Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Feb 8 - St Jerome Emiliani (1481-1537)
Summary: St Jerome Emeliani, born in Venice in the year 1486. At first a soldier but later left this life so as to consecrate himself to helping the poor: giving them all his worldly goods. He found the Order of Clerks Regular called the Somaschi to help orphan children and the poor. He died in somaschi, near Bergamo in 1537.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
At first a military commander of the Venetian forces, Jerome Emiliani went on to found a congregation of priests and brothers, the Company of Servants of the Poor, later called Somaschi after the town of Somasca overlooking Lake Como where they had their main house. Because of his work with abandoned children, Jerome Emiliani is the patron saint of orphans.
Early Military Career
Jerome was born in Venice of the noble Emiliani family and became an officer in the Venetian army. He was in command of the fortress of Castelnuovo (Treviso) when it was captured by the League of Cambrai forces. Imprisoned, he turned in prayer to Our Lady and let go of his worldly attachments and devoted himself to God. When he miraculously escaped, he placed his chains at an altar of Our Lady in Treviso, in gratitude for his freedom from both his physical and his spiritual prison.
Return to Venice: Commitment
After a short time as podestà (Venetian military commander) of Treviso, Jerome returned to his home in Venice to supervise the education of his nephews. Here he began studies for the priesthood. The war may have been over, but it was followed by famine and plague. Jerome devoted himself at this time to service of the poor and suffering. He felt a special call to help abandoned orphans. Using his own money, he rented a house for them, where he fed, clothed, and educated them.
The Company of Servants of the Poor (or Somaschi)
After he was ordained a priest in 1518, his contemporaries Cajetan (Gaetano da Thiene) who founded the Theatines and John Peter Caraffa (also a Theatine and later Pope Paul IV) encouraged him to found a hospital at first in Venice and then in Verona and later orphanages in Brescia and Bergamo. Two priests, Alessandro Besuzio and Agostino Bariso, joined him in his works of charity and in 1532 he founded a congregation of priests and brothers called the Company of Servants of the Poor, but were later called Somaschi from the town of Somasca overlooking Lake Como, where they had their main house.
Death and Influence
Jerome died in 1537 at the age of fifty-six from a disease contracted while taking care of the sick. Three years later his order was approved by Pope Paul III (Alessandro Farnese). He was canonized in 1767 and in 1928 Pius XI declared him the patron saint of orphans and abandoned children.
Orphanis patrum
The following Latin hymn Orphanis patrum celebrates Jerome Emiliani as Father to the orphans and is an expression of the spirituality of the order he founded:
Orphanis Patrem pia quem superni
cura Rectoris dedit, atque egenis
voce poscentum facilem rogari,
rite canamus.
Ferrea solvit manica revinctum
Ipsa coelesti rutilans decore
Numinis Mater, mediosque duxit
Virgo per hostes.
Hinc Stygis victor titulos, opesque
Sprevit antiquas, inopes parente
Colligens orbos pueros, parentis
Munia complens.
Nec pium, letho properante, munus
Desiit: certos pietatis almae
Liquit haeredes, operis magister
Factus et auctor.
Signa, quae vivens numerosa fecit,
Jam fruens coelo renovat, salutem
Conferens, miram bibat aut quis undam,
Seu prece poscat.
Te, Deus, Trinum celebrent et Unum
Omnium linguae: veniam benignus
Supplicum culpis prece da rogatus
Aemiliani. Amen.
For more see www.somascans.org
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
At first a military commander of the Venetian forces, Jerome Emiliani went on to found a congregation of priests and brothers, the Company of Servants of the Poor, later called Somaschi after the town of Somasca overlooking Lake Como where they had their main house. Because of his work with abandoned children, Jerome Emiliani is the patron saint of orphans.Early Military Career
Jerome was born in Venice of the noble Emiliani family and became an officer in the Venetian army. He was in command of the fortress of Castelnuovo (Treviso) when it was captured by the League of Cambrai forces. Imprisoned, he turned in prayer to Our Lady and let go of his worldly attachments and devoted himself to God. When he miraculously escaped, he placed his chains at an altar of Our Lady in Treviso, in gratitude for his freedom from both his physical and his spiritual prison.
