Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Dec 23 - St John of Kanti (1390-1473)
Summary: St John of Kanty, priest. Born at Kanty (Poland) in 1390; died at Krakow on 24 December 1473, taught philosophy, theology, and Scripture at the university in Krakow and urged his students to moderation in controversy. He was admired for his excellent teaching, for the austerity of his personal life, and for the generosity of his almsgiving.
Patrick Duffy tells what is known about him.
A Priest at Krakow University
John was born in the village of Kanti, just south of modern-day Auschwitz in Poland. He studied philosophy and theology at the university of Krakow. He was ordained a priest soon after completing his course and became a popular lecturer there as well as an effective preacher. He had an interest in physics and he helped develop Jean Buridan's theory of "impetus," which anticipated the work of Galileo and Newton. John also had a reputation for holiness, austerity (he slept on the floor and never ate meat) and for generosity to the poor.
Apart from a short time as a parish vicar, John spent most of his life as a lecturer in philosophy and theology in the University of Krakow.
Parish Priest of Olkusz
Falsely accused, he was ousted by university rivals and appointed to the parish of Olkusz. Although single-minded and energetic, he was not altogether successful as a parish priest.
Return to University
He returned to teach at the university where he spent the rest of his life, teaching Scripture. He impressed on his students the need for moderation and good manners in controversy. He was held in such high esteem at the university that for many years after his death his gown was used on degree days to vest each new doctor of the university.
Pilgrim
He made four pilgrimages to Rome on foot, carrying his luggage on his back. He also went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, hoping to be martyred by Turks. When warned to look after his health, he pointed out that the desert fathers lived long lives in conditions that had nothing to recommend them but the presence of God.
Death and Influence
John died on Christmas Eve 1473 and was canonised in 1767. He is popular as a saint in Poland and Lituania has many churches named after him among the Polish diaspora in Canada and the United States of America.
Patrick Duffy tells what is known about him.A Priest at Krakow University
John was born in the village of Kanti, just south of modern-day Auschwitz in Poland. He studied philosophy and theology at the university of Krakow. He was ordained a priest soon after completing his course and became a popular lecturer there as well as an effective preacher. He had an interest in physics and he helped develop Jean Buridan's theory of "impetus," which anticipated the work of Galileo and Newton. John also had a reputation for holiness, austerity (he slept on the floor and never ate meat) and for generosity to the poor.
Apart from a short time as a parish vicar, John spent most of his life as a lecturer in philosophy and theology in the University of Krakow.
Parish Priest of Olkusz
Falsely accused, he was ousted by university rivals and appointed to the parish of Olkusz. Although single-minded and energetic, he was not altogether successful as a parish priest.
Return to University
He returned to teach at the university where he spent the rest of his life, teaching Scripture. He impressed on his students the need for moderation and good manners in controversy. He was held in such high esteem at the university that for many years after his death his gown was used on degree days to vest each new doctor of the university.
Pilgrim
He made four pilgrimages to Rome on foot, carrying his luggage on his back. He also went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, hoping to be martyred by Turks. When warned to look after his health, he pointed out that the desert fathers lived long lives in conditions that had nothing to recommend them but the presence of God.
Death and Influence
John died on Christmas Eve 1473 and was canonised in 1767. He is popular as a saint in Poland and Lituania has many churches named after him among the Polish diaspora in Canada and the United States of America.
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Memorable Saying for Today
“It’s not how much we give but
how much love we put into giving.”
~Mother Teresa (1910–97)~
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Liturgical Readings for: Tuesday, 23rd December, 2025
Final Octave days before Christmas - December. 23rd - O Emmanuel
FIRST READING
A reading from the prophet Malachi 3:1-4. 23-24
I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the day of the Lord comes.
The Lord God says this:
Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple;
and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears?
For he is like the refiner's fire and the fullers' alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier;
he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be welcomed by the Lord as in former days, as in the years of old.
Know that I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before my day comes, that great and terrible day. He shall turn the hearts of fathers towards their children and the hearts of children towards their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a curse.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 24: 4-5, 8-9, 10.14 R/v Lk 21:28
Response Stand erect, hold your heads high,
because your liberation is near at hand.
1. Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth, and teach me: for you are God my saviour. Response
2. The Lord is good and upright. He shows the path to those who stray.
He guides the humble in the right path; he teaches his way to the poor. Response
3. His ways are faithfulness and love for those who keep his covenant and will.
The Lord's friendship is for those who revere him; to them he reveals his covenant. Response
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
O King of the peoples and corner-stone of the Church,
come and save man whom you made from the dust of the earth.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 1:57-66 Glory to you, O Lord.
The birth of John the Baptist.
The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son;
and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.
Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child;
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother spoke up. 'No,' she said 'he is to be called John.'
They said to her, 'But no one in your family has that name',
and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called.
The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, 'His name is John'.
And they were all astonished.
At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God.
All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. 'What will this child turn out to be?' they wondered.
And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection 23rd December Luke 1:57-66
Some time ago, I did some research on my family tree. My father’s name was Patrick Hogan and his father’s first name was John. Not only was my grandfather called John, but so was my great grandfather and my great, great grandfather. I was getting very confused with all the ‘John Hogans’ that were cropping up. It brought home to me how the naming of a new born child was a very traditional business in past generations. The child very often took the name of the father or mother or of some other significant close relative. It wasn’t usual to choose a name that had never been used in the family before. We find that tradition at play in today’s gospel reading.
When Elizabeth and Zechariah’s child was born, the expectation was that he would be called Zechariah after his father. When Elizabeth declared that he would be named John, following on from the message of the angel Gabriel, the neighbours and relations all piped up, ‘But no one in your family has that name’. It took the written word of Zechariah to confirm what Elizabeth had said. Their son would not be called after their father, but would be called John. What’s in a name you might ask? Many Hebrew names had a meaning and the name John is short for ‘The Lord is gracious’.
A new era of God’s gracious, loving, presence was about to open up with the birth of Jesus, and Elizabeth and Zechariah’s son would prepare the people for Jesus’ coming. God was doing something new, and age-old conventions, such as around the naming of children, had to give way before this wonderful newness. God continues to do something new today through his Son, now risen Lord, and we all have to learn to let go of conventional ways of doing things so that the ever new work the Lord wants to do today can find full expression among us.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from Fr Martin Hogan's book Reflections on the Weekday Readings : The Word is Near to You, on your lips and in your heart published by Messenger Publications , c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Memorable Saying for Today
“It’s not how much we give
but how much love we put into our giving.”
~Mother Teresa (1910–97)~
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Liturgical Readings for: Tuesday, 23rd December, 2025
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as Malachi, fáidh 3:1-4. 23-24
Tá sé beartaithe agam an fáidh, Éilias, a chur chugaibh sula dtiocfaidh lá mór scéiniúil an Tiarna.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
“
Tá mo theachtaire á chur amach agam chun an bóthar a réiteach romham; agus an Tiarna atá á lorg agaibh, rachaidh sé isteach ina Theampall go tobann; agus aingeal an chonartha, a bhfuil sibh ag tnúth leis, tá sé ag teacht, a deir Tiarna na Slua. Ach cé a fhulaingeoidh lá a theachta? Cé a fhéadfaidh seasamh nuair a thaibhseoidh sé? Óir, is cuma é nó tine an athleádóra agus buac an úcaire. Suífidh sé síos mar athleádóir, agus mar ghlantóir airgid, agus glanfaidh sé clann mhac Léiví agus athleáfaidh sé iad mar ór nó mar airgead sa chaoi go mbeidh a dhíol d’íobróirí iontu ag an Tiarna. Ansin, beidh íobairt Iúdá agus Iarúsailéim taitneamhach leis an Tiarna faoi mar a bhí sí anallód, na blianta fada ó shin.“Féach! Tá sé beartaithe agam an fáidh, Éilias, a chur chugaibh sula dtiocfaidh lá mór scéiniúil an Tiarna. Iompóidh sé croí na n-aithreacha i leith a gclainne agus croí na clainne i leith a n-aithreacha ar eagla go dtiocfainn agus mallacht a chur ar an tír.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 24: 4-5, 8-9, 10.14 R/v Lk 21:28
Freagra Seasaigí suas agus ardaígí bhur gceann,
óir tá bhur bhfuascailt in aice láimhe.
