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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
Bill Wilson and the AA
Bill Wilson and the AA
Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, never did 'get religion'. But he did retain and maintain lifelong sobriety. How did he stay sober? The struggle of the addicted to break through the apparently impenetrable barrier of craving has been the subject of many books and films. Bill Wilson didn't feel that organised religion could help him because of its fixation with the minutiae of commandments and canons. At the same time he knew he couldn't do it on his own. He needed the help of a higher power.
He claimed that 'we alcoholics had to find some spiritual basis for living'. He added' else we die'. Bill operated within a 'spirituality of imperfection' which begins with recognition that trying to be perfect is the most tragic human mistake. It is only by ceasing to play God, by coming to terms with hideous mistakes and shortcomings, and by accepting the inability to control every aspect of their lives, that alcoholics can find peace and serenity.
James a Feehan
Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, never did 'get religion'. But he did retain and maintain lifelong sobriety. How did he stay sober? The struggle of the addicted to break through the apparently impenetrable barrier of craving has been the subject of many books and films. Bill Wilson didn't feel that organised religion could help him because of its fixation with the minutiae of commandments and canons. At the same time he knew he couldn't do it on his own. He needed the help of a higher power.
He claimed that 'we alcoholics had to find some spiritual basis for living'. He added' else we die'. Bill operated within a 'spirituality of imperfection' which begins with recognition that trying to be perfect is the most tragic human mistake. It is only by ceasing to play God, by coming to terms with hideous mistakes and shortcomings, and by accepting the inability to control every aspect of their lives, that alcoholics can find peace and serenity.
James a Feehan
Apr 10 - St Magdalen of Canossa (1774-1835)
Summary: St Magdalene of Canossa was born in Verona, Italy, on 2 March 1774. At age 15 she announced she wished to become a nun, but after trying out her vocation with the Carmelites, she realised she really wanted to serve the needy without restriction. She began a charitable organisation to help the wounded and the sick, but gave special attention to girls living in poverty and those who had been abandoned.
Patrick Duffy tells her story.
Canossa is an historical town near Modena in northern Italy associated with the influential Countess Matilda. It was also the place where the emperor Henry IV submitted to Pope St Gregory VII. But in the last two centuries it has become associated with the Canossian family of Daughters and Sons of Charity founded by St Magdalen of Canossa.
Early life
St Magdalene of Canossa was born the third of six children of a noble family in Verona, Italy, on 2 March 1774. Her father died when she was five and her mother remarried soon after, so Magdalene was brought up by an uncle and given a good education. At age 15 she announced she wished to become a nun, but after trying out her vocation with the Carmelites, she realised she really wanted to serve the needy without restriction.
Canossa
The name “Canossa” has been connected with the history of Italy since the 11th Century AD when the famous Countess Matilda (1045-1115) exercised a strong political influence for nearly half a century. It was there too that the German Emperor Henry IV submitted to Pope St Gregory VII during the dispute over lay investiture.
Napoleon at Canossa
Magdalen was 15 years old when the French revolution broke out and shook the whole of Europe. In Verona the real consequences were felt about seven years later, when, on June 10, 1796, General Napoleon entered the city as a conqueror. The following year Napoleon was a guest at Canossa Palace and Magdalen, being the lady of the house, received the General. He returned in 1805 and 1807 as Emperor and was a guest at Canossa Palace. By then Magdalen had already undertaken the work she had long wanted to do.
A charitable organisation
Magdalen began a charitable organisation to help the wounded and the sick, but gave special attention to girls living in poverty and those who had been abandoned. Aware of the contrasts between the very rich and very poor, she moved more to care for children, youth and women beset by economic as well as moral, spiritual, intellectual and family poverty.
Daughters of Charity
In 1808 she left the Canossa Palace indefinitely and with some companions, established herself in a poor district of San Zeno. This small group of women were contemplatives, not of the cloister but on the street. Magdalen called them “Daughters of Charity” because their task was to reveal God’s love to humanity.
Full of missionary spirit
Magdalen’s vision was full of a missionary spirit and she often said she was prepared to go anywhere and do anything so that Jesus would be known and loved. Although she did not herself fulfil that dream, over time, houses were opened throughout Italy.
