Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Pictorial Thought not available for today.
Mar 1 - St David or (Dewi Sant) c. 500–589)
Summary: St David, abbot and bishop, the patron saint of Wales,
where he was an abbot and bishop in the sixth century. He is reputed to have founded a number of monasteries, of strict regime.
Patrick Duffy presents the traditions about David
St David is patron of Wales, where he was abbot and bishop. Several Irish saints were his pupils and he seemed to influenced monastic development in Ireland.
Accounts of David's life are scarce and based on oral tradition and a 'Life' written by Rhygyfarch (11th century bishop of St David's) at a time when the Norman bishop of Canterbury Lanfranc was trying to impose Roman dedications on churches in England and Wales. Rhygyfarch was keen to impress on the recently arrived leaders the importance of the Welsh saint and was not above a little exaggeration.
Family
The tradition is that David was born at Henvynyw (Vetus-Menevia) in Cardiganshire, and that his father was a prince called Sant who violated David's mother, a nun (called St Non). Norman bishop Rhygyfarch, who lived from 1057-1099 and wrote a 'Life of David' in Latin to impress the Normans, called him Sant 'holy' (sanctus by name and by merit). David is said to have been baptised by Ailbe, 'a bishop of the Munstermen', who is known to have been in Wales about that time.
At monastic school and his own foundations
David studied at the local monastic school and after he was ordained priest, he went to study under Paulinus of Wales near the Brecon Beacons. He remained with Paulinus for several years and is said to have cured him of blindness. Paulinus sent David out to make his own monastic foundations. Rhygyfarch says David founded
monasteries at Glastonbury, Bath and Leominster, but these are more likely to be Rhygyfarch's own claims to impress the Normans. But the one monastery we know he founded was that of Mynyw (Menevia) near his own birth place on the extreme south west of South Wales, facing Ireland, and now called St David's. David lived an austere life of prayer and fasting.
Strict discipline
The monastery had a most austere regime. Instead of oxen to pull the plough, the monks had to pull their plough on their own shoulders. The diet was strict - consisting of bread, bitter herbs and salt with water or a little milk. David was called Aquaticus, because he drank only water and his monks became known as the Aquatici or "watermen". Finian of Clonard and Modhomhnoc (see 13th February) both spent time at his monastery.
Resolving disputes
When the Pelagian heresy was being discussed at the Synod of Brevi (Llandewi Brefi in Cardiganshire), David was summoned to resolve the dispute. Shortly afterwards, in 569, he presided over another Synod held at a place called Lucus Victoriae.
The Holy Land and first bishop of Menevia
Rhygyfarch says David went to the Holy Land with two other Welsh monks Teilo and Padarn and that he was consecrated archbishop of Wales by the patriarch of Jerusalem - probably another exaggeration! He was bishop (probably not archbishop) of Menevia, the Roman port of Menapia in Pembrokeshire, later known as St. David's, then the chief point of departure for Ireland. He died around 601 but he continued to be remembered in Ireland, and he is mentioned in the Martyrology of Oengus and in the Catalogue of the Saints of Ireland.
Diocese of Menevia
The cult of St. David was approved by Pope Callistus II in the year 1120 and two pilgrimages to St David's were 'declared' to be equal in merit to one pilgrimage to Rome. The Catholic diocese of that area of Wales is still called Menevia; the bishop currently lives in Swansea.
where he was an abbot and bishop in the sixth century. He is reputed to have founded a number of monasteries, of strict regime.
Patrick Duffy presents the traditions about David
St David is patron of Wales, where he was abbot and bishop. Several Irish saints were his pupils and he seemed to influenced monastic development in Ireland.Accounts of David's life are scarce and based on oral tradition and a 'Life' written by Rhygyfarch (11th century bishop of St David's) at a time when the Norman bishop of Canterbury Lanfranc was trying to impose Roman dedications on churches in England and Wales. Rhygyfarch was keen to impress on the recently arrived leaders the importance of the Welsh saint and was not above a little exaggeration.
