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Worldpriest Annual Global Rosary Relay
Date: Friday 28th June 2019Location: Worldwide
Worldpriest Annual Global Rosary Relay
Date: Friday 28th June 2019
Location: Worldwide
The Pope Video – September 2021
An Environmentally Sustainable Lifestyle
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
Pictorial Thought for Today
Sep 22 - St Thomas Villanova, bishop - 1484-1555
Summary: St Thomas of Villanova, Educator, philanthropist, born at Fuentellana, Spain, 1488; died at Valencia, 8 Sept., 1555.
Son of Aloazo Tomas Garcia and Lucia Martínez Castellanos, the saint was brought up in the practices of religion and charity. Every Friday his father gave alms weekly to the needy. On great feast-days he added wood, wine, and money; while to poor farmers he loaned money and seed. On the death of her husband, Lucia continued giving alms, clothing and money.
University and the Augustinians
Thomas entered the University of Alcalá, where, after proceeding master of arts and licentiate in theology, he filled the chair (1514) of arts, logic, and philosophy. He declined the chair of natural philosophy at Salamanca, where he joined the Augustinians in 1516, took his vows following a year later, and was ordained to priesthood the year after; his first Mass was celebrated at Christmas, 1518. He reached in many pulpits in Spain In Valentia Thomas was named by the emperor his court preacher, and one of his councillors of state. His letters to the emperor are stored at Simancas.
Bishop Thomas
Apart from these burdens Thomas held many offices of trust in his order, e.g. as convent prior in various cities, among others at Valladolid in 1544, the very year he was called to the See of Valencia. Moreover, he was twice provincial-prior, he sent the first mission band of his brethren across the Atlantic in 1533 to establish houses of their order in Mexico. On 5 Aug., 1544, he received his nomination to the Archbishopric of Valencia an appointment that was confirmed by Paul III. Previously St. Thomas had declined the See of Granada, offered him by the emperor, while that of Valencia he accepted only through obedience to his superiors. On his entrance to his see on 1 Jan., 1545, of which he was thirty-second bishop and eighth archbishop, St. Thomas opened his career as legislator and philanthropist, which won for him the titles of "Almsgiver", "Father of the Poor", and "Model of Bishops", given him at his beatification in 1618 by Paul V. During his eleven years of episcopal rule his most noteworthy deeds were as follows: a visitation of his diocese, opened a few weeks after entrance into his see. Among other amendments he inhibited his visitators from accepting any gifts whatever. He then held a synod, the first at Valencia for many years, whereby he sought to do away with a number of abuses, as bloodshed, divorce, concubinage, and many excessive privileges or unreasonable exemptions; he abolished the underground prisons; rebuilt the general hospital at Valencia which had just been destroyed by fire; founded two colleges, one for young ecclesiastics, the other for poor students; laboured for the conversion of the nuevos Cristianos, whose profession of Christianity was largely mere outward show; established a creche near his palace for foundlings and the offspring of indigent parents; had Mass said at early hours for the working-classes; and in brief, strove to reform the morals of his followers.
St Thomas and the Poor
Towards the poor especially his heart was ever alive with pity; to them his palace gate was always open; daily he had a meal for every poor person that applied for help, as many even as four to five hundred thus getting their meals at his hands. He supplied the poor with money, food, clothing, while as to indigent workmen, poor farmers, and mechanics, he brought them tools, thus putting them in the way of making a living.
His Death
He spent his spare time chiefly in prayer and study; his table was one of simple fare, with no luxuries. His dress was inexpensive; he mended with his own hands whatever needed repairs. Numberless are the instances of St. Thomas' supernatural gifts, of his power of healing the sick, of multiplication of food, of redressing grievances, of his ecstasies, of his conversions of sinners. He was taken ill in August, 1555, of angina pectoris, of which he died at the age of 67, at the termination of Mass in his bedroom.
His remains were entombed at the convent Church of Our Lady of Help of his order outside the city walls, whence later they were brought to the cathedral. He was beatified by Paul V (7 Oct., 1618), who set his feast-day for 18 Sept., and canonized by Alexander VII on 1 Nov., 1658.
Various reasons are given to account for St. Thomas' non-appearance at the Council of Trent, among them that he was ill, unable to stand the fatigue of travel; that his people would not brook his absence; and that the emperor was unable to do without his aid at home. His writings of St. Thomas, mainly sermons, are replete with practical norms of mystic theology.
