Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Feb 20 - St Robert Southwell (1561-95)
Summary: Robert Southwell martyr. Robert was only thirty-three, "the same age as Jesus", as he told his trial judge, when he was condemned to death under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in England. He is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales canonised by Pope Paul VI in 1970.
Patrick Duffy retells his story.
Early life
Robert was born at Horsham St. Faith in Norfolk, the youngest of eight children of Catholic gentry and educated first at Douai, then at Paris. He wished to join the Jesuits at seventeen, but was turned down because he was too young. He then walked to Rome, was admitted to the Jesuits there in 1578 and sent for his two-year novitiate to Tournai. He returned to Rome to complete his studies of philosophy and theology, was ordained priest in 1584 and then was made prefect of studies in the Venerable English College at Rome.
To England
In 1584 an act was passed forbidding any English-born subjects of Queen Elizabeth, who had entered into priests' orders in the Roman Catholic Church since her accession, to remain in England longer than forty days on pain of death. But Southwell, asked to be sent to England in 1586 as a Jesuit missionary and the Jesuits agreed that he go with another Jesuit campanion Henry Garnett. Robert stayed with Catholic families, administering the sacraments and in 1589 became domestic chaplain to Ann Howard, whose husband, Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel (1557-95), was in prison, convicted of treason. It was to Philip Howard that Southwell addressed his Epistle of Comfort.
Arrest and imprisonment
After ministering successfully for six years, Southwell was arrested. His prison conditions were so wretched that his father petitioned Queen Elizabeth that he either be brought to trial and put to death, if found guilty, or removed in any case from the filthy hole he was in. He was then lodged in the Tower of London, and allowed clothes and a bible and the works of St Bernard. His imprisonment lasted for three years, during which he was tortured on ten occasions so that he might give evidence about other priests.. In 1595 he was charged with treason, and removed from the Tower to Newgate prison, where he was put in to a hole called Limbo.
His trial and execution
A few days later he was indicted as a traitor under the law mentioned above. Southwell admitted the facts but denied "entertaining any designs or plots against the queen or kingdom". His only purpose, he said, had been to administer the sacraments according to the rite of the Catholic Church to those who desired them. When asked to enter a plea, he declared himself, "not guilty of any treason whatsoever". However, he was found guilty and next day, February 20, 1595, he was drawn in a cart to Tyburn. A notorious highwayman was being executed at the same time, at a different place - perhaps to draw the crowds away - but many people came to witness the priest's death. He was allowed to address them at some length. H
e confessed that he was a Jesuit priest and prayed for the salvation of the queen and his country. He then commended his soul to God with the words of the psalm In manus tuas. He was hanged, drawn and quartered.
His poetry and prose
During his imprisonment Southwell wrote many poems of high literary merit. His prose works, such as A Short Rule of Good Life, Triumphs over Death, Mary Magdalen's Tears and A Humble Supplication to Queen Elizabeth, were religious tracts. He had no fear of death. He saw his sufferings as occasions of grace, an opportunity to express his love for God. He used his poetry and his religious tracts, which were widely circulated to stir up the same religious faith in others. Here are three well known quotations from his poems:
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Patrick Duffy retells his story.
Early life
Robert was born at Horsham St. Faith in Norfolk, the youngest of eight children of Catholic gentry and educated first at Douai, then at Paris. He wished to join the Jesuits at seventeen, but was turned down because he was too young. He then walked to Rome, was admitted to the Jesuits there in 1578 and sent for his two-year novitiate to Tournai. He returned to Rome to complete his studies of philosophy and theology, was ordained priest in 1584 and then was made prefect of studies in the Venerable English College at Rome.To England
In 1584 an act was passed forbidding any English-born subjects of Queen Elizabeth, who had entered into priests' orders in the Roman Catholic Church since her accession, to remain in England longer than forty days on pain of death. But Southwell, asked to be sent to England in 1586 as a Jesuit missionary and the Jesuits agreed that he go with another Jesuit campanion Henry Garnett. Robert stayed with Catholic families, administering the sacraments and in 1589 became domestic chaplain to Ann Howard, whose husband, Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel (1557-95), was in prison, convicted of treason. It was to Philip Howard that Southwell addressed his Epistle of Comfort.
Arrest and imprisonment
After ministering successfully for six years, Southwell was arrested. His prison conditions were so wretched that his father petitioned Queen Elizabeth that he either be brought to trial and put to death, if found guilty, or removed in any case from the filthy hole he was in. He was then lodged in the Tower of London, and allowed clothes and a bible and the works of St Bernard. His imprisonment lasted for three years, during which he was tortured on ten occasions so that he might give evidence about other priests.. In 1595 he was charged with treason, and removed from the Tower to Newgate prison, where he was put in to a hole called Limbo.
