News from the Church in Malta
Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!
From the Gospel of today’s liturgy, we hear some of Jesus’ words about the scribes and pharisees, the religious leaders of the people. Regarding these people in authority, Jesus uses very severe words, “for they preach, but do not practice” (Mt 23:3) and “they do all their deeds to be seen by others” (v… Read more »
Pope Francis will visit Dubai for COP28, according to Matteo Bruni, the Director of the Holy See Press Office.
“Accepting the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates,” Mr. Bruni announced in a statement on Friday, “His Holiness Pope Francis will make the previously announced trip to Dubai from 1 to 3 December 2023, on the occasion of the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28).”
In a recent interview with an Italian television programme, the Holy Father said he would be traveling to the UAE for the occasion… Read more »
Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno, and happy feast day!
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. In the light of this feast day, let us pause and think a little on holiness, in particular on two of the characteristics of true holiness: it is a gift – it is a gift, it cannot be bought – and at the same time it is a journey. A gift and a journey… Read more »
Mary, look at us! We stand here before you. You are our Mother, and you know our struggles and our hurts. Queen of Peace, you suffer with us and for us, as you see so many of your children suffering from the conflicts and wars that are tearing our world apart.
This is a dark hour. This is a dark hour, Mother. In this dark hour, we look to you, and in the light of your countenance we entrust ourselves and our problems to your maternal Heart, which knows our anxieties and fears… Read more »
Photo: Vatican Media As today we observe a Day of Prayer, Fasting, and Penance for Peace, especially in the Holy Land, we recall various occasions when Pope Francis has spiritually mobilized Christians to pray for the gift of fraternity, as he continues to denounce war as “a defeat for humanity”.
Throughout the ten years of his pontificate, Pope Francis has repeatedly called on believers and non-believers alike to dedicate days of prayer and fasting for the precious gift of peace… Read more »
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today I will talk to you about two brothers, very famous in the east, to the point of being called “the apostles of the Slavs”: Saints Cyril and Methodius. Born in Greece in the ninth century into an aristocratic family, they renounced a political career to devote themselves to monastic life. But their dream of a secluded existence was short-lived… Read more »
Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!
The Gospel of today’s Liturgy tells us about some pharisees who join with the Herodians to set a trap for Jesus. They were always trying to set traps for Him. They go to Him and ask: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Mt 22:17). It is a ruse: if Jesus legitimizes the tax, He places Himself on the side of a political power that is ill-supported by the people, whereas if He says not to pay it, He can be accused of rebellion against the empire… Read more »
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Let us continue in our encounter with some Christian witnesses rich in zeal for proclaiming the Gospel. Apostolic zeal, the zeal for proclamation: and we are looking at some Christians who have been an example of this apostolic zeal. Today I would like to talk to you about a man who made Jesus and his poorest brothers the passion of his life… Read more »
“The number of victims is growing and the situation in Gaza is desperate.”
With these words, Pope Francis turned his thoughts to Palestine and Israel pleading that “everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.”
Speaking at his weekly General Audience, the Holy Father also drew attention to the unsettling possibility of the conflict’s expansion.
“The world already witnesses so many open war fronts,” he lamented… Read more »
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today, the Gospel speaks about two sons. Their father asks them to go to work in the vineyard (cf. Mt 21:28-32). One of them responds “yes”, right away, but then does not go. The other, says “no”, but then repents and goes.
What is there to say about the behaviour of these two? What quickly comes to mind is that going to work in the vineyard requires sacrifice, and sacrifice costs… Read more »