Son of Aloazo Tomas Garcia and Lucia Martínez Castellanos, the saint was brought up in the practices of religion and charity. Every Friday his father gave alms weekly to the needy. On great feast-days he added wood, wine, and money; while to poor farmers he loaned money and seed. On the death of her husband, Lucia continued giving alms, clothing and money.University and the Augustinians
Thomas entered the University of Alcalá, where, after proceeding master of arts and licentiate in theology, he filled the chair (1514) of arts, logic, and philosophy. He declined the chair of natural philosophy at Salamanca, where he joined the Augustinians in 1516, took his vows following a year later, and was ordained to priesthood the year after; his first Mass was celebrated at Christmas, 1518. He reached in many pulpits in Spain In Valentia Thomas was named by the emperor his court preacher, and one of his councillors of state. His letters to the emperor are stored at Simancas.
Bishop Thomas
Apart from these burdens Thomas held many offices of trust in his order, e.g. as convent prior in various cities, among others at Valladolid in 1544, the very year he was called to the See of Valencia. Moreover, he was twice provincial-prior, he sent the first mission band of his brethren across the Atlantic in 1533 to establish houses of their order in Mexico. On 5 Aug., 1544, he received his nomination to the Archbishopric of Valencia an appointment that was confirmed by Paul III. Previously St. Thomas had declined the See of Granada, offered him by the emperor, while that of Valencia he accepted only through obedience to his superiors. On his entrance to his see on 1 Jan., 1545, of which he was thirty-second bishop and eighth archbishop, St. Thomas opened his career as legislator and philanthropist, which won for him the titles of "Almsgiver", "Father of the Poor", and "Model of Bishops", given him at his beatification in 1618 by Paul V. During his eleven years of episcopal rule his most noteworthy deeds were as follows: a visitation of his diocese, opened a few weeks after entrance into his see. Among other amendments he inhibited his visitators from accepting any gifts whatever. He then held a synod, the first at Valencia for many years, whereby he sought to do away with a number of abuses, as bloodshed, divorce, concubinage, and many excessive privileges or unreasonable exemptions; he abolished the underground prisons; rebuilt the general hospital at Valencia which had just been destroyed by fire; founded two colleges, one for young ecclesiastics, the other for poor students; laboured for the conversion of the nuevos Cristianos, whose profession of Christianity was largely mere outward show; established a creche near his palace for foundlings and the offspring of indigent parents; had Mass said at early hours for the working-classes; and in brief, strove to reform the morals of his followers.
St Thomas and the Poor
Towards the poor especially his heart was ever alive with pity; to them his palace gate was always open; daily he had a meal for every poor person that applied for help, as many even as four to five hundred thus getting their meals at his hands. He supplied the poor with money, food, clothing, while as to indigent workmen, poor farmers, and mechanics, he brought them tools, thus putting them in the way of making a living.His Death
He spent his spare time chiefly in prayer and study; his table was one of simple fare, with no luxuries. His dress was inexpensive; he mended with his own hands whatever needed repairs. Numberless are the instances of St. Thomas' supernatural gifts, of his power of healing the sick, of multiplication of food, of redressing grievances, of his ecstasies, of his conversions of sinners. He was taken ill in August, 1555, of angina pectoris, of which he died at the age of 67, at the termination of Mass in his bedroom.
His remains were entombed at the convent Church of Our Lady of Help of his order outside the city walls, whence later they were brought to the cathedral. He was beatified by Paul V (7 Oct., 1618), who set his feast-day for 18 Sept., and canonized by Alexander VII on 1 Nov., 1658.
Various reasons are given to account for St. Thomas' non-appearance at the Council of Trent, among them that he was ill, unable to stand the fatigue of travel; that his people would not brook his absence; and that the emperor was unable to do without his aid at home. His writings of St. Thomas, mainly sermons, are replete with practical norms of mystic theology.
Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 23rd September, 2021
Wednesday of 25th week in Ordinary Time, Year 1
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of Ezra 9:5-9
Theme; God has not forgotten us in our slavery.