His trial and execution
A few days later he was indicted as a traitor under the law mentioned above. Southwell admitted the facts but denied "entertaining any designs or plots against the queen or kingdom". His only purpose, he said, had been to administer the sacraments according to the rite of the Catholic Church to those who desired them. When asked to enter a plea, he declared himself, "not guilty of any treason whatsoever". However, he was found guilty and next day, February 20, 1595, he was drawn in a cart to Tyburn. A notorious highwayman was being executed at the same time, at a different place - perhaps to draw the crowds away - but many people came to witness the priest's death. He was allowed to address them at some length. H
e confessed that he was a Jesuit priest and prayed for the salvation of the queen and his country. He then commended his soul to God with the words of the psalm In manus tuas. He was hanged, drawn and quartered.His poetry and prose
During his imprisonment Southwell wrote many poems of high literary merit. His prose works, such as A Short Rule of Good Life, Triumphs over Death, Mary Magdalen's Tears and A Humble Supplication to Queen Elizabeth, were religious tracts. He had no fear of death. He saw his sufferings as occasions of grace, an opportunity to express his love for God. He used his poetry and his religious tracts, which were widely circulated to stir up the same religious faith in others. Here are three well known quotations from his poems:
May never was the month of love,
For May is full of flowers;
But rather April, wet by kind,
For love is full of showers."
from Love's Servile Lot
O dying souls, behold your living spring;
O dazzled eyes, behold your sun of grace;
Dull ears, attend what word this Word doth bring;
Up, heavy hearts, with joy your joy embrace.
From death, from dark, from deafness, from despair:
This life, this light, this Word, this joy repairs.
...from The Nativity of Christ.
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Memorable Proverb for today
The tyrant dies and his rule is over.
The martyr dies and his rule begins.
~Soren Kierkegaard ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Friday, 20th February, 2026
Lent - Friday after Ash Wednesday
Christian fasting began as a support to prayer, as penance for sin,
as a way of saving something for the poor,and as a way of preparing for the celebration of Easter.
Day of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Sexual Abuse
(There is a prayer available below the English language readings and reflection).
FIRST READING
A reading from the prophet Isaiah 58: 1-9
Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me?
Thus says the Lord:
Shout for all you are worth, raise your voice like a trumpet.
Proclaim their faults to my people, their sins to the House of Jacob.
They seek me day after day, they long to know my ways,
like a nation that wants to act with integrity and not ignore the law of its God.
They ask me for laws that are just, they long for God to draw near:
'Why should we fast if you never see it, why do penance if you never notice?'
Look, you do business on your fast days, you oppress all your workmen;
look, you quarrel and squabble when you fast
and strike the poor man with your fist.
Fasting like yours today will never make your voice heard on high.
Is that the sort of fast that pleases me, a truly penitential day for men?
Hanging your head like a reed, lying down on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call fasting, a day acceptable to the Lord?
Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me – it is the Lord who speaks –
to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke,
to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor,
to clothe the man you see to be naked and not turn from your own kin?
Then will your light shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over.
Your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you.
Cry, and the Lord will answer; ~ call, and he will say, 'I am here'.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 50:3-4. 5-6 18-19
Response A humbled, contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn.
1. Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offence.
O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. Response
2. My offences truly I know them; my sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done. Response
3. For in sacrifice you take no delight, burnt offering from me you would refuse,
my sacrifice a contrite spirit. A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn. Response
Gospel Acclamation Ps 129: 5. 7
Glory and praise to you, O Christ
My soul is waiting for the Lord I count on his word,
because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
or Amos 5: 14
Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and that the Lord God of hosts may really be with you.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 9: 14-15 Glory to you, O Lord
When the bridegroom is to be taken away from them, then they will fast.
John's disciples came to Jesus and said,
'Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?'
Jesus replied, 'Surely the bridegroom's attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Friday after Ash Wednesday Matthew 9:14-15
In the gospel reading, Jesus affirms the value of fasting for the time after his death and resurrection, the time of the church, ‘The time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast’. Only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday remain as days of fast and abstinence, but the whole season of Lent has been traditionally understood as such a time. We deny ourselves something so that we can give ourselves more fully to the way of the Lord.
The saying ‘no’ that fasting involves is always in the service of a greater ‘yes’ to the Lord and his people.
This is what the prophet Isaiah stresses in today’s first reading. He makes a firm connection between fasting and the service of the Lord through the care of the most vulnerable, breaking unjust fetters, letting the oppressed go free, sharing our bread with the hungry, sheltering the homeless poor, clothing the naked.
Jesus declares in the gospels that whatever we do for those in greatest need we do for him, and whatever we do for him we do for God, because he, Jesus, is God-with-us. Within the Christian tradition, Lent, the season of fasting, is also the season when we give ourselves in a special way to those in greatest need. The Trocaire Lenten campaign is one expression of that dimension of Lent. Showing hospitality to the refugees of war, is another expression of the care of the needy that both Isaiah and Jesus stress so strongly. Isaiah declares to the people in that first reading that if they care for the vulnerable, those who are wounded in some way, their own wound will be healed over. We ourselves are healed when we work for the healing of others. As Jesus declares in the gospels, when we give to others, a full measure will be poured into our lap.
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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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Prayer for Survivors/Victims of Sexual Abuse
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Lord , we are sorry for what some of us did to your children:
treated them so cruelly, especially in their hour of need.
