Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Sep 8 - The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Summary: The Nativity of Our Lady
The Catholic Church observes the actual birthday/date of only two saints: Saint John the Baptist (June 24), and Mary, Mother of Jesus. In the case of all other saints, especially martyrs, they are venerated on the day of their death, which is called their 'dies natalis', or "birthday", meaning "the day of their birth into heaven".
Patrick Duffy touches on the theme of joy and some of the history of this feast.
The joy of the feast
The Benedictus antiphon at Morning Prayer sums up the joy of this feast:
Your birth, O Virgin Mother of God, announced joy to the whole world, for from you has risen the Sun of Justice, Christ our God. He released us from the ancient curse and made us blessed; he destroyed death and gave us eternal life.
Origin in St Ann's Basilica, Jerusalem
The origin of the liturgy of this feast can be traced to the consecration of the church in Jerusalem in the 6th century that has been traditionally known as the Basilica of St. Ann, the mother of Our lady. The original church built in the 5th century was a Marian basilica erected on the spot known as the shepherd's field and thought to have been the home of Mary's parents. After its destruction and reconstruction in the 6th century, it was named in honour of St. Ann.
Introduced to Rome
By the 7th century the liturgy of the feast was introduced to Rome by monks from the East, where Pope Sergius I (687-701) solemnised it with a litania, that is, a procession with prayers. The procession went from the Roman Forum to the Basilica of St. Mary Major's.
The date
The date, 8th September, was chosen as the 8th day (an octave) after the start of the Byzantine New Year and although it was celebrated on various other dates through the centuries, 8th Sept. predominated. Later, the feast celebrating Mary's Immaculate Conception, was set to correspond with it, nine months beforehand, on 8th December.
Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant
In the East, Mary's birthday is celebrated as one of the twelve great liturgies. The title for the liturgy in the East: "The Birth of Our Exalted Queen, the Birthgiver of God and Ever-Virgin Mary". The oldest existing sermon for the liturgy was written by St. Andrew of Crete (660-740):'Today a shrine is fashioned for the world's creator. Today a new dwelling is readied by creatures for the author of all creation'.
The present feast forms a link between the New and the Old Testament. It shows that Truth succeeds symbols and figures and that the New Covenant replaces the Old. Hence, all creation sings with joy, exults, and participates in the joy of this day. ... This is, in fact, the day on which the Creator of the world constructed His temple; today is the day on which, by a stupendous project, a creature becomes the preferred dwelling of the Creator.
The Catholic Church observes the actual birthday/date of only two saints: Saint John the Baptist (June 24), and Mary, Mother of Jesus. In the case of all other saints, especially martyrs, they are venerated on the day of their death, which is called their 'dies natalis', or "birthday", meaning "the day of their birth into heaven".
Patrick Duffy touches on the theme of joy and some of the history of this feast.
The joy of the feast
The Benedictus antiphon at Morning Prayer sums up the joy of this feast:Your birth, O Virgin Mother of God, announced joy to the whole world, for from you has risen the Sun of Justice, Christ our God. He released us from the ancient curse and made us blessed; he destroyed death and gave us eternal life.
Origin in St Ann's Basilica, Jerusalem
The origin of the liturgy of this feast can be traced to the consecration of the church in Jerusalem in the 6th century that has been traditionally known as the Basilica of St. Ann, the mother of Our lady. The original church built in the 5th century was a Marian basilica erected on the spot known as the shepherd's field and thought to have been the home of Mary's parents. After its destruction and reconstruction in the 6th century, it was named in honour of St. Ann.
Introduced to Rome
By the 7th century the liturgy of the feast was introduced to Rome by monks from the East, where Pope Sergius I (687-701) solemnised it with a litania, that is, a procession with prayers. The procession went from the Roman Forum to the Basilica of St. Mary Major's.
The date
The date, 8th September, was chosen as the 8th day (an octave) after the start of the Byzantine New Year and although it was celebrated on various other dates through the centuries, 8th Sept. predominated. Later, the feast celebrating Mary's Immaculate Conception, was set to correspond with it, nine months beforehand, on 8th December.
Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant
In the East, Mary's birthday is celebrated as one of the twelve great liturgies. The title for the liturgy in the East: "The Birth of Our Exalted Queen, the Birthgiver of God and Ever-Virgin Mary". The oldest existing sermon for the liturgy was written by St. Andrew of Crete (660-740):'Today a shrine is fashioned for the world's creator. Today a new dwelling is readied by creatures for the author of all creation'.
