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Pictorial Thought for Today

Pictorial Thought for Today

Oct 13 - St Edward the Confessor (1003-1066) King of England

Summary : St Edward the Confessor. One could be forgiven for detecting a whiff of ideology in the promotion of some saints to canonisation and perhaps St Edward is one of these. Edward's cause was promoted by King Henry II as he had both Norman and Anglo-Saxon background. He is the patron saint of kings, difficult marriages, and separated spouses.

Patrick Duffy tells his story here.

Early Years
EEdwarddward was born around 1003, the son of the Anglo-Saxon King Ethelred the Unready. His father's nickname, "the Unready", is from an Anglo-Saxon word which can mean both "good counsel" and "no counsel". And there is certain rightness about it. Edward was the son of Ethelred's third marriage to Princess Emma of Normandy.

Edward was crowned King of England. Elected by popular acclamation, Edward (known as "the Confessor" for his piety) had Norman sympathies.

A Foot in Many Camps
When in 1015 the Danish King Canute invaded England, his mother Emma took flight with Edward and his brother Alfred to Normandy where he developed a familiarity with Normandy and its leaders. But after her husband's death, Emma returned to England and in her second marriage became Canute's consort during the Danish rule in England. After Canute's death and the death of his sons, the Anglo-Saxon lay and ecclesiastical nobility invited Edward back to England in 1041; and he became king in 1042.

Favouritism of the Normans


Edward the Confessor was crowned King of England. Elected by popular acclamation, Edward (known as "the Confessor" for his piety) had Norman sympathies

Edward's favouritism of the Normans and especially his appointment of the Norman Robert of Jumieges as bishop of Canterbury frustrated the Anglo-Saxon nobles. So there remained Anglo-Saxon resentment during his reign led by Godwin of Wessex.

Edward's Marriage
T
o forestall this and bring Norman and Anglo-Saxon together, Edward married Godwin's daughter, Edith, in 1045. It was said that he and his wife were so ascetic that they lived together as brother and sister. Certainly the union was childless. So it was no surprise that, on Edward's death, Godwin's son Harold was proclaimed king. William of Normandy then invaded to lay his claim to the English throne (1066). It is said that Edward may have named both Harold and William to succeed him.

Edward the Confessor's shrine in Westminster Abbey, © Dean and Chapter of Westminster. Edward Confessor's shrine in Westminster Abbey

Reputation for Holiness
Edward was reputed to have been accessible to his subjects and generous to the poor. One story tells that he caught a servant stealing from him three times and three times let him away with it, saying: "He needs the gold more than I do". He was also said to have had the cure of scrofula "by the king's touch". He played a major role in building Westminster Abbey and was buried there himself.

Campaign for Canonisation - to Authenticate Henry II
Others, however, say that his reputation for sanctity owes more to the campaign for his canonisation used to gain popularity by Henry II and written up by the monk of Westminster Abbey Osbert de Clare. Edward's Anglo-Saxon and Norman background would have been seen as advantageous in authenticating the status of Henry II, who was Norman, but lacked Edward's Anglo-Saxon pedigree. Henry successfully secured this canonisation from Pope Alexander III in 1161 by supporting him against a Ghibelline antipope Victor IV. Aelred of Rievaulx preached at the solemn translation of his relics on 13 October 1163.

Patron of Kings, Difficult marriages, and Separated Spouses
The Roman Catholic Church regards Edward the Confessor as the patron saint of kings, difficult marriages, and separated spouses. After the reign of Henry II, Edward was considered the patron saint of England until 1348, when St. George, whose cult as a saint for soldiers had come to England during the Crusades, superseded him in this role. Edward, however, remained the patron saint of the English royal family.

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Memorable Saying for Today


A working kingdom is not built with walls,
but with bridges of understanding and acceptance.


~Kings and Kingdoms ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Tuesday, 13th October, 2026

Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2


Jesus reminds us that what matters in God’s eyes is a clean heart and a pure spirit.


FIRST READING

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Galatians             5:1-6
Whether you are circumcised or not makes no difference - what matters is faith that makes its power felt through love.

