Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Oct 22 St John Paul II, pope (1920–2005)
Summary: St John Paul II, pope. Karol Józef Wojtyla (1920-2005) served as pope of the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005. He was the first non-Italian pope in 400 years and the second longest-serving pope in history. (Pope Pius IX served for nearly 32 years. 1846-1878). John Paul II helped to end Communist rule in Poland and eventually all of Europe. Doctrinally conservative, he worked hard hard to quell dissent on controversial issues such as artificial contraception, ordination of women, and strongly emphasised the universal call to holiness. He canonised 483 saints, more than all of his predecessors combined!
Karol Józef Wojtyla was born and named on May 18, 1920, in Poland. He became the first non-Italian pope in more than 400 years. He was a vocal advocate for human rights and used his influence to effect political change. He died in Italy in 2005.
Early Life
Born Karol Józef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, Pope John Paul II's early life was marked by great loss. His mother died when he was 9 years old, and his older brother Edmund died when he was 12. Growing up, John Paul was athletic and enjoyed skiing and swimming. He went to Krakow's Jagiellonian University in 1938 where he showed an interest in theatre and poetry. The school was closed the next year by Nazi troops during the German occupation of Poland. Wanting to become a priest, Karol began studying at a secret seminary run by the archbishop of Krakow. After World War II ended, he finished his religious studies at a Krakow seminary and was ordained in 1946.
Rising Within the Church
Karol spent two years in Rome where he finished his doctorate in theology. He returned to his native Poland in 1948 and served in several parishes in and around Krakow. John Paul became the bishop of Ombi in 1958 and then the archbishop of Krakow six years later. Considered one of the Catholic Church's leading thinkers, he participated in the Second Vatican Council - Vatican II. The council began reviewing church doctrine in 1962, holding several sessions over the course of the next few years. As a member of the council, John Paul helped the church to examine its position in the world. Well regarded for his contributions to the church, John Paul was made a cardinal in 1967 by Pope Paul VI.
Polish Pope
In 1978, John Paul made history by becoming the first non-Italian pope in more than four hundred years. As the leader of the Catholic Church, he travelled the world, visiting more than 100 countries to spread his message of faith and peace. But he was close to home when he faced the greatest threat to his life. In 1981, an assassin shot John Paul twice in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Fortunately, he was able to recover from his injuries and later forgave his attacker.
Legacy
A vocal advocate for human rights, John Paul often spoke out about suffering in the world. He held strong positions on many topics, including his opposition to capital punishment. A charismatic figure, John Paul used his influence to bring about political change and is credited with the fall of communism in his native Poland. However, he was not without critics,. Some have stated that he could be harsh with those who disagreed with him and that he would not compromise his hard-line stance on certain issues, such as contraception.
No other Pope met as many people as Pope John Paul II. More than 17.6 million pilgrims attended his Wednesday General Audiences (which numbered over 1,160). This does not include any of the other special audiences and religious ceremonies (more than 8 million pilgrims in the Great Jubilee Year of 2000 alone). He met millions of the faithful in the course of his pastoral visits in Italy and throughout the world. He also received numerous government officials in audience, including 38 official visits and 738 audiences and meetings with Heads of State, as well as 246 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers.
The Pope gets sick
In his later years, John Paul's health began failing. At public appearances, he moved slowly and seemed unsteady on his feet. He also visibly trembled at times. One of his doctors also disclosed that John Paul had Parkinson's disease, a brain disorder often characterized by shaking, in 2001. But there was never any official announcement about his illness from the Vatican.
Death and Canonisation
John Paul II died at 9:37 p.m on April 2, 2005, at the age of 84, at his Vatican City residence. More than 3 million people waited in line to say good-bye to their beloved religious leader at St. Peter's Basilica before his funeral on April 8.
On July 5, 2013, waving the usual five-year waiting period, the Vatican announced that the Roman Catholic Church would declare Pope John Paul II a saint. He was beatified in 2011 by his successor Pope Benedict XVI and canonised in 2014 by Pope Francis.
