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Deirdre Ni Chinneide – Threshold of Hope
Date: 30th March - 8PMLocation: Online
Deirdre Ni Chinneide – Threshold of Hope
Date: 30th March - 8PM
Location: Online
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Churches of the Day
May 16 - St Brendan, Abbot AD 486-578
Summary of St Brendan, abbot. Brendan was a Kerryman who was born in 484-486. He studied at Clonard under Finnian. His name is connected with many places in Kerry such as Ardfert and Mount Brandon. He visited Scotland and reached the Hebrides and possibly areas beyond. He founded a monastery in Clonfert in 568 and died there in 578.
St Brendan of Kerry
There is very little secure information concerning Brendan's life, although at least the approximate dates of his birth and death, and accounts of some events in his life, are found in the Irish annals and genealogies. The first mention of Brendan occurs in Adamnan's Vita Sancti Columbae, written between 679 and 704. Often referred to as The Navigator, he first he first came to notice as a seafarer in the ninth century Martyrology of Tallaght.
The principal works devoted to the saint and his legend are a 'Life of Brendan' in several Latin and Irish versions (Vita Brendani / Betha Brenainn) and the better known 'Voyage of Saint Brendan the Abbot' (Navigatio sancti Brendani abbatis). Unfortunately, the Lives and the Voyage provide little reliable information about his life and travels; they do, however, attest to the development of his following in the centuries after his death. An additional problem is that the precise relationship between the Vita and the Navigatio traditions is uncertain.
Any attempt to reconstruct the details of the life of the real Brendan or to understand the nature of the Brendan legend has to be based principally on the Irish annals and genealogies and on the various versions of the Vita Brendani.
In 484 AD Brendan was born in Tralee, in County Kerry, in the province of Munster, in the south-west of Ireland. He was born among the Altraige, a tribe originally centred around Tralee Bay, to parents called Finnlug and Cara. Tradition has it that he was born in the Kilfenora/Fenit area on the North side of the bay.
He was baptised at Tubrid, near Ardfert by Saint Erc, and was originally to be called "Mobhí" but signs and portents attending his birth and baptism led to him being christened 'Broen-finn' or 'fair-drop'. For five years he was educated under Saint Ita, "the Brigid of Munster". When he was six he was sent to Saint Jarlath's monastery school at Tuam to further his education. Brendan is one of the "Twelve Apostles of Ireland", one of those said to have been tutored by the great teacher, Finnian of Clonard.
At the age of twenty-six, Brendan was ordained a priest by Saint Erc. Afterwards, he founded a number of monasteries. Brendan’s first voyage took him to the Arran Islands, where he founded a monastery. He also visited Hinba (Argyll), an island off Scotland where he is said to have met Columcille (Columba). On the same voyage he traveled to Wales, and finally to Brittany, on the northern coast of France. Between the years 512 and 530 Brendan built monastic cells at Ardfert, and, at the foot of Mount Brandon, Shanakeel— Seana Cill, usually translated as "the old church". From here he is supposed to have set out on his famous seven-year voyage for Paradise. The old Irish Calendars assigned a special feast for the "Egressio familiae S. Brendani".
Legendary journey
St. Brendan is chiefly renowned for his legendary journey to the Isle of the Blessed as described in the ninth century Voyage of St Brendan the Navigator. Many versions exist that tell of how he set out onto the Atlantic Ocean with sixteen pilgrims (other versions have fourteen, plus three unbelievers who join at the last minute) searching for the Garden of Eden. One of these companions is said to have been Saint Malo, the namesake of Saint-Malo. If it happened, this would have occurred sometime between AD 512–530, before his travel to the island of Great Britain. On his trip, Brendan is supposed to have seen Saint Brendan's Island, a blessed island covered with vegetation. He also encountered a sea monster, an adventure he shared with his contemporary Saint Columba. The most commonly illustrated adventure is his landing on an island which turns out to be a giant sea monster called Jasconius or Jascon. This too, has its parallels in other stories, not only in Irish mythology but in other traditions, from Sinbad the Sailor to Pinocchio.
The Voyage of Saint Brendan
The earliest extant version of The Voyage of Saint Brendan was recorded around AD 900. There are over 100 manuscripts of the story across Europe, as well as many additional translations. The Voyage of Saint Brendan is an overtly Christian narrative, but also contains narratives of natural phenomena and fantastical events and places, which appealed to a broad populace. The Voyage of Saint Brendan contains many parallels and inter-textual references to the Voyage of Bran and the Voyage of Máel Dúin.
On the Kerry coast, he built a currach-like boat of wattle, covered it with hides tanned in oak bark softened with butter, set up a mast and a sail. He and a small group of monks fasted for forty days, and after a prayer upon the shore, embarked in the name of the Trinity. The account is characterized by a great deal of literary license and contains references to hell where “great demons threw down lumps of fiery slag from an island with rivers of gold fire” and “great crystal pillars.” Many now believe these to be references to the volcanic activity around Iceland, and to icebergs.
