Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Nov 19 - St Hugh of Lincoln (1140-1200) Carthusian and bishop
Summary: St Hugh of Lincoln was born in Burgundy, France. He spent the first forty of the sixty years of his life in France and the last twenty as an abbot and later bishop in England.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
It was King Henry II who looked for Hugh of Lincoln in an effort to make reparation for his murder of St Thomas Becket. Hugh was an advisor to the kings who followed Henry II, John and Richard I.
Magna Vita S. Hugonis
St Hugh of Lincoln is known to us from a contemporary biography by Abbot Adam of Eynsham, who was his chaplain and confessor during the last four years of his life. Completed 13 years after his death as part of the preparations for his canonisation - a relatively early cause to be referred to Rome for official and universal authorisation - this is known as the Magna Vita S. Hugonis.
Early Life
Hugh was born at Avalon. His mother died when he was just eight years old. His father William retired to an Augustinian monastery near Grenoble and took his son Hugo with him. Here he received a good education and found himself attracted to monastic life and made his profession in the Augustinians when he was 15.
From Augustinian to Carthusian
A visit to the monastery of La Grande Chartreuse in the French Alps east of Grenoble changed his life. Despite having promised that he would not leave his Augustinian priory - a promise he decided had been made under duress - he did just that and became a Carthusian, at the age of 23. After 10 years when nothing is recorded of him except his love of and affinity with animals, he became procurator and guestmaster.
Visitor from England
In 1180, one of his visitors was the bishop of Bath in England. King Henry II of England had sent him to invite Hugh, of whom he had heard from a French nobleman, to complete the foundation of a Carthusian monastery (charterhouse) at Witham Abbey in Somerset. Henry had promised to do this as part of his reparation for the murder of Thomas Becket ten years earlier. After consulting the Carthusian chapter, Hugh agreed to go.
Building Witham Abbey
The building work on the abbey had not even begun. Those on whose land it was supposed to have been built had not been compensated in any way. Hugh insisted on this being done first. He then oversaw the building, persuaded Henry to meet the costs, overcame local prejudice, and attracted suitable candidates as monks.
Bishop of Lincoln
King Henry came to depend on Hugh for advice, which he gave straight from the shoulder. Henry rewarded his forthrightness by pressuring the dean and chapter of Lincoln to elect him as their bishop. This large diocese, stretching from the Humber to the Thames, had been without a bishop for almost 18 years. Henry's policy was to keep sees vacant and thus prevent the Church from becoming too powerful. Hugh at first tried to decline the post, but the prior of La Chartreuse advised him to accept. He was the only Carthusian ever to have been a bishop in England.
Building the Cathedral and Pastoral care
Hugh set about restoring order to his new diocese with his characteristic blend of firmness and kindness. He set an example of dedication, travelling ceaselessly, building up pastoral care wherever he went. He found the great cathedral of Lincoln in ruins, badly damaged by an earthquake in 1185, and oversaw its restoration and extension. He was responsible for the overall design and sometimes actually worked on the building himself. He was reputed to be the most learned monk in England, but he was also cheerful, enthusiastic, fond of conversation and even of children.
Concern for Justice
Hugh's concern for justice extended beyond his dealings with three kings - Henry II, Richard I and John - to defence of Jewish communities during an outbreak of anti-Semitism during the Third Crusade. He upheld the Church's right not to pay a levy to help Richard's war against France, rebuking him to his face when he seized the bishop of Salisbury's goods when he refused to pay. His principles involved him in a long dispute with Hubert Walter, archbishop of Canterbury, always inclined to take this king's side, and in mediating in several other long-running ecclesiastical power struggles.
Kings Richard and John
Hugh followed King Richard to France in an attempt to resolve the dispute over seizure of church property to finance his war against France and was staying at a monastery near Angers when news reached him that the king intended to turn against him, closely followed by news that he was mortally ill from an arrow. He went to the abbey of Fontevrault, where Richard was to be buried, arriving just in time to take part in the funeral service. Richard's heir, John, was recognised as such in France, and Hugh spent considerable time and effort in counselling him on the duties of a Christian prince - to little avail! He then returned to England, but the following year, shortly after John's coronation, the king sent Hugh back to France to witness the Peace of Le Goulet, designed to end hostilities between John and Philip of France. By now Hugh's health was failing, and on his return journey he stopped to pray at the tomb of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. He struggled on to London, where he was forced to take to his bed in the house belonging to the bishops of Lincoln in what is now Lincoln's Inn.
