Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Apr 22 - St Theodore of Sykeon (d. 613)
Summary: St Theodore of Sykeon, a hermit, ascetic, exorcist, priest, bishop and finally a monk again. He comes from Galatia (Asia Minor - present day Turkey) is a kind of "strong-man" saint of that region in the sixth/seventh century.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Early Life
Theodore was born at Sykeon in Galatia, the son of Maria. Maria with her mother and sister kept an inn in the town, all three working also as prostitutes. His father may have been a circus artist, but he was not involved at all in his son's upbringing. Baptised Theodore (gift of God), when he was six his mother made him a gold belt and expensive clothes, hoping he would go into the service of the emperor at Constantinople. But Theodore disliked being at an inn and used to go off to stay overnight at a nearby chapel of St George. Here he felt more at home and developed an insight into the world of holiness as well as a devotion to St George which he kept up all his life.
Hermit, Ascetic and Exorcist
As an adolescent, Theodore became a hermit. His grandmother would bring him fruit and vegetables, which he ate sparingly. He seemed to have developed a gift of exorcising demons and perhaps because of this or because of his asceticism, he was given the nickname "Iron Eater". He wore an iron girdle around his body.
To Jerusalem and Back
Theodore was ordained a priest at the youthful age of eighteen. He then went off to Jerusalem to visit the holy places. While he was there, he received the monk's habit and came home to resume his ascetic practices and exorcisms. His mother meanwhile had married a businessman of Ancyra and his aunt and sister became nuns.
Bishop of Anastasiopolis
When the bishop of the city of died, the residents asked archbishop Paul of Ancyra to appoint Theodore in his place. Theodore at first declined, but later accepted. He became famous as a miracle-worker, but after ten years decided to leave administrative tasks to return to his life of contemplation as a monk. At this time he was invited by the emperor and the patriarch to visit Constantinople where he miraculously cured the emperor's son of elephantiasis.
Death and Life
Theodore returned to Sykeon where he died on May 5, 613. A long Life was written by one of his disciples, mostly a record of many healings and amazing miracles. He delivered farms from pests, and helped reconcile many married couples.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Early Life
Theodore was born at Sykeon in Galatia, the son of Maria. Maria with her mother and sister kept an inn in the town, all three working also as prostitutes. His father may have been a circus artist, but he was not involved at all in his son's upbringing. Baptised Theodore (gift of God), when he was six his mother made him a gold belt and expensive clothes, hoping he would go into the service of the emperor at Constantinople. But Theodore disliked being at an inn and used to go off to stay overnight at a nearby chapel of St George. Here he felt more at home and developed an insight into the world of holiness as well as a devotion to St George which he kept up all his life.Hermit, Ascetic and Exorcist
As an adolescent, Theodore became a hermit. His grandmother would bring him fruit and vegetables, which he ate sparingly. He seemed to have developed a gift of exorcising demons and perhaps because of this or because of his asceticism, he was given the nickname "Iron Eater". He wore an iron girdle around his body.
To Jerusalem and Back
Theodore was ordained a priest at the youthful age of eighteen. He then went off to Jerusalem to visit the holy places. While he was there, he received the monk's habit and came home to resume his ascetic practices and exorcisms. His mother meanwhile had married a businessman of Ancyra and his aunt and sister became nuns.
Bishop of Anastasiopolis
When the bishop of the city of died, the residents asked archbishop Paul of Ancyra to appoint Theodore in his place. Theodore at first declined, but later accepted. He became famous as a miracle-worker, but after ten years decided to leave administrative tasks to return to his life of contemplation as a monk. At this time he was invited by the emperor and the patriarch to visit Constantinople where he miraculously cured the emperor's son of elephantiasis.Death and Life
Theodore returned to Sykeon where he died on May 5, 613. A long Life was written by one of his disciples, mostly a record of many healings and amazing miracles. He delivered farms from pests, and helped reconcile many married couples.
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Memorable Saying for Today
''When I stand before God at the end of my life,
I would hope that I would not have
a single bit of unused talent left,
and could honestly say,
'Dear God, I used up everything you gave me!'''
~ Erma Bonbeck ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 22nd April, 2026
Wednesday in the Third Week of Easter
The persecution of the church in Jerusalem under Paul sends the Christians to preach the gospel everywhere.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 8:1-8
They went from place to place preaching the Good News.
That day a bitter persecution started against the Church in Jerusalem, and everyone except the apostles fled to the country districts of Judaea and Samaria. There were some devout people, however, who buried Stephen and made great mourning for him.
