Religion Notes Form 5

NOTI TAR-RELIJON GA-ES
IL-PROETT TA ALLA
FAJTI
IL-5 SENA
WERREJ PANA
1. INT XTISWA? 2
2. IL-AJJA XTISWA? 8
3. LEJN ID-DINJA TAX-XOGOL 19
4. FIT-TRIQ TAL-IMABBA 27
5. BIT-TAMA LEJN IL-FUTUR 39
NOTI BL-INGLI 46
MISTOQSIJIET 85
IL-KULLE TA STELLA MARIS, IL-GIRA SAMUEL GAUCI
1. INT XTISWA?
Meta aa tkun gal qalbna afna, nagmlu minn kollox biex niksbuha u ma nitilfuhiex.
Quddiem nett fil-lista hemm l-idea tagna nfusna il-fama li nixtiequ ngawdu mal-orajn.
Biex ikollna fiduja fina nfusna, hu importanti li l-ewwel juri fiduja fina addieor,
minabba li nossuna dgajfin. L-idea tajba tal-orajn tibni fina erta sigurt u sens ta self-
esteem. Jekk jgidulna li ma niswew galxejn u nemmnuhom, insibuna qegdin ngixu ajja
bla sens u bla direzzjoni, bla kura u bla inizjattiva. Imma s-sens ta stima jimbuttana biex
niviluppaw it-tajjeb li hemm fina il-kapaitajiet mobija; l-inkoraiment jginna nirbu
kull tfixkil. Min iobbna qed jgidilna li fina hemm xi tobb; hemm valuri sbie.
Jista jkun hemm xi jfixkilna fdan l-ivilupp tagna. Ana u nikbru nistgu nibaljaw ukoll.
Nistgu nsiru wisq niddependu mit-tifir tal-orajn;

Forsi niftaru biex nimpressjonaw;
Forsi nigdbu u nivvintaw;
Jew inbatu u nissallbu biex jarawna sbie;
Ngiru gal min hu ajar minna;
Nissuppervjaw, gax ikollna idea golja wisq tagna nfusna.
Fil-fatt add ma jistmani daqskemm jistmani Alla. Kien Hu li alaqni, permezz tal-enituri
tiegi u tar-ru li alaq galija. Fil-Magmudija tiegi, adni biben adottiv. Hu biss li
jistmani dejjem, anke meta ninsieh jien, jew neodha kontra tiegu (hekk tfisser
il-Parabbola tal-Iben il-ali). Alla beda jobbni minn qabel ma bdejt neisti.
Huwa Alla li jagmilna niswew. Gal Alla ana importanti. Bil-Magmudija Alla beda
jares lejna mod ieor u beda jsib xi jobb fina. Iktar u iktar meta kkonfermana
bis-Sagrament tal-Grima.
Id-dinjit li tagtina l-Magmudija:
i) Ulied Alla;
ii) Awa ta es;
iii) Tempji tal-Ispirtu s-Santu;
iv) Werrieta ta Alla;
es huwa l-quata ta dak kollu li l-bniedem qatt jista jkun.

Aktar ma jissawwar fuq ix-xbieha ta Kristu, aktar il-bniedem se jilaq l-ivilupp si tiegu u
l-ogla stima li qatt jista jkollu.
Il-Kulle ta Stella Maris, il-Gira 2

i) Niksbu l-istima ta wlied Alla: Meta Nikodemu mar jitgallem gand es bil-lejl, es
qallu li jetie jitwieled mill-did (w3:5). Issa lil Alla nistgu nsejulu Abba li tfisser
missier, pa. Mela jien bin Alla! Jien niswa daqskemm jiswa iben ta Alla!
ii) Niksbu l-istima ta awa ta es: Skont il-sieb ta San Pawl, dak li l-Ispirtu jagmel fina
fil-Magmudija huwa li jseibna fil-mewt u l-qawmien ta Kristu, hekk li ana mmutu
gall-bniedem ilsir tal-aen u tad-dnub, biex nergu nqumu mill-did fuq ix-xbieha ta
Kristu Rxoxt. Huwa galhekk li ana l-imgammdin ilbisna lil Kristu. Ana awa ta Kristu.
iii) Tempji tal-Ispirtu s-Santu: San Pawl, lill-Insara ta Korintu, anfarhom u fakkarhom, Ma
tafux li isimkom hu tempju tal-Ispirtu s-Santu, li jinsab fikom? (1 Kor 6;19) Din ukoll hi
r-rauni li l-isem mejjet tan-Nisrani jii inensat mill-Knisja. U din hi r-rauni li l-abbati,
wara li s-saerdot jinensa l-artal, jinensa lill-Insara kollha li jkunu fil-knisja gax huma
tempju ta Alla daqs u iktar minn katidral.
iv) Niksbu l-istima ta werrieta ta Alla: Dan il-wirt hu s-Saltna ta Alla, li tibda fid-dinja u
tkompli fis-sema meta nkunu gal dejjem ma Alla. Hemmhekk ma jkun jonqosna xejn;
tispia kull tbatija u anki l-mewt. Dak li fid-dinja nistgu biss induquh, il-Magmudija u
l-Grima huma bal garanzija li gad ikun kollu tagna gal dejjem. Mela n-Nisrani jiret lil
Alla.
L-ILMA: jintua fdan is-sagrament biex ifisser it-tliet aspetti tal-Magmudija:

asil inaddaf mid-dnub;
qerda tal-ajja aina
ajja dida ball-ajja dida li biha rxoxta es.
(Dari l-Magmudija kienet issir bl-immersjoni. Is-simbolimu tad-difna fl-ilma kien jidher
aktar, meta l-katekumenu kien jinel fil-battisteru minn tara fl-ilma u jitla minn ieor.)
Katekumenu: dak li jkun se jitgammed
Battisteru: il-post fejn issir il-Magmudija (illum aktarx ikun forma ta awt)
IL-LIBSA L-BAJDA: hi simbolu li min tgammed libes lil Kristu.
IX-XEMGA MIXGULA: tirrappreenta lil Kristu Rxoxt.
Il-Grima ssaa l-identit u d-dinjit tagna:

Rabta bejn il-Magmudija u l-Grima: Fil-Magmudija l-Ispirtu s-Santu jagtina t-twelid
tagna bala wlied Alla; fil-Grima jagtina l-enerija u s-saa biex dak li revejna bal
ferriega fil-Magmudija jista jikber, jiviluppa u jwassal lejn maturit sia.
ID-DILKA: Meta fil-Grima n-Nisrani jirievi d-dilka bi-ejt, in-Nisrani wkoll isir kristu,
il-midluk. Fil-fatt kemm il-kelma Messija (kelma bil-Lhudi), u kemm il-kelma Kristu (kelma
bil-Grieg) ifissru il-Midluk.

IT-TQEGID TAL-IDEJN: Meta l-isqof jifrex idejh it-tnejn fuq dawk li jirievu l-Grima, ikun
qed jgaddi fuqhom il-qawwa tal-Ispirtu s-Santu. Bxi mod qed jagmilhom appostli xhieda
ta es quddiem l-orajn.
Fes nilqu l-ogla stima u l-ogla suess:
1. es: il-quata tas-suess: Is-suess li kiseb es bil-qawmien tiegu mill-mewt hu

hekk kbir li mhemmx fejn tasal ijed. Meta Pietru fuq it-Tabor lema ftit mill-glorja li kellu
jikseb es, mibluh fih innifsu stieden lil es biex jibqgu hemm: Mgallem, kemm hu
sew li ana hawn. a ntellgu tliet tined, wada galik, wada gal Mos, u ora gal
Elija. (Mt 17:4)
es kien laaq l-ivilupp si li jagmel lill-bniedem perfett.
2. Suess li jibqa: Darba d-dixxipli ew ferana bis-suess li kienu kisbu bil-mirakli li bdew
jagmlu. es fetilhom gajnejhom u qalilhom li mhux dak kien is-suess li bih kellhom
jifiru; kien hemm suess ieor bil-wisq aktar importanti: Madankollu mhux bdan ifiru, li
l-ispirti joqogdu galikom, imma ifiru gax gandkom isimkom miktub fis-smewwiet.
(Lq 10, 20)
es a tana stampa ta bniedem li balja l-valuri tiegu u fittex suessi li ma swewlu xejn.
Dan jissejja l-Gani l-Iblah. Dan kellu r-raba li tagtu afna frott. U ried iwaqqa l-imaen
a jibni orajn akbar u jkun jista ngid: Rui, gandek ana gal afna snin. Kul u ixrob u
gawdi. Ida Alla qallu, Iblah li int! Dal-lejl stess se jneulek ajtek. Imbagad dak li ejjejt
ta min se jkun? (Lq 12:17-21)
Galhekk ma jagmilx suess min jibni u mbagad jiarraflu dak li jkun bena, min jibni fuq
ir-ramel, min igeddes it-teori tiegu fdin id-dinja fejn kollox jitmermer.
Fis-smewwiet wieed jilaq is-suess si u veru, mhux biss gax ma jkunx hemm ijed
mewt, anqas biki jew tbatija, ida gax fuq kollox jara l Alla kif inhu, wi imb wi. U fdak li
hu l-Kollox, il-parti ssib il-milja tax-xewqat kollha tagha.
Xvalur gandna nagtu lill-flus?
Il-flus huma mezz tinqeda bihom. Mhumiex skop iemma biex ikollok il-flus.
Il-flus gandhom il-periklu li nagtuhom ijed importanza milli aqqhom. Fali torbot qalbek
maghom u ma tkunx lest biex tinfired mill-flus u mil-lussu li tkun trabbejt fih biex tgin lil
min hu fil-bonn. Jien ma nistax ngid, Dak li gandi huwa tiegi, nagmel bih li rrid. Dak li
tagmlu mal-inqas fost uti, tkunu tagmluh miegi (Mt 7:12).

Xattejament irid ikollna lejn il-flus?
L-attejament tagna lejn il-flus u lejn il-id tal-art nistgu neduh mit-talba li l-bniedem
ust jagmel fil-ktieb tal-Proverbji:
Mulej, la tagtinix la faqar u lanqas gana, ida agtini l-ikel li netie. Gax jekk ikolli
bix-xaba nista nidek, u jekk ma jkollix nista nkasbrek. (Prov 30:8-9)
Suess minn din id-dinja:
Is-suess li jitkellem fuqu es mhuwiex suess li jinkiseb biss wara l-mewt. In-Nisrani
jista jibda jgix u jduq il-ajja ta dejjem minn issa. L-imabba, il-hena u s-sliem li jimlew
qalb il-bniedem l-Ispirtu jsawwabhom fqalb in-Nisrani minn din il-ajja (Gal 5,22).
It-tweiba tagna
1. Nagrfu dak li Alla di gamel magna
L-ewwel aa n-Nisrani jrid jagraf u japprezza dak li rieva mingand Alla. L-imiba
Nisranija trid tinbena fuq l-garfien tal-wejje kbar li Alla di gobu jagmel magna.
2. Niviluppaw sens ta tifir u ringrazzjament
Meta n-Nisrani jifhem u jagraf id-dinjit li rieva minn Alla, u jifhem li din irevieha
mingajr ebda dritt u ebda mertu tiegu, ma jistax ikun li l-ewwel tweiba tiegu ma tkunx
wada ta tifir u ringrazzjament.
3. ajjitna ngixuha fi Kristu u nimxu warajh
Meta nimxu fit-triq li nallu l Kristu jgix fina u jsawwarna skont ix-xbieha tiegu, inkunu
mexjin fit-triq tal-qdusija u fit-triq tas-suess veru. Gax li tkun qaddis ma jfissirx li tagmel
affarijiet straordinarji imma li tkun u li tgix ta iben ta Alla fuq ix-xbieha ta es.
4. Midla tal-Bibbja u tat-taglim tal-Knisja
Biex naglu skont il-sieb ta es rridu nkunu nafu xgallem u xgamel es. Biex
naglu tajjeb, mela, irridu niffurmaw mona u qalbna fuq il-valuri tal-Vanelu.
Importanti li jkollna gwida biex id-deijonijiet neduhom skont l-ispirtu ta Kristu. Din
il-gwida es allieha fidejn il-Knisja.
Inwiebu bal Marija

Marija hi marbuta mill-qrib ma es u mal-idma tiegu. Kien galhekk li l-Knisja assitha
fid-dmir li tagraf fiha erta dinjit kbira, u tatha xi titli li ppreentathom lill-Insara bala
dommi tal-Fidi: verit ta min jemminha, li wrieha Alla nnifsu fir-Rivelazzjoni tiegu. Dawn
id-dommi huma:

MARIJA DEJJEM VERNI
Dan insemmuh fil-Kredu meta nemmnu li es, l-Iben ta Alla, tnissel fiha
mill-Ispirtu s-Santu. Inidu li Marija baqget Verni anki wara t-twelid ta es
gax tat lilha nnifisha kompletament lil es u lil Alla.
MARIJA OMM ALLA
Il-Knisja dejjem sejitilha Omm Alla, verit li iet definita fil-Konilju ta Efesu
fis-sena 431. Hija Omm Alla, gax lil binha nisslitu hi, u dan kien Alla. Din
il-festa nielebrawha fl-ewwel tas-sena.
L-IMMAKULATA KUNIZZJONI
Bi kliem Malti dan ifisser li Marija tnisslet fil-uf ta Ommha SantAnna

mingajr id-dnub oriinali, li s-soltu kuladd jitwieled bih. es li ma setax
ikollu dnub gax Alla ma jistax ikollu dnub, lanqas seta jiret id-dnub minn
omm li ma kellhiex dan id-dnub.
Il-Knisja tfakkar din id-domma fit-8 ta Diembru.
MARIJA MTELLGA S-SEMA
Meta Marija mietet isimha ma rax tasir kif jiri lil kull bniedem ieor. Alla
ried li dik li abet lil Ibnu fid-dinja bala bniedem titla s-sema bir-ru u l-isem.
Din il-festa, bil-Malti nsejulha l-Assunta jew Santa Marija tii elebrata
fil-15 ta Awwissu.
Tmien parroi fMalta u tnejn fGawdex huma ddedikati lill-Assunzjoni ta
Marija. Hija l-patruna tal-gejjer tagna.
Xnitgallmu minn Marija?
- semget il-Kelma ta Alla u gamlitha bl-akbar eneroit

- hija l-aktar wada li emmnet fih u li baqget fidila lejh ukoll meta fuq is-salib deher li
tilef kollox
- galkemm ma fehmitx kollox mill-bidu dwar xkellu jgaddi minn es u minnha,
kienet iomm kollox fqalbha u taseb fuqu
- Minkejja li Alla gamel magha wejje kbar, qatt ma tkabbret fqalbha, anzi:
i) garfet dak li Alla gamel magha, ii) dawret lejh kull tifir li setget qalget
qaddis hu l-isem tiegu, u iii) marret tagmilha ta seftura fid-dar ta Eliabetta.

...fil-qosor 1. INT XTISWA?
1. L-istima tagna nfusna affettwata minn dak li revejna meta konna gar u
minn dak li qed nirievu issa
taffettwa l-imiba tiegi issa
2. L-istima/id-dinjit li tagtina l-Magmudija Ulied Alla

Awa ta es
Tempji tal-Ispirtu s-Santu
Werrieta ta Alla
3. Is-simboli tal-Magmudija l-ilma jeqred id-dnub u jagti ajja dida

il-libsa bajda nilbsu lil Kristu
ix-xemga tinxtegel mill-blandun il-ajja ta
Kristu Rxoxt gaddiet fit-tarbija
i-ejt magulin gal Alla il-preenza tal-Ispirtu
s-Santu fina
4. Il-Grima marbuta mal-Magmudija issaa fina dak li revejna fil-

Magmudija
5. Il-Grima l-effetti qawwa spejali

membri aktar sa tal-Knisja
nidlu fi dmir akbar
6. Is-simboli tal-Grima i-ejt insiru Kristu ieor fid-dinja.

it-tqegid tal-idejn
7. es gandu jkun l-ogla mudell tas-suess u t-triq tas-suess dak li ma jispiax

malajr teor fis-sema imabba pai, fer
8. L-attitudni tan-Nisrani lejn il-flus ma jagmilhomx alla tiegu

jagmel uu minnhom gall-bonn tiegu
jaqsam ma min hu fil-bonn
9. Il-Parabbola tal-Gani l-Iblah - dak li hu materjali ma tidux miegek wara mewtek
10. Marija mudell tas-suess tagna garfet dak kollu li Alla gamel magha
wiebet iva gas-sejat ta Alla
irringrazzjatu
11. Id-Dommi tal-Fidi (dak li nemmnu bala Knisja dwar Marija):

I. Marija Assunta (Marija mtellga s-sema)
II. L-Immakulata Kunizzjoni (Marija mwielda bla dnub)
III. Marija dejjem Verni
IV. Marija Omm Alla

2. IL-AJJA XTISWA?
Il-ajja ejja minn Alla
Il-Bibbja turina li Alla jitkellem mal-bniedem li alaq:
1. Jekk l-idoli tal-pagani ma jitkellmux, Alla tal-Bibbja mhuwiex hekk:

Alla huwa aj u jagti l-ajja: li-rierag biex jinbtu, lill-ut u l-
gasafar u l-annimali, u lill-bnedmin (Salm 104, Salm 115, en 1).
2. Lill-bniedem Alla siebu miegu fil-olqien ta ajja dida u fil-arsien tagha, Nisslu u
oktru u mlew l-art u akmuha (en 1:28). alaqhom rael u mara biex jadmu id fid ma
Alla fit-tkattir tal-ajja.
3. Ida min-naa l-ora, is-setga assoluta fuq il-ajja tal-bniedem, Alla baqa jommha
galih innifsu. add mgandu dritt inei ajtu bidejh jew jeqred il-ajja ta addieor.
Alla biss huwa s-Sid tal-ajja u tal-mewt.
4. Alla lill-bniedem tah il-Kmandamenti, u kitibhom fqalb il-bniedem u qal: La Toqtolx (E

20:13); Gax huwa jien li nagti l-mewt u nagti l-ajja (Dewt 32:29). U anfar lill-Kajjin li
qatel lil uh (en 4:10).
5. Fes, il-ajja tal-bniedem tilaq il-milja tagha. Jekk kien hemm bniedem bajja ta
valur kbir gur li kien es.
es kien japprezza l-ajja ta kuladd, anki ta min hu mwarrab mill-bqija tan-nies, jew hu
marid jew midneb. Kien ifejjaq u jafer u jobb lil kuladd. Xejn ma ammu milli jgin bil-
mirakli tiegu lill-batut, u minkejja li l-Lhud kienu stretti afna fejn jidol is-Sibt, es kien
ifejjaq anki fdak il-jum.
Qabel es, kien hemm dir-regola tad-deheb:
Tagmilx lil addieor dak li ma tridx li addieor jagmel lilek (Tob 4:15),
es issa jagtihielna bmod poittiv:
Dak kollu li tridu li l-bnedmin jagmlu lilkom, agmluh intom lilhom. (Mt 7:12)
Mhux biejjed li ma tagmilx sara, imma agmel il-id.
es jagti importanza hekk kbira lill-ajja tal-bniedem li ried jagmilha suett ewlieni li
fuqha se jiudikana (Mt 25:34-40). Dawn huma l-Opri tal-niena kif bdew isejulhom
l-Insara sa mill-qedem. Illum nistgu nibdlu wud minnhom forajn li huma aktar metiea
gal mienna (gin lir-refujati, drogati, morda bl-AIDS, persuni bi bonnijiet differenti, e).

Is-Sagrament tal-Morda
Il-morda kien tant attent galihom es, u kien ifejjaqhom. Il-Knisja wkoll fkull mien
wettqet idmiet favur il-morda:
1. Twaqqfu bosta ordnijiet relijui, bsorijiet u patrijiet li jiddedikaw ajjithom kollha

lill-morda, l-anzjani, persuni bi bonnijiet differenti, tfal fl-istituti.
2. Fil-Konilju Vatikan II, il-Knisja eet lit-tobba u l-istudjui biex ikomplu jagmlu kull
sforz alli jsibu l-kawi tal-mard u l-mediini li jnaqqsu t-tbatija u jibu l-fejqan.
3. es stess ipprovda s-Sagrament tal-Morda, kif juri San akbu, wieed mid-dixxipli
tiegu:
Hemm xi add fostkom li hu marid? alli jsejja il-Ministri tal-Knisja; dawn jitolbu galih u
jidilkuh bi-ejt fisem il-Mulej: it-talba tal-fidi ssalva l-marid u l-Mulej iqajmu; u jekk ikun
gamel xi dnubiet jinafrulu. (ak 5:14-15)
Tajjeb niftakru illi:
Il-marid li jkun fil-periklu, ikollu dwejjaq u bia, u jista jaqta qalbu u jitlef il-fidi
fAlla.
Imma jekk marid jagraf jissieeb mat-tbatijiet ta es fit-tbatijiet tiegu, din tkun
qed tiswielu gall-id tiegu u tal-Knisja.
Hawn jidol is-Sagrament tal-Morda, bala gajnuna qawwija gar-ru u gall-
isem.
Min jirievi dan is-Sagrament gandu jagmel att ta fidi fes u jekk possibbli anke
att ta ndiema fuq dnubietu.
Mgandniex inallu s-sagrament gall aar nett meta l-marid la jkun jista jindem
u lanqas jitlob.
Ix-xjuija u kull marda li titqies bla fejqan juru li jkun wasal i-mien li jingata dan
is-Sagrament.
Il-Qtil
Alla hu l-gajn tal-ajja: kull aa ejja minnu. Ix-xitan li hu l-gadu ta Alla hu wkoll l-
gadu tal-ajja. Galih es qal li kien qattiel sa mill-bidu (w 8:44).
Min joqtol qed jissieeb max-xitan fil-lieda tiegu kontra l-ajja, barra li jqieged lill-
persuna li joqtol fperiklu li jmut imbieged minn Alla u jintilef gal dejjem. Galhekk San
wann fl-ewwel ittra tiegu jikteb: Ebda qattiel mgandu fih il-ajja ta dejjem (1w
3:15).
Il-qtil jissejja ukoll omiidju, u huwa ati tiegu anki min jgin minn rajh biex isir.
Galhekk hu dnub ukoll kull offia fuq is-saa tagna jew tal-orajn. Il-vjolenza,
mela, hija dnub.