Family
The tradition is that David was born at Henvynyw (Vetus-Menevia) in Cardiganshire, and that his father was a prince called Sant who violated David's mother, a nun (called St Non). Norman bishop Rhygyfarch, who lived from 1057-1099 and wrote a 'Life of David' in Latin to impress the Normans, called him Sant 'holy' (sanctus by name and by merit). David is said to have been baptised by Ailbe, 'a bishop of the Munstermen', who is known to have been in Wales about that time.
At monastic school and his own foundations
David studied at the local monastic school and after he was ordained priest, he went to study under Paulinus of Wales near the Brecon Beacons. He remained with Paulinus for several years and is said to have cured him of blindness. Paulinus sent David out to make his own monastic foundations. Rhygyfarch says David founded
monasteries at Glastonbury, Bath and Leominster, but these are more likely to be Rhygyfarch's own claims to impress the Normans. But the one monastery we know he founded was that of Mynyw (Menevia) near his own birth place on the extreme south west of South Wales, facing Ireland, and now called St David's. David lived an austere life of prayer and fasting.Strict discipline
The monastery had a most austere regime. Instead of oxen to pull the plough, the monks had to pull their plough on their own shoulders. The diet was strict - consisting of bread, bitter herbs and salt with water or a little milk. David was called Aquaticus, because he drank only water and his monks became known as the Aquatici or "watermen". Finian of Clonard and Modhomhnoc (see 13th February) both spent time at his monastery.
Resolving disputes
When the Pelagian heresy was being discussed at the Synod of Brevi (Llandewi Brefi in Cardiganshire), David was summoned to resolve the dispute. Shortly afterwards, in 569, he presided over another Synod held at a place called Lucus Victoriae.
The Holy Land and first bishop of Menevia
Rhygyfarch says David went to the Holy Land with two other Welsh monks Teilo and Padarn and that he was consecrated archbishop of Wales by the patriarch of Jerusalem - probably another exaggeration! He was bishop (probably not archbishop) of Menevia, the Roman port of Menapia in Pembrokeshire, later known as St. David's, then the chief point of departure for Ireland. He died around 601 but he continued to be remembered in Ireland, and he is mentioned in the Martyrology of Oengus and in the Catalogue of the Saints of Ireland.
Diocese of Menevia
The cult of St. David was approved by Pope Callistus II in the year 1120 and two pilgrimages to St David's were 'declared' to be equal in merit to one pilgrimage to Rome. The Catholic diocese of that area of Wales is still called Menevia; the bishop currently lives in Swansea.
____________________________
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Memorable Saying for Today
Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things
that you have heard and seen me do. '
~ Last words of David or (Dewi Sant) of Wales ~
(The phrase 'Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd' -
'Do the little things in life' - is still a well-known maxim in Wales.)
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 1st March, 2026
Second Sunday of Lent, Year A
Lent brings us into the heart of the Paschal Mystery. The selected disciples are brought to the mountain top where they are given a vision of a transfigured Jesus talking with prophets Moses and Elijah about his upcoming death and resurrection.
Saint of the Day: March 1st; St David, abbot and bishop, and patron saint of Wales,
C/f A short life of this saint can be found below todays' Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Genesis 12:1-4
The call of Abraham, father of the people of God.
The Lord said to Abram,
'Leave your country, your family and your father's house, for the land I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you and make your name so famous that it will be used as a blessing.
I will curse those who slight you.
'I will bless those who bless you:
All the tribes of the earth shall bless themselves by you.'
So Abram went as the Lord told him, and Lot went with him.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 33: 4-5, 18-20. 22.R/v 22
Response May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.
l. The word of the Lord is faithful and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right and fills the earth with his love. Response
2. The Lord looks on those who revere him, on those who hope in his love,
to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine. Response
3. Our soul is waiting for the Lord. The Lord is our help and our shield,
May your love be upon us, 0 Lord, as we place all our hope in you. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the second letter of St Paul to Timothy 1:8-10
God calls and enlightens us.