The present feast forms a link between the New and the Old Testament. It shows that Truth succeeds symbols and figures and that the New Covenant replaces the Old. Hence, all creation sings with joy, exults, and participates in the joy of this day. ... This is, in fact, the day on which the Creator of the world constructed His temple; today is the day on which, by a stupendous project, a creature becomes the preferred dwelling of the Creator.
___________________________
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Memorable Inscription for Today
If we tried to imagine a creature given to us
as the Mother of Our Saviour,
I do not expect that we could have imagined one
as good and kind, sweet and loving, and perfect
in every manner, as the Most Holy Mother, Mary.
On her birthday, we particularly remember Mary
in her babyhood under the title of Maria Bambina.
~ Dom Prosper Gueranger~
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Liturgical Readings for: Tuesday, 8th September, 2026
Feast of the Day; 09-08 :The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
C/f A review of this Feast can be found below today's Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Micah 5:1-4
The time will come when she who is to give birth gives birth.
[caption id="attachment_105711" align="alignright" width="179"]
St Anne and a young Mary[/caption]The Lord says this:
'You, (Bethlehem) Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah,
out of you will be born for me the one who is to rule over Israel;
his origin goes back to the distant past, to the days of old.
The Lord is therefore going to abandon them till the time when she who is to give birth gives birth. Then the remnant of his brothers will come back to the sons of Israel.
He will stand and feed his flock with the power of the Lord, with the majesty of the name of his God. They will live secure, for from then on he will extend his power to the ends of the land. He himself will be peace.'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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Alternative First Reading
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 8. 28-30
Those whom God foreknew he also predestined.
We know that by turning everything to their good God cooperates with all those who love him, with all those that he has called according to his purpose. They are the ones he chose specially long ago and intended to become true images of his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers.
He called those he intended for this; those he called he justified, and with those he justified he shared his glory.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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Responsorial Psalm Ps: 12:6-7. R/v Is 61:10
Response I exult for joy in the Lord.
1. Lord, I trust in your merciful love. Let my heart rejoice in your saving help. Response
2. Let me sing to the Lord for his goodness to me,
singing psalms to the name of the Lord, the Most High. Response
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise,
for the sun of justice, Christ our God, was born of you.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 1:1-16. 18-23 Glory to you, O Lord.
Mary has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit.
A genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:
Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah,
Tamar being their mother,
Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon was the father of Boaz,
Rahab being his mother,
Boaz was the father of Obed, Ruth being his mother,
Obed was the father of Jesse; and Jesse was the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon,
whose mother had been Uriah's wife,
Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa,
Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Azariah, Azariah was the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah; and Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers Then the deportation to Babylon took place.
After the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim,
Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud was the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob;
and Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born.
His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.'
Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel, a name which means
'God-is-with-us'.
The Gospel of the Lord. Glory to you, O Lord.
_____________________
Shorter form of the Gospel
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 1:1-16. 18-23
Mary has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit.
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.'
Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel, a name which means
'God-is-with-us'.
The Gospel of the Lord. Glory to you, O Lord.
______________
Gospel Reflection Sept 8 The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23
We cannot be sure when Mary was born but today is the day that the church has traditionally celebrated her birthday Generally, when we celebrate the feast of saints, their feast coincides with the date of their death. There are only three exceptions to this, when we celebrate the birth of someone who is recognized to be especially holy.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25,
the birth of John the Baptist on June 24 and
the birth of Mary on September 8.
John the Baptist and Mary had a unique relationship with Jesus. Mary gave birth to Jesus and John the Baptist prepared people for his coming.
We remember the birthdays of both Mary and John the Baptist because of the persons they went on to become. We remember Mary’s birthday because she was the one through whom Jesus came to us. God chose this woman above all other women to be the one who would give birth to God’s Son and Mary accepted this unique role she had in God’s purpose on behalf of us all. Her ‘yes’ to God’s choice of her, God’s call, was also a saying ‘yes’ to all of us, to whom God’s Son was being sent.
Her generous response to God’s call was an extraordinary grace for us all. Her Son who was given to us was none other than, in the words of today’s gospel reading, Emmanuel, God-with-us, sent to save God’s people from their sins. Because of her ‘yes’ to God’s call, God has drawn close to all of us in a loving and merciful way. It was through Mary that God gained a human face. Jesus was and is the human face of God’s love and mercy. Jesus not only reveals God to us but he also reveals ourselves to us. He shows us what it is to be fully human.
