News from the Church in Malta
Readings of the day
First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:9-20
Psalm: 1 Samuel 2:1,4-5,6-7,8abcd
Gospel: Mark 1:21b-28
In those days, when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue at Capernaum and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? … Read more »
Baptism of the Lord – Feast
Readings of the day
First Reading: Isaiah 55:1-11
Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-3,4bcd,5-6
Second Reading: 1 John 5:1-9
Gospel: Mark 1:7-11
This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptised you with water; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.”
It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John… Read more »
Epiphany of the Lord – Solemnity
Readings of the day
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm: 71 (72):1-2,7-8,10-11,12-13
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a,5-6
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”
When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage… Read more »
Readings of the day
First Reading: 1 John 5:5-13
Psalm: 147:12-13,14-15,19-20
Gospel: Mark 1:7-11
He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Read more »
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Readings of the day
First Reading: 1 John 3:11-21
Psalm: 99 (100):2,3,4,5
Gospel: John 1:43-51
Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite… Read more »
Readings of the day
First Reading: 1 John 3:7-10
Psalm: 97 (98):1,7-8,9
Gospel: John 1:35-42
John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi”, which translated means Teacher, “where are you staying?” He said to them,”Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day… Read more »
The Holy Name of God
Readings of the day
First reading: 1 John 2:29 – 3:6
Psalm: 97 (98):1,3cd-4,5-6
Gospel: John 1:29-34
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptising with water was that he might be made known to Israel.”
John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him… Read more »
Readings of the day
First Reading: 1 John 2:22-28
Psalm: 97 (98):1,2-3ab,3cd-4
Gospel: John 1:19-28
This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Messiah.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? … Read more »
Mary, Mother of God – Solemnity
Readings of the day
First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27
Psalm: 66 (67):2-3,5,6,8
Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7
Gospel: Luke 2:16-21
In those days, the shephrds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Read more »
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The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph – Feast
Readings of the day
First Reading: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3
Psalm: 104 (105):1b-2,3-4,5-6,8-9
Second Reading: Hebrews 11:8,11-12,17-19
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord… Read more »