Saul then worked for the total destruction of the Church; he went from house to house arresting both men and women and sending them to prison.Those who had escaped went from place to place preaching the Good News. One of them was Philip who went to a Samaritan town and proclaimed the Christ to them. The people united in welcoming the message Philip preached, either because they had heard of the miracles he worked or because they saw them for themselves. There were, for example, unclean spirits that came shrieking out of many who were possessed, and several paralytics and cripples were cured. As a result there was great rejoicing in that town.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 65: 1-7. R/v 1
Response Cry out with joy to God all the earth.
Or Alleluia!
1. Cry out with joy to God all the earth, O sing to the glory of his name.
O render him glorious praise. Say to God: 'How tremendous your deeds!' Response
2. 'Before you all the earth shall bow; shall sing to you, sing to your name.'
Come and see the works of God, tremendous his deeds among men. Response
3. He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the river dry-shod.
Let our joy then be in him; he rules for ever by his might. Response
Gospel Acclamation Jn 10: 27
Alleluia, alleluia!
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord;
I know them and they follow me.
Alleluia!
or Jn 6:40
Alleluia, alleluia!
It is my Father's will, says the Lord, that whoever believes
the Son shall have eternal life, and that I shall raise him up on the last day.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 6:35-40 Glory to you, O Lord
It is my Father's will that whoever sees the Son shall have eternal life.
Jesus said to the crowd:
'I am the bread of life.
He who comes to me will never be hungry;
he who believes in me will never thirst. But, as I have told you, you can see me and still you do not believe.
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me. I shall not turn him away; because I have come from heaven, not to do my own will, but to do the will of the one who sent me.
Now the will of him who sent me is that I should lose nothing of all that he has given to me, and that I should raise it up on the last day. Yes, it is my Father's will that whoever sees the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and that I shall raise him up on the last day.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Wednesday Third Week of Easter John 6:35-40
In Luke’s gospel, Jesus had tried to preach the gospel to a Samaritan village, but the Samaritans rejected him. In Luke’s second volume, 'The Acts of the Apostles', the risen Lord preaches the gospel again to the Samaritans through Philip, as described in our first reading, and on this occasion the Samaritans ‘united in welcoming the message Philip preached’. The Lord does not take an initial ‘no’ to him as final. He continues to offer the gospel to those who initially reject it.
In today’s gospel reading Jesus declares, ‘Whoever comes to me, I shall not turn away’. Even though we may have turned away from him in the past, he does not turn away from us. If we come to him, having initially turned away, he will not turn us away because, as he declares in the gospel reading, it is his Father’s will that ‘whoever sees the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life’. There is a time for every matter under heaven, according to the Book of Ecclesiastes.
According to Luke, the public ministry of Jesus wasn’t the time for the Samaritans to respond to the gospel (contrary to the gospel of John!) but the preaching of Philip in the period after Pentecost was that time. Like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, the Lord knows how to wait on us. Although his time is always ‘now’, he is prepared to wait on our timing, just as he waited on the timing of Saul who, according to our first reading, ‘worked for the total destruction of the church’ before becoming the great apostle to the pagans in response to the Lord’s call.
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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 c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 22nd April, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 8:1-8
Ghluais siad ar fud na tíre ag fógairt an dea-scéil.
San am sin féin thosaigh géarleanúint mhór ar an Eaglais in Iarúsailéim agus scaip siad uile, ach amháin na haspail, ar fud chríocha Iúdáia agus na Samáire.Agus d’ardaigh daoine diaganta áirithe corp Stiofáin leo chun é a adhlacadh agus rinne siad
caoineadh mór os a chionn. Ach bhí Sól ag déanamh scriosta ar an Eaglais: é ag dul ó theach go teach ag sracadh daoine amach, idir fhir agus mhná, agus á gcur i bpriosún.Iad sin a scaipeadh, ghluais siad ar fud na tíre ag fógairt an dea-scéil. Chuaigh Pilib go dtí cathair na Samáire agus thosaigh ag craobhscaoileadh dóibh i dtaobh Chríost. Thug na sluaite cluas ghéar dá raibh le rá ag Pilib mar ní hé amháin gur chuala siad a chuid cainte ach chonaic siad chomh maith na míorúiltí a bhí aige á ndéanamh. Mórán a raibh deamhain mhíghlana iontu, tháinig na deamhain amach astu agus iad ag screadadh de ghlór ard; agus leigheasadh mórán pairiliseach agus bacach, sa tslí go raibh áthas mór sa chathair sin.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 65: 1-7. R/v 1
Freagra Gairdigí i láthair Dé, a thíortha uile.
