Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Nov 8 - Bl John Duns Scotus (1265-1308)
Summary :Bl. John Duns Scotus was one of the great philosopher-theologians of the High Middle Ages. His brilliantly complex and nuanced thought earned him the title "the Subtle Doctor". A Scotsman and a Franciscan, he is associated with the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was beatified in 1993 by St Pope John Paul II.
Patrick Duffy tells his story here.
Scotsman
John was born at Duns, a village near Berwick-on-Tweed in Scotland. After schooling with the Franciscans he entered the the Franciscan order at Dumfries where his uncle Elias Duns was superior. John studied at Oxford and Paris and was ordained a Franciscan priest in 1291. In 1297 he returned to teach theology and philosophy at both Oxford and Cambridge.
Philosopher
As a philosopher, John was aware of the richness of the Platonic-Augustinian-Franciscan tradition as well as that of Aquinas, Aristotle and the Muslim philosophers, but he was also an independent thinker. As a moral philosopher, he defended the reality of free will with this practical quip: "If I start beating someone," he said, "they will tell me to stop. But how can I stop if I haven't free will?"
Expulsion from France
In 1303 when King Philip the Fair wanted to enlist the University of Paris on his side in a dispute with Pope Boniface VIII, John Duns Scotus dissented and with eight other friars was forced to leave France. However, he was able to return less than a year later. After his return to Paris, he continued his lectures on the Sentences of Peter Lombard and received his doctorate in theology in 1305. Although appointed the Franciscan regent master in theology at Paris, for some reasons no one quite understands, Scotus was transferred to the Franciscan studium at Cologne, probably beginning his duties there in October 1307. He died there in 1308; the date of his death is traditionally given as 8th November. He was buried in the Franciscan church near the famous Cologne cathedral.
Theologian of the Immaculate Conception
John is traditionally regarded as the theologian who put the argument from reason in defence of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
That the flesh from which the Son of God was to be formed should ever have been subject to the influence of the Evil One whose power he came on earth to destroy would have been incongruous. Eadmer (1064-1124), the companion and secretary of St Anselm of Canterbury, presented an argument from congruity (fittingness) that Mary was free from original sin, using the Latin axiom: Potuit, decuit, ergo fecit
("God was able to do it; it was appropriate; therefore He did it).
Scotus addressed the question implicit in Paul's quotation from Romans 5:12: "It was through one man (Adam) that sin came into the world, and through sin death, and thus death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned." Here Paul is telling us that everyone inherits original sin and its consequences. Therefore Mary needed to be redeemed. But at Mary's conception Christ had not yet come to accomplish the redemption. Scotus argued for a pre-redemption that preserved Mary free from original sin through anticipating and foreseeing the merits of her Son's passion and death. The question was: when did this happen? Since Mary was a daughter of Adam, when was she preserved from original sin and its consequences? This was another obstacle to be cleared. In resolving this second problem the Subtle Doctor cleverly saw his way clear by making the necessary distinction between the order of nature and the order of time.
With Mary, conception and sanctification were simultaneous, producing a twofold situation at the first moment of existence. At one and the same time, Mary, as a human descendant of Adam and Eve, contracted the debt of original sin and became by the privileged infusion of grace a daughter of God, which preserved her from the consequences of the common lot of fallen nature by a special anticipation of the merits of the Savior.
Removing these two impediments, John Duns Scotus cleared the path for a theological acceptance of this Marian prerogative thus paving the way for its solemn definition by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1854.
Duns Scotus's Oxford
Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote a poem entitled Duns Scotus's Oxford. The last three lines pay tribute to Scotus as "the rarest-veinèd unraveller" (the subtle doctor) and to his argument for Mary's Immaculate Conception - "a not rivalled insight". The last line is beautifully anbivalent in its use of the word "fired" - in the two senses of (a) arousing intense controversy and (b) arousing intense devotion.