Karol Józef Wojtyla was born and named on May 18, 1920, in Poland. He became the first non-Italian pope in more than 400 years. He was a vocal advocate for human rights and used his influence to effect political change. He died in Italy in 2005.Early Life
Born Karol Józef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, Pope John Paul II's early life was marked by great loss. His mother died when he was 9 years old, and his older brother Edmund died when he was 12. Growing up, John Paul was athletic and enjoyed skiing and swimming. He went to Krakow's Jagiellonian University in 1938 where he showed an interest in theatre and poetry. The school was closed the next year by Nazi troops during the German occupation of Poland. Wanting to become a priest, Karol began studying at a secret seminary run by the archbishop of Krakow. After World War II ended, he finished his religious studies at a Krakow seminary and was ordained in 1946.Rising Within the Church
Karol spent two years in Rome where he finished his doctorate in theology. He returned to his native Poland in 1948 and served in several parishes in and around Krakow. John Paul became the bishop of Ombi in 1958 and then the archbishop of Krakow six years later. Considered one of the Catholic Church's leading thinkers, he participated in the Second Vatican Council - Vatican II. The council began reviewing church doctrine in 1962, holding several sessions over the course of the next few years. As a member of the council, John Paul helped the church to examine its position in the world. Well regarded for his contributions to the church, John Paul was made a cardinal in 1967 by Pope Paul VI.Polish Pope
In 1978, John Paul made history by becoming the first non-Italian pope in more than four hundred years. As the leader of the Catholic Church, he travelled the world, visiting more than 100 countries to spread his message of faith and peace. But he was close to home when he faced the greatest threat to his life. In 1981, an assassin shot John Paul twice in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Fortunately, he was able to recover from his injuries and later forgave his attacker.Legacy
A vocal advocate for human rights, John Paul often spoke out about suffering in the world. He held strong positions on many topics, including his opposition to capital punishment. A charismatic figure, John Paul used his influence to bring about political change and is credited with the fall of communism in his native Poland. However, he was not without critics,. Some have stated that he could be harsh with those who disagreed with him and that he would not compromise his hard-line stance on certain issues, such as contraception.
No other Pope met as many people as Pope John Paul II. More than 17.6 million pilgrims attended his Wednesday General Audiences (which numbered over 1,160). This does not include any of the other special audiences and religious ceremonies (more than 8 million pilgrims in the Great Jubilee Year of 2000 alone). He met millions of the faithful in the course of his pastoral visits in Italy and throughout the world. He also received numerous government officials in audience, including 38 official visits and 738 audiences and meetings with Heads of State, as well as 246 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers.
The Pope gets sickIn his later years, John Paul's health began failing. At public appearances, he moved slowly and seemed unsteady on his feet. He also visibly trembled at times. One of his doctors also disclosed that John Paul had Parkinson's disease, a brain disorder often characterized by shaking, in 2001. But there was never any official announcement about his illness from the Vatican.
Death and Canonisation
John Paul II died at 9:37 p.m on April 2, 2005, at the age of 84, at his Vatican City residence. More than 3 million people waited in line to say good-bye to their beloved religious leader at St. Peter's Basilica before his funeral on April 8.
On July 5, 2013, waving the usual five-year waiting period, the Vatican announced that the Roman Catholic Church would declare Pope John Paul II a saint. He was beatified in 2011 by his successor Pope Benedict XVI and canonised in 2014 by Pope Francis.____________________________________
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Memorable quote for Today
I plead with you .. Never ever give up on Hope, never Tire,
and never become Discouraged.
Be not afraid
~St Pope John Paul II ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Tuesday, 22nd October, 2024
Tuesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2
Optional memorial of St John Paul II, pope for 26 years, visited 104 countries, d.2005
FIRST READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 2:12-22
Christ is the peace between us, and has made the two into one.
Do not forget, I say, that you had no Christ and were excluded from membership of Israel, aliens with no part in the covenants with their Promise; you were immersed in this world, without hope and without God.
But now in Christ Jesus, you that used to be so far apart from us have been brought very close, by the blood of Christ. For he is the peace between us, and has made the two into one and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart, actually destroying in his own person the hostility caused by the rules and decrees of the Law. This was to create one single New Man in himself out of the two of them and by restoring peace through the cross, to unite them both in a single Body and reconcile them with God;In his own person he killed the hostility.
Later he came to bring the good news of peace, peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near at hand. Through him, both of us have in the one Spirit our way to come to the Father.
So you are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God's household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone.
As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord;
and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 84
Response The Lord speaks peace to his people.
1. I will hear what the Lord God has to say, a voice that speaks of peace.
His help is near for those who fear him and 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
Gospel Acclamation Lk 8: 15
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are those who with a noble and generous heart,
take the word of God to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.
Alleluia !
or Lk 21: 36
Alleluia, alleluia!
Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to stand with confidence
before the Son of Man.
Alleluia !
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke12:35-38 Glory to you, O Lord
Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.
Jesus said to his disciples:
'See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit.Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast,
ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks.
Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.
I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron,
sit them down at table and wait on them.