Return to Venice: Commitment
After a short time as podestà (Venetian military commander) of Treviso, Jerome returned to his home in Venice to supervise the education of his nephews. Here he began studies for the priesthood. The war may have been over, but it was followed by famine and plague. Jerome devoted himself at this time to service of the poor and suffering. He felt a special call to help abandoned orphans. Using his own money, he rented a house for them, where he fed, clothed, and educated them.
The Company of Servants of the Poor (or Somaschi)
After he was ordained a priest in 1518, his contemporaries Cajetan (Gaetano da Thiene) who founded the Theatines and John Peter Caraffa (also a Theatine and later Pope Paul IV) encouraged him to found a hospital at first in Venice and then in Verona and later orphanages in Brescia and Bergamo. Two priests, Alessandro Besuzio and Agostino Bariso, joined him in his works of charity and in 1532 he founded a congregation of priests and brothers called the Company of Servants of the Poor, but were later called Somaschi from the town of Somasca overlooking Lake Como, where they had their main house.Death and InfluenceJerome died in 1537 at the age of fifty-six from a disease contracted while taking care of the sick. Three years later his order was approved by Pope Paul III (Alessandro Farnese). He was canonized in 1767 and in 1928 Pius XI declared him the patron saint of orphans and abandoned children.
Orphanis patrum
The following Latin hymn Orphanis patrum celebrates Jerome Emiliani as Father to the orphans and is an expression of the spirituality of the order he founded:
Orphanis Patrem pia quem superni
cura Rectoris dedit, atque egenis
voce poscentum facilem rogari,
rite canamus.
Ferrea solvit manica revinctum
Ipsa coelesti rutilans decore
Numinis Mater, mediosque duxit
Virgo per hostes.
Hinc Stygis victor titulos, opesque
Sprevit antiquas, inopes parente
Colligens orbos pueros, parentis
Munia complens.
Nec pium, letho properante, munus
Desiit: certos pietatis almae
Liquit haeredes, operis magister
Factus et auctor.
Signa, quae vivens numerosa fecit,
Jam fruens coelo renovat, salutem
Conferens, miram bibat aut quis undam,
Seu prece poscat.
Te, Deus, Trinum celebrent et Unum
Omnium linguae: veniam benignus
Supplicum culpis prece da rogatus
Aemiliani. Amen.
For more see www.somascans.org
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Memorable Wisdom Proverb
When a needy person stands at your door,
God himself stands at his side.
~Hebrew Proverb ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 8th February, 2026
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
The Beatitudes are how Jesus describes his own values in life and his wish for us
that we should live in tune with these advisories for the development of God's Kingdom.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 58:7-10
When will your light shine like the dawn
Thus says the Lord:Share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor,
clothe the man you see to be naked and turn not from your own kin.
Then will your light shine like the dawn
and your wound be quickly healed over.
Your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you. Cry, and the Lord will answer;
call, and he will say, 'I am here'.
If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist, the wicked word,
if you give your bread to the hungry,
and relief to the oppressed,
your light will rise in the darkness, and your shadows become like noon.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 111: 4-9, R/v1
Response The good man is a light in the darkness for the upright.
1. He is a light in the darkness for the upright: he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends, he conducts his affairs with honour. Response
2. The just man will never waver: he will be remembered for ever.
He has no fear of evil news; with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord. Response
3. With a steadfast heart he will not fear; open-handed, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm for ever. His head will be raised in glory. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to Corinthians 2:1-5
During my stay with you, the only knowledge I claimed to have was about Jesus,
and only about him as the crucified Christ.
