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Do Lough Derg from wherever you are
Date: Saturday 27th – Monday 29th June 2020Location: Wherever you are
Do Lough Derg from wherever you are
Date: Saturday 27th – Monday 29th June 2020
Location: Wherever you are
The Pope Video – November 2020
Artificial Intelligence
Christian Radio Stations
Bishop Alan McGuckian
The Joy of the Gospel – Reflection 4 by Bishop Alan McGuckian
Novena Online
The Limerick Novena 2020 – Hope in a time of crisis
Bishop Alan McGuckian
The Joy of the Gospel – April 29th
Churches of the Day
Prayer
Entreating now I plead with Thee,
Turn not Thy face, O Lord, from me.
Though I have sinned and gone astray,
Forgiveness by Thy grace I pray;
And talent yet, that I may do
Some worthy deed in life for You.
So great my need is yet of Thee,
Please turn my face that I may see,
And hold me close, nor let me go,
Until my life reflects a glow
Of kindliness and peace and love
Born of forgiveness from above.
Author: Edna Pinkerton Hirons.
Nov 30 St Andrew, Apostle
Summary: St Andrew, apostle. According to the New Testament, Andrew was an apostle of Jesus and the brother of Simon Peter. He is referred to in the Orthodox tradition as the 'First-Called.' According to Orthodox tradition, St Andrew did an immense amount of missionary work around the Black Sea area and the apostolic successor to Saint Andrew is the Patriarch of Constantinople. He is also the Patron of Scotland.
Andrew becomes Jesus' first disciple
According to the New Testament, Andrew, whose Greek name means “manly” or “strong”, was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee during the early first century. Like his brother Simon , Andrew was also a fisherman. He became a disciple of St. John the Baptist. One day, John the Baptist, pointing to Jesus proclaimed, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" Andrew decided to follow Jesus.
How the gospels tell it
The Gospel of John (Chapter 1.40f ) the writer introduces Andrew as bringing his brother Simon to listen to Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 4:18f,) Jesus was walking along the
shore of the Sea of Galilee he saw Andrew and Simon Peter fishing. Jesus invited them to follow him and become disciples and "fishers of men."
Andrew, a very close disciple of Jesus
Later on in the gospels, Mark (Chapter 13) has Andrew asking Jesus on the Mount of Olives for signs of the earth’s end. This occasioned Jesus' first eschatological discourse. He was also the one who told Jesus about the boy with the loaves and fishes, (C/f John Chapter 6:8.) and Jesus miraculously multiplied the food to feed the vast crowd. When Philip wanted to speak to Jesus about Greeks following him, it was Andrew whom he spoke to first before approaching Jesus.
Andrew and Christian Traditions
As per Christian tradition, after the Ascension, Andrew went on to preach the Good News around the shores of the Black Sea and continued his missionary work throughout what is now Greece and Turkey. He was martyred by crucifixion bound, rather than nailed to a cross, as is described in the 'Acts' of Andrew.
He was crucified on a cross known as "crux decussata," - an X-shaped cross. Today this is commonly referred to as "St. Andrew's Cross." It is believed Andrew requested to be crucified this way, because he deemed himself "unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus." He died between 60-70 CE, at Patras, Achaia [Greece]. Early Byzantine tradition calls Andrew 'protokletos', “the first called.”
St Andrew's relics
His remains were originally preserved at Patras. However, some believe St. Regulus who was a monk there received a vision telling him to hide some of Andrew's bones. Shortly after Regulus' dream, many of Andrew's relics were transferred to Constantinople by order of Roman emperor Constantius II around 357. Regulus later received orders in another dream telling him to take the bones "to the ends of the earth." He was to build a shrine for them wherever he was shipwrecked. Finally Regulus landed on the coat of Fife, Scotland.
More recently
In September 1964, Pope Paul VI had all of St. Andrew's relics that ended up in Vatican City sent back to Patras. where many of Andrew's relics including the cross on which he was martyred. They are kept in the Church of St. Andrew in Patras.
On June 29th, 2019, giving fragments of St. Peter’s bones to the head of the Orthodox church founded by St Andrew, Pope Francis said he was doing this as a reminder and encouragement of the journey toward Christian unity.'This gesture is intended, Pope Francis said, as a confirmation of the journey that our Churches have made in drawing closer to one another.'