Death 1835
At the time of her death on 10 April 1835, there were five houses of Canossian Sisters. Today the congregation has almost 4,000 members in 395 houses in 35 countries around the world and the "Canossian family" includes the Canossian Sons of Charity (priests and brothers - founded 1821) as well as Canossian lay helpers.
Canonisation
On October 2, 1988 Pope John Paul II canonised St Magdalen of Canossa, a prophet of charity.
Patrick Duffy tells her story.
Canossa is an historical town near Modena in northern Italy associated with the influential Countess Matilda. It was also the place where the emperor Henry IV submitted to Pope St Gregory VII. But in the last two centuries it has become associated with the Canossian family of Daughters and Sons of Charity founded by St Magdalen of Canossa.
Early life
St Magdalene of Canossa was born the third of six children of a noble family in Verona, Italy, on 2 March 1774. Her father died when she was five and her mother remarried soon after, so Magdalene was brought up by an uncle and given a good education. At age 15 she announced she wished to become a nun, but after trying out her vocation with the Carmelites, she realised she really wanted to serve the needy without restriction.Canossa
The name “Canossa” has been connected with the history of Italy since the 11th Century AD when the famous Countess Matilda (1045-1115) exercised a strong political influence for nearly half a century. It was there too that the German Emperor Henry IV submitted to Pope St Gregory VII during the dispute over lay investiture.
Napoleon at Canossa
Magdalen was 15 years old when the French revolution broke out and shook the whole of Europe. In Verona the real consequences were felt about seven years later, when, on June 10, 1796, General Napoleon entered the city as a conqueror. The following year Napoleon was a guest at Canossa Palace and Magdalen, being the lady of the house, received the General. He returned in 1805 and 1807 as Emperor and was a guest at Canossa Palace. By then Magdalen had already undertaken the work she had long wanted to do.A charitable organisation
Magdalen began a charitable organisation to help the wounded and the sick, but gave special attention to girls living in poverty and those who had been abandoned. Aware of the contrasts between the very rich and very poor, she moved more to care for children, youth and women beset by economic as well as moral, spiritual, intellectual and family poverty.
Daughters of CharityIn 1808 she left the Canossa Palace indefinitely and with some companions, established herself in a poor district of San Zeno. This small group of women were contemplatives, not of the cloister but on the street. Magdalen called them “Daughters of Charity” because their task was to reveal God’s love to humanity.
Full of missionary spirit
Magdalen’s vision was full of a missionary spirit and she often said she was prepared to go anywhere and do anything so that Jesus would be known and loved. Although she did not herself fulfil that dream, over time, houses were opened throughout Italy.Death 1835
At the time of her death on 10 April 1835, there were five houses of Canossian Sisters. Today the congregation has almost 4,000 members in 395 houses in 35 countries around the world and the "Canossian family" includes the Canossian Sons of Charity (priests and brothers - founded 1821) as well as Canossian lay helpers.
Canonisation
On October 2, 1988 Pope John Paul II canonised St Magdalen of Canossa, a prophet of charity.
Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 10th April, 2021
Easter Saturday
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book: The Acts of the Apostles 4:13-21
We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard.
The rulers, elders, and scribes were astonished at the assurance shown by Peter and John, considering they were uneducated laymen; and they recognised them as associates of Jesus; but when they saw the man who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer. So they ordered them to stand outside while the Sanhedrin had a private discussion. 'What are we going to do with these men?' they asked. 'It is obvious to everybody in Jerusalem that a miracle has been worked through them in public, and we cannot deny it. But to stop the whole thing spreading any further among the people, let us caution them never to speak to anyone in this name again.'
So they called them in and gave them a warning on no account to make statements or to teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John retorted, 'You must judge whether in God's eyes it is right to listen to you and not to God. We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard.' The court repeated the warnings and then released them; they could not think of any way to punish them, since all the people were giving glory to God for what had happened.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 117
Response I will thank you, Lord, for you have given answer.
Or Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
for his love has no end.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he was my saviour.