With me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy - not because of anything we ourselves have done but for his own purpose and by his own grace.
This grace had already been granted to us, in Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time, but it has only been revealed by the Appearing of our saviour Christ Jesus. He abolished death, and he has proclaimed life and immortality through the Good News.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Mt 17:5
Glory and praise to you, O Christ !
From the bright cloud the Father's voice was heard '
This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen t0 him.'
Glory and praise to you, O Christ !
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 17:1-9
His face shone like the sun.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus.'Lord,' he said 'it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.'
He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said,
'This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.'
When they heard this the disciples fell on their faces overcome with fear.
But Jesus came up and touched them. 'Stand up,' he said 'do not be afraid.'
And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus.
As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order.
"Tell no one about this vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."
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/
Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published 1966, by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
Saint of the Day: March 1st; St David, abbot and bishop, and patron saint of Wales.
St David, abbot and bishop in the sixth century. He is reputed to have founded a number of monasteries, of strict regime.
Patrick Duffy presents the traditions about David
St David is patron of Wales, where he was abbot and bishop. Several Irish saints were his pupils and he seemed to influenced monastic development in Ireland.Accounts of David's life are scarce and based on oral tradition and a 'Life' written by Rhygyfarch (11th century bishop of St David's) at a time when the Norman bishop of Canterbury Lanfranc was trying to impose Roman dedications on churches in England and Wales. Rhygyfarch was keen to impress on the recently arrived leaders the importance of the Welsh saint and was not above a little exaggeration.
Family
The tradition is that David was born at Henvynyw (Vetus-Menevia) in Cardiganshire, and that his father was a prince called Sant who violated David's mother, a nun. Norman bishop Rhygyfarch, who lived from 1057-1099 and wrote a 'Life of David' in Latin to impress the Normans, called him Sant 'holy' (sanctus by name and by merit). David is said to have been baptised by Ailbe, 'a bishop of the Munstermen', who is known to have been in Wales about that time.
At Monastic School
David studied at the local monastic school and after he was ordained priest, he went to study under Paulinus of Wales near the Brecon Beacons. He remained with Paulinus for several years and is said to have cured him of blindness. Paulinus sent David out to make his own monastic foundations.
Rhygyfarch says David founded
monasteries at Glastonbury, Bath and Leominster, but these are more likely to be Rhygyfarch's own claims to impress the Normans. But the one monastery we know he founded was that of Mynyw (Menevia) near his own birth place on the extreme south west of South Wales, facing Ireland, and now called St David's. David lived an austere life of prayer and fasting.Strict Discipline
The monastery had a most austere regime. Instead of oxen to pull the plough, the monks had to pull their plough on their own shoulders. The diet was strict - consisting of bread, bitter herbs and salt with water or a little milk. David was called Aquaticus, because he drank only water and his monks became known as the Aquatici or "watermen". Finian of Clonard and Modhomhnoc (see 13th February) both spent time at his monastery.
Resolving Disputes
When the Pelagian heresy was being discussed at the Synod of Brevi (Llandewi Brefi in Cardiganshire), David was summoned to resolve the dispute. Shortly afterwards, in 569, he presided over another Synod held at a place called Lucus Victoriae.
The Holy Land and first bishop of Menevia
Rhygyfarch says David went to the Holy Land with two other Welsh monks Teilo and Padarn and that he was consecrated Archbishop of Wales by the patriarch of Jerusalem - probably another exaggeration! He was bishop (probably not archbishop) of Menevia, the Roman port of Menapia in Pembrokeshire, later known as St. David's, then the chief point of departure for Ireland. He died around 601 but he continued to be remembered in Ireland, and he is mentioned in the Martyrology of Oengus and in the Catalogue of the Saints of Ireland.
Diocese of Menevia
The cult of St. David was approved by Pope Callistus II in the year 1120 and two pilgrimages to St David's were 'declared' to be equal in merit to one pilgrimage to Rome. The Catholic diocese of that area of Wales is still called Menevia; the bishop currently lives in Swansea.
