Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Jan 10 - St Paul of Thebes - The first Christian hermit (230-342)
Summary: St Paul of Thebes, hermit, is traditionally regarded as the first Christian hermit and is called Paul of Thebes from the Theban desert in Egypt. The Roman Martyrology tells us he lived "from the sixteenth to the one hundred and thirteenth year of his age. He is associated with Antony, a companion desert father.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
St Jerome's Life of Paul
When Jerome himself went into the desert of Syria in 374-5, he wrote 'A Life of Paul', whose authenticity scholars have often questioned. Perhaps in its mixture of fact and fantasy it should be taken more as a symbolic, edifying parable on attitudes for the monastic life than a strictly historical account.
Going to the Desert
Jerome says that Paul was a young man gifted with Greek and Egyptian learning. He went to the desert during the persecution of Decius (250-1 AD). Some people went to the desert to escape the tortures of the body, others to escape the tortures of the soul.
God Provides
Paul found a shallow cave which he regarded as a gift from God. A palm tree provided shade and food and there was a small stream for water.
Antony's search for and encounter with Paul
In
Paul's old age, the other monk of the desert, Antony, who was himself advanced in years, heard about Paul and decided to seek him out. After a long and difficult journey, he found where his cave was, but it was blocked up. Calling out, he persuaded Paul to come out and eventually they met.
"Tell me," asked Paul, "how fares the human race? Are new homes springing up in the ancient cities? What government directs the world?
Are there still some remaining for the demons to carry away by their delusions?"
A
raven miraculously appeared to place a whole loaf for their sustenance. After their meal and playful conversation, Antony asked Paul to take him for a companion. Paul urged him rather to go and bring to him the cloak that Bishop Athanasius had given him. (Jerome explains that he made this request more to prepare his new found friend and soften his regrets against Paul's impending decease.)
Paul's death
Antony went immediately to fetch the cloak and returned as soon as he could, fearing Paul might already have passed away. This indeed is what turned out to be the case. For when Antony came back, he had a vision of Paul in robes of snowy white ascending among the bands of angels, amid choirs of prophets and apostles.
Although Paul was already dead, still his dead body was praying in gestures to God, who had given and sustained his life. Two lions appeared to scoop out a grave with their paws. Antony removed the tunic of leaves Paul had sewn for himself and buried the holy man in the cloak of Athanasius he had brought.
Each Easter and Pentecost ever after Antony wore Paul's tunic in memory of his friendship.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
St Jerome's Life of Paul
When Jerome himself went into the desert of Syria in 374-5, he wrote 'A Life of Paul', whose authenticity scholars have often questioned. Perhaps in its mixture of fact and fantasy it should be taken more as a symbolic, edifying parable on attitudes for the monastic life than a strictly historical account.Going to the Desert
Jerome says that Paul was a young man gifted with Greek and Egyptian learning. He went to the desert during the persecution of Decius (250-1 AD). Some people went to the desert to escape the tortures of the body, others to escape the tortures of the soul.
God Provides
Paul found a shallow cave which he regarded as a gift from God. A palm tree provided shade and food and there was a small stream for water.
Antony's search for and encounter with Paul
In
Paul's old age, the other monk of the desert, Antony, who was himself advanced in years, heard about Paul and decided to seek him out. After a long and difficult journey, he found where his cave was, but it was blocked up. Calling out, he persuaded Paul to come out and eventually they met."Tell me," asked Paul, "how fares the human race? Are new homes springing up in the ancient cities? What government directs the world?
Are there still some remaining for the demons to carry away by their delusions?"
A
raven miraculously appeared to place a whole loaf for their sustenance. After their meal and playful conversation, Antony asked Paul to take him for a companion. Paul urged him rather to go and bring to him the cloak that Bishop Athanasius had given him. (Jerome explains that he made this request more to prepare his new found friend and soften his regrets against Paul's impending decease.)Paul's death
Antony went immediately to fetch the cloak and returned as soon as he could, fearing Paul might already have passed away. This indeed is what turned out to be the case. For when Antony came back, he had a vision of Paul in robes of snowy white ascending among the bands of angels, amid choirs of prophets and apostles.Although Paul was already dead, still his dead body was praying in gestures to God, who had given and sustained his life. Two lions appeared to scoop out a grave with their paws. Antony removed the tunic of leaves Paul had sewn for himself and buried the holy man in the cloak of Athanasius he had brought.