When I came to you, brothers, it was not with any show of oratory or philosophy, but simply to tell you what God had guaranteed. During my stay with you, the only knowledge I claimed to have was about Jesus, and only about him as the crucified Christ. Far from relying on any power of my own, I came among you in great 'fear and trembling' and in my speeches and the sermons that I gave, there were none of the arguments that belong to philosophy; only a demonstration of the power of the Spirit. And I did this so that your faith should not depend on human philosophy but on the power of God.The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 8:12
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord,
anyone who follows me will have the light of life.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 5: 13-16 Glory to you, Lord
You are the light of the world.
Jesus said to his disciples:
'You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.'You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house.
In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.'
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
The scripture readings are taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with permission of the publishers.
For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 8th February, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Íseáia, Fáidh 58:7-10
Ansin scallfaidh do sholas amach mar an maidneachan
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
Do chuid aráin a roinnt le lucht ocrais, dídean a thabhairt do bhochtáin gan teach gan treabh,
éadach a chur ar an té a fheiceann tú nocht
agus gan faillí a dhéanamh i do dhualgas i leith do mhuintire.
Ansin scallfaidh do sholas amach mar an maidneachan
agus is gearr go dtaga cneasú ar do chréachtaí.
Rachaidh d’fhíréantacht romhat amach
agus glóir an Tiarna i do dhiaidh.
Ansin, má ghlaonn tú, tabharfaidh an Tiarna freagra ort;
nuair a scairtfidh tú, déarfaidh sé: “Seo anseo mé.”
Má dhíbríonn tú an leatrom as do chúrsaí,
bagairt na méire agus an chaint urchóideach,
má thugann tú do chuid aráin don ocrach
agus a sháith don duine dearóil,
éireoidh do sholas sa dorchadas agus beidh do ghruaim ina loinnir mheán lae.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 111:4-9, R/v1
Freagra Lonraíonn an dea-dhuine sa dorchacht do dhaoine cneasta.
1. Lonraíonn sé sa dorchacht do dhaoine cneasta: is trócaireach é, is fial, is ionraic.
Bíonn an dea-dhuine carthanach airleacthach, riarann sé a ghnó go ceart onórach. Freagra
2. Ní chorrófar an fíréan choíche: mairfidh a chuimhne go brách na breithe.
Ní chuirfidh drochscéal eagla air; is daingean a chroí, is e an Tiarna a dhóchas. Freagra
3. Is dílis daingean a chroí gan eagla; feicfidh sé a naimhde agus iad á dtreascairt.
Dáileann sé a chuid go fial ar lueht an ghátair.Maireann a fhéile go brách agus choíche. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig Coirintigh 15: 3-8. 11
Fad a bheinn in bhur measc gan aon ní eile a aithint ach Íosa Críost agus eisean arna chéasadh.
I dtaca liomsa, a bhráithre, nuair a tháinig mé chugaibh, níor tháinig mé ag fógairt [rúndiamhair] Dé le hardnós cainte ná eagna. Shocraigh mé i m’aigne fad a bheinn in bhur measc gan aon ní eile a aithint ach Íosa Críost agus eisean arna chéasadh. Is mé a bhí go lagbhríoch in bhur measc agus mé lán d’uamhan agus d’eagla. Agus ní ar bhriathra mealltacha na heagna daonna a bhí mo scéal agus m’fhógra ag brath ach ar fhoilsiú an Spioraid agus na cumhachta, i dtreo nach ar eagna dhaonna a bheadh bhur gcreideamhsa bunaithe ach ar chumhacht Dé.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 10: 27
Alleluia, alleluia!
Éisteann mo chaoirigh le mo ghlór, agus aithním iad, agus leanann siad mé.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eóin 5: 13-16
Is sibhse solas an domhain
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:“Is sibhse salann na talún. Ach má éiríonn an salann leamh, cad a dhéanfaidh goirt arís é? Níl tairbhe ann feasta chun rud ar bith, ach é a chaitheamh amach mar a ngabhfar de chosa ann.