In Jesus we see the fully human person we are called to become. As Paul tells us in our reading today, God intends us to become true images of his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers and sisters. Our calling is to grow up into the image of Mary’s Son and, in so far as we do that, we become fully ourselves. We celebrate Mary’s birthday because of all that we have received through her, all that God has given to us through her.
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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/
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Feast of the Day: Sept. 8th, The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Catholic Church observes the actual birthday/date of only two saints: St John the Baptist (June 24), and Mary, Mother of Jesus, (today) In the case of all other saints, especially martyrs, they are venerated on the day of their death, which is called their 'dies natalis', or "birthday", meaning "the day of their birth in heaven".
Patrick Duffy touches on the theme of joy and some of the history of this feast.
The Joy of the Feast
The Benedictus antiphon at Morning Prayer sums up the joy of this feast:'Your birth, O Virgin Mother of God, announced joy to the whole world, for from you has risen the Sun of Justice, Christ our God. He released us from the ancient curse and made us blessed; he destroyed death and gave us eternal life.'
[caption id="attachment_50822" align="alignright" width="276"]
St Ann's Basilica, Jerusalem[/caption]Origin in St Ann's Basilica, Jerusalem
The origin of the liturgy of this feast can be traced to the consecration of the church in Jerusalem in the 6th century that has been traditionally known as the Basilica of St. Ann, the mother of Our lady. The original church built in the 5th century was a Marian basilica erected on the spot known as the shepherd's field and thought to have been the home of Mary's parents. After its destruction and reconstruction in the 6th century, it was named in honour of St. Ann.
Introduced to Rome
By the 7th century the liturgy of the feast was introduced to Rome by monks from the East, where Pope Sergius I (687-701) solemnised it with a litania, that is, a procession with prayers. The procession went from the Roman Forum to the Basilica of St. Mary Major
The Date
The date, 8th September, was chosen as the 8th day (an octave) after the start of the Byzantine New Year and although it was celebrated on various other dates through the centuries, 8th Sept. predominated. Later, the feast celebrating Mary's Immaculate Conception, was set to correspond with it, nine months beforehand, on 8th December.
Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant
In the East, Mary's birthday is celebrated as one of the twelve great liturgies. The title for the liturgy in the East: "The Birth of Our Exalted Queen, the Birth-giver of God and Ever-Virgin Mary". The oldest existing sermon for the liturgy was written by St. Andrew of Crete (660-740):
'Today a shrine is fashioned for the world's creator.
Today a new dwelling is readied by creatures for the author of all creation'.
The present feast forms a link between the New and the Old Testament.
It shows that Truth succeeds symbols and figures and that the New Covenant replaces the Old.
Hence, all creation sings with joy, exults, and participates in the joy of this day. ... This is, in fact, the day on which the Creator of the world constructed His temple;
today is the day on which, by a stupendous project,
a creature becomes the preferred dwelling of the Creator.
******************************
Memorable Inscription for Today
If we tried to imagine a creature given to us as the Mother of Our Saviour,
I do not expect that we could have imagined one as good and kind, sweet and loving,
and perfect in every manner, as the Most Holy Mother, Mary.
On her birthday, we particularly remember Mary
and in her own babyhood under the title of 'Maria Bambina'.
~ Dom Prosper Gueranger~
******************************
Liturgical Readings for: Tuesday, 8th September, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Leabhar Míocí, Fáidh 5:1-4
Tiocfaidh an tam go dtí go mbéarfar mac di siúd, a bhfuil tinneas clainne uirthi.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
'Ach tusa, a Bheithil Eafrátábíodh gur beag thú i measc chlanna Iúdá
is asatsa a thiocfaidh chugam an té a bheidh ina cheann urra ar Iosrael,
An té a dtéann a shinsearacht na cianta siar go dtí an t-am fadó.
Sin é an fáth a dtréigfidh Dia ia go dtí go mbéarfar mac di siúd,
a bhfuil tinneas clainne uirthi, ansin fillfidh iarmhar a bhráithre ar chlann Iosrael.
Seasfaidh sé go daingean agus beathóidh sé a thréad trí chumhacht an Tiarna
agus le mórgacht ainm an Tiarna, a Dhia.
Mairfidh siad go slán sábháilte mar leathnóidh a chumhacht amach ansin go críocha na cruinne. Beidh sé féin ina údar síochána.'