Saint Andrew and other countries
St. Andrew is venerated in Georgia, Greece and Turkey as the first preacher of Christianity in those territories and in Cyprus. He is the patron saint to several countries and cities including: Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Patras and Scotland.
St Andrew and Scotland
St Andrew has been celebrated in Scotland for over a thousand years, with feasts being held in his honour as far back as the year 1000 AD. However, it wasn’t until 1320, when Scotland’s independence was declared with the signing of The Declaration of Arbroath, that he officially became Scotland’s patron saint.
The flag of Scotland, the St Andrew’s Cross, was chosen in honour of him. The ancient town of St Andrews was named due to its claim of being the final resting place of St Andrew.
Andrew becomes Jesus' first disciple
According to the New Testament, Andrew, whose Greek name means “manly” or “strong”, was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee during the early first century. Like his brother Simon , Andrew was also a fisherman. He became a disciple of St. John the Baptist. One day, John the Baptist, pointing to Jesus proclaimed, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" Andrew decided to follow Jesus.How the gospels tell it
The Gospel of John (Chapter 1.40f ) the writer introduces Andrew as bringing his brother Simon to listen to Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 4:18f,) Jesus was walking along the
shore of the Sea of Galilee he saw Andrew and Simon Peter fishing. Jesus invited them to follow him and become disciples and "fishers of men."Andrew, a very close disciple of Jesus
Later on in the gospels, Mark (Chapter 13) has Andrew asking Jesus on the Mount of Olives for signs of the earth’s end. This occasioned Jesus' first eschatological discourse. He was also the one who told Jesus about the boy with the loaves and fishes, (C/f John Chapter 6:8.) and Jesus miraculously multiplied the food to feed the vast crowd. When Philip wanted to speak to Jesus about Greeks following him, it was Andrew whom he spoke to first before approaching Jesus.
Andrew and Christian Traditions
As per Christian tradition, after the Ascension, Andrew went on to preach the Good News around the shores of the Black Sea and continued his missionary work throughout what is now Greece and Turkey. He was martyred by crucifixion bound, rather than nailed to a cross, as is described in the 'Acts' of Andrew.
He was crucified on a cross known as "crux decussata," - an X-shaped cross. Today this is commonly referred to as "St. Andrew's Cross." It is believed Andrew requested to be crucified this way, because he deemed himself "unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus." He died between 60-70 CE, at Patras, Achaia [Greece]. Early Byzantine tradition calls Andrew 'protokletos', “the first called.”St Andrew's relics
His remains were originally preserved at Patras. However, some believe St. Regulus who was a monk there received a vision telling him to hide some of Andrew's bones. Shortly after Regulus' dream, many of Andrew's relics were transferred to Constantinople by order of Roman emperor Constantius II around 357. Regulus later received orders in another dream telling him to take the bones "to the ends of the earth." He was to build a shrine for them wherever he was shipwrecked. Finally Regulus landed on the coat of Fife, Scotland.More recently
In September 1964, Pope Paul VI had all of St. Andrew's relics that ended up in Vatican City sent back to Patras. where many of Andrew's relics including the cross on which he was martyred. They are kept in the Church of St. Andrew in Patras.
On June 29th, 2019, giving fragments of St. Peter’s bones to the head of the Orthodox church founded by St Andrew, Pope Francis said he was doing this as a reminder and encouragement of the journey toward Christian unity.'This gesture is intended, Pope Francis said, as a confirmation of the journey that our Churches have made in drawing closer to one another.'
Saint Andrew and other countries
St. Andrew is venerated in Georgia, Greece and Turkey as the first preacher of Christianity in those territories and in Cyprus. He is the patron saint to several countries and cities including: Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Patras and Scotland.
St Andrew and Scotland
St Andrew has been celebrated in Scotland for over a thousand years, with feasts being held in his honour as far back as the year 1000 AD. However, it wasn’t until 1320, when Scotland’s independence was declared with the signing of The Declaration of Arbroath, that he officially became Scotland’s patron saint.
The flag of Scotland, the St Andrew’s Cross, was chosen in honour of him. The ancient town of St Andrews was named due to its claim of being the final resting place of St Andrew.Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 30th November, 2020
***************** Our New Advent 2020 Feature continues today ****************
Some rather special Advent Daily Reflections by John Cullen.
