Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Dec 12 - St Finnian (d. 539) abbot of Clonard
Summary: St Finnian, bishop studied in Idrone (County Carlow) and later in Wales, and on his return to Ireland he settled in Clonard, County Meath, around 520, where he established a famous school. His pupils were the initiators of the indigenous monastic expansion in Ireland. H is remembered as the tutor of the saints of Ireland. .He died in 549.
Finnian of Clonard (Cluain Iráird) is called "the tutor of the Irish saints"; Colmcille of Iona and Ciarán of Clonmacnois were among his students at his monastery in Clonard, Co Meath. The image shows St. Finnian and his pupils in a stain glass window at the Church of St. Finian in Clonard. Clonard became a highly influential monastic centre until the diocesan structure was set up in the 12th century.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Early Life
Finnian was born in the latter part of the fifth century at Myshal in County Carlow, on the slopes of Mount Leinster. His father was Rudraigh, an Ulsterman of noble lineage. His mother was a Leinster woman called Telach. Finnian was educated first locally by Bishop Fortchernn. He soon travelled to monasteries in south Wales and may also have been at Tours in France.
Monastic Formation in France and Wales
The monastery at Tours is noted for its austerity, for its sacrifice of physical comfort for spiritual gain. Finnian here is said to have befriended and studied under an elder called Caemen. In Wales he was in contact with the early British saints - Cadog at Llancarfan in Glamorganshire, David and Gildas.
Return to Ireland
Although he may have intended to go to Rome, Finnian returned instead to Ireland, first to Aghowle near Shillelagh in County Wicklow, where King Oengus of Leinster gave him a site to build a church. From here he went north to Dunmanogue on the river Barrow, in County Kildare, and established another church. From here, he went to the town of Kildare, studying and teaching at St Brigid's monastery. Finnian was held in high regard by Brigid, who presented him with a gold ring on his departure.
Clonard
Finally, around the year 520 Finnian arrived at Clonard, "Erard's Meadow", between the kingdoms of Meath and Leinster. Here he got a large tract of land to set up his own ascetic community, where there were up to 3,000 monks. These included the so-called "twelve apostles of Ireland", who are variously listed. Normally however they include:
St Brendan of Birr, St Brendan of Clonfert,
St Canice, St Ciarán of Clonmacnoise,
St Ciarán of Saighir, St Colmán of Terryglass,
St Colmcille of Iona, St Mobhí of Glasnevin, St Molaise of Devenishand St Ruan of Lorrha and St Finnian of Clonard,
Finnian had a great reputation for his knowledge of the Scriptures and Clonard became a centre of Biblical studies. Clonard Monastery, Belfast preserves the name of Finian’s Foundation today”(C/f Picture left)
The Penitential of Finnian
The Penitential of Finnian prescribes penances for sins with a view to correcting sinful tendencies and cultivating the contrary virtue. The document shows wide learning and draws on the teaching of St John Cassian on overcoming the eight evil tendencies - gluttony, fornication, covetousness, anger, dejection, vainglory accidie(laziness), and pride. (The Institutes, Books 5-12).
Death and Influence of Clonard
Finnian is said to have died in the great plague of 549-550. Many churches in Leinster and some in north Connaught were associated with his cult. By the early 10th century Clonard had blossomed into a large town with a round tower, a high cross and a new stone church. With the 12th century reform of the Irish Church that began with the Synod of Cashel in 1101 it became the centre of the diocese of East Meath.
Clonard today
Today the site of the former monastic centre is located in the grounds of the Church of Ireland at Clonard. Recently the local Catholic Church of St Finian at Clonard has been renovated with suggestive artistic reminiscences of St Finian and the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.
Finnian of Clonard (Cluain Iráird) is called "the tutor of the Irish saints"; Colmcille of Iona and Ciarán of Clonmacnois were among his students at his monastery in Clonard, Co Meath. The image shows St. Finnian and his pupils in a stain glass window at the Church of St. Finian in Clonard. Clonard became a highly influential monastic centre until the diocesan structure was set up in the 12th century.Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Early Life
Finnian was born in the latter part of the fifth century at Myshal in County Carlow, on the slopes of Mount Leinster. His father was Rudraigh, an Ulsterman of noble lineage. His mother was a Leinster woman called Telach. Finnian was educated first locally by Bishop Fortchernn. He soon travelled to monasteries in south Wales and may also have been at Tours in France.