When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. It is I, Paul, who tell you this: if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all. With all solemnity I repeat my warning: Everyone who accepts circumcision is obliged to keep the whole Law. But if you do look to the Law to make you justified, then you have separated yourselves from Christ, and have fallen from grace.

Christians are told by the Spirit to look to faith for those rewards that righteousness hopes for, since in Christ Jesus whether you are circumcised or not makes no difference - what matters is faith that makes its power felt through love.

The Word of the Lord             Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm          Ps 118; 41, 43, 44, 45, 48. 
Response                               Lord, let your love come upon me.

1. Lord, let your love come upon me, the saving help of your promise.
Do not take the word of truth from my mouth for I trust in your decrees.           Response

2. I shall always keep your law for ever and ever.
I shall walk in the path of freedom for I see your precepts.                                     Response

3. Your commands have been my delight; these I have loved.
I will worship your commands and love them and ponder your statutes.            Response

Gospel  Acclamation          Ps 118: 135
Alleluia, alleluia!
Let your face shine on your servant, and teach me your decrees.
Alleluia!

or                                            Heb 4: 12
Alleluia, alleluia!
The word of God is something alive and active:
it can judge the secret emotions and thoughts.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL

The Lord be with you                 And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke     11:37-41           Glory to you, O Lord
Give alms from what you have and then indeed everything will be clean for you.

Jesus had just finished speaking when a Pharisee invited him to dine at his house. He went in and sat down at the table. The Pharisee saw this and was surprised that he had not first washed before the meal. But the Lord said to him,
'Oh, you Pharisees! You clean the outside of cup and plate,
while inside yourselves you are filled with extortion and wickedness.
Fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside too?
Instead, give alms from what you have and then indeed everything will be clean for you.

The Gospel of the Lord.           Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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Gospel Reflection     Tuesday,        Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time     Luke 11:37-41

We all find ourselves asking the question at some time in our lives, ‘What is it that matters in life?’ ‘What is more important than anything else?’ For people of faith, that question becomes, ‘What is it that matters to the Lord?’ ‘What is most important in his eyes?’ Both of today’s readings give us a sense of what matters most to the Lord. In the gospel reading, Jesus is the guest of a Pharisee, someone who tried to live by God’s law. The Pharisee was concerned that Jesus had not followed the Jewish laws about hand washing before he sat down to eat. For Jesus, however, such regulations were not all that important. He goes on to say that what is really important, what really matters, is what is to be found in a person’s heart.

Is there something of God’s own love in our hearts? Jesus had a heart that was full of God’s love, and he looks for a loving heart in us, a heart that expresses itself in almsgiving, the service of those in greatest need. As Jesus says to his host, ‘Give alms from what you have’. In the first reading too Paul is upset that some members of the church are giving so much importance to the demands of the Jewish Law. What is it that matters, according to Paul? He states it very clearly at the end of the reading, ‘what matters is faith that makes its power felt through love’. What matters to the Lord, according to Paul, is faith, a loving relationship with the Lord, that then flows over into the loving service of others. It is worth holding on to that statement of Paul as we try to find our way in life, ‘What matters is faith that makes its power felt through love’.

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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. and used with the permission of the publishers.  http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from his book Reflections on the Weekday Readings : The Word is near to you, on your lips and in your heart by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications , c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/

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Liturgical Readings for: Tuesday, 13th October, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT

Sliocht as an céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Galataigh       5:1-6
Is cuma an timpeall ghearradh ann nó as, ach an creideamh a oibríonn trí ghrá.

D’fhonn is go mbeimis saor is ea a d’fhuascail Críost sinn. Seasaigí go daingean dá bhrí sin agus ná cuirtear sibh faoi chuing na daoirse athuair. Seo mise Pól á rá libh nach ndéanfaidh Críost aon mhaitheas daoibh má dhéantar timpeallghearradh oraibh. Dearbhaím arís don uile dhuine a ndéantar timpeallghearradh air, go bhfuil sé de dhualgas air an dlí a choimeád ina iomláine.