They can be found below the Readings of each Advent Day.
Feast of St Andrew. Apostle
FIRST READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 10:9-18
Faith comes from what is preached, and what is preached comes from the word of Christ.
If your lips confess that Jesus is Lord and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved. By believing from the heart you are made righteous; by confessing with your lips you are saved. When scripture says: those who believe in him will have no cause for shame, it makes no distinction between Jew and Greek: all belong to the same Lord who is rich enough, however many ask his help, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.But they will not ask his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they have heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent, but as scripture says: 'the footsteps of those who bring good news isare a welcome sound. Not everyone, of course, listens to the Good News. As Isaiah says: 'Lord, how many believed what we proclaimed?' So faith comes from what is preached, and what is preached comes from the word of Christ.
Let me put the question: is it possible that they did not hear? Indeed they did; in the words of the psalm, their voice has gone out through all the earth, and their message to the ends of the world.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 18
Response Their word goes forth through all the earth.
Or Alleluia!
1. The heavens proclaim the glory of God
and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
Day unto day takes up the story
and night unto night makes known the message. Response
2. No speech, no word, no voice is heard
yet their span extends through all the earth,
their words to the utmost bounds of the world. Response
Gospel Acclamation Lk 1: 28
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Follow me , says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men.
Alleluia
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 4:18-22
At once, leaving their nets, they followed him.
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, 'Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.' And they left their nets at once and followed him. Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.The Gospel of the Lord.
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Gospel Reflection 30th Nov. Saint Andrew, Apostle Matthew 4:18-22
In the list of the twelve apostles, Andrew always comes second, after his brother Peter. He is overshadowed somewhat by his more prominent brother, who became the leading member of the church that was formed after Jesus’ death and resurrection. The gospel reading refers to Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother, Andrew. The siblings of well-known people can easily become defined by their relationship to the better known member of the family, ‘the brother or the sister of…’. Yet, in the gospel of John, it was Andrew who brought Peter to Jesus. According to the first chapter of that gospel, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist, and he and one other disciple of John the Baptist were the first to spend time in Jesus’ company. Having spent a day with Jesus, Andrew found his brother Simon Peter and declared excitedly to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’. He then brought Simon Peter to Jesus who, looking upon Simon, said to him, ‘You are Simon, son of John. You are to be called “Peter”’. Even though Peter went on to have a more significant role in the church than Andrew, it was Andrew who had the more significant role at the beginning. Indeed, without Andrew’s role in Peter’s life at that time, Peter would not have gone on to become the great pastoral leader he was. The Lord has a role for each one of us and that role is vitally important, even if it seems less prominent than other people’s role. There is something that the Lord wants each of us to do that no one else can do. Sometimes, the role he is calling us to take on is that of the enabler, as in the case of Andrew who enabled Peter to begin his faith journey, which went on to bear such rich fruit for the church. Even though Andrew lived in the shadow of Peter somewhat, without Andrew the church would not have known Peter. The role of enabler is one of those modest, humble, roles in the Lord’s work that is, nonetheless, hugely significant. If we find ourselves being called to play that role at some point in our lives, we are indeed blessed.
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**************** Advent 2020 Daily Reflections by John Cullen ***************
Monday of the First Week of Advent – Feast of Saint Andrew
Saint Andrew in the Orthodox tradition is revered as Protokletos, the first called. I think he would be pleased that the basilica in Rome dedicated in his name is a minor one! He was not into self-promotion! The dome in this basilica has mosaics of Saint Andrew’s life. One mosaic depicts an enthusiastic Andrew asking questions with an eagerness to discover more about Jesus. Another depicts Andrew recognising Jesus as the Messiah and then rushing to his brother Peter to share the treasured news with him. Another one portrays Andrew pointing to the boy who had five loaves and two fishes. Today’s gospel reading is also represented in mosaic in the basilica. It is the call by Jesus to Peter and Andrew, and James and John to follow him.
The phrase ‘at once’ is used twice in this gospel story to express the rapid response of these four fishermen to their newfound call. Zebedee, the father of James and John, was left high if not dry facing the tedium of mending fish nets on his own. Later, in another story, the mother of the Zebedee boys requests heavenly favouritism from Jesus.Advent is a call to us to respond, to pray, to follow, to imitate, to serve and to listen.