At the evening sacrifice I came out of my stupor and falling on my knees, with my garment and cloak torn, I stretched out my hands to the Lord my God, and said:
'My God, I am ashamed, I blush to lift my face to you, my God. For our crimes have increased, until they are higher than our heads, and our sin has piled up to heaven. From the days of our ancestors until now our guilt has been great; on account of our crimes we, our kings and our priests, were given into the power of the kings of other countries, given to the sword, to captivity, to pillage and to shame, as is the case today. But now, suddenly, the Lord our God by his favour has left us a remnant and granted us a refuge in his holy place; this is how our God has cheered our eyes and given us a little respite in our slavery. For we are slaves; but God has not forgotten us in our slavery; he has shown us kindness in the eyes of the kings of Persia, obtaining permission for us to rebuild the Temple of our God and restore its ruins, and he has found us safety and shelter in Judah and in Jerusalem.'The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Tob 13
Response Blessed be God who lives forever.
1. God punishes, he also has mercy,
he leads men to the depths of the grave,
he restores them from the great destruction.
No man can escape his hand. Response
2. It is he who scattered us among the nations.
Among them must we show forth his greatness
and exalt him in the presence of all living;
for he is our Lord and our God,
our Father and our God for ever. Response
3. Now think what he has done for you,
give thanks to him with all your voice.
Give praise to the Lord for his justice
and exalt the king of all ages. Response
4. In this land of exile I will thank him,
and show forth his greatness and might
to the race of sinful men. Response
5. Sinners, come back to him,
do what is right before him.
Who knows but he will receive you with pity?'
Response
Gospel Acclamation Col 3: 16
Alleluia, alleluia!
Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you;
through him give thanks to God the Father.
Alleluia!
Or Mk 1: 15
Alleluia, alleluia!
The kingdom of God is close at hand, repent and believe the Good News.
Alleluia!
THE GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 9:1-8 Glory to you, O Lord.
Theme: Jesus sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
Je
sus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.He said to them,
'Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there.
As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as a sign to them.'
So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Reflection Wednesday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Luke 9:1-6
In today’s gospel reading Jesus sends out the twelve whom he had earlier chosen to share in his mission. In the very next chapter of his gospel Luke reports that Jesus called and sent out a further seventy two to share in his mission, and in that context Jesus says to the seventy two, ‘the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest’. It seems that not only are twelve not enough, but seventy two are not enough either. Prayers have to be made imploring God to keep sending labourers into the harvest.
More than any other evangelist, Luke emphasizes that sharing in the Lord’s work, continuing the Lord’s mission, is not the preserve of a select few. All of us are called to do the Lord’s work, to do some labouring in the Lord’s plentiful harvest. What that might mean for any one of us is something we have to try and discern with the Lord’s help. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus not only sent out the twelve, he also gave them power. In sending them, he empowered them. If we respond to the Lord’s call to work in his harvest, we can be assured that the Lord will also empower us for the work he is calling us to do.
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The scripture readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers.
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/
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Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 23rd September, 2021
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as leabhar Eazra 9:5-9
Ní dhearna Dia dearmad dínn inár ndaoirse.
Um thráth íobairt an tráthnóna, d’éirigh mise, Eazrá, as an toirchim ina raibh mé, agus lig mé mé féin fúm ar mo ghlúine agus mo chuid éadaigh agus m’fhallaing stróicthe. Shín mé mo lámha amach chun an Tiarna mo Dhia agus dúirt:
“A Dhia, tá ceann faoi orm agus lasaim le náire agus m’aghaidh á tógáil chugat agam, a Dhia liom, mar méadaíodh ár gcoireanna nó go bhfuil siad níos airde ná ar gceann, agus carnadh suas ár bpeaca ionas go sroicheann sé na flaithis. Ó laethanta ar sinsear i leith is mór í ár gciontacht; agus i ngeall ar ár n-urchóidí tugadh sinn féin, ár ríthe agus ár sagairt, isteach i lámha ríthe tíortha eile, agus tugadh suas don chlaíomh sinn, don bhraighdeanas, don chreach agus don náire. Agus is amhlaidh atá an scéal inniu. Ach anois, go tobann, tá an Tiarna ár nDia tar éis bheith fabhrach linn; d’fhág sé fuíoll áir againn agus thug sé tearmann dúinn ina áit naofa; sin mar a thug Dia cáil solais dár súile agus cáil faoisimh ónár mbraighdeanas. Óir is daoir sinn. Mar sin féin ní dhearna Dia dearmad dínn inár ndaoirse, ach nocht sé a bhuanghrá inár leith i láthair ríthe na Peirse agus fuair sé cead dúinn Teampall ár nDé a atógáil agus caoi a chur ar a fhothracha agus chuir sé foscadh agus dídean ar fáil dúinn in Iúdá agus in Iarúsailéim.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le freagra Tob 13
Freagra Moladh le Dia a mhaireann go deo
1. Smachtaíonn Dia agus maithean n sé gach re seal;
cuireann sé daoine go hifreann agus tógann sé aníos
arís iad:
ní féidir le haon neach éalú óna láimh. Freagra
2. Eisean a scaip sinn ina mease.
Ní mór dúinn a mhórgacht a fhoilsiú dóibh
agus é a mhóradh i háthair na mbeo;
óir is é ár dTiarna is ár nDia é,
is e ár nAthair is ár nDia e go deo. Freagra
3. Cuimhnígí ar a fheabhas a roinn sé libh
agus gabhaigí buíochas leis os ard.
Molaigí Tiarna na fíréantachta
agus móraigf Rí na síoraíochta. Freagra
4. I dtaca liom féin de, bím á mholadh
i dtír mo dheoraíochta.
Insím a chumnacht agus a cheannas
do náisiún peacúil. Freagra
5. Tagaigí ar ais chuige, a pheacacha,
bígí ionraic ina láthair.
Cá bhfios daoibh nach bhfearfaidh se fáilte romhaibh
agus nach nglacfaidh sé trua daoibh? Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 9:1-8 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Chuir Íosa uaidh iad ag fógairt ríocht Dé agus ag leigheas na n-easlán.
San am sin ghlaoigh Íosa an dáréag le chéile agus thug dóibh cumhacht agus údarás os cionn na ndeamhan uile agus chun galair a leigheas. Agus chuir sé uaidh iad ag fógairt ríocht Dé agus ag leigheas na n-easlán. Agus dúirt sé leo:“Ná tógaigí libh aon ní i gcomhair an bhóthair, bata ná tiachóg, ná arán, ná airgead, agus ná bíodh dhá chóta an duine agaibh.
Agus cibé teach a rachaidh sibh isteach ann, cuirigí fúibh ann agus leanaigí oraibh as sin.
Agus maidir leo seo nach nglacann sibh, ag dul amach as an gcathair sin daoibh, croithigí an deannach de bhur gcosa mar fhianaise ina n-aghaidh.”
Agus chuir siad chun bóthair agus ghabh siad ó bhaile go baile ag fógairt an dea-scéil agus ag leigheas i ngach uile áit.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 26th September, 2021
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
World Day of Migrants and Refugees
Scripture theme
The community is always in danger from the corruption of pride and avarice. We must be prepared to listen to all prophetic voices in the Church that keep calling us back to purity of religion. Each baptised member is meant to be prophetic in their own life
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Numbers 11:25-29
Theme: Are you jealous on my account? If only the whole people of the Lord were prophets.
The Lord came down in the Cloud. He spoke with Moses, but took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on these seventy elders. When the spirit came on them they prophesied, but not again.
Two men had stayed back in the camp; one was called Eldad and the other Medad. The spirit came down on them; though they had not gone to the Tent, their names were enrolled among the rest. These began to prophesy in the camp. The young man ran to tell this to Moses, 'Look,' he said 'Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.' Then said Joshua the son of Nun, who had served Moses from his youth, 'My Lord Moses, stop them!' Moses answered him, 'Are you jealous on my account? If only the whole people of the Lord were prophets, and the Lord gave his Spirit to them all!'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 18:8. 10. 12-14.
Response The precepts of the Lord gladden the heart.
1. The law of the Lord is perfect,
it revives the soul.
The rule of the Lord is to be trusted,
it gives wisdom to the simple. Response
2. The fear of the Lord is holy,
abiding for ever.
The decrees of the Lord are truth
and all of them just. Response
3. So in them your servant finds instruction;
great reward is in their keeping.
But who can detect all his errors?
From hidden faults acquit me. Response
4. From presumption restrain your servant
and let it not rule me.
Then shall I be blameless,
clean from grave sin. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St James 5:1-6
Theme: Your wealth is all rotting.
An answer for the rich. Start crying, weep for the miseries that are coming to you. Your wealth is all rotting, your
clothes are all eaten up by moths. All your gold and your silver are corroding away, and the same corrosion will be your own sentence, and eat into your body. It was a burning fire that you stored up as your treasure for the last days. Labourers mowed your fields, and you cheated them - listen to the wages that you kept back, calling out; realise that the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. On earth you have had a life of comfort and luxury; in the time of slaughter you went on eating to your heart's content. It was you who condemned the innocent and killed them; they offered you no resistance.The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 17: 17
Alleluia, alleluia!