It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third,
but happy those servants if he finds them ready.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Tuesday Twenty Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Luke 12:35-38
There is a striking image in today’s gospel reading of a person of authority putting on an apron, inviting his servants to sit at table and then serving them. Such a reversal of roles would have been unthinkable in the culture of Jesus. For a person of authority to take on the task of a servant would have been considered shameful. It represented an enormous loss of face and prestige. Yet, Jesus’ highly unconventional image here reminds us of the last supper scene in the gospel of John, where Jesus wraps a towel around his waist and gets down on his knees to wash the feet of his disciples. We are presently reading from the gospel of Luke and later in Luke’s gospel, in the setting of the last supper, Jesus says of himself, ‘I am among you as one who serves’ (Lk 22:27) rather than as one who sits at table. Jesus, now risen Lord, wants to serve us today.
However, today’s gospel reading suggests that we need to have a certain attitude of heart if we are to experience the Lord as our servant. We are to be ‘dressed for action’, with our lamps lit, waiting for the Lord to come and knock. We are to be attentive to the Lord, to his daily coming and his daily call. We are to be faithful in our attentiveness to the Lord, through all the watches of the night. Such a faithful alertness to the Lord’s presence and call will open us up to receive the Lord’s self-emptying service.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. 1966 and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from his book Reflections on the Weekday Readings 2024: The Word is near to you, on your lips and in your heart by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications 2022/ 24, c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
Liturgical Readings for: Tuesday, 22nd October, 2024
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na hEifísigh 2:12-22
Is Chríost ár síocháin; is é a rinne aon bhuíon amháin
A bhráithre, cuimhnígí go raibh sibh an uair úd ar deighilt ó Chríost, nach raibh aon chuid agaibh I stát Iosrael ná aon pháirt agaibh sna conarthaí ná sna gealltanais, go raibh sibh gan dóchas sa saol agus gan Dia féin. Anois, áfach, tá sibh i gCríost Íosa; sibhse a bhí tráth I bhfad i gcéin, tá sibh tagtha i ngaire de bharr fhuil Chríost. Mar is eisean ár síocháin; is é a rinne aon bhuíon amháin den dá phobal nuair a leag sé ar lár an balla deighilte, an naimhdeas ina cholainn, agus chuir ar ceal an dlí agus a chuid aitheanta agus forálacha d’fhonn aon duine nua amháin a dhéanamh den bheirt ann féin trí shíocháin a dhéanamh eatarthu, agus an dá bhuíon a thabhairt chun athmhuintearais le Dia in aon chorp amháin leis an gcrois ar ar chuir sé an naimhdeas chun báis. Tháinig sé ag fógairt dea-scéal na síochána daoibhse a bhí i bhfad uaidh agus dóibh sin a bhí ina chóngar; mar is tríd atá teacht againn araon ar an Athair faoi luí an aon Spioraid.Dá réir sin ní eachtrannaigh ná coimhthígh sibh a thuilleadh ach comhshaoránaigh leis na naoimh agus baill de líon tí Dé.
Is ann a nasctar an foirgneamh ar fad le céile agus éiríonn sé in airde ina theampall naofa sa Tiarna. Is ann chomh maith atá sibhse do bhur gcomhthógáil agus áit chónaithe Dé á dhéanamh díbh faoi luí an Spioraid.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le freagra Sm 84
Freagra Labhróidh an Tiarna síocháin dá mhuintir
1. Éistfidh mé leis an Tiarna Dia labhróidh sé síocháin dá mhuintir agus dá fhíréin;
Tá a shlánú i ngar do lucht a eaglaithe; chun go gcónódh a ghlóir inár dtír. Freagra
2. Casadh ar a chéile an buanghrá is an dílseacht; phóg an fhíréantacht agus an tsíocháin a chéile.
Eascróidh an dílseacht as an talamh; agus breathnóidh an fhíréantacht ó neamh. Freagra
3. Cuirfidh an Tiarna an séan orainn; agus tabharfaidh an talamh a thoradh uaidh.
Rachaidh an fhíréantacht roimhe amach; agus an slánú i slí a choiscéimeanna. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 12:35-38 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Is méanar do na seirbhísigh sin a bhfaighidh an máistir ag faire iad nuair a thagann.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:
“Bíodh crios faoi bhur gcoim agaibh agus bhur lampaí ar lasadh, agus sibh cosúil le daoine a bhíonn ag súil lena máistir a theacht ar ais ón mbainis, ionas, nuair a thiocfaidh sé agus go mbuailfidh, go n-osclóidh siad láithreach dó.
Is méanar do na seirbhísigh sin a bhfaighidh an máistir ag faire iad nuair a thagann.
