Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Jan 12 - St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-67)
Summary: St Aelred was an Anglo-Saxon, born in Hexham, Northumbria, in 1110. His father, a married priest, sent him to the court of King David I of Scotland to be trained as a courtier. Aelred rose to be Master of the Household before leaving to enter a Cistercian monastery at Rievaulx Abbey, in Yorkshire, around the year 1134. His approach to God and life was infectious.
Abbot of Rievaulx
He became the abbot of a new house of his order at Revesby in Lincolnshire,
and later, abbot of Rievaulx itself in 1147. As abbot he had a charism for friendship and Rievaulx had over three hundred monks when he died. Aelred also made annual visits to other Cistercian houses in England and Scotland, and to Citeaux and Clairvaux in France. These visits may have damaged his health, as he suffered from a kidney disease and died at the age of fifty-seven on 12 January 1167.
Charism of Spiritual friendship
There seems little doubt that Aelred was homosexual by inclination, but he seems to have been able to transcend his physical desires and when he became a monk was able to cultivate chaste spiritual friendships. He also developed a theology of friendship, based on the intimacy of relationships between the persons of the Trinity.
Just as there is a continuous dialogue and interchange of love between the three persons of the Trinity, so human beings – the rational creatures made in the image and likeness of this Trinity of Persons – are called to relationships based on mutual dialogue, exchange, sharing and self-giving.
Writings
Aelred wrote several influential books on spirituality, among them The Mirror of Charity (and Spiritual Friendship perhaps at the request of Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux . He also wrote seven works of history, addressing two of them to Henry II of England, advising him how to be a good king and authenticating him as a true descendent of the Anglo-Saxon kings. Until the twentieth century Aelred was known more as a historian than a spiritual writer; because of his Life of Saint Edward, King and Confessor.
Abbot of Rievaulx
He became the abbot of a new house of his order at Revesby in Lincolnshire,
and later, abbot of Rievaulx itself in 1147. As abbot he had a charism for friendship and Rievaulx had over three hundred monks when he died. Aelred also made annual visits to other Cistercian houses in England and Scotland, and to Citeaux and Clairvaux in France. These visits may have damaged his health, as he suffered from a kidney disease and died at the age of fifty-seven on 12 January 1167.Charism of Spiritual friendship
There seems little doubt that Aelred was homosexual by inclination, but he seems to have been able to transcend his physical desires and when he became a monk was able to cultivate chaste spiritual friendships. He also developed a theology of friendship, based on the intimacy of relationships between the persons of the Trinity.
Just as there is a continuous dialogue and interchange of love between the three persons of the Trinity, so human beings – the rational creatures made in the image and likeness of this Trinity of Persons – are called to relationships based on mutual dialogue, exchange, sharing and self-giving.
Writings
Aelred wrote several influential books on spirituality, among them The Mirror of Charity (and Spiritual Friendship perhaps at the request of Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux . He also wrote seven works of history, addressing two of them to Henry II of England, advising him how to be a good king and authenticating him as a true descendent of the Anglo-Saxon kings. Until the twentieth century Aelred was known more as a historian than a spiritual writer; because of his Life of Saint Edward, King and Confessor.
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Memorable saying about relating to others
'Catch on fire with enthusiasm
and people will come for miles to watch you burn.
~ John Wesley~
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 12th January, 2026
Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2
FIRST READING
A reading from the first book of Samuel. 1: 1-8
Hannah’s rival would taunt her because the Lord had made her barren.
There was a man of Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the highlands of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives, one called Hannah, the other Peninnah;
Peninnah had children but Hannah had none. Every year this man used to go up from his town to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord Sabaoth in Shiloh. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there as priests of the Lord.One day Elkanah offered sacrifice. He used to give portions to Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; to Hannah, however, he would give only one portion, although he loved her more, since the Lord had made her barren. Her rival would taunt her to annoy her, because the Lord had made her barren. And this went on year after year; every time they went up to the temple of The Lord she used to taunt her. And so Hannah wept and would not eat. Then Elkanah her husband said to her,
'Hannah, why are you crying and why are you not eating? Why so sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 115:12-19, R/v 17
Response A thanksgiving sacrifice I make to you, O Lord.
or Alleluia
1. How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?
The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord's name. Response
2. My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all his people.
a precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful. Response
3. Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds.