******************************
Memorable Saying for Today
Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things
that you have heard and seen me do. '
~ Last words of David (Dewi Sant) of Wales ~
(The phrase 'Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd' -
'Do the little things in life' - is still a well-known maxim in Wales.)
******************************
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 1st March, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an Leabhar Geineasas 12:1-4
Glaoch Abráhám, athair Phobal Dé.
Dúirt an Tiarna le hAbrám:
“Imigh ó do thír féin, agus ó do mhuintir féin agus ó theach d’athar chun na tíre a thaispeánfaidh mé duit. Déanfaidh mé cine mór díot agus beannóidh mé thú agus mórfaidh mé d’ainm chomh mór sin go mbeidh sé mar bheannacht ag daoine.
Beidh mo bheannacht ar an muintir a chuirfidh beannacht ort. Beidh mo mhallacht ar an muintir a chuirfidh mallacht ort.
Agus is tríotsa a dhéanfaidh ciníocha uile An domhain iad féin a bheannú.”
D’imigh Abrám amach mar sin de réir mar a dúirt an Tiarna leis.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 32: 4-5, 18-20. 22. R/v 22
Freagra Tabhair dúinn do bhuanghrá, a Thiarna, de réir an dóchais a chuirimid ionat.
1. Óir is dílis é briathar an Tiarna, agus is iontaofa a obair uile.
Is ionúin leis an chóir is an ceart; tá an talamh lán de bhuanghrá an Tiarna. Freagra
2. Féach, tá súile an Tiarna ar lucht a eaglaithe, orthu sin a chuireann a ndóchas ina bhuanghrá,
chun go bhfuadódh sé a n-anamacha ón mbás is go gcothódh sé iad in am an ghorta. Freagra
3. Bíonn ár n-anam ag feitheamh leis an Tiarna: is é sin ár gcabhair is ár sciath.
Tabhair dúinn do bhuanghrá, a Thiarna, de réir an dóchais a chuirimid ionat. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as dara Litir Naomh Pól chuig Timóteas 1:8-10
Glaonn Dia orainn agus soilsíonn sinn.
Bhráthair: fulaingse cruatan liom ar son an dea-scéil as ucht an chumais
faighte agat ó Dhia.Mar is é Dia a shlánaigh sinn agus a ghlaoigh orainn le naomhghlao, agus ní de bharr on ní dá ndearnamarna é ach de bharr a thola agus a ghrásta féin.
Bhí an grásta seo tugtha dúinn i gCríost Íosa ó thús aimsire ach is anois beag a foilsíodh é trí thaibhsiú ar slánaitheora Críost Íosa. Chuir seisean an bás ar neamhní agus thug chun solais an bheatha agus an neamhbhásmhaireacht trí bhíthin an dea-scéil.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Véarsa Mt 17:5
Cloiseadh glór an Athar as an scamall solasmhar:
'Is é seo mo Mhac muirneach dár thug mé gnaoi: éistigí leis.'
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 17:1-9 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Shoilsigh a ghnúis ar nós na gréine.
San am sin rug Íosa leis Peadar, Séamas agus a dheartháir Eoin, agus sheol sé suas iad sliabh ard ar leithligh. Agus tháinig claochlú air os comhair a súl: shoilsigh a ghnúis ar nós na gréine agus d’éirigh a chuid éadaigh chomh gléigeal leis an solas. Agus chonacthas dóibh Maois agus Éilias ag comhrá leis.Labhair Peadar: “A Thiarna,” ar seisean le hÍosa, “is maith mar tharla anseo sinn: más maith leat é, déanfaidh mé trí bothanna san áit seo, ceann duit féin, ceann do Mhaois agus ceann d’Éilias.”
Sula raibh an focal as a bhéal, seo scamall solasmhar ina scáil anuas orthu, agus an glór as an scamall: “
Is é seo mo Mhac muirneach dár thug mé gnaoi; éistigí leis.”
