Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Jan 13 - St Hilary of Poitiers (315-368)
Summary: St Hilary is sometimes called "the Athanasius of the West" because of his efforts to combat the Arian heresy and his contribution to the doctrine of the Trinity. His life also had much of the rough and tumble of opposition and struggle.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
St Hilary of Poitiers
Born at Poitiers of wealthy pagan parents, Hilary had a good secular education in rhetoric and philosophy, married early in life and had a daughter Afra. His reading of the Scriptures, especially the Prologue to John's Gospel brought him to Christianity at the age of thirty-five. Three years later, while still a layman, he was elected bishop of Poitiers in 353.
Arian Controversies and Exile
At this time Constantius II had become the sole emperor and was promoting Arianism. While Hilary avoided attending some of the pro-Arian synods, his opposition was known to the emperor, who exiled him to Phrygia for four years.
Here he began writing the twelve books of his De Trinitate, translating into Latin the theology the Eastern bishops were expounding in Greek on the Nicene Creed. Eventually he was found to be so much of a nuisance campaigning in the East that he was sent back to the West.
Co-operation with St Martin of Tours
Welcomed back with enthusiasm in Poitiers, Hilary co-operated with Martin of Tours in combating Arianism in Gaul. In 364 he went to Milan to refute and hopefully depose its Arian bishop Auxentius. Auxentius managed to convince the Pope - Liberius - of his orthodoxy and Hilary expressed his thoughts in a book Against Auxentius. The positions of Hilary and Athanasius were eventually vindicated at the First Council of Constantinople in 381.
Monastery of Ligugé (Solesmes)
In 360 Hilary co-operated with Martin of Tours in founding the monastery of Ligugé, 8 km south of Poitiers, where today the famous abbey of the Benedictine monks of Solesmes is located.
Death and Influence
Although in character Hilary was gentle and courteous, his theological writings show a sharpness of tone against his opponents and are difficult to the point of obscurity. Hilary also composed some of the earliest Latin Christian poems and hymns.
Worn out by his travels and struggles, Hilary died in 367. His feast on 13th January marks the start of Hilary Term (spring semester) at Oxford and Cambridge and in the Law courts.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
St Hilary of Poitiers
Born at Poitiers of wealthy pagan parents, Hilary had a good secular education in rhetoric and philosophy, married early in life and had a daughter Afra. His reading of the Scriptures, especially the Prologue to John's Gospel brought him to Christianity at the age of thirty-five. Three years later, while still a layman, he was elected bishop of Poitiers in 353.Arian Controversies and Exile
At this time Constantius II had become the sole emperor and was promoting Arianism. While Hilary avoided attending some of the pro-Arian synods, his opposition was known to the emperor, who exiled him to Phrygia for four years.
Here he began writing the twelve books of his De Trinitate, translating into Latin the theology the Eastern bishops were expounding in Greek on the Nicene Creed. Eventually he was found to be so much of a nuisance campaigning in the East that he was sent back to the West.Co-operation with St Martin of Tours
Welcomed back with enthusiasm in Poitiers, Hilary co-operated with Martin of Tours in combating Arianism in Gaul. In 364 he went to Milan to refute and hopefully depose its Arian bishop Auxentius. Auxentius managed to convince the Pope - Liberius - of his orthodoxy and Hilary expressed his thoughts in a book Against Auxentius. The positions of Hilary and Athanasius were eventually vindicated at the First Council of Constantinople in 381.
Monastery of Ligugé (Solesmes)
In 360 Hilary co-operated with Martin of Tours in founding the monastery of Ligugé, 8 km south of Poitiers, where today the famous abbey of the Benedictine monks of Solesmes is located.Death and Influence
Although in character Hilary was gentle and courteous, his theological writings show a sharpness of tone against his opponents and are difficult to the point of obscurity. Hilary also composed some of the earliest Latin Christian poems and hymns.
Worn out by his travels and struggles, Hilary died in 367. His feast on 13th January marks the start of Hilary Term (spring semester) at Oxford and Cambridge and in the Law courts.
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Memorable Quote about' living a courageous life'
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
The brave person is not the who does not feel afraid,
but the who conquers that fear."
~ Nelson Mandela ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 13th January, 2025
Monday, First Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1
Optional Memorial of St Hilary, bishop of Potiers and doctor of the Church.
Hilary was exiled or his beliefs by Emperor Canstantius, died c. 367
The letter to the Hebrews is really a homily rather than a letter with the message of forgiveness, courage, hope and challenge.
FIRST READING
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews 1:1-6
God has spoken to us through his Son.