Monastic Formation in France and Wales
The monastery at Tours is noted for its austerity, for its sacrifice of physical comfort for spiritual gain. Finnian here is said to have befriended and studied under an elder called Caemen. In Wales he was in contact with the early British saints - Cadog at Llancarfan in Glamorganshire, David and Gildas.
Return to Ireland
Although he may have intended to go to Rome, Finnian returned instead to Ireland, first to Aghowle near Shillelagh in County Wicklow, where King Oengus of Leinster gave him a site to build a church. From here he went north to Dunmanogue on the river Barrow, in County Kildare, and established another church. From here, he went to the town of Kildare, studying and teaching at St Brigid's monastery. Finnian was held in high regard by Brigid, who presented him with a gold ring on his departure.
Clonard
Finally, around the year 520 Finnian arrived at Clonard, "Erard's Meadow", between the kingdoms of Meath and Leinster. Here he got a large tract of land to set up his own ascetic community, where there were up to 3,000 monks. These included the so-called "twelve apostles of Ireland", who are variously listed. Normally however they include:
St Brendan of Birr, St Brendan of Clonfert,
St Canice, St Ciarán of Clonmacnoise,
St Ciarán of Saighir, St Colmán of Terryglass,
St Colmcille of Iona, St Mobhí of Glasnevin, St Molaise of Devenishand St Ruan of Lorrha and St Finnian of Clonard,
Finnian had a great reputation for his knowledge of the Scriptures and Clonard became a centre of Biblical studies. Clonard Monastery, Belfast preserves the name of Finian’s Foundation today”(C/f Picture left)
The Penitential of Finnian
The Penitential of Finnian prescribes penances for sins with a view to correcting sinful tendencies and cultivating the contrary virtue. The document shows wide learning and draws on the teaching of St John Cassian on overcoming the eight evil tendencies - gluttony, fornication, covetousness, anger, dejection, vainglory accidie(laziness), and pride. (The Institutes, Books 5-12).Death and Influence of Clonard
Finnian is said to have died in the great plague of 549-550. Many churches in Leinster and some in north Connaught were associated with his cult. By the early 10th century Clonard had blossomed into a large town with a round tower, a high cross and a new stone church. With the 12th century reform of the Irish Church that began with the Synod of Cashel in 1101 it became the centre of the diocese of East Meath.
Clonard today
Today the site of the former monastic centre is located in the grounds of the Church of Ireland at Clonard. Recently the local Catholic Church of St Finian at Clonard has been renovated with suggestive artistic reminiscences of St Finian and the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.____________________________________
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Memorable Saying for Today
The best things in life are:
the people we love, the places we have been
and the memories we have made along the way.
~ Old Irish Proverb ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Friday, 12th December, 2025
Friday of the Second Week of Advent
Even after all of John the Baptist's preaching, not everybody in Jesus' time responded to Him
______________________
Feasts of the Day: Dec 12. 1 Our Lady of Guadalupe. 2. St Finnian
1. The apparitions of Our Lady of Guadaloupe
2. St Finnian, the bishop who settled and established a famous School in Clonard
in preparation for the great monastic expansion in Ireland. d.549
c/f short history of today’s Feasts and saints can be found below today’s Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the prophet Isaiah 48:17-19
If only you had been alert to my commandments.
Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is good for you,
I lead you in the way that you must go.
If only you had been alert to my commandments,
your happiness would have been like a river,
your integrity like the waves of the sea.
Your children would have been numbered like the sand,
your descendants as many as its grains.
Never would your name have been cut off or blotted out before me.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 1: 1-4. 6. Rv Jn 8:12
Response Anyone who follows you, Lord, will have the light of life.
1. Happy indeed is the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked;
nor lingers in the way of sinners nor sits in the company of scorners,
but whose delight is the law of the Lord and who ponders his law day and night. Response
2. He is like a tree that is planted beside the flowing waters,
that yields its fruit in due season and whose leaves shall never fade;
and all that he does shall prosper. Response
3. Not so are the wicked, not so!
For they like winnowed chaff shall be driven away by the wind.
For the Lord guards the way of the just but the way of the wicked leads to doom. Response
Gospel Acclamation Is 45:8:8
Alleluia, alleluia!
See, the king, the lord of the world, will come. He will free us from the yoke of out bondage.
Alleluia!
Or
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Lord will come, go out to meet him.
Great is his beginning and his reign will have no end.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 11:16-19 Glory to you, O Lord.