Agus le foghar an ghlóir sin, chaith na deisceabail iad féin ar a mbéal, lán d’uamhan. Tháinig Íosa chucu agus leag a lámh orthu: “Éirígí,” ar seisean; “ná bíodh eagla oraibh.” Ar dhearcadh suas dóibh, ní raibh neach ar bith le feiceáil acu ach Íosa féin amháin.
Agus ar a slí anuas dóibh ón sliabh, thug Íosa ordú dóibh: “Ná labhraigí le duine ar bith faoin bhfís seo,” ar seisean, “nó go mbeidh Mac an Duine éirithe ó mhairbh.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 8th March, 2026
Third Sunday of Lent, Year A
Through the Spirit of God the gift of love is poured into our hearts, a gift bought by the blood of Christ.
This is true for all Christians, new and old. But it needs to be constantly prayed for.
First Scrutiny of Catechumens is celebrated today
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Exodus 17:3-7
Give us water to drink.
Tormented by thirst, the people complained against Moses. 'Why did you bring us out of Egypt?' they said. 'Was it so that I should die of thirst, my children too, and my cattle?' Moses appealed to the Lord. 'How am I to deal with this people? he said. 'A little more and they will stone me!'The Lord said to Moses,
'Take with you some of the elders of Israel and move on to the forefront of the people; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the river, and go. I shall be standing before you there on the rock, at Horeb. You must strike the rock, and water will flow from it for the people to drink.'
This is what Moses did, in the sight of the elders of Israel. The place was named Massah and Meribah because of the grumbling of the sons of Israel and because they put the Lord to the test by saying, 'Is the Lord with us, or not?'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorual Psalm Ps 94:1-2, 6-9, R/v8
Response O that today you would listen to his voice,
harden not your hearts.
1. Come, ring out our joy to the Lord; hail the rock who saves us.
Let us come before him, giving thanks, with songs let us hail the Lord. Response
2. Come in; let us bow and bend low; let us kneel before the God who made us
for he is our God and we the people who belong to his pasture,
the flock that is led by his hand. Response
3. O that today you would listen to his voice! 'Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as on that day at Massah in the desert when your fathers put me to the test;
when they tried me, though they saw my work.' Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Romans 5:1-2. 5-8
The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, by faith we are judged righteous and at peace with God, since it is by faith and through Jesus that we have entered this state of grace in which we can boast about looking forward to God's glory and this hope is not deceptive, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us. We were still helpless when at his appointed moment Christ died for sinful men. It is not easy to die even for a good man - though of course for someone really worthy, a man might be prepared to die - but what proves that God loves us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 4: 42.15
Glory and praise to you, O Christ !
Lord, you are really the saviour of the world;
give me the living water, so that I may never get thirsty.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ !
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to John 4:5-42 Glory to you, O Lord
A spring inside him, welling up to eternal life'
Jesus came to the Samaritan town called Sychar, near the land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well is there and Jesus, tired by the journey, sat straight down by the well. It was about the sixth hour When a Samaritan woman came to draw water,
Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink'.
His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him,
'What? You are a Jew and you ask me, a Samaritan, for a drink?' - Jews, in fact, do not associate with Samaritans.
Jesus replied:
If you only knew what God is offering and who it is that is saying to you: Give me a drink, you would have been the one to ask, and he would have given you living water'.'You have no bucket, sir,' she answered 'and the well is deep: how could you get this living water? Are you a greater man than our father Jacob who gave us this well and drank from it himself with his sons and his cattle?'
Jesus replied 'Whoever drinks this water will get thirsty again;
but anyone who drinks the water that I shall give will never be thirsty again: the water that I shall give will turn into a spring inside him, welling up to eternal life'.
'Sir,' said the woman 'give me some of that water, so that I may never get thirsty and never have to come here again to draw water.'
'Go and call your husband' said Jesus to her 'and come back here.'
The woman answered, 'I have no husband'.
He said to her, You are right to say, "I have no husband"; for although you have had five, the one you have now is not your husband. You spoke the truth there.'