Death and Canonisation
Hugh died there after two months of suffering, on 16th November. His body was taken to Lincoln in a great six-day triumphal procession. His funeral was attended by three archbishops (including his former foe from Canterbury), fourteen bishops, the Kings of England and Scotland, a Welsh prince, a hundred abbots and the people of Lincoln, including representatives from the Jewish ghetto. The King and bishops of England pressed for his canonisation - the Carthusians did not consider it right to seek such an honour - and he became the first saint of his order in 1220.
His shrine in Lincoln Cathedral was a place of major pilgrimage until the Reformation, when it was dismantled. His remains have never since been found.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
It was King Henry II who looked for Hugh of Lincoln in an effort to make reparation for his murder of St Thomas Becket. Hugh was an advisor to the kings who followed Henry II, John and Richard I.Magna Vita S. Hugonis
St Hugh of Lincoln is known to us from a contemporary biography by Abbot Adam of Eynsham, who was his chaplain and confessor during the last four years of his life. Completed 13 years after his death as part of the preparations for his canonisation - a relatively early cause to be referred to Rome for official and universal authorisation - this is known as the Magna Vita S. Hugonis.
Early Life
Hugh was born at Avalon. His mother died when he was just eight years old. His father William retired to an Augustinian monastery near Grenoble and took his son Hugo with him. Here he received a good education and found himself attracted to monastic life and made his profession in the Augustinians when he was 15.
From Augustinian to CarthusianA visit to the monastery of La Grande Chartreuse in the French Alps east of Grenoble changed his life. Despite having promised that he would not leave his Augustinian priory - a promise he decided had been made under duress - he did just that and became a Carthusian, at the age of 23. After 10 years when nothing is recorded of him except his love of and affinity with animals, he became procurator and guestmaster.
Visitor from England
In 1180, one of his visitors was the bishop of Bath in England. King Henry II of England had sent him to invite Hugh, of whom he had heard from a French nobleman, to complete the foundation of a Carthusian monastery (charterhouse) at Witham Abbey in Somerset. Henry had promised to do this as part of his reparation for the murder of Thomas Becket ten years earlier. After consulting the Carthusian chapter, Hugh agreed to go.
Building Witham Abbey
The building work on the abbey had not even begun. Those on whose land it was supposed to have been built had not been compensated in any way. Hugh insisted on this being done first. He then oversaw the building, persuaded Henry to meet the costs, overcame local prejudice, and attracted suitable candidates as monks.
Bishop of Lincoln
King Henry came to depend on Hugh for advice, which he gave straight from the shoulder. Henry rewarded his forthrightness by pressuring the dean and chapter of Lincoln to elect him as their bishop. This large diocese, stretching from the Humber to the Thames, had been without a bishop for almost 18 years. Henry's policy was to keep sees vacant and thus prevent the Church from becoming too powerful. Hugh at first tried to decline the post, but the prior of La Chartreuse advised him to accept. He was the only Carthusian ever to have been a bishop in England.
Building the Cathedral and Pastoral care
Hugh set about restoring order to his new diocese with his characteristic blend of firmness and kindness. He set an example of dedication, travelling ceaselessly, building up pastoral care wherever he went. He found the great cathedral of Lincoln in ruins, badly damaged by an earthquake in 1185, and oversaw its restoration and extension. He was responsible for the overall design and sometimes actually worked on the building himself. He was reputed to be the most learned monk in England, but he was also cheerful, enthusiastic, fond of conversation and even of children.Concern for Justice
Hugh's concern for justice extended beyond his dealings with three kings - Henry II, Richard I and John - to defence of Jewish communities during an outbreak of anti-Semitism during the Third Crusade. He upheld the Church's right not to pay a levy to help Richard's war against France, rebuking him to his face when he seized the bishop of Salisbury's goods when he refused to pay. His principles involved him in a long dispute with Hubert Walter, archbishop of Canterbury, always inclined to take this king's side, and in mediating in several other long-running ecclesiastical power struggles.
