Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Nov 26 - St Leonard of Porto Maurizio (1676-1751) Franciscan
Summary: St Leonard, a Franciscan priest, successful retreat preacher, popularised the Stations of the Cross and believed that devotion along with regular confession were the secret to helping people maintain the personal reforms initiated during a retreat.
Patrick Duffy tells here what is known about St Leonard.
Educated by his uncle
Paul Jerome Casanova was born in Porto Maurizio, then part of the Republic of Genoa, on 20th December 1676. His father was a ship's captain in the Genoese Merchant Service. His mother died when he was only two and his father married again; they had four other children, three boys and a girl. A rich uncle in Rome took him there for his education and he learned the humanities, rhetoric and philosophy at the Gregorian University, intending he should become a doctor. But Paul met some Observant Franciscans who lived at the Riformella or the Convent of San Bonaventura al Palatino and decided to join them. His uncle was not happy, but his father agreed and at 21 Paul entered the novitiate at Ponticelli in the Sabine hills, taking the name of Brother Leonard.
Preaching Retreats
Ordained a priest in 1703, he offered himself for the Chinese mission, He developed a stomach ulcer and had to return home to the more favourable climate of Porto Maurizio to rest or perhaps to die. He made a vow that if he recovered he would dedicate his life to missions and the conversion of sinners. After four years he was restored to health and soon began a 40-year career of preaching retreats, Lenten sermons and parish missions throughout Italy. His missions lasted 15 to 18 days, and he often stayed an additional week to hear confessions. He said: "I believe that in those days the real and greatest fruit of the mission is gathered. As much good is done in these days as during the mission."
San Miniato near Florence
When Cosimo III de Medici handed over the monastery of San Miniato near Florence, also called Monte alle Croci to the members of the Riformella, Leonard was sent there and began to give missions to the people in Tuscany. These were marked by extraordinary conversions and great results. He and his colleagues practised severe penances during the missions.
Stations of the Cross
As a means of keeping alive the religious fervour awakened during a mission, Leonard promoted the Stations of the Cross. He was the first to put the Stations of the Cross in the Colosseum and erected over 500 others (Stations of the Cross) all over Italy. He also preached regularly on the Holy Name of Jesus.
Incontro
Leonard realised amid the exhaustion of his retreats that he needed time to pray alone, and so he regularly began to make use of the ritiri (houses of recollection) that he helped establish throughout Italy. The first he founded in 1710 on a peak in the mountains about four and a quarter miles from Florence, where he and his assistants could retire from time to time after missions, and devote themselves to spiritual renewal and fresh austerities.
Central-Southern Italy and Corsica
By 1720 Leonard moved his celebrated missions from Tuscany into Central and Southern Italy, firing up the population. Two Popes Clement XII and Benedict XIV valued his charism and asked him to come to Rome, which he did for some time. From May to November, 1744, he preached in the Island of Corsica, which at that time belonged to the Republic of Genoa and which was frightfully torn by party strife.
Death and Influence
In November, 1751, when he was preaching in Bologna, Pope Benedict XIV called him to Rome, sensing the end was near. Leonard arrived at his beloved monastery of San Bonaventura al Palatino on the evening of 26 November, 1751 and died that night at the age of seventy-five. His remains repose under the high altar there. Pope Pius VI beatified him in 1796 and Pope Pius IX canonised him in 1867. He is the patron saint of those who preach parish missions.
_________________________
Patrick Duffy tells here what is known about St Leonard.
Educated by his uncle
Paul Jerome Casanova was born in Porto Maurizio, then part of the Republic of Genoa, on 20th December 1676. His father was a ship's captain in the Genoese Merchant Service. His mother died when he was only two and his father married again; they had four other children, three boys and a girl. A rich uncle in Rome took him there for his education and he learned the humanities, rhetoric and philosophy at the Gregorian University, intending he should become a doctor. But Paul met some Observant Franciscans who lived at the Riformella or the Convent of San Bonaventura al Palatino and decided to join them. His uncle was not happy, but his father agreed and at 21 Paul entered the novitiate at Ponticelli in the Sabine hills, taking the name of Brother Leonard.Preaching Retreats
Ordained a priest in 1703, he offered himself for the Chinese mission, He developed a stomach ulcer and had to return home to the more favourable climate of Porto Maurizio to rest or perhaps to die. He made a vow that if he recovered he would dedicate his life to missions and the conversion of sinners. After four years he was restored to health and soon began a 40-year career of preaching retreats, Lenten sermons and parish missions throughout Italy. His missions lasted 15 to 18 days, and he often stayed an additional week to hear confessions. He said: "I believe that in those days the real and greatest fruit of the mission is gathered. As much good is done in these days as during the mission."San Miniato near Florence
When Cosimo III de Medici handed over the monastery of San Miniato near Florence, also called Monte alle Croci to the members of the Riformella, Leonard was sent there and began to give missions to the people in Tuscany. These were marked by extraordinary conversions and great results. He and his colleagues practised severe penances during the missions.
