Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Jul 3 - The twin: St Thomas the Apostle (2)
Summary: Was St Thomas called "The Twin" because he had two sides to his personality - a bit like you and me?
Fr John Murray PP gives us some insights into the personality of the one we also know as "the doubter".
Tragedies
It's hard to believe, sometimes. When the tsunami hit the shores of Asia on 26 December 2004, there were some who said, 'If God does exist, then he's cruel'. A mudslide in the Philippines, a ship sinking off the coast of Egypt, a tragic war in Darfur and endless suicide bombs in Iraq: the list goes on. Why do the good suffer and the bad seem to prosper? Does God care? And if he does care, is he powerless to do anything?
Those big questions are also mirrored in the personal tragedies of many people: the father and mother watching their little daughter die of leukaemia; the parents burying their teenage son who has taken his own life; the girl who went out with friends for the night and can't remember why she ended up in a field with her clothes torn.
Asking Questions
Our questions can go on and on. Is there really an 'intelligent design' behind this vast universe? Is Jesus really present in that tiny host? Where is my grandmother who passed away a month ago? Every one of us in life asks the question 'why?' many times, and sometimes we don't always have ready answers.
That is why I like Thomas, the saint who doubted and yet found Jesus at the end of his doubt. The gospels tell us that Thomas was called 'The Twin' and, since there is no record of a brother or sister, I like to think that this was a nickname given him by the other apostles when perhaps they were joking with each other.
Two Sides
Just as James and John were nicknamed Boanerges or 'the Sons of Thunder' - probably after they had asked the Lord if they could call down fire on a village which had refused them entry and just as, later, Barnabas would be called 'The Encourager' (Acts 4:36), so Thomas was Didymus or 'The Twin', the one who, perhaps, had two sides to his personality a bit like you and me at times!
Thomas could be wild and extravagant and full of faith, as he was when he wanted to go and die with Jesus, as Jesus was setting off to help his friend, Lazarus. He was also the one who wondered where on earth they were going when Jesus spoke about his journey: 'Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?' His question evoked from the Lord this wonderful reply: 'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life' (Jn.14:5-6).
Most of all, however, Thomas is associated with a certain episode after the resurrection, when Jesus returned to the Upper Room and Thomas was not there. One wonders at his absence. Why was he not there? Had he got cold feet? Was he out getting food for the others? Who knows?
My Lord and My God
The impetuous disciple could not believe the others when they told him that Jesus had been with them: 'Unless I see the holes that the nails made... and can put my finger into the holes, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe' (Jn.20.25). Ever the pragmatic one, he demanded proof.
These things did Thomas hold for real: the warmth of blood, the chill of steel, the grain of wood, the heft of stone, the last frail twitch of blood and bone. When Jesus returned, he invited Thomas to experience for himself both passion and resurrection: 'Put your hands here... doubt no longer, but believe'. His fellow apostle wrote that Thomas could only gasp, 'My Lord and my God!' (Jn.20:27-28).
His brittle certainties denied,
That one could live when one had died,
Until his fingers read like Braille
The markings of the spear and nail.
Recognizing Christ
A writer once penned these words: 'I looked for God, and could not find him; I looked for my soul, and could not find it; I looked for my brother, and found all three'. Mother Teresa would find Christ in the 'distressing disguise of the poor'. 'During the day, we continue to see him hidden beneath the torn bodies of the poor,' she would say. Father Damien would find him in the lepers of Molokai, and they knew the Lord better the morning Damien began Mass by saying, 'We lepers'. It is in and with the suffering Christ that we often meet his risen presence.
Learning by Doing
When Dominique Lapierre, the novelist and writer of the The City of God - made into a film later visited Calcutta, he entered the house where Mother Teresa was working. He approached her as she was feeding a man who was scarcely alive. He greeted her, but instead of stopping what she was doing, she gave him the bowl, and told him to continue feeding the poor man, as she moved to another person. Later, she returned to allow him to interview her. Lapierre later claimed that that one moment taught him to recognize the suffering and the risen Christ together.
Fishers of Men
There is one last reference to Thomas in the gospel of John. It is in one of the post-resurrection accounts. Jesus appears at the shore, and Thomas is with them. Now there is no doubt. He tells them to cast out into the lake: it is reminiscent of the earlier occasion when Peter is given his original mandate to become a 'fisher of men'. The result is the same in this case, too: a miraculous catch of fish. And the message is also the same: to become fishers of men. Thomas was to take up this challenge after the Lord had returned to the Father.