Advent invites us to leave the boats of our own securities at once.
Then ‘this Other catches me in every moment, catches me again and again and will complete the work he began’ (Fr Luigi Giussani, In Cammino, p.193).
‘All belong to the same Lord who is rich enough, however many ask his help, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ This assuring message from Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans in the second reading is an Advent encounter. This is echoed by Pope Francis in a letter:
‘For me faith is an encounter with Jesus.
It was a personal encounter that touched my heart and gave new direction and meaning in my life.
Jesus, in fact impacts us, shocks us, renews us’ ... (‘letter to a non-believer’ – 4 September 2013).
Here is an Advent prayer from today’s Responsorial Psalm.
Save me in your love.
You hide me in the shelter of your presence
...Psalm 30:21.
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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. http://dltbooks.com/ The Gospel reflection comes 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/ The Advent Reflections AD 2020 are by John Cullen, Parish Priest of Ahascraigh, Co Galway and Editor of Intercom Magazine and taken from his booklet, Alert, Aware, Attentive -Advent Reflections, also published by published by Messenger Publications c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 30th November, 2020
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 10:9-18
Is ó theagasc a thagann an creideamh, mar sin, agus is trí sheanmóireacht Chríost a thagann an teagasc féin.
Má adhmhaíonn tú ó do bhéal gurb é Íosa an Tiarna agus má chreideann tú ó do chroí gur thóg Dia ó mhairbh é, slánófar thú. Is sa chroí a bhíonn an creideamh a fhíréanaíonn agus sa bhéal a bhíonn an admháil a shlánaíonn. Agus deir an scrioptúr: “Gach aon duine a chreideann ann ní bheidh díoma air.” Mar níl aon dealú idir Giúdach agus Gréagach mar is é an t-aon Tiarna amháin atá orthu go léir agus caitheann sé go flaithiúil lena nglaonn air, “mar gach aon duine a ghlaofaidh ar ainm an Tiarna, slánófar é.”Ach conas a ghlaofaidís ar an té nár chreid siad ann? Agus conas a chreidfidís sa té nár chuala siad trácht air? Agus conas a chloisfidís trácht air gan duine á fhógairt dóibh? Agus conas a dhéanfadh daoine é a fhógairt mura gcuirtear amach iad chuige sin? Mar atá scríofa: “Nach álainn iad cosa lucht fógartha an dea-scéil.” Ach ní gach aon duine a ghéill don dea-scéal, de réir mar a deir Íseáia: “A Thiarna, cé a chreid ár dteagasc?” Is ó theagasc a thagann an creideamh, mar sin, agus is trí sheanmóireacht Chríost a thagann an teagasc féin.
Ach ceist agam: An é nár chuala siad an scéala? Chuala go deimhin mar “chuaigh a nglór amach ar fud an domhain go léir agus a mbriathra go himill na cruinne.”
Briathar Dé.
Psalm le Freagra Sm 18
Freagra Gabhann a bhfocail i ngach uile thír.
1. Fógraíonn na spéartha glóir Dé
agus foilsíonn an fhirmimint saothar a lámh.
Insíonn na laethanta an scéal dá chéile
agus tugann na hoícheannta an t-eolas dá chéile. Freagra
2. Ní chluintear caint ná canúint ná briathar
cé go ngabhann a nglór i ngach uile thír
agus a bhfocail go críocha imchiana na cruinne. Freagra
Alleluia Véarsa Mth 4: 19
Alleluia! Alleluia
Tagaigí i mo dhiaidh, a deir an Tiarna agus déanfaidh mé iascairí ar dhaoine díbh.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 4:18-22
D’fhág siad na líonta láithreach agus lean siad é.