Deirim libh go fírinneach, fáiscfidh sé crios faoi agus cuirfidh ina suí chun boird iad agus rachaidh thart ag freastal orthu. Agus cibé acu sa dara nó sa tríú faire a thagann sé, agus nithe a fháil amhlaidh, is dóibhsiúd is méanar."
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 27th October, 2024
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
We can see clearly through the faith that has been given to us. 'The Lord has done great things for us.'
We now have to help others to see the way, to guide them to the streams of saving water.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah 31:7-9
I will comfort the blind and the lame as I lead them back.
The Lord says this:
Shout with joy for Jacob! Hail the chief of nations! Proclaim! Praise! Shout!
'The Lord has saved his people,
the remnant of Israel!'See, I will bring them back from the land of the North
and gather them from the far ends of earth;
all of them: the blind and the lame, women with child, women in labour:
a great company returning here.
They had left in tears, I will comfort them as I lead them back;
I will guide them to streams of water, by a smooth path where they will not stumble.
For I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first-born son.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 125
Response What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.
1. When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs. Response
2. The heathens themselves said: 'What marvels the Lord worked for them!'
What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad. Response
3. Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. Response
4. They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews 5:1-6
You are a priest of the order of Melchizedek, and for ever.
Every high priest has been taken out of mankind and is appointed to act for men in their relations with God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins; and so he can sympathise with those who are ignorant or uncertain because he too lives in the limitations of weakness. That is why he has to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. No one takes this honour on himself, but each one is called by God, as Aaron was. Nor did Christ give himself the glory of becoming high priest, but he had it from the one who said to him:'You are my son today I have become your father,' and in another text:
'You are a priest of the order of Melchizedek, and for ever.'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 8:12
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord,
anyone who follows me will have the light of life.
Alleluia!
or 2Tim 1:10
Alleluia, alleluia!
Our Saviour, Christ Jesus abolished death,
and he has proclaimed life and immortality through the Good News.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 10:46-52 Glory to you, O Lord.
Master, let me see again.
As Jesus left Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and to say,
'Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.'
And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder,
'Son of David, have pity on me.'
Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him here.'
So they called the blind man. 'Courage,' they said 'get up; he is calling you.'
So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus.
Then Jesus spoke, 'What do you want me to do for you?'
'Rabbuni,' the blind man said to him 'Master, let me see again.'
Jesus said to him, 'Go; your faith has saved you.'
And immediately his sight returned and he followed him along the road.
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 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 27th October, 2024
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as Leabhar Irimia, Fáidh Irimia 31:7-9
Tabharfaidh mise sólás an dall agus an bacach agus mé á dtreorú ar ais.
Mar seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
Scairtigí le lúcháir ar son Iacóib! Tógaigí gártha do cheann na náisiún!Fógraígí! Molaigí! Gáirigí: ‘Shábháil an Tiarna a phobal, fuíoll Iosrael!’
Féach, tabharfaidh mé ar ais iad as an tír thuaidh,
agus cruinneoidh mé iad ó na críocha in imigéin; iad go léir, an dall agus an bacach,
an bhean torrach agus an bhean i dtinneas clainne;
tiocfaidh siad ina gcuideachta mhór ag filleadh.
Is le gol a d’imigh siad, tabharfaidh mise sólás dóibh agus mé á dtreorú ar ais;
déanfaidh mé eolas an bhóthair dóibh go srutháin uisce,
slí dhíreach in áit nach bhfaighidh siad tuisle.
Óir táim i m’athair ag Iosrael, agus is é Eafráim mo chéadghin mic.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 125
Freagra Rinne an Tiarna éachtaí dúinn: táimid go lúcháireach.
1. Nuair a thug an Tiarna príosúnaigh Síón abhaile ba chosúil sinn le daoine ag brionglóidigh.
Ansin líonadh ár mbéal le gáire, agus ár dteanga le gairdeas. Freagra
2. Ansin bhíothas á rá i measc na gciníocha: 'Rinne an Tiarna éachtaí.'
Rinne an Tiarna éachtaí dúinn: táimid go lúcháireach. Freagra
3. Cuir sonas orainn arís, a Thiarna, ar nós na sruthanna san fhásach ó dheas.
An mhuintir a chuireann síol le deora, bainfidh siad an fómhar le gairdeas. Freagra
4. Ag imeacht dóibh imíonn siad ag sileadh na ndeor, agus iad ag iompar síl chun a scaipthe;
ag teacht dóibh tiocfaidh siad le gairdeas, agus a bpunanna á n-iompar acu. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Liter cuig na Eabhraig 5:1-6
Is sagart síoraí thú ar nós Mheilcizidic.