There are shouts of joy and victory
in the tents of the just. Response
2. The Lord's right hand has triumphed;
his right hand raised me up.
I shall not die, I shall live
and recount his deeds.
I was punished, I was punished by the Lord,
but not doomed to die. Response
3. Open to me the gates of holiness:
I will enter and give thanks.
This is the Lord's own gate
where the just may enter.
I will thank you for you have given answer
and you are my saviour. Response
Gospel Acclamation Ps 117: 24
Alleluia, alleluia!
This day was made by the Lord;
we rejoice and are glad
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 16:9-15
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
Having risen in the morning on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven devils. She then went to those who had been his companions, and who were mourning and in tears, and told them. But they did not believe her when they heard her say that he was alive and that she had seen him.After this, he showed himself under another form to two of them as they were on their way into the country. These went back and told the others, who did not believe them either.
Lastly, he showed himself to the Eleven themselves while they were at table. He reproached them for their incredulity and obstinacy, because they had refused to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. And he said to them, 'Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.'
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Easter Saturday Mark 16:9-15
There are many examples both in the past and in the present of people in power and authority seeking to silence those whose public utterances are considered a threat. The spoken or written word can often be experienced as dangerous by those who have a vested interest in preserving the status quo. In today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the religious leaders attempt to silence the preaching of Peter and John, ‘they gave them a warning on no account to make statements or to teach in the name of Jesus’. The pressure by those in authority to silence those considered dissidents does not always meet with success. Courageous people who know they have truth and right on their side can continue to speak out, in spite of the pressure to do otherwise. In our first reading, Peter and John show such courage. They refuse to be silenced, declaring to those who try to silence them, ‘We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard’. Peter and John recognized that they were subject to a higher authority than the authority of the religious leaders and that was the authority of God, saying to the religious leaders, ‘you must judge whether in God’s eyes it is right to listen to you and not to God’. They were clear that they must listen to God, and God was calling them to proclaim the gospel of Jesus. Peter and John can be an inspiration to us all to be courageous in our own witness to our faith, in spite of pressure to be silent. At the end of the gospel reading, the risen Lord says to his disciples, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the good news to all creation’. We have all received that same commission, to proclaim the good news by what we say and above all by the way we live. If we turn towards the Lord, he will give us the courage to be faithful to that commission, just as he gave courage to Peter and John.
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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 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: Saturday, 10th April, 2021
Seachtain na Cásca
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 4:13-21
Ní féidir linn gan labhairt ar a bhfuil feicthe agus cloiste againn.
Nuair a chonaic na huacharáin, na seanóirí, agus na scríobhaithe a dhánacht a bhí Peadar agus Eoin agus nuair a thug siadm faoi deara nach raibh iontu ach gháthdhaoine gan léann, bhí an dubhiontas orthu. D’aithin siad ansin gur chomrádaithe d’Íosa ba ea iad. Ach ag breathnú dóibh ar an bhfear a leigheasadh agus é ina sheasamh láimh leo ní raibh aon fhreagra acu orthu. Mar sin de, d’ordaigh siad dóibh dul amach as halla na sainidríne agus chuaigh siad féin i gcomhairle le chéile. “Cad a dhéanfaimid leis na daoine seo?” ar siad. “Tá míorúilt shuntasach déanta acu, rud is follas d’áitritheoirí Iarúsailéim ar fad, agus ní féidir dúinne é a shéanadh. Ach i dtreo nach leathfadh an scéal seo níos mó i measc an phobail, déanaimis bagairt orthu gan labhairt go deo arís faoin duine seo le neach ar bith.”
Ghlaoigh siad chucu ansin iad agus thug foláireamh dóibh gan caint ná teagasc a dhéanamh ar chor ar bith in ainm Íosa. D’fhreagair Peadar agus Eoin iad, áfach: “Fágaimid fúibh féin a mheas,” ar siad, “cé acu is córa dúinn i bhfianaise Dé, rud a dhéanamh oraibhse nó ar Dhia. Mar ní féidir linn gan labhairt ar a bhfuil feicthe agus cloiste againn.” Tar éis dóibh bagairt eile a dhéanamh orthu scaoil siad saor iad mar nach raibh aon dul acu ar iad a smachtú mar gheall ar an bpobal, de bhrí go raibh gach aon duine ag moladh Dé as an ní a bhí tite amach.
