Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Nov 27 - St Cuthbert Mayne (1543–77) priest, martyr
Summary: St Cuthbert Mayne is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales canonised by Pope Paul VI on 25th Oct. 1970. He converted from Protestantism to Catholicism, became a priest and and was martyred for his faith.
Patrick Duffy relates his story.
A Protestant minister
Mayne was born at Yorkston, near Barnstaple in Devon and baptized on St Cuthbert's Day, 20th March, 1543. He grew up in the early days of the Boy King Edward VI with an overtly Protestant government installed. Cuthbert's uncle was a former Catholic priest who favoured the new doctrines and it was expected that Mayne, a good-natured and pleasant young man, but with no great thought of principles of any kind, would inherit his uncle's benefice. Educated at Barnstaple Grammar School and ordained a Protestant minister at the age of nineteen, he was installed as rector of Huntshaw, near his birthplace. There followed university studies at Oxford, first at St Alban's Hall, and then at St John's College, where he was made chaplain, taking his BA in 1566 and MA 1570.
Convert
It was in Oxford that Mayne made the acquaintance of Edmund Campion (see 1st Dec), who at that time was still a Protestant like himself, and a Catholic, Dr Gregory Martin. Mayne became convinced of the truth of the Catholic faith and converted to Catholicism. Late in 1570, a letter addressed to him from Gregory Martin fell into the hands of the Anglican Bishop of London and officers were sent at once to arrest him and others mentioned in the letter. Mayne evaded arrest by going to Cornwall and from there went in 1573 to the English College at Douai.
Returns to England as a Catholic priest
Ordained a Catholic priest at Douai in 1575, he left for the English mission with another priest, John Paine, and took up residence in the guise of an estate steward with Francis Tregian, a gentleman, of Golden, in St Probus's parish, Cornwall. Tregian's house was raided and the searchers found a Catholic devotional article (an Agnus Dei symbol) round Mayne's neck and took him into custody along with his books and papers. Imprisoned in Launceston jail, the authorities sought a death sentence but had difficulty in framing a treason indictment, but five different charges of contravening the Act of Supremacy were brought against him.
Trial
The trial judge directed the jury to return a verdict of guilty and he was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered. Mayne responded, 'Deo gratias'. Francis Tregian was also sentenced to die, but in fact spent 26 years in prison.
Two nights before his execution, Mayne's cell was reported by his fellow prisoners to have become full of a "great light". Before his execution, some Protestant ministers came to offer him his life if he would acknowledge the supremacy of the Queen as head of the church. His reply was to kiss his Bible and say: "The Queen neither ever was, nor is, nor ever shall be head of the Church of England".
Execution
Mayne was executed in the market place at Launceston on November 29, 1577. He was not allowed to speak to the crowd, but only to say his prayers quietly.
He was the first martyr not to be a member of a religious order.
He was the first "seminary priest", who were not trained in England but in houses of studies on the continent, as distinct from those who were ("Marian priests").
Patrick Duffy relates his story.
A Protestant minister
Mayne was born at Yorkston, near Barnstaple in Devon and baptized on St Cuthbert's Day, 20th March, 1543. He grew up in the early days of the Boy King Edward VI with an overtly Protestant government installed. Cuthbert's uncle was a former Catholic priest who favoured the new doctrines and it was expected that Mayne, a good-natured and pleasant young man, but with no great thought of principles of any kind, would inherit his uncle's benefice. Educated at Barnstaple Grammar School and ordained a Protestant minister at the age of nineteen, he was installed as rector of Huntshaw, near his birthplace. There followed university studies at Oxford, first at St Alban's Hall, and then at St John's College, where he was made chaplain, taking his BA in 1566 and MA 1570.Convert
It was in Oxford that Mayne made the acquaintance of Edmund Campion (see 1st Dec), who at that time was still a Protestant like himself, and a Catholic, Dr Gregory Martin. Mayne became convinced of the truth of the Catholic faith and converted to Catholicism. Late in 1570, a letter addressed to him from Gregory Martin fell into the hands of the Anglican Bishop of London and officers were sent at once to arrest him and others mentioned in the letter. Mayne evaded arrest by going to Cornwall and from there went in 1573 to the English College at Douai.
