Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Dec 26 - St Stephen (1st century) deacon and martyr
Summary of St Stephen, deacon, martyr. Stephen's only "crime" was to have spoken hard truths that his audience did not want to hear. So the frenzied mob put him to death by stoning. Under the rocks crushing out his life, Stephen commended his spirit to Jesus, and with his dying breath, prayed for his killers.
Stephen is the first Christian martyr after Jesus himself. His story is told in the Acts of the Apostles chapters 6 and 7. His cult spread widely from Jerusalem to Constantinople, north Africa, Rome and Prague.
Patrick Duffy summarises what is known about him.
A Hellenistic Jew
Stephen was probably a Hellenistic Jew. When the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews complained against the Hebraic Jews that their own widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food, Stephen was among those chosen by the apostles to be one of the seven deacons appointed in charge of the distribution of alms to the faithful and especially the widows. But as things turned he also had a charism for preaching. Perhaps it was because of his witness that deacons later took on the ministry of preaching.
Engaged by the Hebraic Jews
Certain Jews engaged Stephen in argument and made false charges against him. Stephen's powerful discourse as recorded in Acts 7 argues that God had always found a way to look after his people in the history of salvation, but that all the institutions like the Mosaic Law and even the Temple were temporary institutions that had been fulfilled in and superseded by Jesus.
Jesus, Stephen argued, was the prophet promised by Moses and the New Temple whom the Jews - "stiff-necked and uncircumcised of heart" - had destroyed and put to death. They, the Jews, had resisted the Holy Spirit!
Stoned to Death: A Hellenistic Jew
Stephen was probably a Hellenistic Jew. When the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews complained against the Hebraic Jews that their own widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food, Stephen was among those chosen by the apostles to be one of the seven deacons appointed in charge of the distribution of alms to the faithful and especially the widows. But as things turned he also had a charism for preaching. Perhaps it was because of his witness that deacons later took on the ministry of preaching.
The first church in Rome to have a circular plan, inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, was the Basilica of San Stefano Rotondo, close to the Pontifical Irish College in Rome. c/f image right. It was consecrated by Pope Simplicius between 468 AD and 483 AD. _____________________________________
Stephen is the first Christian martyr after Jesus himself. His story is told in the Acts of the Apostles chapters 6 and 7. His cult spread widely from Jerusalem to Constantinople, north Africa, Rome and Prague.
Patrick Duffy summarises what is known about him.
A Hellenistic Jew
Stephen was probably a Hellenistic Jew. When the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews complained against the Hebraic Jews that their own widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food, Stephen was among those chosen by the apostles to be one of the seven deacons appointed in charge of the distribution of alms to the faithful and especially the widows. But as things turned he also had a charism for preaching. Perhaps it was because of his witness that deacons later took on the ministry of preaching.
Engaged by the Hebraic Jews
Certain Jews engaged Stephen in argument and made false charges against him. Stephen's powerful discourse as recorded in Acts 7 argues that God had always found a way to look after his people in the history of salvation, but that all the institutions like the Mosaic Law and even the Temple were temporary institutions that had been fulfilled in and superseded by Jesus.
Jesus, Stephen argued, was the prophet promised by Moses and the New Temple whom the Jews - "stiff-necked and uncircumcised of heart" - had destroyed and put to death. They, the Jews, had resisted the Holy Spirit!
Stoned to Death: A Hellenistic Jew
Stephen was probably a Hellenistic Jew. When the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews complained against the Hebraic Jews that their own widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food, Stephen was among those chosen by the apostles to be one of the seven deacons appointed in charge of the distribution of alms to the faithful and especially the widows. But as things turned he also had a charism for preaching. Perhaps it was because of his witness that deacons later took on the ministry of preaching.
The first church in Rome to have a circular plan, inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, was the Basilica of San Stefano Rotondo, close to the Pontifical Irish College in Rome. c/f image right. It was consecrated by Pope Simplicius between 468 AD and 483 AD. _____________________________________******************************
Memorable Saying for Today
I never knew how strong I was until
I had to forgive someone who wasn't sorry,
and accept an apology I never received.
~ Anonymous ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Friday, 26th December, 2025
12-26 St Stephen, Christianity's first Christian deacon/martyr.