Briathar Dé.
Salm le Freagra Sm 117
Freagra Gabhaim buíochas leat de bhrí gur éist tú liom;
agus gur tú mo shlánaitheoir.
Malairt freagra Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1. Tugaigí buíochas don Tiarna toisc gur maith é;
agus go maireann a bhuanghrá go brách.
Is é an Tiarna mo neart is mo mhisneach;
is é a thug slán mé.
Cluintear gártha lúcháire is caithréime
i mbothanna na bhfíréan. Freagra
2. “D’oibrigh deaslámh an Tiarna go tréan;
is i a dheaslámh a d’ardaigh mé.
D’oibrigh deaslámh an Tiarna go tréan.”
Ní éagfaidh mé, mairfidh mé;
agus inseoidh mé a mhóréachtaí.
Cé gur smachtaigh an Tiarna go dian mé,
níor dhaor sé chun báis mé. Freagra
3. Osclaígí dom doirse na fíréantachta;
rachaidh mé isteach a thabhairt buíochais.
Seo agaibh doras an Tiarna
trína rachaidh na fíréin isteach.
Gabhaim buíochas leat de bhrí gur éist tú liom;
agus gur tú mo shlánaitheoir. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Marcas 16:9-15
Imígí faoin domhan uile agus fógraígí an soiscéal don chruthaíocht uile.
Tar éis aiséirí dó maidin an chéad lae den tseachtain, thaispeáin sé é féin ar dtús do Mháire Mhaigdiléana, an bhean as ar chaith sé seacht ndeamhain amach. D’imigh sise agus d’inis sí é don mhuintir a bhíodh in éineacht leis, agus iadsan ag caoi agus ag gol. Ach nuair a chuala siadsan go raibh sé beo, agus go raibh sé feicthe aici, níor chreid siad.Ina dhiaidh sin thaispeáin sé é féin, i riocht eile, do bheirt acu agus iad ar an tslí ag gabháil amach faoin tuath. Tháinig siadsan ar ais agus d’inis don chuid eile é, ach ní mó ná sin a chreid siad iadsan.
Níos déanaí, thaispeáin sé é féin don aonar déag agus iad ag bord, agus d’athchas sé leo a ndíchreideamh agus stuacacht a gcroí, mar nár chreid siad an mhuintir a chonaic é aiséirithe. Agus dúirt sé leo: “Imígí faoin domhan uile agus fógraígí an soiscéal don chruthaíocht uile.
Soiscéal Dé.
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 11th April, 2021
Scripture themesThe struggle for faith experienced by Thomas leads us to think on the meaning of faith in the risen Christ. We do not depend on physical experience of Christ but know his presence in keeping God’s commandments and as a gathered community, in the hearing of the word and in sacramental signs. So the Christian community is a thankful one, always blessing God for a sure hope through the Resurrection of Christ.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35
United, heart and soul.
The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common. The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all given great respect.None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any members who might be in need.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 117
Response Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
or Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1. Let the sons of Israel say:
'His love has no end.'
Let the sons of Aaron say:
'His love has no end.'
Let those who fear the Lord say:
'His love has no end.' Response
2. The Lord's right hand has triumphed;
his right hand raised me up.
I shall not die, I shall live
and recount his deeds.
I was punished, I was punished by the Lord,
but not doomed to die. Response
3. The stone which the builders rejected
has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord,
a marvel in our eyes.
This day was made by the Lord;
we rejoice and are glad. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St John 5:1-6
Anyone who has been begotten by God has already overcome the world.
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ
has been begotten by God;
and whoever loves the Father that begot him
loves the child whom he begets.
We can be sure that we love God's children
if we love God himself and do what he has commanded us;
this is what loving God is -
keeping his commandments;
and his commandments are not difficult,
because anyone who has been begotten by God
has already overcome the world;
this is the victory over the world -
our faith.
