Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Jul 18 - St Hedwig (1374-1399) Polish queen
Summary: St Hedwig: Born in 1374, Hedwig was betrothed to the heir of Austria at the age of one and married to Jagiello when she was only twelve. She was later falsely denounced as an adulteress and a bigamist. She faced these slanders bravely and with faith. She worked endlessly for her people. In 1399 Hedwig died four days after giving birth to a premature child who had died. Pope John Paul II canonised her some six hundred and twenty three years later in 1997.
The tomb of Queen Hedwig lies in the Cathedral of Saints Wenceslas and Stanisalus on the Wawel Hill in Cracow. Through her marriage with Jagiello, duke of Lithuania, she was able to extend Christianity in the regions east of Poland and support the churches there. She was canonised by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Cracow in 1997.
Patrick Duffy tells what is known about her.
Betrothal at the Age of One
Hedwig (Jadwiga) was the daughter of the king of Hungary and Poland and when she was one year old she was betrothed to Wilhelm, the Hapsburg heir of Austria. She went to Vienna to learn the way of the Austrian court, but when her elder sister Catherine died, her father chose Hedwig as his heir to the throne of Hungary. He died when she was eight, but the Hungarians preferred her sister, Maria, who had already been accepted as queen of Poland by the nobles. Maria was then rejected by both countries and the archbishop of Krakow crowned Hedwig as "Jadwiga, king of Poland" (meaning she was the heir and not just the king's consort) in 1384, when she was ten.
Married to Jagiello at Twelve
The Polish nobles then set aside the vows made by proxy between her and Wilhelm and decided that she should marry Jagiello, duke of Lithuania and Ruthenia, who promised to become a Christian. The wedding took place in Krakow Cathedral in February 1386, after Jagiello and his brothers and the leading Lithuanian nobles were baptised. She was twelve and he was thirty-six. Jagiello was crowned king of Poland as Ladislaus (Władysław) II. As a monarch, young Hedwig probably had little actual power, but she was actively engaged in her kingdom's political, diplomatic and cultural life and acted as the guarantor of Ladislaus's promises to reclaim Poland's lost territories.
Slanders
The Hapsburgs circulated rumours that she and Wilhelm had already consummated a marriage when he had visited her to persuade her to marry him. These rumours were spread abroad by the Teutonic Knights, and she was denounced as an adulteress and a bigamist. They were even repeated in the writings of the scholar Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini, who later became Pope Pius II (1458-64), and great damage was done to her reputation outside Poland.
Christianisation of Lithuania
Jagiello/Ladislaus II decreed that the people of Lithuania should be baptised, and while not actually employing force, they were baptised even though the missionaries could not speak the language. A diocese was established in Vilnius and Hedwig supported it with church plate and vestments.
Jagiellonian University
She financed a scholarship for twenty Lithuanians to study at Charles University in Prague to help strengthen Christianity in their country, and she also founded a bishopric in Vilnius. Among her most notable cultural legacies was the restoration of the Kraków Academy, which in 1817 was renamed Jagiellonian University in honour of the couple.
Ecumenism in Cracow
Hedwig also had the ambition to unite Latin and Orthodox Christians. To promote this, she brought monks from Prague who used a Slavonic rite. She also introduced a college of psalmists who took turns to sing psalms without interruption in the cathedral, except during services. She also organised perpetual adoration there. Although the Teutonic Knights invaded Lithuania, Hedwig sought always to negotiate a diplomatic peace.
Hedwig died in childbirth
In 1399 Hedwig was expecting a baby. The baby was born prematurely and died after three weeks. Hedwig herself died four days later. Jagiello continued to rule Poland as Ladislaus II until his death 35 years later.
Canonisation by Pope John Paul II in 1997
The cause for Hedwig's canonisation was introduced in 1426, but she had to wait until the first Polish Pope, St John Paul II, beatified her in 1986 and canonised her on his visit to Krakow in 1997.
The tomb of Queen Hedwig lies in the Cathedral of Saints Wenceslas and Stanisalus on the Wawel Hill in Cracow. Through her marriage with Jagiello, duke of Lithuania, she was able to extend Christianity in the regions east of Poland and support the churches there. She was canonised by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Cracow in 1997. Patrick Duffy tells what is known about her.