Towery city and branchy between towers;
Cuckoo-echoing, bell-swarmèd, lark-charmèd, rook-racked, river-rounded;
The dapple-eared lily below thee; that country and town did
Once encounter in, here coped and poisèd powers;
Thou hast a base and brickish skirt there, sours
That neighbour-nature thy grey beauty is grounded
Best in; graceless growth, thou hast confounded
Rural rural keeping—folk, flocks, and flowers.
Yet ah! this air I gather and I release
He lived on; these weeds and waters, these walls are what
He haunted who of all men most sways my spirits to peace;
Of realty the rarest-veinèd unraveller; a not
Rivalled insight, be rival Italy or Greece;
Who fired France for Mary without spot.
Some of our older Irish
readers will remember
this Dun Scotus image
featured on the old Irish
£5 note! Legal for a
long time before the €uro
was made legal tender all
over Europe.
Patrick Duffy tells his story here.
Scotsman
John was born at Duns, a village near Berwick-on-Tweed in Scotland. After schooling with the Franciscans he entered the the Franciscan order at Dumfries where his uncle Elias Duns was superior. John studied at Oxford and Paris and was ordained a Franciscan priest in 1291. In 1297 he returned to teach theology and philosophy at both Oxford and Cambridge.Philosopher
As a philosopher, John was aware of the richness of the Platonic-Augustinian-Franciscan tradition as well as that of Aquinas, Aristotle and the Muslim philosophers, but he was also an independent thinker. As a moral philosopher, he defended the reality of free will with this practical quip: "If I start beating someone," he said, "they will tell me to stop. But how can I stop if I haven't free will?"
Expulsion from France
In 1303 when King Philip the Fair wanted to enlist the University of Paris on his side in a dispute with Pope Boniface VIII, John Duns Scotus dissented and with eight other friars was forced to leave France. However, he was able to return less than a year later. After his return to Paris, he continued his lectures on the Sentences of Peter Lombard and received his doctorate in theology in 1305. Although appointed the Franciscan regent master in theology at Paris, for some reasons no one quite understands, Scotus was transferred to the Franciscan studium at Cologne, probably beginning his duties there in October 1307. He died there in 1308; the date of his death is traditionally given as 8th November. He was buried in the Franciscan church near the famous Cologne cathedral.
Theologian of the Immaculate ConceptionJohn is traditionally regarded as the theologian who put the argument from reason in defence of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
That the flesh from which the Son of God was to be formed should ever have been subject to the influence of the Evil One whose power he came on earth to destroy would have been incongruous. Eadmer (1064-1124), the companion and secretary of St Anselm of Canterbury, presented an argument from congruity (fittingness) that Mary was free from original sin, using the Latin axiom: Potuit, decuit, ergo fecit
("God was able to do it; it was appropriate; therefore He did it).
Scotus addressed the question implicit in Paul's quotation from Romans 5:12: "It was through one man (Adam) that sin came into the world, and through sin death, and thus death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned." Here Paul is telling us that everyone inherits original sin and its consequences. Therefore Mary needed to be redeemed. But at Mary's conception Christ had not yet come to accomplish the redemption. Scotus argued for a pre-redemption that preserved Mary free from original sin through anticipating and foreseeing the merits of her Son's passion and death. The question was: when did this happen? Since Mary was a daughter of Adam, when was she preserved from original sin and its consequences? This was another obstacle to be cleared. In resolving this second problem the Subtle Doctor cleverly saw his way clear by making the necessary distinction between the order of nature and the order of time.
With Mary, conception and sanctification were simultaneous, producing a twofold situation at the first moment of existence. At one and the same time, Mary, as a human descendant of Adam and Eve, contracted the debt of original sin and became by the privileged infusion of grace a daughter of God, which preserved her from the consequences of the common lot of fallen nature by a special anticipation of the merits of the Savior.Removing these two impediments, John Duns Scotus cleared the path for a theological acceptance of this Marian prerogative thus paving the way for its solemn definition by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1854.