Kings Richard and John
Hugh followed King Richard to France in an attempt to resolve the dispute over seizure of church property to finance his war against France and was staying at a monastery near Angers when news reached him that the king intended to turn against him, closely followed by news that he was mortally ill from an arrow. He went to the abbey of Fontevrault, where Richard was to be buried, arriving just in time to take part in the funeral service. Richard's heir, John, was recognised as such in France, and Hugh spent considerable time and effort in counselling him on the duties of a Christian prince - to little avail! He then returned to England, but the following year, shortly after John's coronation, the king sent Hugh back to France to witness the Peace of Le Goulet, designed to end hostilities between John and Philip of France. By now Hugh's health was failing, and on his return journey he stopped to pray at the tomb of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. He struggled on to London, where he was forced to take to his bed in the house belonging to the bishops of Lincoln in what is now Lincoln's Inn.
Death and CanonisationHugh died there after two months of suffering, on 16th November. His body was taken to Lincoln in a great six-day triumphal procession. His funeral was attended by three archbishops (including his former foe from Canterbury), fourteen bishops, the Kings of England and Scotland, a Welsh prince, a hundred abbots and the people of Lincoln, including representatives from the Jewish ghetto. The King and bishops of England pressed for his canonisation - the Carthusians did not consider it right to seek such an honour - and he became the first saint of his order in 1220.
His shrine in Lincoln Cathedral was a place of major pilgrimage until the Reformation, when it was dismantled. His remains have never since been found.
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Memorable Saying for Today
If you want peace, work for justice
~ Pope Paul VI ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 19th November, 2025
Wednesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1
As Christian believing families, we like this mother of seven are called to bravely bear witness to our faith and convictions.
FIRST READING
A reading from the second book of Maccabees 7:1. 20-31
The creator of the world will give you back both breath and life.
There were also seven brothers who were arrested with their mother. The king tried to force them to taste pig's flesh, which the Law forbids, by torturing them with whips and scourges. The mother was especially admirable and worthy of honourable remembrance, for she watched the death of her seven sons in the course of a single day, and endured it resolutely because of her hopes in the Lord. Indeed she encouraged each of them in the language of their ancestors; filled with noble conviction, she reinforced her womanly argument with manly courage, saying to them,
'I do not know how you appeared in my womb; it was not I who endowed you with breath and life, I had not the shaping of your every part. It is the Creator of the world, ordaining the process of man's birth and presiding over the origin of all things, who in his mercy will most surely give you back both breath and life, seeing that you now despise your own existence for the sake of his laws.'
Antiochus thought he was being ridiculed, suspecting insult in the tone of her voice, and as the youngest was still alive he appealed to him not with mere words but with promises on oath to make him both rich and happy if he would abandon the traditions of his ancestors; he would make him his friend and entrust him with public office. The young man took no notice at all, and so the king then appealed to the mother, urging her to advise the youth to save his life. After a great deal of urging on his part she agreed to try persuasion on her son. Bending over him, she fooled the cruel tyrant with these words, uttered in the language of their ancestors,'My son, have pity on me; I carried you nine months in my womb and suckled you three years, fed you and reared you to the age you are now (and cherished you).
I implore you, my child, observe heaven and earth, consider all that is in them, and acknowledge that God made them out of what did not exist, and that mankind comes into being in the same way.
Do not fear this executioner, but prove yourself worthy of your brothers, and make death welcome, so that in the day of mercy I may receive you back in your brothers' company.'
She had scarcely ended when the young man said,
'What are you all waiting for? I will not comply with the king's ordinance; I obey the ordinance of the Law given to our ancestors through Moses.
As for you, sir, who have contrived every kind of evil against the Hebrews, you will certainly not escape the hands of God.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 16
Response I shall be filled, when I wake, with the sight of your glory, O Lord.
I. Lord, hear a cause that is just, pay heed to my cry.
Turn your ear to my prayer: no deceit is on my lips. Response
2. I kept my feet firmly in your paths; there was no faltering in my steps.
I am here and I call, you will hear me, O God. Turn your ear to me; hear my words. Response
3. Guard me as the apple of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
As for me, in my justice I shall see your face
and be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory. Response
Gospel Acclamation 1 Jn 2: 5
Alleluia, alleluia!
When anyone obeys what Christ has said God's love comes to perfection in him.
Alleluia!
Or Jn 15: 16
Alleluia, alleluia!
I chose you from the world to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 19:11-28 Glory to you, O Lord
Why did you not put my money in the bank?
While the people were listening to this Jesus went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and they imagined that the kingdom of God was going to show itself then and there. Accordingly he said,
'A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be appointed king and afterwards return.
He summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds. "Do business with these" he told them "until I get back."
But his compatriots detested him and sent a delegation to follow him with this message, "We do not want this man to be our king."