Stephen was an outstanding example of caring for the poor and needy, and for his forgiveness of his enemies, a reminder to us that the birth of Jesus as a helpless baby is not a mere sentimental feast but has serious implications for every one of us.
c/f short history of today’s saint can be found below today’s Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 6:8-10. 7:54-61
I can see heaven thrown open.
Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people. But then certain people came forward to debate with Stephen, some from Cyrene and Alexandria who were members of the synagogue called the Synagogue of Freedmen, and others from Cilicia and Asia. They found they could not get the better of him because of his wisdom, and because it was the Spirit that prompted what he said. They were infuriated when they heard this, and ground their teeth at him.
But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God's right hand. 'I can see heaven thrown open' he said 'and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'
At this all the members of the council shouted out and stopped their ears with their hands; they all rushed at him, sent him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses put down their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul. As they were stoning him,
Stephen said in invocation, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit'.
Then he knelt down and said aloud,
'Lord, do not hold this sin against them'; and with these words he fell asleep.
Saul entirely approved of the killing.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 30:3-4, 6, 8, 16-17, R/v 6.
Response Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
1. Be a rock of refuge for me, a mighty stronghold to save me,for you are my rock, my stronghold.
For your name's sake, lead me and guide me. Response
2. Into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who will redeem me, Lord.
As for me, I trust in the Lord: let me be glad and rejoice in your love. Response
3. My life is in your hands, deliver me from the hands of those who hate me.
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your love. Response
Gospel Acclamation Ps 117;26. 27
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; the Lord God is our light.
Alleluia
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 10:17-22 Glory to you O Lord
It is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.
Jesus said to his apostles:
'Beware of men: they will hand you over to Sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues.
You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans.
But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say;
what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.
'Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child;
children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all men on account of my name;but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.'
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Dec 26th Saint Stephen Matthew 10:17-22
A day after celebrating the birth of Jesus we celebrate the death of the first martyr for the fifth, Stephen. We move from a birth to a death very quickly. Today’s feast brings home to us the words of Simeon to Mary and Joseph as they brought the child Jesus to the Temple, ‘this child is destined... to be a sign that will be opposed’. Not only would Jesus be opposed but so also would those who witnessed to him, like Stephen. The loss of someone so gifted as Stephen must have been a great blow to the early church. The Acts of the Apostles refers to him as ‘full of faith and the Holy Spirit’ and ‘full of grace and power’. After he was stoned to death, Acts says that ‘devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him’. The other disciples did not simply weep silently over his death but wailed publicly, so great was their loss.
Yet, some good came out of this loss. The Lord worked powerfully through the martyrdom of Stephen and the persecution of the church that followed. The Acts of the Apostles says that those who were scattered because of the persecution went from place to place proclaiming the word where it had never been preached. Also today’s first reading tells us that a young man named Saul witnessed the killing of Stephen and approved of it. He went on to become a follower of Jesus the great apostle to the Gentiles, Paul. Perhaps the martyrdom of Stephen was somehow instrumental in Paul’s transformation from zealous persecutor of the church to its most dynamic missionary. Today’s feast reminds us that the Lord can bring new life out of all our losses. In the words of today’s psalm, the Lord remains our rock and our stronghold in the midst of our painful losses. As Jesus declares in the gospel reading, ‘the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you’. If we entrust ourselves to the Lord at those times of loss, if we commend our spirit into his hands, we will experience his saving help.
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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 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 , c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Saint of the day: December 26th, St Stephen, deacon, protomartyr
Stephen's only "crime" was to have spoken hard truths that his audience did not want to hear. So the frenzied mob put him to death by stoning. Under the rocks crushing out his life, Stephen commended his spirit to Jesus, and with his dying breath, prayed for his killers.
Stephen is the first Christian martyr after Jesus himself. His story is told in the Acts of the Apostles chapters 6 & 7. His cult spread widely from Jerusalem to Constantinople, North Africa, Rome and Prague.
Patrick Duffy summarises what is known about him.
A Hellenistic Jew
Stephen was probably a Hellenistic Jew. When the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews complained against the Hebraic Jews that their own widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food, Stephen was among those chosen by the apostles to be one of the seven deacons appointed in charge of the distribution of alms to the faithful and especially the widows. But as things turned out he also had a charism for preaching. Perhaps it was because of his witness that deacons later took on the ministry of preaching.