Duns Scotus's Oxford
Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote a poem entitled Duns Scotus's Oxford. The last three lines pay tribute to Scotus as "the rarest-veinèd unraveller" (the subtle doctor) and to his argument for Mary's Immaculate Conception - "a not rivalled insight". The last line is beautifully anbivalent in its use of the word "fired" - in the two senses of (a) arousing intense controversy and (b) arousing intense devotion.
Towery city and branchy between towers;
Cuckoo-echoing, bell-swarmèd, lark-charmèd, rook-racked, river-rounded;
The dapple-eared lily below thee; that country and town did
Once encounter in, here coped and poisèd powers;
Thou hast a base and brickish skirt there, sours
That neighbour-nature thy grey beauty is grounded
Best in; graceless growth, thou hast confounded
Rural rural keeping—folk, flocks, and flowers.
Yet ah! this air I gather and I release
He lived on; these weeds and waters, these walls are what
He haunted who of all men most sways my spirits to peace;
Of realty the rarest-veinèd unraveller; a not
Rivalled insight, be rival Italy or Greece;
Who fired France for Mary without spot.
Some of our older Irish
readers will remember
this Dun Scotus image
featured on the old Irish
£5 note! Legal for a
long time before the €uro
was made legal tender all
over Europe.
________________________________________
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Memorable Sayings for Today
When you have nothing left but God,
You have more than enough to start over again.
~ Mother Teresa ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 8th November, 2025
Saturday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1
You cannot be the slave both of God and of Mammon (money).
Saturday Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary
FIRST READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 16:3-9. 22-27
Greet each other with a holy kiss.
My greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked death to save my life: I am not the only one to owe them a debt of gratitude, all the churches among the pagans do as well. My greetings also to the church that meets at their house.
Greetings to my friend Epaenetus, the first of Asia's gifts to Christ; greetings to Mary who worked so hard for you; to those outstanding apostles Andronicus and Junias, my compatriots and fellow prisoners who became Christians before me; to Ampliatus, my friend in the Lord; to Urban, my fellow worker in Christ; to my friend Stachys;"I, Tertius, who wrote out this letter, greet you in the Lord. Greetings from Gaius, who is entertaining me and from the whole church that meets in his house. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends his greetings; so does our brother Quartus."
Glory to him who is able to give you the strength to live according to the Good News I preach, and in which I proclaim Jesus Christ, the revelation of a mystery kept secret for endless ages, but now so clear that it must be broadcast to pagans everywhere to bring them to the obedience of faith. This is only what scripture has predicted, and it is all part of the way the eternal God wants things to be. He alone is wisdom; give glory therefore to him through Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 144:2-5, 10-11, R/v 1
Response I will bless your name for ever, O Lord.
1. I will bless you day after day and praise your name for ever.
The Lord is great, highly to be praised, his greatness cannot be measured. Response
2. Age to age shall proclaim your works, shall declare your mighty deeds,
shall speak of your splendour and glory, tell the tale of your wonderful works. Response
3. All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and your friends shall repeat their blessing.
They shall speak of the glory of your reign and declare your might, O God. Response
Gospel Acclamation 2 Cor 5: 19
Alleluia, alleluia!
Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son.
Alleluia!
or 2 Cor 8: 9
Alleluia, alleluia!
Jesus Christ was rich, but he became poor for your sakes,
to make you rich out of his poverty.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 16:9-15 Glory to you, O Lord
If you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches?
Jesus said to his disciples:
'And so I tell you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity. The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great. If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches?
And if you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?
'No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.'
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and laughed at him. He said to them, '
'You are the very ones who pass yourselves off as virtuous in people's sight, but God knows your hearts.
For what is thought highly of by men is loathsome in the sight of God.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Saturday Thirty First Week in Ordinary Time Luke 16:9-15
In today’s first reading, Paul, writing to the church in Rome in about the year 57 CE sends greetings to members of the church whom he knows by name. It is clear that he is very appreciative of many of those people whom he names. He says of the married couple, Prisca and Aquila, for example, that they ‘risked death to save my life’, and that he owes a great debt of gratitude to them. He refers to another married couple, Andronicus and Junia, as ‘my compatriots and fellow prisoners who became Christians before me’. Writing to the church in Rome from the city of Corinth, he mentions Gaius, a leading member of the church of Corinth, who was serving as Paul’s host during this time, who showed hospitality to Paul.
