishop of Malta
Mass Readings
Reading I: Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7
Psalm: 50 (51):3-4,5-6a,12-13,14 & 17
Reading II: Romans 5:12-19
Gospel: Mt 4:1-11