Is sibhse solas an domhain. Cathair ar mhullach cnoic ní féidir í a cheilt. Ná ní lastar lampa chun é a chur faoi bhéal na peice, ach in airde ar an gcrann solais mar a dtugann sé solas dá mbíonn sa teach.
Sibhse mar an gcéanna, bíodh bhur solas ag taitneamh os comhair daoine chun go bhfeicfidís bhur ndeaghníomhartha agus go nglóireoidís bhur nAthair atá ar neamh.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 15th February, 2026
-15-2-2026-
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
We have been give the freedom to obey God's will.
Christ calls to choose love as our way of fulfilling God's will and fullness of life but....
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Ecclesiasticus ( Ben Sirach) 15:15-20
He never commanded anyone to be godless.
If you wish, you can keep the commandments, to behave faithfully is within your power. He has set fire and water before you; put out your hand to whichever you prefer.
Man has life and death before him; whichever a man likes better will be given him.
For vast is the wisdom of the Lord; he is almighty and all-seeing.
His eyes are on those who fear him, he notes every action of man.
He never commanded anyone to be godless, he has given no one permission to sin.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 118: 1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34
Response They are happy who follow God's law!
1. They are happy whose life is blameless, who follow God's law!
They are happy those who do his will, seeking him with all their hearts. Response
2. You have laid down your precepts to be obeyed with care.
May my footsteps be firm to obey your statutes. Response
3. Bless your servant and I shall live and obey your word.
Open my eyes that I may consider the wonders of your law. Response
4. Teach me the demands of your statutes and I will keep them to the end.
Train me to observe your law, to keep it with my heart. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 2:6-10
God predestined to be for our glory before the ages began.
We have a wisdom to offer those who have reached maturity: not a philosophy of our age, it is true, still less of the masters of our age, which are coming to their end. The hidden
wisdom of God which we teach in our mysteries is the wisdom that God predestined to be for our glory before the ages began. It is a wisdom that none of the masters of this age have ever known, or they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory; we teach what scripture calls: The things that no eye has seen and no ear has heard, things beyond the mind of man, all that God has prepared for those who love him.These are the very things that God has revealed to us through the Spirit, for the Spirit reaches the depths of everything, even the depths of God.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation 1 Sam 3:9
Alleluia, alleluia!
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life.
Alleluia!
or Mt 11:25
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 5:17-37 Glory to you, O Lord
You have learnt how it was said to your ancestors; but I say this to you.
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets.
I have come not to abolish them but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.
‘For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors:
You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court.
But I say this to you: Anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire.
So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.
‘You have learnt how it was said:
You must 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. If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body thrown into hell. And if your right hand should cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body go to hell.
‘It has also been said:
Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal.
But I say this to you: Everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of fornication, makes her an adulteress; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
‘Again, you have learnt how it was said to our ancestors:
You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord.
But I say this to you: Do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God’s throne; or by the earth, since that is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great king. Do not swear by your own head either, since you cannot turn a single hair white or black.
All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.’
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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Shorter Gospel form
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 5:20-22.
Theme: You have learnt how it was said to your ancestors; but I say this to you....
Jesus said to his disciples:
'Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to complete them.
I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.
'For I tell you,if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will never get into the kingdom of heaven
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/
The scripture readings are taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with permission of the publishers.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 15th February, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Leabhar Shíorach 15:15-20
Níor ordaigh sé d’aon duine ríamh bheith aindiaga.
Más áil leat é, is féidir duit na haitheanta a choimeád,agus ort féin atá sé ag brath a bheith dílis.
Tá tine agus uisce curtha aige os do chomhair;
sín amach do lámh chuig cibé acu is rogha leat.
Tá an bás agus an bheatha os comhair an duine,
agus tabharfar dó cibé acu is mian leis.
Óir is fairsing í eagna an Tiarna; Is mór í a chumhacht agus feiceann sé an uile ní.