Returns to England as a Catholic priest
Ordained a Catholic priest at Douai in 1575, he left for the English mission with another priest, John Paine, and took up residence in the guise of an estate steward with Francis Tregian, a gentleman, of Golden, in St Probus's parish, Cornwall. Tregian's house was raided and the searchers found a Catholic devotional article (an Agnus Dei symbol) round Mayne's neck and took him into custody along with his books and papers. Imprisoned in Launceston jail, the authorities sought a death sentence but had difficulty in framing a treason indictment, but five different charges of contravening the Act of Supremacy were brought against him.
Trial
The trial judge directed the jury to return a verdict of guilty and he was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered. Mayne responded, 'Deo gratias'. Francis Tregian was also sentenced to die, but in fact spent 26 years in prison.Two nights before his execution, Mayne's cell was reported by his fellow prisoners to have become full of a "great light". Before his execution, some Protestant ministers came to offer him his life if he would acknowledge the supremacy of the Queen as head of the church. His reply was to kiss his Bible and say: "The Queen neither ever was, nor is, nor ever shall be head of the Church of England".
Execution
Mayne was executed in the market place at Launceston on November 29, 1577. He was not allowed to speak to the crowd, but only to say his prayers quietly.
He was the first martyr not to be a member of a religious order.
He was the first "seminary priest", who were not trained in England but in houses of studies on the continent, as distinct from those who were ("Marian priests").
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Memorable Saying for Today
Never, for the sake of peace and quiet,
deny your own experience or convictions.
~ Dag Hammarskjold~
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Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 27th November, 2025
Thursday of the 34th week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1
Daniel is thrown into the lion pit but God delivers him.
Saint of the Day: Nov 27th; St Fergal, (Virgil) bishop and missionary in France and Bavaria.
He was bishop of Salzburg around 742 and died in 784 leaving behind a reputation for learning and holiness.
c/f short history of today’s saint can be found below today’s Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the prophet Daniel 6:12-28
God sent his angel who sealed the lion's jaws.
The presidents and satraps came along in a body and found Daniel praying and pleading with God. They then came to the king and said, 'Have you not just signed an edict forbidding any man for the next thirty days to pray to anyone, god or man, other than to yourself O king, on pain of being thrown into the lions' den?'
'The decision stands,' the king replied 'as befits the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.'
Then they said to the king,
'O king, this man Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, disregards both you and the edict which you have signed: he is at his prayers three times each day.' When the king heard these words he was deeply distressed, and determined to save Daniel; he racked his brains until sunset to find some way out.
But the men came back in a body to the king and said,
'O king, remember that in conformity with the law of the Medes and the Persians, no edict or decree can be altered when once issued by the king.'
The king then ordered Daniel to be fetched and thrown into the lion pit. The king said to Daniel, 'Your God himself, whom you have served so faithfully, will have to save you.'A stone was then brought and laid over the mouth of the pit; and the king sealed it with his own signet and with that of his noblemen, so that there could be no going back on the original decision about Daniel. The king returned to his palace, spent the night in fasting and refused to receive any of his concubines. Sleep eluded him, and at the first sign of dawn he was up, and hurried off to the lion pit.
As he approached the pit he shouted in anguished tones,
'Daniel, servant of the living God! Has your God, whom you serve so faithfully, been able to save you from the lions?'
Daniel replied, 'O king, live for ever! My God sent his angel who sealed the lions' jaws, they did me no harm, since in his sight I am blameless, and I have never done you any wrong either, O king.'
The king was overjoyed, and ordered Daniel to be released from the pit. Daniel was released from the pit, and found to be quite unhurt, because he had trusted in his God.