It is clear that Paul is very aware of how much he owes to others, especially to his brothers and sisters in Christ. Yes, he was a very important member of the early church, the leading apostle to the Gentiles, but he knew that in the exercise of his ministry he was dependant on the loving support of others. He recognized that, ultimately, he was dependent on the Lord’s support which came to him in and through the support of others.
Like Paul, we are all dependent on other people of faith, on the Lord’s presence to us through such people. We need them, if we are to true to our own calling from the Lord. Paul spoke of the church as the body of Christ in which everyone was interdependent. We need each other’s faithful witness if the Holy Spirit is to become fully alive in us. It is good to acknowledge every so often, as Paul does in today’s first reading, all those people who have nourished what is best in us, what is of God in us. November is a month when we remember especially those through whom the Lord served us and who are now with the Lord in eternal life. We remember them, we name them, we give thanks for them. In the gospels, Jesus speaks of eternal life using a whole variety of images. We find one such image in today’s gospel reading.
He speaks of being welcomed into ‘the tents of eternity’ or ‘eternal dwelling places’. It is an image of hospitality. Every experience of hospitality in this life gives us a glimpse of the Lord’s hospitality and is an anticipation of that eternal moment of the Lord’s hospitable love. We believe that in eternity we will experience the hospitable love of the Lord to the full. In that gospel reading, Jesus calls on us to live now in keeping with this eternal destiny that awaits us, by revealing something of Lord’s hospitable love to each other. One of the ways we do this, according to Jesus, is by using our resources, including our financial resources, in ways that serve the well-being of others, especially those in greatest need. As we contemplate the experience of death and the hope of eternal life in this month of November, the Lord reminds us that we are to live in this present world in the light of that eternal world which is our ultimate destiny. We are to embody something of that welcoming love of the Lord that awaits us in our eternal home.
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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: Saturday, 8th November, 2025
CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as litir NaomhPól chuig na Rómhánaigh 16:3-9. 16. 22-27
Beannaígí dá chéile le póg naofa.
A bhráithre, Beannaígí do mo chomhoibrithe in Íosa Críost, do Phriosca agus d’Acula, a chuir a gceann i mbaol ar son m’anamasa; agus ní mise amháin atá buíoch díobh ach eaglaisí uile na ngintlithe chomh maith. Beannaígí freisin don eaglais ina dteachsan.
Beannaígí do mo chara ionúin, Eapaenatas, an chéad duine san Áise a ghabh le Críost. Beannaígí do Mháire, bean a shaothraigh go dian in bhur measc. Beannaígí d’Andronacas agus do Iúinias, comhthírigh agus comhchimí liom féin, a bhfuil iomrá orthu i measc na n-aspal agus a bhí i gCríost romhamsa. Beannaígí d’Aimpliatas, mo chara ionúin sa Tiarna. Beannaígí d’Urbán ár gcomhoibrí i seirbhís Chríost, agus do mo chara ionúin Stáchas. Beannaígí dá chéile le póg naofa. Cuireann eaglaisí uile Chríost a mbeannacht chugaibh.
Agus cuirimse, Teirt, an té a scríobh síos an litir seo, mo bheannacht chugaibh sa Tiarna chomh maith. Beannacht chugáibh ó Gháias, fear an tí seo atá ina dhea-thíosach don eaglais go léir; beannacht ó Earastas, cisteoir na cathrach, agus ón mbráthair Cuartas.
Moladh leis an té úd atá in ann sibh a dhaingniú de réir an dea-scéil a chraobhscaoilimse, agus an fhorógra faoi Íosa Críost, an dea-scéal ina bhfoilsítear an rúndiamhair a bhí folaithe ar feadh na gcianta ach atá nochta anois agus curtha in iúl, ar ordú an Dé shíoraí le cabhair scríbhinní na bhfáithe, do na náisiúin uile d’fhonn iad a thabhairt chun géillsine an chreidimh. Moladh le Dia, an t-aon Dia eagnaí, trí Íosa Críost le saol na saol. Amen.