Later life
Brendan travelled to Wales and the holy island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland; returning to Ireland, he founded a monastery at Annaghdown, where he spent the rest of his days.He also founded a convent at Annaghdown for his sister Briga. Having established the bishopric of Ardfert, St Brendan proceeded to Thomond, and founded a monastery at Inis-da-druim (now Coney Island), in the present parish of Killadysert, County Clare, about the year 550. He then journeyed to Wales and studied under Saint Gildas at Llancarfan, and thence to Iona, for he is said to have left traces of his apostolic zeal at Kil-brandon (near Oban) and Kil-brennan Sound. After a three years' mission in Britain he returned to Ireland, and did more proselytising in various parts of Leinster, especially at Dysart (County Kilkenny), Killiney (Tubberboe), and Brandon Hill. He established churches at Inchiquin, County Galway and at Inishglora, County Mayo, and founded Clonfert in Galway around 557 AD. He died c. 577 at Annaghdown, while visiting his sister Briga. Fearing that after his death his devotees might take his remains as relics, Brendan had arranged before dying to have his body secretly carried back to the monastery he founded at Clonfert concealed in a luggage cart. He was buried in Clonfert Cathedral.
St Brendan of Kerry
There is very little secure information concerning Brendan's life, although at least the approximate dates of his birth and death, and accounts of some events in his life, are found in the Irish annals and genealogies. The first mention of Brendan occurs in Adamnan's Vita Sancti Columbae, written between 679 and 704. Often referred to as The Navigator, he first he first came to notice as a seafarer in the ninth century Martyrology of Tallaght.The principal works devoted to the saint and his legend are a 'Life of Brendan' in several Latin and Irish versions (Vita Brendani / Betha Brenainn) and the better known 'Voyage of Saint Brendan the Abbot' (Navigatio sancti Brendani abbatis). Unfortunately, the Lives and the Voyage provide little reliable information about his life and travels; they do, however, attest to the development of his following in the centuries after his death. An additional problem is that the precise relationship between the Vita and the Navigatio traditions is uncertain.
Any attempt to reconstruct the details of the life of the real Brendan or to understand the nature of the Brendan legend has to be based principally on the Irish annals and genealogies and on the various versions of the Vita Brendani.
In 484 AD Brendan was born in Tralee, in County Kerry, in the province of Munster, in the south-west of Ireland. He was born among the Altraige, a tribe originally centred around Tralee Bay, to parents called Finnlug and Cara. Tradition has it that he was born in the Kilfenora/Fenit area on the North side of the bay.
He was baptised at Tubrid, near Ardfert by Saint Erc, and was originally to be called "Mobhí" but signs and portents attending his birth and baptism led to him being christened 'Broen-finn' or 'fair-drop'. For five years he was educated under Saint Ita, "the Brigid of Munster". When he was six he was sent to Saint Jarlath's monastery school at Tuam to further his education. Brendan is one of the "Twelve Apostles of Ireland", one of those said to have been tutored by the great teacher, Finnian of Clonard.
At the age of twenty-six, Brendan was ordained a priest by Saint Erc. Afterwards, he founded a number of monasteries. Brendan’s first voyage took him to the Arran Islands, where he founded a monastery. He also visited Hinba (Argyll), an island off Scotland where he is said to have met Columcille (Columba). On the same voyage he traveled to Wales, and finally to Brittany, on the northern coast of France. Between the years 512 and 530 Brendan built monastic cells at Ardfert, and, at the foot of Mount Brandon, Shanakeel— Seana Cill, usually translated as "the old church". From here he is supposed to have set out on his famous seven-year voyage for Paradise. The old Irish Calendars assigned a special feast for the "Egressio familiae S. Brendani".
Legendary journey
St. Brendan is chiefly renowned for his legendary journey to the Isle of the Blessed as described in the ninth century Voyage of St Brendan the Navigator. Many versions exist that tell of how he set out onto the Atlantic Ocean with sixteen pilgrims (other versions have fourteen, plus three unbelievers who join at the last minute) searching for the Garden of Eden. One of these companions is said to have been Saint Malo, the namesake of Saint-Malo. If it happened, this would have occurred sometime between AD 512–530, before his travel to the island of Great Britain. On his trip, Brendan is supposed to have seen Saint Brendan's Island, a blessed island covered with vegetation. He also encountered a sea monster, an adventure he shared with his contemporary Saint Columba. The most commonly illustrated adventure is his landing on an island which turns out to be a giant sea monster called Jasconius or Jascon. This too, has its parallels in other stories, not only in Irish mythology but in other traditions, from Sinbad the Sailor to Pinocchio.The Voyage of Saint Brendan
The earliest extant version of The Voyage of Saint Brendan was recorded around AD 900. There are over 100 manuscripts of the story across Europe, as well as many additional translations. The Voyage of Saint Brendan is an overtly Christian narrative, but also contains narratives of natural phenomena and fantastical events and places, which appealed to a broad populace. The Voyage of Saint Brendan contains many parallels and inter-textual references to the Voyage of Bran and the Voyage of Máel Dúin.