Bíonn a shúile ar na daoine a bhfuil eagla orthu roimhe,
agus is eol dó gach beart dá ndéanann an duine.
Níor ordaigh sé d’aon duine riamh a bheith aindiaga,
ná níor thug sé cead d’aon duine riamh peaca a dhéanamh.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 118: 1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34
Freagra Is aoibhinn dóibh siúd a chomhlíonann dlí an Tiarna.
I. Is aoibhinn dóibh siúd a bhfuil a slí gan locht, a chomhlíonann dlí an Tiarna.
Is aoibhinn dóibh siúd a dhéanann de réir a thola, a iarrann é óna gcroí go hiomlán. Freagra
2. Thug tú do phroiceapta chun go gcomhlíonfaí iad go beacht.
Á, dá mbeadh mo slite socraithe go daingean chun do reachtanna uile a choimeád. Freagra
3. Bí go maith le do ghiolla, go maire mé, agus go gcoimeáda me do bhriathra.
Oscail mo shúile chun go bhfeice mé íontais do dhlí. Freagra
4. Múin dom, a Thiarna, slí do reachtanna, agus coimeádfaidh mé go beacht iad.
Déan mo theagasc chun do dhlí a chomhlíonadh ionas go gcoimeádainn ó chroí é. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Coirintigh 2:6-10
Cheap Dia an eagna roimh thús aimsire chun glóir a thabhairt dúinn.
A bhráithre, labhraimidne eagna i measc na muintire atá tagtha in inmhe, ach
ní hí eagna an tsaoil seo í ná eagna lucht ceannais an tsaoil seo, dream atá ag imeacht as. Is í eagna rúnda Dé atá i gceist againne, an eagna a bhí folaithe ó dhaoine ach a bhí ceaptha ag Dia roimh thús aimsire chun glóir a thabhairt dúinne. Ní raibh fios na heagna seo ag duine ar bith de cheannairí an tsaoil seo mar dá mbeadh a fhios acu í ní chéasfaidís Tiarna na glóire ar an gcrois. Mar atá scríofa:“Nithe nach bhfaca súil iad agus nár chuala cluas iad, nithe nár smaoinigh an duine orthu ina aigne,
is iad atá ullamh ag Dia dóibh siúd a bheir grá dó.”
Is dúinne a nocht Dia [na nithe seo] le cabhair an Spioraid.Scrúdaíonn an Spiorad gach uile ní, fiú duibheagáin Dé féin.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 6: 63, 68
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 Mhatha 5:17-37 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Sin mar a dúradh leis na sinsir; ach is é seo a deirimse libh.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail
“Ná bígí ag ceapadh gur chun an dlí agus na fáithe a chur ar ceal a tháinig mé.
Ní á gcur ar ceal a tháinig mé ach á gcur i gcrích.Óir deirim libh go fírinneach, is túisce a imeoidh neamh agus talamh ná mar a imeoidh aon litir ná aon ghiota den dlí gan gach aon ní a bheith tagtha i gcrích. Dá bhrí sin, an té a chuirfidh aon aithne ar ceal den chuid is lú de na haitheanta seo, agus a mhúinfidh do dhaoine eile an rud céanna a dhéanamh, measfar é sin ar an té is lú i ríocht na bhflaitheas.
Ach an té a choimeádfaidh iad agus a mhúinfidh, measfar eisean ina dhuine mór i ríocht na bhflaitheas.
Óir deirim libh, mura mbíonn barr fíréantachta agaibh ar a mbíonn ag na scríobhaithe agus ag na Fairisínigh, is cinnte nach rachaidh sibh isteach i ríocht na bhflaitheas.
“Chuala sibh go ndúradh leis na sinsir: ‘Ná déan marú; agus má dhéanann duine marú beidh air freagairt ann don bhreithiúnas.’