Engaged by the Hebraic Jews
When the number of disciples was increasing, certain Hellenistic Jews engaged Stephen in argument and made false charges against him. Stephen's powerful discourse as recorded in Acts 7 argues that God had always found a way to look after his people in the history of salvation, but that all the institutions like the Mosaic Law and even the Temple were temporary institutions that had been fulfilled in and superseded by Jesus.
Stoned to Death: Stephen was among those chosen by the apostles to be one of the seven deacons appointed in charge of the distribution of alms to the faithful and especially the widows. Certain other Jews engaged Stephen in argument and made false charges against him. But as things turned out he also had a charism for preaching. Perhaps it was because of his witness that deacons later took on the ministry of preaching.
Stephen's powerful discourse as recorded in Acts 7 argues that God had always found a way to look after his people in the history of salvation, but that all the institutions like the Mosaic Law and even the Temple were temporary institutions that had been fulfilled in and superseded by 'Jesus. ' Jesus', Stephen argued, was the prophet promised by Moses and the New Temple whom the Jews - "stiff-necked and uncircumcised of heart" - had destroyed and put to death. They, the Jews, had resisted the Holy Spirit!
The first church in Rome to have a circular plan was inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem was the Basilica of San Stefano Rotondo, It stands close to the Pontifical Irish College in Rome. c/f image above. It was consecrated by Pope Simplicius between 468 AD and 483 AD.
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Saying of the Day
Yes, let God be the Judge. Your job today is to bear witness.
- Warren Wiersbe
Liturgical Readings for: Friday, 26th December, 2025
- 26-12-2025-
Naomh Stiofán
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as Gníomhartha na nAspal 6:8-10. 7:54-61
Feicim na flaithis ar oscailt.
Bhí Stiofán lán de ghrásta agus de chumhacht agus é ag déanamh éachtaí agus míorúiltí taibhseacha i measc an phobail. Bhí daoine áirithe de chuid “Sionagóg na Saorfhear” mar a thugtaí uirthi – daoine ó Chuiréiné agus ó Chathair Alastair, ón tSiléis agus ón Áise, agus thosaigh siad ag argóint le Stiofán ach ní raibh ar a gcumas aon cheart a bhaint dá chuid eagna ná den Spiorad lenar labhair sé.Chuaigh an chaint sin trí chroí a lucht éisteachta agus tháinig díoscán fiacla orthu chuige. Ach bhí seisean lán den Spiorad Naomh, agus, ag féachaint in airde chun na bhflaitheas dó, chonaic sé glóir Dé agus Íosa ina sheasamh ar dheis Dé.
“Féach,” ar seisean, “feicim na flaithis ar oscailt agus Mac an Duine ina sheasamh ar dheis Dé.”
Leis sin lig siad béic ard astu agus gan éisteacht le focal eile thug siad ruathar faoi in éineacht, thiomáin amach as an gcathair é agus thosaigh siad ar ghabháil de chlocha air. D’fhág na finnéithe a mbrait ag cosa ógfhir darbh ainm Sól. Fad a bhí siad á chlochadh bhí Stiofán ag glao os ard á rá:
“A Thiarna Íosa, glac chugat m’anam.” Ar thitim dó ar a ghlúine scread sé in ard a ghutha:
“A Thiarna, ná hagair orthu an peaca seo.” Agus leis sin shíothlaigh sé.
Agus thoiligh Sól lena dhúnmharú.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 30:3-4, 6, 8, 16-17, R/v 6.
Freagra Do do láimhse, a thiarna, a thiomnaím m’anam.