At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son, the Son that he has appointed to inherit everything and through whom he made everything there is. He is the radiant light of God's glory and the perfect copy of his nature, sustaining the universe by his powerful command; and now that he has destroyed the defilement of sin, he has gone to take his place in heaven at the right hand of divine Majesty. So he is now as far above the angels as the title which he has inherited is higher than their own name.God has never said to any angel: You are my Son, today I have become your father;
or: I will be a father to him and he a son to me.
Again, when he brings the First-born into the world, he says: Let all the angels of God worship him.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 96
Response All you angels, worship the Lord.
1. The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, the many coastlands be glad.
Cloud and darkness are his raiment; his throne, justice and right. Response
2. The skies proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory.
All you spirits, worship him. Response
3. For you indeed are the Lord most high above all the earth
exalted far above all spirits. Response
Gospel Acclamation Acts 16: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son.
Alleluia!
Or
Alleluia, alleluia!
The kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Mark 1:14-20 Glory to you, O Lord
Repent, and believe the Good News.
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God.
'The time has come' he said 'and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.'
As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake - for they were fishermen.And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men'.
And at once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Monday, First Week in Ordinary Time Mark 1:14–20
(We have had four weeks of the season of Advent and two weeks of the season of Christmas. We are now in the first week of what is called Ordinary Time and we will remain in Ordinary Time until the beginning of the Season of Lent, Until then, we will be reading the gospel of Mark, chapter by chapter on weekdays.)
Today we read Mark’s account of the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. There are two elements to the way Jesus begins his public ministry in today’s gospel reading. There is an announcement and a call or summons. Jesus’ announcement is referred to by Mark as ‘the Good News from God’. What is this ‘good news’ or ‘gospel’ that Jesus announces? It is the news that ‘the kingdom of God is close at hand’. God’s just and loving rule is present in Jesus. That remains the gospel for us today. God is not remote but is close at hand through Jesus, now risen Lord. God’s drawing near to us is to be welcomed as good news, because God draws near to bring us life, to deliver us from all that diminishes and damages us. Every day we live in the presence of this good news.
Following on his announcement of good news, Jesus issues a summons, a call, which is both general and particular. The general call is ‘repent and believe the Good News’. We are being called, all of us, to entrust ourselves to this good news, to turn towards the God who is drawing near to us, which will often mean turning away from what blocks us from God, what we call sin. The particular call is addressed to four fishermen, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of people’. In other words, share with me in announcing my good news to others. This particular call is also addressed to each one of us. Each in our own way are called to be heralds of the good news that God has drawn near to us. Our whole way of being is to proclaim God’s life giving love for all in practical and concrete ways. That is what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is 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: Monday, 13th January, 2025
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as Litir chuig na Eabhraig 1:1-6
Labhair Dia linn trína Mhac.
Labhair Dia go minic agus ar shlite éagsúla anallód léis na haithreacha trí bhíthin na bhfáithe; ach sna laethanta deireanacha seo labhair sé linn trína Mhac, an té a cheap sé ina oidhre ar an uile ní agus ar tríd a rinne sé a bhfuil ann. Is é scáil a ghlóire agus cló a shubstainte é. Is é a choinníonn an chruinne ar bun lena bhriathar bríomhar. Tar éis dó ár bpeacaí a ghlanadh chuaigh sé ina shuí ar dheis Dé sna harda agus fuair sé gradam an oiread céanna níos uaisle ná na haingil is atá an t-ainm a fuair sé mar oidhreacht níos uaisle ná a n-ainm siúd.Óir cé acu de na haingil a ndúirt sé leis riamh:
“Is tú mo Mhac, inniu a ghin mé thú”; agus arís:
“Beidh mé i m’Athair aige agus beidh seisean ina Mhac agamsa”?
Agus arís eile, nuair a sheol sé an Chéadghin isteach sa saol, dúirt sé leis:“Agus sléachtadh aingil uile Dé roimhe.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 96
Freagra Umhlaíodh na déithe go léir ina fhianaise.
1. Tá an Tiarna ina rí, déanadh an talamh gairdeas, bíodh lúcháir ar na cladai go léir.
Ceart agus cóir is bonn lena ríchathaoir. Freagra
2. Fógraíonn na flaithis a fhíréantacht; feiceann na náisiúin go léir a ghlóir.
Umhlaíodh na deithe go léir ina fhianaise. Freagra
3. Oir is tú an Tiarna go dearfa in ardréim os cionn na cruinne
agus os cionn na ndeithe uile. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Marcas 1:14-20 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Déanaigí aithrí agus creidigí sa soiscéal.