[caption id="attachment_47908" align="alignleft" width="390"]
The Christians in south west India were Christians due to the missionary efforts of Saint Thomas. The Apostles Tomb in Chennai , Madras[/caption]
Association with India
Tradition says that, following the dispersal of the apostles after Pentecost, Thomas went to evangelize the Parthians and Persians. Ultimately, the story goes, he reached India, and carried the faith to the Malabar coast. There are still Christians there who trace their faith back to Thomas, one of the oldest Christian traditions in the history of the Church, four hundred years before Patrick came to Irish shores.
His Death
Thomas would end his life speared to death for the Lord. Once, he had denied him and was full of doubts, but in his martyrdom he witnessed in the most glorious way a disciple could.
This article first appeared in The Messenger (July 2006), a publication of the Irish Jesuits.
Fr John Murray PP gives us some insights into the personality of the one we also know as "the doubter".
Tragedies
It's hard to believe, sometimes. When the tsunami hit the shores of Asia on 26 December 2004, there were some who said, 'If God does exist, then he's cruel'. A mudslide in the Philippines, a ship sinking off the coast of Egypt, a tragic war in Darfur and endless suicide bombs in Iraq: the list goes on. Why do the good suffer and the bad seem to prosper? Does God care? And if he does care, is he powerless to do anything?Those big questions are also mirrored in the personal tragedies of many people: the father and mother watching their little daughter die of leukaemia; the parents burying their teenage son who has taken his own life; the girl who went out with friends for the night and can't remember why she ended up in a field with her clothes torn.
Asking Questions
Our questions can go on and on. Is there really an 'intelligent design' behind this vast universe? Is Jesus really present in that tiny host? Where is my grandmother who passed away a month ago? Every one of us in life asks the question 'why?' many times, and sometimes we don't always have ready answers.
That is why I like Thomas, the saint who doubted and yet found Jesus at the end of his doubt. The gospels tell us that Thomas was called 'The Twin' and, since there is no record of a brother or sister, I like to think that this was a nickname given him by the other apostles when perhaps they were joking with each other.
Two Sides
Just as James and John were nicknamed Boanerges or 'the Sons of Thunder' - probably after they had asked the Lord if they could call down fire on a village which had refused them entry and just as, later, Barnabas would be called 'The Encourager' (Acts 4:36), so Thomas was Didymus or 'The Twin', the one who, perhaps, had two sides to his personality a bit like you and me at times!
Thomas could be wild and extravagant and full of faith, as he was when he wanted to go and die with Jesus, as Jesus was setting off to help his friend, Lazarus. He was also the one who wondered where on earth they were going when Jesus spoke about his journey: 'Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?' His question evoked from the Lord this wonderful reply: 'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life' (Jn.14:5-6).
Most of all, however, Thomas is associated with a certain episode after the resurrection, when Jesus returned to the Upper Room and Thomas was not there. One wonders at his absence. Why was he not there? Had he got cold feet? Was he out getting food for the others? Who knows?
My Lord and My God
The impetuous disciple could not believe the others when they told him that Jesus had been with them: 'Unless I see the holes that the nails made... and can put my finger into the holes, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe' (Jn.20.25). Ever the pragmatic one, he demanded proof.
These things did Thomas hold for real: the warmth of blood, the chill of steel, the grain of wood, the heft of stone, the last frail twitch of blood and bone. When Jesus returned, he invited Thomas to experience for himself both passion and resurrection: 'Put your hands here... doubt no longer, but believe'. His fellow apostle wrote that Thomas could only gasp, 'My Lord and my God!' (Jn.20:27-28).
His brittle certainties denied,
That one could live when one had died,
Until his fingers read like Braille
The markings of the spear and nail.
Recognizing Christ
A writer once penned these words: 'I looked for God, and could not find him; I looked for my soul, and could not find it; I looked for my brother, and found all three'. Mother Teresa would find Christ in the 'distressing disguise of the poor'. 'During the day, we continue to see him hidden beneath the torn bodies of the poor,' she would say. Father Damien would find him in the lepers of Molokai, and they knew the Lord better the morning Damien began Mass by saying, 'We lepers'. It is in and with the suffering Christ that we often meet his risen presence.