They heed neither John nor the Son of Man.
Jesus spoke to the crowds:
'What description can I find for this generation?
It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place:
"We played the pipes for you, and you wouldn't dance; we sang dirges, and you wouldn't be mourners".
'For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, "He is possessed".
The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say,
"Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners".
Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Friday Second Week of Advent Matthew 11:16-19
There are several passages in the gospels where Jesus either relates directly to children or speaks of them. All of the passages suggest the warmth of his relationship with them. Today’s gospel reading suggest that Jesus is a keen observer of how children behave.
We have to imagine two groups of children in the market place. One group tries to engage the other group in their games.
They first pretend to be the musicians at a wedding, but the other group are unmoved, ‘you wouldn’t dance’.
They then change tact and play at being the singers of dirges at a funeral, but the other group is equally unmoved, ‘you wouldn’t be mourners’.
Jesus reads this scene as a commentary on what is happening in the adult world. His contemporaries were unmoved by the somewhat mournful message of John the Baptist, and they were equally unmoved by Jesus’ own joyful message, his proclamation of the good news of God’s loving reign.
They dismissed John the Baptist as possessed, and Jesus as a glutton and drunkard. ‘We played the pipes for you, and you wouldn’t dance’. We don’t often think of Jesus as a piper, playing a tune that invites people to dance. In a sense, the music of God is played through the life and message of Jesus, as well as through his death and resurrection. We are invited to tune into this celebratory music, to be moved by it and to allow it to shape our lives.
We show we are the Lord’s followers by dancing to his tune, moving to the promptings of his Spirit.
________________
The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from Fr Martin Hogan's book Reflections on the Weekday Readings : The Word is Near to You, on your lips and in your heart published by Messenger Publications 2022/23, c/f www.messenger.ie/boofinniankshop/
________________
Feasts of the Day: December 12.
1. Optional Memorial of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Guadaloupe to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin near Mexico city in 1531 and the building of a shrine there which encouraged the conversion of the indigenous Mexicans to Christianity.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, and is associated with a series of apparitions to Juan
Diego in Mexico in 1531. These apparitions and the miraculous image imprinted on Juan Diego's cloak are central to her veneration, especially in Mexico and among indigenous communities. She is widely considered the patron saint of Mexico and the Americas.The Marian Image at Guadalupe
The miraculous image, which is preserved in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, shows a woman with native features and dress.
She is supported by an angel whose wings are reminiscent of one of the major gods of the traditional religion of that area. The moon is beneath her feet and her blue mantle is covered with gold stars. The black girdle about her waist signifies that she is pregnant. Thus, the image graphically depicts the fact that Christ is to be "born" again among the peoples of the New World, and is a message as relevant to the "New World" today as it was during the lifetime of Juan Diego.
According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a man of Aztec descent who had converted to Christianity, on December 9, 1531. She asked Juan Diego to build a shrine on the spot where she had appeared, Tepeyac Hill, now in a suburb of Mexico City.
Juan Diego returned to the hill, where roses were blooming, it was (almost) winter. He picked some of the flowers and brought them in his cloak to the bishop. When he opened his cloak, the flowers fell out and an image of the Blessed Mother was imprinted on it.
This marks the date in 1531 when the Virgin Mary appeared to an indigenous Mexican, in the last of several apparitions. To the present day, Our Lady of Guadalupe remains a powerful symbol of Mexican identity and faith, and her image is associated with everything from motherhood to feminism to social justice.
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Saint of the Day: December 12th: 2. St Finnian, bishop
St Finnian, bishop studied in Idrone (County Carlow) and later in Wales, and on his return to Ireland he settled in Clonard, County Meath, around 520, where he established a famous school. His pupils were the initiators of the indigenous monastic expansion in Ireland. H is remembered as the tutor of the saints of Ireland. .He died in 549.
Finnian of Clonard (Cluain Iráird) is called "the tutor of the Irish saints"; Colmcille of Iona and Ciarán of Clonmacnois were among his students at his monastery in Clonard, Co Meath.The image (left) shows St. Finnian and his pupils in a stain glass window at the Church of St. Finian in Clonard. Clonard became a highly influential monastic centre until the diocesan structure was set up in the 12th century.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Early Life
Finnian was born in the latter part of the fifth century at Myshal in County Carlow, on the slopes of Mount Leinster. His father was Rudraigh, an Ulsterman of noble lineage. His mother was a Leinster woman called Telach. Finnian was educated first locally by Bishop Fortchernn. He soon travelled to monasteries in south Wales and may also have been at Tours in France.