1. Bí i do charraig choimirce dom: i do dhaingean do mo chosaint is do mo tharrtháil.Óir is tú mo charraig agus mo chaiseal; seol mé agus treoraigh mé as ucht d’ainm. Freagra
2. Do do láimhse a thiomnaím m’anam, óir is tú a cheannaigh mé a Thiarna.
Déanfaidh mé áthas agus gairdeas faoi do bhuanghrá agus chuidigh tú le m’anam ina chúngaigh. Freagra
3. Tá m’anam ag brath ort, saor méón namhaid is ó chách ar mo thóir.
Taispeain do ghnúis ghrianmhar do do ghiolla;tabhair slán mé i do ghrá. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naofa Matha 10:17-22 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Ní sibhse a bheidh ag caint: is é Spiorad bhur nAthar a bheidh ag caint ionaibh.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena aspail:Seachnaígí sibh féin ar dhaoine, mar tabharfaidh siad ar láimh do na Sainidríní sibh, agus sciúrsálfaidh siad ina sionagóga sibh, agus seolfar i láthair gobharnóirí agus ríthe sibh mar gheall ormsa chun fianaise a thabhairt os a gcomhair agus os comhair na ngintlithe. Ach nuair a bheidh sibh ar láimh, ná bígí ag fiafraí conas a labhróidh sibh nó go himníoch cad a déarfaidh sibh. Tabharfar daoibh, an uair sin féin, an rud a bheidh le rá agaibh, mar ní sibhse a bheidh ag caint: is é Spiorad bhur nAthar a bheidh ag caint ionaibh.
Tabharfaidh an deartháir a dheartháir féin suas chun báis, agus an t-athair a pháiste féin; éireoidh an chlann amach in aghaidh a dtuismitheoirí agus maróidh siad iad. Agus beidh fuath ag cách daoibh mar gheall ar m’ainmse. Ach an té a sheasfaidh amach go deireadh, sábhálfar é.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 28th December, 2025
The Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Feast, Year A
Sunday within the Octave of Christma
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Ecclesiasticus (Sirac) 3:2-6. 12-14
He who fears the Lord, respects his parents
The Lord honours the father in his children,
and upholds the rights of a mother over her sons.
Whoever respects his father is atoning for his sins,
he who honours his mother is like someone amassing a fortune.
Whoever respects his father will be happy with children of his own,
he shall be heard on the day when he prays.
Long life comes to him who honours his father,
he who sets his mother at ease is showing obedience to the Lord.
My son, support your father in his old age, do not grieve him during his life.
Even if his mind should fail, show him sympathy, do not despise him in your health and strength;
for kindness to a father shall not be forgotten but will serve as reparation for your sins.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm 127:1-5 R/v 1
Response O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
By the labour of your hands you shall eat You will be happy and prosper. Response
Your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house;
your children like shoots of the olive around your table. Response
Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord
May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Colossians 3:12-21
Family life in the Lord
You are God's chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion,
in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins.
The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them,
put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together
as parts of one body. Always be thankful.
Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Wives, give way to your husbands, as you should in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and treat them with gentleness.
Children, be obedient to your parents always, because that is what will please the Lord.
Parents, never drive your children to resentment or you will make them feel frustrated.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Col 3:15-16
Alleluia, alleluia!
May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts,
let the message of Christ find a home in you.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL Year A
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 2:13-15. 19-23 Glory to you, O Lord
Take the child and his mother and escape into Egypt
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
'Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you,
because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him'.
So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him left that night for Egypt, where they stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: I called my son out of Egypt.'
After Herod's death, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 'Get up, take the child and his mother with you and go back to the land of Israel, for those who wanted to kill the child are dead'.
So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, went back to the land of Israel. But when he learnt that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as ruler of Judaea he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he left for the region of Galilee. There he settled in a town called Nazareth.
In this way the words spoken through the prophets were to be fulfilled: 'He will be called a Nazarene.'
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/
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Alternative Gospels
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 2:22-40 Glory to you, O Lord
The child grew, filled with wisdom.
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord — observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord — and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked
forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.’
As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected — and a sword will pierce your own soul too — so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’
There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer.
She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 28th December, 2025
FÉILE AN TEAGHGLAIGH NAOFA Blian A
(Blian A: 2025)
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Sírach - 3:2-6, 12-14
An té ar bhfuil eagla an Tiarna, tugann sé onóir dá thuismitheoirí
Tugann an Tiarna onóir don athair trí bhíthin a chlainne,
agus déanann sé údarás na máthar ar a cuid clainne a dhaingniú.
An té a mbíonn urraim aige dá athair, déanann sé leorghníomh ina pheacaí.