'I see you are a prophet, sir' said the woman.
'Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, while you say that Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.'
Jesus said: 'Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know: for salvation comes from the Jews.
But the hour will come - in fact it is here already – when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: that is the kind of worshipper the Father wants. God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth.'
The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah - that is, Christ - is coming; and when he comes he will tell us everything'.
'I who am speaking to you,' said Jesus 'I am he.'
At this point his disciples returned, and were surprised to find him speaking to a woman, though none of them asked, 'What do you want from her?' or, 'Why are you talking to her?'
The woman put down her water jar and hurried back to the town to tell the people.
'Come and see a man who has told me everything I ever did; I wonder if he is the Christ?' This brought people out of the town and they started walking towards him.
Meanwhile, the disciples were urging him, 'Rabbi, do have something to eat; but he said,
'I have food to eat that you do not know about'.
So the disciples asked one another, 'Has someone been bringing him food?'
But Jesus said: 'My food is to do the will of the one who sent me, and to complete his work.
Have you not got a saying: 'Four months and then the harvest?'
Well, I tell you: Look around you, look at the fields; already they are white, ready for harvest!
Already the reaper is being paid his wages, already he is bringing in the grain for eternal life,
and thus sower and reaper rejoice together.
For here the proverb holds good: one sows, another reaps; I sent you to reap a harvest you had not worked for. Others worked for it; and you have come into the rewards of their trouble.'
Many Samaritans of that town had believed in him on the strength of the woman's testimony when she said, 'He told me all I have ever done', so, when the Samaritans came up to him, they begged him to stay with them. He stayed for two days, and when he spoke to them many more came to believe; and they said to the woman, 'Now we no longer believe because of what you told us; we have heard him ourselves and we know that he really is the saviour of the world'.
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/
The scripture readings are taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published in 1966 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with permission of the publishers.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 8th March, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Leabhar Exodus 17:3-7
Tabhair dúinn uisce le hól.
Bhí íota tarta ar an bpobal agus rinneadar monabhar in aghaidh Mhaois.“Cad chuige ar thug tú amach as an Éigipt sinn?” ar siad.
“An d’fhonn go gcuirfeá sinn féin agus ár gclann agus ár stoc chun báis le tart?”
Ghlaoigh Maois ar an Tiarna: “Cad a dhéanfaidh mé leis an bpobal seo? Is beag nach bhfuil siad ag gabháil de chlocha ionam.”
Agus dúirt an Tiarna le Maois:
“Tabhair leat cuid de sheanóirí Iosrael agus téigh ar thosach an phobail. Beir i do láimh ar an tslat lenar bhuail tú an abhainn, agus seo leat. Féach! beidh mé i mo sheasamh ansiúd ar an gcarraig romhat (i Horaeb). Buail an charraig agus snífidh uisce aisti le hól ag an bpobal.”
Agus rinne Maois amhlaidh i láthair sheanóirí Iosrael. Thug sé Masá agus Miríbeá ar an áit de bharr chasaoid chlann Iosrael agus go ndearnadar promhadh ar an Tiarna á rá: “An bhfuil an Tiarna farainn nó nach bhfuil?”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 94:1-2, 6-9, R/v8
Freagra Á, dá n-éistfeadh sibh lena ghuth inniu: 'Ná calcaigí bhur gcroí.'