Each Easter and Pentecost ever after Antony wore Paul's tunic in memory of his friendship.
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Memorable saying for Hermits about their favourite biblical text
'Be Still and Know That I Am God'
This is a beloved passage which declares that no matter
what was or was not happening around him,
God alone is his refuge and strength.
~ c/f Psalm 46:10 ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 10th January, 2026
FIRST READING A reading from the letter of St John 5:14-21
Whatever we may ask, he hears us.
We are quite confident that if we ask him for anything,
and it is in accordance with his will, he will hear us;
and, knowing that whatever we may ask, he hears us,
we know that we have already been granted what we asked of him.
If anybody sees his brother commit a sin that is not a deadly sin,
he has only to pray, and God will give life to the sinner –
not those who commit a deadly sin; for there is a sin that is death,
and I will not say that you must pray about that.
Every kind of wrong-doing is sin, but not all sin is deadly.
We know that anyone who has been begotten by God does not sin,
because the begotten Son of God protects him, and the Evil One does not touch him.
We know that we belong to God, but the whole world lies in the power of the Evil One.
We know, too, that the Son of God has come, and has given us the power to know the true God.
We are in the true God, as we are in his Son, Jesus Christ.
This is the true God, this is eternal life.
Children, be on your guard against false gods.
The Word of the Lord
Responsorial Psalm Ps 149: 1-6, 9. R/v 4
Response The Lord takes delight in his people.
Or Alleluia!
1 Sing a new song to the Lord, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its Maker, let Zion's sons exult in their king. Response
2 Let them praise his name with dancing and make music with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people. He crowns the poor with salvation. Response
3 Let the faithful rejoice in-their glory, shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips; this honour is for all his faithful. Response
Gospel Acclamation Lk 5:16
Alleluia, alleluia!
A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people.
Alleluia!
Or Mt 4:16
Alleluia, alleluia!
The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 3:22-30
The bridegroom's friend is glad when he hears the bridegroom's voice.
Jesus went with his disciples into the Judaean countryside and stayed with them there and baptised. At the same time John was baptising at Aenon near Salim, where there was plenty of water, and people were going there to be baptised. This was before John had been put in prison.
Now some of John's disciples had opened a discussion with a Jew about purification, so they went to John and said, 'Rabbi, the man who was with you on the far side of the Jordan, the man to whom you bore witness, is baptising now; and everyone is going to him'.
John replied: 'A man can lay claim only to what is given him from heaven.
'You yourselves can bear me out: I said: I myself am not the Christ;
I am the one who has been sent in front of him.'
'The bride is only for the bridegroom; and yet the bridegroom's friend, who stands there and listens,
is glad when he hears the bridegroom's voice.
This same joy I feel, and now it is complete.
He must grow greater, I must grow smaller.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O lord Jesus Christ
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Gospel Reflection Saturday after Epiphany 12 January, John 3:22–30
There is a striking contrast in today’s gospel reading between the attitude of John the Baptist’s disciples towards Jesus and the attitude of John the Baptist himself towards Jesus. John’s disciples view Jesus as unwelcome competition, declaring that Jesus ‘is baptising now, and everyone is going to him’. The implication of what they say is that everyone is not going to John the Baptist. John himself, however, has a totally different response to this emerging situation. John recognises that Jesus is the bridegroom, the earthly representative of the heavenly bridegroom. The bride, God’s people, belongs to him. John is happy to be the friend of the bridegroom and he rejoices to hear the bridegroom’s voice. He is very clear that he, the friend of the bridegroom, should grow smaller and that the bridegroom should grow greater. In the Fourth Gospel, John the Baptist is a model for all believers. Like John, we are all called into friendship with Jesus; we are all friends of the bridegroom.