Stations of the Cross
As a means of keeping alive the religious fervour awakened during a mission, Leonard promoted the Stations of the Cross. He was the first to put the Stations of the Cross in the Colosseum and erected over 500 others (Stations of the Cross) all over Italy. He also preached regularly on the Holy Name of Jesus.Incontro
Leonard realised amid the exhaustion of his retreats that he needed time to pray alone, and so he regularly began to make use of the ritiri (houses of recollection) that he helped establish throughout Italy. The first he founded in 1710 on a peak in the mountains about four and a quarter miles from Florence, where he and his assistants could retire from time to time after missions, and devote themselves to spiritual renewal and fresh austerities.
Central-Southern Italy and CorsicaBy 1720 Leonard moved his celebrated missions from Tuscany into Central and Southern Italy, firing up the population. Two Popes Clement XII and Benedict XIV valued his charism and asked him to come to Rome, which he did for some time. From May to November, 1744, he preached in the Island of Corsica, which at that time belonged to the Republic of Genoa and which was frightfully torn by party strife.
Death and Influence
In November, 1751, when he was preaching in Bologna, Pope Benedict XIV called him to Rome, sensing the end was near. Leonard arrived at his beloved monastery of San Bonaventura al Palatino on the evening of 26 November, 1751 and died that night at the age of seventy-five. His remains repose under the high altar there. Pope Pius VI beatified him in 1796 and Pope Pius IX canonised him in 1867. He is the patron saint of those who preach parish missions.
_________________________
******************************
Memorable Sayings for Today
“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep
to gain that which he cannot lose”
~ John Keith Falconer ~
(Missionary Among the Arabs)
“If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honour,
how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?”
~ Robert Moffat, ~
(Missionary to Africa)
******************************
Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 26th November, 2025
Wednesday of the Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1
'God has measured your sovereignty; you have been weighed in the balance and found wanting.'
FIRST READING
A reading from the prophet Daniel 5:1-6. 13-14. 16-17. 23-28
The fingers of a human hand appeared, and began to write.
King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for his noblemen; a thousand of them attended, and he drank wine in company with this thousand. As he sipped his wine, Belshazzar gave orders for the gold and silver vessels to be brought which his father Nebuchadnezzar had looted from the sanctuary in Jerusalem, so that the king, his noblemen, his wives and his singing women could drink out of them.
The gold and silver vessels looted from the sanctuary of the Temple of God in Jerusalem were brought in, and the king, his noblemen, his wives and his singing women drank out of them. They drank their wine and praised their gods of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone.
Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared, and began to write on the plaster of the palace wall, directly behind the lamp-stand; and the king could see the hand as it wrote. The king turned pale with alarm: his thigh-joints went slack and his knees began to knock.
Daniel was brought into the king's presence; the king said to Daniel,
'Are you the Daniel who was one of the Judaean exiles brought by my father the king from Judah?
I am told that the spirit of God Most Holy lives in you, and that you are known for your perception, intelligence and marvellous wisdom.
As I am told that you are able to give interpretations and to unravel difficult problems, if you can read the writing and tell me what it means, you shall be dressed in purple, and have a chain of gold put round your neck, and be third in rank in the kingdom.'
Then Daniel spoke up in the presence of the king.
'Keep your gifts for yourself,' he said 'and give your rewards to others. I will read the writing to the king without them, and tell him what it means.
The writing reads: You have defied the Lord of heaven, you have had the vessels from his Temple brought to you, and you, your noblemen, your wives and your singing women have drunk your wine out of them. You have praised gods of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone, which cannot either see, hear or understand; but you have given no glory to the God who holds your breath and all your fortunes in his hands. That is why he has sent the hand which, by itself, has written these words. 'Mene', 'Tekel,' 'Parsin'.The meaning of the words is this:
Mene: God has measured your sovereignty and put an end to it;
Tekel: you have been weighed in the balance and found wanting;
Parsin: your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Dan 3: 62-67 Rv: 59
Response Give glory and eternal praise to him!
1. Sun and moon! bless the Lord. Response. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
Stars of heaven! bless the Lord. Response. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
2. Showers and dews! all bless the Lord. Response. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
Winds! all bless the Lord. Response. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
3. Fire and heat! bless the Lord. Response. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
Cold and heat! bless the Lord. Response. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
Gospel Acclamation Lk 21: 36
Alleluia, alleluia!
Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength
to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.
Alleluia!
Or Apoc 2: 10
Alleluia, alleluia!
Even if you have to die, says the Lord,
keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 21:12-19 Glory to you, O Lord.
You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost.
Jesus said to his disciples:
'Men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to
imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name - and that will be your opportunity to bear witness.Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict.
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
***********************************
Gospel Reflection Wednesday Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Luke 21:12-19
There is both darkness and light in today’s gospel reading. Jesus announces a difficult time for his disciples ahead, when they will be seized, persecuted and imprisoned, with some of them put to death. On the brink of his own passion and death, he announces the future passion of his disciples. Yet, light shines in these dark times. As Jesus says, such times will be your opportunity to bear witness. The time of crisis that lies ahead will also be a time of opportunity.
Many people feel that the church is in a time of crisis at the moment. The future seems uncertain; we are having to let go of a great deal. Yet, the gospel reading suggests that this time of crisis is also a moment of opportunity. It is a new opportunity ‘to bear witness’ in the words of the gospel reading. Jesus assures his disciples that in their coming moment of crisis he will be with them giving them the eloquence and wisdom they need to confront the forces that oppose them.
The Lord makes the same promise to us. He gives us the resources we need; he will not fail to provide for us. From his fullness we will continue to receive. Indeed, times of difficulty can make us more receptive to all that the Lord can offer us. What the Lord asks of us in the language of the gospel reading is ‘endurance’. We need to stay the course, to keep living lives that are faithful, hopeful and loving. We don’t give in to the temptation to discouragement and despondency, but, in the language of the letter to the Hebrews, ‘we run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith’.
________________________________
The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from Reflections on the Weekday Readings : Your word is a lamp for my feet and light for my path by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications , c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
________________________________
Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 26th November, 2025
CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an fáidh Dainéil 5:1-6. 13-14. 16-17. 23-28
Dhealraigh go tobann méara láimhe duine agus í ag scríobh ar phlástar bhalla an pháláis ríoga.
Rinne Béilseazar rí fleá mhór dá mhaithe, míle díobh,agus d’ól sé fíon os comhair an mhíle seo. Nuair a bhlais sé an fíon, d’ordaigh Béilseazar na soithí óir agus airgid a d’fhuadaigh a athair Nabúcadnazar ó Theampall Iarúsailéim a thabhairt i láthair chun go n-ólfadh an rí agus a mhaithe, a mhná agus a leannáin, deoch astu.
Ansin tugadh i láthair na soithí óir agus airgid a fuadaíodh ón Teampall, Teach Dé in Iarúsailéim, agus d’ól an rí agus a mhaithe, a mhná agus a leannáin deoch astu. D’ól siad fíon agus mhol siad na déithe óir agus airgid, práis agus iarainn, adhmaid agus cloiche. Dhealraigh go tobann méara láimhe duine agus í ag scríobh ar phlástar bhalla an pháláis ríoga laistiar den choinnleoir; bhí an rí ag faire ar an láimh ag scríobh. Chlaochaigh a lí ar an rí; bhuair a smaointe é; tháinig ballchrith air agus chnag a ghlúine ar a chéile.
Ansin tugadh Dainéil os comhair an rí, agus dúirt an rí le Dainéil:
“An tusa Dainéil, de chine díbeartha Iúdá a thug m’athair, an rí, leis ó Iúdá? Chuala á rá é go bhfuil spiorad an Naomh-Dhé ionat, agus go bhfuil solas agus tuiscint agus eagna thar barr ionat. Chuala mé á rá é go bhfuil ar do chumas mínithe a thabhairt agus fadhbanna a réiteach. Anois má fhéadann tú an scríbhinn seo a léamh agus a ciall a fhoilsiú dom, cuirfear éide chorcra umat, slabhra óir ar do mhuineál, agus beidh tú ar an tríú rialtóir sa ríocht.”
Dúirt Dainéil :
Ach tusa, a Bhéilseazar, amhac siúd, níor umhlaigh tú do chroí cé gurbh eol duit é seo go léir; ach d’ardaigh tú thú féin in aghaidh Tiarna neimhe; tugadh soithí a thí i do láthair agus d’ól tú féin agus do mhaithe, do mhná agus do leannáin, deoch fíona astu; agus mhol tú déithe óir agus airgid, práis agus iarainn, adhmaid agus cloiche, déithe gan radharc, gan éisteacht, gan eolas; ach an Dia a bhfuil d’anáil faoina láimh, agus do shlite uile ina sheilbh, níor thug tú glóir dó. Óna láthair a seoladh an lámh seo a rianaigh an scríbhinn seo ina haonar.Is í seo an scríbhinn a scríobhadh:
MENÉ, TECÉL, agus PARSÍN. Seo ciall na bhfocal sin:
MENÉ: ríomhaigh Dia laethanta do ríochta agus tá sí tugtha chun críche aige.
