Featured
Deirdre Ni Chinneide – Threshold of Hope
Date: 30th March - 8PMLocation: Online
Deirdre Ni Chinneide – Threshold of Hope
Date: 30th March - 8PM
Location: Online
The Pope Video – February 2021
For women who are victims of violence
Christian Radio Stations
Bishop Alan McGuckian
The Joy of the Gospel – Reflection 4 by Bishop Alan McGuckian
St Columba – 1500 years
Celebration of the life and legacy of St Colmcille/Columba
Bishop Alan McGuckian
The Joy of the Gospel – April 29th
Churches of the Day
Extinquishing the smouldering flame?
Extinquishing the smouldering flame?
In the U.S. the Church insists that all Catholic weddings be celebrated in church. I believe the main reason for this is to preserve the religious character of the ceremony. No exception is allowed. It's as if the law was written on stone. One could argue that the religious character of the ceremony could just as well be preserved out of doors, under God's skies.
I know that it is kind of trendy for couples who seldom come to church to get married
in their gardens,
by their swimming pool,
by a lake-side,
on the beach, and so on.
Should we pander to those who have little or no attachment to the Church?
But in refusing to bend the rule are we not running the risk of extinguishing the smouldering wick?
Flor Mc Carthy
Doctrine and Life
Dominican Publications
In the U.S. the Church insists that all Catholic weddings be celebrated in church. I believe the main reason for this is to preserve the religious character of the ceremony. No exception is allowed. It's as if the law was written on stone. One could argue that the religious character of the ceremony could just as well be preserved out of doors, under God's skies.
I know that it is kind of trendy for couples who seldom come to church to get married
in their gardens,
by their swimming pool,
by a lake-side,
on the beach, and so on.
Should we pander to those who have little or no attachment to the Church?
But in refusing to bend the rule are we not running the risk of extinguishing the smouldering wick?
Flor Mc Carthy
Doctrine and Life
Dominican Publications
Apr 14 - St Benedict Joseph Labre ( 1) 1748-83
Benedict Joseph Labre is a rare example of what the Russians call a "yurodivy", a religious wanderer or "fool for Christ". Born in Boulogne, France, he lived most of his life as a beggar in Rome. He had the reputation that when he was in ecstasy he would levitate or bilocate and even had the ability to multiply bread. He is the patron saint of tramps and the homeless.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
A failure at monastic life
Benedict Joseph Labre was born 26 March 1748 near Boulogne, in France, the eldest child of fifteen children of a prosperous shopkeeper. He was educated privately by his uncle, a parish priest, who died heroically, ministering to, and himself infected by the victims of a cholera epidemic. Benedict tried a number of monastic communities in France like the Carthusians, Trappists, and Cistercians, but each rejected him as being unsuitable.
A pilgrim beggar
After 1770, when he was twenty-two, he found his real vocation as a pilgrim-beggar - walking to shrines all over Europe. His only possessions, besides the clothes he wore, were two Rosaries, and three books: a New Testament, a Breviary, and The Imitation of Christ. He felt called to be a pilgrim to places of Christian devotion. He repeatedly made known his intention to experienced confessors, who gave their approval.
At the major shrines of Europe
Benedict first travelled on foot to Rome, living as a beggar and then to the major shrines of Europe - to Loreto, Assisi, Naples, and Bari in Italy, to Einsiedeln in Switzerland, to Aix-en-Provence and Paray-le-Monial in France, and to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. He lived on what he was given, and shared what he had with others. He rarely talked, prayed much, and quietly accepted any abuse given him.
In Rome
From 1774 Benedict settled in Rome (apart from an annual pilgrimage to Loreto), sleeping at night in the Colosseum, and spending his days in the churches, especially where there was the Forty Hours adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Santa Maria dei Monti became his favourite Roman church, and here he became devoted to a fresco of the Madonna and Child with Saints Stephen, Lawrence, Augustine and Francis. Toward the end of his life, when he became seriously ill, he did accept shelter sometimes at a hospice for poor men.
His death
On the Wednesday of Holy Week - 16 April 1783 - Benedict collapsed just outside Santa Maria dei Monti after attending Mass. A passerby carried him to his house nearby. That evening after receiving the Anointing of the Sick, he died. He was thirty-five. A huge crowd thronged his funeral. He was buried under an altar in a chapel of Santa Maria dei Monti, where there is a life-size marble effigy.