'Now on his return, having received his appointment as king, he sent for those servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made.The first came in and said, "Sir, your one pound has brought in ten."
"Well done, my good servant!" he replied "Since you have proved yourself faithful in a very small thing, you shall have the government of ten cities.".
Then came the second and said, "Sir, your one pound has made five."
To this one also he said, "And you shall be in charge of five cities."
Next came the other and said, "Sir, here is your pound. I put it away safely in a piece of linen because I was afraid of you; for you are an exacting man: you pick up what you have not put down and reap what you have not sown."
"You wicked servant!" he said "Out of your own mouth I condemn you. So you knew I was an exacting man, picking up what I have not put down and reaping what I have not sown? Then why did you not put my money in the bank? On my return I could have drawn it out with interest."
And he said to those standing by, "Take the pound from him and give it to the man who has ten pounds."
And they said to him, "But, sir, he has ten pounds . . ."
"I tell you, to everyone who has will be given more; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
"But as for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence." '
When he had said this he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Wednesday, Thirty Third Week in Ordinary Time Luke 19:11-28
There are ten servants mentioned in today’s parable. What distinguishes one of the servants from the other nine is fear of the man of noble birth who went to a far country and returned as king. This noble ruler who became king is a clear reference to Jesus. The ruler entrusts each of his ten servants with significant resources. He gifts each of the ten with the same financial resource; at no point in the story does he ask for his money back. He just wanted his servants to make good use of what he has so generously entrusted to them. Fear paralyzed one of the servants who did nothing with the gift he had been given. Although the ruler trusted him, he did not trust the ruler. He thought it was safer to do nothing than to do something with the gift and fail. This is not the kind of relationship that the Lord wants us to have with him.
The Lord has placed rich resources into our possession, the gospel, the Holy Spirit, the saints, the community of believers. He wants us to draw on those rich resources and to share them courageously with others. He calls on us to give as we have received, without allowing ourselves to be held back by fear of failure. As Mother Teresa once said, the Lord does not ask us to be successful but to be faithful. He wants us to be faithful servants who live generously and courageously out of the fullness that he has entrusted to us. If we are faithful in that way, the Lord will work powerfully through us, including through our failures.
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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 Reflections on the Weekday Readings : Your word is a lamp for my feet and light for my path by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 19th November, 2025
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an dara leabhar Macabéach 7:1. 20-31
Is é cruthaitheoir an domhain a tabharfaidh sé anam agus beatha ar ais daoibh.
Tharla gur gabhadh seachtar deartháireacha mar aon lena máthair. Rinne an rí iarracht a chur d’iallach orthu muiceoil a bhlaiseadh, rud atá coiscthe sa dlí. Céasadh le fuipeanna agus le sciúirsí iad.
Chruthaigh an mháthair ar fheabhas, agus tuilleann sí go mbeadh buanchuimhne uirthi, óir d’fhair sí bás a seachtar mac i gcaitheamh an aon lae amháin, agus d’fhulaing sí é sin go calma, mar gheall ar an dóchas a chuir sí sa Tiarna. Leoga, is amhlaidh a mhisnigh sí gach duine acu i dteanga a sinsear. Bhí creideamh daingean uasal aici, agus bhí an chalmacht is dual don fhear mar thaca leis an stuaim is dual don bhean nuair a dúirt sí leo:
“Ní eol dom conas a tharla i mo bhroinn sibh; ní mise a chuir anam agus beatha ionaibh ná ní mise a chum gach ball de bhur gcorp. Is é cruthaitheoir an domhain a leag amach conas a thiocfadh duine ar an saol; eisean a bheartaigh tús an uile ní; ina thrócaire tabharfaidh sé anam agus beatha ar ais daoibh, ó tharla gur beag libh sibh féin mar gheall ar a dhlíthe.”Mheas Aintíochas go raibh sí ag fonóid faoi; bhí sé in amhras go raibh masla i dtuin a gutha. Ó tharla an deartháir ab óige a bheith beo fós, d’impigh sé air, ní amháin le briathra ach le gealltanais a mhionnaigh sé, á rá go ndéanfadh sé saibhir sona é dá dtréigfeadh sé nósanna a shinsear; dhéanfadh sé cara dó féin de agus bhronnfadh sé post poiblí air. Níor thug an t-ógfhear aird ar bith air, agus, dá bhrí sin, ghlaoigh an rí chuige ar a mháthair ansin agus d’iarr uirthi comhairle a thabhairt don ógánach é féin a fhuascailt. Tar éis dó bheith á áiteamh uirthi ar feadh i bhfad, thoiligh sí comhairle a chur ar a mac. Chrom sí anuas air agus bhuail sí bob ar an tíoránach dánartha leis na focail seo i dteanga a sinsear:
“A mhic, bíodh trua agat dom; d’iompair mé naoi mí i mo bhroinn thú, agus thug mé bainne cíche duit ar feadh trí bliana; bheathaigh mé agus d’oil mé thú go dtí an aois atá agat anois agus rinne mé cúram díot.