A thanksgiving sacrifice I make; I will call on the Lord's name. Response
4. My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, a Jerusalem. Response
Gospel Acclamation Acts 16: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son.
Alleluia!
Or Mk 1: 15
Alleluia, alleluia!
The kingdom of God is close at hand, repent and believe the Good News.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 1: 14-20 Glory to you, O Lord.
Repent and believe the Good News.
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God.
'The time has come' he said 'and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.'
As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake - for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them,'Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men'.
And at once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Monday, First Week in Ordinary Time Mark 1:14–20
Any meeting between two or more people has the potential to be a good news event. The meeting that Peter, Andrew, James and John had with Jesus in today’s gospel was such a good news event, because the reign of God, the power of God, was present to them in the person of Jesus. That power of God present in Jesus to Peter, Andrew, James and John was the power of love, a love that called on them to repent, to turn towards God, a love that promised forgiveness, healing, acceptance, a love that gave them a mission in life. The kind of meeting that these two sets of brothers had with Jesus is offered to each one of us. Jesus is not just a figure of history who belongs to the past.
He is a living Lord, present in his church and in the world today. He is constantly calling us to meet with him as Peter, Andrew, James and John met with him, and each of these meetings proclaims good news for us. He meets with us and speaks to us through the Sacraments, in particular the Eucharist, through the Scriptures, from deep within our own hearts, through other people, through nature. Each time the Lord meets with us we will first hear from him the good news of God’s unconditional love for us. Graced by that good news, we will also hear the call to mission, the call to be good news for others, to be the Lord’s body in the world, his feet, his hands, his mouth, his eyes, his ears.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from his book Reflections on the Weekday Readings : The Word is near to you, on your lips and in your heart by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications 2022/23, c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 12th January, 2026
CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an chéad leabhar Samúéil. 1: 1-8
A comhleacaí mná, bhíodh sí ag caitheamh achasán léi, ag spochadh aisti, á chasadh léi gur dhruid an Tiarna a broinn.
Bhí fear áirithe ann ó Rámátaím Zóifím i sléibhte Eafráim. Sé ainm a bhí air Ealcáná mac Iarohám mhic Eilíhiú mhic Thochú mhic Zúf, Eafráimeach. Bhí beirt bhan Hanná a ba ainm do dhuine díobh agus Pinineá a ba ainm do dhuine eile. Bhí clann Phinineá, ach ní raibh ar Hanná. Théadh an fear seo suas gach bliain as a chathair
chun adhradh agus chun íobairt a ofráil do Thiarna na Slua i Sileo. Bhí beirt mhac Éilí, Hofnaí agus Píneachás, mar shagairt leis an Tiarna ansiúd.An lá a dhéanadh Ealcáná íobairt thugadh sé scaireanna do Phinineá a bhean agus dá clann mhac agus dá iníonacha go léir. Bíodh gurbh ionúin leis Hanná, ní thugadh sé ach scair amháin di, toisc gur dhruid an Tiarna a broinn. A comhleacaí mná, bhíodh sí ag caitheamh achasán léi, ag spochadh aisti, á chasadh léi gur dhruid an Tiarna a broinn. Mar sin a bhí, bliain i ndiaidh na gach uair dá dtéadh Hanná suas go teach an Tiarna, bhíodh Pinineá ag caitheamh achasán léi. Bhíodh Hanná ag gol dá bharrsan agus ní chaitheadh sí greim bia. Ansin dúirt Ealcáná a fear léi:
“A Hanná, cad chuige a bhfuil tú ag gol? Cad chuige nach bhfuil ithe?Cad chuige go bhfuil tú dubhach? Nach fearr mise agat ná deichniúr mac?”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 115:12-19, R/v 17