Influence
Within a few months of his death, more than 136 miraculous cures ascribed to him were recorded by his spiritual director and biographer, Fr G L Marconi. An American Protestant clergyman, Reverend John Thayer, a native Bostonian, who was in Rome at the time of his funeral, converted to Catholicism and later became a priest and died in Limerick in 1815.
Beatified and canonised
Benedict Joseph Labre was beatified in 1859 by Pope Pius IX and canonised by Pope Leo XIII, 8 December 1881. His feast is celebrated on 16th April.
Image
One portrait was made of him during his life. While the saint was in an ecstasy before an image of our Lady, he was painted by Antonio Cavallucci, and this portrait hangs in the National Gallery, Rome (Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica). See image above.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
A failure at monastic life
Benedict Joseph Labre was born 26 March 1748 near Boulogne, in France, the eldest child of fifteen children of a prosperous shopkeeper. He was educated privately by his uncle, a parish priest, who died heroically, ministering to, and himself infected by the victims of a cholera epidemic. Benedict tried a number of monastic communities in France like the Carthusians, Trappists, and Cistercians, but each rejected him as being unsuitable.A pilgrim beggar
After 1770, when he was twenty-two, he found his real vocation as a pilgrim-beggar - walking to shrines all over Europe. His only possessions, besides the clothes he wore, were two Rosaries, and three books: a New Testament, a Breviary, and The Imitation of Christ. He felt called to be a pilgrim to places of Christian devotion. He repeatedly made known his intention to experienced confessors, who gave their approval.
At the major shrines of Europe
Benedict first travelled on foot to Rome, living as a beggar and then to the major shrines of Europe - to Loreto, Assisi, Naples, and Bari in Italy, to Einsiedeln in Switzerland, to Aix-en-Provence and Paray-le-Monial in France, and to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. He lived on what he was given, and shared what he had with others. He rarely talked, prayed much, and quietly accepted any abuse given him.In Rome
From 1774 Benedict settled in Rome (apart from an annual pilgrimage to Loreto), sleeping at night in the Colosseum, and spending his days in the churches, especially where there was the Forty Hours adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Santa Maria dei Monti became his favourite Roman church, and here he became devoted to a fresco of the Madonna and Child with Saints Stephen, Lawrence, Augustine and Francis. Toward the end of his life, when he became seriously ill, he did accept shelter sometimes at a hospice for poor men.
His death
On the Wednesday of Holy Week - 16 April 1783 - Benedict collapsed just outside Santa Maria dei Monti after attending Mass. A passerby carried him to his house nearby. That evening after receiving the Anointing of the Sick, he died. He was thirty-five. A huge crowd thronged his funeral. He was buried under an altar in a chapel of Santa Maria dei Monti, where there is a life-size marble effigy.
Influence
Within a few months of his death, more than 136 miraculous cures ascribed to him were recorded by his spiritual director and biographer, Fr G L Marconi. An American Protestant clergyman, Reverend John Thayer, a native Bostonian, who was in Rome at the time of his funeral, converted to Catholicism and later became a priest and died in Limerick in 1815.Beatified and canonised
Benedict Joseph Labre was beatified in 1859 by Pope Pius IX and canonised by Pope Leo XIII, 8 December 1881. His feast is celebrated on 16th April.
Image
One portrait was made of him during his life. While the saint was in an ecstasy before an image of our Lady, he was painted by Antonio Cavallucci, and this portrait hangs in the National Gallery, Rome (Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica). See image above.
Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 14th April, 2021
FIRST READING A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 5:17-26
The men you imprisoned are in the Temple. They are standing there preaching to the people.
The high priest intervened with all his supporters from the party of the Sadducees. Prompted by jealousy, they arrested the apostles and had them put in the common gaol.
But at night the angel of the Lord opened the prison gates and said as he led them out, 'Go and stand in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new Life.' They did as they were told; they went into the Temple at dawn and began to preach.When the high priest arrived, he and his supporters convened the Sanhedrin - this was the full Senate of Israel - and sent to the gaol for them to be brought. But when the officials arrived at the prison they found they were not inside, so they went back and reported, 'We found the gaol securely locked and the warders on duty at the gates, but when we unlocked the door we found no one inside.'