I. Taispeáin de shlite dom, a Thiarna, agus teagasc mé do rianta.
Teoraigh me i d'fhírinne agus teagasc mé, óir is tusa, a Dhia, mo Shlánaitheoir. Freagra
2. Is maith is díreach é an Tiarna.Uime sin múineann sé an tslí do na peacaigh.
Díríonn se an fear umhal san fhíreántacht; múineann sé a shlí don fhear umhal. Freagra
3. Buanghrá is dilseacht cosáin uile an Tiarna dá gcomhlíonann a chonradh is a aithne.
Tá gean an Tiarna ar lucht a eaglaithe; is dóibh a fhoilsíonn sé a chonradh. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 1:57-66 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Labhair a mháthair agus dúirt: glaofar Eoin air.
Tháinig a hionú d’Eilís agus rug sí mac. Agus chuala a comharsana agus a gaolta go ndearna Dia a thrócaire go hiomarcúil uirthi,
agus rinne siad comhghairdeas léi.
Agus ar an ochtú lá, tháinig siad chun an leanbh a thimpeall ghearradh, agus bhí siad ag tabhairt ainm a athar air, Zachairias. Ach labhair a mháthair agus dúirt: “Ní hea, ach glaofar Eoin air.”Agus dúirt siad léi: “Níl aon duine ar do chine a bhfuil an t-ainm sin air.”
Ach d’fhiafraigh siad le comharthaí sóirt dá athair cad ab áil leis a thabhairt air.
Agus d’iarr seisean cláirín agus scríobh air: “Is Eoin is ainm dó.”
Agus rinne siad uile ionadh de. Bogadh a bhéal agus a theanga láithreach, agus labhair sé ag moladh Dé. Agus tháinig uamhan ar a gcomharsana uile; agus sa cheantar go léir ar fud na gcnoc in Iúdáia, bhítí ag iomrá ar na nithe seo uile, agus gach ar chuala trácht orthu, chuir said chucu ina gcroí iad, agus deiridís: “Cad is dán don leanbh seo, mar sin?”
Óir go deimhin bhí lámh an Tiarna leis.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 28th December, 2025
The Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Feast, Year A
Sunday within the Octave of Christma
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Ecclesiasticus (Sirac) 3:2-6. 12-14
He who fears the Lord, respects his parents
The Lord honours the father in his children,
and upholds the rights of a mother over her sons.
Whoever respects his father is atoning for his sins,
he who honours his mother is like someone amassing a fortune.
Whoever respects his father will be happy with children of his own,
he shall be heard on the day when he prays.
Long life comes to him who honours his father,
he who sets his mother at ease is showing obedience to the Lord.
My son, support your father in his old age, do not grieve him during his life.
Even if his mind should fail, show him sympathy, do not despise him in your health and strength;
for kindness to a father shall not be forgotten but will serve as reparation for your sins.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm 127:1-5 R/v 1
Response O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
By the labour of your hands you shall eat You will be happy and prosper. Response
Your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house;
your children like shoots of the olive around your table. Response
Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord
May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Colossians 3:12-21
Family life in the Lord
You are God's chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion,
in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins.
The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them,
put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together
as parts of one body. Always be thankful.
Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Wives, give way to your husbands, as you should in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and treat them with gentleness.
Children, be obedient to your parents always, because that is what will please the Lord.
Parents, never drive your children to resentment or you will make them feel frustrated.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Col 3:15-16
Alleluia, alleluia!
May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts,
let the message of Christ find a home in you.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL Year A
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 2:13-15. 19-23 Glory to you, O Lord
Take the child and his mother and escape into Egypt
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
'Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you,
because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him'.
So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him left that night for Egypt, where they stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: I called my son out of Egypt.'
After Herod's death, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 'Get up, take the child and his mother with you and go back to the land of Israel, for those who wanted to kill the child are dead'.
So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, went back to the land of Israel. But when he learnt that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as ruler of Judaea he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he left for the region of Galilee. There he settled in a town called Nazareth.
In this way the words spoken through the prophets were to be fulfilled: 'He will be called a Nazarene.'
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
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Alternative Gospels
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 2:22-40 Glory to you, O Lord
The child grew, filled with wisdom.
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord — observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord — and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked
forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.’
As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected — and a sword will pierce your own soul too — so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’
There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer.
She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 28th December, 2025
FÉILE AN TEAGHGLAIGH NAOFA Blian A
(Blian A: 2025)
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Sírach - 3:2-6, 12-14
An té ar bhfuil eagla an Tiarna, tugann sé onóir dá thuismitheoirí
Tugann an Tiarna onóir don athair trí bhíthin a chlainne,
agus déanann sé údarás na máthar ar a cuid clainne a dhaingniú.