Betrothal at the Age of One
Hedwig (Jadwiga) was the daughter of the king of Hungary and Poland and when she was one year old she was betrothed to Wilhelm, the Hapsburg heir of Austria. She went to Vienna to learn the way of the Austrian court, but when her elder sister Catherine died, her father chose Hedwig as his heir to the throne of Hungary. He died when she was eight, but the Hungarians preferred her sister, Maria, who had already been accepted as queen of Poland by the nobles. Maria was then rejected by both countries and the archbishop of Krakow crowned Hedwig as "Jadwiga, king of Poland" (meaning she was the heir and not just the king's consort) in 1384, when she was ten.
Married to Jagiello at Twelve
The Polish nobles then set aside the vows made by proxy between her and Wilhelm and decided that she should marry Jagiello, duke of Lithuania and Ruthenia, who promised to become a Christian. The wedding took place in Krakow Cathedral in February 1386, after Jagiello and his brothers and the leading Lithuanian nobles were baptised. She was twelve and he was thirty-six. Jagiello was crowned king of Poland as Ladislaus (Władysław) II. As a monarch, young Hedwig probably had little actual power, but she was actively engaged in her kingdom's political, diplomatic and cultural life and acted as the guarantor of Ladislaus's promises to reclaim Poland's lost territories.
Slanders
The Hapsburgs circulated rumours that she and Wilhelm had already consummated a marriage when he had visited her to persuade her to marry him. These rumours were spread abroad by the Teutonic Knights, and she was denounced as an adulteress and a bigamist. They were even repeated in the writings of the scholar Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini, who later became Pope Pius II (1458-64), and great damage was done to her reputation outside Poland.
Christianisation of Lithuania
Jagiello/Ladislaus II decreed that the people of Lithuania should be baptised, and while not actually employing force, they were baptised even though the missionaries could not speak the language. A diocese was established in Vilnius and Hedwig supported it with church plate and vestments.
Jagiellonian University
She financed a scholarship for twenty Lithuanians to study at Charles University in Prague to help strengthen Christianity in their country, and she also founded a bishopric in Vilnius. Among her most notable cultural legacies was the restoration of the Kraków Academy, which in 1817 was renamed Jagiellonian University in honour of the couple.
Ecumenism in Cracow
Hedwig also had the ambition to unite Latin and Orthodox Christians. To promote this, she brought monks from Prague who used a Slavonic rite. She also introduced a college of psalmists who took turns to sing psalms without interruption in the cathedral, except during services. She also organised perpetual adoration there. Although the Teutonic Knights invaded Lithuania, Hedwig sought always to negotiate a diplomatic peace.
Hedwig died in childbirth
In 1399 Hedwig was expecting a baby. The baby was born prematurely and died after three weeks. Hedwig herself died four days later. Jagiello continued to rule Poland as Ladislaus II until his death 35 years later.
Canonisation by Pope John Paul II in 1997The cause for Hedwig's canonisation was introduced in 1426, but she had to wait until the first Polish Pope, St John Paul II, beatified her in 1986 and canonised her on his visit to Krakow in 1997.
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Memorable Saying for Today
God doesn't give us what we can't handle.
God helps us handle what we are given. Amen
~ Unknown ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 18th July, 2026
Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2
Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Micah 2:1-5
Seizing the fields they take over houses as well.
Woe to those who plot evil, who lie in bed planning mischief!No sooner is it dawn than they do it – their hands have the strength for it. Seizing the fields that they covet, they take over houses as well, owner and house they confiscate together, taking both man and inheritance.
So the Lord says this:
Now it is I who plot such mischief against this breed as your necks will not escape; nor will you be able to walk proudly, so evil will the time be.
On that day they will make a satire on you, sing a dirge and say,
'We are stripped of everything; my people's portion is measured out and shared,
no one will give it back to them, our fields are awarded to our despoiler.'
Therefore you will have no one to measure out a share in the community of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 9b: 1-4, 7-8, 14. R/ v12
Response Lord, do not forget the poor.
1. Lord, why do you stand afar off and hide yourself in times of distress?
The poor man is devoured by the pride of the wicked:
he is caught in the schemes that others have made. Response
2. For the wicked man boasts of his heart's desires; the covetous blasphemes and spurns the Lord.
In his pride the wicked says: 'He will not punish' There is no God.' Such are his thoughts. Response
3. His mouth is full of cursing, guile, oppression, mischief and deceit under his tongue.
He lies in wait among the reeds; For you are the helper of the orphan. Response
Gospel Acclamation Ps 118:27
Alleluia, alleluia!