At the Last Supper in this gospel, Jesus will say to his disciples, ‘I do not call you servants any longer … I have called you friends.’ We show ourselves to be friends of Jesus by loving one another as he has loved us, by allowing his love to be in us, or, in the words of John the Baptist in today’s gospel reading, by allowing Jesus to grow greater in us and allowing our own selfish and competitive selves to grow less. Such growth of Jesus within us is, ultimately, the work of the Holy Spirit to which we are invited to surrender. When Jesus grows within us, then, with Saint Paul, we will be able to say, ‘It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me’.
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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. http://dltbooks.com/
The Gospel reflection comes from: Weekday Reflections for the Liturgical Year ; I Want to Know Christ by Martin Hogan, published by The Messenger c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 10th January, 2026
AN CHÉAD LÉACHT: 1 Eoin 5:14-21A clann ionúin, seo í an mhuinín atá againn i leith Mhic Dé, cibé céard a agraímid air
de réir a thola go n-éisteann linn.
Agus más eol dúinn go n-éisteann sé le cibé céard a agraímid air, tuigimid go bhfaighimid cinnte na hachainíocha a d’iarramar air.
Má airíonn éinne a bhráthair ag déanamh peaca nach peaca chun báis é, cuireadh sé an duine sin faoi bhrí na guí agus tabharfaidh [Dia] dó an bheatha don dream nach peaca chun báis a bpeaca.
Tá peaca ann ar peaca chun báis é; ní faoina leithéid sin a mholaim an ghuí a
dhéanamh.
Is peaca gach éagóir, ach tá peaca ann nach peaca chun báis.
Tá fhios againn nach ndéanann aon duine dá bhfuil ginte ó Dhia aon pheaca mar go gcumhdaíonn an té a gineadh ó Dhia é agus ní thig leis an mac mallachta baint leis.
Is feasach dúinne gur ó Dhia sinn agus go bhfuil an saol le chéile faoi thionchar an diabhail. Ach is feasach dúinn fós gur tháinig Mac Dé agus gur thug éirim dúinne le go n-aithnímis an té atá fíor.
Agus mairimid sa té atá fíor, is é sin ina Mhac Íosa Críost.
Eisean an fíorDhia agus an bheatha shíoraí.
A chlann liom, seachnaígí sibh féin ar na híola.
Salm le freagra Sm 149
Freagra : Óir tugann an Tiarna taitneamh dá phobal.
Malairt le freagra Alleluia!
1. Canaigí amhrán nua don Tiarna;
moltar é i gcomhthionól na bhfíréan.
Déanadh Iosrael gairdeas faoina gcruthaitheoir;
bíodh ríméad ar chlann Shíón faoina Rí. Freagra
2. Molaidís a ainm le rince;
déanaidís ceol ar an gcláirseach is ar an gcruit.
Óir tugann an Tiarna taitneamh dá phobal;
tugann sé an bua do lucht na huirísle. Freagra
3. Bíodh mórmholtaí Dé ina mbéal acu;
agus claíomh an dá fhaobhar ina láimh.
D’fhonn breithiúnas a chur i bhfeidhm mar a ceapadh dóibh;
is í an ghlóir seo atá i ndán dá naoimh uile. Freagra
Alleluia Véarsa Mth 4: 16
Alleluia, alleluia!
An pobal a bhí ina suí sa dorchadas,
chonaic siad solas mór,
an mhuintir a chónaigh i dtír scáilmhear an bháis,
d’éirigh solas chucu.
Alleluia!
AN SOISCÉAL: Eoin 3:22-30
San am sin tháinig Íosa agus a dheisceabail i ndúiche Iúdáia agus d’fhan sé ansiúd leo agus bhí ag déanamh baiste. Bhí Eoin ag baisteadh comh maith in Aenón in aice le Sailím mar bhí fliúirse uisce ann; agus thagadh na daoine ann agus bhaistí iad.
Óir bhí Eoin fós gan cur i gcarcair.