Who can overcome the world?
Only the man who believes that Jesus is the Son of God;
Jesus Christ who came by water and blood,
not with water only,
but with water and blood;
with the Spirit as another witness -
since the Spirit is the truth.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation Jn 20: 29
Alleluia, alleluia!
Jesus said to him: 'You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.'
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 20:19-31
Glory to you, O Lord
Eight days later, Jesus came.
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, 'Peace be with you,' and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, 'Peace be with you.
'As the Father sent me,
so am I sending you,'
After saying this he breathed on them and said:
'Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive,
they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain,
they are retained.'
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, 'We have seen the Lord,' he answered, 'Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.' Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. 'Peace be with you,' he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.' Thomas replied, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him:'You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.'
There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.
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, 11th April, 2021
CHÉAD LÉACHT Gníomhartha na nAspal 4:32-35Ar aon chroí agus ar aon anam.
Bhí buíon na gcreidmheach ar aon aigne agus ar aon intinn le chéile. Ní deireadh aon duine acu liom ná leat faoina chuid maoine mar bhí gach ní i bpáirt acu. Bhí na haspail go lándícheallach ag tabhairt fianaise ar aiséirí Chríost agus bhí grásta Dé go fras orthu uile. Agus ní raibh duine ar bith acu ar an ngannchuid: iad siúd a raibh talamh nó tithe acu, dhíolaidís amach iad agus thugaidís suas a luach do na haspail agus roinntí amach ar chách é de réir mar bhíodh sé ina ghá.
Briathar Dé.
Salm le Freagra Sm 117
Freagra Tugaigí buíochas den Tiarna teisc gur maith é:
óir maireann a ghrá de shíor.
Malairt freagra Alleluia
I. Bíodh teaghlach Isráél á rá:
'Maireann a ghrá de shíor.'
Bíodh teaghlach Árón á rá::
'Maireann a ghrá de shíor.'
Abradh an dream lerb eagal an Tiarna:
'Maireann a ghrá de shíor.' Freagra
2. D’oibrigh deaslámh an tiarna go tréan:
is í a dheaslámh a d’ardaig mé.
Ní éagfaidh mé- mairfidh mé
agus inseoidh mé a mhóréachtaí.
Smachtaig an Tiarna go dian mé,
ach níor dhaor sé chun báis mé. Freagra
3. An chloch dár dhiúltaigh na saoir,
rinne ceann an chúinne di.
Is é an Tiarna a rinne é seo,
agus is éachtach linne é.
Is é seo an lá a rinne an Tiarna:
bíodh áthas is gliondar orainn. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as an céad litir Eoin 5:1-6
Gach a ghintear ó Dhia sáraIonn sé an saol.
Gach duine a chreideann gurb é Íosa an Críost
is ó Dhia a gineadh é, agus gach duine a thugann grá don té a ghin tugann grá fós don té a gineadh. Is mar seo is feasach dúinn go dtugaimid grá do chlann Dé,
nuair a thugaimid grá do Dhia agus nuair a chomhlíonaimid a aitheanta.
Mar gurb é seo grá Dé, comhlíonadh a aitheanta; agus ní tromualach a aitheanta.
Óir gach a ghintear ó Dhia sáraíonn sé an saol
agus is í an chaithréim a sháraíonn an saol, ár gcreideamh.
Cé sháraíonn an saol murab é an té a chreideann gurb é Íosa Mac Dé?
Sé Íosa Críost an té a tháinig le huisce agus le fuil agus leis an Spiorad.
Ní leis an uisce amháin ach leis an uisce agus leis an bhfuil;
agus tá an Spiorad ag tabhairt fianaise, mar gurb í an fhírinne an Spiorad.
Briathar Dé.
Alleluia Véarsa
Alleluia, Alleluia!
'De bhrí go bhfaca tú mé, a Thomáis, chreid tú,' a deir an Tiarna.
'Is méanar dóibh seo nach bhfaca agus a chreid.'
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 20:19-31
Ocht lá ma dhiaidh sin, tháinig losa.