Make me grasp the way of your precepts, and I will muse on your wonders.
Alleluia!
Or 2 Cor 5: 19
Alleluia, alleluia!
God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself,
and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled.
Alleluia
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 12: 14-21
Jesus warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfil the prophecy.
The Pharisees went out and began to plot against him, discussing how to destroy him.
Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district. Many followed him and he cured them all, but warned them not to make him known.
This was to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah:
Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, the favourite of my soul. I will endow him with my spirit, and he will proclaim the true faith to the nations.
He will not brawl or shout, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. He will not break the crushed reed, nor put out the smouldering wick till he has led the truth to victory: in his name the nations will put their hope.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
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Gospel Reflection Saturday Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Matthew 12:14-21
Half of this morning’s gospel reading is taken up with a quotation from the prophet Isaiah. It is a long quotation in comparison to other quotations from the Jewish Scriptures in the gospels. The evangelist, Matthew, clearly regarded this text from Isaiah as speaking powerfully about the person of Jesus and the nature of his mission. In the quotation from Isaiah, God addresses someone whom he describes as his chosen servant, whom he has endowed with his spirit. Jesus was certainly God’s chosen servant, on whom the Holy Spirit had come down at the time of his baptism. It is said of this servant in the quotation that he will neither brawl nor shout. That reflects Jesus’ reference to himself as ‘gentle and humble in heart’.
It is also said in that quotation from Isaiah that the servant will ‘not break the crushed reed, nor put out the smouldering wick’. This reflects the portrayal of Jesus in the gospel as one who is attentive and sensitive to the weakest and most vulnerable, who calls out to the burdened to come to him and find rest, refreshment. A reed that is crushed is easily broken; a wick that is smouldering is easily put out. Jesus had a special care for those who were frail and weak, all who were just hanging on by the skin of their teeth, as we often say. The risen Lord has the same loving concern for us when we are at our most vulnerable, when, in the imagery of Saint Paul, we are aware of ourselves as earthen vessels, prone to being broken. At such times, the Lord is present to us as strength in our weakness, as sustenance in our frailty. He not only comes to us as strength in our weakness, but, having done so, he wants to come through us as strength in the weakness of others. He looks to us to be as attentive to the crushed reeds and the smouldering wicks as he was.
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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 his book Reflections on the Weekday Readings : The Word is near to you, on your lips and in your heart by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications, c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 18th July, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Leabhar Míocí, Fáidh. 2:1-5
Santaíonn siad goirt agus gabhann siad iad; cuireann siad a ndúil i dtithe agus glacann siad seilbh orthu.
Mairg don mhuintir a bhíonn ag meabhrú urchóide agus ag beartú oilc ar a leaba.
Le céadsolas na maidine siúd chun gníomhartha iad mar is acmhainn dóibh é.
Santaíonn siad goirt agus gabhann siad iad;
cuireann siad a ndúil i dtithe agus glacann siad seilbh orthu;
déanann siad éagóir ar dhuine agus coigistíonn siad a theach;
creachann siad duine eile agus baineann siad de a oidhreacht.
Dá dheasca sin labhraíonn an Tiarna leo mar seo:
Féach! In aghaidh na muintire seo táim ag meabhrú oilc
nach dtarraingeoidh sibh bhur muineál saor uaidh;
ní shiúlfaidh sibh ceann in airde feasta a dhonacht is a bheidh an uain.
An lá sin cumfar aoir agus canfar caoineadh fúibh mar seo:
“Táimid scriosta go hiomlán; tá fearann mo phobail á thomhas le dorú
agus ní thabharfar ar ais dóibh é go deo; tá ár gcuid talún á roinnt amach.”
Sin é an fáth nach mbeidh aon duine agaibh chun dorú a leagan daoibh ar ghabháltas ar bith i gcomhthionól an Tiarna.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 9b: 1-4, 7-8, 14. R/ v12
Freagra Ná déan dearmad ar lucht na hainnise, A Thiarna.
1. Cad fáth a gcoinníonn tú amach uainn, a Thiarna?
Cad fáth a ngabhann tú i bhfolach in am an bhuairimh?
Téann an t-éagráifeach ar thóir lucht na hainnise go díomasach
agus ceaptar iad siúd sna bearta a bheartaigh sé. Freagra
2. Óir maíonn an t-éagráifeach as mianta a chroí:
déanann an santach diamhasla agus diúltaíonn don Tiarna.