The king sent for the men who had accused Daniel and had them thrown into the lion pit, they, their wives and their children: and they had not reached the floor of the pit before the lions had seized them and crushed their bones to pieces.
King Darius then wrote to men of all nations, peoples and languages throughout the world,
'May peace be always with you! I decree: in every kingdom of my empire let all tremble with fear before the God of Daniel: He is the living God, he endures for ever, his sovereignty will never be destroyed and his kingship never end.
He saves, sets free, and works signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth; he has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Dan 3: 68-74, R/v 59
Response Give glory and eternal praise to him!
1. Dews and sleets! bless the Lord. R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
2. Frost and cold! bless the Lord. R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
3. Ice and snow! bless the Lord. R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
4. Nights and days! bless the Lord. R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
5. Light and darkness! bless the Lord. R. Give glory and eternal praise to him
6. Lightning and clouds! bless the Lord. R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
7. Let the earth bless the Lord. R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
Gospel Acclamation Mt 24: 42
Alleluia, alleluia!
Stay awake and stand ready, because you do not know the hour
when the Son of Man is coming.
Alleluia!
Or Lk 21: 28
Alleluia, alleluia!
Stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 21:20-28 Glory to you, O Lord.
Jerusalem will be trampled down by the pagans until the age of the pagans is completely over.
Jesus said to his disciples:'When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you must realise that she will soon be laid desolate. Then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in country districts must not take refuge in it. For this is the time of vengeance when all that scripture says must be fulfilled.
Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come!
'For great misery will descend on the land and wrath on this people.
They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive to every pagan country;
and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the pagans until the age of the pagans is completely over.
'There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves;
men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Thursday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Luke 21:20–28
Jesus paints a very distressing picture of the future in today’s gospel reading. He looks ahead to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, resulting in its inhabitants being killed or taken into captivity. In those dark days for the holy city, nature itself will seem to share the anguish of the city and its inhabitants, with disconcerting signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. Jesus seems to be using a very dark pallet to paint this scene. Yet, a light emerges against the dark backdrop. Jesus declares that at that very moment when people are dying of fear, the Son of Man will come with great power and glory. His power is not a destructive power, like the power of Rome, but a liberating power, a power that frees people from all that threatens to destroy them, ‘stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand’.
Jesus does not play down the dark, destructive forces that threaten God’s people, but he insists that these dark forces will not ultimately win out. There is a greater force at work among us, God’s force or power, present through his risen Son, the force of a love that liberates and makes whole. We are all called to be channels of that liberating force of God. We can allow ourselves to be paralyzed by the dark forces that stalk the land, or we can hold our heads high in confident hope, in the assurance that the Lord of all is in our midst and trusting, in the words of Saint Paul, that his power working among us can do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine.
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The Scripture readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers.
The Gospel reflection is available with our thanks from Reflections on the Weekday Readings : You have the Words of Eternal life by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Saint of the Day: Nov 27; St Fergal, (Feargal) of Salzburg (700-784) monk, missionary, bishop
Fergal (or Virgil or Feargal) was born in Ireland, lived first as a monk in France, and then in Bavaria, where he founded the monastery of Chiemsee. He was appointed bishop of Salzburg around 754 and died in 784 leaving a reputation for learning and holiness. He became Patron of Salzburg
Patrick Duffy records some of the traditions about him.
Monk of Aghaboe
Born in Ireland, Feargal of Virgil (Latin "Virgilius") is said to have been a descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages. He become a monk and probably abbot in the monastery of Aghaboe (Annals of the Four Masters and the Annals of Ulster). Many Irish monks set out from Ireland as pilgrims for Christ (peregrini pro Christo). They journeyed widely through Europe and some founded important churches. Among them is St Feargal who was a missionary bishop in Salzburg, Austria. (The St Virgil image, right> was painted for St Virgil’s College, Hobart, Tasmania by Alec Szolomiak of Australia, and reprinted with permission.)