D’éirigh ansin aighneas idir deisceabail le hEoin agus Giúdach faoin íonghlanadh. Tháinig siad chun Eoin agus dúirt siad leis: “A raibí, an té a bhí farat lastall den Iordáin, an té ar a ndearna tú fianaise, féach, tá seisean ag déanamh baiste agus tá na daoine go léir ag dul chuige.” D’fhreagair Eoin:
“Ní féidir do dhuine aon ní a ghlacadh,” ar sé,
“mura dtugtar dó ó neamh.
Is finnéithe sibh féin orm go ndúirt mé: ‘Ní mise an Críost,
ach gur cuireadh roimhe amach mé.’
An té a bhfuil an nuachair aige, sin é an céile;
ach cara an chéile,
atá ina sheasamh ag éisteacht leis,
tagann racht áthais air de bharr guth an chéile.
An t-áthas mar sin atá ormsa, tá sé iomlán.
Ní foláir dósan méadú, ach domsa laghdú.
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 11th January, 2026
The Baptism of the Lord The Baptism of the Lord. Jesus is anointed with the Spirit and proclaimed Messiah.
He now goes about doing good, working the signs that make him known as the Servant of God.
Jesus is the one who brings the Good News to the poor and tells of salvation.
His public life and ministry begins
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Here is my servant in whom my soul delights
Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my soul delights.
I have endowed him with my spirit that he may bring true justice to the nations.
He does not cry out or shout aloud, or make his voice heard in the streets.
He does not break the crushed reed, nor quench the wavering flame.
Faithfully he brings true justice; he will neither waver, nor be crushed
until true justice is established on earth, for the islands are awaiting his law.
I, the Lord, have called you to serve the cause of right;
I have taken you by the hand and formed you;
I have appointed you as covenant of the people and light of the nations,
- to open the eyes of the blind,
- to free captives from prison,
- and those who live in darkness from the dungeon
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 28, 1-2, 3-4, 9-10
Response The Lord will bless his people with peace.
1. O give the Lord you sons of God, give the Lord glory and power;
give the Lord the glory of his name. Adore the Lord in his holy court. Response
2. The Lord's voice resounding on the waters, the Lord on the immensity of waters;
the voice of the Lord, full of power, the voice of the Lord, full of splendour. Response
3. The God of glory thunders. In his temple they all cry: 'Glory!'
The Lord sat enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits as king for ever. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 10:34-38
God anointed him with the Holy Spirit
Then Peter addressed Cornelius and his household:
'The truth I have now come to realise' he said 'is that God does not have favourites,
but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.
'It is true, God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the good news of peace was brought by Jesus Christ - but Jesus Christ is Lord of all men. You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Mk:9:8
Alleluia, alleluia!
The heavens opened and the Father's voice resounded:
'This is my Son, the beloved. Listen to him.'
Alleluia!
GOSPEL Year A
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 3:13-17 Glory to you, O Lord
As soon as Jesus was baptised he saw the Spirit of God descending on him.
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. John tried to dissuade him.
'It is I who need baptism from you' he said 'and yet you come to me!'
But Jesus replied,
'Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands'.
At this, John gave in to him.
As soon as Jesus was baptised he came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice spoke from heaven,
'This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him'.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Alternatives Readings for other years
for Year C
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 3:15-16.21-22 Glory to you, O Lord
While Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened.
A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all,
'I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire'
Now when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove and a voice came from heaven,
You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966, by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
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For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966, by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
alternate FIRST READING
A reading from the Prophet Isaiah 40:1-5. 9-11
'Console my people, console them' says your God.
'Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call to her that her time of service is ended,
that her sin is atoned for, that she has received from the hand of the Lord
double punishment for all her crimes.'
A voice cries, 'Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord.
Make a straight highway for our God across the desert.
Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low,
let every cliff become a plain, and the ridges a valley;
then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it;
for the mouth of the Lord God has spoken'
Go up on a high mountain, joyful messenger to Zion.
Shout with a loud voice, joyful messenger to Jerusalem.
Shout without fear, say to the towns of Judah, 'Here is your God'.
Here is the Lord the coming with power, his arm subduing all things to him.
The prize of his victory is with him, his trophies all go before him.