Briathar Dé. Thanks be to God.
Salm le freagra Sm 144
Freagra Molfaidh mé d’ainm trí shaol na saol.
1. Molfaidh mé thú in aghaidh an lae; agus molfaidh mé d’ainm trí shaol na saol.
Is mór an Tiarna agus is inmholta thar cuimse é; ní féidir a mhórgacht a mhionransú. Freagra
2. Fógrófar d’oibreacha ó ghlúin go glúin agus foilseofar do chumhacht mar an gcéanna.
Déanfar trácht ar mhórghlóir do mhaorgachta; agus inseofar d’éachtaí iontacha. Freagra
3. Ceiliúrfaidh d’oibreacha uile thú, a Thiarna; agus beannóidh do dhaoine dílse thú.
Canfaidh siad glóir-réim do ríochta; agus foilseoidh siad uile do chumhacht. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 19:9-15 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Mura raibh sibh iontaofa faoin rud a bhí ar iasacht agaibh, cé thabharfaidh daoibh an rud is libh de sheilbh dhílis?
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:
"Deirim féin libh, déanaigí cairde daoibh féin leis an airgead mímhacánta, ionas, nuair a chlisfidh sé, go nglacfaidh siad isteach sibh sna bothanna síoraí. An té a bhíonn iontaofa faoin mbeagán, bíonn sé iontaofa faoin mórán freisin; agus an té a bhíonn mímhacánta faoin mbeagán, bíonn sé mímhacánta faoin mórán freisin. Dá bhrí sin, mura raibh sibh iontaofa faoin airgead mímhacánta, cé a thaobhóidh libh an saibhreas fírinneach? Agus mura raibh sibh iontaofa faoin rud a bhí ar iasacht agaibh, cé thabharfaidh daoibh an rud is libh de sheilbh dhílis? Ní féidir do sclábha ar bith dhá mháistir a riaradh, óir beidh fuath aige do dhuine acu agus grá aige don duine eile, nó beidh sé ag déanamh dúthrachta do dhuine acu agus ag déanamh neamhshuim den duine eile. Ní féidir daoibh Dia a riaradh agus an t-airgead.”Bhí na Fairisínigh, a thug grá don airgead, ag éisteacht leis an méid sin uile agus bhí siad ag dranngháire faoi. Agus dúirt sé leo: “Is sibhse an dream a chuireann ríocht na bhfíréan oraibh féin i láthair daoine, ach is eol do Dhia bhur gcroíthe, óir an rud a bhíonn ardmheasúil dar le daoine, is ábhar déistine é i láthair Dé."
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 9th November, 2025
09-11- The Dedication of the St John Lateran Basilica, Rome
The Lateran Basilica is one of the four great Basilicas of Rome. The original Basilica was erected by the first Christian Emperor: Constantine. Until the time of Constantine there were no public buildings called 'churches.' Worshippers met in people's houses. Until then this hillside site in Rome was the location of two monasteries called after 'St John the Divine', and 'St John the Baptist'. It is the Cathedral church of Rome and, also the church of the Pope, Bishop of Rome. For all these reasons, it has come to be known as the mother- church of Christendom.
Feast of the Day:09-11- The Dedication of the St John Lateran Basilica, Rome
C/f history of today’s Feast can be found below today’s Readings and Reflection
FIRST READING
A reading from the prophet Ezekiel 47:1-2. 8-9. 12
I saw a stream of water coming from the Temple, bringing life to all wherever it flowed.