On Pilgrimage
In 743 he is said to have left Ireland to go to the Holy Land. He stopped first of all at the court of King Pepin the Short, father of Charlemagne. After spending two years at Cressy, near Compiègne, he went to Bavaria, at the invitation of Duke Odilo, where he founded the monastery of Chiemsee, and within a year or two was made Abbot of St. Peter's at Salzburg. Out of humility, he at first "concealed his orders", and had a bishop named Dobdagrecus, a fellow countryman, appointed to perform his episcopal functions for him.
Controversies with St Boniface
[caption id="attachment_52852" align="alignleft" width="100"]
St Feargal (Virgilius) of Salzburg - born about 700 in Ireland; died 784 November 27 in Salzburg, was an early astronomer. [/caption]In his first days at Salzburg, Feargal was involved in controversies with St. Boniface. Feargal expressed a number of opinions on astronomy, geography, and anthropology, which to Boniface smacked of novelty, if not heresy. He reported these views to Rome, and the Pope demanded an investigation of the bishop of Salzburg. Feargal was able to defend his views and nothing came of the complaint. He held the view that the earth was round which Boniface said was contrary to Scripture. The Pope decided in favour of Feargal
Cathedral at Salzburg
Feargal is said to have built a cathedral at Salzburg. St Rupert had built one there before him and the present cathedral has both of them as patrons; it is the site of Mozart's baptism. Feargal baptized the Slavic dukes of Carinthia, and sent missionaries into Hungary.
Death and Canonisation
Returning from a preaching mission to a distant part of his diocese, he fell sick and died on 27th November 784. When the Salzburg cathedral was destroyed by a fire in 1181, the grave of Feargal was discovered and this led to his canonisation by Pope Gregory IX in 1233. His feast is celebrated in Ireland and Austria.******************************
Memorable Sayings for Today
I fight for what I believe.
If you are not willing to stand up for what you believe, your beliefs are not strong enough.
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Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 27th November, 2025
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an dara Leabhar Dainéil Fáidh 6:12-28
Tá a aingeal curtha ag Dia chugam; tá clab na leon dúnta aige.
Thainig na huachtaráin ina lion tionóil agus fuair siad Dainéil ag guí is ag achainí i láthair a Dhé. Ansin tháinig siad isteach i láthair an rí i dtaobh an reachta agus dúirt siad leis:
“A rí, nár shínigh tú reacht, cibé a dhéanfadh achainí chun dé nó duine ach chugatsa amháin, a rí, ar feadh tríocha lá, go dteilgfí é in uaimh na leon.”
D’fhreagair an rí: “Tá an scéal socair de réir dhlí na Méideach agus na bPeirseach, nach féidir a chur ar ceal.”
Ansin dúirt siad leis an rí:
“An Dainéil úd, duine de na díbearthaigh ó Iúdá, níl aird aige ortsa, a rí, ná ar an reacht atá sínithe agat; trí huaire sa lá a dhéanann sé a achainí.” Ar chloisteáil na mbriathra sin don rí, tháinig suaitheadh air agus bheartaigh sé Dainéil a shaoradh. Go fuineadh néil nóna rinne sé a dhícheall é a shaoradh. Ansin tháinig an mhuintir seo [ina slua] chun an rí agus dúirt siad: “Bíodh a fhios agat, a rí, de réir dhlí na Méideach agus na bPeirseach, nach féidir aon reacht ná órdú a dhéanann an rí a chur ar ceal.”
D’ordaigh an rí Dainéil a thabhairt i láthair agus é a chaitheamh san uaimh chun na leon. Dúirt an rí le Dainéil: “Do Dhia, a bhfuil seirbhís dhílis tugtha agat dó, fuasclaíodh sé thú.”Tugadh cloch agus leagadh ar bhéal na huaimhe í agus chuir an rí a shéala féin agus séala a mhaithe uirthi ionas nach rachadh athrú ar aon ní a bhain le cúis Dhainéil. D’fhill an rí ar a phálás ansin agus chaith an oíche ina throscadh, gan [luí le leannán]. Thréig a chodladh é.