L-influwenza tal-media:
Aktar ma t-tfal jgaddu sigat quddiem it-TV, aktar isiru aggressivi. Din iet ikkonfermata
bdiversi rierki ta natura xjentifika. Gax il-films ipinu l-vjolenza u s-serq fi stejjer aktarx
interessanti bala aa normali u aettabbli.
Tista toqtol biex tiddefendi ruek?
Gandek dritt tiddefendi ruek mill-inustizzja jew mill-vjolenza. U dak li tista tagmel biex
tiddefendi ruek, tista tagmlu biex tiddefendi lil addieor minn vjolenza jew inustizzja:
lill-enituri, lil uliedek, lil biebek, e.
Jista jkun hemm kai fejn biex tiddefendi ruek tista toqtol biex ma joqtlukx. Importanti,
ida, li min jasal joqtol lil min jattakkah bmod inust:
1. ikollu ajtu tassew fperiklu serju;

2. ma jkunx jista jiddefendi ruu mod ieor; u
3. ma jagmilx dan bvendetta jew bmibegda.
L-ideal jibqa n-nonvjolenza. Irba id-deni bil-id. Jekk l-gadu tiegek bil-u, itimgu.
(Rum 5:20)
Il-piena tal-mewt
Malta u afna pajjii ora neew il-piena tal-mewt. Ida gad hemm pajjii ora li
gadhom ma neewhiex. Sa ftit snin ilu kull ivilt kienet tifhem li min joqtol gandu jkun
maqtul. L-ewwel nett bustizzja mal-maqtul u ma qrabatu. It-tieni nett bdeterrent biex
tbea biex delitti bal dawn ma jsirux.
Ida llum inarsu lejn il-piena tal-mewt minn angolu ieor. Hija aa kiefra wisq li toqtol
bniedem kiesa u biered belectric chair, jew forka, jew gas chamber. ieli ara (u jista
jera jiri) li jii kkundannat gall-mewt bniedem innoenti, minabba xhieda falza. Kif se
tirrana ball bal dan?
Galina l-Insara, ma nistgux naettaw li npattu gajn gal gajn u sinna gal sinna.
Gandna nfittxu li nginu lil min balja biex jindem u jibdel ajtu. Wara kollox dak hu l-gan
tal-kastig: ir-rijabilitazzjoni.
Dejjem jista jibqa dawk il-ftit kai fejn sojet ivili, wara li tkun ippruvat il-mezzi kollha biex
tares il-ajja ta-ittadini, ma jibqgalhiex mod ieor gajr li tagti l-piena kapitali. Ida
huwa veru wkoll li kai bal dawn diffili afna biex iseu.

L-Abort
Il-ajja, ladarba titnissel, jetie li tii marsa bl-akbar reqqa. L-abort u l-qtil tat-trabi
huma delitti mill-agar (Vatikan II, Gaudium et Spes, 51). Hekk tares il-Knisja lejn
il-kwistjoni tal-abort.
Xtgallem il-Knisja dwar l-abort?

Il-Knisja tinsisti li l-ajja tal-bniedem gandha tkun imarsa u
rrispettata sa mill-ewwel waqt tal-eistenza tagha, jiifieri mill-waqt
tal-fertilizzazzjoni.
1. Sa mit-tnissil, il-ajja dida li bdiet hija distinta mill-ajja tal-omm: hija ajja ora.
2. Il-enetika turi li fdik il-ajja li gadha tibda (il-bajda ffertilizzata) di hemm
potenzjalment il-karatteristii kollha fundamentali tal-persuna adulta.
3. Bajda ffertilizzata hija a olqien uman. Mhijiex semplii parti mill-isem tal-omm.
Ma tistax xin trid tiddeiedi xse tagmel biha. Hija ajja ta bniedem ieor.
4. Fl-aar nett, kull bniedem, sa mill-bidu nett, hu xbieha ta Alla.
a) Abort u Kontraezzjoni:
Nispeifikaw mill-ewwel li hemm differenza kbira bejn l-abort u l-kontraezzjoni.

Il-kontraezzjoni ma tallix li ssir l-gaqda tal-isperma mal-ovulu (bajda) tal-mara u
l-fekondazzjoni ma ssirx, u ajja dida ma jkunx hemm. L-abort isir meta ajja umana li a
bdiet tii meqruda: dan hu qtil ta ajja ta bniedem.
Hija kontradizzjoni llum, li tant qed isir biex tii apprezzata iktar il-ajja tal-bniedem, u
tan-natura wkoll, u fl-istess waqt isiru tant aborti fi mienna. Nipprotestaw kontra l-piena
kapitali, u nneuha; nipprotestaw kontra l-moqrija u l-qtil bla sens ta annimali, u
mbagad nippermettu l-qtil ta trabi innoenti fil-uf.
b) Embriju Diabbli:
Hu xokk gall-enituri li jsiru jafu li ejja tarbija mentalment jew fiikament diabbli. Ida
d-dinjit tal-ajja tal-bniedem ma tiddependix minn kemm it-tarbija tkun marida jew
fsaitha. Huwa galhekk li l-enituri gandhom jilqgu t-tarbija u jobbuha. Huwa dmir
tas-sojet, u l-aktar tal-Insara li jginu u jagtu s-sapport taghom lil dawn il-enituri.
) Tnissil bi Vjolenza Sesswali:
Minn vjolenza sesswali tista titnissel tarbija minn missier li l-omm ma tafux u ma tobbux.
Imma t-tarbija xi tija gandha? Il-qtil ta tarbija innoenti QATT ma jista jintua bala mezz
biex l-omm teles minn xi inkwiet serju li jista jkollha. Mela tarbija li titnissel minn vjolenza

sesswali gandha hi wkoll tkun aettata u mabuba, u l-omm gandha tkun megjuna
fil-tiiet tagha spejali.
d) Test-tube Babies
Minabba l-infertilit naturali fxi koppji (madwar 10%), ix-xjenza sabet metodi ta
riproduzzjoni artifijali li ssir fil-laboratorju u tissejja in vitro fertilisation. Li jiri hu:
- l-att prokreattiv qed jinfired mill-att konjugali

- l-embrijoni ejda (li huma ajjiet umani wkoll gax ikunu ffertilizzati) qed jinqerdu:
i) jew billi jesperimentaw fuqhom; ii) jew jintremew mal-ilma fis-sink tal-laboratorju.
Dan huwa gamla ora ta abort.
L-Ewtanasja
Ewtanasja hija kelma ejja mill-Grieg li tfisser mewta bla tbatija. Bl-Ingli ieli tissejja
mercy killing, gax min jagmilha jkun qed jitassar lil dak li jkun. Jekk il-mewt jitlobha
l-marid, hija tip ta suwiidju u tissejja ewtanasja volontarja. Jekk lill-pazjent iwasslu
gall-mewt (bxi injection) mingajr ma jkun talab hu stess, din tkun omiidju u tissejja
ewtanasja involontarja. Din tal-aar hija kkundannata mill-pajjii kollha, ida bosta gruppi
fpajjii differenti qed jitolbu biex l-ewtanasja volontarja tii legalizzata u di hemm pajjii li
adu din id-deijoni.
Il-fatt li hija suwiidju jagmilha delitt fejn il-pazjent irid joqtol ruu bidejh, u min jginu
qed ikun komplii u jaqsam il-tija miegu.
Is-Suwiidju
Is-suwiidju li tnei ajtek bidejk isir minn persuni fi stat ta dipressjoni u dwejjaq kbar,
ta min ikun tilef kull tama. Bosta drabi, li jiri hu li l-bniedem itaqqal ajtu, jitgabba
bil-passat tiegu li jinfluwenza bmod negattiv il-futur bil-konsegwenza li l-preent isir pi li
xi drabi jkun tqil wisq biex iorru.
Il-passat trid tallih warajk, mhux tant gax hu ain, imma gax hu passat, gadda, miet;
il-futur gadu ma iex, mela mgandekx galfejn tiba minnu, jekk fil-mument preenti
tkun taf xint tagmel. Biex tkun taf xint tagmel trid titfa l-passat warajk u tnei kull
ambizzjoni, kull preudizzju, kull ideoloija, u tgix il-preent.
Il-ajja hija sabia u ana msejin biex nikbru fl-imabba alli ntejbu d-dinja u mhux biex
nagmlu ajjitna u dik tal-orajn infern.
Galhekk irridu niftakru:

1. Li add mgandu xi dritt li jnei ajja ta bniedem lanqas tiegu nnifsu; hi dnub
mill-aktar gravi meta jsir bgajnejn miftua u blibert sia. Il-ajja hija fidejn Alla;
2. Ida min jikkommetti suwiidju aktarx li ma jkunx mentalment liberu biejjed ma jkunx
gal kollox responsabbli tiegu nnifsu;
3. Il-Knisja tqis dan kollu u tagtih difna Nisranija, u titlob il-niena ta Alla galih kif titlob
gall-mejtin.
Il-mediina kontra t-tentazzjoni tas-suwiidju hi li jkollna fiduja kbira fAlla konvinti li

jobbna dejjem bimabba kbira afna: ta Alla li hu. Galhekk fil-Missierna es
jgallimna nitolbu mhux ikun li rrid jien imma ikun li trid int.
Jekk xi darba mona jiddallam, infittxu l-gajnuna ta Alla u tal-bnedmin.
Il-Kura li Obbligati Niedu

Satek trid tieu siebha: aktar u aktar meta tkun iddgajfet bil-mard. Ida nafu li erta
kura tqum il-flus jew fiha afna riskju, jew ittawwal biss il-ajja bla ma ib fejqan. Nistaqsu:
kemm ana obbligati li niedu kura fil-mard? U hawn jetie niddistingwu:
Mezzi ordinarji: Ana fid-dmir li nuaw il-mezzi ordinarji, jiifieri dawk il-mezzi li joffru
lill-pazjent tama u jistgu jiu applikati mingajr tbatija kbira, inkwiet serju, u spejje kbar li
l-pazjent (jew il-pajji) ma jkunx jifla galihom.
Mezzi straordinarji: huma mezzi li jetieu spejje enormi jew fihom afna tbatija jew ma
joffrux tama ta fejqan. Hawnhekk maniex obbligati nuaw dawn il-mezzi, jiifieri ma jkunx
hemm tija jekk ma nuawhomx.
Fejn il-mard hu gravi u mhemmx tama ta fejqan, tista tingata mediina li tmewwet jew
tnaqqas l-uig anke jekk indirettament u involontarjament din taffef il-proess
tal-mewt.
Perikli Bla Bonn
1) Id-Droga:
Lil min taqbdu, id-droga tkissru: timmodifika l-organimu bmod li ma jkunx ijed kapai
jieu sieb tiegu nnifsu. Galhekk mhemmx drogi soft u drogi hard: kollha huma
perikolui. (Effetti: tidied ir-rata li tabbat il-qalb, ir-rata tan-nifs, u l-pressjoni; sara
fil-fwied, fil-kliewi u fil-mo; mumenti ta sturdament, titlef il-koordinament tal-kliem u kif
ukoll il-kontroll tal-isem; ikollok sens ta persekuzzjoni u aggressjoni, dwejjaq bik innifsek, u
titlef is-sens ta galfejn qed tgix).

Id-droga ma tnaqqasx problemi, imma idhom. Twassal anke gas-serq u l-prostituzzjoni.
Gall-ewwel terfgek ftit il fuq, imbagad issabbtek. Doa kkalkulata ain, imallta jew
meuda mal-alkool tista ib il-mewt fi ftit minuti; id-droga jew twasslek l-isptar, jew
il-abs, jew i-imiterju. Tinqabadx. Tippruvax lanqas biex tkun ippruvajt, lanqas jekk iajruk
sabek stess. Kun kburi li inti ieles.
Jekk xi darba ssib kollox ej kontra tiegek, tkellem ma min jifhmek. Il-ajja sabia. Meta
ma tarahiex hekk, gandek bonn min jginek.
2. L-Alkool:
Jagmel sara kemm fl-organimu, kemm fl-imiba u kemm fil-karattru. L-effetti mhux
dejjem jidhru mill-ewwel, imma hemm ikunu. Ix-xorb jaraq il-fwied u jagmlek aktar
suett gall-attaki tal-qalb. Jeqred i-elluli tal-mo ftit ftit. Mo imajpar ma jsolvilniex
problemi.
3. It-Tipjip
90% tal-kaner tal-pulmun jii mit-tipjip. FMalta jmutu aktar minn persuna kuljum bit-tipjip.
In-nikotina timblokka l-vini u l-qalb ikollha tabbat aktar mgael, il-pulmuni jinksew
bil-qatran u l-ossinu u ma jkunux jistgu jsaffu d-demm. Il-periklu gal xi attakk ta qalb u
qtug ta nifs jidied.
4. Ikel bil-sieb
Importanti xnieklu u kemm nieklu. afna jmutu bil-u, u hawn orajn li jmutu minabba li
jieklu ejjed (jew ikel ain: afna zokkor, mel jew xamijiet). Wieed minn kull tnejn li
jmutu Malta, imutu bi-irkolazzjoni tad-demm imblukkata bix-xamijiet li jsodd il-vini. Kun
meqjus fl-ikel.
5. Is-Sewqan
Ir-regolamenti tat-traffiku qegdin hemm biex ikollna l-ordni u jkunu marsa l-ajja u
s-saa tan-nies. Il-qawl jgid: Min jimxi bil-mod jasal kmieni. L-gaqal hu metie anke
fis-sewqan. Jekk tixrob issuqx. Jekk issuq tixrobx. Ix-xorb inaqqas ir-riflessi, li tant
netiuhom fis-sewqan. Ftakar li inti tiddependi anki minn kif isuq addieor.
Il-Mewt
Quddiem il-mewt ikollna nagmlu mistoqsijiet baii dwar il-ajja. Il-mewt hi t-tmiem?
It-tweiba iva jew le se tagti perspettiva gall-ajja. In-Nisrani jaf li l-mewt hi BIEB u
l-ajja tkompli fuq in-naa l-ora. Il-mewt mhijiex it-tmiem, imma l-konklujoni tal-ewwel
parti tal-eistenza tagna. Skont din il-konklujoni se tkun l-gala ta kif se tkun it-tieni parti
tal-eistenza tagna, li tibqa gal dejjem ta dejjem.

Mill-banda l-ora l-ajja mhix valur fiha nnifisha, imma tieu mill-valur li jagtiha Alla li
alaqha: fosthom il-valur li Alla jagtiha -ans li tibqa tgix miegu u tginu fis-si
gall-eternit. Dan hu valur assolut u mgandna qatt nibdluh ma valur inqas minnu.
Dan jginna nifhmu galiex hawn min jagel li jitlef ajtu biex ma jitlifx lil Alla. Kristu
stess espona ruu gall-mewt kiefra, u balu gamlu eluf ta Nsara matul is-snin. Ma
bidlux il-valur kbir (li jgixu) mal-valur ikbar (li jakkwistaw l Alla).
Eempju ta min ta ajtu gall-orajn: Fr Damian, qassis mill-Belju kien jadem ma nies
morda bil-diem. Organizzalhom ajjithom, genhom jibnu djarhom u entri, kien
jikkuralhom il-riei. Jum wieed, l-omelija bdieha bdawn il-kelmiet, Ana l-imiddmin...
Kuladd baqa jares mibluh. Sewwa kienu semgu. Fr Damian kien marad ukoll. Huwa miet
erba snin wara li laqqat il-marda.
Ir-Rispett lejn l-Annimali

L-annimali huma olqien ta Alla. Gandhom il-fingerprints tiegu. Hu jipprovdilhom
gall-tiijiet taghom. Bil-ajja semplii taghom ibierku u jfaru l-Mulej. Alla ried jafda
l-annimali lill-bniedem li hu alaq xbieha tiegu. Il-bniedem jista jinqeda bihom
gall-tiijiet usti tiegu, ngidu ana gall-ikel, biex jginuh fix-xogol. Imma hu kontra
d-dinjit tal-bniedem li jaqar jew joqtol annimal bla bonn (ngidu ana gall-gost, jew
gax hobby, jew sport!).
L-annimali gandna nobbuhom u nagmlulhom ajjithom fali billi nevitawlhom tbatija bla
bonn.
Il-arsien u l-Ivilupp tal-Ambjent

Il-Papa wanni Pawlu II are eniklika Centesimus Annus, li tfakkar il-mitt sena
mill-eniklika Rerum Novarum ta Piju IX. Il-Papa fakkar li l-bniedem hu importanti aktar
mix-xogol li jagmel, galhekk jii qablu. Imma fakkar ukoll li l-bniedem mhuwiex is-sid
assolut tal-art. Alla hu s-Sid u fdalu l-olqien fidejh.
Alla, fil-bidu tad-dinja ta l-art lill-bniedem biex jadimha u jieu siebha. Imma mhux
jeqridha. Jibalja l-bniedem meta jinsa lil Alla, il-allieq u s-sid ta kollox, u jqieged lilu
nnifsu minfloku. Meta jeqred l-ambjent, il-bniedem qed jilgabha ta Alla.
Alla lill-bniedem gamlu l-ennien tiegu. Imma l-bniedem qed jirilu li qed jintrikeb
mill-egoimu individwali u kollettiv u jinsa lil ta warajh. Qed jitkabbar bl-iskoperti li
jagmel u qed jippretendi li sar is-sid assolut tal-art. Dan hu t-tradiment u l-konsegwenzi
huma li l-istess natura qed tirvella kontra l-bniedem.
Qed tinqered il-kampanja, widien, xatt il-baar minabba bini bla skruplu u kaa bla
kontroll; u maghom qed jinqerdu wkoll gadd ta spei ta pjanti, ta fjuri, ta siar,

gasafar, insetti u annimali. Meta wieed jagmel sara lill-art, ikun qed jiddisprezza
lill-allieq tagha.
Ix-xita, meta tniel magha sustanzi aidui, qed teqred flok tagti l-ajja.
L-iskart sar problema: dejjem jidied fil-kwantit, qed jeqirdilna xmajjar sbie, jiffiltra
l-art u jnies l-ilma tax-xorb. Ma ninsewx li l-bniedem hu l-uniku lejqa li jipprodui
l-iskart.
Lanqas qieg il-baar ma elisha mit-tinis nukleari.
Il-qerda ta foresti sa u l-effett serra qed jaffettwaw il-bilan tal-ossinu u
tal-carbon dioxide fuq wi l-art...
L-Attitudni lejn l-Ambjent: Attitudni ta Bilan

Il-problema tal-ekoloija hija problema ta bilan. Kemm ana kapai niviluppaw l-ambjent
mingajr esaerazzjonijiet? Hija kwistjoni ta rispett lejn l-ambjent u lejn in-natura. Mhux
kulma jista jsir gandu jsir. Mhux kulma hu xjentifikament possibbli hu etikament
aettabbli. Alla ta lin-natura l-liijiet tagha, u dawn iridu jiu rrispettati. Mhijiex lief
arroganza li tinjorahom.
1. Nibnu pedament sod: neqirdu minn qalbna l-geruq tal-vjolenza

L-isrorja ta Abel u Kajjin tfakkarna li l-lied u l-qtil ilhom magna kemm ilha teisti d-dinja. U
l-konsegwenzi mhumiex gar. Imnejn tii l-vjolenza?
Hemm vjolenza li tii mis-serq, vjolenza kontra min ifixkel jew jikxef lil min jisraq;
Hemm vjolenza li ssir bi tpattija jew vendikazzjoni gal xi offia li tkun saret qabel;
Hemm vjolenza li ssir minabba l-gira jew mibegda li ma tissaportix lil min ikun
ajar minnha; U l-Bibbja tgid: Kull min jobgod lil uh hu qattiel. (1w 3:45);
Jagmel vjolenza min jabbua mis-setga, jew biex iid il-akma;
Issir vjolenza minabba ertu fanatimu partijan jew reliju;
erta traskurani kbira wkoll tista tkun il-kawa ta sara, ta korrimenti u lied, u ta
ksur ta regolamenti tat-traffiku, jew tax-xogol, jew ta sigurt.
2. Nagtu sehemna
Irridu nagtu l-appo tagna lil kull moviment li hu favur il-ajja mit-tnissil
sal-mewt;
Nagtu sehemna biex fMalta u fil-pajjii l-ora l-bnedmin ikollhom kundizzjonijiet
biex jgixu bmod deenti: ikel, ilbies, xogol, dar deenti, gajnuna tas-saa, e;
Noolqu fina kuxjenza li twassalna biex niadu mil-lussu alli nkunu nistgu
nginu lil min ma gandu lanqas dak li hu metie;
Niedu sehem fdiskussjonijiet fi gruppi, fi programmi fuq ir-radju, fkitba fuq
il-gazzetti biex inommu l-opinjoni pubblika favur il-ajja fil-waqtiet kollha tagha.

... fil-qosor 2. IL-AJJA XTISWA?
1. Il-ajja kollha fidejn Alla Il-bniedem imsieeb biex jieu sieb u jkattar din il-ajja.
L-ebda bniedem mgandu dritt inei l-ajja.
2. es l-milja tal-ajja. Dan jidher: fil-persuna

fil-idma
fit-taglim tiegu
3. Is-Sagrament tal-Morda iqawwi spiritwalment

iqawwi fiikament
4. Il-qtil huwa dnub gravi kontra l-kmandament La Toqtolx

Il-vjolenza fuq il-media tinfluwenzana ain
Tista toqtol biss biex tiddefendi ruek periklu tal-mewt
mgandekx gala ora
mhux bmibegda
Il-Piena tal-mewt forma ta tpattija li n-Nisrani ma jistax jaetta

jeistu gur modi ora ta kif tiddefendi s-sojet
mill-kriminal
I. L-Abort dejjem qtil gax il-ajja tibda mill-mument tal-fertilizzazzjoni

vjolenza sesswali tarbija innoenti
embriju diabbli kull ajja fiha valur u trid tii marsa
II. Il-Kontraezzjoni twaqqaf il-fertilizzazzjoni tmur kontra l-pjan ta Alla imma

mhemmx qtil.
III. Test-tube babies tifred l-att prokreattiv mill-att konjugali

afna embriji jinteremew QTIL
IV. L-Ewtanasja qtil biex teles mit-tbatija ewtanasja volontarja - daqs suwiidju
ewtanasja involontarja daqs omiidju
V. Is-Suwiidju dnub gravi persuna jkollha bonn l-gajnuna
VI. Il-Kura ordinarja obbligati neduha tama suffijenti ta id

applikati mingajr tbatija kbira
ma jkunux ta spejje li ma tiflax
galihom
straordinarja mhux obbligati neduha gax ma jkollhiex dawn it-3
punti thawn fuq.