Impím ort, a leanbh liom, féach ar neamh agus ar talamh; machnaigh ar a bhfuil iontu agus admhaigh nach ndearna Dia iad as aon ní a bhí ann cheana agus gur sa dóigh chéanna a thagann an cine daonna ar an saol.
Ná bíodh faitíos ort roimh an gcéastúnach seo, ach cruthaigh go bhfuil tú ar aon chéim le do dheartháireacha, agus cuir fáilte roimh an mbás ionas go bhfaighidh mé ar ais thú, lá na trócaire, i gcuideachta do dheartháireacha.”
Sula raibh deireadh ráite aici, dúirt an t-ogfhear:
“Cad leis a bhfuil sibh ag feitheamh? Ní ghéillfidh mé do reacht an rí; umhlaím don reacht atá sa dlí a tugadh dár sinsir trí Mhaois. Maidir leatsa, a dhuine a bheartaigh gach cineál oilc in aghaidh na nGiúdach, is cinnte nach n-éalóidh tú ó láimh Dé."
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 16
Freagra Sásófar mé ag duiseacht le radharc do ghnúise, a Thiarna
1. Éist le cúis chóir, a Thiarna; tabhair aird ar mo ghlór;
tabhair cluas do m’urnaí nach dtagann as béal bréagach. Freagra
2. Ghreamaigh mo chéimeanna go daingean de do shlite, ní dheachaigh mo chosa ar fán ná ar fuaidreamh.
Gairim ort, a Dhia, agus tabharfaidh tú freagra orm:claon do chluas agus éist le mo bhriathar.
Déan mo chosaint mar mhac imreasan do shúile Freagra
3. Folaigh mé faoi scáth do sciathán. Feicfidh mise, áfach, do aghaidh i bhfíréantacht,
agus ag dúiseacht dom sásófar mé le radharc do ghnúise. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 19:11-28 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Cad chuige más ea nár chuir tú mo chuid airgid ar gaimbín?
San am sin labhair Íosa parabal, de bhrí go raibh sé i ngar do Iarúsailéim agus gur síleadh dóibh ríocht Dé a bheith le taibhsiú láithreach. Uime sin a dúirt:
“Chuaigh duine de threibh uasal go tír i gcéin chun céim ríoga a bhaint amach dó féin agus filleadh ansin. Ghlaoigh sé ar dheichniúr dá sheirbhísigh agus thug dóibh deich míoná agus dúirt leo: ‘Bígí i mbun gnó go dtaga mé.’ Ach bhí fuath ag a chomhthírigh dó, agus chuir siad teachtaí ina dhiaidh chun a rá: ‘Ní áil linn é seo a bheith ina rí orainn.’
'Ach ar a theacht ar ais i dtráth agus an chéim ríoga bainte amach aige, d’ordaigh sé fios a chur ar na seirbhísigh úd chuige a raibh an t-airgead tugtha aige dóibh, chun go mbeadh a fhios aige cad a bhí de bharr a ngnó acu faoi seach.Tháinig an chéad duine i láthair agus dúirt:
‘A thiarna, ghnóthaigh do mhíoná deich míoná.’
Dúirt sé leis: ‘Is maith sin, a dhea-sheirbhísigh; de bhrí go raibh tú iontaofa faoin mbeagán, bíodh forlámhas agat ar dheich gcathair.”
Tháinig an dara duine agus dúirt: ‘Rinne do mhíoná cúig mhíoná, a thiarna.’
Dúirt sé leis sin chomh maith: ‘Tusa mar an gcéanna, bí i gceannas ar chúig chathair.’