Gach ardsagart a thógtar as na daoine, ceaptar é chun seirbhís a dhéanamh do Dhia thar ceann na ndaoine. Ofrálann sé tabhartais agus íobairtí in éiric peacaí. Is féidir dó trua a ghlacadh do dhaoine atá aineolach agus atá ag dul ar fán de bhrí go bhfuil sé féin lag ó gach taobh. Dá dheasca sin freisin ní foláir dó íobairtí a ofráil in éiric peacaí, ní amháin thar ceann an phobail ach ar a shon féin chomh maith. Agus ní ghabhann aon duine an gradam seo chuige féin mura bhfaigheann sé gairm ó Dhia mar a fuair Árón. Mar an gcéanna níor thug Críost gradam ardsagairt dó féin ach fuair sé é ón té a dúirt leis:“Is tú mo Mhac; ghin mé thú inniu.”
Agus in áit eile fós deir sé leis: “Is sagart síoraí thú ar nós Mheilcizidic.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 8:12
Alleluia, alleluia!
Is mise solas an tsaoil, a deir an Tiarna;
an té a leanfaidh mise beidh solas na beatha aige.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Marcas 10:46-52 Glóir duit, a Thiarna
Rabúní, mo radharc a bheith agam!
San am sin tháinig siad go Ireachó; agus ag dul amach as Ireachó d’Íosa fara a dheisceabail agus slua mór, bhí dall, fear déirce, Bairtiméas mac Thiméas, ina shuí le hais an bhóthair. Nuair a chuala sé gurbh é Íosa an Nazairéanach a bhí ann thosaigh sé ar screadach agus ar a rá:
“A Mhic Dháiví, a Íosa, déan trócaire orm!”
Agus bhagair a lán daoine air a bheith ina thost, ach is ea ba mhó a scread sé:
“A Mhic Dháiví, déan trócaire orm.”
Stad Íosa agus dúirt: “Glaoigí anseo air.”
Agus ghlaoigh siad ar an dall á rá leis:
“Bíodh misneach agat! Éirigh! Tá sé ag glaoch ort!”
Chaith sé siúd de a bhrat, d’éirigh de phreab, agus tháinig chun Íosa.
Ansin labhair Íosa leis: “Cad ab áil leat mé a dhéanamh duit?” ar sé.
Dúirt seisean leis:“Rabúní, mo radharc a bheith agam!”
Dúirt Íosa leis: “Imigh leat! Shlánaigh do chreideamh thú.”
Tháinig a radharc dó láithreach agus lean sé é sa tslí.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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Machtnamh ar Bhriathar Dé dia Domhnaigh
Cad a guímís ó Dhia?
Tá roinnt cásanna ins na soiscéil de daoine dall a fuair leigheas ó Íosa, ach is dócha gurb é an ceann is fearr ná é seo faoi Bartimaeus, agus tá ceacht praiticiúil ann dúinn. Chaill an fear bocht a radharc, agus nuair a chuala sé go raibh Íosa Naasaret ag dul thart timpeall, bhí air cinneadh a chéanamh go tapa. Ba féidir leis fanacht ina shuí go ciúin agus ligeant do Íosa dul ar aghaidh gan bacadh air, nó ar an dtaobh eile, dféadfadh sé an ócáid a ghabháil le fuinneamh, agus iarratas a dhéanamh ar Íosa, é a leigheas. Bhí an slua ag rá go raibh an chumhacht ag Íosa leigheas a chur ar daoine, ach caithfeadh tú a aire a thabhairt ort féin, agus iarratas faoi leigheas a chéanamh go poiblí. D'iarr Íosa go chineálta ar an bhfear dall, "Cad is mian leat go ndhéanfainn ar do shon?" Níorbh mhór don fear a fhadhb a ainmniú, focail a chur ar a bhí de dhíth air. Más gá le ceann eadrainn le leigheas ar rud éigin, bíodh sé daille, alcólacht, dúlagar nó aon andúil, ní mór dúinn a rá le Dia cad atá cearr linn. Ní mór dúinn AINM a thabhairt ar cad is mian linn ó Dhia. Ar ndóigh, tá a fhios ag Dia ar ár riachtanais, ach deireann Íosa "Iarr agus gheobhaidh tú." "Is cinnte go dtabharfaidh d'Athair neamhaí dóibh siúd a iarrann air."
Pádraig Ó Rúairí, cp,
Sliabh Argus, Átha Cliath.
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AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