The Angel brought me back to the entrance of the Temple, where a stream came out from under the Temple threshold and flowed eastwards, since the Temple faced east. The water flowed from under the right side of the Temple, south of the altar. He took me out by the north gate and led me right round outside as far as the outer east gate where the water flowed out on the right-hand side.He said, 'This water flows east down to the Arabah and to the sea; and flowing into the sea it makes its waters wholesome. Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows. Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps45:2-3,5-6,8-9 R.v.5
Response The waters of a river give joy to God’s city,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
1. God is for us a refuge and strength, a helper close at hand, in time of distress:
so we shall not fear though the earth should rock, though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea. Response
2. The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within, it cannot be shaken; God will help it at the dawning of the day. Response
3 The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Come, consider the works of the Lord, the redoubtable deeds he has done on the earth. Response
SECOND READING (or Alternative First Reading)
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 3:9-11. 16-17
You are the temple of God.
You are God's building.By the grace God gave me, I succeeded as an architect and laid the foundations, on which someone else is doing the building. Everyone doing the building must work carefully. For the foundation, nobody can lay any other than the one which has already been laid, that is Jesus Christ.
Didn't you realise that you were God's temple and that the Spirit of God was living among you? If anybody should destroy the temple of God, God will destroy him, because the temple of God is sacred;
and you are that temple.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation 2 Chron 7:16
Alleluia, alleluia!
I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord, for my name to be there for ever.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to John 2:13-22 Glory to you, O Lord
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 2:13-22
He was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body.
Just before the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and in the Temple he found people selling cattle and sheep and pigeons, and the money changers sitting at their counters there. Making a whip out of some cord, he drove them all out of the Temple, cattle and sheep as well, scattered the money changers' coins, knocked their tables over and said to the pigeon-sellers,'Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father's house into a market.'
Then his disciples remembered the words of scripture: 'Zeal for your house will devour me.'
The Jews intervened and said, 'What sign can you show us to justify what you have done?'
Jesus answered, 'Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up'.The Jews replied, 'It has taken forty-six years to build this sanctuary:
are you going to raise it up in three days?'
But he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body, and when Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the words he had said.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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1. Gospel Reflection 9th November. The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Rome John 2:13-22
Writing to the church in Corinth about thirty years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Paul says to them, in the words of today’s first reading, ‘You are God’s building… God’s temple’. For Paul, it was the Christian community, rather than any physical building, that was the place of God’s presence in the world.
In the gospel reading, Jesus points to himself as the Temple of God. He, more than any human being, is the place of God’s presence in the world. As individuals and as a community we look to the Lord to help us to be the place of God’s presence in the world, to be church, in that sense. We gather in a building we call a church, to open ourselves to the presence of the Lord, so that we can become more fully the church of God, the body of Christ, the place of God’s presence in our world.
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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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Feast of the Day: November 9; The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. Further reflections.
Patrick Duffy provides some of it's brief history and commentary.
Dedication of the Church (Basilica) of St John on the Lateran. This Papal Archbasilica of St John was dedicated to Christ the Saviour in the fourth century. The anniversary has been celebrated as a feast of the Latin Church on this date since the twelfth century. It honours the local Church of Rome as a link with earliest Christian tradition and as a sign of our communion in Christ.
Although the Pope lives in the Vatican and in the shadow of St Peter's Basilica,
the Basilica of St John Lateran is The Cathedral of the Most Holy Saviour and of Ss John the Baptist and the Evangelist in the Lateran is also known as the Papal Archbasilica of Saint John.
*It is considered the mother church of the Roman Catholic faithful, traditionally known as 'the Pope’s church' i.e.
*the cathedral church of the diocese of Rome, where the Bishop of Rome presided in the 'old days'.
*The pope is still it's bishop.
* It has as its patrons Ss John the Evangelist and John the Baptist.
*This cathedral is the seat of papal authority and therefore is, the parish church of Catholics everywhere.
*Since the 7th century it has also been known as the 'Basilica of the Most Holy Saviour, Jesus '- it is dedicated to him.
Patrick Duffy provides some of it's brief history.
The Lateran Palace
The Lateran Palace in Rome originally belonged to the Laterani family, who served as administrators to several emperors, but Nero confiscated it. When Constantine became emperor, he built the Lateran Basilica in the fourth century on land that had belonged to the Laterani family (hence the name ‘Lateran’). he gave it over to the Church for a synod and as the Cathedral of Rome .