Ansin le breacadh an lae d’éirigh an rí agus bhrostaigh leis go huaimh na leon. Láimh leis an uaimh ghlaoigh sé go truacánta ar Dhainéil á rá:
“A Dhainéil, a shearbhónta Dé bheo, an Dia seo dá bhfónann tú go dílis, arbh fhéidir leis tú a fhuascailt ó na leoin?”
D’fhreagair Dainéil an rí:
“A rí, fad gach aon fhaid ar do shaol! Tá a aingeal curtha ag Dia chugam; tá clab na leon dúnta aige, agus níl aon dochar déanta acu dom mar go bhfuarthas gan chion mé ina láthair. Agus táim gan choir leis i do láthairse, a rí.”
Tháinig lúcháir mhór ar an rí agus d’ordaigh sé Dainéil a thógáil as an uaimh. Tógadh Dainéil uime sin aníos as an uaimh agus fuarthas é slán folláin mar go raibh a mhuinín aige as a Dhia. Ar ordú an rí, tugadh an mhuintir sin a rinne casaoid in aghaidh Dhainéil i láthair agus teilgeadh iad in uaimh na leon, iad féin, a mná agus a gclann; agus sula raibh íochtar na huaimhe sroichte acu bhí siad treascartha ag na leoin agus a gcnámha go léir smiota acu.
Agus scríobh an rí, Dáire, chuig an uile phobal, chine agus theanga a áitríonn san uile aird den chruinne:
“Síocháin daoibh ina tuile! Seo é an reacht atá agam á achtú: i m’impireacht agus i mo fhlaitheas rí go hiomlán go raibh an uile dhuine ar crith le heagla roimh Dhia Dhainéil, mar is é is Dia beo a mhaireann go deo; ní bheidh díthiú ar a fhlaitheas ná críoch ar a thiarnas.
Eisean a fhuasclaíonn agus a fhóireann, a dhéanann comharthaí agus míorúiltí ar neamh agus ar talamh;
shaor sé Dainéil ó chumhacht na leon.”
Salm le freagra Dan 3: 68-74, R/v 59
Freagra Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shío
1. Glóirígí an Tiarna, a dhrúcht agus a shneachta go léir,
F: Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor
2. Glóirígí an Tiarna, a shioc agus a oighir,
F:Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor.
3. Glóirígí an Tiarna, a reo agus a shneachta go léir,
F: Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor.
4. Glóirígí an Tiarna, a oícheanta agus a laethanta,
F: Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor.
5. Glóirígí an Tiarna, a sholais agus a dhorchadais,
F: Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor.
6. Glóirígí an Tiarna, a léasa agus a scamalla
F:Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor.
7. Glóiríodh an talamh an Tiarna,
F: Molaigí é agus móraigí é go hard de shíor.
SOISCÉAL:
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 21:20-28 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Beidh Iarúsailéim á satailt ag gintlithe nó go dtiocfaidh aimsirí na ngintlithe chun críche.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:
Nuair a fheicfidh sibh Iarúsailéim arna timpeallú ag sluaite armtha, bíodh a fhios agaibh ansin go bhfuil a lomscrios in achmaireacht. Ansin, iad seo a bheidh in Iúdáia, teithidís faoi na sléibhte; iad seo a bheidh sa chathair, imídís aisti; iad seo a bheidh ar an tuath, ná téidís isteach inti; óir is laethanta díoltais iad seo, nuair nach foláir gach a bhfuil scríofa a chomhlíonadh.Is mairg do na mná a bheidh ag iompar clainne nó ag tabhairt cíche sna laethanta sin! Go deimhin, beidh éigean mór sa tír agus díbheirg chun an phobail seo: titfidh siad le béal an chlaímh; seolfar ina mbránna iad ar fud na náisiún uile; agus beidh Iarúsailéim á satailt ag gintlithe nó go dtiocfaidh aimsirí na ngintlithe chun críche.