On the Kerry coast, he built a currach-like boat of wattle, covered it with hides tanned in oak bark softened with butter, set up a mast and a sail. He and a small group of monks fasted for forty days, and after a prayer upon the shore, embarked in the name of the Trinity. The account is characterized by a great deal of literary license and contains references to hell where “great demons threw down lumps of fiery slag from an island with rivers of gold fire” and “great crystal pillars.” Many now believe these to be references to the volcanic activity around Iceland, and to icebergs.
Later life
Brendan travelled to Wales and the holy island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland; returning to Ireland, he founded a monastery at Annaghdown, where he spent the rest of his days.He also founded a convent at Annaghdown for his sister Briga. Having established the bishopric of Ardfert, St Brendan proceeded to Thomond, and founded a monastery at Inis-da-druim (now Coney Island), in the present parish of Killadysert, County Clare, about the year 550. He then journeyed to Wales and studied under Saint Gildas at Llancarfan, and thence to Iona, for he is said to have left traces of his apostolic zeal at Kil-brandon (near Oban) and Kil-brennan Sound. After a three years' mission in Britain he returned to Ireland, and did more proselytising in various parts of Leinster, especially at Dysart (County Kilkenny), Killiney (Tubberboe), and Brandon Hill. He established churches at Inchiquin, County Galway and at Inishglora, County Mayo, and founded Clonfert in Galway around 557 AD. He died c. 577 at Annaghdown, while visiting his sister Briga. Fearing that after his death his devotees might take his remains as relics, Brendan had arranged before dying to have his body secretly carried back to the monastery he founded at Clonfert concealed in a luggage cart. He was buried in Clonfert Cathedral.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 16th May, 2021
Scripture Themes‘The Ascension of Christ means our own salvation as well; where the glorious Head has gone before, the body is called to follow in hope. Let us therefore exult, beloved, as is fitting, and let us rejoice in devout thanksgiving. For on this day not only have we been confirmed in our possession of paradise, but we have even entered heaven in the person of Christ; through his grace we have regained far more than we had lost through the devil’s hatred’ (St Leo the Great, Sermon 73:4). No other celebrations not even funeral Masses, are permitted today (see Lit. Note 8) The week of prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit recalls the waiting in prayer of the disciples with Mary.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11
He was lifted up while they looked on.
In my earlier work, Theophilus, I dealt with everything Jesus had done and I taught from the beginning until the day he gave his instructions to the apostles he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. He had shown himself alive to them after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God. When h
e had been at table with them, he had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised. 'It is' he had said 'what you have heard me speak about: John baptised with water but you, notmany days from now, will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.'Now having met together, they asked him, 'Lord, has the time come? Are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?' He replied, 'It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.'
As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight. They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two men in white were standing near them and they said, 'Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there.'
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 46
Response God goes up with shouts of joy;
the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
or Alleluia!
1. All peoples, clap your hands,
cry to God with shouts of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear,
great king over all the earth. Response
2. God goes up with shouts of joy;
the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
Sing praise for God, sing praise,
sing praise to our king, sing praise. Response
3. God is king of all the earth.
Sing praise with all your skill.
God is king over the nations;
God reigns on his holy throne. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 1:17-23
He made him sit at his right hand, in heaven.
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him.May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. This you can tell from the strength of his power at work in Christ, when he used it to raise him from the dead and to make him sit at his right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination, or any other name that can be named not only in this age but also in the age to come. He has put all things under his feet and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
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Optional Second Reading, for Year B Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Fully mature with the fullness of Christ.
I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all, over all, through all and within all.Each one of us, however, has been given his own share of grace, given as Christ allotted it. It was said that he would:
When he ascended to the height, he captured prisoners,
he gave gifts to men.
When it says, ‘he ascended’, what can it mean if not that he descended right down to the lower regions of the earth? The one who rose higher than all the heavens to fill all things is none other than the one who descended. And to some, his gift was that they should be apostles; to some, prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers; so that the saints together make a unity in the work of service, building up the body of Christ. In this way we are all to come to unity in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God, until we become the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
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Shorter form Second Reading for Year B Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Fully mature with the fullness of Christ.
I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God who is Father of all, over all, through all and within all.
Each one of us, however, has been given his own share of grace, given as Christ allotted it. The one who rose higher than all the heavens to fill all things is none other than the one who descended. And to some, his gift was that they should be apostles; to some, prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers; so that the saints together make a unity in the work of service, building up the body of Christ. In this way we are all to come to unity in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God, until we become the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
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Gospel acclamation Mt 28: 19
Alleluia, alleluia!
Go, make disciples of all the nations;
I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 16:15-20
Glory to you, O Lord
He was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place.
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven, and said to them, 'Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.'And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966, 1967 and 1968 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, 16th May, 2021
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 1:1-11
Agus iad ag faire, tógadh suas é.
Thug mé cuntas cheana, a Theofail, ar gach a ndearna Íosa agus ar ar thug sé de theagasc uaidh ó thús go dtí an lá a tógadh suas ar neamh é, tar éis dó a chuid orduithe a thabhairt le cabhair an Spioraid Naoimh do na haspail a bhí tofa aige. i ndiaidh a pháise is iomaí cruthú a thug sé dóibh go raibh sé beo, á nochtadh féin dóibh ar feadh daichead lá agus ag cur síos ar ríocht Dé.