Learning by Doing
When Dominique Lapierre, the novelist and writer of the The City of God - made into a film later visited Calcutta, he entered the house where Mother Teresa was working. He approached her as she was feeding a man who was scarcely alive. He greeted her, but instead of stopping what she was doing, she gave him the bowl, and told him to continue feeding the poor man, as she moved to another person. Later, she returned to allow him to interview her. Lapierre later claimed that that one moment taught him to recognize the suffering and the risen Christ together.
Fishers of Men
There is one last reference to Thomas in the gospel of John. It is in one of the post-resurrection accounts. Jesus appears at the shore, and Thomas is with them. Now there is no doubt. He tells them to cast out into the lake: it is reminiscent of the earlier occasion when Peter is given his original mandate to become a 'fisher of men'. The result is the same in this case, too: a miraculous catch of fish. And the message is also the same: to become fishers of men. Thomas was to take up this challenge after the Lord had returned to the Father.
[caption id="attachment_47908" align="alignleft" width="390"]
The Christians in south west India were Christians due to the missionary efforts of Saint Thomas. The Apostles Tomb in Chennai , Madras[/caption]Association with India
Tradition says that, following the dispersal of the apostles after Pentecost, Thomas went to evangelize the Parthians and Persians. Ultimately, the story goes, he reached India, and carried the faith to the Malabar coast. There are still Christians there who trace their faith back to Thomas, one of the oldest Christian traditions in the history of the Church, four hundred years before Patrick came to Irish shores.
His Death
Thomas would end his life speared to death for the Lord. Once, he had denied him and was full of doubts, but in his martyrdom he witnessed in the most glorious way a disciple could.
May we, O God, by grace believe
And, in believing, still receive
The Christ who held his raw palms out,
And beckoned Thomas from his doubt.
(Thomas Troeger)
This article first appeared in The Messenger (July 2006), a publication of the Irish Jesuits.
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Memorable Saying for Today
When you are doubting whether a thing is worth the trouble
of going to see or not, recollect that you will never again be so near it.
You may repent not having seen it,
but you can never repent having seen it.
~ Thomas Jefferson ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Friday, 3rd July, 2026
Feast of St Thomas, Apostle
Thomas, the apostle, is said to have travelled widely even to India spreading the Good News.
Saints of the Day: 3 July; St Thomas, Apostle
C/f A short life of this saint can be found below todays' Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 2:19-22
You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations.
You are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God's household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone. As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 116: Mk 16:15
Response Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
1. O praise the Lord, all you nations, acclaim him all you peoples! Response
2. Strong is his love for us; he is faithful for ever. Response
Gospel Acclamation Jn 20: 29
Alleluia, alleluia!
You believe, Thomas, because you can see me, says the Lord.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 20:24-29 Glory to you, O Lord.
My Lord and my God!
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
When the disciples said, 'We have seen the Lord',
He answered, 'Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.'
Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them.
The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them.
'Peace be with you' he said.
Then he spoke to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.'
Thomas replied, 'My Lord and my God!'
Jesus said to them: 'You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Reflection Tuesday Saint Thomas John 20:24-29
In many ways, Thomas is the representative of us all. When the disciples were full of Easter joy on that Easter evening, declaring to Thomas, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he couldn’t bring himself to believe their good news. He had been devastated once by the crucifixion of Jesus; he wasn’t going to have his hopes dashed so cruelly again by wishful thinking. Unless very clear conditions were met, Thomas defiantly declares, ‘I refuse to believe’. Thomas’ doubts speak to our own doubts. There is always some element of doubt in our faith, because, as Saint Paul says in one of his letters, ‘now we see as in a mirror dimly, then we will see face to face’ (1 Cor 13:12). It is only in eternity that we will see the Lord face to face.