The Basilica
‘Basilica’ is the word given to an early form of building used for Christian worship. It was modelled on the Roman Basilica - a building used as a law court and a commercial exchange. At first the name ‘basilica’ was used of churches which resembled the Roman building, but now the title of ‘basilica’ is given by the pope to certain privileged churches both in Rome and throughout the world.
Pope Sylvester I (314-335) then had the basilica (which literally means a royal hall for transacting business or legal matters). It soon became the cathedral of the Church of Rome and the seat of the popes for a thousand years. It was the residence of the popes until 1308. Ecumenical councils, all called Lateran, were held there: in 1123, 1139, 1179, 1215 and 1512-17. While the popes were absent from Rome in Avignon (1305-1403), the Basilica fell into disrepair. The popes did not return to live there, but resided first at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, then later at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, and now at the Vatican.
Restoration
The palace was restored by Pope Sixtus V (Felice Peretti 1585-90). Pope Innocent X (Giovanni Battista Pamphili 1644-55) commissioned the present structure of the basilica in 1646 and Pope Clement XII (Lorenzo Corsini 1730-40) gave it a grand new façade in 1735.
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(This is a souvenir copy of the creation of the Vatican State by the Lateran Pacts with Its “trinity” of King Victor Emmanuel III, Pope Pius XI and Benito Mussolini.)[/caption]The Lateran Treaty 1929
In 1929 the Lateran Treaty was signed in the Lateran Palace by Mussolini and Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Gasparri. Today the palace houses the Vicariate and offices of the diocese of Rome which Pope John XXIII located there.
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The late Bishop of Rome, and Pope of the Universal Church, Pope Francis prayed in his parish Church, the Lateran Basilica regularly.[/caption]The Basilica Today
St John Lateran is the cathedral of the diocese of Rome where the Bishop of Rome presides, especially on Holy Thursday for the Chrism Mass. One of Rome’s most imposing churches, the Lateran’s towering facade is crowned with 15 colossal statues - Christ, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist and 12 doctors of the Church. Beneath its high altar rest the remains of the small wooden table on which tradition holds St. Peter himself celebrated Mass.
Relevance of the Feast
We are all members of our own local church, work for the universal kingdom of Christ, are also members of this "mother-church" in Rome.
The dedication of churches can be traced back to the Jewish practice of dedicating the Temple in Jerusalem to God. Once a Temple had been dedicated, there was a feast each year to celebrate the anniversary of the dedication. This feast was celebrated not only in Jerusalem but in every synagogue as well. Similarly, and now every Western Catholic church observes the dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome.
This feast helps us move beyond our narrow geographical confines to a sense of the universal Church. See also 18th November, the Dedication of the Churches of St Peter and St Paul.
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Memorable Advice for Today
Stop looking for the perfect church. It does not exist. It is not there.
Even if it did exist, the moment you or I joined it , it would no longer be perfect!
~Nicky Gumbel ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 9th November, 2025
CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an fáidh Ezícéal 47:1-2. 8-9. 12
Bhí uisce ag sceitheadh soir amach faoi bhun thairseach an Teampaill.
Rug an t-aingeal ar ais mé go doras an Teampaill; agus féach, bhí uisce ag sceitheadh soir amach faoi bhun thairseach an Teampaill – bhí an Teampall féin ag féachaint soir. Sceith an t-uisce amach faoi bhun an taoibh theas de thairseach an Teampaill, ó dheas ón altóir. Rug sé ansin mé amach an geata thuaidh agus thug orm dul timpeall amuigh fad leis an ngeata seachtrach thoir, áit a raibh an t-uisce ag sceitheadh soir.Dúirt sé:
“Sileann an t-uisce seo soir agus téann síos isteach san Arabá; agus ar dhul isteach dó in uisce marbh na farraige déanann sé an fharraige úr. Aon áit a sileann an abhainn mairfidh gach dúil bheo a chorraíonn inti agus beidh flúirse éisc ann; de bhrí go mbíonn sláinte aon áit a dtéann an t-uisce agus go mbíonn an t-anam i ngach dúil aon áit a sileann an abhainn. Ar bhruach na habhann, ar an dá bhruach, fásfaidh gach cineál crann toraidh, le duilleoga nach bhfeonn agus le toradh nach dteipeann. Béarfaidh siad toradh úr gach mí de bhrí go sileann an t-uisce seo dóibh ón sanctóir. Beidh a dtoradh mar bhia agus a nduilleoga mar leigheas.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
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Malairt CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Coirintigh 3:9-11. 16-17
Foirgneamh Dé, is ea sibhse.