VII. Perikli bla bonn: drogi
alkool
tipjip
ikel (ejjed jew nieqes)
sewqan perikolu
VIII. Tista tqieged ajtek fil-periklu biex tgin lill-orajn.
5. Ir-rispett lejn il-ajja fil-olqien kollu ambjent

annimali
Skont il-pjan ta Alla fil-Bibbja nuaw dak li gandna bonn

niedu siebu
inkabbruh

3. LEJN ID-DINJA TAX-XOGOL
Il-Messa Nisrani dwar ix-Xogol
1. Kien qrib it-tmiem tas-seklu l-ieor li sar l-iktar tibdil fil-ajja tax-xogol. Ir-Rivoluzzjoni
Industrijali ma allietx aktar ix-xogol fidejn l-individwu u l-familja tiegu. Ix-xogol beda
jii organizzat fil-fabbriki, bnumru akbar ta addiema, u bkundizzjonijiet gal kollox odda:
bsura dida ta proprjet (il-kapital);

bsura dida ta las (il-paga);
benfasi mhux aktar fuq il-addiem li jkun kuntent
jadem, imma fuq il-produzzjoni (kemm jipprodui);
bla ebda kas tad-drittijiet tal-addiema.
2. Quddiem dawn l-inustizzji kbar il-Knisja tkellmet. asbet

u fasslet bmod sistematiku it-taglim Nisrani dwar ix-xogol u
l-qagda tal-addiema. Illum dan insejulu: IT-TAGLIM SOJALI TAL-KNISJA.
DOKUMENTI EWLENIN TAL-SIEB NISRANI FUQ IX-XOGOL

1891 Il-Papa Ljun XIII are l-Eniklika Rerum Novarum (il-wejje odda)
1931 Il-Papa Piju XI are l-Eniklika Quadragesimo Anno (fl-erbgin sena)
1965 Il-Konilju Vatikan II are id-Dokument Gaudium et Spes (Fer u Tama)
1971 Il-Papa Pawlu VI are l-Eniklika Octogesima Adveniens (fit-tmenin sena)
1991 Il-Papa wanni Pawlu II are l-Eniklika Laborem Exercens (Hu u Jadem)
1991 Il-Papa wanni Pawlu II are l-Eniklika Centesimus Annus (fil-mitt sena)
L-Ganijiet tax-Xogol
Ix-xogol gandu aktar minn skop wieed. Kemm ir-rauni kif ukoll il-Kelma ta Alla juruna
gala l-bniedem jetie jadem.
1. Ix-xogol huwa mezz ta gajxien:

Il-bniedem irid jgix, u bix-xogol jikseb dak li jetie biex jgix. Fdan is-sens li tadem hu
dritt u hu dmir, iktar u iktar jekk minnek tiddependi familja. San Pawl kellu kliem iebes
lill-Insara ta Tessalonika gax fosthom kien hemm xi wud li ma ridux jadmu: Min ma
jridx jadem, anqas imissu jiekol. (2Tess 3:12)
2. Ix-xogol hu vilupp tal-olqien ta Alla

Fil-enesi Alla huwa ppreentat bal addiem. es qal, Missieri gadu jadem sissa.
(w 5:17). Alla alaq kollox batt li gadu sejjer; gadu jomm jeisti kulma alaq, u jommu

jiffunzjona skont kif alqu. Bix-xogol tiegu, il-bniedem jissieeb ma dan Alla addiem, u
jbiddel il-olqien biex isir iktar jixraq galih.
Anki es kien jadem, u gael tnax-il sajjied bala sabu. U fi kliemu jsemmi l-in kollu
l-addiema ta mienu: il-bidwi li jira -erriega u l-addiem li jasad, dak li jkabbar
id-dwieli, ir-ragaj, dak li jsewwi x-xbiek, il-bennej u s-seftur, in-neguzjant u l-mara tad-dar,
is-suldat u l-uffijal tal-istat.
Mela galina x-xogol hu l-mod kif nipparteipaw bmod attiv u responsabbli fil-idma
tal-allieq.
3. Ix-xogol jiviluppa l-persuna li tagmlu

Barra li jbiddel dak li jkollu fidejh u d-dinja li jgix fiha, hu u jadem il-bniedem qed ibiddel
lilu nnifsu gax:
jikseb esperjenza dida u jitgallem xi aa dida;

jiskopri u jiviluppa t-talenti u l-ila tiegu.
Ix-xogol hu tal-bniedem kollu kemm hu sew jekk hu xogol tal-id, sew jekk hu xogol
tal-mo. Ix-xogol, mela, hu parti mis-seja ta kull bniedem.
4. Ix-xogol bala mezz ta vilupp fis-solidarjet

Fil-bia l-kbira tal-kai, ix-xogol tagna nagmluh mal-orajn u gall-orajn. Huwa
eerizzju ta kooperazzjoni: jien nadem galik, int tadem gall-ieor, dak jadem
galija...
Ix-xogol jitlob:
il-idma ta min jipprodui;

l-isforz ta min jipprovdi l-materja prima;
il-flus ta min jixtri l-prodotti maduma;
il-parti ta min iqassam fil-wienet jew fid-djar;
xi add li jagmel il-pubbliit.
Fl-istess in ix-xogol hu mezz li jipprovdi gall-familja, u fl-aar mill-aar gall-komunit

u gall-pajji. Hu katina ta solidarjet.
5. Ix-xogol bala tkomplija tal-quddiesa

Ix-xogol fil-ajja ta kuljum mgandniex inqisuh bala xi aa maqtuga mill-qima li
nagtu lil Alla fajjitna l-aktar fil-quddiesa. Anzi x-xogol ta kuljum gandna nqisuh bala
tkomplija tagha.

Ix-Xogol bala Tbatija
Ix-xogol qabel daal id-dnub fid-dinja

Alla, li hu liberu, alaq kollox bil-libert. Mela kollox kien liberu, inklu il-in. Bhekk ma
kellux ikun hemm differenza bejn ix-xogol u dak li wieed jagmel fil-in liberu, bejn
xogol u passatemp, bejn work u play. Fil-sieb ta Alla gall-bniedem, kollox kellu jkun
delizzju, passatemp.
Dan ma jfissirx li l-bniedem kellu joqgod jitgaen. Fil-enesi nsibu, u l-Mulej a

lill-bniedem u qiegdu fil-nien biex jadmu u jarsu. (en 2:15). Jiifieri x-xogol kien
jeisti minn dejjem u kellu jkollu wkoll it-tbatija fiika tiegu. Ida l-bniedem kien jadem
minn rajh, bir-rieda ielsa tiegu u mhux ta bilfors, fuq qalbu.
Id-dnub fired ix-xogol mill-in liberu

Meta l-bniedem gamel id-dnub infired minn ma Alla, minn ma utu l-bnedmin, u minn
mal-olqien. U bdin il-firda tilef il-kapait li jifhem u jikkontrolla l-qawwiet tan-natura.
Kisser l-ordni u l-armonija: Xewk u gollieq tnibbitlek l-art u int tiekol il-axix selva. (en
3:18). Misuta l-art minabba fik; bit-tabit tiekol minnha, il-jiem kollha ta ajtek. (en
3:17). Ix-xogol ma baqax aktar delizzju. Daal fih l-element ta xi aa bilfors. Issa sar pi,
telaq il-pjair, dalet il-vjolenza, l-inustizzja u r-regba.
Mela d-dwejjaq u t-tbatija fix-xogol alaqhom il-bniedem; mhumiex ejjin minn

Alla. ejjin mis-suppervja u mill-egoimu tal-bniedem u mill-firda tiegu minn Alla.
Meta l-bniedem jinsa li hu kooperatur ma Alla, meta jqieged lilu nnifsu flok Alla,
iwassal lin-natura biex din tirvella kontrih: titnies l-arja, jinqered l-ambjent
naturali, jinxtered il-materjal velenu, u jkollok problema tal-istess elementi li ngixu
bihom ball-ilma li nixorbu u l-arja li niedu;
Meta x-xogol isir biss mezz kif taqla l-flus, minflok jiviluppa d-dinja fisem Alla,
jispia biex jeqridha;
Meta bix-xogol ma tibqax tiviluppa lilek innifsek u t-talenti tiegek, ma tibqax
kreattiv kif iridek Alla, ix-xogol jispia jsir jasar, fuq qalbek, fkundizzjonijiet li ma
jixirqulekx, iallik bla saa, ma jibqaglekx in gal attivivtajiet ora, iwaqqgek
frutina, u jimliek bit-tensjoni;
Fdiversi ambjenti x-xogol jispia biex ikun okaajoni ora ta firda, lied, pika u
mibegda minflok ikun hemm ambjent ta solidarjet u idma flimkien.
Aktar tard, anki fiviltajiet evoluti sew, bal fil-Greja u fRuma, ix-xogol beda jitqies bala
xi aa baxxa riservata gall-iskjavi, li jekk tista gandek tarabha bala aa bla dinjit.

Il-fidwa tax-xogol
es ie fid-dinja biex jera jabbibna ma Alla, mal-bnedmin u mal-olqien. es feda
l-bniedem u kulma gandu xjaqsam miegu. es miet, patta gall-offia tad-dnub
tal-bniedem lil Alla, u rea qam mill-mewt qawmien li jissiilla r-reba u l-fidwa tagna.
Il-bniedem li jares lejn es jmut u jqum mill-mewt, gandu jsib il-qawwa u l-ispirazzjoni
biex fit-tbatija jissieeb miegu. Ma jarax biss jasar fix-xogol, imma godda ta fidwa
mezz kif tissieeb ma es hu u jsawwar dinja dida. Id-dnub hu meta tua d-dinja maluqa
ain; bix-xogol tgin biex id-dinja teles mill-jasar tagha alli jse il-pjan ta Alla.
In-Nisrani li jomm dawn il-sibijiet quddiem gajnejh, xorta jossha t-tbatija imma
jilqagha kif laqagha es: minflok ma tkiddu, it-tbatija tginu; tginu jagti pjair
(glorja/ie) lil Alla, gax jieu t-tbatija minn idejh, bala rieda tiegu. Ix-xogol isir mod
ieor kif iqim lil Alla tkomplija tal-quddiesa.
Il-addiem Jii l-Ewwel

Il-addiem jii qabel ix-xogol. Dan hu prinipju, hu l-pedament tad-drittijiet kollha
tal-addiema Ix-xogol hu gall-bniedem mhux il-bniedem gax-xogol. L-ewwel dinjit
tal-addiem hi li hu bniedem, u allura xbieha ta Alla. add ma jista jeodlu din id-dinjit.
Fxi sistemi ekonomii (fis-sojalimu reali il-komunimu; fil-kapitalimu radikali) dan

il-prinipju nsibuh ta tat fuq. Il-addiem jitqies bala numru jew rota fil-makkinarju kbir
tal-organizzazzjoni sojali. Il-addiem hawn ma jkunx qed jii l-ewwel:
Titteidlu l-libert tal-gala tax-xogol;

Titteidlu l-libert li jiddeiedi galih innifsu (u galhekk anki s-sens ta
responsabbilt li jagel bejn it-tajjeb u l-ain);
Mill-banda l-ora, il-liberalimu jew kapitalimu radikali li jalli s-suq jikkmanda
kollox hu qed iqis hu wkoll lill-addiem bala bia merkanzija (oett li tixtrih u
tbigu);
Is-suq isir l-alla u l-prinipju li jmexxi kollox;
Jiu ssagrifikati l-addiema minabba l-produzzjoni inijiet indeenti u las mieru.
Kull persuna gandha d-dinjit tagha. Kull persuna hija unika u irripetibbli. Sistema tajba
trawwem id-djalogu u l-ftehim, u twassal gall-kooperazzjoni dejjem ikbar fost il-bnedmin.
Il-addiem Gandu d-Drittijiet
Drittijiet u Dmirijiet: Ma tistax tfittex biss xi drittijiet gandek u tieqaf hemm. Gandek
ukoll dmirijiet, aktarx marbutin mal-istess drittijiet. Dawn id-drittijiet u dmirijiet gandhom
erta erarkija (jiifieri gradi ta importanza):
l-ewwel gax inti bniedem;
it-tieni gax int Nisrani (jew ta relijon ora);
it-tielet gax inti addiem.
Dawn huma wud mid-drittijiet tal-addiem:
1. Id-dritt gax-xogol
Id-dritt li wieed ikollu xogol fimpjieg li tkun tajjeb galih. wanni Pawlu II, fl-Eniklika
Laborem Exercens fisser hekk:
Il-qgad, jiifieri n-nuqqas ta xogol gal min hu kapai galih, hu dejjem deni u, meta
jilaq ertu livell huwa veru diastru sojali. U l-qgad ikidd afna meta jolqot l-aktar
i-gaag li, wara tejjija kulturali, teknika u professjonali xierqa, ma jsibux xogol.
Ix-xewqa siniera taghom li jadmu u jagtu sehemhom fil-komunit jarawha tisfa
fix-xejn. (Laborem Exercens par.18)
Is-sojet trid tejji pjan ta xogol li jikkomprendi kollox. Bsojet hawn nifhmu dawk li
huma responsabbli gall-politika tax-xogol, jiifieri diretturi ta intraprii, unions u gvern. Lil
min gadu bla xogol trid tingata kull gajnuna:
bgajnuna finanzjarja;
btari metie; u
binentivi li jajruh ifittex jadem.
2. Id-dritt gal taglim, tari u edukazzjoni xierqa

Kull addiem gandu dritt li jkollu taglim, tari u edukazzjoni xierqa, aktar u aktar illum
fejn kwai kull tip ta xogol hu spejalizzat.
3. Id-dritt gal paga usta

Gal afna din hi l-unika poassibilit li jiksbu l-id tal-art li bih iridu jgixu huma, jgajxu lil
familthom, u jiviluppaw il-personalit taghom bala persuni unii. Naturalment ix-xogol
irid jitallas skont it-tip ta xogol li jkun, skont il-produttivit u r-responsabbilt li jinvolvi,
skont il-kundizzjoni preenti tal-intrapria, u skont il-qagda ekonomika tal-pajji.
Sa minn mien ir-Rerum Novarum, il-paga usta kienet meqjusa li trid tifla iomm familja
paga li anke tipprovdi sigurt gall-ejjieni. Illum hemm il-possibilit li l-paga tii
bbilanjata anke minn childrens allowances jew gotjiet lill-ommijiet li jagtu ruhom biss
gax-xogol tal-familja.

4. Id-dritt gall-kundizzjonijiet xierqa fuq ix-xogol
IL-FLUS MHUMIEX KOLLOX. Il-kundizzjonijiet li tadem fihom jagmlu differenza daqs jew
iktar mill-paga gax jolqtu s-saa u l-kuntentizza tal-addiem. Kundizzjonijiet tajba
jinkludu:
mien ta mistrie mix-xogol, biex il-addiem jera jikseb is-saa gax-xogol, u

biex ilaaq ukoll mal-ajja familjari, kulturali, sojali u relijua tiegu. Skont il-Papa
wanni Pawlu II, dan ifisser mistrie ta urnata fil-imga, almenu l-add; mistrie
iktar fit-tul ta darba fsena jew gadd ta vaganzi gar matul is-sena. (Laborem
Exercens, par 19);
L-ambjent irid iares is-saa tal-addiem; l-indafa, arja tajba, u li xejn ma jqieged
fil-periklu s-saa, il-ajja u l-integrit morali tal-addiem.
Ix-xogol irid ikun adattat gal min jadem;
- li jagti lok lill-addiem li jagti sehmu u jikber bala persuna;
- li jkun skont l-et u s-sess tal-addiem;
- li ma jagmilx diskriminazzjoni, u jagti ans lill-mara omm in-natural tagha ta
mara, inklu il-kontribut tagha lill-familja.
5. Id-dritt gas-sehem fil-qlig, fit-tmexxija u fl-ishma (shares) tal-azjenda

Ikun ta id gall-azjenda u gall-istess addiema, li dawk li jipparteipaw bxi mod mill-qlig
tal-azjenda, jagtu sehem fit-tmexxija, u jkollhom i-ans li jixtru ishma fl-istess azjenda fejn
jadmu. Waqt li l-Knisja tagti dan il-prinipju (Laborem Exercens par 14), iridu jkunu l-
Insara esperti fdan il-qasam li jsibu r-regoli usti kif dan isir fil-prattika.
6. Id-dritt li l-addiema jissiebu funions

Il-bniedem hu min-natura tiegu esseri sojali, u gandu d-dritt li jingaqad mal-orajn biex
iib l-interessi tiegu l quddiem. Fil-ka tal-addiema, gandhom dritt li jwaqqfu gaqdiet
tal-addiema jew trade unions u jissiebu fihom. Ida ma jkunx tajjeb li dawn l-gaqdiet isiru
paraventu gall-egoimu tal-grupp. Waqt li jabirku gad-drittijiet u l-id tal-membri,
mgandhomx jinsew li gandhom ukoll dmirijiet lejn min iaddimhom, u lejn is-sojet
kollha kemm hi.
7. Id-dritt gall-istrajk
Il-Knisja tgallem li l-addiem gandu dritt li jistrajkja mingajr ma jii kkastigat. Jetie
ida:
li l-istrajk jintua bala l-aar mezz

li ma jintuax gal skopijiet li ma jkunux usti;
is-servizzi essenzjali gall-komunit ivili gandhom jibqgu assigurati.

Meta nii biex niddeiedi liema xogol nagel, irrid nara:
xinhuma t-talenti u l-kwalitajiet li fihom inossni tajjeb;

li x-xogol u l-kundizzjoniet li rrid nadem fihom ma jkunux ta sara gal sati jew
gall-karattru tiegi;
li jkun xogol kemm jista jkun stabbli u li l-paga tkun tajba biejjed biex ngix ajja
normali;
bliema xogol nista nkun l-aktar ta id gal pajjii u gal uti l-bnedmin.

...fil-qosor 3. LEJN ID-DINJA
TAX-XOGOL
1. Dokumenti importanti dwar ix-xogol:
L-eniklika Rerum Novarum Papa Ljun XIII 1891
L-eniklika Quadragesimo Anno Papa Piju XI 1931
Id-dokument Octogesima Adveniens Papa Pawlu VI 1971
L-eniklika Laborem Exercens Papa wanni Pawlu II 1981
L-eniklika Centesimus Annus Papa wanni Pawlu II 1991
Kostituzzjoni Pastorali dwar il-Knisja
fid-dinja tal-lum Il-Konilju Vatikan II 1965
2. L-ganijiet tax-xogol:
Naqilgu dak li gandna bonn biex ngixu
Nissiebu ma Alla l-allieq fl-ivilupp tal-olqien
Niviluppaw lilna nfusna (talenti, intellienza)
Nikbru fis-solidarjet mal-orajn nadmu mal-orajn u gall-orajn
Bix-xogol, flimkien ma es, nagtu tifir lil Alla il-quddiesa tal-
add, inkompluha fil-idma tagna.
3. It-tbatija fuq ix-xogol ejja mill-firda tal-bniedem minn mal-bnedmin l-ora u mill-
olqien.
4. Bil-qawmien tiegu, es rea gaqqadna ma Alla u tana d-dawl u l-qawwa biex insibu
l-iskop veru tax-xogol u nissiebu ma es billi nibnu dinja ajar.
5. Id-dinjit tax-xogol hija marbuta mal-bniedem li jagmlu u mhux ma xtip ta xogol

jagmel.
6. Id-dinjit tal-addiem titlob li jiu marsa d-drittijiet tiegu:

Id-dritt gax-xogol
Id-dritt gal taglim, tari u edukazzjoni xierqa
Id-dritt gal paga usta
Id-drittijiet Id-dritt gal kundizzjonijiet xierqa (in, mistrie, saa, xogol
addattat)
Id-dritt gal sehem fil-qlig, tmexxija, proprjet
Id-dritt gas-subija fUnions.
Id-dritt gall-istrajk (l-aar mezz, mhemmx gala, mhux
gal skopijiet politii, servizzi essenzjali ma jitwaqqfux, isir kull
sforz biex l-affarijiet jitranaw malajr)
7. Biex niddeiedi liema xogol nagel:
i. Xinhuma t-talenti u l-kwalitajiet tiegi
ii. Xogol u l-kundizzjonijiet ma jkunux ta sara gas-saa jew gall-karattru
iii. Xogol stabbli u paga tajba biejjed gal ajja normali
iv. Xogol li bih tista tkun ta id gall-orajn
4. FIT-TRIQ TAL-IMABBA
I-wie u l-familja huma xi aa ajja u galhekk tinbidel. Bidla tista tkun gall-ajar jew
gall-agar. U fil-familja hemm wejje li tajjeb jinbidlu ma-mien, u hemm orajn li
gandna nibgu galihom u nommuhom. Il-Papa wanni Pawlu II isejilhom dwal u
dellijiet (Famigliaris Consortio, par 4-10).
Id-dwal huma ejjin minn es, li gadu jsalva l-familja tal-lum; id-dellijiet ejjin mill-
bnedmin li ma jibqgux iaddnu l-valuri ta Alla: gax ma jarawx dak li jara Alla.
A. Il-bidliet li qed isiru fi mienna

1. Bidliet tajbin:
L-garajjes qed jippruvaw jibnu r-rabta ta bejniethom iktar fuq bai personali u
jossu aktar ir-responsabbilt lejn xulxin.
Qiegda tii magrufa aktar id-dinjit tal-mara bala persuna, sieba tar-rael.
Jinass aktar is-sens ta responsabbilt fit-tnissil tal-ulied u fl-edukazzjoni taghom.
Tinass il-tiea li l-familji jissapportjaw lil xulxin.
Jingaraf mill-did il-post importanti tal-idma tal-familja kemm fil-Knisja u kif ukoll
fis-sojet.
2. Bidliet iena:
Is-soap operas, il-films, id-diski, it-telenovelas kif ukoll afna minn dak li jibu fuq
il-gazzetti u l-magains li jkunu maghom, u li jingad fuq ir-radju, qegdin jagtu
ideat fuq i-wie li mhumiex ideat Insara, u lanqas ma jaqblu mal-sieb oriinali ta
Alla.
qed iqisu l-infedelt fi-wie bala xi avventura;
id-divorzju jarsu lejh bala reba;
li tgix ma persuna ora mhix miewa qed titpina bala aa normali;
aktar wiijiet qed ifallu, u s-separazzjoni ta persuni miewa qegdin jidiedu.
Il-kawa afna drabi tkun li ma nifhmux xinhi l-vera libert. Il-libert trid taqbel mal-verit
mal-pjan ta Alla inklu il-pjan ta Alla ga-wie u l-familja. Alla jobb il-bniedem; anke
jekk bil-pjan tiegu ga-wie ifittex biss xinhu l-ajar gall-bniedem.
Hu ball li taseb li l-libert tfisser li tagmel li trid jew kif jaqbillek, bla ma tagti kas
xinhu ust u xinhu tajjeb anki gal addieor (Ara Famigliaris Consortio par 6).
Hu ball li tibni ajtek fuq il-pjair u s-sodisfazzjon immedjat (a ngawdi issa). Iktar ikun
jaqbel li tibni lilek innifsek u l-personalit tiegek, u li tfittex imabba vera u enwina. Ma
tistax tieu s-sess galih, bala xi aa tal-konsum (ballikieku qed tixtri flixkun birra): post
is-sess hu fl-imabba enwina ta-wie, bala espressjoni tagha.