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
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Malairt Chéad Léacht
Sliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Pól chuig na Rómanaigh 8:28-30
Na daoine a bhí glaoite aige is iad sin a d’fhíréanaigh sé
Tá a fhios againn chomh maith o gcomhoibríonn Dia san uile ní leo siúd a bhfuilgrá acu dó agus a bhfuil glaoite aige orthu de réir a chomhairle. Mar na daoine a thogh sé roimh ré, cheap sé ó thús iad le bheith ina macasamhla dá Mhac féin sa tslí go mbeadh seisean ina chéadghin ar mhórán bráithre. Agus na daoine a bhí ceaptha ó thus aige is iad sin a ghlaoigh sé; agus na daoine a bhí glaoite aige is iad sin a d’fhíréanaigh sé, agus na daoine a bhí fíréanaithe aige, is iad sin a ghlóirigh sé.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
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Salm le Freagra Sm 12:6-7 R/v Is 61:10
Freagra Gáirim le gairdeas sa Tiarna.
1. Chuir mise mo dhóchas i do bhuanghrá daingean,
beidh áthas ar mo chroí de bharr do shlánaithe. Freagra Gáirim le gairdeas sa Tiarna.
2. Molfaidh mé an Tiarna, mar go raibh sé fial liom. Freagra Gáirim le gairdeas sa Tiarna.
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Mhatha 1:1-16. 18-23 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Beidh an mhaighdean torrach agus béarfaidh sí mac agus tabharfar Imeánuéil mar ainm air.
Leabhar ghinealach Íosa Críost, mac Dháiví, mac Abrahám.
Ghin Abrahám Íosác;ghin Íosác Iacób; ghin Iacób Iúdá agus a dheartháireacha; ghin Iúdá Fearas agus Zára ó Thámár; ghin Fearas Easróm; ghin Easróm Áram; ghin Áram Aimineadab; ghin Aimineadab Náiseon; ghin Náiseon Salmón; ghin Salmón Boaz ó Ráchab; ghin Boaz Ióibeid ó Rút; ghin Ióibeid Iseái; ghin Iseái Dáiví rí.
Ghin Dáiví Solamh ó bhean Úirías;
ghin Solamh Róbóam;ghin Róbóam Aibiá; ghinAibiá Ásaf; ghin Ásaf Iósáfat;
ghin Iósáfat Iórám; ghin Iórám Ózáias;
ghin Ózáias Iótám; ghin Iótám Áchaz;
ghin Áchaz Eizichias; ghin Eizichias Manasaes; ghin Manasaes Amós; ghin Amós Iósáias;
ghin Iósáias Iachónáias agus a dheartháireacha le linn bhroid na Bablóine.
Tar éis bhroid na Bablóine, ghin Iachónáias Salaitiéil; ghin Salaitiéil Zoróbaibeil;
ghin Zoróbaibeil Aibiúd; ghin Aibiúd Eiliáicím; ghin Eiliáicím Azór; ghin Azór Sadóc;ghin Sadóc Aichím; ghin Aichím Eiliúd;
ghin Eiliúd Eiliazar; ghin Eiliazar Matan; ghin Matan Iacób;
ghin Iacób Iósaef, fear céile Mhuire ónar rugadh Íosa ar a dtugtar Críost.
Seo mar a tharla Íosa Críost a shaolú. Bhí Muire, a mháthair, luaite le Iósaef, agus sula ndearnadar aontíos, fuarthas torrach í ón Spiorad Naomh. Ba dhuine cóir a fear céile Iósaef, ach níorbh áil leis go dtabharfaí míchlú di, agus chinn sé í a scaoileadh uaidh os íseal. Ag machnamh ar an méid sin dó, áfach, thaispeáin aingeal ón Tiarna é féin do I mbrionglóid agus dúirt:
“A Iósaef, a mhic Dháiví, ná bíodh eagla ort do bhean chéile Muire a thabhairt abhaile leat, óir, an leanbh atá gafa aici, is ón Spiorad Naomh é. Béarfaidh sí mac, agus tabharfaidh tú Íosa mar ainm air, óir slánóidh sé a phobal óna bpeacaí.”