Uair dá raibh sé ina gcuibhreann d’ordaigh sé dóibh gan corraí ó Iarúsailéim ach fanacht ann go dtí go gcomhlíonfaí gealltanas an Athar, “An gealltanas úd,” ar sé, “ar chuala sibh mé ag trácht air: rinne Eoin baisteadh le huisce, ach déanfar sibhse a bhaisteadh leis an Spiorad Naomh i gceann beagán laethanta.”Más ea, nuair a bhí siad cruinnithe le chéile, thosaigh siad á cheistiú: “A Thiarna,” ar siad, “an anois atá tú chun ríocht Iosrael a athbhunú?” Ach d’fhreagair sé iad: “Ní aon chuid de bhur ngnósa é eolas a fháil ar na hamanna na ar na tráthanna atá leagtha amach ag an Athair as a údarás féin. Ach gheobhaidh sibh neart an Spioraid Naoimh atá le tuirlingt oraibh agus beidh sibh in bhur bhfinnéithe ormsa in Iarúsailéim agus ar fud Iúdáia go léir agus na Samáire agus a fhad le himeall an domhain.”
Ar rá an méid sin dó, tógadh suas os comhair a súl é agus d’ardaigh scamall as a radharc é. Fad a bhí siad ag stánadh in airde sa spéir ina dhiaidh sheas beirt fhear in éadaí bána ina n-aice. “A fheara na Gailíle,” ar siad, “cad ab áil libh in bhur seasamh ansin ag amharc in airde sa spéir? An Íosa seo a tógadh suas ar neamh uaibh, tiocfaidh sé an tslí chéanna ina bhfaca sibh ag dul suas é.”
Briathar Dé.
Salm le Freagra Sm 46
Freagra Gabhann Dia in airde le gártha molta;
gabhann sé in airde le séideadh an stoic.
Malairt Freagra Alleluia!
I. Buailigí bhur mbosa, a chiníocha uile,
gairdigí do Dhia Ie teann lúcháire!
Óir is ard é an Tiarna agus is uamhnach,
ina ardrí os cionn na cruinne. Freagra
2. Gabhann Dia in áirde le gártha molta;
gabhann sé in airde le séideadh an stoic.
Seinntear ceol dár nDia; seinntear ceol dó
Seinntear ceol dár rí; seinntear ceol dó. Freagra
3. Is é Dia rí na cruinne go léir.
Seinnigí agus canaigí ar bhur ndíheall dó
Tá Dia ina rí ar na náisiúin;
tá sé ina shuí ar a chathaoir naofa. Freagra
Alleluia Véarsa Mth 28: 19-20
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Imigí, deanaigí deisceabail de na nárisiúin uile,' a deir an Tiarna;
'Táim in éineacht libh i gcónai go dtí deireadh an tsaoil.'
Alleluia!
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Litir N.Pól chuig na hEifísigh 1:17-23
Chuir sé ina shuí ar a dheis féin sna flaithis é.
A bhráithre, bím á iarraidh ar Dhia ár dTiarna Íosa Críost, ar Athair na Glóire, spiorad na heagna agus na géarchúise a thabhairt daoibh chun go gcuirfeadh sibh aithne air. Go soilsítear súile bhur n-aigne ar shlí go dtuigfidh sibh cad é mar údar dóchais daoibh bhur ngairm aige agus cad é mar oidhreacht fhairsing ghlórmhar atá aige i ndán don phobal naofa agus ollmhaitheas na cumhachta a chuir sé i bhfeidhm ar ár son-na, creidmhigh – an chumhacht éachtach úd a chuir sé ag obair i gCríost nuair a thóg sé ó mhairbh é agus chuir ina shuí ar a dheis sna flaithis é go hard os cionn gach ceannas agus údarás agus cumhacht agus tiarnas agus os cionn gach ainm dar féidir a ainmniú ní sa saol seo amháin é ach sa saol atá le teacht chomh maith. Agus chuir sé gach ní faoina smacht agus cheap é, os cionn gach ní, ina cheann ar an Eaglais is corp dó agus arb í iomláine an té úd a líonann gach ní go hiomlán í.
Briathar Dé.
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Marcas 16:15-20
Tógadh suas ar neamh é, agus chuaigh sé chun suí ar dheasláimh Dé.
S
an am sin thaispeáin Íosa é féin don aonar déag agus iad ag bord, agus d’athchas sé leo a ndíchreideamh agus stuacacht a gcroí, mar nár chreid siad an mhuintir a chonaic é aiséirithe. Agus dúirt sé leo: “Imígí faoin domhan uile agus fógraígí an soiscéal don chruthaíocht uile. An té a chreidfidh agus a bhaistfear, slánófar é; ach an té nach gcreidfidh, daorfar é. “Agus leanfaidh na comharthaí seo an dream a chreideann: caithfidh siad deamhain amach i m’ainmse, labhróidh siad i dteangacha nua; tógfaidh siad nathracha ina lámha, agus má ólann siad aon deoch mharfach, ní dhéanfaidh sí díobháil dóíbh; leagfaidh siad a lámha ar easláin, agus beidh siad ar fónamh.” Tar éis dó labhairt leo, dá bhrí sin, tógadh an Tiarna Íosa suas ar neamh, agus chuaigh sé chun suite ar dheasláimh Dé. Ach iad siúd, d’imigh siad leo agus chraobhscaoil siad i ngach áit, agus chabhraigh an Tiarna leo ag neartú an bhriathair lei a comharthaí a lean é.Soiscéal Dé.