Ach is é a deirimse libh: duine ar bith a bhíonn i bhfeirg lena bhráthair, beidh air freagairt ann don bhreithiúnas, agus má deir aon duine lena bhráthair ‘Ceann baoth’, beidh air freagairt ann don tsainidrín; agus má deir sé ‘Amadán’ leis, beidh air freagairt ann i dtine ifrinn. Dá réir sin, má bhíonn tú ag tabhairt d’ofrála chun na haltóra agus go gcuimhneoidh tú ansin go bhfuil cúis ghearáin éigin ag do bhráthair ort, fág d’ofráil ansiúd os comhair na haltóra, imigh leat ar dtús agus déan síocháin le do bhráthair, agus tar ansin ag déanamh na hofrála. An duine a chúisíonn thú, tar chun réitigh leis gan mhoill agus tú ag gabháil na slí leis, le heagla go dtabharfadh fear do chúisithe suas don bhreitheamh thú, agus an breitheamh don phóilín, agus go gcuirfí i bpriosún thú. Deirim leat go fírinneach, ní thiocfaidh tú amach as sin go mbeidh an cianóigín deireanach díolta agat.
“Chuala sibh go ndúradh: ‘Ná déan adhaltranas.’
Ach is é a deirimse libh: duine ar bith a bhreathnaíonn ar bhean le dúil inti, tá adhaltranas déanta aige léi cheana féin ina chroí. Más siocair pheaca duit do shúil dheas, srac amach í agus caith uait í, óir is fearr duit ball de do chorp a chailleadh ná do chorp ar fad a chaitheamh isteach in ifreann. Agus más siocair pheaca duit do lámh dheas, gearr anuas í agus caith uait í, óir is fearr duit ball de do chorp a chailleadh ná go rachadh do chorp ar fad isteach in ifreann.
“Dúradh fós: ‘Má scaoileann duine a bhean uaidh tugadh sé litir idirscartha di.’
Ach is é a deirimse libh: gach aon duine a scaoileann uaidh a bhean, taobh amuigh de chás an striapachais, ligeann sé le hadhaltranas í, agus duine ar bith a phósann bean a scaoileadh, déanann sé adhaltranas.
“Chuala sibh freisin go ndúradh leis na sinsir: ‘Ná sáraigh do mhionn; déan do mhionna a chomhlíonadh don Tiarna.’
Ach is é a deirimse libh, gan mionn ar bith a thabhairt: gan a thabhairt dar neamh, óir is é ríchathaoir Dé é; ná dar an talamh, óir is é stól a chos é; ná dar Iarúsailéim, óir is í cathair an Rí mhóir í; ná mionnaigh dar do cheann ach chomh beag, mar ní féidir duit aon ribe amháin de a dhéanamh geal ná dubh. Is é amháin is ráite daoibh: ‘Is ea, is ea.’ ‘Ní hea, ní hea.’ Focal thar an méid sin, is ón Olc é!
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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Soiscéal gearr
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 5:20-22,
Sin mar a dúradh leis na sinsir; ach is é seo a deirimse libh.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail
“Ná bígí ag ceapadh gur chun an dlí agus
fáithe a chur ar ceal a tháinig mé. Ní á gcur ar ceal a tháinig mé ach á gcur i gcrích.Óir deirim libh go fírinneach, is túisce a imeoidh neamh agus talamh ná mar a imeoidh aon litir ná aon ghiota den dlí gan gach aon ní a bheith tagtha i gcrích. Dá bhrí sin, an té a chuirfidh aon aithne ar ceal den chuid is lú de na haitheanta seo, agus a mhúinfidh do dhaoine eile an rud céanna a dhéanamh, measfar é sin ar an té is lú i ríocht na bhflaitheas. Ach an té a choimeádfaidh iad agus a mhúinfidh, measfar eisean ina dhuine mór i ríocht na bhflaitheas.
Óir deirim libh, mura mbíonn barr fíréantachta agaibh ar a mbíonn ag na scríobhaithe agus ag na Fairisínigh, is cinnte nach rachaidh sibh isteach i ríocht na bhflaitheas.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