Your word is truth, O Lord, consecrate us in the truth.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 9:38-43.45.47-48 Glory to you, O Lord.
Theme: Anyone who is not against us is for us. If your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off.
John said to Jesus, 'Master, we saw a man who is not one of us casting out devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.' But Jesus said,'You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.
'If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ,
then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.
'But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck. And if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out. And if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell where their worm does not die nor their fire go out.'
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/
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, 26th September, 2021
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Uimreacha 11:25-29
An amhlaidh atá formad ort ar mo shonsa? Uch nach fáithe iad pobal an Tiarna ar fad.
Tháinig an Tiarna anuas sa Néal agus labhair le Maois agus thóg de cuid den spiorad a bhí air agus chuir ar an seachtó seanóir é. Nuair a luigh an spiorad orthu rinneadar fáidheoireacht. ach ní dhearnadar sin arís.
D’fhan beirt fhear sa champa – Ealdad a ba ainm do dhuine díobh agus Méadad a ba ainm don duine eile. Luigh an spiorad orthu; cé nach ndeachadar go dtí an Bhoth cláraíodh a n-ainmneacha leis an gcuid eile. Chromadar ar fháidheoireacht sa champa. Rith an fear óg leis an scéala go Maois: “Féach! seo Ealdad agus Méadad ag fáidheoireacht sa champa!” Ansin dúirt Iósua mac Nún, duine tofa dá chuid a bhíodh ag fónamh do Mhaois: “A Mhaois, a thiarna, cuir cosc leo!” Ach dúirt Maois leis: “An amhlaidh atá formad ort ar mo shonsa? Uch nach fáithe iad pobal an Tiarna ar fad, agus nár chuir an Tiarna a spiorad orthu go léir!”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 18
Freagra Cuireann proiceapta an Tiarna áthas ar an gcroí.
I. Tá dlí an Tiarna go foirfe,
tugann sé fortacht don anam,
tá foráil an Tiarna go daingean,
tugann sí teagasc do na haineolaigh. Freagra
2.Tá eagla an Tiarna go híon
ag maireachtáil de shíor;
tá breitheanna an Tiarna go fíor,
is tá siad uile go cóir. Freagra
3. Múineann siad eolas do do ghiolla;
cúis luaíochta a gcomhlíonadh.
Cé a fheadann a chIonta a chomhaireamh?
Glan mé ó pheacaí folaigh. Freagra
4. Caomhnaigh do ghiolla ar an uabhar
sula bhfaighe sé mo bhua.
Ansin is ea a bheidh mé gan smál,
saor ar thrompheaca. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as an céad Litir Naomh Séamus 5:1-6
Tá meirg tagtha ar bhur gcuid óir agus airgid.
Anois a lucht an tsaibhris, déanaigí gol agus olagón de bharr na dtubaistí atá le teacht sa mhullach oraibh. Chuaigh lobhadh ar bhur saibhreas agus d’ith na leamhain bhur gcuid éadaigh. Tá meirg tagtha ar bhur gcuid óir agus airgid, agus beidh an mheirg orthu ina fianaise in bhur n-aghaidh agus alpfaidh sí bhur gcuid feola mar a dhéanfadh tine. Tá stór curtha i dtaisce agaibh le haghaidh na laethanta deireanacha! Féach, tuarastal na n-oibrithe a bhain fómhar bhur gcuid gort, agus a choinnigh sibh uathu go calaoiseach, tá sé ag éamh os ard; agus tá cluasa Thiarna na Slua sroichte ag éamh na mbuanaithe. Chaith sibh bhur saol ar talamh le só agus le sáile; chuir sibh saill ar bhur gcroí lá an áir. Dhaor sibh an neamhurchóideach agus mharaigh sibh é; ní chuireann sé in bhur gcoinne.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 17: 17
Alleluia, alleluia!
Is fírinne do bhriathar A Thiarna, déan sinn a naomhú san fhírinne.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Marcas 9:38-43. 45.47-48 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
An té nach bhfuil inár n-aghaidh, tá sé ar ár son.