He is like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering lambs in his arms,
holding them against his breast and leading to their rest the mother ewes.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1-2. 3-4.24-25. 27-30 R/v 1
Response Bless the Lord my soul! Lord God how great you are.
1. Lord God how great you are, clothed in majesty and glory
wrapped in light as in a robe! you stretch out the heavens like a tent. Response
2. Above the rains you build your dwelling. you make the clouds your chariot,
you walk on the wings of the wind, you make the winds your messengers
and flashing fire your servants. Response
3. The God of glory thunders. In his temple they all cry: 'Glory!'
The Lord sat enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits as king for ever. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of Paul to Titus 2:11-14. 3:4-7
He saved us by the cleansing water of rebirth and by renewing us with he Holy Spirit
God's grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions: we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessings which will come with the appearance of the glory of our great God and saviour Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to ser us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it very own and would have no ambition except to do good.
When the kindness and the love of God our saviour for mankind were revealed, it was not because he was concerned with any righteous actions we might have done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own compassion that he saved us, by means of cleansing water of rebirth by renewing us with the Holy Spirit which he has generously poured over us through Jesus Christ , our saviour. He did this so that we should be justified by his grace to become heirs looking forward to inheriting eternal life.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Lk 3:16
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Someone is coming, said John, someone greater than I.
h will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 3:15-16.21-22
While Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened.
A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all,'I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire'
Now when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove and a voice came from heaven,
You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.
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 and copyright 1966, by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
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Alleluia!
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Responsorial Psalm Ps 28, 1-4
Response The Lord will bless his people with peace.
1. O give the Lord you sons of God, give the Lord glory and power;
give the Lord the glory of his name. Adore the Lord in his holy court. Response
2. The Lord's voice resounding on the waters, the Lord on the immensity of waters;
the voice of the Lord, full of power, the voice of the Lord, full of splendour. Response
3. How many are your works , O Lord! In wisdom you have made them all'
The earth is full of your riches. There is the sea vast and wide,
with its moving swarms past counting, living things great and small. Response
4. All of these look to you to give them their food in due season.
You give it, they gather it up. You open your hand, they have their fill. Response
5. You take back their spirit, they die, returning to the dust from which they came.
You send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of Paul to Titus 2:11_14. 3:4-7
Alternative First and Second Readings and Responses
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Here is my servant in whom my soul delights
Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my soul delights.
I have endowed him with my spirit that he may bring true justice to the nations.
He does not cry out or shout aloud, or make his voice heard in the streets.
He does not break the crushed reed, nor quench the wavering flame.
Faithfully he brings true justice; he will neither waver, nor be crushed
until true justice is established on earth, for the islands are awaiting his law.
I, the Lord, have called you to serve the cause of right;
I have taken you by the hand and formed you;
I have appointed you as covenant of the people and light of the nations,
- to open the eyes of the blind,
- to free captives from prison,
- and those who live in darkness from the dungeon
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 28, 1-4
Response The Lord will bless his people with peace.
1. O give the Lord you sons of God, give the Lord glory and power;
give the Lord the glory of his name. Adore the Lord in his holy court. Response
2. The Lord's voice resounding on the waters, the Lord on the immensity of waters;
the voice of the Lord, full of power, the voice of the Lord, full of splendour. Response
3. The God of glory thunders. In his temple they all cry: 'Glory!'
The Lord sat enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits as king for ever. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 10:34-38
Theme: God anointed him with the Holy Spirit
Then Peter addressed Cornelius and his household:
'The truth I have now come to realise' he said 'is that God does not have favourites,
but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.
'It is true, God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the good news of peace was brought by Jesus Christ - but Jesus Christ is Lord of all men. You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Mk:9:8
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The heavens opened and the Father's voice resounded:
'This is my Son, the beloved. Listen to him.'
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 3:15-16.21-22
While Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened.
A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all,
'I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire'
Now when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove and a voice came from heaven,
You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.
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 and copyright 1966, by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
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Alternate Gospel for Year A : Matthew 3:13-17
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. John tried to dissuade him.
'It is I who need baptism from you' he said 'and yet you come to me!'
But Jesus replied,
'Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands'.