3. Inbidlu r-rwolijiet tar-rael u tal-mara
L-uanzi ta dari kienu jagtu ertu rwol lir-rael: li jadem gall-familja, forsi barra mid-dar,
u li jib il-flus; kien meqjus li jidol gal xogol goff fejn jetie; u li jaddem l-awtorit
tiegu fid-dar. Ir-rwol tal-mara kien marbut ijed mal-faendi, mal-kura tat-tfal, u li turi
sensibbilt u omm l-armonija fil-familja.
Illum hi aa tajba u sabia li l-mara qed tikseb l-istess drittijiet tar-rael (emanipazzjoni).
Quddiem il-lii, fl-edukazzjoni, u fix-xogol jew professjoni, il-mara hi daqs ir-rael.
Ida dan ab bidliet ora: afna nisa qed jibqgu jadmu wara li jiewu, u anki wara li
jkollhom it-tfal. Bhekk ir-rwol tal-mara u tar-rael, tal-missier u tal-omm, illum aktar ikunu
determinati minnhom stess. Dan ifisser galihom:
aktar responsabbilt;
aktar maturit;
aktar kreattivit; u
aktar periklu ta nuqqas ta ftehim serju fuq xi aspetti tal-ajja
miewa. Formazzjoni aktar serja u aktar relevanti hija
metiea kemm qabel u kemm matul i-wie.
B. Kull bniedem imsejja biex iobb

Jekk nemmnu li l-bniedem maluq minn Alla, is-seja ewlenija u naturali ta kull bniedem hi
li jobb. Alla nnifsu hekk jgix: jifhem lilu nnifsu, u galhekk iobb lilu nnifsu, fi tjubitu u
fil-perfezzjoni tiegu kollha. Lill-bniedem alqu fuq ix-xbieha tiegu. Il-kawa u r-rauni
galiex jeisti l-bniedem hi l-imabba. Fi kliem ieor kull bniedem huwa msejja biex iobb.
Liema kwalit ta mabba? L-imabba hi sabia. U donnu kuladd jaf xi tfisser. Imma fil-fatt
mhuwiex hekk; jekk tfittex se ssib li hawn afna tifsiriet ta mabba.
Mhux l-istess tifhem meta tgid
inobb il-futbol (nieu pjair bih);

inobb il-elati (it-togma taghom togobni);
inobb lil ommi (napprezzaha gall-id li tagmilli);
inobb il-girlfriend/boyfriend (nieu gost magha/miegu)
Biex jiddistingwu bejn imabba u ora l-Griegi kellhom 3 kelmiet:
1. L-imabba EROS 2. L-imabba FILIJA 3. L-imabba Agape
1. L-Imabba EROS
Eros hi l-kelma Griega li tfisser il-ibda gall-gaqda fiika ma persuna tas-sess l-ieor. Eros
hi istint; ibda mmexxija minn passjoni jew emozzjoni qawwija biex takem il-persuna l-ora

gall-pjair. Fil-fatt l-Eros mhix imabba lejn persuna ora, imma biss lejn il-pjair li tieu
minnha. Il-persuna l-ora mhijiex persuna galik: hi biss oett ta pjair li tkun lest li tarmih
jew tpartu mal-ewwel oett li jagtik pjair akbar.
2. L-Imabba FILIJA
Filija hi l-kelma Griega li tfisser l-imabba li hemm fi biberija siniera. Filija hija mibnija fuq
qsim (sharing) ta sibijiet u sentimenti ma persuna ora: taseb u toss l-istess balha. Hi
rabta mimlija simpatija u sodisfazzjon, kif ukoll qima u rispett lejn il-partner.
3. L-Imabba AGAPE
Agape hija kelma Griega li ivvintawha l-Insara u hija l-imabba li biha Alla jobbna u li biha
jridna nobbu lil xulxin. Agape hija mabba diinteressata u mimlija eneroit. Agape hi
l-imabba li biha t-tliet Persuni (tat-Trinit) jobbu lil xulxin;
hi l-imabba li biha es abb lil kuladd;

hi l-imabba li biha es jridna nobbu lil xulxin.
Innu lill-imabba AGAPE (meuda mill-ittri li San Pawl kiteb lill-Insara

fKorintu)
L-imabba taf tistabar u tenn;

l-imabba hi twajba u ma tgirx;
ma tintefax biha nfisha,
ma titkabbarx mal-orajn;
ma tagmilx dak li mhux xieraq,
ma tfittixx dak li hu tagha,
xejn ma tinkorla;
ma ommx fqalbha gad-deni,
ma tifrax bl-inustizzja,
imma tifra bil-verit.
Kollox tagder, kollox temmen,
kollox tittama, kollox tissaporti.
L-imabba qatt ma tmut. (1 Kor 13, 4-8)

L-Imabba Erotika fil-Kuntest tal-Imabba Personali
Billi l-imabba Eros hi biss ibda erotika jew sesswali, ma jistgux ew bnedmin jibnu
-wie taghom fuqha waedha. Ma jistgux jinsew li huma persuni mhux ew oetti jew
ew annimali li jinibdu lejn xulxin. L-imabba Eros waedha hi fqira wisq gall-bniedem.
Billi l-imabba Filija kwai hi biss imabba spiritwali, waedha mhix biejjed lanqas biex
jinbena wie fuqha. Gax il-bniedem hu isem u ru; anzi hu persuna bRU li turi xinhi
permezz tal-isem u bISEM li jgix gax gandu ru li tagmlu aj. Anki l-imabba, hi
sia meta tkun espressa bil-isem u bir-ru.
Is-sesswalit hija dak kollu li mara jagmilha mara, u dak kollu li rael jagmlu rael; mhijiex
is-sess biss, imma afna aktar. Galhekk meta s-sesswalit twassal rael u mara gall-att
sesswali, trid tkun l-espressjoni tal-imabba personali li biha l-miewin jagtu bmod
si lilhom infushom lil xulxin. Hu komunikazzjoni u espressjoni ta gotja sia (totali), ta
gaqda gal dejjem, u ta mabba miftua gal ajja dida. U aa bal din tista ssir biss
fost tnejn miewin lil xulxin inkella tkun gidba.
L-Imabba Agape bala l-bai ta-wie Nisrani
i) Minn patt naturali gal patt sagrament
L-Insara huma mistennija li jagtu kas tal-imabba li biha abbna Alla, u jfasslu l-imabba
taghom fuq dik ta Kristu. Galhekk tgolli -wie taghom minn patt naturali gall-patt
sagrament. Fi kliem ieor, waqt li jobbu lil xulxin bal Kristu, Kristu jkun qed iobbhom hu
stess bxulxin. U dan hu li jagmel i-wie Nisrani qaba kbira l quddiem mi-wie mhux
sagrament: il-preenza ta Kristu fil-ajja tal-miewin Insara ma taqta qatt.
ii) I-wie sagrament li jibqa jiedded
L-imabba li biha l-garajjes iobbu lil xulxin, tagmel li huma jagtu s-sagrament ta-wie
jamministrawh lil xulxin. Fi-erimonja, is-saerdot hu biss ir-rappreentant tal-Knisja u
xhud fisimha, u fisimha wkoll ibierek i-wie taghom. Mela l-ministri fis-sagrament ta-
wie huma l-garajjes infushom. Meta l-miewin jaqdu lil xulxin u lil uliedhom, ikunu
qed jgixu l-Agape u jeddu kull darba s-sagrament li taw lil xulxin fit-tie taghom.
iii) Sagrament li hu mixja fit-triq tal-qdusija
Bi-wie taghom, l-Insara miewin qegdin iqaddsu lil xulxin. Il-ajja miewa ssir
it-triq li twassalhom gand Alla u l-mezz kif jikbru bala wliedu. Gall-Insara, i-wie hu
patt bal dak li hemm bejn Kristu u l-Knisja. Galhekk minn jum it-tie sa mal-mewt
tifridhom, l-imabba, l-goa, il-mogdrija, is-sabar, l-gajnuna, il-pariri li jagtu lil xulxin,
id-deijonijiet li jiedu flimkien, it-trobbija tal-ulied, il-fer u s-slaleb tal-ajja taghom
huma lkoll gejun ta qdusija.

iv) Sagrament li jagmilhom ministri fl-edukazzjoni
I-wie jagti lill-enituri Nsara d-dinjit u s-seja li jkunu ministri tal-Knisja fl-edukazzjoni
ta wliedhom. Dan hu ministeru kbir, ferti aspetti bal tas-saerdot.
Is-saerdot hu ministru gall-Knisja fid-dinja;

Il-enituri huma ministri tal-Knisja fid-dar;
Galhekk il-Knisja tqis lill-familja bala knisja gira.
I-wie skont kliem l-garajjes nhar it-tie

Mill-kliem li jgidu l-garajjes lil xulxin fi-erimonja tat-tie joro ar l-ganijiet u
l-kwalitajiet ta kull wie. Il-preenza ta Kristu fi-wie Nisrani mhux tbiddel imma
ssaa dawn l-ganijiet.
1. Is-saerdot jagmel tliet mistoqsijiet li galihom l-garajjes iwiebu hekk:

... Iva, ejna minn rajna mingajr add ma egelna.
... Iva, lesti li nobbu u nirrispettaw lil xulxin tul ajjitna kollha.
... Iva, lesti li nilqgu mingand Alla l-ulied li jogbu jibagtilna u nrabbuhom skont il-lii ta
Kristu u tal-Knisja tiegu.
2. L-garajjes jagtu lilhom infushom lil xulxin fis-sagrament ta-wie Nisrani bdan il-kliem:
Jiena _______, nieu lilek _______ bmarti (jew bewi) u nwiegdek li nomm rui fidil/a lejk,
fir-risq it-tajjeb u l-ain, fil-mard u fis-saa, u li nobbok u nirrispettak tul ajti kollha.
3. L-garajjes ilibbsu -urkett lil xulxin waqt li jgidu:

_______, u dan i-urkett bala sinjal ta mabbti u tal-fedelt tiegi lejk.
Fl-isem tal-Missier, u tal-Iben, u tal-Ispirtu s-Santu.
Minn dan il-kliem tidher ir-rauni gala Alla waqqaf i-wie, kif ukoll kif
gandu jkun i-wie, u xjitlob mill-koppja miewa.

1. Xinhuma l-ganijiet ta-wie?
L-ganijiet ta-wie huma tnejn:
i) Gaqda ta ajja
Ir-raunijiet tajbin kollha nistgu nibruhom fil-kelma MABBA, imabba enwina, iera
mill-mo, mis-sentimenti, mir-rieda, mill-personalit tal-individwu lejn il-persuna l-ora.
L-gan ewlieni ta-wie hu l-gaqda sia tal-koppja, gaqda li twassal biex ifasslu u
jaqsmu ajjithom flimkien, qishom bqalb wada, bmo wieed. L-gaqda fisem wieed
tesprimi din l-imabba.
ii) Tnissil u edukazzjoni tal-ulied

Proprju galiex l-gaqda fiika tal-miewin hi l-mod kif jesprimu din l-imabba, joro ar
ukoll fejn din l-gaqda trid twassal:
ma tibdiex u tispia bil-gaqda tal-miewin

ida titkompla bajjiet odda
L-att ta-wie, barra li jgaqqad il-miewin bgaqda profonda, irid iwassal gat-tnissil
ukoll: Nisslu u oktru, u imlew l-art u akmuha. (en 1:28). L-ulied huma l-ege rigal
ta-wie: jagtu sehem kbir fil-id tal-enituri nfushom.
Bdanakollu, it-tnissil tal-ulied iorr responsabbilt kbira. Il-miewin qegdin jadmu

(jikkooperaw) ma Alla. Dan iommhom ferta umilt (gax jiddependu tant minn Alla) u
fl-istess in fertu fer (Alla qed jippreferi jadem maghom).
Galhekk, waqt li jilqgu beneroit din is-seja minn Alla biex inisslu l-ulied flimkien
miegu, li hu Sid il-ajja, iridu jkunu huma li jiddeiedu kemm u meta jibu l-ulied fil-familja
taghom. Meta jiu biex jiddeiedu dan:
iqisu xinhu ta id galihom u gal uliedhom;

jinu l-istat li jkunu fih huma (saa, flus, tejjija spiritwali, ...);
jaraw xjaqbel lill-familja, lis-sojet u lill-Knisja li huma membri tagha (Gaudium et
Spes, par 50).
ew ganijiet fwieed
Mgandux ikun hemm firda bejn dawn i-ew ganijiet, imma gandhom jitqiesu bala
gan wieed:
il-id u l-gaqda tal-miewin

it-tnissil tal-ulied
It-tnejn flimkien isiebu l-bniedem ma Alla, is-Sid wadieni tal-ajja.

Xinhuma l-kwalitajiet ta-wie?
Il-kwalitajiet ta-wie huma 3:
i) L-Indissolubbilt Sa ma l-mewt tifridna

Din hi l-wegda li l-garajjes jagmlu lil xulxin. Gax imabba sia kif iwiegdu huma lil
xulxin nhar it-tie ma tammettix firda lief bil-mewt. (I-wie mgandux jinall
bid-divorzju). Huma miewin gal gomorhom.
es kkonferma dan meta resqu fuqu xi Fariej biex iarrbuh:
Staqsewh jekk rael jistax jitlaq lil martu. Weibhom: Xordnalkom Mos? Qalulu: Mos
tana l-permess li wieed jagmel il-kitba tad-divorzju lil martu u jibgatha. Imma es
weibhom: Dak minabba l-ebusija ta qalbkom li kiteb din l-ordni. Gax sa mill-bidu
tal-olqien Alla alaqhom rael u mara. Galhekk ir-rael ialli lil missieru u lil ommu u
jingaqad ma martu u jsiru t-tnejn isem wieed... Dak li gaqqad Alla mgandux jifirdu
l-bniedem. (Mk 10, 2-9)
U meta telqu l-Fariej, l-appostli regu staqsewh fuq dan. U hu qalilhom: Min jitlaq lil
martu u jiewwe ora, jini minabba l-ora; u jekk hi titlaq lil ewha u tiewwe ieor,
tini. (Mk 10:12)
Jekk es qal li dan ilu jgodd sa mill-bidu tal-olqien, mela kull wie gandu jkun hekk, u
mhux biss i-wie Nisrani. U din mhijiex impoizzjoni; hi l-imabba vera u sia li,
min-natura tagha titlob li dejjem tikber u mhux tmut gax jinbidlu -irkustanzi.
L-indissolubbilt ta-wie hija karatteristika tal-imabba nnifisha.
ii) Il-Fedelt Inwiegdek li nomm rui fidil lejk

L-imabba, bmod spejali fi-wie, titlob minnha nnifisha fedelt sia lejn xulxin: li ma
jibdlux lil xulxin, u li ma jagtux lilhom infushom lil addieor. L-infedelt lejn xulxin hija
adulterju. es saa dan billi wera l-adulterju mnejn jista jii:
Smajtu xi ntqal: La tagmilx adulterju. Imma jien ngidilkom li kull min iares lejn mara
biex jixtieqha, dan a jkun gamel adulterju magha fqalbu. (Mt 5, 27-28) Gax l-infedelt
tibda mill-qalb, u minn hawn trid tikkumbattiha.
iii) L-Unit Rael wieed u mara wada

L-imabba tal-miewin, gax hija gotja sia lil xulxin, titlob li tkun bejn rael wieed u
mara wada. Galhekk teskludi l-poligamija u l-polijandrija.
- poligamija: wie ta rael wieed ma iktar minn mara wada;

- polijandrija: wie ta mara wada ma iktar minn rael wieed.

L-Imabba ta min ma jiewwix
Alla alaq in-natura; in-natura gamlet ir-rael gall-mara u l-mara gar-rael: flimkien jibnu
ajjithom fi wie imbierek minn Alla fil-bidu tal-olqien. Nistaqsu: dan ifisser li min ma
jiewwix hu inqas rael jew inqas mara? Jew li mhumiex normali?
1. Aktar milli biex jiewwe, il-bniedem gandu l-tiea li jobb u li jkun mabub. Ida
hemm modi ora kif tgix din l-imabba u tkun mabub. L-aktar eempju ar hu ta es
nnifsu li hu l-quata ta xjiifieri tkun bniedem. es ma kienx miewwe, imma gur li
add ma abb daqsu. Huwa qal: Imabba akbar minn din add ma gandu: li wieed jagti
ajtu gal biebu (w 15,13).
2. Wieed li ma jiewwix minabba s-Saltna ta Alla jissejja elebi (uvni) jew verni
(tfajla). I-elebat u l-vernit huma wkoll gala ta mabba, galkemm differenti minn dik
ta-wie.
huma seja minn Alla lil xi wud;

huma rigal tal-grazzja ta Alla, xi aa aktar milli s-soltu jifla il-bniedem;
huma mod kif il-qalb tinamm ielsa u titee bi mabba aktar safja u enerua;
huma sforz ta mabba gall-bini tas-Saltna ta Kristu fost il-bnedmin;
huma sinjal spejali tas-Saltna tas-Smewwiet.
Anke l-imabba ta min ma jiewwix hija mera tal-imabba li biha Kristu jobb il-Knisja.
Qassisin, patrijiet, sorijiet, brothers, e., joffru lil Alla l-kapait sabia li jiewu u
jiffurmaw familja jiadu minnha billi joffruha lil Alla. Gax jemmnu li Alla jrodd
il-eneroit taghom bgajnuna u fer biex jaqduh fil-proxxmu, li jemmnu li qed jaqdu fih
lil Alla nnifsu: Dak li tagmlu mal-igar fost uti, tkunu tagmluh miegi.
Ma dawn inidu gadd ta laji li ma jiewux ukoll bl-istess sieb: huma jagtu sehem kbir
bala katekisti, nurses, galliema, animaturi fl-gaqdiet tal-Knisja, operaturi pastorali,
helpers tal-anzjani, e., u xi drabi jagtu mien minn ajjithom fartijiet tal-missjoni.
Kull imabba hija gajn ta mabba dida
L-imabba fi-wie tnissel ulied tad-demm u l-laam. L-imabba fi-elebat u l-vernit

tifforma wlied ora ffamilja ikbar fejn taddotta tant nies orajn biex tginhom
fil-bonnijiet taghom.
Mhijiex molija l-ajja ta min jibqa elebi, sakemm xorta wada jgix, iobb u jkun ta
servizz gal gajru. ajtu tagmel afna sens.

It-Tweiba tagna
1. Xnistgu nagmlu ana
Hu afif li tgid xgandu jagmel addieor il-Gvern u l-Knisja biex ikollna familji
bsaithom. Imma aktar hu importanti li naraw xnistgu nagmlu ana. Bala Nsara
nistgu nuru l-imabba tagna minn issa billi:
nagrfu l-gedewwa tal-familja liema huma;

nagrfu l-valuri tal-familja, u napprezzaw il-idmiet tagha;
nginu alli jkollna ambjent li jsaa il-familja;
ninkoraixxu u nikkooperaw ma min jadem gall-id tal-familja.
2. Nginu lil min imexxina a jagti sehmu
Il-familja hi l-pedament tas-sojet. Galhekk nginu lil min ikun fis-setga l-ewwel nett
lill-awtorit ivili biex huma:
jifhmu u jarsu n-natura vera ta-wie;

iarsu l-moralit pubblika;
jaraw li l-familja tkun tista taqdi l-funzjoni tagha;
jooru liijiet u jipprovdu servizzi ta saa, ta pariri u ta servizzi sojali lil min
jetiehom.
3. Inejju runa tajjeb gall-ejjieni tagna
Irridu nibdew minna nfusna. Meta jasal il-waqt li niffurmaw familja ana, irridu nitejjew
biex din tinbena fuq sisien Insara. I-wie hu seja ta Alla. Li nitejjew galih, mela, hi
responsabbilt. Galhekk:
I. irridu nkunu nafu xinhu li jagmel wie jirnexxi. Jidlu diversi aspetti ball-aspett
finanzjarju, legali, sanitarju, u reliju;
II. irridu nitarru minn issa fl-attejamenti t-tajba; fdak li jolqot is-sentimenti,
il-morali, u l-ajja spiritwali mingajrhom i-wie jitfarrak;
III. Ma nibnux ajjitna fuq kompetizzjoni; fil-ajja ta-wie se netieu aktar
il-kooperazzjoni;
IV. ma ninlewx biss fuq id-drittijiet tagna gandna wkoll responsabbiltajiet; u
fi-wie se nkunu responsabbli ta xulxin.
V. infittxu stabbilt fil-ajja, mhux inbiddlu malajr u xejn ma jogobna; kif se nsibu
stabbilt fi-wie jekk qatt ma sibnieha qabel?
VI. temminx li bil-flus tista tixtri li trid l-imabba u l-kuntentizza ma jinxtrawx bil-flus,
imma bis-sagrifiju;
VII. La tasibx li kollox mhu xejn. Kun responsabbli ta dak li tagmel. Ftakar li l-adulterju
u s-sess qabel i-wie jibqgu jiru warajna u jfixkluna anki fil-ajja ta-wie.
4. Attejamenti li gandu jkollna minn issa
I. Nistmaw lill-orajn bala persuni, mhux bala semplii oett.

II. Nitgallmu nidlu fi djalogu mal-orajn, mimli fiduja u rispett.
III. Nintegraw ix-xejriet sesswali tagna mal-pjan ta Alla: ma nippretendux li nifhmu
aktar minnu. Naraw balu. Hu jrid li l-qawwiet sesswali jkunu espressjoni ta mabba
personali.
IV. Nitarru fil-ila li nerfgu r-responsabbilt, u ma nibgux mis-sagrifiju;
V. Nitgallmu nobbu bl-imabba Agape li nfittxu l-id tal-orajn mingajr ma
ndalu interessi personali;
VI. Jekk inossu li -elebat jew il-vernit huma s-seja tagna minn Alla, alli
neduhom minn idejh bis-serjet: nirriflettu quddiem Alla fuq xi jrid minna u niedu
parir.