“Agus beidh comharthaí sa ghrian agus sa ghealach agus sna réaltaí. Ar an talamh beidh duainéis ar na náisiúin, iad ar mearbhall ó ghlór agus ó mhórtas na farraige; daoine i bhfantaisí éaga le barr eagla agus imní faoi na nithe atá le breith ar an gcruinne; óir beidh cumhachtaí na bhflaitheas ar crith. Agus ansin feicfear Mac an Duine ag teacht sa scamall le cumhacht agus iomad glóire. Nuair a thosóidh na nithe sin ag teacht, seasaígí suas agus ardaígí bhur gceann, óir tá bhur bhfuascailt in achmaireacht.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 30th November, 2025
November. 30th 2025, |First Sunday of Advent,
Todays liturgy is the first one of the new Church Year A: 2025/2026,
The Second Coming of Christ/Day of Judgement will be the day when our lives will be
truly, fairly and lovingly evaluated by God.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 2:1-5
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord that he may teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths.
The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
'In the days to come the mountain of the Temple of the Lord shall tower above the mountains and be lifted higher than the hills. All the nations will stream to it, peoples without number will come to it; and they will say: 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the Temple of the God of Jacob that he may teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths; since the Law will go out from Zion, and the oracle of the Lord from Jerusalem'.He will wield authority over the nations and adjudicate between many peoples; these will hammer their swords into ploughshares, their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation, there will be no more training for war.'
O House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 121: 1-2,4-5,6-9, Rv v.1
Response I rejoiced when I heard them say: "Let us go to God's house."
1. I rejoiced when I heard them say: "Let us go to God's house."
And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Response
2. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord.
For Israel's law it is, there to praise the Lord's name.
There were set the thrones of judgement of the house of David. Response
3. For the peace of Jerusalem pray: "Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls, in your palaces, peace !" Response
4. For love of my brethren and friends I say: "Peace upon you!"
For love of the house of the Lord I will ask for your good. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Romans 13:11-14
Our salvation is even nearer.
You know 'the time' has come: you must wake up now:our salvation is even nearer than it was when we were converted.
The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon -
let us give up all the things we prefer to do under cover of the dark;
let us arm ourselves and appear in the light.
Let us live decently as people do in the daytime:
no drunken orgies, no promiscuity or licentiousness, and no wrangling or jealousy.
Let your armour be the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Ps 84:8
Alleluia, alleluia!
Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 24:37-44 Glory to you, O Lord
Stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming.
Jesus said to his disciples:
'As it was in Noah's day, so will it be when the Son of Man comes.
For in those days before the Flood people were eating, drinking, taking wives, taking husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and they suspected nothing till the Flood came and swept all away.It will be like this when the Son of Man comes. Then of two men in the fields one is taken, one left; of two women at the millstone grinding, one is taken, one left.
'So stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming.
You may be quite sure of this that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar would come,
he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house.
Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.'
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
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The scripture readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, 1966 published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers.
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 30th November, 2025
An Chéad Domhnach den Aidbhint Bliain A
AN CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Íseáia, Fáidh 2:1-5
Seo linn, téimis suas go sliabh an Tiarna chun go múine sé dúinn a shlite agus go siúlaimis a bhealaí.
Fís Íseáia mhic Ámóz i dtaobh Iúdá agus Iarúsailéim.
Titfidh sé amach san am atá le teachtgo mbeidh an sliabh a bhfuil teach an Tiarna air os cionn na sléibhte, agus go dtógfar níos airde ná na cnoic é.