An té a thugann onóir dá mháthair, is cosúil é le duine atá ag cnuasach stóir dó féin.
An té a mbíonn urraim aige dá athair, beidh a chlann féin ina n-ábhar áthais dó,
agus nuair a dhéanfaidh sé guí, éistfear leis.
An té a thugann onóir dá athair, beidh fad saoil aige,
agus an té a dhéanann rud ar an Tiarna, tabharfaidh sé sólás dá mháthair.
A mhic, glac cúram d’athar ort féin i ndeireadh a shaoil agus ná cuir brón air fad is beo dó.
Fiú amháin má thagann meath ar a mheabhair, bí foighneach leis;
ná bíodh drochmheas agat air, toisc, tú féin a bheith i mbarr do mhaítheasa.
Óir an charthanacht a dhéanann tú ar d’athair, ní dhéanfar dearmad uirthi choíche,
agus cuirfear síos duit é in aghaidh do pheacaí.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Diatiarna
Salm le Freagra Sm 127 L: 1-5 R/v 1
Freagra Is aoibhinnaidh tú toradh do shaothair féin.
do chách lerb eagal an Tiarna agus a shiúlann ins shlite
1. Is aoibhinn do chách lerb eagal an Tiarna agus a shiúlann ins shlite.
Íosfaidh tú toradh do shaothair féin. Beidh úgo sona séanmhar. Freagra
2. Beidh do bhean amhail finiúin thorthach i gcearlár di thí
beidh do clann mar bhuinneáin olóige agus iad mórthimpeall do bhoird. Freagra
3. Is amhlaidh a bheannófar an fear ar a mbíonn eagla an Tiarna.
Go mbeannaí an tiarna thú as Sión amach gach láde do shaol. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Colosaigh: 3:12-21
Saol an teaghlaigh i nDia
A bhraithre, ós sibhse an pobal tofa, pobal naofa muirneach Dé, cuirigí umaibh trua
croí, cineáltas, uirísle, ceansacht agus foighne. Cuirigí suas le chéile agus cibé locht a
bhíonn ag duine agaibh ar dhuine eile maithigí dá chéile é; faoi mar a mhaith an Tiarna
daoibh, déanaigí-se mar an gcéanna. Agus mar bharr ar gach ní acu sin cuirigí umaibh an grá mar is é a chuirfidh bail agus críoch ar an iomlán. Agus bíodh síocháin Chríost i réim in bhur gcroí mar is chun síocháin a bheith agaibh a glaodh sibh le chéile in aon chorp amháin.
Agus bígí buíoch. Bíodh briathar Chríost ina chónaí faoi rath in bhur measc. Déanaigí a chéile a chomhairliú agus a theagasc le barr eagna. Canaigí sailm agus iomainn agus laoithe spioradálta in ómós do Dhia agus buíochas in bhur gcroí. Agus gach ní dá ndéanann sibh le briathar nó le gníomh, déanaigí an t-iomlán in ainm an Tiarna
Íosa ag gabháil buíochais le Dia an tAthair tríd. Saol an Teaghlaigh
A mhná, bígí faoi smacht bhur bhfear céile mar is dual sa Tiarna.
A fheara, bíodh grá agaibh do bhur mná agus gan bheith garg leo.
A leanaí, bígí umhal do bhur dtuismitheoirí i ngach ní mar is taitneamhach sin leis an Tiarna.
A aithreacha, ná déanaigí bhur leanaí a chrá le heagla go gcuirfí drochmhisneach orthu.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Diatiarna
Alleluia Véarsa Col 3 :15-16
Alleluia, alleluia
Bíodh síocháin Chríost i réim in bhur gcroí;
bíodh briathar Chríost ina chónaí faoi rath in bhur measc.
Alleluia
SOISCÉAL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 2:22-40 Glory to you, O Lord.
Feach, is dán dó seo bheith ina thrúig leagtha agus éirithe dá lán in Iosrael.