At this, John gave in to him.
As soon as Jesus was baptised he came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice spoke from heaven,
'This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him'.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966, by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 11th January, 2026
Féle Bhaiste ár dTiarna
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Íseáia, Fáidh. 40:1-5. .9-11
Seo é mo shearbhónta a bhfuil páirt mo chléibhe leis.
“Sólás, beirigí sólás chuig mo mhuintir,” a deir bhur nDia.
“Labhraigí le croí Iarúsailéim agus fógraígí di go bhfuil aimsir a seirbhíse istigh,
go bhfuil a peaca maite, go bhfuair sí ó láimh an Tiarna pionós faoi dhó ina cionta go léir.”
Tá glór ag fógairt: “Réitigí cosán san fhásach le haghaidh an Tiarna.
Déanaigí díreach thar an machaire bealach mór dár nDia.
Líontar isteach gach gleann, agus íslítear gach sliabh agus gach cnoc;
déantar achréidh de na hailteanna agus míntír den gharbhchríoch.
Ansin foilseofar glóir an Tiarna agus feicfidh an uile fheoil í in éineacht.
Óir tá béal an Tiarna tar éis labhairt.”
Suas leat ar shliabh ard, a challaire an dea-scéala chuig Síón.
Ardaigh do ghlór go láidir, a challaire an dea-scéala chuig Iarúsailéim.
Ardaigh do ghlór gan eagla, abair le bailte Iúdá: “Seo é bhur nDia.”
Féach an Tiarna Dia ag teacht lena neart,agus a lámh ag smachtú roimhe!
Tá a luach saothair leis ina sheilbh,agus a éadáil ag dul roimhe amach.
Mar a dhéanfadh aoire ag aoireacht a thréada dó,
ag bailiú na n-uan chuige ina bhaclainn,
á n-iompar ar chlár a uchta
agus ag fosaíocht na gcaorach tórmaigh.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 28: 1-4. 9-10 R/v 11
Freagra Beannóidh an Tiarna a phobal Ie síocháin
1. Tugaigí don Tiarna, a chlann Dé, tugaigí don Tiarna clú agus cumhacht.
Tugaigí don Tiarna glóir a ainm. Adhraigí an Tiarna ina phálás naofa. Freagra
2.Tá glór an Tiarna ar an uisce, I tá an Tiarna ar na huiscí móra.
Tá glór an Tiarna go lánchumhachtach, tá glór an Tiarna go lánmhaorga. Freagra
3. Tá Tiarna na glóire ag toirneach. Cluintear ‘glóir!’ ó gach aon neach ina theampall.
Tá an Tiarna ina rí os cionn na díleann; tá an Tiarna ina rí go brách. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Gníomhartha na nAspal 10:34-38
Rinne Dia é a ungadh leis an Spiorad Naomh.
Thosaigh Peadar ag labhairt le Coirnéilias agus lena theaghlach:
“Tuigim anois go fíor nach bhféachann Dia chun pearsan seachas a chéile ach cibé duine a thugann ómós dó agus a dhéanann an ceart, gur taitneamhach an duine sin dó is cuma cén cine ar díobh é.
Sin é an teachtaireacht a chuir sé go dtí clann Iosrael nuair a d’fhógair sé dea-scéal na síochána dóibh trí Íosa Críost – an té atá ina Thiarna ar chách uile. Tá a fhios agaibh an rud a thit amach ar fud Iúdáia, tar éis dó tosú sa Ghailíl i ndiaidh an bhaiste a d’fhógair Eoin, an scéal faoi Íosa ó Nazarat: mar a choisric Dia é leis an Spiorad Naomh agus le cumhacht; mar a chuaigh sé timpeall na tíre ag déanamh na maitheasa agus ag leigheas gach duine a bhí faoi smacht an diabhail, mar go raibh Dia fairis.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Mc 9: 8
Alleluia,alleluia!
Osclaíodh na flaithís agus cloiseadh glór an athar, á rá:
'Is é seo mo Mhac muirneach: éstigí leis.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 3:13-17 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tháinig glór ó na flaithis a dúirt: “Is é seo mo Mhac muirneach dár thug mé gnaoi.”