Malairt Freagra Alleluia!
1. Gairdigí i láthair Dé, a thíortha uile, canaigí Salm le hurraim dá ainm.
Tugaigí moladh agus glóir dó; Abraigí le Dia: “Nach éachtach iad d’oibreacha! Freagra
2. Umhlóidh an domhan uile i d’fhianaise agus canfaidh siad Salm do d’ainm.”
Téanaigí agus féachaigí oibreacha Dé – na héachtaí a rinne sé idir daoine. Freagra
3. Rinne sé talamh tirim den mhuir ionas go ndeachaigh siad de chosa tríd an abhainn;
déanaimis gairdeas ann, dá bhrí sin. Rialaíonn sé lena chumhacht go brách. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 6:35-40 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Is é seo is toil leis an Athair a chuir uaidh mé, gach duine a fheiceann an Mac go mbeadh an bheatha shíoraí aige.
San am sin dúirt Íosa leis na slua
“
Mise arán na beatha, an té a thagann chugamsa ní bheidh ocras air choíche, agus an té a chreideann ionamsa ní bheidh tart air choíche.Ach dúirt mé libh go bhfaca sibh mé agus nach gcreideann sibh.
Gach a dtugann an tAthair dom tiocfaidh sé chugam, agus an té a thagann chugam ní chaithfidh mé amach é. Óir tháinig mé anuas ó neamh ní chun go ndéanfainn mo thoil féin ach toil an té a chuir uaidh mé.
Agus is é seo toil an Athar a chuir uaidh mé, nach gcaillfinn aon chuid dár thug sé dom, ach go dtógfainn suas é an lá deireanach.
Óir is é seo is toil leis an Athair a chuir uaidh mé, gach duine a fheiceann an Mac agus a chreideann ann, go mbeadh an bheatha shíoraí aige, agus tógfaidh mé suas é an lá deireanach.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 26th April, 2026
Fourth Sunday of Easter
This is Good Shepherd Sunday
A Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious life, Married and Single life.
It is a call to a life of service in the Church and a call to live the Gospel mission as a representative of Jesus wherever and whenever we are.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:14. 36-41
God has made him both Lord and Christ.
On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed them in a loud voice:
'The whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.'
Hearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles,
'What must we do, brothers?'
'You must repent,' Peter answered 'and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself.'
He spoke to them for a long time using many arguments, and he urged them,
'Save yourselves from this perverse generation'.
They were convinced by his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptised. That very day about three thousand were added to their number.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 22: 1-6. R/v1
Response The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or Alleluia!
1. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. Response
2. He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort. Response
3. You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. Response
4. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.
In the Lord's own house shall I dwell for ever and ever. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Peter 2:20-25
You have come back to the shepherd of your souls.
The merit, in the sight of God, is in bearing it patiently when you are punished after doing your duty. This, in fact, is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow the way he took. He had not done anything wrong, and there had been no perjury in his mouth. He was insulted and did not retaliate with insults; when he was tortured he made no threats but he put his trust in the righteous judge. He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross, so that we might die to our faults and live for holiness; through his wounds you have been healed. You had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation Jn 10: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to John 10:1-10 Glory to you, O Lord
I am the gate of the sheepfold
Jesus said:
'I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers.'
Jesus told them this parable but they failed to understand what he meant by telling it to them.
So Jesus spoke to them again:
'I tell you most solemnly, I am the gate of the sheepfold.
All others who have come are thieves and brigands;
but the sheep took no notice of them
I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.
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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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, 26th April, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as Gníomhartha na nAspal 2:14. 36-41
Rinne Dia Tiarna agus Meisias den Íosa seo.
Lá Cincise d’éirigh Peadar ina sheasamh i gcuideachta an Aon Duine Dhéag agus labhair leo de ghuth ard:“Bíodh a fhios go dearfa ag teaghlach Iosrael ar fad go ndearna Dia Tiarna agus Meisias den Íosa seo a chéas sibhseá ar chrois.”
Chuaigh an chaint sin go dtí an croí iontu agus dúirt siad le Peadar agus leis na haspail eile: “Cad atá le déanamh againn, a bhráithre?”
Agus d’fhreagair Peadar iad:
“Déanaigí aithrí,” ar seisean, “déantar gach duine agaibh a bhaisteadh in ainm Íosa Críost chun maithiúnas na bpeacaí agus glacfaidh sibh tabhartas an Spioraid Naoimh; mar is daoibhse agus do bhur gclann atá an gealltanas úd agus dóibh siúd freisin atá i bhfad ar shiúl – don uile dhuine dá nglaofaidh ár nDia chuige.”