Nuair a bhí ocht lá caite agus é le timpeallghearradh, tugadh Íosa mar ainm air, mar a thug an t-aingeal air sular gabhadh sa bhroinn é. Agus nuair a bhí na laethanta caite agus iad le híonghlanadh de réir dhlí Mhaois, thug siad go Iarúsailéim é le toirbhirt don Tiarna – mar atá scríofa i ndlí an Tiarna: “Gach fíreannach atá ina chéadghin, is rud coisricthe don Tiarna é” – agus chun go n-ofrálfaidís mar íobairt, de réir a bhfuil ráite i ndlí an Tiarna, “péire colm nó dhá ghearrcach colúir.”
Bhí fear in Iarúsailéim
darbh ainm Simeon, agus bhí an fear seo fíréanta diaga, ag súil le sólás Iosrael, agus bhí an Spiorad Naomh ina luí air. Agus bhí foilsiú faighte ón Spiorad Naomh aige nach bhfeicfeadh sé an bás nó go bhfeicfeadh Meisias an Tiarna. Tháinig sé, faoi luí an Spioraid, isteach sa Teampall; agus le linn dá thuismitheoirí bheith ag tabhairt an linbh Íosa isteach chun go ndéanfaidís ar a shon de réir nós an dlí, ghlac seisean chuige ina ucht é, agus mhol Dia agus dúirt:“Anois atá tú ag scaoileadh do sheirbhísigh uait, a
Thiarna, de réir d’fhocail, faoi shíocháin,
mar tá mo shúile tar éis do shlánú a fheiceáil
atá ullamh agat faoi chomhair na bpobal uile:
solas chun na náisiúin a shoilsiú agus glóir do phobail Iosrael.”
Agus bhí a athair agus a mhathair ag déanamh ionadh de na nithe a dúradh mar gheall air. Agus bheannaigh Simeon iad agus dúirt le Muire a mháthair:
“Feach, is dán dó seo bheith ina thrúig leagtha agus éirithe dá lán in Iosrael agus ina chomhartha a shéanfar – agus gabhfaidh claíomh trí d’anam féin – chun go bhfoilseofaí smaointe as mórán croíthe.”
Agus bhí banfháidh ann freisin, Anna iníon Fanuéil, de threibh Áiséar, í anonn I mblianta móra: mhair sí seacht mbliana ag a fear céile tar éis a hóghachta. Fágadh ina baintreach í, agus bhí ceithre bliana ochtód an uair seo aici; agus ní fhágadh sí an Teampall, ag seirbhís do Dhia de lá agus d’oíche le troscadh agus le hurnaithe. Tháinig sí i láthair an uair sin féin, agus thug moladh agus buíochas do Dhia; agus labhair sí mar gheall air le cách a bhí ag súil le Iarúsailéim a fhuascailt.
Nuair a bhí gach ní curtha i gcrích acu de réir dhlí an Tiarna, d’fhill siad ar an nGailíl, go dtí a gcathair féin Nazarat. Agus d’fhás an leanbh agus neartaigh, é lán d’eagna; agus bhí grásta Dé ina luí air.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
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Machtnamh ar Bhriathar Dé dia
Greamaithe le chéile sa carrthanacht
Na rudaí is mó a cheanglaíonn teaghlaigh le chéile is iad grá agus maithiúnas. Béidh an bhua ag an ghrá sa deireadh, fiú amháin más mór é uaireanta a theaspáint i bhfoirm "grá dian" agus caint oscailte, macánta. Nuair is gá ordú a chur i bhfeidhm, mura ndéantar é i slí grámhar, ba féidir go ndiúltófar é mar mhí-úsáid. Má tá mí-áth ar ár dteaghlaigh ar bhealach ar bith, is cosúil gur c#uis le sin ná easpa grá ar chuid an duine. Nuair a oibríonn saol an teaghlaigh go maith, is íontach an bhúa é. Ach bagairt mhór do theaghlaigh an lá atá inniu ann nach gcaithimid go leor ama ag labhairt le chéile. B'fhéidir go bhfuil muid ró-ghnóthach ag obair, ar an ghuthán, ag cearrbhachas ar ár IPads agus ár smartphones, nó ag breathnú ar Netflix agus teilifís. Ar féasta an Teaghlaigh Naofa, d'fhéadfaimis ár dtosaíochtaí a athnuachaint agus beagán níos mó ama a chaitheamh i gcaidreamh leo siúd is gaire dúinn.
Pádraig Ó Rúairí, cp,
Sliabh Argus, Átha Cliath.