Deireann an drochdhuine le díomas: “Ní dhéanfaidh sé díoltas.”
Deir sé ina intinn: “Níl Dia ar bith ann!” Freagra
3. Bíonn a bhéal lomlán de mhallachtaí
agus fós de chealg is de bhréaga:
bíonn urchóid is mioscais faoina theanga.
Téann sé in oirchill i bhfogas na mionbhailte:
dúnmharaíonn sé an neamhchiontach ina ionad folaigh. Freagra
4. Feiceann tusa an trioblóid is an buaireamh
ionas go bhféadfá cúram a dhéanamh díobh.
Is ortsa atá a sheasamh ag an ainniseoir,
is tú a thugann cúnamh don dílleachta. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha 12:14-21 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Thug Íosa ordú láidir dóibh gan é chur in iúl; chun go gcomhlíonfaí a ndúradh trí Íseáia fáidh.
San am sin tar éis do na Fairisínigh dul amach, rinne siad comhairle le chéile ina aghaidh chun go millfidís é.
Bhí a fhios ag Íosa, áfach, agus chuaigh sé i leataobh as sin.
Lean sluaite móra é, agus leigheas sé iad uile, ach thug ordú láidir dóibh gan é chur in iúl; chun go gcomhlíonfaí a ndúradh trí Íseáia fáidh:
“Is é seo mo ghiolla, an té ba rogha liom, m’aonghrá ar a bhfuil gnaoi m’anama. Cuirfidh mé air mo Spiorad agus fógróidh sé an reacht do na ciníocha.
Ní dhéanfaidh sé bruíon ná gáir, ná ní chluinfear a ghlór sna sráideanna.
Ní bhrisfidh sé an ghiolcach leonta ná ní mhúchfaidh sé buaiceas an deataigh,
nó go mbéarfaidh sé an reacht chun bua. Beidh muinín ag na ciníocha as a ainm.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 19th July, 2026
Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A
World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Wisdom 12:13. 16-19
After sin you will grant repentance.
There is no god, other than you, who cares for every thing, to whom you might have to prove that you never judged unjustly; Your justice has its source in strength, your sovereignty over all makes you lenient to all.
You show your strength when your sovereign power is questioned and you expose the insolence of those who know it; but, disposing of such strength, you are mild in judgement, you govern us with great lenience,
for you have only to will, and your power is there.
By acting thus you have taught a lesson to your people
how the virtuous man must be kindly to his fellow men,
and you have given your sons the good hope that after sin you will grant repentance.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 85: 5-6. 9-10. 15-16. R/v 5
Response O Lord, you are good and forgiving.
1. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of love to all who call.
Give heed, O Lord, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my voice. Response
2. All the nations shall come to adore you and glorify your name, O Lord:
for you are great and do marvellous deeds, you who alone are God. Response
3. But you, God of mercy and compassion, slow to anger, O Lord,
abounding in love and truth, turn and take pity on me. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Romans 8:26-27
The Spirit himself expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words.
The Spirit too comes to help us in our weakness. For when we cannot choose words in order to pray properly, the Spirit himself expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words, and God who knows everything in our hearts knows perfectly well what he means, and that the pleas of the saints expressed by the Spirit are according to the mind of God.The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Eph 1:17. 18
Alleluia, alleluia!
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind,
so that we can see what hope his call holds for us.
Alleluia!
Or Mt 11:25
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 13:24-43 Glory to you, O Lord
Let them both grow till the harvest.
Jesus put a parable before the crowds, 'The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off. When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, the darnel appeared as well. The owner's servants went to him and said, "Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does the darnel come from?" "Some enemy has done this" he answered. And the servants said, "Do you want us to go and weed it out?" But he said, "No, because when you weed out the darnel you might pull up the wheat with it. Let them both grow till the harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers: First collect the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn."'
He told them another parable, The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through'.
In all this Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables; indeed, he would never speak to them except in parables. This was to fulfil the prophecy: I will speak to you in parables and expound things hidden since the foundation of the world.
Then, leaving the crowds, he went to the house; and his disciples came to him and said,
'Explain the parable about the darnel in the field to us'.