Monastic Formation in France and Wales
The monastery at Tours is noted for its austerity, for its sacrifice of physical comfort for spiritual gain. Finnian here is said to have befriended and studied under an elder called Caemen. In Wales he was in contact with the early British saints - Cadog at Llancarfan in Glamorganshire, David and Gildas.
Return to Ireland
Although he may have intended to go to Rome, Finnian returned instead to Ireland, first to Aghowle near Shillelagh in County Wicklow, where King Oengus of Leinster gave him a site to build a church. From here he went north to Dunmanogue on the river Barrow, in County Kildare, and established another church. From here, he went to the town of Kildare, studying and teaching at St Brigid's monastery. Finnian was held in high regard by Brigid, who presented him with a gold ring on his departure.
Clonard
Finally, around the year 520 Finnian arrived at Clonard, "Erard's Meadow", between the kingdoms of Meath and Leinster. Here he got a large tract of land to set up his own ascetic community, where there were up to 3,000 monks. These included the so-called "twelve apostles of Ireland", who are variously listed. Normally however they include:
St Brendan of Birr, St Brendan of Clonfert,
St Canice, St Ciarán of Clonmacnoise,
St Ciarán of Saighir, St Colmán of Terryglass,
St Colmcille of Iona, St Mobhí of Glasnevin, St Molaise of Devenishand,
St Ruan of Lorrha and St Finnian of Clonard,
Finnian had a great reputation for his knowledge of the Scriptures and Clonard became a centre of Biblical studies. Clonard Monastery, Belfast preserves the name of Finian’s Foundation today”(C/f Picture left)
The Penitential of Finnian
The Penitential of Finnian prescribes penances for sins with a view to correcting sinful tendencies and cultivating the contrary virtue. The document shows wide learning and draws on the teaching of St John Cassian on overcoming the eight evil tendencies - gluttony, fornication, covetousness, anger, dejection, vainglory accidie (laziness) and pride. (The Institutes, Books 5-12).
Death and Influence of Clonard
Finnian is said to have died in the great plague of 549-550. Many churches in Leinster and some in north Connaught were associated with his cult. By the early 10th century Clonard had blossomed into a large town with a round tower, a high cross and a new stone church. With the 12th century reform of the Irish Church that began with the Synod of Cashel in 1101 it became the centre of the diocese of East Meath.Clonard today
Today the site of the former monastic centre is located in the grounds of the Church of Ireland at Clonard.
Recently the local Catholic Church of St Finian at Clonard has been renovated with artistic reminiscences of St Finian and the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.
******************************
Memorable Saying for Today
The best things in life are:
the people we love,
the places we have been
and the memories we have made along the way.
~ Old Irish Proverb ~
********************
Liturgical Readings for: Friday, 12th December, 2025
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an fáidh Íseáia 48:17-19
Och, dá mba gur thug tú aire do m’aitheanta!
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna, d’fhuascailteoir, Neach Naofa Iosrael:
Is mise, an Tiarna do Dhia, a thugann teagasc do leasa duit,
is mé a threoraíonn thú sa treo is dual duit.
Och, dá mba gur thug tú aire do m’aitheanta!
Ar nós abhainn is ea a bheadh do shonas agus an rath ba dhual duit ar nós tonnta na farraige!
Mar an ngaineamh is ea bheadh do shliocht
agus bheadh clann do bhroinne chomh tiubh lena ghráinní!
Choíche go deo ní bheadh d’ainm stoite scriosta os mo chomhair.'
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 1: 1-4. 6. Rv Jn 8:12
Freagra An té a leanfaidh tusa , a Thiarna, beidh aige solas na beatha.
I. Is aoibhinn don fhear nach leanann de chomhairle na n-éagráifeach,
is nach seasann i slí na bpeacach, is nach suíonn in éineacht Ie scigirí;
ach a bhaineann taitneamh as dlí an Tiarna,
is a dhéanann machnamh ar a dhlí de lá is d'oíche. Freagra
2. Is cosuil é le crann atá curtha cois na habhann,
a thugann toradh uaidh go tráthúil, nach bhfeonn a dhuilliúr;
agus bíonn an rath ar a ndéanann sé. Freagra
3. Ní hamhlaidh do na héagráifigh, ní hamhlaidh!
Ach amhail cáith a scaiptear leis an ngaoth.