... fil-qosor 4. FIT-TRIQ TAL-IMABBA
1. Il-vantai u l-ivantai fi-wiijiet tal-lum
Il-vantai: ir-responsabbilt fir-relazzjoni

id-dinjit tal-mara
ir-responsabbilt fit-tnissil u l-edukazzjoni tal-ulied
il-biberija u support bejn il-familji
l-importanza tal-familja fil-Knisja.
l-ivantai: l-effett tal-influwenza tal-media fuq valuri u stil ta ajja

in-nuqqas ta commitment
il-libertina (li tagmel dak li trid) flok libert (tkun ieles biex tobb)
2. Ir-rwoli tar-rael u l-mara qed jinbidlu.
3. Il-vokazzjoni ta kull Nisrani hija l-imabba il-bniedem maluq mill-imabba gall-

imabba.
I. Eros ibda gall-gaqda fiika ma persuna ora. Waedha hi ibda gall-

pjair li tista tieu mingand addieor.
II. Filija imabba bejn bieb sinieri. Fdin l-imabba wieed ifittex il-id tal-
persuna l-ora u jsib is-sodisfazzjon fil-fer tal-persuna l-ora.
III. Agape l-imabba enerua u diinteressata ta Alla, li wrihielna fIbnu es
u li Alla poieha fqalbna permezz tal-Ispirtu s-Santu li revejna fil-Magmudija
tafer, tenn, tistabar, ma tgirx, tagmel sagrifiju
4. I-wie Sagrament:
I. l-gaqda tal-miewin Insara hi mibnija fuq l-Imabba Agape, li biha es hu
aa wada ma kull Nisrani.
II. Il-patt ta mabba li Alla gamel mal-bniedem, il-miewin Insara jgixuh ma
xulxin u ma wliedhom.
III. In-Nisrani miewwe hu sinjal u xhud tal-imabba li Alla gandu gall-
mara/rael tiegu u gal uliedu/ha.
IV. Il-miewin Insara jimxu fit-triq taghom lejn Alla daqskemm jgixu bfedelt
dan il-patt ta mabba bejniethom u ma wliedhom.
5. Il-Ministri fis-Sagrament ta-wie huma l-garajjes infushom, billi huma stess

iwasslu l-imabba ta Alla lil xulxin. Is-Saerdot hu biss rappreentant tal-Knisja.
6. L-Ganijiet ta-wie l-imabba u l-gaqda ta ajja bejn il-miewin

It-tnissil u t-trobbija tal-ulied

7. L-isterilizzazzjoni u l-kontraettivi bil-sieb li ma jallux l-att ta-wie miftu gall-ajja
skont il-pjan ta Alla, ikissru r-rabta bejn i-ew ganijiet.
8. Il-Kwalitajiet ta-wie unit teskludi l-poligamija

fedelt teskludi l-adulterju
indissolubbilt teskludi d-divorzju
9. Sejat differenti: Kuladd imsejja biex iobb imma mhux kuladd bl-istess mod.
I. Relijui sorijiet jew patrijiet iossuhom imseja biex ma jintrabtux ma

persuna wada bi-wie (elibat/vernit) biex qalbhom u ajjithom tkun kollha
kemm hi ta Alla u tal-bnedmin.
II. Saerdoti dawn ukoll ma jiewux biex joffru s-servizz taghom fil-Knisja.
Ikunu Kristu ieor bmod spejali afna gall-poplu ta Alla.
III. Laji hawn Insara laji li jsibu mod ieor ta kif jesprimu l-imabba taghom
mingajr ma jiewu fosthom insibu xi youth leaders, missjunarji, helpers mal-
morda, l-anzjani jew persuni bdiabbilt.
L-importanti hu li fil-ajja nsib xinhi t-triq li Alla qed isejjali galiha biex fdin it-triq inkun
jien fil-milja tiegi u nobb kemm nifla!

5. BIT-TAMA LEJN IL-FUTUR
Il-proett ta Alla gall-bniedem
Il-units kollha ta dawn l-aar sentejn, flimkien juruna xinhu l-sieb ta Alla gal kulma qed
jiri fid-dinja u gal kulma qed jiri fajjitna. Alla gandu proett gall-bniedem u
gall-olqien kollu proett li jilaq il-milja tiegu fl-aar tal-istorja tagna u fi tmiem
l-istorja tad-dinja.
In-Nisrani hu bniedem li jittama, u min jittama jares il quddiem. In-Nisrani jaf li ajtu fiha
sens, u gandha direzzjoni. L-istess dinja maluqa, minkejja tant kontradizzjonijiet, fiha sens
u gandha skop: le, mhijiex miexja lejn il-qerda tagha nfisha u lejn ix-xejn. Minkejja
t-tawid u t-taqlib u l-gwerer, Alla qed jibni futur flimkien mal-bniedem futur li jkun bla
tmiem. In-Nisrani jagraf id-dgufija tiegu kull darba li jidneb, imma jagraf ukoll il-kobor
ta Alla, u jisma kontinwament is-seja ta Alla biex flimkien ma sabu jibni kuljum
il-ejjieni ppjanat minn Alla.
In-Nisrani jares il bogod. Miexi saqajh fl-art, imma arstu hija mitfuga fuq dak li ejja
Alla gal dawk li jobbuh (1 Kor 2:9). Student, kif jispia l-iskola sekondarja gandu
proett gall-ejjieni immedjat imma ma jistax ma jinkwadrahx fil-proett ta Alla galih u
gad-dinja. Alla jrid isiebu, mal-bqija tal-olqien, fil-ajja ta dejjem, fejn Alla nnifsu qed
jgix Missier-Iben-Spirtu s-Santu fhena li ma jitfissirx u ma jintemmx.
1. Frabta mal-Missier
Mill-Kredu
Xnistqarru dwar Alla l-Missier?
Jiena nemmen fAlla wieed

il-Missier li jista kollox
li alaq is-sema u l-art
dak kollu li jidher u dak li ma jidhirx
Mill-Bibbja
Kif titkellem dwar Alla l-Missier?
Nimxi fostkom u nkun Alla tagkom u intom tkunu l-poplu tiegi.
Jiena hu Alla tagkom li ritkom mill-art tal-Eittu, biex ma tkunux ilsira taghom; kissirt
il-ktajjen tal-madmad tagkom u mexxejtkom raskom il fuq (Lev 26:12-13).

Araw bliema goa abbna l-Missier: nistgu nisseju wlied Alla, ana tassew
(1 w 3:1).
U rajt sema did u art dida... Alla nnifsu jkun magkom... Hu jixxotta kull demga minn
gajnejhom; ma jkunx hemm ijed mewt, anqas biki u gajat jew tbatija (Apok 21:1-4).
Alla l-Missier li joloq u jfassal pjan ta vilupp si
Hu alaq kollox, u kull aa li alaq hi tajba. Lill-bniedem gamlu xbieha tiegu. Galhekk
alqu rael u mara, bnatura sojali, biex bal Alla jgix fkomunit. Qiegdu fenna tal-art
gax iktar ma jgix farmonija mal-lejjaq u iktar ma jibhom il quddiem, iktar jixbah lil
Alla.
Il-proett ta Alla hu li jiborna flimkien bala l-familja tiegu u flimkien miegu

nikkooperaw fil-bini ta sema did u art dida. Fkimkien mal-Knisja ana dejjem inarsu l
quddiem mimlijin bit-tama ta dinja ajar. Waqt li nemmnu li din it-tama ssib it-twettiq si
tagha fil-enna, nemmnu wkoll li din il-bidla tibda minn issa.
2. Frabta mal-Iben
Mill-Kredu
Xnistqarru dwar Alla l-Iben?
Nemmen fMulej wieed es Kristu

Alla veru minn Alla veru
Niel mis-smewwiet galina l-bnedmin u gall-fidwa tagna
Sallbuh galina, miet u difnuh
U fit-tielet jum qam minn bejn l-imwiet.
Mill-Bibbja
Kif titkellem dwar Alla l-Iben?
L-Ispirtu tal-Mulej fuqi gax hu kkonsagrani biex inwassal il-bxara t-tajba lill-fqajrin.
Bagatni nabbar il-elsien lill-imjassrin u d-dawl mill-did lill-gomja; irrodd il-elsien
lill-maqurin u nxandar sena ta grazzja tal-Mulej (es fNazzaret Lq 4, 18-19).
Min se jelisni minn dan il-isem tal-mewt? Nii ajr lil Alla permezz ta es Kristu Sidna
(Rum 7:24-25).
Fid-dinja tbatu jkollkom. Ida agmlu l-qalb: jiena rbat id-dinja (es fl-aar ena
w 16,33).

Alla l-Iben li jwettaq il-pjan tal-Missier
Alla li ma jidhirx, sar jidher, meta l-Iben sar bniedem u gammar fostna. Sar ix-xbieha
perfetta li tidher ta Alla li ma jidhirx. Sar il-quata ta dak kollu li l-bniedem jista jixtieq.
es, barra li hu l-mudell tas-suess veru tal-bniedem, hu wkoll it-triq li twassalna galih.
es hu l-mudell u t-triq:
tal-libert li tant netieu

tas-sliem u l-pai tal-qalb li dejjem infittxu.
Anki quddiem il-mewt, biex ma ssirx galina problema li nifhmuhiex, irridu niedu lil es
bala mudell. Hu reba il-mewt galina biex inqumu ana wkoll mill-mewt tar-ru (issa) u
tal-isem (fl-aar jum). Minn issa, bal Kristu, nistgu nirbu l-mewt tat tant forom:
l-egoimu, l-aljenazzjoni minn Alla, is-suppervja jew it-telqa fil-wejje tar-ru.
Il-proett ta Alla gall-veru suess tal-bniedem, nadmuh mhux waedna imma flimkien
ma es, l-Iben wadieni tal-Missier.
3. Frabta mal-Ispirtu s-Santu
Mill-Kredu
Xnistqarru dwar Alla l-Ispirtu s-Santu?
Nemmen fl-Ispirtu s-Santu, Mulej li jagti l-ajja

li ej mill-Missier u mill-Iben
li hu meqjum u mwea flimkien mal-Missier u mal-Iben
hu li tkellem bfomm il-profeti
Mill-Bibbja
Kif titkellem dwar Alla l-Ispirtu s-Santu?
Jien nitlob lill-Missier u hu jagtikom difensur ieor biex jibqa dejjem magkom
(w 14:16-18).
Id-difensur, li l-Missier jibgat fismi, jgallimkom kollox, u jfakkarkom dak kollu li

gidtilkom. Hu l-Ispirtu tal-Verit li jwassalkom gall-verit kollha (w 14, 26; 16,13).
L-imabba ta Alla ssawbet fi qlubna permezz tal-Ispirtu s-Santu li ie mogti lilna

(Rum 5:5).
Jixtu jdejhom fuqkom u jippersegwitawkom... Quddiemhom tabblux raskom xse tgidu:

l-Ispirtu s-Santu jgallimkom dak il-in stess xgandkom tgidu (Lq 21:12; 11-12).

Alla l-Ispirtu s-Santu li jagtina l-ajja u l-qawwa
L-Ispirtu hu l-Mulej li jagti l-ajja lil kull aspett tal-eistenza tagna. Hu jginna nikbru fl-
imabba u jsaffiha, u jginna nikbru fil-qdusija.
L-Ispirtu s-Santu
ma jalliniex waedna jekk ieli nossuna waedna, inkunu qegdin ninsew li Alla
hu dejjem magna.
iwassalna biex insibu l-verit ma jalliniex inqarrqu bina nfusna jew bl-orajn.
isawwab fina mabba enwina kapait li nobbu lill-orajn, kwalitajiet li
jagmluna mabubin mill-orajn.
jagtina qawwa u saa biex neglbu d-diffikultajiet u t-tfixkil li niltaqgu maghom.
Gax ana gaag inkunu nieqsa mill-esperjenza, imma gax ana gaag
ikollna xewqa kbira li nirnexxu u neglbu kull xkiel.
Nemmen fit-Trinit Qaddisa
Alla wieed fi tliet persuni
Mhijiex xi formola maika. Alla wieed fi tliet persuni jew il-misteru tat-Trinit Qaddisa
hu parti wkoll mill-proett ta Alla galina. Il-Missier li alaqna, abbna u fdiena bIbnu li sar
bniedem galina, u baqa magna bl-Ispirtu s-Santu. It-Tliet Persuni jgammru fi bniedem
tajjeb bal ftempju.
Galhekk es fakkarna kemm Alla-Wieed-fi-tlieta jista jkun qrib tagna. Dan hu l-kliem
ta es: Jekk xi add iobbni, iares kliemi, u Missieri jobbu, u niu gandu u
noqogdu gandu (w 14:23)
Jiifieri t-Tliet Persuni jgammru fil-bniedem li jgix tajjeb. Il-bniedem tajjeb hu dak
li jobb minn qalbu

lil kuladd
bla interess personali
bil-fatti
Alla jgix fi bniedem bal dan u jobb lill-orajn bih: Lil Alla add ma rah. Imma jekk
inobbu lil xulxin, hu jgammar fina u mabbtu ssib il-milja tagha fina. (w 4:12)
Dinja li tagmel sens
Bhekk tant rajjiet fid-dinja tagna (matul l-istorja kollha, u fi mienna wkoll), ma jibqgux
jidhru bla sens. Il-mewt ta Kristu, l-iktar bniedem ust, dehret bla sens fil-bidu. Imma Alla
mbagad wera kemm Kristu ma kienx miet galxejn. Anki llum. Tat dak li jidher li jkun qed
jiri, bis-sabi u l-ikrah, dejjem hemm mobija rajja ora: l-istorja tal-imabba li biha Alla

qed iobb id-dinja u jagti lilu nnifsu lilna mill-did. Qed jadem fina u bina. Qed jgix fina,
iallina fil-libert tagna, u fl-istess in jadem il-proett tiegu bina.
Is-sens kollu ta kulma jiri fid-dinja jidher si fil-qawmien mill-imwiet. Hemm se tidher
fl-gaqda sia li Alla wettaq fost il-bnedmin dawk li hu alaq, li feda, u li qaddes bil-ajja
fuq l-art.
IL-ENNA
Alla huwa mabba u fil-enna se nkunu ma Alla ngawduh. L-imabba hi esperjenza sabia
li tobb u li tkun mabub. Imma l-imabba fid-dinja ma tkun perfetta qatt. L-esperjenza
malajr turina d-dellijiet, u forsi anke t-tmiem, gall-inqas bil-mewt.
Fil-enna nsibu mabba bla dellijiet u bla tmiem: Alla li jobb u li hu ta min iobbu minn
kull lat. Galiha San Pawl qal: Gajn qatt ma rat, widna qatt ma semget, u qatt ma tnissel
fqalb il-bniedem, dak li Alla lesta gal dawk li jobbuh (1 Kor 2:9).
Alla huwa mabba bla dellijiet: huwa l-gaqda perfetta (komunjoni) bejn it-Tliet Persuni.
Il-enna, aktar minn post, hija esperjenza ta mabba sia, ta kontemplazzjoni tal-kobor u
s-sbuija ta Alla, ta adorazzjoni ferriea ta Alla. Il-enna hija t-temma tax-xewqa l-kbira
tagna, is-suess il-kbir li Alla jadem fina, realt ta relazzjonijiet sbie bejn il-bnedmin
kollha.
enna li tibda minn hawn
Il-enna tibda minn hawn billi narsu l-kmandamenti ta Alla u nallu l Alla jgix fina. Lil Alla
nibdew induquh afna qabel il-mewt.
IL-PURGATORJU
Aktarx li meta naslu biex nidhru quddiem il-Mulej, ma nkunux issaffejna gal kollox minn
tijietna. Id-dgufija tagna hija akbar minna. Dnubiet mejta li l-Mulej afrilna, u dnubiet
ora anqas gravi, ikollna nissaffew minnhom bit-tbatija; u parti minn din it-tbatija aktarx li
tkun fil-purgatorju. Hemm niksbu tisfija perfetta qdusija li tixraq lil Alla li se nqattgu
miegu -mien kollu tal-eternit.
L-INFERN
Jekk gat-tajbin hemm l-esperjenza ta Alla li hu mabba, gal dawk li qatt ma abbew
fajjithom hemm l-infern. L-infern huwa mibegda, dwejjaq u mrar; huwa vojt u ba bla
tarf, u disperazzjoni. Min jispia l-infern jifhem li qieged hemm tort tiegu biss, gax
gael li jwarrab lil Alla minabba s-suppervja u l-egoimu.
Il-Bibbja titkellem fuq l-infern bala nar li ma jintefiex li tejja gax-xitan u l-anli sabu
(Mt 25, 41) u bala stat ta dlam u thei ta snien (Mt 22:13; 25:30). Huma tixbihat ta
esperjenza ta disperazzjoni estrema li tibqa gall-eternit. Dawk li warrbu l Alla batt si

tar-rieda taghom, li webbsu rashom fdan l-istat, fmewthom wasal galihom il-lejl li fih
add ma jista jadem (w 9:4).
Jikkundannaw lilhom infushom gall-infern
Ma jkunx Alla li qed jagel l-infern galihom; ma jkunx Alla li qed jikkastigahom; imma
jkunu huma li galu dan l-istat terribbli ikunu qed jaglu dak li dejjem galu: li jkunu
bogod minn Alla. Min ma jobbx jinsab fil-mewt (1 w 3:14).
ajja wada, ans wieed
ajja wada gandna u ma nistgux nissugraw li nitilfu l-istedina li Alla gamlilna gat-tie
ta Ibnu (Mt 22). Ma rridux li Alla li alaqna u abbna, ikollu jsejilna bi kliem iebes,
Tbiegdu, misutin, minn quddiemi (Mt 25:41); lanqas isejilna qaddejja iena u
gaenin (Mt 25:26). Alla huwa mabba. Garrafna bl-infern biex ma mmorrux fih.
IL-UDIZZJU
Matul ajjitna nagmlu afna galiet, li bil-mod il-mod iressquna lejn l-gala l-kbira u
fundamentali: jekk aniex ma Alla jew kontrih. Dak il-in tal-mewt, l-gala tagna ssir
definittiva u irriversibbli. Galhekk l-galiet ta kuljum huma importanti wkoll, u jaqblilna
nagmlu dejjem galiet favur it-tajjeb.
Jekk il-ajja ta kuljum toffri tant sfidi, l-isfida l-kbira hi dik li minnha tiddependi l-ajja jew
il-mewt ta dejjem. Dak ikun il-veru suess jew insuess tagna. San Pawl dan ifissru hekk:
Gax ana lkoll gad nidhru quddiem it-tribunal ta Kristu, alli kuladd jieu skont it-tajjeb
jew il-ain li jkun gamel meta kien gadu aj fil-isem (2Kor 5,10).
es abbar dan ukoll: Tasal is-siega li fiha dawk kollha li jkunu fl-oqbra jisimgu lenu, u
jooru; dawk li jkunu gamlu t-tajjeb iqumu gall-ajja, imma dawk li jkunu gamlu l-ain
iqumu gall-kundanna (w 5:29).
Dan hu l-udizzju. L-ewwel isir fil-mewt tagna, meta jikkonferma l-gala tagna skont kif
inkunu gexna ajjitna fid-dinja il-udizzju personali. Fl-aar tad-dinja l-Mulej jagmel
il-udizzju gal kuladd il-udizzju universali biex tidher ajar il-idma ta Kristu u
s-suess tagha. Hemmhekk Kristu jidher li kien tassew l-iktar bniedem li rnexxa.
Dan hu l-proett kbir ta Alla tagna.

a nidlu galih bentujamu u eneroit.
Dak li darba qal es lill-appostli tiegu llum jgidu lilna:
Agmlu l-qalb, jiena rbat id-dinja. (w 16:33)

... fil-qosor 5. BIT-TAMA LEJN
IL-FUTUR
Il-proett ta Alla gall-bniedem
1. Alla Hu Trinit 3 persuni fAlla wieed
Il-Missier li alaq kollox u gamel pjan biex isalva lil kull bniedem
L-Iben (es) li wettaq il-pjan tal-Missier
L-Ispirtu s-Santu li jagtina l-ajja u l-qawwa li nobbu kif iobb Alla.
Bala Nsara irridu ngixu ta wlied il-Missier billi nixbhu lill-Iben bil-qawwa tal-Ispirtu
s-Santu li hemm fina.
2. Il-enna l-esperjenza li nobbu u nkunu mabubin fgaqda intima u profonda

ma Alla l-Missier, l-Iben u l-Ispirtu s-Santu,
l-gaqda li jibqa jkollna ma dawk li nobbu u li mietu qabilna,
l-iskop ewlieni ta kull bniedem.
3. Dawk li jkunu fittxew il-biberija ta Alla imma kien hemm xi dnubiet li baqgu
jifirduhom minn Alla, ikollhom bonn li jinelsu minn dawn id-dnubiet biex jingaqdu
aa wada ma Alla. Dan il-Knisja ssejjalu l-Purgatorju.
4. Dawk li fajjithom iwarrbu lil Alla u minflok l-imabba tiegu jaglu l-egoimu, is-
suppervja u l-mibegda, jibqgu jgixu hekk wara li jmutu, jiifieri bogod minn Alla u
fdisperazzjoni gax issa jagrfu sew xi jkunu tilfu. Dan jissejja Infern.

RELIGION NOTES FOR MATSEC
IL-PROETT TA ALLA
FAJTI
FORM 5
INDEX PAGE
1. HOW MUCH ARE YOU WORTH? 47
2. THE VALUE OF LIFE 53
3. WORK 63
1. HOW MUCH ARE YOU WORTH?
4. THE WAY TOWARDS LOVE
5. LOOKING WITH HOPE TOWARDS THE FUTURE
69
78
QUESTIONS 85

STELLA MARIS COLLEGE, GZIRA
1. HOW MUCH ARE YOU WORTH?
Some people try to put a price on another human being in terms of how much that person
can earn, or benefit other people. For the Christian, no limit can be set on the worth of any
person.
God loves us, just as we are. He made us in his own image and likeness. Alone among living
creatures, we can be aware of ourselves to know that we know and of a power to which
we call God greater than ourselves, an infinite spirit.
God created us for a loving relationship with himself and with each other. But this image has
been tarnished by what we call sin. One effect of this is that we tend to develop a low
opinion of ourselves. When we do not experience the love of other people, we feel that God
does not love us either. We think he can only love us if we are good and successful. This is
particularly true when we experience misfortune.
But God the Father sent Jesus his Son to show us the way to become really ourselves again;
to show us how to love with Gods own love, and to realise to the full our human dignity.
God has redeemed human nature, offering it forgiveness and a new life. But it is up to us to
accept or reject this offer.
Being baptised into the Christian community signifies our acceptance of this offer, and
frees us from Original Sin. But, like a sick patient who is cured from an illness, we are still
weak. We need the daily strength of the Holy Spirit (the sacrament of Confirmation) to
conquer that weakness, and the support of each other.
Baptism makes us:

i) children of God;
ii) brothers of Jesus;
iii) temples of the Holy Spirit;
iv) heirs of God.
Baptism means new birth. It brings us into contact with the power of Christs redeeming
love. Christ, who is the firstborn of creation and the firstborn from the dead, brings us into
being as a people who now belong to the world of the resurrection where he is Lord and
Saviour.
Christ died and rose again. Through baptism we are caught up in that mystery. There is a
before and after which marks a real change in our condition. We sometimes use the
expression before the flood as an indication that something belongs to a past world now
lost to us. The rising waters of the flood destroyed a world bent upon its own destruction.
The receding waters revealed and stayed to irrigate a world with hope restored. In Baptism

we leave behind the world that sin has marred with its alienations. We cannot entirely
escape from it. But we join Christ and enter a new world that God is reconciling with his
love, where Christ is the instrument of the Fathers will.
Therefore, through the sacrament of Baptism, the Risen Jesus unites us to himself and
shares with us the new life he won by his death and resurrection. And this is where the use
of water comes in.
WATER is used in Baptism:
as an agent of death to an old life of sin;

as an agent of birth to a new life of repentance;
cleans us from sin.
(Old 3rd and 4th century churches have baptistries, where the candidates were plunged
naked into the water, and came up reborn to new life. A white garment was put on them,
and then they were anointed with chrism oil, before receiving the holy bread and wine of
communion, the Body and Blood of Christ.)
THE WHITE CLOTH symbolizes Christ. The person is now clothed in Christ. He is one with
Christ;
THE LIT CANDLE symbolizes the Risen Christ. The person is rising with Christ.
Thus baptism makes me more precious in front of God:

i) Jesus unites me to himself
ii) He makes me adopted child of God
Temple of the Holy Spirit: St Paul said to the Corinthian community: Do you not realise
that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you? (1 Cor 6:19)
Heirs of God: And if we are children, then we are heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Christ. (Rom 8:17)
Confirmation strengthens our identity and our dignity:

Confirmation is a strengthening and confirmation of the gifts already received at baptism.
It continues our initiation into the Church community as the Holy Spirit empowers us:
a) to witness to Jesus; and

b) to continue his work.