He said in reply, 'The sower of the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world; the good seed is the subjects of the kingdom; the darnel, the subjects of the evil one; the enemy who sowed them, the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; the reapers are the angels. Well then, just as the darnel (tares) is gathered up and burnt in the fire, so it will be at the end of time. The Son of Man will send his angels and they will gather out of his Kingdom all the things that provoke offences and all who do evil, and throw them into the burning furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. Then the virtuous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Listen, anyone who has ears.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Shorter form of the Gospel
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew Mt 13:24-30
Let them both grow till the harvest.
Jesus put a parable before the crowds,
'The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off. When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, the darnel (tares) appeared as well. The owner's servants went to him and said, "Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does the darnel come from?" "Some enemy has done this" he answered.
And the servants said, "Do you want us to go and weed it out?" But he said, "No, because when you weed out the darnel you might pull up the wheat with it. Let them both grow till the harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers:
First collect the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn."'
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 19th July, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an dara LeabharhEagna 12:13. 16-19
Tugann tú maithiúnas i bpeacaí.
Níl aon Dia eile ann seachas thú féin a bhfuil cúram na cruinne air
le go gcaithfeá-sa a chruthú dó nár thug tú breith éagórach uait riamh.
Óir is í do chumhachtsa tobar na córa;is é an tiarnas atá agat ar an uile ní a thugann ort iad go léir a choigilt.
Taispeánann tú do chumhacht nuair nach dtugtar aitheantas d’iomláine do nirt
agus daorann tú sotal na ndaoine a bhfuil eolas acu air.
Ach cé go bhfuil cumhacht iomlán agat is cneasta an bhreith a thugann tú
agus rialaíonn tú sinn le trócaire.
Óir, cibé uair is toil leat é, is féidir duit do chumhacht a chur i bhfeidhm.
Mhúin tú do do phobal leis na bearta sin nach foláir don fhíréan bheith cineálta;
agus chuir tú dóchas láidir i gcroíthe do chlainne de bhrí go dtugann tú maithiúnas i bpeacaí.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 85: 5-6. 9-10. 15-16. R/v 5
Freagra Tá tú go maith is go ceansa, a Thiarna.
1. Tá tú go maith is go ceansa, a Thiarna, lán de ghrá do chách a ghlaonn ort.
Éist le m'urnaí, a Thiarna, agus tabhair aird ar ghlór mo ghuí. Freagra
2. Tiocfaidh na ciníocha do d'adhradh, a Thiarna, agus déanfaidh siad d'ainm a fhógairt:
óir is éachtách thú agus is iontach do ghníomhartha, óir is tú amháin is Dia. Freagra
3. A Thiarna Dia na trua agus na taise, ar deacair thú a spreagadh chun feirge,
agus atá lán de ghrá agus d'fhírinne, féach orm, agus bíodh trua agat dom. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 8:26-27
Déanann an Spiorad idirghuí ar ár son le hosnaí nach féidir a chur i bhfocail.
A bhráithre, tagann an Spiorad i gcabhair orainn inár laige. Mar ní eol dúinn conas an ghuí féin a dhéanamh mar is cóir ach déanann an Spiorad idirghuí ar ár son le hosnaí nach féidir a chur i bhfocail, agus an té úd a chiorann na croíthe, tuigeann sé cad is áil leis an Spiorad agus gur de réir toil Dé a dhéanann sé achainí ar son na naomh.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Mt 11:25
Alleluia, alleluia!
Tugaim buíochas duit, a Athair, a Thiarna neimhe agus talún,
de chionn mar a cheil tú na nithe seo ar lucht eagna agus éirime
agus mar a d’fhoilsigh tú do naíonáin iad.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 13:24-43
Fágtar le hais a céile ag fás iad araon go dtí an fómhar
San am sin chuir Íosa parabal eile os a gcomhair:“Is iad dála ríocht na bhflaitheas,” ar seisean, “mar a bhí ag an duine a chuir síol maith ina ghort. Ach fad a bhí an saol ina chodladh, bhí namhaid dó a tháinig ag scaipeadh cogail anuas ar an arbhar, agus d’imigh. Tháinig an t-arbhar aníos ina gheamhar, agus ansin ina dhias agus an uair sin chonacthas an cogal freisin.
Tháinig a chuid sclábhaí go dtí an fear tí agus dúirt siad leis: ‘A mháistir, an síol a chuir tú i do ghort, nach síol maith a bhí ann? Agus cad a thug an cogal ann más ea?’