When the captain of the Temple and the chief priests heard this news they wondered what this could mean. Then a man arrived with fresh news. 'At this very moment' he said 'the men you imprisoned are in the Temple. They are standing there preaching to the people.'
The captain went with his men and fetched them. They were afraid to use force in case the people stoned them.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 33
Response This poor man called and the Lord heard him.
Or Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
1. I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips;
in the Lord my soul shall make its boast.
The humble shall hear and be glad. Response
2. Glorify the Lord with me.
Together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord and he answered me;
from all my terrors he set me free. Response
3. Look towards him and be radiant;
let your faces not be abashed.
This poor man called; the Lord heard him
and rescued him from all his distress. Response
4. The angel of the Lord is encamped
around those who revere him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
He is happy who seeks refuge in him. Response
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Christ has risen and shone upon us
whom he redeemed with his blood.
Alleluia!
or Jn 3: 16
Alleluia, alleluia!
God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son;
everyone who believes in him has eternal life.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 3:16-21
Glory to you, O Lord
God sent his Son into the world so that through him the world might be saved.
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
'God loved the world so much
that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost
but may have eternal life.
For God sent his Son into the worldnot to condemn the world,
but so that through him the world might be saved.
No one who believes in him will be condemned;
but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already,
because he has refused to believe
in the name of God's only Son.
On these grounds is sentence pronounced:
that though the light has come into the world
men have shown they prefer darkness
to the light because their deeds were evil.
And indeed, everybody who does wrong
hates the light and avoids it,
for fear his actions should be exposed;
but the man who lives by the truth
comes out into the light,
so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.'
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Reflection Wednesday, Second Week of Easter John 3:16-21
According to today’s first reading, Peter and the message he preaches cannot be confined behind bars, in spite of the best efforts of those who want to silence that message. The Easter proclamation cannot be imprisoned, just as the guards at the tomb of Easter could not prevent Jesus bursting forth into new life. The light which shone from the risen Lord and from the preaching of the Easter gospel could not be extinguished by the powers of darkness. The gospel reading acknowledges that even though the light has come into the world, some have shown that they prefer darkness to the light. They hate and avoid the light because they feel threatened by it, as if it will expose what is wrong in them. Yet, the light of Easter is not like the light of the interrogation room. It is not a light to be feared. It is the light of God who so loved the world that he gave his only Son, in the language of the gospel reading. It is not a condemnatory light; God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but so that, through him, the world may have life and have it to the full. This is a light to be warmly welcomed, not to be extinguished or imprisoned. God has embraced the world through the death and resurrection of his Son. It falls to us now to embrace God’s Son, the light of the world, who declared that whoever follows him will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life
__________________________________
The scripture readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Gospel reflection is available with our thanks from Reflections on the Weekday Readings 2020-2021: You have the Words of Eternal life: by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
____________________________________
Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 14th April, 2021
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 5:17-26
Na fir úd a chuir sibh i bpríosún, tá siad ina seasamh sa Teampall ag teagasc an phobail.
Ansin chuir an t-ardsagart chun oibre, é féin agus a pháirtithe go léir d’aicme na Sadúcach. Le teann éada rinne said na haspail a ghabháil agus a chur sa phríosún poiblí.
Ach i rith na hoíche d’oscail aingeal an Tiarna geataí an phríosúin agus lig amach iad, á rá leo imeacht agus seasamh sa Teampall agus faisnéis iomlán a thabhairt don phobal ar an mbeatha seo. Rinne siad rud air: chuaigh siad isteach sa Teampall le breacadh an lae agus chrom ar theagasc.