'Ach tháinig an duine eile agus dúirt:
‘A thiarna, seo duit do mhíoná; bhí sé i gcoimeád agam i naipcín. Óir bhí eagla orm romhat, de bhrí gur duine dian tú; glacann tú chugat an rud nár chuir tú i dtaisce agus baineann tú an fómhar nár chuir tú a shíol.’ Dúirt sé leis: ‘Tabharfaidh mé breith do bhéil féin ort, a dhroch-sheirbhísigh! Bhí a fhios agat, an raibh, gur duine dian mé, ag glacadh chugam an rud nár chuir mé i dtaisce, agus ag baint an fhómhair nár chuir mé a shíol? Cad chuige más ea nár chuir tú mo chuid airgid ar gaimbín? Agus nuair a thiocfainn, dhéanfainn é éileamh le hús.’
Agus dúirt sé leo seo a bhí i láthair: ‘Bainigí de an míoná, agus tugaigí é dó seo a bhfuil na deich míoná aige.’
‘Ach, a thiarna,’ ar said sin leis, ‘tá deich míoná aigesean.’
‘Deirim libh, gach aon duine a mbíonn aige, tabharfar dó, ach an té nach mbíonn aige, bainfear de fiú amháin a mbíonn aige. Ach na naimhde úd agam nárbh áil leo mé bheith i mo rí orthu, seolaigí i leith iad agus déanaigí iad a choscairt i mo láthair.’”
Nuair a bhí an méid sin ráite aige, ghluais sé roimhe ag dul suas go Iarúsailéim.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 23rd November, 2025
Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King, Solemnity
- The 34th (and Final Sunday) in Ordinary time, Year C
We celebrate Jesus Christ as a true shepherd king who leads his people to peace and Eternal Life.
FIRST READING
A reading from the second book of the Prophet Samuel 5:1-3
They anointed David King of Israel.
All the tribes of Israel then came to David at Hebron.
'Look' they said 'we are your own flesh and blood. In days past when Saul was our king, it was you who led Israel in all their exploits; and the Lord said to you,
"You are the man who shall be shepherd of my people Israel,
you shall be the leader of Israel".'
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a pact with them at Hebron in the presence of the Lord, and they anointed David, king of Israel.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 121: 1-5, R/v 2
Response I rejoiced when I heard them say: 'Let us go to God's house.'
1. I rejoiced when I heard them say: 'Let us go to God's house.'And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Response
2. Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. Response
3. For Israel's law it is, there to praise the Lord's name.
There were set the thrones of judgement of the house of David. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Colossians 1:12-20
He has created a place for us in the kingdom of the Son that he loves.
We give thanks to the Father who has made it possible for you to join the saints and with them to inherit the light. Because that is what he has done: he has taken us out of the power of darkness and created a place for us in the kingdom of the Son that he loves, and in him we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins.
He is the image of the unseen God and the first-born of all creation,
for in him were created all things in heaven and on earth:
everything visible and everything invisible,
Thrones, Dominations, Sovereignties, Powers –
all things were created through him and for him.
Before anything was created, he existed, and he holds all things in unity. Now the Church is his body, he is its head.
As he is the Beginning, he was first to be born from the dead, so that he should be first in every way; because God wanted all perfection to be found in him and all things to be reconciled through him and for him, everything in heaven and everything on earth, when he made peace by his death on the cross.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Mt 24:42
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessings on the coming kingdom of our father David!
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 23:35-43 Glory to you, O Lord
Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom.
The people stayed there watching him. As for the leaders, they jeered at him.'He saved others,' they said 'let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.'
The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar they said,
'If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself'.
Above him there was an inscription: 'This is the King of the Jews'.
One of the criminals hanging there abused him.
'Are you not the Christ?' he said. 'Save yourself and us as well.'
But the other spoke up and rebuked him. 'Have you no fear of God at all?' he said. 'You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.
Jesus,' he said 'remember me when you come into your kingdom.'
'Indeed, I promise you,' he replied 'today you will be with me in paradise.'
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/
Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 23rd November, 2025
(AN DOMHNACH SAOR DEIREANACH)
SOLLUNTAS CHRIOST RI NA nUILE
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an dara leabhar Samuél 5:1-3
Rinne siad DáivI a ungadh ma rI ar Isráél.
Tháinig treibheanna Iosrael go léir chuig Dáiví ansin i Heabrón.