Dúirt sé leo: ‘Namhaid éigin a rinne an méid sin.’ ‘Agus ar mhaith leat,’ deir na sclábhaí leis, ‘go rachaimis á bhailiú chun a chéile?’ ‘Ná déanaigí,’ ar seisean, ‘ar eagla, nuair a bheadh sibh ag bailiú an chogail, go sracfadh sibh an t-arbhar aníos san am céanna. Fágtar le hais a chéile ag fás iad araon go dtí an fómhar, agus nuair a bheidh an fómhar á dhéanamh déarfaidh mé leis na buanaithe: Bailígí an cogal chun a chéile ar dtús, agus déanaigí punanna de chun a dhóite. Ach cruinnígí an t-arbhar isteach i mo scioból.’”
Chuir sé parabal eile os a gcomhair:
“Is cosúil ríocht na bhflaitheas,” ar seisean, “le gráinne de shíol mustaird a thóg duine agus a chuir sé ina ghort. Is é an gráinnín síl is lú ar bith é, ach nuair a bhíonn sé fásta, bíonn sé ar an gceann is mó de na glasraí agus déantar crann de, a bhféadann éanlaith an aeir dul ar foscadh ina chraobhacha.”
D’inis sé parabal eile dóibh:
“Is cosúil ríocht na bhflaitheas le gabháil a thóg bean agus a d’fholaigh sí i dtrí pheic plúir nó go raibh sé gabháilte ar fad.”
Labhair Íosa na nithe sin uile i bparabail leis na sluaite: ní dhéanadh sé caint ar bith leo gan pharabal, agus sin mar a comhlíonadh a ndúradh tríd an bhfáidh: “Labhróidh mé i bparabail, nochtfaidh mé nithe ba rún ó thúsú an domhain.”
D’fhág sé na sluaite an uair sin agus chuaigh sé isteach sa teach. Tháinig a dheisceabail chuige agus dúirt siad:
“Mínigh dúinn an parabal úd an chogail sa ghort.”
D’fhreagair sé iad á rá: “An té a chuireann an síol maith, sin é Mac an Duine. Is é an domhan an gort. An síol maith muintir na ríochta. Dream an oilc an cogal, agus is é an diabhal an namhaid a scaipeann é. Is é deireadh an tsaoil an fómhar agus is iad na haingil na buanaithe. Amhail mar a bhailítear an cogal chun é dhó sa tine, sin mar a bheidh i ndeireadh an tsaoil. Cuirfidh Mac an Duine a aingil amach agus baileoidh siad gach ábhar scannail as a ríocht agus na daoine a thaobhaíonn an t-olc, agus teilgfidh siad san fhoirnéis tine iad. Is ann a bheidh gol agus díoscán fiacla.
Beidh na fíréin an uair sin ag lonradh ar nós na gréine i ríocht a nAthar. An té a bhfuil cluasa air, éisteadh sé!”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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SOISCÉAL gearr
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha 13:24-30
Fágtar le hais a céile ag fás iad araon go dtí an fómhar
San am sin chuir Íosa parabal eile os a gcomhair:“Is iad dála ríocht na bhflaitheas,” ar seisean, “mar a bhí ag an duine a chuir síol maith ina ghort. Ach fad a bhí an saol ina chodladh, bhí namhaid dó a tháinig ag scaipeadh cogail anuas ar an arbhar, agus d’imigh. Tháinig an t-arbhar aníos ina gheamhar, agus ansin ina dhias agus an uair sin chonacthas an cogal freisin.
Tháinig a chuid sclábhaí go dtí an fear tí agus dúirt siad leis: ‘A mháistir, an síol a chuir tú i do ghort, nach síol maith a bhí ann? Agus cad a thug an cogal ann más ea?’ Dúirt sé leo: ‘Namhaid éigin a rinne an méid sin.’ ‘Agus ar mhaith leat,’ deir na sclábhaí leis, ‘go rachaimis á bhailiú chun a chéile?’ ‘Ná déanaigí,’ ar seisean, ‘ar eagla, nuair a bheadh sibh ag bailiú an chogail, go sracfadh sibh an t-arbhar aníos san am céanna. Fágtar le hais a chéile ag fás iad araon go dtí an fómhar, agus nuair a bheidh an fómhar á dhéanamh déarfaidh mé leis na buanaithe: Bailígí an cogal chun a chéile ar dtús, agus déanaigí punanna de chun a dhóite. Ach cruinnígí an t-arbhar isteach i mo scioból.’”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