Agus sibhse a bhíonn ag lorg na fíréantachta sa dlí tá sibh dealaithe ó Chríost agus tá gnaoi Dé caillte agaibh. Is ón gcreideamh, áfach, atáimidne ag súil leis an bhfíréantacht a fháil faoi luí an Spioraid. Mar in Íosa Críost is cuma an timpeall ghearradh ann nó as, ach an creideamh a oibríonn trí ghrá.

Briathar an Tiarna          Buíochas le Dia

Salm le freagra           Sm 118:41, 43, 44, 45, 48.
Freagra                         Go dtaga do bhuanghrá orm, a Thiarna
1. Go dtaga do bhuanghrá orm, a Thiarna, agus do chabhair de réir do ghealltanais.
Tabharfaidh mé freagra ar lucht mo cháinte; toisc gur muinín liom do bhriathar.                    Freagra

2. Coimeádfaidh mé do dhlí de shíor, go brách na breithe.
Siúlfaidh mé i slí na saoirse, mar táim ar lorg do theagaisc.                                                            Freagra

3. Is i d’aitheanta a bheidh mo thaitneamh ós dóibh a thugaim grá.
Agus tógfaidh mé mo lámha chun d’aitheanta; déanfaidh mé machnamh ar do reachtanna.  Freagra

SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh.                    Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás         11:37-41        Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Ach tugaigí uaibh ina dhéirc an ní atá agaibh, agus tá gach aon ní glan daoibh feasta.

  San am sin thug Fairisíneach cuireadh d’ Íosa chun a mheán lae ina theach. Chuaigh sé isteach agus lig faoi ag bord. Ar a fheiceáil sin don Fhairisíneach, b’ionadh leis nach ndearna sé an t-ionladh ar dtús roimh an bproinn. Ach dúirt an Tiarna leis:
“Sea, is Fairisínigh sibh féin:
glanann sibh an taobh amuigh den chupa agus den mhias, ach tá an taobh istigh díbh lán de shlad agus de mhallaitheacht. A dhaoine gan chiall, nach é an Té a rinne an taobh amuigh a rinne an taobh istigh freisin?
Ach tugaigí uaibh ina dhéirc an ní atá agaibh, agus tá gach aon ní glan daoibh feasta.

Soiscéal an Tiarna.             Moladh duit, a Chriost



AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 18th October, 2026

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time


 - World Mission Sunday -
- Reach out and spread the joy of faith -


The Gospel selected for today is taken is taken from Jesus' discourse at the Last Supper about the spreading of the Gospel message. Jesus prays that as the Father has sent him into the world, now he sends his disciples. He prays that they may be consecrated in truth, and prays, 'With me in them and they in me, may they be completely one that the world may realise that it was You who sent me, and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.'

FIRST READING

A reading from the book of Isaiah       45: 1. 4-6
I have taken Cyrus, by his right hand to subdue nations before him.

Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whom he has taken by his right handgod's whisper
to subdue nations before him and strip the loins of kings,
to force gateways before him that their gates be closed no more:
'It is for the sake of my servant Jacob, of Israel my chosen one, that I have called you by your name,
conferring a title though you do not know me.
I am the Lord, unrivalled; there is no other God besides me.
Though you do not know me, I arm you that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that, apart from me, all is nothing.

The Word of the Lord.         Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm        Ps 95: 1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10 R/v 3
Response                            Give the Lord glory and power.

l. O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth.
Tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples.        ResponsePraise God


2. The Lord is great and worthy of praise, to be feared above all gods;
the gods of the heathens are naught. It was the Lord who made the heavens. Response


3. Give the Lord, you families of peoples, give the Lord glory and power,
give the Lord the glory of his name. Bring an offering and enter his courts.    Response


4. Worship the Lord in his temple. O earth, tremble before him.
Proclaim to the nations: 'God is king.' He will judge the peoples in fairness.   Response


SECOND READING               

A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians      1:1-5
We constantly remember your faith in action, your love and your hope.

paulFrom Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the Church in Thessalonika which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; wishing you grace and peace.

We always mention you in our prayers and thank God for you all, and constantly remember before God our Father how you have shown your faith in action, worked for love and persevered through hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ.