Tháinig an t-ardsagart agus a bhuíon, thionóil siad an tsainidrín – is é sin, seanad iomlán chlann Iosrael – agus chuir siad scéala chun an phríosúin na haspail a thabhairt I láthair. Ach nuair a shroich na feidhmeannaigh an príosún ní bhfuair siad ann iad, agus ar dhul ar ais dóibh, d’inis siad an scéal: “Fuaireamar an príosún go daingean faoi ghlas,” ar siad, “bhí gardaí ina seasamh ag na geataí ach ar oscailt na ngeataí dúinn, ní bhfuaireamar duine ar bith istigh.” Nuair a chuala ceannfort an Teampaill agus na hardsagairt an scéal seo, ní fhéadfaidís a thuiscint cad a bhí tite amach dóibh. Leis sin tháinig duine ar an láthair le scéala: “Feach,” ar seisean, “na fir úd a chuir sibh i bpríosún, tá siad ina seasamh sa Teampall ag teagasc an phobail.” Ansin d’imigh an ceannfort agus a chuid giollaí agus thug siad leo iad, gan aon lámh láidir, áfach, mar bhí eagla orthu roimh an bpobal, go gclochfaidís iad.
Briathar Dé.
Salm le Freagra Sm 33
Freagra Nuair a scairt an t-ainniseoir seo d’éist an Tiarna.
Malairt freagra Alleluia
1. Beannóidh mé an Tiarna i dtólamh
beidh a mholadh i mo bhéal i gcónaí.
Bíonn m’anam ag déanamh mórtais as an Tiarna:
éistfidh daoine ísle agus beidh áthas orthu. Freagra
2. Móraigí an Tiarna mar aon liom:
tugaimis adhradh dá ainm in éineacht.
Bhí mé ag lorg an Tiarna agus d’éist sé liom
agus d’fhuascail sé ó m’eagla go léir mé. Freagra
3. Féachaigí chuige agus loinnir oraibh
’s na bíodh luisne na náire in bhur leicne.
Nuair a scairt an t-ainniseoir seo d’éist an Tiarna,
agus shaor sé óna chúngaigh go léir é. Freagra
4. Bíonn aingeal an Tiarna i gcampa
thart ar lucht a eaglaithe, á bhfuascailt.
Blaisigí is féachaigí a fheabhas atá an Tiarna:
is aoibhinn dá dtagann faoina dhídean. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 3:16-21
Chuir Dia a Mhac uaidh ar an saol chun go slánófaí an saol tríd.
San am sin dúirt Íosa le Nícodémas:
Óir ghráigh Dia an domhan chomh mór sin
gur thug sé a Aonghin Mic uaidh
i dtreo, gach duine a chreideann ann,
nach gcaillfí é ach go mbeadh an bheatha shioraí aige.
Óir ní chun daorbhreith a thabhairt ar an saol
a chuir Dia a Mhac uaidh ar an saol
ach chun go slánófaí an saol tríd.
An té a chreideann ann ní thabharfar daorbhreith air,
ach an té nach gcreideann ann,
tá daorbhreith tugtha air cheana féin,
mar nár chreid sé in ainm Mhac Dé, a Aonghin.
Agus an daorbhreith, is mar seo í:
mar gur tháinig an solas isteach sa saol,
agus gur rogha leis na daoine an dorchadas thar an solas
de bhrí gurbh olc iad a ngníomhartha.
Óir gach duine a bhíonn ag déanamh an oilc,
bíonn fuath aige don solas agus seachnaíonn sé an solas,
le heagla go gcáinfí a ghníomhartha.
Ach an té a dhéanann an fhírinne,
tagann sé chun an tsolais,
chun go dtaispeáinfí gur i nDia a rinneadh a ghníomhartha.”
Soiscéal Dé.
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 18th April, 2021
3rd Sunday of Easter
Scripture Themes
The signs that Jesus gives are to be understood by faith. So we see Peter preaching conversion as he has been told to do. Conversion is possible because Christ stands as our advocate before the Father.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book Acts of the Apostles 3:13-15.17-19
You killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the dead.
Peter said to the people: 'You are Israelites, and it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, who has glorified his servant Jesus, the same Jesus you handed over and then disowned in the presence of Pilate, after Pilate had decided to release him. It was you who accused the Holy One, the Just One, you who demanded the reprieve of a murderer while you killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the dead, and to that fact we are the witnesses.'Now I know, brothers, that neither you nor your leaders had any idea what you were really doing; this was the way God carried out what he had foretold, when he said through all his prophets that his Christ would suffer. Now you must repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.'
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 4
Response Lift up the light of your face on us, 0 Lord.
or Alleluia!
1. When I call, answer me, O God of justice;
from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me! Response
2. It is the Lord who grants favours to those whom he loves;
the Lord hears me whenever I call him. Response
3. 'What can bring us happiness?' many say.
Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord. Response
4. I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once,
for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St John 2:1-5
He is the sacrifice that takes our sins away, and not only ours, but the whole world's.
I am writing this, my children,
to stop you sinning;
but if anyone should sin,
we have our advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, who is just;
he is the sacrifice that takes our sins away, and not only ours,
but the whole world's.
We can be sure that we know God
only by keeping his commandments. Anyone who says, 'I know him',
and does not keep his commandments,
is a liar,
refusing to admit the truth.
But when anyone does obey what he has said,
God's love comes to perfection in him
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation Lk 24:32
Alleluia, alleluia!
Lord Jesus, Explain the scriptures to us.
Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 24:35-48
Glory to you, O Lord
So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead.
The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised Jesus at the breaking of bread.
T
hey were still talking about this when Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you!' In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said, 'Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.' And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet. Their joy was so great that they could not believe it, and they stood dumbfounded; so he said to them, 'Have you anything here to eat?' And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, which he took and ate before their eyes.Then he told them, 'This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms, has to be fulfilled.' He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, 'So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveess of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.'
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, 18th April, 2021
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 3:13-15. 17-19
Mharaigh sibh údar na beatha, agus thóg Dia ó mhairbh arís é.
Dúirt Peadad leis an bpobal: Thug Dia Abrahám, Dia Íosác, Dia Iacóib, Dia ár n-aithreacha an ghlóir dhiaga dá sheirbhíseach Íosa, an té sin ar thug sibhse ar láimh é agus ar shéan sibh i bhfianaise Phioláit é agus eisean meáite ar é a scaoileadh saor. Sea, shéan sibh an té a bhí naofa fíréan agus d’iarr sibh go scaoilfí saor chugaibh dúnmharfóir. Chuir sibh taoiseach na beatha chun báis! Thóg Dia ó mhairbh é, áfach, rud a bhfuilimidne go léir inár bhfinnéithe air. “Anois, a bhráithre, tá a fhios agam gur le barr aineolais a rinne sibh na nithe sin agus bhur gcinn urra mar an gcéanna. Ar an gcuma sin is ea a thug Dia chun críche an rud úd a bhí réamhfhógartha aige trí bhéal na bhfáithe uile: nárbh fholáir dá Mheisias an pháis a fhulaingt. Déanaigí aithrí dá bhrí sin agus iompaígí chun Dé chun go nglanfar díbh bhur bpeacaí.
Briathar Dé.
Salm le Freagra Sm 4
Freagra Ardaigh solas go ghnúise os ár gcionn, a Thiarna.
Malairt Freagra Alleluia!
I. Éist liom is mé ag éamh ort, a Dhia na fíréantachta,
a d'fhuascail mé ó mo phianpháis; éist liom go trócaireach. Freagra
2. Is é an Tiarna a roghnaíonn dó féin an duine diaga;
éistfigh an Tiarna an uair a ghlaofaidh mé air. Freagra
3. Is iomaí duine á rá: 'Cé nochtfaidh nithe fónta dúinn?'
Ardaigh solas do ghnúise os ár gcionn, a Thiarna. Freagra
4. Rachaidh mé a luí faoi shuaimhneas: déanfaidh mé codladh go sámh;
óir is tusa amháin, a Thiarna, a choimeádann ó bhaol mé. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as an céad Litir N. Eoin 2:1-5
Is é an íobairt sásaimh ar ár bpeacaí é, agus ní or ár bpeacaine amháin ach ar pheacaí an tsaoil uile.
A chlann liom, scríobhaim na nithe seo chugaibh le nach ndéana sibh aon pheaca; ach má dhéanann éinne peaca, tá abhcóide againn fara an Athair, Iosa Críost atá cóir. Is é an íobairt sásaimh ar ár bpeacaí é, agus ní ar ár bpeacaíne amháin ach ar pheacaí an tsaoil uile. Agus is mar seo atá fhios againn go n-aithnímid é, a aitheanta a choinneáil. An té a deir go n-aithníonn é agus nach gcoinníonn a aitheanta is bréagach é agus níl an fhírinne sa duine sin. Ach an té a choinníonn a fhocalsan go deimhin tá grá Dé lánfhoirfe ann; agus is mar sin a thuigimid go mairimid ann.