Tháinig Íosa i láthair ansin: ón nGailíl a tháinig, go dtí an Iordáin ag triall ar Eoin chun baisteadh a fháil uaidh. Ach bhí Eoin ag iarraidh é stop.
“Is domsa is gá baisteadh a fháil uaitse,” ar seisean, “agus an bhfuil tusa ag teacht chugamsa?”
Dúirt Íosa leis á fhreagairt:
“Lig dó anois: is mar seo is cuí dúinn an fhíréantacht a chur i gcrích go hiomlán.” Lig sé dó ansin. An túisce is a baisteadh é, tháinig Íosa aníos as an uisce, agus osclaíodh na flaithis dó, agus chonaic sé Spiorad Dé ag teacht anuas mar a bheadh colm agus é ag tuirlingt air. Agus tháinig glór ó na flaithis a dúirt: “Is é seo mo Mhac muirneach dár thug mé gnaoi.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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Malairt Soiscéal
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 3:15-16.21-22 Glóir duit a Thiarna.duit.
Ó bhí an pobal ar fionraí, agus cách ag machnamh ina gcroí i dtaobh Eoin,
go
mb’fhéidir gurbh é an Críost é, d’fhreagair Eoin á rá leo uile:“Táimse do bhurmbaisteadh le huisce, ach tá an té ag teacht atá níos treise ná mé, nach fiú mé iall a chuarán a scaoileadh; baistfidh seisean sibh leis an Spiorad Naomh agus le tine."
Ach tar éis don phobal uile a bheith baiste, tharla, nuair a bhí Íosa féin baiste agus é
ag guí, gur osclaíodh na flaithis, agus tháinig an Spiorad Naomh anuas air i gcruth
corpartha mar a bheadh colm, agus tháinig glór ó na flaithis:
“Is tú mo Mhac muirneach; is duit a thug mé gnaoi.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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Malairt Soiscéal Blian A
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 3:13-17 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tháinig glór ó na flaithis a dúirt: “Is é seo mo Mhac muirneach dár thug mé gnaoi.”
Tháinig Íosa i láthair ansin: ón nGailíl a tháinig, go dtí an Iordáin ag triall ar Eoin chun baisteadh a fháil uaidh. Ach bhí Eoin ag iarraidh é stop.
“Is domsa is gá baisteadh a fháil uaitse,” ar seisean, “agus an bhfuil tusa ag teacht chugamsa?”
Dúirt Íosa leis á fhreagairt:
“Lig dó anois: is mar seo is cuí dúinn an fhíréantacht a chur i gcrích go hiomlán.” Lig sé dó ansin. An túisce is a baisteadh é, tháinig Íosa aníos as an uisce, agus osclaíodh na flaithis dó, agus chonaic sé Spiorad Dé ag teacht anuas mar a bheadh colm agus é ag tuirlingt air. Agus tháinig glór ó na flaithis a dúirt: “Is é seo mo Mhac muirneach dár thug mé gnaoi.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 3:13-17 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tháinig glór ó na flaithis a dúirt: “Is é seo mo Mhac muirneach dár thug mé gnaoi.”
Tháinig Íosa i láthair ansin: ón nGailíl a tháinig, go dtí an Iordáin ag triall ar Eoin chun baisteadh a fháil uaidh. Ach bhí Eoin ag iarraidh é stop.
“Is domsa is gá baisteadh a fháil uaitse,” ar seisean, “agus an bhfuil tusa ag teacht chugamsa?”
Dúirt Íosa leis á fhreagairt:
“Lig dó anois: is mar seo is cuí dúinn an fhíréantacht a chur i gcrích go hiomlán.” Lig sé dó ansin. An túisce is a baisteadh é, tháinig Íosa aníos as an uisce, agus osclaíodh na flaithis dó, agus chonaic sé Spiorad Dé ag teacht anuas mar a bheadh colm agus é ag tuirlingt air. Agus tháinig glór ó na flaithis a dúirt: “Is é seo mo Mhac muirneach dár thug mé gnaoi.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