Freagra Ofrálfaidh mé íobairt an bhuíochais duit, a Thiarna
1. Cén cúiteamh a dhéanfaidh mé leis an Tiarna ina ndearna sé dom?
Glacfaidh mé cupán an tslánaithe, gairfidh mé ainm an Tiarna. Freagra
2. Díolfaidh mé mo mhóideanna leis an Tiarna i bhfianaise a phobail.Is luachmhar i láthair an Tiarna bás a fhíréan. Freagra3. Is mise do ghiolla, a Thiarna, sea, is mac do chailín aimsire;
scaoil tú mo chuibhreacha. Ofrálfaidh mé íobairt an bhuíochais duit; gairfidh mé ainm an Tiarna. Freagra
4. Díolfaidh mé mo mhóideanna leis an Tiarna i bhfianaise a phobail, i gcúirteanna áras an Tiarna i gceartlár Iarúsailéim. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Marc 1: 14-20 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Déanaigí aithrí agus creidigí sa soiscéal.
Tar éis Eoin a bheith tugtha ar láimh, tháinig Íosa go dtí an Ghailíl ag fógairt soiscéal Dé agus ag rá:
“Tá an tréimhse caite agus tá ríocht Dé in achmaireacht.
Déanaigí aithrí agus creidigí sa soiscéal.”
Bhí sé ag imeacht leis cois farraige na Gailíle nuair a chonaic sé Síomón agus Aindrias deartháir Shíomóin agus iad ag caitheamh eangaí san fharraige, mar iascairí a bhí iontu. Dúirt Íosa leo:
“Tagaigí i mo dhiaidh, agus déanfaidh mé díbh iascairí ar dhaoine.”
D’fhág siad na líonta láithreach agus lean siad é.
Bhuail sé ar aghaidh beagán eile agus chonaic sé Séamas mac Zeibidé agus Eoin a dheartháir, iad ina mbád féin ag ceartú na líonta, agus ghlaoigh sé iad láithreach. D’fhág siad a n-athair Zeibidé sa bhád, é féin agus an lucht pá, agus ghabh siad leis.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 18th January, 2026
-18-1-2026-
Second Sunday in Ordinary time
This week choices are the key; for Jesus; the Spirit, for Paul: apostleship,
for us: baptism. All are called to holiness and witness.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 49:3.5-6
I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
The Lord said to me,
'You are my servant Israel in whom I shall be glorified';
I was honoured in the eyes of the Lord, my God was my strength.
And now the Lord has spoken, he who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, to gather Israel to him:
'It is not enough for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel;
I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 39: 2, 4, 7-10, R/v 8, 9,
Response Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.
1. I waited, I waited for the Lord and he stooped down to me;
he heard my cry. He put a new song into my mouth,
praise of our God. Response
2. You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings, but an open ear.
You do not ask for holocaust and victim Instead, here am I. Response
3. In the scroll of the book it stands written that I should do your will.
My God, I delight in your law in the depth of my heart. Response
4. Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly.
My lips I have not sealed; you know it, O Lord. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 1:1-3
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace.
I, Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle, together with brother Sosthenes, send greetings to the church of God in Corinth, to the holy people of Jesus Christ, who are called to take their place among all the saints everywhere who pray to our Lord Jesus Christ; for he is their Lord no less than ours. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessings on the King who comes, in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens!
Alleluia!
or Jn 1: 14. 12
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Word was made flesh and lived among us;
to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to John 1:29-34 Glory to you, O Lord
Look, there is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, 'Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.' John also declared,
'I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit."
Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.'
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
The scripture readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 18th January, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Leabhar Íseáia 49:3.5-6
Ceapfaidh mé thú i do sholas do na ciníocha, chun go dté mo shlánú go críocha na cruinne.