Tiocfaidh na ciníocha go léir ina sruth go dtí é; is iomaí pobal a rachaidh ann agus a déarfaidh:
“Seo linn, téimis suas go sliabh an Tiarna go teach Dhia Iacóib,
chun go múine sé dúinn a shlite agus go siúlaimis a bhealaí.”
Óir ó Shíón rachaidh an dlí amach, agus ó Iarúsailéim briathar an Tiarna.
Beidh smacht aige ar na ciníocha agus déanfaidh sé réiteach idir an iomad pobal, agus buailfidh siad a gclaímhte amach ina soic chéachta agus a sleánna ina gcorráin.
Ní thógfaidh na ciníocha an claíomh in aghaidh a chéile a thuilleadh ná ní chleachtfaidh siad cogadh níos mó.
A theaghlach Iacóib, tagaigí, agus siúlaimis i solas an Tiarna!
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 121: 1-2,4-5,6-9, Rv v.1
Freagra Rinne mé gairdeas nuair a dúradh liom.
'Téimis i dteach an Tiarna.'
1. Rinne mé gairdeas nuair a dúradh liom: 'Téimis i dteach an Tiarna.'
Tá ár gcosa ina seasamh cheana féin i do dhoirse, a Iarúsailéim. Freagra
2. Rinneadh cathair Iarúsailéim a go dlúth is go daingean.
Is chuici a ghabhann na treibheanna suas, treibheanna an Tiarna. Freagra
3. Ar son mo bhráithre agus lucht mo pháirte:
'Go raibh síocháin ionat!' Ar son theach an Tiarna, ár nDia, iarraim do leas. Freagra
AN DARA LEÁCT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 13:11-14
Is gaire dúinn ár slánú anois ná nuair a ghlacamar.
A bhráithre, nuair a thuigeann sibh an uair atá ann, is mithid daoibh dúiseacht as bhur gcodladh, mar is gaire dúinn ár slánú anois ná nuair a ghlacamar leis an gcreideamh. Tá sé i bhfad amach san oíche agus ní fada uainn an lá. Caithimis oibreacha an dorchadais uainn, mar sin, agus cuirimis orainn cathéide an tsolais. Mairimis go béasach mar dhaoine atá faoi sholas an lae, gan ragairne gan meisce, gan striapachas gan drúise, gan achrann gan éad. Agus cuirigí oraibh an Tiarna Íosa Críost mar éide agus ná bígí ag déanamh cúraim den cholainn d’fhonn a hainmhianta a shásamh.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Versa
Alleluia, alleluia!
Taispeáin dúinn, a Thiarna, do thrócaire, agus tabhair dúinn cúnamh do shlánaithe.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 24:37-44 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Bígí ag faire, dá bhrí sin, mar níl a fhios agaibh cén lá a thiocfaidh bhur dTiarna.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:'Amhail mar a bhí laethanta Naoi, is amhlaidh sin a bheidh téarnamh Mhac an Duine. Óir, faoi mar a bhí siad sna laethanta úd roimh an díle, ag ithe agus ag ól, ag pósadh agus ag tabhairt le pósadh, go dtí an lá a ndeachaigh Naoi san áirc, agus gan a fhios acu aon ní gur tháinig an díle agus gur sciob léi iad uile; is mar sin freisin a bheidh téarnamh Mhac an Duine. Beidh beirt fhear sa ghort an uair sin: tógfar duine agus fágfar duine; beirt bhan ag meilt bhró: tógfar bean agus fágfar bean.
Bígí ag faire, dá bhrí sin, mar níl a fhios agaibh cén lá a thiocfaidh bhur dTiarna. “Bíodh a fhios agaibh é seo, áfach: dá mb’eol don fhear tí cén t-am san oíche a dtiocfadh an bithiúnach, bheadh sé ag faire agus ní ligfeadh sé ballaí a thí a réabadh.
Sibhse freisin, mar sin, bígí ullamh, óir is ar an uair nach síleann sibh a thiocfaidh Mac an Duine.'
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