LAYING ON OF HANDS: The rite of placing of hands on a persons head symbolized the
calling and the empowering of that person to perform a special service.
The meaning of the word CHRIST: When the Christian is anointed with chrism oil in the
sacrament of confirmation, he becomes another Christ; In fact the word Messiah (in
Hebrew) and Christ (in Greek), they both mean the Anointed.
Jesus: the model of true love and success

Jesus is the most successful person. Nineteen centuries have come and gone, and today he
is the central figure of the human race, the leader of mankinds progress. Jesus has risen
from the dead. Death had not destroyed him, eliminated him or removed him from the face
of the earth. Jesus is alive. Thats what makes him special.
St Paul expresses Jesus success by these words:
He was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. And for this God raised him
high, and gave him the name which is above all other names; so that all beings in the
heavens on earth, and in the underworld should bend the knee at the name of Jesus, and
that every tongue should acknowledge: Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(Phil 2:8-11).
Not only do we believe that Jesus Christ is risen, we believe that he is present in his Church,
in her liturgical celebrations. He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass not only in the person
of his minister but especially in the Eucharistic species. By his power he is present in the
sacraments. He is present in his word, since it is he himself who speaks when the Holy
Scriptures are read in Church. Lastly he is present where two or more are gathered in his
name: where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Mt
18:20)
1) God wants us to make success in life. But how are we going to reach and measure
the success? What must we reject or include in our lives to make it successful?
2) Great values are not outside yourself; they are within yourself:
If money is important, it is more important to use it correctly;
If friends are a need, it is more important to be a friend
If cheating leads you somewhere, it is more important to be honest; honesty leads to
happiness.
3) Jesus gave us a clear picture of a person who mistook his values. He was a rich man
who, having had a good harvest from his land thought to himself, I will put down
my barns and build bigger ones, and store all my grain and my goods in them, and I
will say to myself: My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to
come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time. But God said to him: Fool!

This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours,
whose will it be then?
4) The Christians attitude towards money
Money is a good servant but a bad master. They are a means not an end. It is better to
become rich in the sight of God than to store up treasures for yourself. Jesus knew this. He
said, It is hard for someone rich to enter the kingdom of heaven (Mt 19:23).
Jesus recognized that inequality exists when it comes to material wealth. Some people are
more talented and earn more money. Some have more luck and acquire more wealth. Some
are simply born into a wealthy family. But Jesus also made it clear that with greater wealth
comes an obligation to help those who are not so fortunate. The Parable of Lazarus and the
Rich Man (Lk 16:19-31) and The Last Judgement Narrative (Mt 25:31-46) leave no doubt
about this obligation.
Thus I cannot say that what I possess is mine and I can do what I want with it. In so far as
you do this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you do it to me (Mt 25:40).
5. The Gospel gives us another picture: And now a lawyer stood up and, to test Jesus,
asked: Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life? He said to him, What is
written in the Law? What is your reading of it? He replied,You must love the Lord
your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all
your mind; and your neighbour as yourself. Jesus said to him, You have answered
right; do this and life is yours (Lk 10: 25-28).
This lawyer realized that real success consisted in inheriting eternal life. There is no
greater success.
6. Jesus shows us the way He is the way
For Jesus was not just laying down a set of laws for entry into the kingdom of God. Rather,
he was claiming that his presence is the Kingdom of God amongst men and women. Christ is
the way to the Father because his life taught us how to become children (Mt 18:3) of the
Father. This is not a Way which can be reduced to rules and regulations. It is a life of love.
Love until it hurts, said Mother Theresa. Our love of God expresses itself on our
neighbours (Gods image). It is a love of denying yourself denying your opinions, your
tastes. Jesus lived a successful life. He himself says: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life
(Jn 14:6).
Mary as the model disciple

Of all the saints, the Virgin Mary is special because God chose her to be the mother of Jesus.
Thus the Church felt the need to give her some titles. We can say that these titles were
revealed by God himself.

VIRGIN MARY
Marys words, I am a virgin, testify to her virginity. The child she conceived in
her womb was not of human origin, but of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, Tradition
teaches us that she remained a virgin throughout her life.
MOTHER OF GOD
Historically, the title Mother of God dates from the Council of Ephesus (AD
431). It came about when the Council faced a problem of declaring that Jesus
had two natures (divine and human) but was not two persons, as some
theologians erroneously taught.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
The title Immaculate Conception expresses Catholic belief handed down by

tradition that, from the instance of her existence as a human person, God
preserved Mary from original sin in preparation for her calling to be the
Mother of Jesus. This title was defined on 8 December 1854.
ASSUMPTION
This belief also handed down by tradition means that she was taken up to
Heaven at the end of her life in the totality of her person. She went directly
from an earthly state to a heavenly state, without her body undergoing decay,
the penalty of sin. In Malta there are eight parishes dedicated to the
Assumption, not mentioning small churches and altars. She is the Patron saint
of our islands.
Mary teaches us:
- To be of service to others (I am the Lords servant; may it happen to me as you

have said; her YES to God.)
- She did not understand Gods ways; but she remained silent and reflected upon
his words;
- She was humble enough to say, Because he had looked upon the humiliation of
his servant, even when she saw that, the Almighty has done great things for
her.

...in brief 1. HOW MUCH ARE YOU
WORTH?
1. self-esteem we tend to develop a low opinion of ourselves
this effects our behaviour
2. Baptism gives us the dignity of Children of God

Brothers of Jesus
Temples of the Holy Spirit
Heirs of God
3. Symbols used in baptism Water cleans us from sin

The White Cloth we are clothed in Christ
The Lit Candle the risen Jesus
Oil we are chosen from God the presence of the
Holy Spirit in us
4. Confirmation is closely linked to baptism Confirmation is a strengthening and

confirmation of the gifts already received at baptism.
5. The effects of the sacrament of confirmation:

The Holy Spirit empowers us to witness to Jesus
to continue his work
6. Symbols used in Confirmation oil we become another Christ

laying on of hands
7. Jesus is the model of true love and success an everlasting success treasures in heaven
love, joy, peace
8. The Christians attitude towards money they are a means not an end
live decently
help people in need
9. The parable of the Rich Man Do not store up treasures for yourself on earth, but
store up treasures for yourself in heaven
10. Mary as a model disciple of our success to be of service to others

say Yes to God
humble
11. Faith Dogmas (what the Church believes about Mary):

V. Assumption (Mary taken up to heaven)
VI. Immaculate Conception (Mary born without sin)
VII. Virgin Mary
VIII. Mother of God

2. THE VALUE OF LIFE
God is the author of life
The Bible shows us that God created man and spoke to him.
1) Our God is a living God he creates whatever he chooses (birds, fish, animals, trees
and the human being); not like the idols, who have mouths but say nothing (Psalms
115, Gen 1).
2) God gave man a share in this creation: Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue
it (Gen 1:28).
3) But God gave man the Ten Commandments which act as invitations to love. And he
said: Do not commit murder (Ex 20:13). In other parts of the Bible we find, It is I
who deal death and life (Dt 32:39); He cursed Cain for killing his brother Abel (Gen
4:10).
4) Jesus Christ is the starting point, the centre and the goal of the Christian life. In all
Jesus healings it was the indiscriminate generosity and reconciling love that was
seen.
5) Jesus changed the Golden Rule Do to no one what you would not want done to
you, (Tob 4:15) to So always treat others as you would like them to treat you (Mt
7:12).
The Sacrament of the Sick

Healing is promised by Jesus: I came that they may have life, and have it to the full (John
10:10).
Healing is not the same as curing. Few may be cured at Lourdes, but many are healed there.
All the sacraments heal. The anointing of the sick is a sacrament which looks to one basic
New Testament text James 5: 14-15.
James asks, Is anyone sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let
them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith
will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will
be forgiven.
There is, behind this text, the whole concern of Jesus for the afflicted and the weak, and his
ministry of healing and reconciliation among them. Some points should be noted in Jamess
text as guidelines for our celebration of anointing:

Who are called? Not the members of the community who had the gift of healing, but
rather the elders (priests), in other words the people who represented the unity of
the community and ensured its fidelity to Jesus.
What does this community delegation do? The primary thing it does is, it prays. The
salvation of the sick person is attributed by James to the prayer of faith.
The anointing with oil is carried out in the context of this prayerful concern. It is not
a magic action with secret power all on its own.
The anointing is done in the name of the Lord. This refers to the Lord Jesus, who
under this title is the one who humbled himself even to accepting death, and was
raised up by the Father (Phil 2: 5-11).
To think that the sacrament has worked if the sick person gets better and that it has
somehow failed if this does not happen is a misunderstanding of the sacrament.
1) The rite of anointing gives the key by using the word danger. Danger does not mean
a threat to life, but rather is a threat to the person. Illness can weigh down the whole
person: people can be at risk in relationship to God; their life is disrupted; they
cannot look outwards; they no longer find a meaning for their lives.
2) Obviously people who are gravely ill, physically or psychologically, and those very
weak in old age should be anointed.
3) Through tha anointing of the sick and by other gifts to his church, Jesus offers
fullness of life no matter what our situation may be.
Murder
It is because human beings are made in the image of God, that the absolute right to life
exists. The Church has always taught that the taking of innocent human life directly is
wrong, based upon the commandment Thou shalt not kill.
Self-defence
Traditionally, the Church has accepted the principle of self-defence on the basis that we are
able to defend our own life, even at the cost of the life of someone else who is attacking us,
only if:
1. Ones life is in great danger;

2. There is no alternative solution;
3. The act is done without hatred and/or vengeance.
Capital Punishment
Many Christians are finding capital punishment harder and harder to justify. Some of the
resons for this view are that, capital punishment:
Tends to erode respect for life and to dehumanize all concerned;

Risks executing the innocent, especially the poor who cant afford quality defense
Frustrates the primary purpose of punishment: rehabilitation.
According to the Church execution is only appropriate in cases of absolute necessity, in

other words, when it would not be possible otherwise to defend society. Today, however, as
a result of steady improvement in the organisation of the penal system, such cases are very
rare, if not practically non-existent.
Abortion
From the moment of its conception, life must be guarded with the greatest care, while
abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes (Church in the Modern World, para 51).
The Church insists that human life must be respected and protected as from the first
moments of its existence, i.e. from the moment of conception, the moment of fertilization.
What is the Churchs teaching on Abortion?
As from the moment of conception, there is a new life different and distinct from the
life of the mother;
Genetics show that from the moment of conception there is a life which has all the
fundamental characteristics of an adult person;
The fertilized egg is not simply a part from the mothers body. That egg will develop
into a human person. Thus the mother cannot decide what to do with it.
Finally, every person, from the very beginning, is Gods image.
a) Abortion and Contraception
There is a difference between abortion and contraception. Contraception is the prevention

of pregnancy, i.e. preventing the fertilization of the ovum by the sperm. Abortion is the
deliberate killing of the unborn baby and foetus.
b) Disabled embryo
The birth of an abnormal child comes as a great shock. The Church respects the sanctity and
dignity of every human being irrespective of age, race, colour, creed, weakness or
imperfection. The community can help these families. Visiting and sharing their stresses is
important.
c) Conception through violence
Many question why the Church won't make specific exceptions for abortion when unborn
children are conceived in rape or incest. But people's value does not depend upon their
physical condition, the circumstances of their conception or others' perception of them. An

unborn child is an innocent human, regardless of the circumstances of his conception.
Though tragic, the crimes of rape or incest are only exacerbated, and the woman's torments
are only intensified, by the additional sin of abortion. The mother needs support and care
from the community.
d) Test-tube babies
We must recognise that infertility causes deep distress, and we should be concerned to
alleviate this, but not at any cost. In current medical practice the aim is to try and obtain as
many eggs as possible, to fertilise these, and then to select and implant three into the
womb. What happens to surplus embryos or abnormal embryos? They are frozen,
experimented upon, or flushed down the sink. The whole process is not acceptable. This is
another form of Abortion.
Euthanasia
The word euthanasia means easy death. An important distinction must be made here:
Voluntary Euthanasia is a deliberate act that brings about the death of someone, usually
a person who is suffering greatly from very old age or an incurable illness with his
permission. This is a form of suicide and is always gravely wrong, no matter how noble the
motives.
Involuntary Euthanasia is an act that brings about the death of a person (for example,
administering a lethal injection) without consulting tha patient. This is a homicide and is
always gravely wrong.
Ordinary means and Extraordinary means of treatment

The Christian answer is that life cannot be quantified, or be subject to quality control,
because we are made in Gods image. But this does not mean that doctors must strive to
preserve life at all costs. To allow a person to die with dignity is not only allowed morally,
but may sometimes be the only moral decision. Extraordinary means of preserving life such
as life-support systems, and complicated and painful operations which do not have any real
hope of restoring to health, may, and sometimes should, be dispensed with.
When death is inevitable, drugs may be used to control pain which, in some cases, as a
secondary effect, may accelerate death; but doctors do not, and never should, accelerate
death to relieve suffering.

Suicide
1) If direct killing of the innocent is always gravely wrong, then it follows that to kill
oneself is wrong. The commandment Love your neighbour as yourself implies what
is often forgotten, namely that we must love ourselves as well as our neighbour.
2) Of course we all realise that a person who commits suicide is very often in a state of
unbearable depression and despair. Thus he is not fully responsible for his actions.
3) The Church keep this in mind and she gives him a Christian burial. She prays for him.
4) Although we have every sympathy for those who are driven to commit suicide, it is
quite untrue to imagine that nothing can be done to help a person who is tempted
to this terrible act. The best medicine against the temptation of suicide is Christian
Faith and Hope. In the midst of despair, when life seems meaningless, a Christian can
see his or her life as of infinite worth. Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow
or reap or gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth
much more than they are? (Mt 6:26).
Other life-related issues

1. Drugs
- Heroin is a highly addictive opiate (like morphine). Brain cells can become
dependent (highly addictive) on this drug to the extent that users need it in order to
function in their daily routine. While heroin use starts out with a rush of pleasure, it
leaves the use in a fog for many hours afterwards. Users soon find that their sole
purpose in life is to have more of the drug that their body has become dependant
on.
- The parts of the brain that control emotions, memory, and judgment are affected by
marijuana. Smoking it can not only weaken short-term memory, but can block
information from making it into long term memory. It has also been shown to
weaken problem solving ability.
- Cocaine, both in powder form and as crack, is an extremely addictive stimulant. An
addict usually loses interest in many areas of life, including school, sports, family,
and friends. Use of cocaine can lead to feelings of paranoia and anxiety. Although
often used to enhance sex drive, physical effect of cocaine on the receptors in the
brain reduce the ability to feel pleasure (which in turn causes the dependency on the
drug).
- Inhalants, such as glue, gasoline, hair spray, and paint thinner, are sniffed. The effect
on the brain is almost immediate. And while some vapours leave the body quickly,
others will remain for a long time. The fatty tissues protecting the nerve cells in the
brain are destroyed by inhalant vapours. This slows down or even stops neural
transmissions. Effects of inhalants include diminished ability to learn, remember, and
solve problems.
- Ecstasy: Extended use of this amphetamine causes difficulty differentiating reality
and fantasy, and causes problems concentrating. Studies have found that ecstasy
destroys certain cells in the brain. While the cells may re-connect after discontinued
use of the drug, they don't re-connect normally. Like most drugs, this one impairs
memory and can cause paranoia, anxiety, and confusion.
- While some people use LSD for the sense of enhanced and vivid sensory experience,
it can cause paranoia, confusion, anxiety, and panic attacks. Like Ecstasy, the user
often blurs reality and fantasy, and has a distorted view of time and distance.
2. Alcohol
The danger of alcohol comes when the user abuses or misuses it. Alcohol impairs judgment
and leads to memory lapses. It can lead to blackouts. It distorts vision, shortens coordination, and in
addition to the brain can damage every other organ in the body. It is gravely sinful to deliberately
drink to excess, seriously impairing ones ability to function both physically and mentally.
The pain and suffering brought on by such behaviour can be seen daily. It must be noted,
however, that the abuse of alcohol often stems from alcoholism, which the medical
profession lists as a disease. Those suffering from this disease have a grave obligation to
seek help. Moreover, we have a duty to help them in any way we can.
3. Smoking
90% of lung cancer comes from smoking. Damage is done to the person next to you. The
lungs are covered with tar ... the risk of a heart attack increases.
4. Food
It is very important to eat healthy food. Many people die because of hunger; others die
because of excessive eating.
5. Driving
It is very important to observe the rules of traffic. Do not drink and drive. Alcohol diminishes
our reflexes which we badly need while driving.
Death
Death is the horizon which colours every choice we make. It is a constant reminder to us
that life is radically limited. On the one hand, death is positive. It brings life with all its
choices, actions and values to a completion. Death in this sense is the fulfilment of human
freedom.
God has created men and women in view of a blessed destiny that lies beyond the limits of
their sad state on earth. Moreover, the Christian faith teaches that bodily death will be
overcome when that wholeness lost through sin will be restored by the almighty and
merciful Saviour. For God has called men and women, and still calls them, to share forever a
life that is divine and free from decay.

Life is not the absolute value. The absolute value is eternal life where a person can live with
God forever. Thats why some people decide to lose their lives not to lose God. Jesus
pointed to this dimension when he said, No one can have greater love than to lay down his
life for his friends (Jn 15: 13). Even Jesus decided to lay down his life, and many Christians
followed his example. (Fr Damian of Molokai)
Fr Damian: After sixteen years caring for the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of
those in the leper colony, he eventually contracted and died of the disease, and is widely
considered a "martyr of charity". In December 1884, while preparing to bathe, Damien put
his foot into scalding water, causing his skin to blister. He felt nothing. He had contracted
leprosy. Despite this discovery, Damien worked vigorously to build as many homes as he
could and planned for the continuation of the programs he created after he was gone.
Respect towards animals
The goodness of animals, the joy and comfort they bring us, is beyond dispute. Animals, like
the universe and everything in it are creatures of God and thus by their very nature
good. Yet the world that God created is one of order and hierarchy. Scripture tells us that
human beings were created in the image of God, which is the basis for human dignity, as the
Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us: The dignity of the human person is rooted in
his creation in the image and likeness of God (article 1)
Mankinds superiority to plants and animals is something, even without the aid of
revelation, that is available to human reason. Yet many people today are confused regarding
the relationship between persons and animals, particularly with the so-called animal rights
movement.
Human persons are different from animals because they have the ability to love (a free will)
and the ability to know (an intellect). Animals, on the other hand, do not have a free will
(they have instincts) nor do they know about themselves.
Having said this, however, this is not a license for mankind to be cruel or to deliberately
misuse animals. Its proper to speak of stewardship. The Church teaches in the Catechism:
Animals are Gods creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere
existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus men owe them kindness. We should
recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated
animals.
Respect towards the environment

In the Book of Genesis, where we find God's first self-revelation to humanity (Gen 1-3),
there is a recurring refrain: "And God saw that it was good". After creating the heavens, the
sea, the earth and all it contains, God created man and woman. At this point the refrain
changes markedly: "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very

good (Gen 1:31). God entrusted the whole of creation to the man and woman, and only
then - as we read - could he rest "from all his work" (Gen 2:3).
When man turns his back on the Creator's plan, he provokes a disorder which has inevitable
repercussions on the rest of the created order. If man is not at peace with God, then earth
itself cannot be at peace. We have to keep in mind that God the Father almighty is the
creator of heaven and earth. He is the master of creation and not man. Gods command to
the newly created couple in Genesis 1:28 - Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer
it does not mean to exploit the Earth which God himself experienced as very good.
So the human being is expected to be just and honest with planet earth. This stewardship
pictures human beings in harmony with nature, standing before God and ultimately
responsible to God for their management of human affairs and of creation. The
responsibility is not something that can be taken lightly because, ultimately, the call to
stewardship is a privilege bestowed on humankind by God. As with all privileges, human
beings will be held accountable for their stewardship.