In this life our seeing the Lord with the eyes of faith will always be a seeing dimly. Thomas was on a journey towards Easter faith, but he was travelling that journey at a slower pace than the other disciples. Everyone’s journey towards a deeper, fuller, faith is unique to them. When the risen Lord appeared to the disciples a week later, this time with Thomas present, there was no rebuke of Thomas for his refusal to believe the message of the other disciples. There was the same greeting from the Lord, ‘Peace by with you’, and an invitation to Thomas to doubt no longer but believe. The Lord always meets us where we are; he comes to us, as we are. Then, in response to the Lord’s greeting, out of the mouth of the sceptic came one of the greatest confessions of faith in all four gospels, ‘My Lord and my God’. Scepticism and deep faith can often be found in one and the same person. On this feast of Saint Thomas, we are invited to make Thomas’ confession of faith our own, wherever we happen to find ourselves on our faith journey.
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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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Saint of the Day: July 3, St Thomas, the apostle
"Doubting Thomas" has become a much-used phrase in many languages. It recalls the apostle's natural disbelief on hearing that Jesus was risen from the dead and his need/desire for proof.
Patrick Duffy explores some perspectives on this endearing apostle.
A Literary "fall guy"
In John's gospel, Thomas (called the Twin) appears as a mildly combative character with a wry sense of humour. When Jesus explains that Lazarus is dead, and goes on to say, "Let us go to him", Thomas exclaimed, "Let us all go with the Teacher so that we may die with him!" (Jn 11:16).
Again, during the discourse at the Last Supper, when Jesus says,
"You know the way that leads to the place where I am going,"
Thomas points out, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; so how can we know the way to get there?"
Jesus brings the discourse to a new level when he says: "I am the way, the truth and the life" (Jn 14:4-6). In each of these incidents Thomas is used by the evangelist as a literary "fall guy" who ironically brings about a fuller understanding of who Jesus really is.
Doubting ThomasThomas is best known for this role in verifying the resurrection of his Master. His resistance to believing that the other apostles had seen their risen Lord on the first Easter Sunday merited for him the title of "Doubting" Thomas.
Eight days later, on Christ's second apparition, Thomas was gently rebuked for his scepticism and furnished with the evidence he had demanded - seeing in Christ's hands the point of the nails and putting his fingers in the place of the nails and his hand into His side. At this, Thomas became convinced of the truth of the Resurrection and exclaimed: 'My Lord and My God,' thus making a public profession of faith in the divinity of Jesus. St. Thomas is also mentioned as being present at another resurrection appearance of Jesus - at Lake Tiberias when a miraculous catch of fish occurred. All this know about St. Thomas from the New Testament.
Caravaggio's MasterpieceCaravaggio's masterly oil on canvas painting of the drama of the disbelief of St Thomas, painted in 1600, is in the Cerasi Chapel, Santa Maria del Popolo, in Rome (see image right). This depiction of Thomas is physically quite shocking and the scene must have touched Caravaggio deeply. It pushes curiosity to its limits.
Four heads unite in the quest for truth before Thomas can say, 'My Lord and my God.' Christ's head is largely in shadow, as He is the person who is the least knowable. He also has a serene beauty that is lacking in the frowning faces of the apostles. Jesus encourages Thomas to draw closer The shocking image of the finger exploring the depths of the lance wound is softened slightly by the guiding hand of Christ, which seems to push Thomas’ finger deep into the wound. It is the supreme proof that Jesus is God and he wants us to know him and trust him completely.
In 384 AD Thomas relics were bought to Edessa in Syria where Thomas is venerated in the Catholic and Orthodox churches
Association with IndiaTradition holds that when the apostles scattered after Pentecost, Thomas went to evangelise the Parthians, Medes, and Persians (Eusebius) and that he ultimately reached India, bringing the faith to the Malabar coast, which still boasts a large native population calling themselves "Christians of St. Thomas."
Marco Polo reported that both Christians and Saracens went on pilgrimage to his tomb and when the Portuguese first landed in India in 1498 they found established Christian communities there.
Three Apocrypha
Three apocryphal (that is non-canonical) gospels use the name of Thomas.
The 'Acts of Thomas' tell stories about his going to India and about his life there.
The 'Gospel of Thomas' offers some saying of Jesus as well as miracles.
The 'Infancy Gospel of Thomas' tells of some miracles worked by Jesus as a child.
Patronage
Thomas is patron of blind people, probably because of his own spiritual blindness. A story from the Acts of Thomas that he built a palace for a local king in India led to his being named patron of builders, of architects and quantity surveyors.