Óir is cúram don Tiarna slí na bhífréan,
ach rachaidh slí na n-éagráifeach ar ceal. Freagra
Alleluia Lc 3:4, 6
Alleluia, alleluia!
A spéartha, fearaigí anuas fíréantacht mar bheadh drúcht ann, ligeadh na néalta anuas í ina báisteach!
Osclaíodh an talamh lena gabháil agus tagadh an slánú aníos ina gheamhar!
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Matha 11:16-19 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Ach cad leis a gcuirfidh mé an ghlúin seo i gcomparáid?
Dúirt Íosa,
Ach cad leis a gcuirfidh mé an ghlúin seo i gcomparáid?
Tá sí cosúil leis na leanaí a bhíonn ina suí sna háiteanna margaidh
agus iad ag glaoch chun a gcomrádaithe á rá:
‘Rinneamar píobaireacht daoibh ach ní dhearna sibh rince;
rinneamar caoineadh, ach níor bhuail sibh bhur n-ucht.’
“Mar tháinig Eoin agus ní raibh sé ag ithe ná ag ól, agus deir siad: ‘ Tá deamhan ann.’
Tháinig Mac an Duine agus bíonn sé ag ithe agus ag ól, agus deir siad:
‘Féach, fear craois agus póite, cara do phoibleacánaigh agus do pheacaigh.’ Agus fuair an eagna a ceart as a hoibreacha féin.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 14th December, 2025
- 14 December 2025 -
Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday! - Rejoicing Sunday!
This week the joy of the kingdom is anticipated. The signs of the kingdom are given to the messengers of John the Baptist, and they are very familiar with the prophecies of Isaiah. 'Patient waiting' There should be no complaining, no giving up or losing heart. Joy, prayer and thanksgiving should characterise us as a 'waiting' Christian community.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 35:1-6. 10
God himself is coming to save you.
Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom,
let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy.
The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon;
they shall see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of our God.
Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling knees
and say to all faint hearts,
'Courage! Do not be afraid.
'Look, your God is coming, vengeance is coming,
the retribution of God; he is coming to save you.'
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, then the lame shall leap like a deer and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy; for those the Lord has ransomed shall return.
They will come to Zion shouting for joy, everlasting joy on their faces; joy and gladness will go with them and sorrow and lament be ended.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 145: 6-7, 8-9,10 R/v Is35:4
Response Come, Lord, and save us
or Alleluia!
1. It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever, who is just to those who are oppressed.
It is he who gives bread to the hungry, the Lord, who sets prisoners free. Response
2. It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind, who raises up those who are bowed down,
the Lord, who protects the stranger and upholds the widow and orphan. Response
3. It is the Lord who loves the just but thwarts the path of the wicked.
The Lord will reign for ever, Zion's God, from age to age. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St James 5:7-10
Do not lose heart: the Lord’s coming will be soon.
Now be patient, brothers, until the Lord's coming. Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains!You too have to be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord's coming will be soon. Do not make complaints against one another, brothers, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves; the Judge is already to be seen waiting at the gates. For your example, brothers, in submitting with patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation Is 61:1
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 11:2-11 Glory to you, O Lord
Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?
John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him,'Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?'
Jesus answered,
'Go back and tell John what you hear and see;
the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear,
and the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed and
happy is the man who does not lose faith in me'.
As the messengers were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John:
'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze?
No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes?
Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces.
Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
'Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way before you.'
'I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.’
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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. http //dltbooks.com/
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 14th December, 2025
-14 - 12- 2025-
AN TRÍÚ DOMNACH DEN AIDBHINT
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as Leabhar Íseáia, Fáidh 35:1-6. 10
Is é Dia féin atá ag teacht do bhur slánú.
Déanadh an díthreabh agus tír an triomaigh lúcháir, bíodh gairdeas ar an ngaineamhlach agus é faoi bhláth;
tagadh bláthanna air chomh tiubh leis an gcróch, déanadh sé gairdeas le gártha agus le ceol.
Maise na Liobáine tugtar dó, scéimh Chairmell agus Sheárón lena chois sin;
beidh maise an Tiarna le feiceáil acu seo agus scéimh an Dé seo againne.
Déanaigí láidir na lámha atá faonlag agus cuirigí téagar sna glúine atá ag lúbadh;
abraigí le lucht an chroí mhearaithe:
“Músclaígí bhur misneach; ná bíodh eagla oraibh.