We know, brothers, that God loves you and that you have been chosen, because when we brought the Good News to you, it came to you not only as words, but as power and as the Holy Spirit and as utter conviction.

The Word of the Lord.             Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation           Jn 17: 17
Alleluia, alleluia!
Your word is truth, O Lord,  consecrate us in the truth.
Alleluia!

Or                                             Phil 2: 15-16
Alleluia, alleluia!
You will shine in the world like bright stars
because you are offering it the word of life.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew      22:15-21
Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.

The Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap Jesus in what he said. And they sent their disciples to him, together with the Herodians, Give to Caesarto say,
'Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in an honest way, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s rank means nothing to you. Tell us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?

But Jesus was aware of their malice and replied,
‘You hypocrites! Why do you set this trap for me? Let me see the money you pay the tax with.’
They handed him a denarius and he said, ‘Whose head is this? Whose name?’
‘Caesar’s’ they replied.
He then said to them, ‘Very well, give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar –
and to God what belongs to God.'

The Gospel of the Lord.         Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here:  https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/

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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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NB...  in some places on this Mission Sunday this Gospel passage is used

The Lord be with you              And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to John         17:11, 17-23           Glory to you, O Lord
With me in them and they in me, may they be completely one that the world may realise that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.'

Jesus raised his his eyes to heaven and said:
I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world and I am coming to you.
Consecrate them in the truth your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world I have sent them into the world and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth:

I
pray not only for those but also for those
who through their teaching will come to believe in me.
May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I in you
so that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.

I
have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me, may they be so perfected in unity |
that the world will recognise that it was you who sent me
and that you have loved them as you loved me.

The Gospel of the Lord    Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.



 

 
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 18th October, 2026
CHÉAD LÉACHT       

Sliocht as an fáidh Íseáia      45:1. 4-6
 Cíoras, an té ar rug sé ar láimh dheis air,chun na ciníocha a leagan ina fhianaise

Seo a labhraíonn an Tiarna lena ungthach, Cíoras, an té ar rug sé ar láimh dheis air
chun na ciníocha a leagan ina fhianaise agus claíomhchrios na ríthe a scaoileadh ó chéile;
chun na comhlaí a bhriseadh roimhe isteach ionas nach mbeidh na doirse dúnta níos mó.

god's whisper

Is ar mhaithe le mo ghiolla Iacób agus le hIosrael, mo rogha, a ghlaoigh mé i d’ainm ort, ag tabhairt gradaim duit agus gan aithne agat orm.
Is mise an Tiarna; níl m’athrach eile ann;
ach mise amháin, níl aon dia ann.
Gan aithne agat orm, tá tú i mbun airm agam ionas go mbeidh a fhios ó éirí go luí na gréine gur neamhní an uile rud ach mise amháin.”

Briathar an Tiarna                    Buíochas le Dia  

Salm le Freagra                    Sm 95
Freagra                                    Luaigí leis an Tiarna clú agus cumhacht.

1. Canaigí amhrán nua don Tiarna; canaigí don Tiarna, a thalamh go  léir.
Insígí a ghlóir i measc na gciníocha agus a éachtaí do na náisiúin uile.             Freagra


Praise God2. Is mór é an Tiarna is is díol molta é, is díol eagla thar na déithe go léir é; ní dada iad déithe na gciníocha.
Is é an Tiarna a rinne na flaithis.                                        Freagra


3. Luaigí leis an Tiarna, a chlanna na gciníocha, l
uaigí leis an Tiarna clú agus cumhacht,
luaigí leis an Tiarna glóir a ainm.
Tugaigí bhur dtabhartais isteach ina chúirteanna.         Freagra


4. Tugaigí adhradh don Tiarna ina theampall. Bí ar crith ina láthair, a thalamh.
Fógraígí do na ciníocha: 'Tá an Tiarna ina Rí.'
Tabharfaidh sé breith chóir chothrom ar na daoine.      Freagra


DARA LÉACHT       

 Sliocht as litir Naomh Pól chuig na Teasalónaigh      1:1-5
Ní stadaimid ag cuimhneamh oraibh inár n-urnaithe a bhríomhaireacht atá bhur gcreideamh, ngrá agus ndóchas.

paulPól agus Silveánas agus Tiomóid ag beannú d’eaglais na dTeasalónach, i nDia an tAthair agus sa Tiarna Íosa Críost. Grásta chugaibh agus síocháin.