Thit an méid sin go léir amach chun go gcomhlíonfaí a ndúirt an Tiarna tríd an bhfáidh:
“Beidh an mhaighdean torrach agus béarfaidh sí mac agus tabharfar Imeánuéil mar ainm air,”
– ainm a chiallaíonn: Tá Dia linn.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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Malairt Soiscéal gearr
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Mhatha 1:1-16. 18-23
Seo mar a tharla Íosa Críost a shaolú. Bhí Muire, a mháthair, luaite le Iósaef, agus sula ndearnadar aontíos, fuarthas torrach í ón Spiorad Naomh. Ba dhuine cóir a fear céile Iósaef, ach níorbh áil leis go dtabharfaí míchlú di, agus chinn sé í a scaoileadh uaidh os íseal. Ag machnamh ar an méid sin dó, áfach, thaispeáin aingeal ón Tiarna é féin do I mbrionglóid agus dúirt:
“A Iósaef, a mhic Dháiví, ná bíodh eagla ort do bhean chéile Muire a thabhairt abhaile leat, óir, an leanbh atá gafa aici, is ón Spiorad Naomh é. Béarfaidh sí mac, agus tabharfaidh tú Íosa mar ainm air, óir slánóidh sé a phobal óna bpeacaí.”
Thit an méid sin go léir amach chun go gcomhlíonfaí a ndúirt an Tiarna tríd an bhfáidh:
“Beidh an mhaighdean torrach agus béarfaidh sí mac agus tabharfar Imeánuéil mar ainm air,”
– ainm a chiallaíonn: Tá Dia linn.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
__________________________________________
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 13th September, 2026
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus ) 27:30-28:7
Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.
Resentment and anger, these are foul things, and both are found with the sinner. He who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord, who keeps strict account of sin. Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.If a man nurses anger against another, can he then demand compassion from the Lord? Showing no pity for a man like himself, can he then plead for his own sins? Mere creature of flesh, he cherishes resentment; who will forgive him his sins?
Remember the last things, and stop hating,
remember dissolution and death, and live by the commandments.
Remember the commandments, and do not bear your neighbour ill-will;
remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook the offence.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 102: 1-4. 9-12. R/ v 8
Response The Lord is compassion and love,
slow to anger and rich in mercy.
1. My soul, give thanks to the Lord, all my being, bless his holy name.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings. Response
2. It is he who forgives all your guilt, who heals everyone of your ills,
who redeems your life from the grave, who crowns you with love and compassion. Response
3. His wrath will come to an end; he will not be angry for ever.
He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults. Response
4. For as the heavens are high above the earth so strong is his love for those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west so far does he remove our sins. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 14:7-9
Alive or dead we belong to the Lord.
The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord;
and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord.
This explains why Christ both died and came to life, it was so that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation 1 Sam 3:9
Alleluia, alleluia!
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life.
Alleluia!
Or Jn 13: 34
Alleluia, alleluia!
I give you a new commandment: love one another,
just as I have loved you, says the Lord.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 18:21-35
I tell you, not seven, but seventy-seven times.
Peter went up to Jesus and said,
'Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?'
Jesus answered, 'Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.
'And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master's feet. "Give me time" he said "and I will pay the whole sum."
And the servant's master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt.
Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him.
"Pay what you owe me" he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, "Give me time and I will pay you". But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt.
His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him.
"You wicked servant," he said "I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?" And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt.
And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless
you each forgive your brother from your heart.'
The Gospel of the Lord Glory to you, O Lord
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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.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 13th September, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an Leabhar Shíorach 27:30-28:7
Maith do do chomharsa an éagóir a dhéanann sé, agus nuair a dhéanfaidh tú guí, maithfear do pheacaí duit.
Fearg agus fraoch, is duáilcí déistineacha iad sin,
agus gheofar iad i seilbh an pheacaigh.
An té a imríonn díoltas, imreoidh an Tiarna díoltas air,
mar coinníonn sé cuntas cruinn ar a pheacaí.
Maith do do chomharsa an éagóir a dhéanann sé,
agus nuair a dhéanfaidh tú guí, maithfear do pheacaí duit.
Má choimeádann duine olc istigh do dhuine eile,
conas is féidir leis leigheas a lorg ar an Tiarna?
Mura ndéanann sé trócaire ar dhuine cosúil leis féin,
conas is féidir leis maithiúnas a iarraidh ina pheacaí féin?
Níl ann féin ach feoil agus cothaíonn sé fuath; cé a mhaithfidh a pheacaí dó?
Cuimhnigh ar do chríoch dheireanach, agus scoir den fhuath;
cuimhnigh ar an scrios agus an bás, agus mair de réir na n-aitheanta.
Cuimhnigh ar na haitheanta agus ná bíodh olc agat do do chomharsa;
cuimhnigh ar chonradh an Té is Airde, agus ná tóg ceann den aineolas.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 102: 1-4. 9-12. R/ v 8
Freagra Is grámhar trócaireach é an Tiarna,
foighneach agus lán dé cheansacht.