Breathnaígí! Is é bhur nDia atá ann, tá sé chugaibh leis an díoltas atá ag dul daoibh;
Dia atá ann ag agairt a chúitimh, agus é ag teacht do bhur slánú.”
Déanfar a súile do na daill an uair sin agus réiteofar cluasa na mbodhar; beidh an bacach ag léimneach mar a bheadh fia ann agus teanga an bhalbháin ag gabháil ceoil le lúcháir,
agus an dream atá saortha ag an Tiarna, leanfaidh siad abhaile é.
Tiocfaidh siad go Síón, ag liúireach le gairdeas, agus aoibhneas síoraí ina choróin ar a gceann;
tiocfaidh áthas agus aoibhneas ag triall ina gcuideachta, agus beidh casaoid agus crá bailithe leo ar shiúl.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 145: 6-7, 8-9,10 R/v Is35:4
Freagra Tar, a Thiarna, dár slanú.
Malairt Freagra Alleluia!
I. An té a sheasann lena bhriathar de shíor, agus a dhéanann ceart don drong atá faoi chois,
is é a thugann bia don ocrach: is é an Tiarna a scaoileann na braighdeanaigh. Freagra
2. Osclaíonn sé súile na ndall, tógann sé suas an dream atá crom.
Cumhdaíonn an Tiarna an coimhthfoch, déanann tacaíocht don dílleachta is don bhaintreach. Freagra
3. Tugann an Tiarna grá don fhíréan, ach cuireann sé slí na bpeacach trí chéile.
Beidh an Tiarna i réim go brách, ina Dhia, a Síón, ó ghlúin go glúin. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Séamus 5:7-10
Ná biodh drochmhisneach oraibh; is gearr go dtaga an Tiarna.
Bíodh foighne agaibh dá bhrí sin a bhráithre go dtí teacht an Tiarna. Féach an feirmeoir agus é ag feitheamh le fómhar luachmhar na hithreach, agus foighne aige leis nó go bhfaighe sé an fhearthainn luath agus dhéanach. Bíodh foighne agaibhse chomh maith. Bíodh misneach agaibh in bhur gcroí mar tá teacht an Tiarna lámh linn. Ná déanaigí casaoid ar a chéile ionas nach dtabharfar breith oraibh; féach, tá an breitheamh cheana féin i mbéal an dorais. A bhráithre, bíodh na fáithe a labhair in ainm an Tiarna mar shampla agaibh den fhulaingt agus den fhoighne.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Vérsa Is 61:1
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Tá Spiorad an Tiarna orm. Chuir sé uaidh mé ag tabhairt an dea-scéil do na bocht.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 11:2-11 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
An tú an té atá le teacht no an ceart damn bheith ag súil le duine eile?
San am sin chuala Eoin, agus é i bpríosún, iomrá faoi oibreacha Chríost, agus chuir sé scéala chuige trína dheisceabail féin, á rá leis: “An tú an té atá le teacht nó an ceart dúinn bheith ag súil le duine eile?”
Dúirt Íosa leo á bhfreagairt:
“Imígí agus insígí d’Eoin a bhfuil á chloisteáil agus a fheiceáil agaibh:
tá radharc ag daill, tá siúl ag bacaigh, glantar lobhair agus tá éisteacht ag bodhráin,
éiríonn na mairbh agus fógraítear an dea-scéal do bhoicht.
Is méanar don té nach ceap tuisle dó mise.”
Le linn dóibh seo bheith ag imeacht, thosaigh Íosa ag caint leis na sluaite faoi Eoin:
“Cad a chuaigh sibh amach faoin bhfásach a fheiceáil? Giolcach á suaitheadh ag an ngaoth?
Ach cad a chuaigh sibh amach a fheiceáil? Duine a bhí cóirithe go mín?
Iad seo a mbíonn éadaí míne orthu, is i dtithe na ríthe atá siad.
Ach cad a thug amach sibh? Chun fáidh a fheiceáil?
Sea, deirim libh, agus duine ba mhó ná fáidh. Is é seo an té a bhfuil scríofa mar gheall air:
‘Féach, cuirim mo theachtaire romhat a réiteoidh do bhóthar faoi do chomhair.’
“Deirim libh go fírinneach, níor éirigh ar shliocht na mban duine ba mhó ná Eoin Baiste;
ach an té is lú i ríocht na bhflaitheas, is mó é ná eisean.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