San am sin nuair a bhí Íosa ag siúl dó cois farraige na Gailíle, chonaic sé beirt dearthár, Síomón ar a dtugtar Peadar agus Aindrias a dheartháir, ag caitheamh eangacha san fharraige, mar iascairí a bhí iontu. Labhair sé leo: “Tagaigí i mo dhiaidh, agus déanfaidh mé iascairí ar dhaoine díbh.” D’fhág siad na líonta láithreach agus lean siad é.Bhuail sé ar aghaidh, agus chonaic sé beirt dearthár eile, Séamas mac Zeibidé agus Eoin a dheartháir: bhí siad sa bhád in éineacht lena n-athair, Zeibidé, ag cóiriú a gcuid líonta; agus ghlaoigh sé orthu. D’fhág siad an bád agus a n-athair láithreach agus lean siad é.
Soiscéal Dé
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 6th December, 2020
*****************New Advent 2020 Feature beginning today******************
Some rather special Advent Daily Reflections by John Cullen.
They can be found below the Readings of each Advent Day beginning today.
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Today's Scripture Themes
St John the Baptist calls to us to straighten out our lives, to lower the mountains of pride so that God’s grace can lead us to do what he wants with us. There is no place for our selfishness and pride in St Peter’s new heaven and new earth.
FIRST READING
A reading from the prophet Isaiah 40:1-5. 9-11
Prepare a way for the Lord.
'Console my people, console them'
says your God.
'Speak to the heart of Jerusalem
and call to her that her time of service is ended,
that her sin is atoned for,
that she has received from the hand of the Lord
double punishment for all her crimes.'
A voice cries,
'Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord.
Make a straight highway for our God
across the desert.
Let every valley be filled in,
every mountain and hill be laid low,
let every cliff become a plain,
and the ridges a valley;
then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed
and all mankind shall see it;
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.'
Go up on a high mountain,
joyful messenger to Zion.
Shout with a loud voice,
joyful messenger to Jerusalem.
Shout without fear, say to the towns of Judah,
'Here is your God'.
Here is the Lord
the Lord coming with power,
his arm subduing all things to him.
The prize of his victory is with him,
his trophies all go before him.
He is like a shepherd feeding his flock,
gathering lambs in his arms,
holding them against his breast
and leading to their rest the mother ewe.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 84
Response Let us see, O Lord, your mercy
and give us your saving help.
1. I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
a voice that speaks of peace,
peace for his people.
His help is near for those who fear himand his glory will dwell in our land. Response
2. Mercy and faithfulness have met;
justice and peace have embraced.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
and justice look down from heaven. Response
3. The Lord will make us prosper
and our earth shall yield its fruit.
Justice shall march before him
and peace shall follow his steps. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the second letter of St Peter 3:8-14
We are waiting for the new heavens and new earth.
There is one thing, my friends, that you must never forget: that with the Lord, 'a day' can mean a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not being slow to carry out his promises, as anybody else might be called slow; but he is being patient with you all, wanting nobody to be lost and everybody to be brought to change his ways. The Day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then with a roar the sky will vanish, the elements will catch fire and fall apart, the earth and all that it contains will be burnt up.Since everything is coming to an end like this, you should be living holy and saintly lives while you wait and long for the Day of God to come, when the sky will dissolve in flames and the elements melt in the heat. What we are waiting for is what he promised: the new heavens and new earth, the place where righteousness will be at home. So then, my friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation Lk 3:4.6
Alleluia, alleluia!
Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight..
and all mankind shall see the salvation of God
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 1:1-8
Make his paths straight.
The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah:
Look, I am going to send my messenger before you;
he will prepare your way.
A voice cries in the wilderness:
Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight.
and so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins. John wore a garment of camel-skin, and he lived on locusts and wild honey. In the course of his preaching he said, 'Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.'
The Gospel of the Lord.
John Cullen's 2020 Advent Reflections
Second Sunday of Advent
‘Here is your God like a shepherd feeding his flock’ (Isaiah 40:11)
The 1971 musical, Godspell opens with God’s voice, as spoken by Jesus, declaring
‘My name is known: God and King.
I am most in majesty,
in whom no beginning may be and no end’.
In response, John the Baptist then calls the community to order by blowing a shofar, a type of bugle, which is a nice detail to acknowledge the Jewish tradition of calling people together.
The cast then sing ‘Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord’. John the Baptist gives a short sermon. Jesus asks to be baptised, explaining that ‘we too will now conform to all that God requires’. The cast sings ‘Turn Back O Man’, imploring us to change and turn back to God. This opening part of the musical reflects the readings for this second week of Advent.The 1930s and 1940s world of Frank Mc Court’s Angela’s Ashes is in a sense an Advent wilderness for one family. The personal memoir was written in 1996. In the environment of grinding poverty and squalor in a tenement slum, Angela struggles to hold her family together as financial struggles and chronic alcoholism take their grim toll on many lives.