Ní stadaimid ach ag gabháil buíochais le Dia mar gheall oraibh uile agus ag
cuimhneamh oraibh gan staonadh inár n-urnaithe.
Cuimhnímid i láthair Dé, ár nAthair, ar a bhríomhaireacht atá bhur gcreideamh, ar a dhícheallaí atá bhur ngrá agus ar a sheasmhacht atá bhur ndóchas as ár dTiarna Íosa Críost.
A bhráithre, a bhfuil gnaoi Dé oraibh, tá a fhios agaibh mar a roghnaigh sé sibh; mar ní le briathra béil amháin a tháinig ár ndea-scéal chugaibh ach le cumhacht agus le lándeimhniú an Spioraid Naoimh.

Briathar an Tiarna                     Buíochas le Dia

Alleluia Véarsa                    Eo 17: 17
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Is fírinne do bhriathar A Thiarna, déan sinn a naomhú san fhírinne.
Alleluia!

SOISCÉAL   (Domhnach 29 Saor , Blian A)       

 Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir N. Matha      22:15-21
Íocaigí le Céasar na nithe is le Céasar agus le Dia na nithe is le Dia.

San am sin d’imigh na Fairisínigh ag déanamh comhairle le chéile chun go mbéarfaidís I ngaiste Íosa sa chaint, agus chuir siad a ndeisceabail féin chuige mar aon leis na Héaródaigh chun a rá leis:
“A Mháistir, tá a fhios againn gur fear fírinneach thú agus go múineann tú slí Dé san fhírinne gan beann agat ar dhuine ar bith, agus gan féachain do phearsa seachas a chéile. Abair linn do bharúil, mar sin: An dleathach cáin a íoc le Céasar nó an mídhleathach?”
Give to CaesarAch bhí a fhios ag Íosa an mhallaitheacht a bhí iontu agus dúirt:
“Cad ab áil libh ag baint trialach asam, a bhréagchráifeacha?
Taispeánaigí bonn na cánach dom,” agus shín siad déanar chuige.
Dúirt sé leo:
“Cé hé arb í seo a íomhá agus a inscríbhinn?”
“Céasar,” ar siad leis.
“Maith go leor,” ar seisean leo, “íocaigí le Céasar na nithe is le Céasar agus le Dia na nithe is le Dia.”

Soiscéal an Tiarna.             Moladh duit, a Chriost

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AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
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nó

SOISCÉAL    (An missúin)

Go raibh an Tiarna libh.             Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin          17:11, 17-23        Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Íocaigí le Céasar na nithe is le Céasar agus le Dia na nithe is le Dia.

Nílim ar an saol feasta ach tá siadsan ar an saol agus táim ag dul ag triall ortsa.
Déan iad a naomhú san fhírinne. Is fírinne do bhriathar.
Faoi mar a chuir tusa mise uait isteach sa saol, chuir mise iadsan isteach sa saol.
Naomhaím mé féin ar a son, ionas go mbeidh siadsan, chomh maith,
naomhaithe san fhírinne.
Ní ar a son-san amháin atáim ag guí,
ach, mar an gcéanna, ar son na ndaoine
a chreidfidh ionam trína mbriathar;
ionas go mba aon iad go léir,
faoi mar atá tusa, a Athair, ionamsa agus mise ionatsa;
go mbeidís seo ina n-aon ionainn
i dtreo go gcreidfidh an saol gur chuir tú uait mé.

Agus an ghlóir a thug tú dom, thug mise dóibhsean é, ionas go mba aon iad faoi mar is aon sinne;
mise iontu-san, agus tusa ionam-sa,
ionas go mba aon iad go foirfe, agus go mbeadh a fhios ag an saol gur chuir tú uait mé,
agus gur thug tú grá dóibh seo faoi mar a thug tú grá domsa.

Soiscéal an Tiarna.             Moladh duit, a Chriost



AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
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