Foirgneamh Dé, is ea sibhse. De réir an ghrásta a thug Dia dom, leag mise an bhunsraith mar a dhéanfadh an t-ardsaor oilte agus fear eile atá ag tógáil uirthi. Faireadh gach duine a chuid tógála féin áfach, mar ní féidir d’aon duine bunsraith eile a leagan ach an ceann atá thíos cheana féin, agus is é Íosa Críost an bhunsraith sin.Nach dtuigeann sibh, a bhráithre, gur teampall Dé sibh agus go bhfuil Spiorad Dé ina chónaí ionaibh. Duine ar bith a mhilleann teampall Dé, millfidh Dia eisean, mar is naofa é teampall Dé – agus is sibhse an teampall sin.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
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Salm le Freagra Sm 45:45:2-3,5-6,8-9 R.v.5
Freagra Is ón Tiarna féin atá mo chúnamh eisean a rinne neamh agus talamh.
1. Is dídean dúinn Dia, agus is é ár neart é: is é ár gcúnamh go dearfa é le linn ár n-anacra.
Dá bhrí sin ní eagal linn má luascann an talamh agus go gcaitear na sléibhte i gceartlár mara . Freagra
2. Cuireann caisí na habhann lúcháir ar chathair Dé, ionad naofa agus áras cónaithe an Neach is Airde.
Tá Dia ina lár, ní féidir í a bhogadh; tiocfaidh Dia i gcabhair uirthi le fáinne an lae. Freagra
3. Tá Tiarna na Slua inár bhfochair, is daingean dúinn Dia Iacóib.
Téanam agus feiceam oibreacha an Tiarna, na héachtaí móra a rinne sé ar talamh. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 2:13-22 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Ach ar theampall a choirp féin a bhí seisean ag labhairt.
Bhí Cáisc na nGiúdach in achmaireacht agus chuaigh Íosa suas go Iarúsailéim dá bhrí sin. Fuair sé sa sanctóir lucht ba agus caoirigh agus colmáin a dhíol, agus lucht airgead a mhalartú ina suí ann. Agus rinne sé sciúirse de théada agus thiomáin sé iad go léir amach as an sanctóir, na caoirigh agus na ba chomh maith; scaip sé airgead an lucht mhalartaithe agus leag sé na boird, agus dúirt sé le lucht na gcolmán a dhíol:
“Beirigí na nithe sin as seo agus ná déanaigí teach margaidh de theach m’Athar.”
Chuimhnigh a dheisceabail go bhfuil sé scríofa:
“Déanfaidh díograis do thí mé a ithe.”
D’fhreagair na Giúdaigh ansin:
“Cén comhartha,” ar siad leis, “atá á thaispeáint agat dúinn mar bhonn lena bhfuil á dhéanamh agat?”
D’fhreagair Íosa: “Leagaigí an Teampall seo,” ar sé leo, “agus i dtrí lá tógfaidh mé suas arís é.”
Dúirt na Giúdaigh á fhreagairt:
“Sé bliana agus daichead atá an Teampall seo á thógáil, agus an dtógfaidh tusa é i dtrí lá?”
Ach ar theampall a choirp féin a bhí seisean ag labhairt. Nuair a d’aiséirigh sé ó mhairbh, dá bhrí sin, chuimhnigh a dheisceabail go ndúirt sé an chaint seo agus chreid siad sa scrioptúr agus sa chaint a dúirt Íosa.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