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
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Machtnamh ar Bhriathar Dé dia Domhnaigh Tuirlingt ár dTiarna ó Neamh
Tiomna Déanach ár dTiarna
B'Fhuras an misean a thug sé dóibh a thuiscint ach deacair a chur i gcríoch. Sé a bhí i gceist daoine a theagasc d'réir mar a mhúin Sé dóibh. D'réir mar a d'iarr sé ar a dheisceabail cloí leis, bhí orthusan daoine eile a mhealladh chun cloí lena threoracha chomh maith. Ní mór don chlár athraithe agus slándála dul ó glún go glún, go dtí claochlú an domhain. Leis na hathruithe go léir atá tagtha i saol na heaglaise agus iad siúd atá le teacht amach anso, ní raibh agus ní bheidh aon athrú ar dhá rud: Íosa é féin, agus a theachtaireacht grásta agus trócaire. Is buan iad an Teachtaireacht agus an Teachtaire, agus níl athrú i ndán dóibh. Ba chóir do dhaoine a bhfuil imní orthu faoi athruithe san eaglais agus atá i ndán di amach anso gur féidir bheith muiníneach as bunghnéithe a an chreidimh. Tá Sé le linn i gcónaí ... agus a misean is ár misean é freisin. Mar adeir an file: "Scríobhann tú leathnach úr den soiscéal gach lá, / trí na rudaí a dhéanann tú is na briathra a deireannn tú / bí deimhin de go bhfuil do scríobhainní seasamhach agus fíor / Mar sin de cad é do shoiscéal?"
Pádraig Ó Rúairí, cp, Sliabh Argus, Átha Cliath.
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 23rd May, 2021
Scripture themesThe Church was made manifest to the world on the day of Pentecost by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Spirit ushers in a new era in the dispensation of the mystery — the age of the Church, during which Christ manifests, makes present and communicates his work of salvation through the liturgy of his Church “until he comes” (CCC, 1076).
Pentecost Vigil Mass
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Pentecost Day Mass can be found after the Vigil Mass
(Any one of the following readings from the Old Testament may be chosen for teh Vigil)
FIRST READING 1
A reading from the Book of Genesis 11:1-9
It was named Babel therefore, because there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth.
Throughout the earth men spoke the same language, with the same vocabulary. Now as they moved eastwards they found a plain in the land of Shinar where they settled. They said to one another, 'Come, let us make bricks and bake them in the fire.' - For stone they used bricks, and for mortar they used bitumen. - 'Come,' they said, 'let us build ourselves a town and a tower with its top reaching heaven. Let us make a name for ourselves, so that we may not be scattered about the whole earth.' Now the Lord came down to see the town and the tower that the sons of man had built. 'So they are all a single people with a single language!' said the Lord. 'This is but the start of their undertakings! There will be nothing too hard for them to do, Come, let us go down and confuse their language on the spot so that they can no longer understand one another.' The Lord scattered them thence over the whole face of the earth, and they stopped building the town. It was named Babel therefore, because there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth. It was from there that the Lord scattered them over the whole face of the earth.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or FIRST READING 2 Exodus 19: 3-8. 16-20
The Lord came down on the mountain of Sinai before all the people.
Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, 'Say this to the House of Jacob, declare this to the sons of Israel, "You yourselves have seen what I did with the Egyptians, how I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself. From this you know that now, if you obey my voice and hold fast to my covenant, you of all the nations shall be my very own, for all the earth is mine. I will count you a kingdom of priests, a consecrated nation." Those are the words you are to speak to the sons of lsrael.' So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people, putting before them all that the Lord had bidden him. Then all the people answered as one, 'All that the Lord has said, we will do.' Now at daybreak on the third day there were peals of thunder on the mountain and lightning flashes, a dense cloud, and a loud trumpet blast, and inside the camp all the people trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the bottom of the mountain. The mountain of Sinai was entirely wrapped in smoke, because the Lord had descended on it in the form of fire. Like smoke from a furnace the smoke went up, and the whole mountain shook violently. Louder and louder grew the sound of the trumpet. Moses spoke, and God answered him with peals of thunder. The Lord came down on the mountain of Sinai, on the mountain top, and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
or FIRST READING 3 Ezekiel 37:1-14
Dry bones, I am now going to make the breath enter you, and you will live.
The hand of the Lord was laid on me, and he carried me away by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley, a valley full of bones. He made me walk up and down among them. There were vast quantities of these bones on the ground the whole length of the valley; and they were quite dried up. He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' I said, 'You know, Lord'. He said, 'Prophesy over these bones. Say, "Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. The Lord says this to these bones: I am now going to make the breath enter you, and you will live. I shall put sinews on you, I shall make flesh grow on you, I shall cover you with skin and give you breath, and you will live; and you will learn that I am the Lord."'