Tar éis Eoin a bheith tugtha ar láimh, tháinig Íosa go dtí an Ghailíl ag fógairt soiscéal Dé agus ag rá:
“Tá an tréimhse caite agus tá ríocht Dé in achmaireacht.
Déanaigí aithrí agus creidigí sa soiscéal.”
Bhí sé ag imeacht leis cois farraige na Gailíle nuair a chonaic sé Síomón agus Aindrias deartháir Shíomóin agus iad ag caitheamh eangaí san fharraige, mar iascairí a bhí iontu.
Dúirt Íosa leo:
“Tagaigí i mo dhiaidh, agus déanfaidh mé díbh iascairí ar dhaoine.”
D’fhág siad na líonta láithreach agus lean siad é.
Bhuail sé ar aghaidh beagán eile agus chonaic sé Séamas mac Zeibidé agus Eoin a dheartháir, iad ina mbád féin ag ceartú na líonta, agus ghlaoigh sé iad láithreach. D’fhág siad a n-athair Zeibidé sa bhád, é féin agus an lucht pá, agus ghabh siad leis.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 19th January, 2025
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
The fulfilment of God's promise is compared to a wedding feast.
The wine that flows in plenty speaks of the joy of the kingdom.
Catholic Schools Week begins today
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 62:1-5
The bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so will your God rejoice in you.
About Zion I will not be silent, about Jerusalem I will not grow weary,
until her integrity shines out like the dawn and her salvation flames like a torch.
The nations then will see your integrity, all the kings your glory,and you will be called by a new name, one which the mouth of the Lord will confer.
You are to be a crown of splendour in the hand of the Lord,
a princely diadem in the hand of your God;
no longer are you to be named 'Forsaken', nor your land 'Abandoned',
but you shall be called 'My Delight' and your land 'The Wedded';
for the Lord takes delight in you and your land will have its wedding.
Like a young man marrying a virgin, so will the one who built you wed you, and as the bridegroom rejoices in his bride,
so will your God rejoice in you.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 95: 1-3, 7-10 R/ v 3
Response Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.
1. O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth.
O sing to the Lord, bless his name. Response
2. Proclaim his help day by day, tell among the nations his glory
and his wonders among all the peoples. Response
3. Give the Lord, you families of peoples, give the Lord glory and power,
give the Lord the glory of his name. Response
4. Worship the Lord in his temple. O earth, tremble before him.
Proclaim to the nations: 'God is king.' He will judge the peoples in fairness. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 12:4-11
There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit.
There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit;there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord;
working in all sorts of different ways in different people,
it is the same God who is working in all of them.
The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose.
One may have the gift of preaching with wisdom given him by the Spirit;
another may have the gift of preaching instruction given him by the same Spirit;
and another the gift of faith given by the same Spirit;
another again the gift of healing, through this one Spirit; one, the power of miracles;
another, prophecy; another the gift of recognising spirits; another the gift of tongues and another the ability to interpret them.
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who distributes different gifts to different people just as he chooses.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 6: 63
Alleluia, alleluia!
Your words are spirit and they are life: you have the message of eternal life.
Alleluia!
Or 2 Thess 2: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Through the Good News God called us to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according John 2:1-11 Glory to you, O Lord.
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee.
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited.
When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him,
'They have no wine'.
Jesus said
'Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.'
His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'
There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants,
'Fill the jars with water', and they filled them to the brim.
'Draw some out now' he told them 'and take it to the steward.'
They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from - only the servants who had drawn the water knew - the steward called the bridegroom and said;
'People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink;
but you have kept the best wine till now'.
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
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The scripture readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 19th January, 2025
AN CHÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as Leabhar Fáidh Ísáia 62:1-5
Mar is cúis ghairdis a chéile don fhear nuaphósta, beidh tú féin i do chúis ghairdis ag do Dhia.
Ar mhaithe le Síón ní fhanfaidh mé i mo thost, agus mar gheall ar Iarúsailéim ní mian liom bheith socair,nó go dté a fíréantacht amach mar an maidneachan agus a slánú mar bheadh lóchrann ag lonrú.
Is ann a fheicfidh na ciníocha d’fhíréantacht agus na ríthe uile do ghlóir;
agus tabharfar ainm nua ort, ainm a fhógróidh béal an Tiarna féin.
Beidh tú i do choróin taibhseach i láimh an Tiarna, i do cheannbheart ríoga ar bhois do Dhé.
Ní déarfaidh siad 'Uaigneach' leat feasta, ná ní ghairfear 'Fásach' do do dhúiche.