An té a mbíonn urraim aige dá athair, déanann sé leorghníomh ina pheacaí.
An té a thugann onóir dá mháthair, is cosúil é le duine atá ag cnuasach stóir dó féin.
An té a mbíonn urraim aige dá athair, beidh a chlann féin ina n-ábhar áthais dó,
agus nuair a dhéanfaidh sé guí, éistfear leis.
An té a thugann onóir dá athair, beidh fad saoil aige,
agus an té a dhéanann rud ar an Tiarna, tabharfaidh sé sólás dá mháthair.
A mhic, glac cúram d’athar ort féin i ndeireadh a shaoil agus ná cuir brón air fad is beo dó.
Fiú amháin má thagann meath ar a mheabhair, bí foighneach leis;
ná bíodh drochmheas agat air, toisc, tú féin a bheith i mbarr do mhaítheasa.
Óir an charthanacht a dhéanann tú ar d’athair, ní dhéanfar dearmad uirthi choíche,
agus cuirfear síos duit é in aghaidh do pheacaí.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Diatiarna
Salm le Freagra Sm 127 L: 1-5 R/v 1
Freagra Is aoibhinnaidh tú toradh do shaothair féin.
do chách lerb eagal an Tiarna agus a shiúlann ins shlite
1. Is aoibhinn do chách lerb eagal an Tiarna agus a shiúlann ins shlite.
Íosfaidh tú toradh do shaothair féin. Beidh úgo sona séanmhar. Freagra
2. Beidh do bhean amhail finiúin thorthach i gcearlár di thí
beidh do clann mar bhuinneáin olóige agus iad mórthimpeall do bhoird. Freagra
3. Is amhlaidh a bheannófar an fear ar a mbíonn eagla an Tiarna.
Go mbeannaí an tiarna thú as Sión amach gach láde do shaol. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Colosaigh: 3:12-21
Saol an teaghlaigh i nDia
A bhraithre, ós sibhse an pobal tofa, pobal naofa muirneach Dé, cuirigí umaibh trua
croí, cineáltas, uirísle, ceansacht agus foighne. Cuirigí suas le chéile agus cibé locht a
bhíonn ag duine agaibh ar dhuine eile maithigí dá chéile é; faoi mar a mhaith an Tiarna
daoibh, déanaigí-se mar an gcéanna. Agus mar bharr ar gach ní acu sin cuirigí umaibh an grá mar is é a chuirfidh bail agus críoch ar an iomlán. Agus bíodh síocháin Chríost i réim in bhur gcroí mar is chun síocháin a bheith agaibh a glaodh sibh le chéile in aon chorp amháin.
Agus bígí buíoch. Bíodh briathar Chríost ina chónaí faoi rath in bhur measc. Déanaigí a chéile a chomhairliú agus a theagasc le barr eagna. Canaigí sailm agus iomainn agus laoithe spioradálta in ómós do Dhia agus buíochas in bhur gcroí. Agus gach ní dá ndéanann sibh le briathar nó le gníomh, déanaigí an t-iomlán in ainm an Tiarna
Íosa ag gabháil buíochais le Dia an tAthair tríd. Saol an Teaghlaigh
A mhná, bígí faoi smacht bhur bhfear céile mar is dual sa Tiarna.
A fheara, bíodh grá agaibh do bhur mná agus gan bheith garg leo.
A leanaí, bígí umhal do bhur dtuismitheoirí i ngach ní mar is taitneamhach sin leis an Tiarna.
A aithreacha, ná déanaigí bhur leanaí a chrá le heagla go gcuirfí drochmhisneach orthu.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Diatiarna
Alleluia Véarsa Col 3 :15-16
Alleluia, alleluia
Bíodh síocháin Chríost i réim in bhur gcroí;
bíodh briathar Chríost ina chónaí faoi rath in bhur measc.
Alleluia
SOISCÉAL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 2:22-40 Glory to you, O Lord.
Feach, is dán dó seo bheith ina thrúig leagtha agus éirithe dá lán in Iosrael.