TECÉL: Meádh thú sa mheá agus fuarthas easpa ort.
PARSÍN: tá do ríocht deighilte agus tugtha do na Méidigh agus do na Peirsigh.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Dain 3: 62-67 Rv: 59
Freagra Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor.
1. Glóirígí an Tiarna, a ghrian agus a ghealach. Freagra
Glóirígí an Tiarna, a réaltaí na spéire. Freagra
2. Glóirígí an Tiarna, a bháisteach agus a dhrúcht de gach sort. Freagra
Glóirígí an Tiarna, a ghaotha uile, Freagra
3. Glóirígí an Tiarna, a thine agus a theas,. Freagra
Glóirígí an Tiarna, a fhuacht agus a bhrothaill, Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 21:12-19 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Beidh fuath ag cách daoibh mar gheall ar m’ainmse; ach ribe de ghruaig bhur gcinn ní mhillfear.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:
'Leagfar lámh oraibh agus géarleanfar sibh, tabharfar ar láimh sibh do na sionagóga agus do na príosúin, seolfar i láthair ríthe agus gobharnóirí sibh mar gheall ar m’ainmse. Is é a thiocfaidh as sin daoibh, go bhféadfaidh sibh fianaise a thabhairt.Dá bhrí sin, bíodh sé de rún agaibh gan ullmhú roimh ré chun bhur gcosanta, óir tabharfaidh mise urlabhra daoibh agus eagna nach bhféadfaidh bhur gcúisitheoirí uile cur ina haghaidh ná a bhréagnú.
Tabharfar ar láimh sibh ag bhur dtuismitheoirí féin, fiú amháin, ag bhur ndeartháireacha, ag bhur ngaolta, ag bhur gcairde, agus básófar cuid agaibh, agus beidh fuath ag cách daoibh mar gheall ar m’ainmse; ach ribe de ghruaig bhur gcinn ní mhillfear.
Is le bhur mbuanseasamh a ghnóthóidh sibh bhur n-anamacha.'
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 30th November, 2025
November. 30th 2025, |First Sunday of Advent,
Todays liturgy is the first one of the new Church Year A: 2025/2026,
The Second Coming of Christ/Day of Judgement will be the day when our lives will be
truly, fairly and lovingly evaluated by God.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 2:1-5
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord that he may teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths.
The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
'In the days to come the mountain of the Temple of the Lord shall tower above the mountains and be lifted higher than the hills. All the nations will stream to it, peoples without number will come to it; and they will say: 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the Temple of the God of Jacob that he may teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths; since the Law will go out from Zion, and the oracle of the Lord from Jerusalem'.He will wield authority over the nations and adjudicate between many peoples; these will hammer their swords into ploughshares, their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation, there will be no more training for war.'
O House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 121: 1-2,4-5,6-9, Rv v.1
Response I rejoiced when I heard them say: "Let us go to God's house."
1. I rejoiced when I heard them say: "Let us go to God's house."
And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Response
2. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord.
For Israel's law it is, there to praise the Lord's name.
There were set the thrones of judgement of the house of David. Response
3. For the peace of Jerusalem pray: "Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls, in your palaces, peace !" Response
4. For love of my brethren and friends I say: "Peace upon you!"
For love of the house of the Lord I will ask for your good. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Romans 13:11-14
Our salvation is even nearer.
You know 'the time' has come: you must wake up now:our salvation is even nearer than it was when we were converted.
The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon -
let us give up all the things we prefer to do under cover of the dark;
let us arm ourselves and appear in the light.
Let us live decently as people do in the daytime:
no drunken orgies, no promiscuity or licentiousness, and no wrangling or jealousy.
Let your armour be the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Ps 84:8
Alleluia, alleluia!
Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 24:37-44 Glory to you, O Lord
Stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming.
Jesus said to his disciples:
'As it was in Noah's day, so will it be when the Son of Man comes.
For in those days before the Flood people were eating, drinking, taking wives, taking husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and they suspected nothing till the Flood came and swept all away.It will be like this when the Son of Man comes. Then of two men in the fields one is taken, one left; of two women at the millstone grinding, one is taken, one left.
'So stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming.
You may be quite sure of this that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar would come,
he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house.
Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.'
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/
________________
The scripture readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, 1966 published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers.