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Memorable Saying for Today
Almost all the progress ever made in human thought has been made by 'Doubting Thomases',
'the questioners, the challengers, the show-me crowd.'
~ Dale Carnegie ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Friday, 3rd July, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na hEabhraig 2:19-22
Is foirgneamh sibh a bhfuil na haspail agus na fáithe ina mbunsraith faoi.
A bhráithre, ní eachtrannaigh ná coimhthígh sibh a thuilleadh ach comhshaoránaigh leis na naoimh agus baill de líon tí Dé. Is foirgneamh sibh a bhfuil na haspail agus na fáithe ina mbunsraith faoi agus Críost Íosa féin ina chloch chinn chúinne aige.
Is ann a nasctar an foirgneamh ar fad le céile agus éiríonn sé in airde ina theampall naofa sa Tiarna. Is ann chomh maith atá sibhse do bhur gcomhthógáil agus áit chónaithe Dé á dhéanamh díbh faoi luí an Spioraid.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Psalm le Freagra Sm 116: Mk 16:15
Freagra Imígí faoin domhan uile agus fógraígí an soiscéal don chruthaíocht uile.
Molaigí an Tiarna, a chiníocha uile;
moladh na náisiúin go léir é. Freagra
Óir is daingean é go deimhin, a bhuanghrá dúinn;
maireann a dhílseacht go brách. Freagra
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 20: 29
Alleluia, alleluia!
De bhrí go bhfaca tú mé, a Thomáis, chreid tú. a deir an Tiarna
Is méanar dóibh seo nach bhfaca agus a chreid.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 20:24-29 Glóir duit, a Thiarna
Mo Thiarna agus mo Dhia!
Tomás, duine den dáréag ar a dtugtaí an Leathchúpla, ní raibh sé leo nuair a tháinig Íosa.
Dúirt na deisceabail eile leis: “Chonaiceamar an Tiarna.”
Ach dúirt seisean leo: “Mura bhfeicfidh mé rian na dtairní ar a dhearnana, agus mo mhéar a chur i bpoll na dtairní, agus mo lámh ina chliathán, ní chreidfidh mé.”
Ocht lá ina dhiaidh sin, bhí a dheisceabail istigh arís, agus Tomás in éineacht leo.
Tháinig Íosa agus na doirse faoi ghlas, sheas sé ina measc agus dúirt: “Síocháin daoibh!”
Ansin dúirt sé le Tomás:
“Tabhair i leith do mhéar agus féach mo dhearnana,sín amach do lámh agus cuir i mo chliathán í,agus ná bí díchreidmheach ach creidmheach.”
D’fhreagair Tomás: “Mo Thiarna agus mo Dhia!”
Dúirt Íosa leis: “De bhrí go bhfaca tú mé, a Thomáis, chreid tú.
Is méanar dóibh seo nach bhfaca agus a chreid.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 5th July, 2026
Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Zechariah 9:9-10
See now, your king comes humbly to you
The Lord says this:
Rejoice heart and soul, daughter of Zion! Shout with gladness, daughter of Jerusalem!See now, your king comes to you; he is victorious, he is triumphant, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
He will banish chariots from Ephraim and horses from Jerusalem; the bow of war will be banished. He will proclaim peace for the nations.
His empire shall stretch from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.
The Word of the Lord. And with your spirit.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 144: 1-2. 8-11. 13-14. R/v 1
Response I will bless your name for ever, O God my King
1. I will give you glory, O God my King, I will bless your name for ever.
I will bless you day after day and praise your name for ever. Response
2. The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures. 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
4. The Lord is faithful in all his words and loving in all his deeds.
The Lord supports all who fall and raises all who are bowed down. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Romans 8:9. 11-13
If by the Spirit you put an end to the misdeeds of the body you will live.
Your interests, however, are not in the unspiritual, but in the spiritual, since the Spirit of God has made his home in you.In fact, unless you possessed the Spirit of Christ you would not belong to him. and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you.
My brothers, there is no necessity for us to obey our unspiritual selves or to live unspiritual lives. If you do live in that way, you are doomed to die; but if by the Spirit you put an end to the misdeeds of the body you will live.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation 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 11:25-30 Glory to you, O Lord
I am gentle and humble in heart.
Jesus exclaimed, 'I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.'Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.'