Briathar Dé.
Alleluia Véarsa Lc 24: 32
Alleluia, Alleluia!
A Thiaina Íosa, nocht na scrioptúir dúinn; cuir ár gcroí ar Iasadh ionainn
Ie linn duit bheith ag labhairt linn.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 24:35-48
Is amhlaidh sin atá scríofa, go bhfulaingeodh an Críost agus go n éireodh sé ó mhairbh an treas lá.
Agus rinne siad féin ar tharla sa tslí a aithris, agus mar a d’aithin siad é i mbriseadh an aráin.
Le linn na cainte sin dóibh, sheas sé féin ina measc agus dúirt leo: “Síocháin daoibh!” Ghlac siad scéin agus uamhan, á mheas gur ag féachaint ar spiorad a bhí siad. Ach dúirt sé leo: “Cad é an scanradh atá oraibh, agus cad chuige a bhfuil ceisteanna ag teacht in bhur gcroí! Féachaigí mo lámha agus mo chosa, gur mé féin atá ann. Láimhseálaigí mé, agus tuigigí nach mbíonn feoil ná cnámha ag spiorad mar a fheiceann sibh atá agamsa.” Á rá sin dó, thaispeáin sé dóibh a lámha agus a chosa. Agus ó bhí siad gan a chreidiúint fós le barr áthais, agus iad ag déanamh ionadh de, dúirt sé leo: “An bhfuil rud ar bith anseo agaibh a d’íosfaí?” Thug siad blúire d’iasc rósta dó. Ghlac sé é agus d’ith ina láthair é.Ansin dúirt sé leo: “Is iad seo na focail a labhair mé libh agus mé fós in bhur gcuideachta: ‘Ní foláir na nithe uile a chomhlíonadh atá scríofa mar gheall orm i ndlí Mhaois agus sna fáithe agus sna sailm.’” Ansin d’oscail sé a n-aigne chun go dtuigfidís na scrioptúir, agus dúirt sé leo: “Is amhlaidh sin atá scríofa, go bhfulaingeodh an Críost agus go n éireodh sé ó mhairbh an treas lá, agus go mbeadh aithrí agus maithiúnas peacaí á bhfógairt ina ainm do na náisiúin uile, ag tosú ó Iarúsailéim. Is finnéithe sibhse ar na nithe seo.
Soiscéal Dé.
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
************************************
Machtnamh ar Bhriathar Dé dia Domhnaigh
Ná bíodh faitíos ort
Ceann des na ocáidí a thaispeán Íosa Aiseirithe é féin dos na deisceabail, ach níos mó ná in áiteanna eile, léiríonn sé gur fíor an aiséirí , gur tharla gach rud mar réamhscríobhadh sa scrioptúr naofa agus gur cuid de phlean dhiaga é. Agus Íosa ag pléadáil leo glacadh leis go bhfuil sé i ndáiríre i láthair, agus tugann sé cuireadh dóibh teagmháil a dhéanamh leis, greim bidh a thabhairt dó agus a lámha agus a chosa a scrúdú. D'aithin siad Íosa ar bhonn pearsanta, agus bhíodar áthasach ina chuideachta. Ach an uair seo níorbh ionann agus mar a bhí. Bhris sé srianta an choirp domhanda, agus bhí láithreacht uafar ann nach bhfaca siad riamh roimhe. Ní féidir linn tuiscint a fháil ar an gclaochlú a chonacadar, nuair a bhí duine éigin a raibh aithne acu air agus a raibh grá acu dó tar éis a chlaochlú go hiomlán, agus údar aige leis. Cé go raibh siad amhrasach fós, bhí an-áthas orthu mar a labhair Íosa leo faoi ghealltanais na scrioptúir, agus mar deineadh comhlíonadh orthu. Ansin sheol sé iad chun leanúint leis an méid a thosaigh sé. Sa líne seo a leanas, nach bhfuil san áireamh i soiscéal an lae inniu, gheall sé go gcuirfeadh sé an Spiorad chuchu agus go mbeadh cumhacht iomlán nua acu, agus iad páirteach sa chumhacht nua a mar a raibh Sé anois.
Pádraig Ó Rúairí, cp, Sliabh Argus, Átha Cliath.
********************************************