_________________________
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 30th November, 2025
An Chéad Domhnach den Aidbhint Bliain A
AN CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Íseáia, Fáidh 2:1-5
Seo linn, téimis suas go sliabh an Tiarna chun go múine sé dúinn a shlite agus go siúlaimis a bhealaí.
Fís Íseáia mhic Ámóz i dtaobh Iúdá agus Iarúsailéim.
Titfidh sé amach san am atá le teachtgo mbeidh an sliabh a bhfuil teach an Tiarna air os cionn na sléibhte, agus go dtógfar níos airde ná na cnoic é.
Tiocfaidh na ciníocha go léir ina sruth go dtí é; is iomaí pobal a rachaidh ann agus a déarfaidh:
“Seo linn, téimis suas go sliabh an Tiarna go teach Dhia Iacóib,
chun go múine sé dúinn a shlite agus go siúlaimis a bhealaí.”
Óir ó Shíón rachaidh an dlí amach, agus ó Iarúsailéim briathar an Tiarna.
Beidh smacht aige ar na ciníocha agus déanfaidh sé réiteach idir an iomad pobal, agus buailfidh siad a gclaímhte amach ina soic chéachta agus a sleánna ina gcorráin.
Ní thógfaidh na ciníocha an claíomh in aghaidh a chéile a thuilleadh ná ní chleachtfaidh siad cogadh níos mó.
A theaghlach Iacóib, tagaigí, agus siúlaimis i solas an Tiarna!
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 121: 1-2,4-5,6-9, Rv v.1
Freagra Rinne mé gairdeas nuair a dúradh liom.
'Téimis i dteach an Tiarna.'
1. Rinne mé gairdeas nuair a dúradh liom: 'Téimis i dteach an Tiarna.'
Tá ár gcosa ina seasamh cheana féin i do dhoirse, a Iarúsailéim. Freagra
2. Rinneadh cathair Iarúsailéim a go dlúth is go daingean.
Is chuici a ghabhann na treibheanna suas, treibheanna an Tiarna. Freagra
3. Ar son mo bhráithre agus lucht mo pháirte:
'Go raibh síocháin ionat!' Ar son theach an Tiarna, ár nDia, iarraim do leas. Freagra
AN DARA LEÁCT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 13:11-14
Is gaire dúinn ár slánú anois ná nuair a ghlacamar.
A bhráithre, nuair a thuigeann sibh an uair atá ann, is mithid daoibh dúiseacht as bhur gcodladh, mar is gaire dúinn ár slánú anois ná nuair a ghlacamar leis an gcreideamh. Tá sé i bhfad amach san oíche agus ní fada uainn an lá. Caithimis oibreacha an dorchadais uainn, mar sin, agus cuirimis orainn cathéide an tsolais. Mairimis go béasach mar dhaoine atá faoi sholas an lae, gan ragairne gan meisce, gan striapachas gan drúise, gan achrann gan éad. Agus cuirigí oraibh an Tiarna Íosa Críost mar éide agus ná bígí ag déanamh cúraim den cholainn d’fhonn a hainmhianta a shásamh.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Versa
Alleluia, alleluia!
Taispeáin dúinn, a Thiarna, do thrócaire, agus tabhair dúinn cúnamh do shlánaithe.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 24:37-44 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Bígí ag faire, dá bhrí sin, mar níl a fhios agaibh cén lá a thiocfaidh bhur dTiarna.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:'Amhail mar a bhí laethanta Naoi, is amhlaidh sin a bheidh téarnamh Mhac an Duine. Óir, faoi mar a bhí siad sna laethanta úd roimh an díle, ag ithe agus ag ól, ag pósadh agus ag tabhairt le pósadh, go dtí an lá a ndeachaigh Naoi san áirc, agus gan a fhios acu aon ní gur tháinig an díle agus gur sciob léi iad uile; is mar sin freisin a bheidh téarnamh Mhac an Duine. Beidh beirt fhear sa ghort an uair sin: tógfar duine agus fágfar duine; beirt bhan ag meilt bhró: tógfar bean agus fágfar bean.
Bígí ag faire, dá bhrí sin, mar níl a fhios agaibh cén lá a thiocfaidh bhur dTiarna. “Bíodh a fhios agaibh é seo, áfach: dá mb’eol don fhear tí cén t-am san oíche a dtiocfadh an bithiúnach, bheadh sé ag faire agus ní ligfeadh sé ballaí a thí a réabadh.
Sibhse freisin, mar sin, bígí ullamh, óir is ar an uair nach síleann sibh a thiocfaidh Mac an Duine.'
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
________________________________________________
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