I prophesied as I had been ordered. While I was prophesying, there was a noise, a sound of clattering; and the bones joined together. I looked, and saw that they were covered with sinews; flesh was growing on them and skin was covering them, but there was no breath in them. He said to me, 'Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man. Say to the breath, "The Lord says this: Come from the four winds, breath; breathe on these dead; let them live!"' I prophesied as he had ordered me, and the breath entered them; they came to life again and stood up on their feet, a great, an immense army. Then he said, 'Son of man, these bones are the whole House of Israel. They keep saying, "Our bones are dried up, our hope has gone; we are as good as dead." So prophesy. Say to them, "The Lord says this: I am now going to open your graves; I mean to raise you from your graves, my people, and lead you back to the soil of Israel. And you will know that I am the Lord when I open your graves and raise you from your graves, my people. And I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live, and I shall resettle you on your own soil; and you will know that I, Yahweh, have said and done this - it is the Lord who speaks."'The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
or FIRST READING 4 Joel 3:1-5
'I will pour out my spirit on all people.
Thus says the Lord:
'I will pour out my spirit on all mankind.
Your sons and daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,and your young men see visions.
Even on the slaves, men and women,
will I pour out my spirit in those days.
1 will display portents in heaven and on earth.
blood. and fire and columns of smoke.'
The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood,
before the day of the Lord dawns, that great and terrible day.
All who calI on the name of the Lord will be saved,
for on Mount Zion there will be some who have escaped, as the Lord has said,
and in Jerusalem some survivors whom the Lord will call.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 103
Response Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.
or Alleluia!
1. Bless the Lord, my soul!
Lord God, how great you are,
clothed in majesty and glory,
wrapped in light as in a robe! Response
2. How many are your works, O Lord!
In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your riches.
Bless the Lord, my soul. Response
3. All of these look to you
to give them their food in due season.
You give it, they gather it up:
you open your hand, they have their fill. Response
4. You take back your spirit, they die,
returning to the dust from which they came.
You send forth your spirit, they are created;
and you renew the face of the earth. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 8:22-27
The Spirit himself expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words.
From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free. For we must be content to hope that we shall be saved - our salvation is not in sight, we should not have to be hoping for it if it were - but, as I say, we must hope to be saved since we are not saved yet - it is something we must wait for with patience.
The Spirit too comes to help us in our weakness. For when we cannot choose words in order to pray properly, the Spirit himself
expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words, and God who knows everything in our hearts knows perfectly well what he means, and that the pleas of the saints expressed by the Spirit are according to the mind of God.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to John 7:37-39
Glory to you, O Lord
Theme: From his breast shall flow fountains of living water.
On the last day and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood there and cried out:
'If any man is thirsty, let him come to me!
Let the man come and drink who believes in me!'
As scripture says: From his breast shall flow fountains of living water.
He was speaking of the Spirit which those who believed in him were to receive;
for there was no Spirit as yet because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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2. Pentecost Day Mass
Scripture themes
The Church was made manifest to the world on the day of Pentecost by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Spirit ushers in a new era in the dispensation of the mystery — the age of the Church, during which Christ manifests, makes present and communicates his work of salvation through the liturgy of his Church “until he comes” (CCC, 1076).
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak.
When Pentecost day came round, they had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech.
Now there were devout men living in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven, and at this sound they all assembled, each one bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language. They were amazed and astonished. 'Surely' they said 'all these men speaking are Galileans? How does it happen that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; people from Mesopotamia, Judaea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya round Cyrene; as well as visitors from Rome- Jews and proselytes alike-Cretans and Arabs; we hear them preaching in our own language about the marvels of God.'
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 103
Response Send forth your Spirit, 0 Lord, and renew the face of the earth.
or Alleluia.
1. Bless the Lord, my soul!
Lord God, how great you are,
How many are your works, O Lord!
The earth is full of your riches. Response
2. You take back your spirit, they die,
returning to the dust from which they came.
You send forth your spirit, they are created;
and you renew the face of the earth. Response
3 May the glory of the Lord last for ever!
May the Lord rejoice in his works!
May my thoughts be pleasing to him.
I find my joy in the Lord. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Galatians 5:16-25
The fruits of the Spirit.
If you are guided by the Spirit you will be in no danger of yielding to self-indulgence, since self-indulgence is the opposite of the Spirit, the Spirit is totally against such a thing, and it is precisely because the two are so opposed that you do not always carry out your good intentions. If you are led by the Spirit, no law can touch you. When self-indulgence is at work the results are obvious: fornication, gross indecency and sexual irresponsibility; idolatry and sorcery; feuds and wrangling, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels; disagreements, factions, envy; drunkenness, orgies and similar things. I warn you now, as I warned you before: those who behave like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. What the Spirit brings is very different: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control. There can be no law against things like that, of course. You cannot belong to Christ Jesus unless you crucify all self-indulgent passions and desires.
Since the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
SEQUENCE
Holy Spirit, Lord of light,
From the clear celestial height
Thy pure beaming radiance give.
Come, thou Father of the poor,
Come with treasures which endure;
Come, thou light of all that live!