1. Tagaigí, déanaimis gairdeas don Tiarna, tógaimis gártha áthais do Charraig ár slánaithe.
Tagaimis ina láthair le moltaí, déanaimis gairdeas dó le laoithe. Freagra
2. Tagaigí, adhraimis agus sléachtaimis, feacaimis ár nglúine don Tiarna a rinne sinn.
Óir is é ár nDia é, agus is sinne pobal a aoireachta agus caoirigh a lámh. Freagra
3. Á, dá n-éistfeadh sibh lena ghuth inniu: 'Na calcaigí bhur gcroí mar a tharla i Meríba,
mar a tharla an lá úd ag Masá san fhásach mar ar chuir bhur n-aithreacha cath orm,
mar ar thriail siad mé cé go bhfaca siad m'obair.' Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 5:1-2. 5-8
Tá ár gcroí líonta de ghrá Dé tríd an Spiorad Naomh a tugadh dúinn
Dá bhrí sin, ó táimid fíréanaithe ag an gcreideamh, tá síocháin againn le Dia trínár dTiarna Íosa Críost, mar is trídsean atá teacht againn le creideamh ar an ngrásta seo ina mairimid. Agus ábhar mórála dúinn is ea an dóchas go bhfuil glóir Dé i ndán dúinn. Agus ní amháin sin ach is ábhar mórála dúinn ár dtrioblóidí agus a fhios againn go dtagann foighne ón trioblóid, agus diongbháilteacht ón bhfoighne agus dóchas ón diongbháilteacht. Ní chliseann an dóchas seo orainn mar tá ár gcroí líonta de ghrá Dé tríd an Spiorad Naomh a tugadh dúinn. Nuair a bhíomar fós lag, fuair Críost bás i dtráth ar son drochdhaoine. Is ar éigean a gheobhadh fear bás ar son duine chóir féin – is ea, b’fhéidir go mbeadh sé de chroí aige bás a fháil ar son dea-dhuine. Ach cruthaíonn Dia an grá atá aige dúinn trí Chríost a fháil bháis ar ár son agus sinn fós inár bpeacaigh.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Comhghair an tSoisceil Eo 4:42, 15
A Thiarna, is tú dáiríre Slánaitheoir an tsaoil;
tabhair dom on t-uisce beo i dtreo nach mbeidh tart orm choíche.
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 4:5-42
Tobar uisce ag brúchtail chun na beatha síoraí.
San am sin tháinig Íosa mar sin go cathair sa tSamáir darbh ainm Suchar, láimh leis an bhfearann a thug Iacób dá mhac Iósaef. Ansiúd a bhí tobar Iacóib. Mar go raibh Íosa traochta ón aistear, shuigh sé ag an tobar. Timpeall an séú huair a ba ea é. Tháinig bean ón tSamáir ag tarraingt uisce.
Dúirt Íosa léi: “Tabhair dom deoch.” Bhí a dheisceabail imithe isteach don chathair ag ceannach bia. Dúirt an Samárach mná leis ansin: “Conas go n-iarrann tusa, agus gur Giúdach thú, deoch ormsa agus gur Samárach mná mé?” Ní bhíonn aon chaidreamh ag Giúdaigh ar Shamáraigh.
D’fhreagair Íosa: “Dá mba eol duit tabhartas Dé,” ar sé léi,“agus cé hé a deir leat:
‘ Tabhair dom deoch,’ is tusa a bheadh ag iarraidh airsean, agus thabharfadh sé duit uisce beo.”
“Níl aon bhuicéad agat, a dhuine uasail,” arsa an bhean leis, “agus tá an tobar domhain. Cad as mar sin a gheobhfá an t-uisce beo seo? An amhlaidh gur mó thú ná ár n-athair Iacób a thug dúinn an tobar agus gur ól sé féin as agus a chlann agus a thréada?”
D’fhreagair Íosa:
“Gach duine a ólann an t-uisce seo,” ar sé léi, “beidh tart arís air. Ach má olann aon duine an t-uisce a thabharfaidh mise dó, ní bheidh tart air go brách na breithe. Ach an t-uisce a thabharfaidh mise dó, déanfaidh tobar uisce de istigh ann, ag brúchtaíl chun na beathn síoraí.”
Dúirt an bhean leis:
“A dhuine uasail, tabhair dom an t-uisce sin i dtreo nach mbeidh tart orm choíche, agus nach gcaithfidh mé teacht anseo ag tarraingt uisce.”
Dúirt sé léi: “Imigh agus glaoigh ar d’fhear agus fill anseo.”