Nuair a bhí ocht lá caite agus é le timpeallghearradh, tugadh Íosa mar ainm air, mar a thug an t-aingeal air sular gabhadh sa bhroinn é. Agus nuair a bhí na laethanta caite agus iad le híonghlanadh de réir dhlí Mhaois, thug siad go Iarúsailéim é le toirbhirt don Tiarna – mar atá scríofa i ndlí an Tiarna: “Gach fíreannach atá ina chéadghin, is rud coisricthe don Tiarna é” – agus chun go n-ofrálfaidís mar íobairt, de réir a bhfuil ráite i ndlí an Tiarna, “péire colm nó dhá ghearrcach colúir.”
Bhí fear in Iarúsailéim
darbh ainm Simeon, agus bhí an fear seo fíréanta diaga, ag súil le sólás Iosrael, agus bhí an Spiorad Naomh ina luí air. Agus bhí foilsiú faighte ón Spiorad Naomh aige nach bhfeicfeadh sé an bás nó go bhfeicfeadh Meisias an Tiarna. Tháinig sé, faoi luí an Spioraid, isteach sa Teampall; agus le linn dá thuismitheoirí bheith ag tabhairt an linbh Íosa isteach chun go ndéanfaidís ar a shon de réir nós an dlí, ghlac seisean chuige ina ucht é, agus mhol Dia agus dúirt:“Anois atá tú ag scaoileadh do sheirbhísigh uait, a
Thiarna, de réir d’fhocail, faoi shíocháin,
mar tá mo shúile tar éis do shlánú a fheiceáil
atá ullamh agat faoi chomhair na bpobal uile:
solas chun na náisiúin a shoilsiú agus glóir do phobail Iosrael.”
Agus bhí a athair agus a mhathair ag déanamh ionadh de na nithe a dúradh mar gheall air. Agus bheannaigh Simeon iad agus dúirt le Muire a mháthair:
“Feach, is dán dó seo bheith ina thrúig leagtha agus éirithe dá lán in Iosrael agus ina chomhartha a shéanfar – agus gabhfaidh claíomh trí d’anam féin – chun go bhfoilseofaí smaointe as mórán croíthe.”
Agus bhí banfháidh ann freisin, Anna iníon Fanuéil, de threibh Áiséar, í anonn I mblianta móra: mhair sí seacht mbliana ag a fear céile tar éis a hóghachta. Fágadh ina baintreach í, agus bhí ceithre bliana ochtód an uair seo aici; agus ní fhágadh sí an Teampall, ag seirbhís do Dhia de lá agus d’oíche le troscadh agus le hurnaithe. Tháinig sí i láthair an uair sin féin, agus thug moladh agus buíochas do Dhia; agus labhair sí mar gheall air le cách a bhí ag súil le Iarúsailéim a fhuascailt.
Nuair a bhí gach ní curtha i gcrích acu de réir dhlí an Tiarna, d’fhill siad ar an nGailíl, go dtí a gcathair féin Nazarat. Agus d’fhás an leanbh agus neartaigh, é lán d’eagna; agus bhí grásta Dé ina luí air.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
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Machtnamh ar Bhriathar Dé dia
Greamaithe le chéile sa carrthanacht
Na rudaí is mó a cheanglaíonn teaghlaigh le chéile is iad grá agus maithiúnas. Béidh an bhua ag an ghrá sa deireadh, fiú amháin más mór é uaireanta a theaspáint i bhfoirm "grá dian" agus caint oscailte, macánta. Nuair is gá ordú a chur i bhfeidhm, mura ndéantar é i slí grámhar, ba féidir go ndiúltófar é mar mhí-úsáid. Má tá mí-áth ar ár dteaghlaigh ar bhealach ar bith, is cosúil gur c#uis le sin ná easpa grá ar chuid an duine. Nuair a oibríonn saol an teaghlaigh go maith, is íontach an bhúa é. Ach bagairt mhór do theaghlaigh an lá atá inniu ann nach gcaithimid go leor ama ag labhairt le chéile. B'fhéidir go bhfuil muid ró-ghnóthach ag obair, ar an ghuthán, ag cearrbhachas ar ár IPads agus ár smartphones, nó ag breathnú ar Netflix agus teilifís. Ar féasta an Teaghlaigh Naofa, d'fhéadfaimis ár dtosaíochtaí a athnuachaint agus beagán níos mó ama a chaitheamh i gcaidreamh leo siúd is gaire dúinn.
Pádraig Ó Rúairí, cp,
Sliabh Argus, Átha Cliath.