Tráthnóna an lae chéanna, an chéad lá den tseachtain, agus na doirse faoi ghlas le
heagla na nGiúdach, san áit ina raibh na deisceabail, tháinig Íosa agus sheas ina measc agus dúirt leo:
“Síocháin daoibh!”
Á rá sin dó, thaispeáin sé dóibh a lámha agus a chliathán. Bhí áthas ar na deisceabail nuair a chonaic siad an Tiarna. Dúirt Íosa leo ansin arís:
“Síocháin daoibh! Amhail mar a chuir an tAthair uaidh mise,
táimse do bhur gcursa uaim freisin.”
Arna rá sin dó, d’análaigh sé orthu agus dúirt leo:
“Glacaigí an Spiorad Naomh.
Na daoine a maithfidh sibh a bpeacaí dóibh,beidh siad maite dóibh;
na daoine a gcoinneoidh sibh a bpeacaí,
beidh a bpeacaí coinnithe.”
Tomás, duine den dáréag ar a dtugtaí an Leathchúpla, ní raibh sé leo nuair a tháinig Íosa. Dúirt na deisceabail eile leis: “Chonaiceamar an Tiarna.” Ach dúirt seisean leo: “Mura bhfeicfidh mé rian na dtairní ar a dhearnana, agus mo mhéar a chur i bpoll na dtairní, agus mo lámh ina chliathán, ní chreidfidh mé.” Ocht lá ina dhiaidh sin, bhí a dheisceabail istigh arís, agus Tomás in éineacht leo. Tháinig Íosa agus na doirse faoi ghlas, sheas sé ina measc agus dúirt: “Síocháin daoibh!” Ansin dúirt sé le Tomás: “Tabhair i leith do mhéar agus féach mo dhearnana, sín amach do lámh agus cuir i mo chliathán í, agus ná bí díchreidmheach ach creidmheach.” D’fhreagair Tomás: “Mo Thiarna agus mo Dhia!”Dúirt Íosa leis:“De bhrí go bhfaca tú mé, a Thomáis, chreid tú.
Is méanar dóibh seo nach bhfaca agus a chreid.”
Bhí go leor fearta eile fós a rinne Íosa os comhair a dheisceabal, agus níl aon chur síos orthu sa leabhar seo. Ach cuireadh an méid sin i scríbhinn chun go gcreidfeadh sibh gurb é Íosa an Criost, Mac Dé, agus á chreidiúint go mbeadh an bheatha agaibh ina ainm.
Soiscéal Dé.
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart**
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Machtnamh ar Bhriathar Dé dia Domhnaigh
Oscail na doirse
Chuaigh na deisceabail i bhfolach i seomra uachtarach mar bhí eagla orthu roimh na húdaráis Giúdacha. Fiú amháin tar éis do Mháire Magdalene filleadh faoi deifir ón tuama folamh ag scairteadh go hrd go bhfacha sí an Tiarna beó, níor leor san iad a chur ar a suaimhneas. D'fhéadfaí an méid úafásach a rinneadh le h’Íosa a dhéanamh leo freisin. .. rud a d'fhág iad ag fanacht i bhfolach i seomra dúnta faoi ghlas. Ansan ar casadh na súl, teaspáineadh Íosa aiseirithe dóibh ar chúl na ndóirse dúnta … agus dúirt Sé gan eagla a bheith orthu níos mó. Bhronn Sé an Spioraid Naoimh 0rthu, á gchómhlánú le fuinneamh agus dóchas nua, chun go dtabharfaidís aghaidh ar an gnó a bhí rompu. "Mar a chuir an t-Athair mise chugaibh, mar sin táim do bhur seoladh" a dúirt sé. Chuidigh sé seo dóibh an seomra a fhágáil, chun fianaise a thabhairt faoin Tiarna aiseirithe. Sin mar a léiríonn Lúcás freagra na ndeisceabail Domhnach na Cásca. Thug na deisceabail úd fianaise don aiséirí trí fhocal agus ar tréithe a mbeatha.
Pádraig Ó Rúairí, cp, Sliabh Argus, Átha Cliath.
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