D’fhreagair an bhean: “Níl fear agam,”
Dúirt Íosa léi: “Is maith a dúirt tú: ‘Níl fear agam’; óir bhí cúigear fear agat agus an té atá anois agat ní hé d’fhear é. D’inis tú an fhírinne sa mhéid sin.”
Dúirt an bhean leis: “A dhuine uasail, feicim gur fáidh thú. Ar an gcnoc seo a rinne ár n-aithreacha Dia a adhradh, ach deir sibhse gur in Iarúsailéim atá an áit in ar cóir adhradh a dhéanamh.”
Dúirt Íosa léi: “Creid uaimse é, a bhean go bhfuil an uain ag teacht nuair nach ar an gcnoc seo ná in Iarúsailéim a dhéanfaidh sibh an tAthair a adhradh. Adhrann sibhse an ní nach eol daoibh; adhraimidne an ní is eol dúinn; mar is ó na Giúdaigh an slánú.
Ach tá an uain ag teacht, agus is anois féin é, ina ndéanfaidh lucht an fhíoradhartha an tAthair a adhradh sa Spiorad agus san fhírinne; óir sin iad an sórt is mian leis an Athair á adhradh. Spiorad é Dia, agus lucht a adhartha is i spiorad agus i bhfírinne a chaithfidh siad adhradh.”
Dúirt an bhean leis: “Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil an Meisias ag teacht” – is é sin le rá an Críost – “agus nuair a thiocfaidh seisean inseoidh sé gach aon ní dúinn.”
Dúirt Íosa léi: “Mise é atá ag caint leat.”
Lena linn sin tháinig a dheisceabail agus rinne siad ionadh de go raibh sé ag caint le bean. Ní dúirt aon duine acu, áfach: “Cad tá uait?” ná “Cén fáth tú a bheith ag caint léi?”
Lig an bhean a crúsca uaithi ansin agus d’imigh léi isteach don chathair agus dúirt leis na daoine:
“Tagaigí go bhfeicfidh sibh fear a d’inis dom gach ní dá ndearna mé. An féidir gurb é an Criost é?”
Ghluais deoine amach as an gcathair agus bhí siad ag dul ina threo.
Lena linn sin bhí a dheisceabail ag tathant air: “A raibí,” ar siad leis, “bí ag ithe.”
Dúirt sé leo: “Tá agam bia le hithe nach eol daoibhse.”
Ansin dúirt na deisceabail lena chéile: “An féidir gur thug duine éigin rud le hithe dó?”
Dúirt Íosa leo “Is é is bia domsa toil an té a chuir uaidh mé a dhéanamh agus a obair a chur i gcrích.
Nach ndeir sibhse ‘Ceithre mhí eile agus beidh an fómhar ann’?
Seo mise á rá libh: Tógaigí bhur súile agus féachaigí ar na goirt; tá siad geal chun an fhómhair.
Tá a thuarastal á fháil ag an mbuanaí cheana féin, agus tá toradh á bhailiú aige chun na beatha síoraí, i dtreo go bhfuil lúcháir ar an síoladóir agus ar an mbuanaí in éineacht.
Óir is fíor don seanfhocal sa mhéid seo: ‘ Cuireann duine, baineann duine eile.’ Sheol mise sibhse uaim chun fómhar a bhaint nár shaothraigh sibh féin. Shaothraigh daoine eile é, agus chuaigh sibhse isteach ina saothar.”
Chreid a lán de Shamáraigh na cathrach sin ann de bharr fhocal na mná ag tabhairt na fianaise: “D’inis sé dom gach ní dá ndearna mé.”
Nuair a tháinig na Samáraigh chuige dá bhrí sin bhí siad ag tathant air fanacht faróthu, agus d’fhan sé ansiúd dhá lá. Ba mhó go mór a chreid de bharr a bhriathair agus deiridís leis an mbean:
“Ní mar gheall ar do chuid cainte a chreidimid a thuilleadh; óir chualamar féin é agus tá a fhios againn gurb é seo dáiríre Slánaitheoir an domhain.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