Rinne sé mórán eile cainte ag áiteamh leo agus ag tathant orthu: “Sabháiligí sibh féin,” ar seisean leo, “ón nglúin chlaon seo.” An méid díobh a ghlac lena theachtaireacht, baisteadh iad agus cuireadh tuairim is trí mhíle duine lena líon an lá sin.
Briathar Dé. Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 22:1-6 , Rv.1.
Freagra Is é an Tiarna m'aoire; ní bheidh aon ní de dhíth orm.
Malairt Freagra Alleluia!
1. Is é an Tiarna m'aoire; ní bheidh aon ní de dhíth orm.
Cuireann sé i mo luí mé i móinear féaruaithne.
Seolann sé ar imeall an uisce mé, mar a bhfaighim suaimhneas. Freagra
2. Seolann sé mé ar rianta díreacha mar gheall ar a ainm.
Fiú dá siúlfainn i ngleann an dorchadais, níor bhaol liom an t-olc
agus tú faram le do shlat is do bhachall chun só1ás a thabhairt dom. Freagra
3. Cóiríonn tú bord chun béile dom i bhfianaise mo naimhde.
Ungann tú mo cheann le hola.;tá mo chupán ag cur thar maoil. Freagra
4. Leanfaidh cineáltas is fabhar mégach uile lá de mo shaol.
I dteach an Tiarna a mhairfidh mé go brách na breithe. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Peader 2:20-25
Tá fillte ar ais agaibh ar aoire agus ar chaomhnóir bhur n-anama.
A clann ionúin, má dhéanann sibh an mhaith agus go bhfulaingíonn sibh dá bharr le foighne, tuilleann sin gnaoi Dé.
Óir is chuige seo a gairmeadh sibh, mar gur fhulaing Críost féin ar bhur son, agus gur fhág sé sampla agaibh le go leanfadh sibh a lorg. Ní dhearna seisean aon pheaca, ná ní bhfuarthas aon chealg ina bhéal. Nuair a caitheadh achasán leis níor chaith sé achasán ar ais; nuair a bhí sé ag fulaingt ní dhearna sé bagairt, ach d’fhág sé a chúis faoin té a thugann breith go cóir. D’iompair sé ár bpeacaí ina cholainn féin ar an gcrann d’fhonn go bhfaighimis bás dár bpeacaí ach go mairfimis don fhíréantacht. Trína chréachtaí a cneasaíodh sibh. Bhí sibh mar chaoirigh ar seachrán, ach tá fillte ar ais agaibh ar aoire agus ar chaomhnóir bhur n-anama.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 10: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Is mise an t-aoire maith,'a deir an Tiarna.
AithnÍm mo chaoirigh féin, agus aithníonn mo chaoirigh féin mé'
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 10:1-10
Mise doras na gcaorach.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
“Amen, Amen, a deirim libh, an té nach dtéann an doras isteach i gcró na gcaorach, ach a théann a mhalairt de bhealach isteach, is bithiúnach é sin agus robálaí. An té a thagann an doras isteach, sin é aoire na gcaorach. Osclaíonn an doirseoir dó seo agus éisteann na caoirigh lena ghuth, agus glaonn sé ar a chaoirigh féin as a n-ainm, agus seolann amach iad. Nuair a bhíonn a chaoirigh uile seolta amach aige, téann sé rompu agus leanann a chaoirigh é, mar aithníonn siad a ghuth. Ní baol go leanfadh siad coimhthíoch, ach teithfidh siad uaidh mar nach n-aithníonn siad guth na gcoimhthíoch.”
Labhair Íosa an tsolaoid sin leo, ach níor thuig siadsan cad a bhí á rá aige leo. Ansin dúirt Íosa leo arís:
“Amen, Amen, a deirim libh, Mise doras na gcaorach. Gach ar tháinig romham, bithiúnaigh a ba ea iad agus robálaithe,agus níor éist na caoirigh leo.
Mise an doras. Más tríomsa a rachaidh duine isteach, slánófar é. Rachaidh sé isteach is rachaidh sé amach agus gheobhaidh sé féarach.
Ní thagann an bithiúnach ach chun bheith ag goid, ag marú agus ag milleadh. Tháinig mise chun go mbeadh an bheatha acu agus go mbeadh sí acu go fial."
Soiscéal Dé. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