... in brief 2. THE VALUE OF LIFE
1. God is the author of life. God gave man a share in this creation.
No one has the right to take away the life of someone else.
2. Jesus Christ is the starting point, the centre and the goal of the Christian life. This can be
seen: in his person
in his work
in his teachings
3. The Sacrament of the Sick strengthens the person spiritually

physically
4. Murder is a grave sin and is based upon the commandment Thou shalt not kill.
We are able to defend our own life , even at the cost of the life of someone else, when:
Ones life is in great danger;

There is no alternative solution;
The act is done without hatred and/or vengeance.
Capital Punishment frustrates the primary purpose of punishment: rehabilitation

there are other ways and means to rehabilitate the person
concerned
I. Abortion life starts from the moment of its conception

conception through violence the baby is innocent
disabled embryo every human being is Gods image irrespective of age,
race, colour, creed, weakness or imperfection.
II. Contraception: prevents fertilisation goes against Gods will no killing is involved
III. Test-tube babies surplus embryos frozen, experimented upon or flushed

down - MURDER
IV. Euthanasia mercy killing Voluntary (considered as suicide)

Involuntary (considered as homicide)
V. Suicide gravely wrong the person is in great distress not fully responsible for his
actions he needs help

VI. Treatment ordinary means real hope of restoring to health
applied without excessive pain
not too expensive
extraordinary means morally not obliged to take this type of treatment
VII. Other risks: drugs

alcohol
smoking
food (whether it is lacking or excessive)
careless driving
VIII. Some people decide to lose their lives not to lose God. Life is not the absolute value.
5. Respect towards creation environment (God is the master of creation, not man)
animals (man owe them kindness)
According to Gods plan in the Bible man is responsible to God for this stewardship
man is expected to be just and honest with
creation

3. WORK
What is the Christian message of Work?
The Industrial Revolution brought with it drastic changes. From small scale industries
(individual and home) we have a shift to larger scale industries. Work had been organised in
factories, with more workers and new conditions: capital; wages; emphasis on the
production rather than on the worker; rights were not respected.
All these things urged the Church to take actions. The teaching of the Church is called: The
Social Teachings of the Church.
MAIN DOCUMENTS OF THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE ABOUT WORK

1891 Pope Leo XIII Encyclical Rerum Novarum (of new things)
1931 Pope Pius XI Encyclical Quadragesimo Anno (in the 40th year)
1965 Vatican Council II Document Gaudium et Spes (Joy and Hope)
1971 Pope Paul VI Encyclical Octogesima Adveniens (in the 80th year)
1991 Pope John Paul II Encyclical Laborem Exercens (on human work)
1991 Pope John Paul II Encyclical Centesimus Annus (in the 100th year)
The aims of work
1. Work is a means of living

Work supports ourselves and those who depend upon us. Man needs to live, and he can get
the needs by working. In this sense work is a right and duty, especially if there is a family
dependant on you. St Paul made the point forcibly in his letter to the Church at
Thessalonika: If anyone will not work, let him not eat (2Thess 3:10). His criticism was
directed not against those who could not work but those who refused work of which they
were capable.
2. By work we co-operate with God in the continuing act of creation

God is a worker. The act of creation is a continuous act. It is a present process in which we
are Gods agents. Thus human work is creative. We co-operate with God in this continuing
act of creation. God gave man the power to take care of the earth: Be fruitful, multiply, fill
the earth and subdue it (Gen 1:28).
Even Jesus was a worker. He worked as a carpenter (Mk 6:1-6). He chose working men for
his twelve disciples, mostly fishermen. Many of his parables about salvation and the
Kingdom were built around the common working experience of his hearers.

3. Work develop the talents God has given us
Besides changing ourselves, work changes the world. The worker gains more experience,
learns new things, discovers and develops his talents and abilities. Work is an essential part
of the vocation of man. When people work, they not only alter things and society, they
develop themselves as well. They learn much, they cultivate their resources, they go outside
of themselves and beyond themselves. Rightly understood, this kind of growth is of greater
value than any external riches which can be garnered. People are more precious for what
they are than for what they have.
4. Work develops and strengthens solidarity

Work enables people to contribute to the well-being of the larger community. Work is not
only for one's self. It is for one's family, for the nation, and indeed for the benefit of the
entire human family. It is a chain of solidarity; it is a matter of doing something to someone
else.
5. Work is a continuation of the Mass
The first direction of work is vertical towards God: work itself is an unfolding of the Creators
intention and a contribution to the realization in history of the divine plan. The second
direction of work is horizontal: it is an effective way of putting into practice love of
neighbour. Work, in so far as it brings benefits of all kinds to society, is a magnificent form of
service to others.
The task then which the Pope leaves to the workers of Malta is to integrate the world of
work into the world of faith. There can be no separation between the traditions of
Catholic faith, manifested at Sunday Mass, and the sense of commitment, honesty, justice
and brotherhood shown in the workplace during the week. (Pope John Paul II in Malta,
1990).
Work and the reality of suffering
All work, whether manual or intellectual, is inevitably linked with toil. The Book of Genesis
expresses it in a truly penetrating manner: "Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you
shall eat of it all the days of your life".
Gods plan ... before man sinned

God is always free; and God is always working. And Gods plan for humanity was the same:
there should be no difference between work and free-time. So Gods plan was that, as from
the beginning, man had to work even if this causes a bit of suffering, but without getting
bored. When you do something wholheartedly, suffering does not bother you. Thus man
was created to be free

...when man sinned
Sin brought with it many consequences:
Nowadays work can be a pain. It did not remain free-time, which you can do
wholeheartedly. It can cause tension, be monotonous, working with unpleasant
people or unco-operative. Unpleasant aspects can be present in our work, such as
violence, injustice, etc.
When man sinned, he ruined his friendship towards i) God; ii) his brothers and
sisters, and iii) the rest of creation. Therefore man has lost the ability to understand
nature and control it.
Work did not remain an occasion to co-operate with others. Adam blamed Eve; Cain
killed Abel.
...after man sinned

But Jesus came to reunite this friendship. When Jesus died in terrible agony on the cross he
showed himself to be at one with suffering humanity. He also showed that suffering can be
transformed into life; that evil can be overcome by love. The reserrection is the completion
of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. Because Jesus remained true to his fathers word,
his father raised him from the dead to a new life of glory. Jesus is reunited with his Father
forever. And we, who share in his Spirit, become his brothers and sisters. He has reunited
our fallen human race with God. Our redemption, our new beginning is achieved.
So if we look at the reality of suffering at work from the Christian perspective, we can
transform suffering into joy. And instead of looking at work as something that enslaves us,
we can look at it as a means of transforming the world and free it from slavery. But we
must remain true to Gods word, as Jesus did, and accept suffering as part of his will.
The Christian finds in human work a small part of the Cross of Christ and accepts it in the
same spirit of redemption in which Christ accepted his Cross for us. In work, thanks to the
light that penetrates us from the Resurrection of Christ, we always find a glimmer of new
life, of the new good, as if it were an announcement of "the new heavens and the new
earth" in which man and the world participate precisely through the toil that goes with
work. (Laborem Exercens, para 27)
Work is for the worker and not the worker for work
According to the Church, the beginning, the subject and the goal of all social institutions is
and must be the human person. Work is in the first place "for the worker" and not the
worker "for work."
We must pay more attention to the one who works than to what the worker does. The self-
realization of the human person is the measure of what is right and wrong.

The Rights of the Worker
Work is a duty, because our Creator demanded it and because it maintains and develops our
humanity. We inherit the work of the generations before us, and we share in the building of
the future of all those who will come after us. All this should be kept in mind when
considering the rights that come with work or the duty to work.
1. The right to work

Every person has a fundamental right to life and to the necessities of life. In addition, every
human has the right to what is required to live a full and decent life, things such as
employment, health care, and education.
Pope John Paul II, in his encyclical Laborem Exercens states:
The role of the agents included under the title of indirect employer is to act against unemployment,
which in all cases is an evil, and which, when it reaches a certain level, can become a real social
disaster. It is particularly painful when it especially affects young people, who after appropriate
cultural, technical and professional preparation fail to find work, and see their sincere wish to work
and their readiness to take on their own responsibility for the economic and social development of
the community sadly frustrated (Laborem Exercens, para 18).
2. The right to adequate resources, courses, and education

Every worker has the right to adequate resources, courses, and education keeping in mind
that today work is becoming more and more specialized. This education must be aimed first of
all at developing mature human beings, but also aimed at preparing people specifically for
assuming to good advantage an appropriate place in the vast and socially differentiated
world of work.
3. The right to fair wage

The worker must be paid a wage sufficient to support him and his family.
4. The right to decent conditions

These conditions are more important than money, and include:
- enough time to rest: In the first place this involves a regular weekly rest comprising
at least Sunday, and also a longer period of rest, namely the holiday or vacation
taken once a year or possibly in several shorter periods during the year. (Laborem
Exercens, para 19);
- a safe environment, including cleanliness, fresh air, safety precautions, in the case of
accidents at work medical assistance should be easily available for workers;
- a work that respect the requirements of the person and his or her forms of life,
above all life in the home, taking into account the individual's age and sex;

5. The right to have a share in the responsibility, leadership and creativity
Workers not only want fair pay, they also want to share in the responsibility and creativity
of the very work process. They want to feel that they are working for themselves - an
awareness that is smothered in a bureaucratic system where they only feel themselves to
be "cogs" in a huge machine moved from above.
6. The right to form trade unions

A trade union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common
goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains
with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates with employers. This may
include the negotiation of wages, work rules, complaint procedures, benefits, workplace
safety and policies.
7. The right to strike (as a last resort)

Striking as a kind of ultimatum must always be a peaceful method for making demands
and fighting for one's rights; it becomes morally unacceptable when accompanied by
violence, or when objectives are included that are not directly linked to working conditions
or are contrary to the common good.

...in brief 3. WORK
1. Important documents on work:
encyclical Rerum Novarum Pope Leo XIII 1891
encyclical Quadragesimo Anno Pope Pius XI 1931
document Octogesima Adveniens Pope Paul VI 1971
encyclical Laborem Exercens Pope John Paul II 1981
encyclical Centesimus Annus Pope John Paul II 1991
Pastoral Constitution on the Church
in the modern world Vatican Council II 1965
2. The aims of work:

a means of living
we co-operate with God in the continuing act of creation
we develop ourselves (talents, knowledge)
work is a chain of solidarity
work is a continuation of the Mass
3. Suffering is inevitably present at work because when man sinned he ruined his
friendship towards God, his brothers and sisters, and the rest of creation.
4. Jesus came to re-unite this friendship.
5. Work is in the first place "for the worker" and not the worker "for work."
6. The rights of the worker:

right to work
right to adequate resources, courses, and education
right to fair wage
Rights right to decent conditions (time to rest, safety, according to
individual sex and age)
right to have a share in the responsibility, leadership and
creativity
right to form trade unions
right to strike (as a last resort; peaceful; in line with the
common good)
7. To choose the right kind of work:
i. recognise the talents and qualities
ii. acceptable conditions
iii. stable and a fair wage
iv. can be of service to others

4. THE WAY TOWARDS LOVE
There are four basic kinds of human relationships: love, infatuation, friendship and
exploitation. Most relationships are a combination of two or more of these. L.I.F.E.
Love A relationship characterised by commitment, unconditional acceptance, deep

respect and trust;
Infatuation (Being In Love) a romantic relationship involving sexual feelings and
attraction;
Friendship A relationship between any two persons who trust each other and like to be
together
Exploitation A relationship based on selfishness and lack of respect for the other person.
FRIENDSHIP: the F in L.I.F.E. Friends are the people we talk to, go places with, compete
against, get in trouble with, tell secrets to, trust. We depend on them for fun, laughter and
understanding. Friendship is comfortable and easy, based on mutual trust, understanding,
acceptance. It is not possessive; leaves the other person free. Friendship relationships lead
into love.
INFATUATION: the I in L.I.F.E. It is any relationship that involves sexual attraction or sexual
feelings. The I includes being Interested in someone, to being In touch, to being emotionally
Involved, to being very much In love, to being sexually Intimate.
Romantic Infatuation seeks expression in kisses, hugs, touches and sexual intercourse. It is
usually characterised by exclusiveness and jealousy. Falling in love can be one of the most
exciting of human experiences, and it can be one of the most troublesome. Infatuation is
included in many love relationships but it should not be confused with love. Unless it is
accompanied by friendship and real love, infatuation wont last.
One of the greatest challenges in life is learning to truly LOVE a person you are also
IN LOVE with.
LOVE: the L in L.I.F.E. It is characterised by commitment and understanding, acceptance and

respect. Love is seldom easy. It is not a feeling. It usually requires a lot of patience,
forgiveness and a willingness to make sacrifices. It takes a whole lifetime to learn how to
give life and receive it.
Love is best when it is mutual. But unlike friendship, a love relationship can exist even when
it is mostly one-sided. Parental love is like that sometimes. Love is something so great that
the Bible says that God is love.

EXPLOITATION: the E in L.I.F.E. It refers to any relationship based on selfishness. No one
likes to be used. We use others, often those who love most. We take our friends for
granted, we blackmail our brothers and sisters, we abuse parents trust, we take advantage
of somebodys weaknesses.
THE BIG IF
Most teen romances are partly Infatuation and partly friendship. How healthy and strong
the relationship is usually depends on whether the I or the F predominates in the
relationship. If the couple deepens the friendship aspects of their relationship learning to
communicate, to share, to trust, to compromise, to talk through problems then the
relationship has a good chance of moving towards love.
On the other hand, if the primary focus of the relationship is on sexual feelings and their
physical expression, the couple can very easily begin to use one another just to get
emotional and sexual satisfaction. When that happens, the relationship will almost certainly
degenerate into exploitation.
The best romance relationships for teens are those in which friendship predominates over
infatuation. On the other hand, teenage romances that are predominantly infatuation tend
to be far more dangerous. Often the 2 people involved spend most of their time together
talking about love or making out.
Its hard to know whether you are going toward love or slipping into exploitation. Because
being in love is such a special and wonderful experience, it is easy to be fooled into
thinking infatuation, or even exploitation is really love.
The Situation of the Family in the World Today
The situation in which the family finds itself presents positive and negative aspects: the first
are a sign of the salvation of Christ operating in the world; the second, a sign of the refusal
that man gives to the love of God. (Famigliaris Consortio, par 4-10).
Positive aspects:
There is a more lively awareness of personal freedom and greater attention to the
quality of interpersonal relationships in marriage;
An awareness of promoting the dignity of women, to responsible procreation, to the
education of children;
An awareness of the need for the development of interfamily relationships, for
reciprocal spiritual and material assistance,
The rediscovery of the ecclesial mission proper to the family and its responsibility for
the building of a more just society.

Negative aspects:
A disturbing degradation of some fundamental values;

A mistaken concept of the independence of the spouses in relation to each other;
Serious misconceptions regarding the relationship of authority between parents and
children;
The concrete difficulties that the family itself experiences in the transmission of
values;
The growing number of divorces; abortion; the ever more frequent recourse to
sterilisation; a contraceptive mentality.
At the root of these negative phenomena there frequently lies a corruption of the idea and
the experience of freedom, conceived not as a capacity for realising the truth of God's plan
for marriage and the family, but as an autonomous power of self-affirmation, often against
others, for one's own selfish well-being.
Every human being is called to love
God created man in his own image and likeness: calling him to existence through love. He
called him at the same time for love. God is love and in Himself he lives a mystery of
personal loving communion. Creating the human race in his own image and continually
keeping it in being, God inscribed in the humanity of man and woman the vocation, and
thus the capacity and responsibility, of love and communion. Love is therefore the
fundamental and innate vocation of every human being.
Different types of love

Love is the greatest of the virtues. The greatest of them all is love, says St Paul. Paul says
also that without love, none of the other virtues has any value in the sight of God. And
though I have all the faith necessary to move mountains, if I am withot love, I am nothing
(1 Cor 13:2).
Love is the most abused word in the English language. It is used to mean anything from self-
sacrificing devotion to selfish lust.
The Greeks have three different meanings for the word LOVE:
1. EROS 2. PHILIA 3. AGAPE

1. EROS
Eros involves sexual attraction or sexual feelings. It seeks emotional and sexual satisfaction.
(Infatuation).
2. PHILIA
This Greek word refers to the love found in friendship. It is based on sharing, mutual trust,
understanding and acceptance (Friendship).

3. AGAPE
This word was invented by Christians. It is the love by which God loves us. Agape is
characterised by commitment and understanding, acceptance and respect. It requires a lot
of patience, forgiveness and a willingness to make sacrifices. Agape is the love by which
God wants us to love one another.
AGAPE:
is the love by which the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity love each other;
is the love by which Jesus loved us;
is the love by which Jesus wants us to love one another.
Hymn to love AGAPE
Love is always patient and kind;

love is never jealous;
love is never boastful nor conceited,
it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage ;
it does not take offence or store up grievances.
Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing,
but finds its joy in the truth.
It is always ready to make allowances,
to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes.
Love never comes to an end. (1 Cor 13, 4-8)
Agape is the foundation of the Christian marriage

The basic attitude of the Bible to marriage is fully stated on the first page. The Lord said that
it was not good for the Man to be alone; he could not flourish and develop without a
companion. And this companion was the Woman with whom he becomes one flesh. One
flesh means more than a physical union; it embraces the whole being, so that man and wife
are depicted as one physical and psychological unit, one living, thinking, planning whole.
This teaching is reaffirmed by Jesus when he annuls the regulations of the Deuteronomic
Law permitting divorce.

i) From a natural covenant to a sacrament
The love between a woman and a man in marriage was blessed by Jesus and raised to the
level of a sacrament. Marriage is an event of grace in which God joins a man and a woman
so intimately that the two will become one (Mk 10:8). It is an event of grace in which God
merges the lives of two people so intimately that they become a symbol of Gods love for
the human race. So Jesus is always present in the life of a married couple. This is the main
difference between marriage as a sacrament and marriage which is not.
ii) The sacrament of marriage is continuously renewed
When a man and a woman become one they live the Agape, and they re-live the
sacrament.
iii) A sacrament that leads to sanctity
The married life will be the road that leads to sanctity. In the New Testament, devotion of
husband to wife and his lavish care for her, is used as the image of Christs devotion and
generous self-giving to the Church for which he sacrificed himself. So this life-long
partnership till death do us part, for the married couple is the way that leads to God.
iv) A sacrament that makes the parents ministers of the Church in the education of their
children
The couple, while giving themselves to one another, give not just themselves but also the
reality of children, who are a living reflection of their love, a permanent sign of conjugal
unity and a living and inseparable synthesis of their being a father and a mother. When they
become parents, spouses receive from God the gift of a new responsibility. Their parental
love is called to become for the children the visible sign of the very love of God.
The priest is the minister of the Church in the world;

Parents are ministers of the Church at home
That is why the Church considers the family a small Church.

Marriage in the spouses words
During the ceremony the couple are asked three questions which cover the key elements of
Christian marriage.
1. The priest then questions them about their freedom of choice, faithfulness to each other, and
the acceptance and upbringing of children.
... Yes, we have come here freely and without reservation to give ourselves to each other in
marriage.
... Yes, we will love and honour each other as man and wife for the rest of our lives.
... Yes, we will accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ
and his Church
2. The priest invites the couple to declare their consent.
I, (Name), take you, (Name), for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day
forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us
part.
3. The bride and the bridegroom places the ring on their ring finger.
(Name), take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
From these words of the rite of marriage, the aims and qualities of marriage are clearly set.
Christs presence in a Christian marriage strengthens rather than changes these aims.
What is the purpose of marriage?

The purpose of Christian marriage is twofold:
i) Unitive: to grow in love for one another and God (love-giving and forgiving).
By unitive we mean that Christian marriage is love-giving. That is, the love of husband and
wife never stops but continues to grow each day. In other words, their love imitates Gods

unending love for us. By unitive we also mean that Christian marriage is forgiving. That is
husband and wife forgive the hurts they inflict upon one another, either intentionally or
unintentionally. In other words their forgiveness of one another imitates Gods forgiveness
of us.
ii) Procreative: and to join God in creating new life.

By procreative we mean that Christian marriage is life-giving. That is the love of husband
and wife ushers forth into new life. In other words, their love imitates God. By procreative
we also mean that Christian marriage is life-nourishing. That is, it creates the climate of
unconditional family love in which new life can grow and mature into Christian adulthood.
Nature made man and woman complementary to each other. The Bible confirms this. When
God brought Eve to Adam, he said: This one at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my
flesh! (Gen 2:23)
The biblical writer continues, This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes
attached to his wife, and they become one flesh (Gen 2:24)
Therefore the Bible presents man and woman as two equal persons with the same dignity.
What are the qualities of marriage?
i) Indissolubility Till death do us part

This is the vow that had been taken: their commitment is unending. Jesus confirms this
when some Pharisees approached him and asked:
Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? He answered them, What did Moses command
you? They replied, Moses allowed us to draw up a writ of dismissal in cases of divorce.
Then Jesus said to them, It was because you were so hard hearted that he wrote this
commandment fot you. But from the beginning of creation he made them male and female.
This is why a man leaves his father and mother, and the two become one flesh. They are no
longer two, therefore, but one flesh. So then, what God has united, human beings must not
divide.
Back in the house the disciples questioned him again about this, and he said to them,
Whoever divorces his wife and marries another is guilty of adultery against her. And if a
woman divorces her husband and marries another, she is guilty of adultery too
(Mk 10:2-12).

ii) Faithfulness I promise you fidelity
It is in the nature of love to be faithful. Unfaithfulness is adultery. Jesus strengthens this
argument by showing the origin of adultery.
You have heard how it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say this to you, If a
man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart
(Mt 5: 27-28).
iii) Unity One man and one woman

Christian marriage love excludes polygamy and polyandry.
Polygamy: when a man marries more than one woman (practiced in Islam)
Polyandry: when a woman marries more than one man.
Love for those who do not marry

There are persons who sacrificed the joys of marriage for the sake of Gods Kingdom. We
must keep in mind that love is the human vocation. So man feels the need to love and be
loved. But there are other ways how a person can fulfill this vocation. The clearest and
greatest example is Jesus himself, No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for
his friends (Jn 15:13).
Jesus was not married. However no one ever loved like him. He is the climax of what a
human being can be. It was this love that he became Incarnate (took flesh and lived among
us). It was this love that he sacrificed himself on a cross.
These persons who sacrificed marriage for the sake of Gods Kingdom are called celibates
(celibacy in the case of man) and virgins (virginity in the case of woman).
It is a vocation;
a gift from God;
a special sign of Gods kingdom;
a sacrifice of love for the sake of the building of Gods Kingdom among the world;
it is also a reflection of the love of Christ for his Church.

... in brief 4. THE WAY TOWARDS
LOVE
1. Positive and negative aspects of the family in todays world:
Positive: greater attention to interpersonal relationships

the dignity of woman
responsible procreation and education of children
friendship and support between families
the importance of the family in the Church
Negative: degradation of values and the influence of the media

lack of commitment
a misconception of freedom
2. The vocation of every Christian is love man was created out of love to love.
I. Eros involves sexual attraction or sexual feelings

II. Philia the love found in friendship
III. Agape is the love by which God loves us. It is the love by which God wants
us to love one another
3. Marriage as a sacrament:
I. Agape is the foundation of Christian marriage
II. Marriage is an event of grace in which God joins a man and a woman so
intimately that the two will become one
III. Jesus is always present in the life of a married couple.
4. The ministers in the sacrament of marriage are the bride and the bridegroom
themselves. The priest represents the Church.
5. The Aims of Marriage to grow in love for one another

to join God in creating new life
6. Sterilisation and contraception breaks the connection between these two aims.
7. The Qualities of Marriage unity excludes poligamy

faithfulness excludes adultery
indissolubility excludes divorce
8. There are persons who sacrificed marriage for the sake of Gods Kingdom; celibates
(celibacy in the case of man) and virgins (virginity in the case of woman).
It is a vocation; a gift from God; a special sign of Gods kingdom; a sacrifice of love
for the sake of the building of Gods Kingdom among the world; it is also a reflection
of the love of Christ for his Church.