“Féach,” ar siad, “sinne do mhuintir ó dhúchas feola agus smeara. San am atá thart nuair a bhí Sól ina rí orainn, is tusa a bhí mar thaoiseach ar Iosrael ina gcuid eachtraí go léir;
agus dúirt an Tiarna leat:
‘Is tusa a bheidh i d’aoire ar mo phobal Iosrael, is tusa a bheidh mar thaoiseach ar Iosrael.’”
Tháinig seanóirí Iosrael go léir chuig an rí ag Heabrón, agus rinne Dáiví rí conradh leo ag Heabrón i bhfianaise an Tiarna agus rinne siad Dáiví a ungadh ina rí ar Iosrael.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 121: 1-5, R/v 2
Freagra Rinne mé gairdeas nuair a dúradh liom: 'Téimis i dteach an Tiarna.'
I. Rinne mé gairdeas nuair a dúradh liom: 'Téimis i dteach an Tiarna.'
Tá ár gcosa ina seasamh cheana féin i do dhoirse, a Iarúsailéim. Freagra
2. Rinneadh cathair larúsailéim a thógáil go dlúth is go daingean.
Is chuici a ghabhann na treibheanna suas, treibheanna an Tiarna. Freagra
3. D'fhonn buíochas a ghabháil le hainm an Tiarna de réir dhlí chlann Israáél.
Is ansiúd atá cathaoir bhreithiúnais theaghlach Dháiví. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as litir Naomh Pól chuig Colosaigh 1:12-20
Chruthaigh Sé áit dúinn i ríocht a mhic mhuirnigh.
A bhráithre, gabhaimid buíochais go lúcháireach leis an Athair a dheonaigh daoibh a bheith páirteach in oidhreacht an phobail naofa sa solas agus a d’fhuascail sinn ó chumhacht an dorchadais agus chruthaigh Sé áit dúinn i ríocht a mhic mhuirnigh. Is tríd an Mac sin atá ár bhfuascailt le fáil, is é sin, maithiúnas na bpeacaí.
Is íomhá den Dia dofheicthe é agus céadghin gach dúile cruthaithe
mar is trídsean a cruthaíodh a bhfuil ar neamh agus ar
bídís sofheicthe nó dofheicthe, idir Thróin agus Thiarnais
idir Phrionsachtaí agus Chumhachtaí.
Is trídsean agus dósan a cruthaíodh an t-iomlán.
Tá tosach aige orthu uile agus is ann a choinnítear ar bun iad.
Is é ceann an choirp é, ceann na hEaglaise.
Is é an tús é, an chéadghin ó mhairbh i dtreo go mbeadh an tosach aige ar gach slí.
Mar is ann ab áil le lánmhaireacht iomlán Dé a bheith ina cónaí,
agus is trídsean ab áil leis gach a bhfuil ar neamh agus ar talamh
a thabhairt chun athmhuintearais leis féin,agus síocháin a dhéanamh leo trí fhuil a chroise.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Mc 11: 10
Alleluia, alleluia!
Is beannaithe an té atá ag teacht in ainm an Tiarna!
Is beannaithe ag teacht í, Ríocht ár nAthar, Daivi!
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 23:35-43
A Thiarna, cuimhnigh ormsa nuair a thiocfaidh tú faoi réim do riochta.
San am sin d’fhan an pobal ansiúd ag breathnú ar Íosa. Bhí na cinn urra féin ag dranngháire:
“Shaor sé daoine eile,” deiridís, “saoradh sé é féin, más é Críost Dé, an té atá tofa.”
Agus rinne na saighdiúirí freisin fonóid faoi; ag teacht ag tabhairt fínéagair chuige deiridís: “Más tú Rí na nGiúdach, saor thú féin!”
Agus fós, bhí scríbhinn os a chionn i nGréigis, i Laidin, agus in Eabhrais: “Rí na nGiúdach é seo.”
Duine de na coirpigh a bhí arna gcrochadh, bhí sé á dhiamhaslú á rá:
“Nach tú an Críost? Saor tú féin agus sinne.”
Ach thug an duine eile casaoid dó agus dúirt:
“An ea nach bhfuil eagla Dé ort, agus tusa faoin daorbhreith chéanna? Agus maidir linne, is le ceart é: tá díol ár mbeart féin á thabhairt orainn ach ní dhearna sé seo rud ar bith as an tslí.”
Agus dúirt: “A Íosa, cuimhnigh ormsa nuair a thiocfaidh tú faoi réim do ríochta!”
Agus dúirt seisean leis: “Deirim leat go fírinneach, beidh tú in éineacht liom inniu i bparthas.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