There is no help from her extended bigoted family. The face of the Church is brutal, apart from the common-sense and sympathetic humanity of a priest who listens to the faltering words of Frank. This is well portrayed in the 1999 film version of the book. The scene of Frank praying as he kneels before the statue of Saint Francis of Assisi gives us a glimpse of hope as he faces so many anguishing experiences.
‘Console my people, console them’ are the words that ‘speak to the heart’ in today’s First Reading from Isaiah. Angela is the true image of the shepherd holding the lambs of her family close to her breast, as she quietly suffers unimaginable harshness and callous cruelty. This is the line quoted at the beginning of Mark’s Gospel today. The prophetic words of the Old Testament are the beginning of the New Testament!Who consoles you?
Who do you console?
Who shepherds you as your life ebbs and flows between desolation and consolation?
The Scripture Texts are 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. Fr John Cullen, Parish Priest of Ahascraigh, Ballinasloe, Co Galway and Editor of Intercom Magazine, is the writer of Advent Reflections 2020 published by Messenger Publications c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop . He is the Parish Priest of Ahascraigh, Ballinasloe, Co Galway and Editor of Intercom Magazine.
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 6th December, 2020
AN DARA DOMNACH DEN AIDBHINT
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an fáidh Íseáia 40:1-5. 9-11
Réitigí cosán le haghaidh an Tiarna.
“Sólás, beirigí sólás chuig mo mhuintir,”
a deir bhur nDia.
“Labhraigí le croí Iarúsailéim agus fógraígí di
go bhfuil aimsir a seirbhíse istigh,
go bhfuil a peaca maite,
go bhfuair sí ó láimh an Tiarna
pionós faoi dhó ina cionta go léir.”
Tá glór ag fógairt:
“Réitigí cosán san fhásach
le haghaidh an Tiarna.
Déanaigí díreach thar an machaire
bealach mór dár nDia.
Líontar isteach gach gleann,
agus íslítear gach sliabh agus gach cnoc;
déantar achréidh de na hailteanna
agus míntír den gharbhchríoch.
Ansin foilseofar glóir an Tiarna
agus feicfidh an uile fheoil í in éineacht.
Óir tá béal an Tiarna tar éis labhairt.”
Suas leat ar shliabh ard,
a challaire an dea-scéala chuig Síón.
Ardaigh do ghlór go láidir,
a challaire an dea-scéala chuig Iarúsailéim.
Ardaigh do ghlór gan eagla,
abair le bailte Iúdá:
“Seo é bhur nDia.”
Féach an Tiarna Dia ag teacht lena neart,
agus a lámh ag smachtú roimhe!
Tá a luach saothair leis ina sheilbh,
agus a éadáil ag dul roimhe amach.
Mar a dhéanfadh aoire ag aoireacht a thréada dó,
ag bailiú na n-uan chuige ina bhaclainn,
á n-iompar ar chlár a uchta
agus ag fosaíocht na gcaorach tórmaigh.
Briathar Dé.
SALM LE FREAGRA Sm 84
Freagra Taispeáin dúinn, a Thiarna, do thrócaire
agus tabhair dúinn do shlánú
I. Éistfidh mé leis an ní a déarfaidh an Tiarna Dia;
déarfaidh sé go deimhin lena phobal: 'Síocháin daoibh!'
Tá a shlánú i ngar do lucht a eaglaithe
chun go gcónóidh an ghlóir inár dtir. Freagra2. Casadh ar a chéile an trócaire is an dílseacht,
phóg an fhíréantacht is an tsíocháin a chéile.
Eascróidh an dílseacht as an talamh
agus breathnóidh an fhíréantacht anuas ó neamh. Freagra
3. Tabharfaidh an Tiarna fós an mhaith,
agus tabharfaidh an talamh a thoradh uaidh.