5. LOOKING WITH HOPE TOWARDS
THE FUTURE
If anyone loses the will to live, death is never far away. We need a future that we can hope
in, for ourselves and those we care about. When the bishops at Vatican II wanted to talk
about the Church in todays world they began with the words Joy and Hope (Gaudium et
spes). It is important to note the link between hope and joy and to relate both to the future
promised to us by God.
The Christian hopes for everlasting happiness and finds strength to battle on despite failures
and falls.
Christian hope is not only individual but also collective. We hope because we belong to the
people of God, and are members of the Church, the body of Christ. We are a community of
hope. The Christian Revelation says that God is Trinity, a community. The Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit are in a perfect communion of love. Their relationship is the model for
the community of believers the Church.
1. With the Father
From the Creed
What do we profess about God the Father?
We believe in one God

the Father, the Almighty
maker of heaven and earth
of all that is seen and unseen
From the Bible
What do we find about God the Father?
I shall live among you; I shall be your God and you will be my people.
I, Yahweh, your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you should be their slaves no
longer, and who broke the bonds of your yoke and made you walk with head held high
(Lev 26:12-13).
You must see what great love the Father has lavished on us by letting us be called Gods
children which is what we are (1Jn 3:1).

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth... God lives among human beings... He will wipe
away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, no more mourning or sadness or
pain (Rev 21:1-4).
God the Father
The Scriptures portray God planning the world, creating it, and pronouncing it good. The
high point of creation is the fashioning of the first human beings. After the first sin, the only
hope of the human race was that God would intervene and rescue it from destruction. And
that is exactly what God decided to do. God decided to re-create the human race. This can
be seen clearly in the event of Exodus.
We are a community of brothers and sisters, having a common father. And so Gods plan for
us is to live as a community.
2. With the Son
From the Creed
What do we profess about God the Son?
We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God

true God from true God
for us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven
for our sake he was crucified, died, and was buried
on the third day he rose again
From the Bible
What do we find about God the Son?
The spirit of the Lord is on me, for he has anointed me to bring the good news to the
afflicted. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind, to let the
oppressed go free, to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord (Lk 4: 18-19).
Who will rescue me from this body doomed to death? God, thanks be to him, through
Jesus Christ, our Lord (Rom 7:24-25).
In the world you will have hardship, but be courageous: I have conquered the world
(Jn 16:33).

God the Son
The name Jesus means God saves. Jesus is the way to the Father because his life taught us
how to become children of the Father. This is not a way which can be reduced to rules and
regulations. It is a life of love. But of course the closer the intimacy between the Father and
us, his children, the greater our longing to respond to all that we experience in life in the
way of love that Jesus showed us.
3. With the Holy Spirit
From the Creed
What do we profess about God the Holy Spirit?
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life

who proceeds from the Father and the Son
with the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified
he has spoken through the prophets
From the Bible
What do we find about God the Holy Spirit?
I shall ask the Father to give you another Paraclete to be with you forever (Jn 14: 16-18).
But the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you
everything and remind you of all I have said to you (Jn 14:26).
The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to
us (Rom 5:5).
You will be seized and persecuted... When they take you before synagogues and
magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say,
because when the time comes, the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say
(Lk 21:12; 11-12).
God the Holy Spirit
The third person of the Holy Trinity is the Holy Spirit. All spiritual life depends on the Holy
Spirit. And the Holy Spirit produces different effects in different people: one effect in one
person, another effect in another person, and so on. The Holy Spirit adapts to each person.
That is the Holy Spirit gives different gifts to different persons.

Another effect of the Holy Spirit is that he makes us one in Christ. The unique and
monumental thing that happened on Pentecost is this: the Holy Spirit came upon the
disciples and, from that moment on, they began to experience what Jesus had foretold:
That I am in my father and that you are in me, just as I am in you (Jn 14:20).
In other words, the disciples began to experience that the Holy Spirit had come upon them
and formed them into Christs body, the Church, and makes them the sign and the
instrument of Gods presence in our world just as Jesus was in this world.
I Believe in God as Trinity

Put simply, the mystery of the Trinity says that in God there are three distinct persons:
Father, Son, Holy Spirit. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. Yet
there are not three Gods, but only one God.
The most dramatic reference to the Trinity occurs after the baptism of Jesus. The clearest
reference to the Trinity occurs just prior to Jesus ascension into heaven, when he instructs
his disciples: Go, ... to all peoples and make them my disciples: baptise them in the name of
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Mt 28:19).
GOD-WITH-US: Jesus revealed God as Trinity, as a God that wants to be near us. He told us:
Anyone who loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to
him and make a home in him (Jn 14:23).
A meaningful world
Christians hold very strongly to the believe that life does not end with death. This they
largely base upon a belief that Jesus rose from the dead by the power of God, and that, at
the end of time the same thing will happen to those who are his followers. Otherwise this
life in this world will be non-sense. Only then we will be able to enter fully into that eternal
life which has been promised to them by God throegh Jesus. This will happen at the end of
time when Jesus returns to rule over the earth.
Not that everything has to wait for the future, though. Christians also believe that during
the present life they have begun to share something of the resurrection life of Jesus. In a
real sense this is the eternal life of which Jesus spoke.
HEAVEN
Jesus spoke about heaven often. In doing so, he used a variety of images. Consider just a
few: vision of God, union with God, and life eternal with God.
Heaven involves vision: concerning the image of heaven as the vision of God, St Paul
wrote to the Christian community at Corinth: What we see now is like a dim image
in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.

Heaven involves union: our union with God is the culmination of the destiny for
which God made us. St Augustine expressed this destiny in these memorable words:
Our hearts are made for you, O Lord, and they will not rest until they rest in you.
Heaven involves life: ... so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him
(Jn 3:15). On another occasion Jesus told his disciples: The thief comes only to steal
and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full (Jn
10:10).
What is Jesus point? We were not made for this life. We were made for a more glorious life:
life eternal with God. And so heaven involves the culmination of Gods re-creation of the
human race and the world. Heaven involves joy beyond anything the human mind could
ever dream of. In the words of St Paul, What no one ever saw or heard, what no one ever
thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love him (1 Cor 2:9).
PURGATORY
The idea of the holiness of God, however limited, requires that we should be purified before
entering his presence. This is the basis of the Churchs doctrine of purgatory. The Church
gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different
from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on
Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent.
HELL
The popular notion of hell is a place of fire. Jesus himself often used the image of fire when
talking about hell. For example, one day Jesus told the parable of the Weeds and the Wheat
(Mt 13:24-30). He ended his parable saying that just as the weeds were thrown into a fire,
so evildoers will be thrown into a fiery furnace.
Jesus primary intention was to teach that human freedom includes the terrifying option of
rejecting God. The essence of hell is living in a state of eternal separation from God, and
experience eternally whatever suffering this involves. It is the state in which one become
fixed in a position of being unable to accept Gods love.
We punish ourselves: Human freedom involves the possibility of freely separating ourselves
from God and bringing upon ourselves whatever suffering this entails. Looked at from this
view point, God does not punish us so much as we punish ourselves. A simple analogy will
help to illustrate: If we refuse to breathe air, the air does not punish us by suffocating us.
We do that ourselves. Whoever does not love remains in death (1 Jn 3:14).
One life, one chance: We do not want to hear these words from God: Go away from me,
with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
(Mt 25:41); or, As this good-for-nothing servant, throw him into the darkness outside,
where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. (Mt 25:30).
God is love. He does not want us to go to hell. Thats why he told us about it beforehand.
JUDGMENT DAY
As we pass through death, filled with hope in the risen Jesus promises, there is only one
thing that matters: the good we tried to do while we lived on earth. Commenting on the
purpose of judgment, St Paul says, All of us must appear before Christ, to be judged by him.
Each one will receive what he deserves, according to everything he has done, good or bad, in
his bodily life (2 Cor 5:10). The Scripture speaks of two kinds of judgment after death:
Universal (Last), at the end of the world: Jesus description in Mt 25: 31-45, indicates
that the entire human race will face a last judgment. This judgment will take place at
the end of the world and will mark the culmination of Gods re-creation of ourselves
and our world.
Individual, at the end of life on earth: Besides the universal judgment, each person
will experience an individual (personal) judgment as she or he passes through death
into eternal life.
This is Gods plan for us.

Let us do his will with enthusiasm.
So that we can hear Jesus words echoing in our ears:
Be courageous: I have conquered the world. (Jn 16:33)

... in brief 5. LOOKING WITH HOPE
TOWARDS THE FUTURE
1. God is Trinity 3 persons in one God
The Father the Creator who has a plan for us
The Son (Jesus) who accomplished this plan
The Holy Spirit who gives us the strength to love the way God loves
us.
2. Heaven involves vision, union and life;

our union with God is the culmination of the destiny for which God
made us.
3. The idea of the holiness of God, however limited, requires that we should be purified
before entering his presence. This is Purgatory.
4. Hell Human freedom involves the possibility of freely separating ourselves from
God
It is the state in which one become fixed in a position of being unable to
accept Gods love
5. Judgment Universal (at the end of the world)
Personal (at the end of life on earth)

MISTOQSIJIET (QUESTIONS)
1. INT XTISWA? - HOW MUCH ARE YOU WORTH?
i) Fil-Magmudija jintuaw is-simboli tal-ilma, tad-dawl tax-xemga, u tal-libsa l-bajda.

Xinhu s-sinifikat taghom?
In Baptism the symbols of water, the candle light and the white garment are used. What is
their significance?
ii) Xkienet it-tifsira tal-Magmudija meta min jitgammed kbir kien jinel fl-ilma minn naa
wada tal-Battisteru u joro min-naa l-ora?
What was the significance of Baptism when an adult would enter the water from one side of
the Baptistry and come out from the other?
iii) Uri u fisser liema bidla fid-dinjit ib il-Magmudija fil-persuna li tireviha.

Show and explain how Baptism affects the dignity of the person that receives it.
iv) Fil-Grima jintuaw is-simboli tat-tqegid tal-idejn u tad-dilka. Xinhu s-sinifikat taghom?
In the Sacrament of Confirmation the symbols of the laying on of hands and the anointing
with oil are used. What is their significance?
v) Xrabta hemm bejn is-Sagrament tal-Grima tal-Isqof u l-Magmudija?

What is the connection between tha Sacrament of Confirmation and Baptism?
vi) Xkienet it-tweiba ta Marija gas-seja li gamlilha l-Mulej fit-tabbira tal-anlu?

What was Marys response to Gods call through tha Annunciation?
vii) Ikteb ew raunijiet galiex l-Insara jarsu lejn Marija Omm Alla bala mudell gas-
suess taghom bala Nsara.
Give two reasons why Christians see in Mary, the Mother of God a model for their success
as Christians.
viii) Xi jfissru dawn it-tliet titli li bihom inseju lill-Madonna?

a)Omm Alla b) l-Immakulata Kunizzjoni ) Il-Verni Mbierka
Explain these three titles which we attribute to Our Lady:
a) Mother of God b) the Immaculate Conception c) the Blessed Virgin

ix) Irrakkonta l-parabbola fejn es jikkundanna l-kilba gall-flus.
Narrate the parable where Jesus condemns avarice.
x) Xgandha tkun l-attitudni tan-Nisrani lejn il-flus?

What should the Christians attitude towards money be?
xi) Irrakkonta parabbola li tisaq fuq l-importanza li l-id materjali irid jitqassam ma dawk li
huma anqas iffortunati.
Narrate a parable that stresses the importance that with greater wealth comes an obligation
to help those who are not so fortunate.
xii) Kif uriena t-triq es li twassal gas-suess veru tal-ajja?

How does Jesus show us the way that leads through real success in life?
2. IL-AJJA XTISWA? - THE VALUE OF LIFE
i) Kif nafu mill-Bibbja li Alla huwa l-awtur tal-ajja?

How do we know from the Bible that God is the author of life?
ii) Xgamel es meta kien fid-dinja biex juri s-siwi u d-dinjit tal-ajja umana?
What did Jesus do during his earthly life to show the worth and dignity of human life?
iii) Bea gandna niddefendu l-ajja ta utna. Fisser galiex in-Nisrani qatt ma jista
jkun favur l-abort, lanqas meta jkun magruf li t-tarbija tkun se titwieled bxi diabilit jew
fka ta tnissil bi vjolenza sesswali.
We must be willing to defend the lives of our brothers and sisters. Explain why a Christian
can never be in favour of abortion, even when it is known that the baby will be born with a
disability or is the result of sexual violence.
iv) Galiex is-suwiidju u l-ewtanasja huma offia gravi kontra Alla?

Why are suicide and euthanasia a serious offence against God?
v) Fliema ka hu aettabbli li l-pazjent jirrifjuta li jieu kura gall-marda tiegu? Spjega

galiex dan ma jkunx ka ta ewtanasja.
In which case is it acceptable for a patient to refuse treatment for his sickness? Explain why
this situation is not a case of euthanasia.

vi) Fliema ka hu aettabbli fejn biex tiddefendi ruek tista toqtol biex ma joqtlukx?
In which case is it acceptable when you are able to defend your own life, even at the cost of
the life of someone else who is attacking you?
vii) Xinhi d-differenza bejn Abort u Kontraezzjoni?

What is the difference between Abortion and Contraception?
viii) Semmi ew effetti li jib is-Sagrament tal-Grima tal-Morda.

Name two effects of the Sacrament of the Sick.
ix) Semmi erba modi li bihom il-bniedem qieged jeqred l-ambjent naturali.
List four ways by which man is destroying the natural environment.
x) Xgandha tkun l-attitudni tan-Nisrani lejn l-ambjent?

What should the Christians attitude towards the environment be?
3. LEJN ID-DINJA TAX-XOGOL WORK
i) Spjega dawn il-fraijiet:

a) Nisslu u oktru, imlew l-art u akmuha (en 1:28).
b) Bl-garaq ta xbinek tiekol obok (en 3:16-19).
Explain these phrases:
a) Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it (Gen 1:28).
b) With sweat on your brow shall you eat your bread (Gen 3: 16-19).
ii) Semmi ew dokumenti tal-Knisja dwar ix-xogol. Ikteb madwar 30 kelma fuq l-
importanza ta dokumenti bal dawn.
Mention two documents of the Christian message about work. In about 30 words write
about the importance of such documents.
iii) a) Xkien il-pjan ta Alla fejn jidol ix-xogol qabel ma l-bniedem gamel id-dnub?;
b) Xara bid-dnub?; ) Xara bil-mija ta es?
a)What was Gods plan as regards work before man sinned?; b) What happened after man
sinned?; c) What happened by the coming of Jesus?
iv) Kif gandu n-Nisrani jirba it-tbatija tax-xogol?

How should the Christian overcome the hardships of work?

v) Ix-xogol isaa is-solidarjet bejn il-bnedmin. Kif jagmel dan?
Work strengthens solidarity among men. How does it achieve this?
vi) In-Nisrani ma jadimx biss biex jaqla l-flus. Agti ew raunijiet ora.
The Christian does not only work to earn money. Give two other reasons.
vii) Fisser galiex il-addiem hu aqwa mill-godda li jua.

Explain why a workman is superior to his tools.
viii) Semmi ew valuri importanti li gandu jqis in-Nisrani qabel ma jagel liema xogol
ser jagmel.
Name two important values that a Christian should consider before choosing a job.
ix) Semmi tliet drittijiet tal-addiem u fissirhom.

Mention three rights of the worker and explain them.
4. FIT-TRIQ TAL-IMABBA THE WAY TOWARDS LOVE
i) Xinhuma t-tliet tifsiriet li l-Griegi juaw gall-kelma imabba?

What are the three Greek meanings for the word love?
ii) Meta jiewu l-garajjes iwiegdu dan: i) li jobbu lil xulxin sa ma l-mewt tifridna, u ii)
li nomm rui fidil lejk. Xhemm implikat fdawn il-wegdiet?
When marrying, an engaged couple makes these vows: i) that they will love each other
until death do us part, and ii) to keep myself loyal to you. What do these vows imply?
iii) Galiex il-Konilju Vatikan II jiddeskrivi l-familja bala il-Knisja fid-dar? (Lumen Gentium
11)?
Why does the Second Vatican Council describe the family as the domestic Church? (Lumen
Gentium 11)
iv) Liema huma -ew ganijiet fi-wie?

Which are the two aims of marriage?
v) Semmi t-tliet kwalitajiet ta-wie Nisrani.

Mention the three qualities of Christian marriage.
vi) Xinhi d-differenza bejn wie li hu sagrament u wie li mhuwiex?

What is the difference between marriage as a sacrament and marriage that is not?

vii) Xgallem es dwar id-divorzju?
What did Jesus teach about divorce?
viii) Min huma l-ministri fis-Sagrament ta-wie?

Who are the ministers in the Sacrament of Matrimony?
ix) Xtifhem belebat u vernit?

What do you understand by celibacy and virginity?
5. BIT-TAMA LEJN IL-FUTUR LOOKING WITH HOPE TOWARDS THE

FUTURE
i) Galiex il-Kredu hu tant importanti gan-Nisrani?

Why is the Creed so essential to a Christian?
ii) Fil-Kredu nistqarru li nemmnu fil-qawma mill-imwiet u fil-ajja ta-mien li ej. Xi jfissru
dawn il-kelmiet gan-Nisrani?
In the Creed we profess our belief in the resurrection of the dead and life of the world to
come. What do these words mean to the Christian?
iii) Xinhu l-gan aari ta Alla gall-bnedmin?

What is Gods ultimate aim for man?
iv) Agti rauni galiex nemmnu li hemm ajja wara l-mewt.

Give one reason why we believe that there is an afterlife.
v) Il-Purgatorju hu l-istat tat-tisfija wara l-mewt.

a) Min ikun jetie din it-tisfija?
b) Minn xiex ikun irid jissaffa?
Purgatory is the state of purification after we die.
a) Who will need this purification?
b) From what will one need to be purified?
vi) Xdifferenza hemm bejn il-Purgatorju u l-Infern?

What is the difference between Purgatory and Hell?
vii) Xnifhmu bit-Trinit Qaddisa?

What do we mean by the Holy Trinity?

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NOTI TAR-RELIJON GA-ES

Nistgu nsiru wisq niddependu mit-tifir tal-orajn;

Id-dinjit li tagtina l-Magmudija:

ii) Awa ta es;

iii) Tempji tal-Ispirtu s-Santu;

iv) Werrieta ta Alla;

es huwa l-quata ta dak kollu li l-bniedem qatt jista jkun.

Il-Kulle ta Stella Maris, il-Gira 2

L-ILMA: jintua fdan is-sagrament biex ifisser it-tliet aspetti tal-Magmudija:

IL-LIBSA L-BAJDA: hi simbolu li min tgammed libes lil Kristu.

IX-XEMGA MIXGULA: tirrappreenta lil Kristu Rxoxt.

Il-Grima ssaa l-identit u d-dinjit tagna:

Il-Kulle ta Stella Maris, il-Gira 3

Fes nilqu l-ogla stima u l-ogla suess:

1. es: il-quata tas-suess: Is-suess li kiseb es bil-qawmien tiegu mill-mewt hu

es kien laaq l-ivilupp si li jagmel lill-bniedem perfett.

Xvalur gandna nagtu lill-flus?

Il-Kulle ta Stella Maris, il-Gira 4

Suess minn din id-dinja:

1. Nagrfu dak li Alla di gamel magna

2. Niviluppaw sens ta tifir u ringrazzjament

3. ajjitna ngixuha fi Kristu u nimxu warajh

4. Midla tal-Bibbja u tat-taglim tal-Knisja

Inwiebu bal Marija

Il-Kulle ta Stella Maris, il-Gira 5

MARIJA OMM ALLA

Bi kliem Malti dan ifisser li Marija tnisslet fil-uf ta Ommha SantAnna

MARIJA MTELLGA S-SEMA

Xnitgallmu minn Marija?

- semget il-Kelma ta Alla u gamlitha bl-akbar eneroit

Il-Kulle ta Stella Maris, il-Gira 6

2. L-istima/id-dinjit li tagtina l-Magmudija Ulied Alla

3. Is-simboli tal-Magmudija l-ilma jeqred id-dnub u jagti ajja dida

4. Il-Grima marbuta mal-Magmudija issaa fina dak li revejna fil-

5. Il-Grima l-effetti qawwa spejali

6. Is-simboli tal-Grima i-ejt insiru Kristu ieor fid-dinja.

7. es gandu jkun l-ogla mudell tas-suess u t-triq tas-suess dak li ma jispiax

8. L-attitudni tan-Nisrani lejn il-flus ma jagmilhomx alla tiegu

9. Il-Parabbola tal-Gani l-Iblah - dak li hu materjali ma tidux miegek wara mewtek

11. Id-Dommi tal-Fidi (dak li nemmnu bala Knisja dwar Marija):

Il-Kulle ta Stella Maris, il-Gira 7

Il-Bibbja turina li Alla jitkellem mal-bniedem li alaq:

1. Jekk l-idoli tal-pagani ma jitkellmux, Alla tal-Bibbja mhuwiex hekk:

4. Alla lill-bniedem tah il-Kmandamenti, u kitibhom fqalb il-bniedem u qal: La Toqtolx (E

Qabel es, kien hemm dir-regola tad-deheb:

es issa jagtihielna bmod poittiv:

Mhux biejjed li ma tagmilx sara, imma agmel il-id.

Il-Kulle ta Stella Maris, il-Gira 8

1. Twaqqfu bosta ordnijiet relijui, bsorijiet u patrijiet li jiddedikaw ajjithom kollha

Tajjeb niftakru illi:

Il-Kulle ta Stella Maris, il-Gira 9

Tista toqtol biex tiddefendi ruek?

1. ikollu ajtu tassew fperiklu serju;

Il-Kulle ta Stella Maris, il-Gira 10

Xtgallem il-Knisja dwar l-abort?

Nispeifikaw mill-ewwel li hemm differenza kbira bejn l-abort u l-kontraezzjoni.

) Tnissil bi Vjolenza Sesswali:

Il-Kulle ta Stella Maris, il-Gira 11

- l-att prokreattiv qed jinfired mill-att konjugali

Dan huwa gamla ora ta abort.

Galhekk irridu niftakru:

Il-Kulle ta Stella Maris, il-Gira 12

Il-mediina kontra t-tentazzjoni tas-suwiidju hi li jkollna fiduja kbira fAlla konvinti li

Jekk xi darba mona jiddallam, infittxu l-gajnuna ta Alla u tal-bnedmin.