Thou, of all consolers best,
Thou, the soul's delightful guest,
Dost refreshing peace bestow;
Thou in toil art comfort sweet;
Pleasant coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
Light immortal, light divine,
Visit thou these hearts of thine,
And our inmost being fill:
If thou take thy grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay;
All his good is turned to ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour thy dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
Thou, on us who evermore
Thee confess and thee adore,
With thy sevenfold gifts descend:
Give us comfort when we die;
Give us life with thee on high;
Give us joys that never end.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 15:26-27, 16:12-15
The Spirit of truth he will lead you to the complete truth,
Jesus said to his disciples
'When the Advocate comes,
whom I shall send to you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father,
he will be my witness.
And you too will be witnesses,
because you have been with me from the outset.
I still have many things to say to you
but they would be too much for you now.
But when the Spirit of truth comes
he will lead you to the complete truth,
since he will not be speaking as from himself
but will say only what he has learnt;
and he will tell you of the things to come.
He will glorify me,
since all he tells you
will be taken from what is mine.
Everything the Father has is mine;
that is why I said:
All he tells you
will be taken from what is mine'
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966, 1967 and 1968 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, 23rd May, 2021
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 2:1-11
Líonadh leis an Spiorad Naomh iad uile, agus thosaigh siad uile ag labhairt.
Nuair a tháinig Lá Cincíse bhí siad go léir le chéile ar aon láthair. Agus de phreib tháinig glor ón spéir mar a bheadh séideán gaoithe móire agus líon sé an teach ar fadina raibh siad ina suí. Agus chonacthas dóibh mar bheadh teangacha tine ag scaradh ó chéile nó gur shuigh an tine ar gach duine acu; agus líonadh iad go léir den Spiorad Naomh agus thosaigh siad ag labhairt i dteangacha difriúla de réir mar thug an Spiorad urlabhra dóibh.Bhí Giúdaigh dhiaganta ó gach cine faoin spéir ag cur fúthu in Iarúsailéim agus nuair a chualathas an glor úd chruinnigh an slua agus iad ar mearbhall de bhrí gur chuala gach duine a theanga féin á labhairt acu san. Bhí ionadh agus alltacht orthu: “Féach,” ar siad, “nach Gailíligh iad seo go léir atá ag caint? Conas a tharlaíonn go gcloiseann gach duine againne iad ag labhairt inár dteanga dhúchais féin? Táimid Pairtigh ann agus Méidigh agus Eilimítigh, áitritheoirí na Measpatáime agus Iúdáia agus Chapadóise, agus Phontais agus na hÁise, Frigia agus Paimfíle, áitritheoirí na hÉigipte agus chríocha na Libia thart faoi Chuiréiné, cuairteoirí ón Róimh idir Ghiúdaigh agus iompaithigh, Créitigh agus Arabaigh, agus cloisimid iad seo ag cur síos in ár dteangacha féin ar éachtaí Dé.”
Briathar Dé.
SALM LE FREAGRA. Sm 137
Freagra: Cuir amach uait do Spiorad, a Thiarna,
agus dean agaidh na talún a athnuachan.
Malairt Freagra : Alleluia!
1. Tabhair moladh don Tiarna, a anam liom!
A Thiarna Dia, is rómhor thú go dearfa.
tá t'u éadaithe i maorgacht agus maise,
tá tú gléasta le solas mar le fallaing Freagra
2. Nach lionmhar iad d'oibreacha, a Thiarna!
Rinne tú gach aon ní le heagna
Tá an chruinne lán da bhfuil déanta agat.
Tabhair moladh don Tiarna, a anam liom! Freagra
3. Bíonn siad siúd go léir ag brath ort
chun iad a bheathú in am is a dtráth.
Cruinníon siad le chéile a dtugann tú dóibh:
leathann tú do lámh agus liontar iad. Freagra
4. Má bhaineann tú an anáil díobh, éagann siad
agus casann siad ar an luaithreach arís.
Nuair a chuireann tú do spiorad uait, cruthaítear iad,
agus athnuann tú aghaidh na talún. Freagra
AN DARA LÉACHT: Galataigh 5:16-25
San aon Spiorad amháin is ea a baisteadh isteach in aon chorp amháin sinn go léir.
A bhráithre, mairigí faoi luí an Spioraid, agus níl aon bhaol go ngéillfidh sibh d’ainmhianta na colainne. Tá mianta na colainne bunoscionn le mianta an Spioraid agus tá mianta an Spioraid bunoscionn le mianta na colainne. Téann siad glan in éadan a chéile agus sin é an fáth nach ndéanann sibhse na nithe is áil libh a dhéanamh.
Más é an Spiorad atá do bhur stiúradh níl sibh faoi smacht ag an dlí. Is follas iad gníomhartha na colainne, mar atá drúis gáirsiúlacht agus graostacht; íoladhradh agus asarlaíocht; eascairdeas, achrann, agus formad; fearg, bruíonta, clampar agus faicsin, éad, (murdail,) meisce, ragairne, agus a leithéid eile. Táim ag tabhairt foláirimh anois daoibh faoi mar a thug mé cheana: an mhuintir a dhéanann nithe den sórt sin ní bhfaighidh siad ríocht Dé mar oidhreacht. Is é toradh a thugann an Spiorad uaidh, áfach, grá, lúcháir, síocháin, foighne, cineáltas, dea-chroí, dílseacht, láchas agus measarthacht. Agus níl aon reacht in aghaidh a leithéidí sin! Agus iad siúd a bhaineann le Críost Íosa tá siad tar éis a gcolainn agus a cuid paisean agus mianta a chéasadh ar an gcrois.