San am sin dúirt Eoin le h Íosa: “A mháistir, chonaiceamar duine nach leanann sinn ag caitheamh deamhan amach i d’ainmse, agus chuireamar cosc leis mar níor lean sé inár mbuíon.” Dúirt Íosa: “Ná cuirigí aon chosc leis; níl aon duine a dhéanfaidh míorúilt i m’ainmse agus a fhéadfaidh, go luath, an drochfhocal a bheith aige orm; óir an té nach bhfuil inár n-aghaidh, tá sé ar ár son.“Má thugann duine ar bith cupán d’fhíoruisce daoibh as ucht gur le Críost sibh,
deirim libh go fírinneach nach mbeidh sé gan a thuarastal a fháil. “
'Ach má thugann aon duine scannal do dhuine ar bith de na rudaí beaga seo a chreideann ionamsa, b’fhearr dó go gcuirfí bró mhuilinn faoina mhuineál agus é a chaitheamh san fharraige. Más siocair pheaca duit do lámh, gearr anuas í; is fearr duit dul isteach sa bheatha i do mhairtíneach ná an dá láimh a bheith agat agus tú a dhul go hifreann, an tine nach féidir a mhúchadh (an áit nach n-éagann an phiast acu agus nach múchtar an tine). Agus más siocair pheaca duit do chos, gearr anuas í; is fearr duit dul isteach sa bheatha bacach ná an dá chois a bheith agat agus tú a chaitheamh in ifreann Agus más siocair pheaca duit do shúil, caith uait í; is fearr duit a bheith ar leathshúil ag dul isteach i ríocht Dé ná an dá shúil a bheith agat agus tú a chaitheamh in ifreann, an áit nach n-éagann an phiast acu agus nach múchtar an tine."
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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Machtnamh ar Bhriathar Dé dia Domhnaigh
Ná bheith ina chloch a dhéanann titim ar daoine
Ar bhuail tú riamh do chos i gcoinne constaicí, cosúil le cloch ardaithe ar an gcosán? Is féidir le cloí cloiche a bheith ina gcló maolú má bhíonn sé ar ailíniú leis na rudaí a chuireann timpeall orthu. Tugtar rabhadh dúinn gan a bheith cosúil le cloch súgartha do dhaoine eile. Ní mór dúinn an sampla agus daoine eile a spreagadh má táimid ag siúl ar bhealach an Tiarna. Bhí an ról sin ag na naoimh i stair na heaglaise. Bímid ag féachaint orthu a léiriú cad é a chiallaíonn sé a bheith ina ndiocail an Tiarna agus; leanann siad ag plé le linn dúinn inniu fiú. D'fhéadfadh go mbeadh daoine níos gaire dúinn in am agus in áit mar an gcéanna dúinn. Taispeánann siad dúinn an bealach ceart tríd an mbealach sin a chothú iad féin. Ach ar a mhalairt, tá roinnt daoine i gceannas ar dhaoine eile, ag tabhairt cuireadh dóibh nó iad a chur ar shlí nach bhfuil ag teacht le dínit an duine. Glaonna focal an Tiarna inniu dúinn a bheith ina bloic thógála seachas clocha fánaíochta.
Ar bhuail tú riamh do chos i gcoinne constaicí, cosúil le cloch ardaithe ar an gcosán? Is féidir le cloí cloiche a bheith ina gcló maolú má bhíonn sé ar ailíniú leis na rudaí a chuireann timpeall orthu. Tugtar rabhadh dúinn gan a bheith cosúil le cloch súgartha do dhaoine eile. Ní mór dúinn an sampla agus daoine eile a spreagadh má táimid ag siúl ar bhealach an Tiarna. Bhí an ról sin ag na naoimh i stair na heaglaise. Bímid ag féachaint orthu a léiriú cad é a chiallaíonn sé a bheith ina ndiocail an Tiarna agus; leanann siad ag plé le linn dúinn inniu fiú. D'fhéadfadh go mbeadh daoine níos gaire dúinn in am agus in áit mar an gcéanna dúinn. Taispeánann siad dúinn an bealach ceart tríd an mbealach sin a chothú iad féin. Ach ar a mhalairt, tá roinnt daoine i gceannas ar dhaoine eile, ag tabhairt cuireadh dóibh nó iad a chur ar shlí nach bhfuil ag teacht le dínit an duine. Glaonna focal an Tiarna inniu dúinn a bheith ina bloic thógála seachas clocha fánaíochta.
Pádraig Ó Rúairí, cp,
Sliabh Argus, Átha Cliath.
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AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