Rachaidh an fhíréantacht roimhe amach,
agus an tsíocháin i lorg a choiscéimeanna. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as an dara litir Naomh Peadar 3:8-14
Táimid ag súil le spéartha nua agus le domhan nua
A clann ionúin, ná déanaigí dearmad den phointe seo, a chairde cléibh, gur cuma aon lá amháin leis an Tiarna nó míle bliain, agus míle bliain nó aon lá amháin. Ní dhéanann an Tiarna moill lena ghealltanas, mar a thuigtear moill do dhaoine áirithe, ach tá sé foighneach libh mar nach mian leis go gcaillfí aon dream ach go dtiocfadh cách chun aithrí. Tiocfaidh lá an Tiarna mar ghadaí, agus scriosfar na spéartha de ruathar toirní; déanfar na dúile a mhilleadh le tine, agus loscfar an domhan agus a bhfuil d’oibreacha ann.
Ó tharla go bhfuil gach ní le scriosadh ar an gcuma sin, cén sórt daoine ar cheart daoibh a bheith maidir le hiompar naofa agus le cráifeacht, agus sibh ag feitheamh le teacht lá Dé, agus á bhrostú! tríd sin déanfar na spéartha a scriosadh le tine, agus na dúile a leá le teas. Ach táimid ag súil, de réir an ghealltanais, le spéartha nua agus le domhan nua mar a lonnóidh an fhíréantacht. Dá bhrí sin, a chairde cléibh, ós rud é go bhfuil sibh ag súil leis na nithe sin, bígí go dúthrachtach le go bhfaigheadh sé sibh gan locht gan cháim, agus faoi shíocháin.
Briathar Dé.
Alleluia Lc 3:4, 6
Alleluia, alleluia!
Ullmhaigí bóthar an Tiarna,
déanaigi díreach a chosáin.
Agus feicfidh an uile cholainn shánú Dé.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir N. Marcas 1:1-8
Déanaigí díreach a chosáin.
Tosach Shoiscéal Íosa Críost, Mac Dé. De réir mar atá scríofa in Íseáia fáidh:“Feach, cuirim mo theachtaire romhat
a ullmhóidh do bhóthar.
Glór duine ag éamh san fhásach:
‘Réitígí bóthar an Tiarna,
déanaigí díreach a chosáin.’”
Tháinig Eoin ag baisteadh san fhásach agus ag fógairt baiste aithrí chun peacaí a
mhaitheamh. Agus bhí ag teacht amach chuige na daoine ó thír Iúdáia go léir, agus
muintir uile Iarúsailéim, agus iad ag fáil baiste uaidh in abhainn na Iordáine ag admháil a
bpeacaí.
Bhí rón camaill mar éadach ar Eoin, crios leathair faoina choim aige, lócaistí agus mil fhiáin mar bheatha aige. Agus bhíodh sé ag seanmóir á rá: “Tá ag teacht i mo dhiaidh an té atá níos treise ná mé, agus ní fiú mé cromadh síos chun iall a chuarán a scaoileadh. Bhaist mise le huisce sibh, ach baistfidh seisean sibh leis an Spiorad Naomh.”
Soiscéal Dé.
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Machtnamh ar Bhriathar Dé dia Domhnaigh
Eoin Baiste agus Gairmeacha Eaglasta
Cé a d'fhéadfadh gairm a bheith aige nó aice don seirbhís an Bhriathair inniú? Do'n sagartacht nó d'aireacht éigin eile eaglasta, i sheirbhís do Phobal Dé? Is léir go bhfuil amárach ár n’eaglaise (mar phobal creidimh a chuireann luachanna Íosa chun cinn) in amhras inniu. Ach má bhéidh go leór daoine ag oscailt a gcroí le gairm Dé, cosúil le Eoin Baiste agus na chéad aspail sin, Andrias agus Pilib agus Peadar, bhéidh bealach ann chun an domhan a choinneáil ar an eolas faoi ghrásta ár Slánaitheoir Íosa Chríost. Sa phróiseas, b'fhéidir go dtabharfaidh go leór Caitlicigh spreagadh d’ár n-easpaigí an sagartacht a oscailt do dhaoine pósta ullmhaithe, chun aghaidh a chur ar laghdú drámatúil gairmeacha do’n saol aonarach deonach (celibacy).
Pádraig Ó Rúairí, cp, Sliabh Argus, Átha Cliath.
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