Ach is é ainm a bheidh ort féin 'Bean mo rúin' agus 'an Céile' a bheidh ar do dhúiche.
Óir lig an Tiarna a rún leat agus gheobhaidh do dhúiche é mar chéile.
Díreach mar a phósann ógfhear cailín, is é an Saor féin a phósfaidh thusa;
agus mar is cúis ghairdis a chéile don fhear nuaphósta, beidh tú féin i do chúis ghairdis ag do Dhia.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 95
Freagra Fógragí éachtaí an Tiarna do na náisiúin uile.
1. Canaigí amhrán nua don Tiarna; Canaigí don Tiarna, a thalamh go léir.
Canaigí don Tiarna agus molaigí a ainm. Freagra
2. Fógraígí a shlánú ó lá go lá. insígí a ghlóir i measc na gciníocha
agus a éachtaí do na náisiúin uile. Freagra
3. Luaigí leis an Tiarna, a chlanna na gciníocha, luaigí leis an Tiarna clú agus cumhacht,
luaigí leis an Tiarna glóir a ainm. Freagra
4. Tugaigí adhradh don Tiarna ina theampall. Bí ar crith ina láthair, a thalamh.
Fógraígí do na ciníocha: 'Tá an Tiarna ina Rí' Tabharfaidh sé breith chóir chothrom ar na daoine. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Coirintigh 12:4-11
Tá tíolacthaí difriúla ann ach an t-aon Spiorad amháin
A bhráithre, tá tíolacthaí difriúla ann ach an t-aon Spiorad amháin; tá feidhmeannais difriúla ann ach an t-aon Tiarna amháin; agus tá oibreacha difriúla ann ach is é an Dia céanna a bhíonn á n-oibriú go léir in gach ceann riamh acu. An léiriú a dhéantar ar an Spiorad in gach duine ar leith, is chun tairbhe an phobail mhóir é.Mar shampla faigheann duine amháin labhairt go heagnaí ón Spiorad agus
faigheann duine eile labhairt go feasach ón Spiorad céanna.
Faigheann duine eile creideamh tríd an Spiorad céanna, agus
duine eile buanna leighis tríd an aon Spiorad.
Faigheann duine eile cumas míorúiltí agus duine eile fós bua na tairngreachta agus duine eile arís na spioraid a aithint ó chéile.
Bíonn teangacha éagsúla ag duine amháin agus míniú teangacha ag duine eile.
Ach is é an Spiorad ceanann céanna a bhíonn ag oibriú sna tíolacthaí seo uile agus é ag dáil ar gachm duine faoi leith de réir mar is áil leis féin.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 17: 17
Alleluia, alleluia!
Is fírinne do bhriathar. Déan sinn a naomhú san fhírinne.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Iocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 2:1-11 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Rinne Íosa an chéad cheann sin dá chomharthaí i gCána sa Ghailíl
San am sin bhí pósadh i gCána sa Ghailíl agus bhí máthair Íosa ann. Fuair Íosa cuireadh chun an phósta freisin, agus a dheisceabail. Chuaigh den fhíon agus dúirt a mháthair le Íosa: “Níl aon fhíon acu.”Dúirt Íosa léi:
“Cad ab áil leat díom, a bhean? Níl m’uairse tagtha fós.”
Dúirt a mháthair leis an lucht freastail:
“Déanaigí cibé ní a déarfaidh sé libh.”
Bhí sé soithí cloiche ansiúd le haghaidh íonghlanadh de réir nós na nGiúdach; choinneoidís a dó nó a trí de mheadair an ceann. Dúirt Íosa leo:
“Líonaigí na soithí suas le huisce.”
Agus líon siad go béal iad.
Dúirt sé leo:
“Tarraingígí as feasta agus beirigí go dtí máistir na fleá é.”
Rug siad, agus nuair a bhlais máistir na fleá an t-uisce ina fhíon, agus gan a fhios aige cár tháinig sé as (bhí a fhios, áfach, ag an lucht freastail a tharraing an t-uisce) ghlaoigh an máistir ar an bhfear nuaphósta, agus dúirt leis:
“Cuireann gach duine an fíon maith ar an gclár ar dtús agus nuair a bhíonn siad ar meisce, an dara grád.
Ach choinnigh tusa an fíon maith go dtí anois.”
Rinne Íosa an chéad cheann sin dá chomharthaí i gCána sa Ghailíl, agus thaispeáin sé a ghlóir agus chreid a dheisceabail ann. Ansin chuaigh sé síos go Cafarnáum, é féin agus a mháthair agus a bhráithre agus a dheisceabail agus d’fhan siad ann beagán laethanta.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