1. Gabh buíochas leis an Tiarna, a anam liom, beannaíodh a bhfuil istigh ionam a ainm naofa.
Gabh buíochas leis an Tiarna, a an am liom, is ná déan dearmad da thíolací go léir. Freagra
2. Eisean a mhaitheann do chionta go léir, a shlánaíonn d'easláintí go léir,
a fhuasclaíonn do bheatha on mbás, a chorónaíonn thú le grá is le trua. Freagra
3. Ní bheidh sé go míchéata i gcónaí, ní bheidh sé i bhfeirg de shíor.
Ní de réir ár bpeacaí a roinneann sé linn: ní de réir ár gcionta a chúitíonn sé sinn. Freagra
4. Óir ní airdé neamh os cionn talún ná méid a bhuanghrá do lucht a eaglaithe;
ní faide an t-oirthear ón iarthar ná an fad a chuireann sé ár gcionta uainn[. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 14:7-9
Má mhairimid beo nó más bás a fhaighimid is don Tiarna a fhaighimid bás chomh maith.
A bhráithre, ní dó féin a mhaireann aon duine againn ná ní dó féin a fhaigheann sé bás. Má mhairimid beo is don Tiarna a mhairimid, agus más bás a fhaighimid is don Tiarna a fhaighimid bás chomh maith. Cibé acu beo nó marbh dúinn, mar sin, is leis an Tiarna sinn. Mar is chuige seo a fuair Críost bás agus a d’éirigh beo: chun go mbeadh tiarnas ar bheo agus ar mhairbh araon aige.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa 1Sam3:9, Eo 6:68
Alleluia, alleluia!
Labhair, a Thiarna, tá do sheirbhíseach ag éisteacht.
Is agatsa atá briathra na beatha síoraí.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 18:21-35
Ní go dtí seacht n-uaire a deirimse leat ach go dtí seacht n-uaire seachtód.
Tháinig Peadar chuig Íosa ansin agus dúirt leis:
“A Thiarna, cé mhéad uair ba cheart dom pardún a thabhairt do mo bhráthair nuair a chiontaíonn i m’aghaidh? Go dtí seacht n-uaire?”
Dúirt Íosa leis: “Ní go dtí seacht n-uaire a deirimse leat ach go dtí seacht n-uaire seachtód.
“Agus dá réir sin is iad dála ríocht na bhflaitheas mar a bhí ag rí arbh áil leis cuntais a réiteach lena chuid seirbhíseach. Agus i dtosach an réitigh dó, tugadh chuige duine a raibh deich míle tallann amuigh air. Agus ó tharla gan an t-íoc a bheith aige, d’ordaigh an maistir é a dhíol, agus a bhean agus a chlann agus a raibh aige, agus an t-íoc a dhéanamh. Mar sin, chaith an seirbhíseach é féin ar lár, agus ag umhlú dó dúirt: ‘Bíodh foighne agat liom a mháistir, agus íocfaidh mé an t-iomlán leat.’
Agus le barr trua, scaoil máistir an tseirbhísigh sin uaidh é agus mhaith na fiacha dó. Ag dul amach don seirbhíseach sin, casadh air duine dá chomhsheirbhísigh a raibh céad déanar aige féin air, agus rug sé greim scóige air ag rá: ‘Íoc a bhfuil amuigh ort!’ Mar sin, chaith a chomhsheirbhíseach é féin ar lár ag achainí air: ‘Bíodh foighne agat liom,’ ar seisean, ‘agus íocfaidh mé leat é.’ Ach níorbh áil leis siúd é gan dul agus é theilgean i bpríosún nó go n-íocfadh sé na fiacha.
Nuair a chonaic a chomhsheirbhísigh an méid sin, ghabh buaireamh mór iad, agus chuaigh siad ag insint an scéil ar fad dá máistir. Chuir an máistir fios air: ‘A sheirbhísigh mhallaithe,’ ar seisean, ‘mhaith mé féin duitse na fiacha úd ar fad mar go ndearna tú achainí orm. Nár cheart go ndéanfása mar an gcéanna trócaire ar do chomhsheirbhíseach faoi mar a rinne mise trócaire ort?’
Agus le barr feirge thug a mháistir suas do na céastúnaigh é nó go n-íocfadh sé na fiacha leis go hiomlán.
Sin é freisin mar a dhéanfaidh m’Athair neamhaí libhse ach mura maitheannm gach duine agaibh dá bhráthair féin ó chroí.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