Ós é an Spiorad atá dar mbeoú, leanaimis a threoir.
Briathar Dé.
ROSC
Tar-sa chugainn, a Naomh Spioraid,
fear anuas ó na flaitheasa
léas do sholais mharthanaigh.
Tar, a Dhíon na n-easpaitheach,
tar, a Bhronntóir tabhartas,
tar, a Sholais croítheacha.
Só1ásai ró-charthanach,
aoi sámh cneasta an anama,
fionnuaire ‘alainn thaitneamhach.
Sos i measc ár ndeacrachtaí,
fuarthán sóúil i ngreadaithe,
só1ás i ngol is i gcathuithe.
A lasair aoibhinn bheannaithe,
líon is soillsigh croítheacha
na bhfírean mbocht n-anbhann.
Gan do ehumhaeht is d'fhearta-sa
níl ní ar bith in ár bpearsana,
ní ar bith níl gan pheaea ionainn.
Nigh a bhfuil salach ionainn,
an méid is tur dínn, cneasaighse,
tabhair leigheas dúinn in ár geeasnaitheacht
Cuir i mboige ár gerapaitheacht,
a bhfuil fuar dínn, cneasaighse,
a bhfuil earn dínn, ceartaighse.
Do d'fhíréana tabhairsé,
is go bhfuil a seasamh ort,
seoid do sheaeht naomhthabhartas.
Tabhair luach saothair maitheasa,
tabhair bás faoi mhaise dóibh,
tabhai r aoibh neas parthais.
Amen. Alleluia!
Alleluia Vearsa
Alleluia, alleluia!
Tar chugainn, a Naomh Spioraid, lion croíthe na gCríostaithe,
agus adhain iontu lasair do ghrá.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 15:26-27, 16:12-15
Amhail mar a chuir an tAthair uaidh mise, táimse do bhur gcursa uaim freisin. Glacaigí an Spiorad Naomh.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail
Nuair a thiocfaidh an tAbhcóide
a chuirfidh mé chugaibh ón Athair,
Spiorad na Fírinne a ghluaiseann ón Athair,
déanfaidh sé fianaise orm. Déanann sibhse fianaise freisin,
mar bhí sibh in éineacht liom ó thosach. Tá mórán eile le rá agam libh,
ach ní fhéadann sibh iad a fhulaingt anois;
ach nuair a thiocfaidh sé siúd, Spiorad na Fírinne,
déanfaidh sé eolas daoibh chun an uile fhírinne.Óir ní as féin a labhróidh;
labhróidh sé na nithe a chuala sé, agus inseoidh sé daoibh na nithe atá le teacht.
Tabharfaidh sé glóir domsa,
óir is de mo chuidse a ghlacfaidh
agus a inseoidh sé daoibh.
An uile ní dá bhfuil ag m’Athair, is liomsa é.
Uime sin a dúirt mé:
‘ Is de mo chuidse a ghlacfaidh
agus a inseoidh sé daoibh.’
Soiscéal Dé.
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Machtnamh ar Bhriathar Dé dia Domhnach na Cincíse
Cad é gnó Spiorad Naoimh?
Seachas cur síos a dhéanamh ar nádúr an Spiorad Naomh, deir an Bíobla rudaí móra faoin méid a dhéanann an Spiorad, mar a théann sé i bhfeidhm ar an saol. Úsáideann Paul íomhá ón nádúr, ag labhairt faoi thorthaí an Spioraid… mar a bhéadh bláthanna an Spioraid atá le feiceáil i saol an duine. Ní fhéidir an Spiorad Naomh a fheiceáil, ach is féidir linn tionchar an Spioraid a fheiceáil -- díreach mar nach féidir linn an ghaoth a fheiceáil ach gur féidir linn a thionchar a fheiceáil ar an domhan. Cibé áit a bhfaighimid grá, áthas, síocháin, foighneas, cairdeas, maitheas, muinín, agus féin-rialú, tá an Spiorad ag saothrú, a thionchar le feiceáil sna dea-thréithe seo. Ba é Íosa an duine a raibh na cáilíochtaí sin go léir aige, mar bhí sé lán den Spiorad Naomh, saol Dé in a iomlán. Sin é Spiorad Dé ó’n a bhfuair muid torthaí saibhre inár saol, na rudaí san faoin a labhraíonn Pól sa dara léacht an lae inniu. Is iad na súáilcí laethúla mar fiúntas, cáilíocht, dílseacht agus d'fhéin-rialú, foighne agus shliocht, mar a dheineann an Spiorad a léiriú ionainn.
Pádraig Ó Rúairí, cp,
Sliabh Argus, Átha Cliath.
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AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