Dúirt an Tiarna liom,
“Is tú mo ghiolla Iosrael trína saothróidh mé glóir dom féin.”
Bhí maise orm i súile an Tiarna, ba é mo Dhia mo neart.
Agus anois tá an Tiarna tar éis labhairt,
an té a dhealbhaigh mé ón mbroinn i leith i mo ghiolla dó,
le go mbailínn Iacób ar ais chuige,
le go gcruinnínn Iosrael le chéile dó:
“Is fánach an mhaise duit a bheith i do ghiolla agam
chun treibheanna Iacóib amháin a thabhairt chucu féin,
chun ar slánaíodh d’Iosrael a thabhairt ar ais.
Ceapfaidh mé thú i do sholas do na ciníocha,chun go dté mo shlánú go críocha na cruinne.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 39: 2, 4, 7-10, R/v 8, 9,
Freagra Féach, táim ag teacht, a Thiarna, chun do thoil a dhéanamh
1. Bhí dóchas agam, bhí dóchas agam sa Tiarna, agus chlaon sé a chluas chugam
agus d'éist le m'éamh.
Chuir sé amhrán nua i mo bhéal, amhrán molta dár nDia. Freagra
2. Íobairt ná ofráil níor thoil leat ach d'oscail tú cluasa dom.
loseadh níor theastaigh uait, ná íobairt in éiric an pheaca.
Ansin dúirt mé: 'Féach, táim ag teacht.' Freagra
3. 'I rolla an leabhair tá scríofa i mo thaobh: is ail liom do thoil a dhéanamh, a Dhia,
agus tá do dhlí go domhain i mo chroí.' Freagra
4. D'fhoilsigh mé d'fhíréantaeht sa mhórdhail. Feach, níor chuir mé cosc le mo bheola:
is eol duitse é, a Thiarna. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig Coirintigh 1:1-3
An té is Tiarna orainne agus orthusan: grásta chugaibh agus síocháin ó Dhia ár nAthair agus ón Tiarna Íosa Críost.
Mise Pól, a bhfuil glaoite air de dheoin Dé chun bheith ina aspal ag Íosa Críost, agus an bráthair Sóstainéas in éineacht liom, chuig eaglais Dé i gCorant, chucu sin atá coisricthe in Íosa Críost agus a bhfuil glaoite ina naoimh orthu mar aon leis an uile dhuine a ghlaonn i ngach áit ar ainm ár dTiarna Íosa Críost, an té is Tiarna orainne agus orthusan: grásta chugaibh agus síocháin ó Dhia ár nAthair agus ón Tiarna Íosa Críost.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eoin: 1:14. 12
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Rinneadh feoil den Bhriathar agus chónaigh sé inár measc,an uile dhuine a ghlac é,
thug sé de cheart dóibh go ndéanfaí clann Dé díobh.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 1:29-34 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
“Seo é Uan Dé a thógann peaca an domhain.
San am sin chonaic Eoin Íosa ag teacht chuige agus dúirt sé:
“Seo é Uan Dé a thógann peaca an domhain. Eisean an té a ndúirt mé faoi:
‘Tá duine ag teacht i mo dhiaidh a bhfuil tosach aige orm, mar bhí sé ann romham.’ Níorbh aithnid dom féin é, ach is chun, go nochtfaí d’Iosrael é a tháinig mé ag baisteadh le huisce.”
Agus thug Eoin fianaise:
“Chonaic mé,” ar sé, “an Spiorad, mar cholm, ag tuirlingt air ó na flaithis agus ag fanacht air. Níorbh aithnid dom féin é, ach an té a sheol mé ag baisteadh le huisce, dúirt seisean liom:
‘An té ar a bhfeicfidh tú an Spiorad ag tuirlingt agus ag fanacht air, eisean an té a bhaisteann leis an Spiorad Naomh.’ Chonaic mé agus is finné mé gurb é seo Mac Dé.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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