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/
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, 5th July, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an dara Leabhar Zachária Fáidh 9:9-10
Féach, tá do rí ag teacht chugat.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
Déan gairdeas go spleodrach, a iníon Shíón; tóg gártha áthais, a iníon Iarúsailéim.Féach, tá do rí ag teacht chugat, é go caithréimeach slán,
agus go ceansa, agus ag marcaíocht ar asal, ar bhromaichín, ar shearrach asail. Scuabfaidh sé an carbad chun siúil as Eafráim agus an capall catha as Iarúsailéim; agus brisfear an bogha cogaidh.
Labhróidh sé leis na náisiúin faoin tsíocháin, agus beidh sé i réim ó mhuir go muir agus ón Abhainn go himill na cruinne.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 144: 1-2. 8-11. 13-14. R/v 1
Freagra Beannóidh mé d'ainm de shíor, a Dhia liom, is a Rí.
1. Tabharíaidh mé glóir duit, a Dhia liom, is a Rí; beannóidh mé d'ainm de shíor.
Beannóidh mé thú gach uile lá agus molfaidh mé thú de shíor. Freagra
2. Is ceansa trócaireach é an Tiarna, mall chun feirge agus lán de chineáltas.
Is maith é an Tiarna don uile ní, is is trócaireach é dá oibreacha uile. Freagra
3. Ceiliúriaidh d'oibreacha thú, a Thiarna, agus beannóidh do dhaoine naofa thú.
Canfaidh siad glóir do ríochta, agus foilséoidh siad do chumhacht. Freagra
4. Is dílis an Tiarna ina bhriathra uile, agus is naofa é ina oibreacha go léir.
Coinníonn an Tiarna gach duine a bhíonn ag titim agus
tógann sé suas gach duine a bhíonn ar lár. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 8:9. 11-13
Má bhásaíonn sibh gníomhartha na colainne le cúnamh an Spioraid, mairfidh sibh beo.
A bhráithre, ní faoi réir na colainne atá sibhse, áfach, ach faoi réir an Spioraid más rud é go bhfuil Spiorad Dé lonnaithe ionaibh. Má tá duine gan Spiorad Chríost aige ní le Críost é. Ach má tá Críost ionaibh, más marbh féin bhur gcorp de bharr an pheaca, is beo bhur spiorad de bharr na fíréantachta. Go deimhin má bhíonn Spiorad an té a thóg Críost ó mhairbh lonnaithe ionaibh, déanfaidh an té sin a thóg Críost ó mhairbh bhur gcorp básmhar a bheoú trína Spiorad atá lonnaithe ionaibh.Ar an ábhar sin, a bhráithre, níl aon cheangal ag an gcolainn orainn go mairfimis dá réir. Más faoi réir na colainne a mhaireann sibh tá an bás i ndán daoibh; ach má bhásaíonn sibh gníomhartha na colainne le cúnamh an Spioraid, mairfidh sibh beo.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Mt 11:25
Alleluia, alleluia!
Tugaim buíochas duit, a Athair, a Thiarna neimhe agus talún,
de chionn mar a cheil tú na nithe seo ar lucht eagna agus éirime agus
mar a d’fhoilsigh tú do naíonáin iad.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha, 11:25-30 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Táim ceansa uiríseal ó chroí
San am sin labhair Íosa agus dúirt:
“Tugaim buíochas duit, a Athair, a Thiarna neimhe agus talún, de chionn mar a cheil tú na nithe seo ar lucht eagna agus éirime agus mar a d’fhoilsigh tú do naíonáin iad. Sea, a Athair, óir is amhlaidh sin ba mhaith leat é. Tá gach aon ní tugtha domsa ag m’Athair. Agus níl aithne ag aon neach ar an Mac ach amháin ag an Athair, ná níl aithne ag aon neach ar an Athair ach amháin ag an Mac agus an té ar toil leis an Mac a fhoilsiú dó.“Tagaigí chugam, sibhse uile a bhfuil saothar agus tromualach oraibh, agus tabharfaidh mé faoiseamh daoibh. Tógaigí oraibh mo chuing agus tagaigí ar scoil chugamsa, mar táim ceansa uiríseal ó chroí, agus gheobhaidh sibh faoiseamh do bhur n-anamacha; óir tá mo chuing so-iompair agus m’ualach éadrom.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