We have left them with a lifelong suffering.
This was not your plan for them or for us.
Please help us to help them.
Guide us, Lord, Amen
(This Prayer inscribed on the healing stone unveiled at the 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012 in Dublin, Ireland.
(Now that stone can be seen at Lough Derg.)
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For Video Scripture Reflections for next Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/lent-videos/
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Liturgical Readings for: Friday, 20th February, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an fáidh Íseáia 58: 1-9
An troscadh is áil liom, nach é seo é?
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
Glaoigh amach in ard do chinn, na coinnigh siar é, ardaigh do ghlór mar a bheadh adharc á séideadh.
Taispeáin do mo phobal a gcoireanna agus do theaghlach Iacóib a bpeacaí.
Lá in aghaidh an lae tá siad do mo thaithí,ag maíomh toil a bheith acu agus tuiscint do mo shlite,
amhail pobal a bheadh ag cleachtadh fíréantachta,
in áit a bheith ag tabhairt cúl le dleacht a nDé.
Bíonn siad ag cur tuairisc orm faoi dhlíthe córa;
is áil leo, más fíor dóibh, druidim le Dia:
“Cad chuige ár dtroscadh mura bhfeiceann tusa é, ár gcrá anama, mura dtugann tú aird air?” Ach bhur laethanta troscaidh bíonn gnóthaí ar siúl agaibh, bíonn sibh ag tromaíocht ar bhur n-oibrithe go léir.
Déanann sibh troscadh agus sibh ag bruíon agus ag troid agus ag bualadh dorn ar a chéile le binb. Troscadh mar atá ar siúl agaibh faoi láthair, ní hé a leithéid a gheobhaidh éisteacht thuas do bhur nglór.
An troscadh is rogha liom, lá cránais den chineál seo i láthair?
Duine ag cromadh a chinn mar a bheadh giolcach ann, agus é sínte ar éadach róin agus ar luaithreach,
an air seo a thabharfá troscadh, agus lá taitneamhach i láthair an Tiarna?
An troscadh is áil liom, nach é seo é? dar briathar an Tiarna Dia:
Geimhleacha na héagóra a scaoileadh, an ceangal a bhaint den chuing;
an dream a smachtaíodh a scaoileadh saor amach, an uile chuing a bhriseadh;
do chuid aráin a roinnt le lucht ocrais, dídean a thabhairt do bhochtáin gan teach gan treabh,
éadach a chur ar an té a fheiceann tú nocht agus gan faillí a dhéanamh i do dhualgas i leith do mhuintire.
Ansin scallfaidh do sholas amach mar an maidneachan agus is gearr go dtaga cneasú ar do chréachtaí.
Rachaidh d’fhíréantacht romhat amach agus glóir an Tiarna i do dhiaidh.
Ansin, má ghlaonn tú, tabharfaidh an Tiarna freagra ort; nuair a scairtfidh tú, déarfaidh sé: “Seo anseo mé.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 50:3-4. 5-6 18-19
Freagra Ní eiteoidh tú, a Dhia, croí brúite uiríseal.
1. Déan trócaire orm, a Dhia, de réir do bhuanghrá: cealaigh mo choir as iomad do thrua.
Nigh go huile mé ó mo chion, agus déan mo pheaca a ghlanadh díom. Freagra
2. Óir aithním mo chionta go maith agus tá mo pheaca os mo chomhair i gcónaí.
Is ortsa amháin a pheacaigh mé; an ní is olc i do láthair a rinne mé. Freagra
3. Óir ní bhfaigheann tú taitneamh in íobairt agus an loiscíobairt a dhéanfainn ní ghlacfá.
M’íobairtse, a Dhia, an croí aithríoch; ní eiteoidh tú, a Dhia, croí brúite uiríseal.Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha 9: 14-15 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tiocfaidh na laethanta nuair a bheidh an fear nuaphósta tógtha uathu agus déanfaidh siad troscadh ansin.
San am sin tháinig deisceabail Eoin chuige ansin agus dúirt siad:
“Cén fáth a mbíonn a lántroscaidh ar siúl againne agus ag na Fairisínigh, ach nach ndéanann do dheisceabailse troscadh?”
Dúirt Íosa leo:
“An féidir go mbeadh ógánaigh na bainise ag déanamh bróin fad a bhíonn an fear nuaphósta leo?Ach tiocfaidh na laethanta nuair a bheidh an fear nuaphósta tógtha uathu agus déanfaidh siad troscadh ansin."
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 22nd February, 2026
First Sunday of Lent, Cycle A
We all need to awaken to the meaning of 'being in Christ'.
We are all struggling against the powers of darkness confident that wherever there is sin, Grace also abounds still more.
Today the initial Rite of Election of Catechumens is celebrated.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Genesis 2:7-9 3:1-7
The creation and sin of our first parents.
The Lord God fashioned man of dust from the soil. Then he breathed into his nostrils a breath of life, and thus man became a living being.
The Lord God planted a garden in Eden which is in the east, and there he put the man he had fashioned. The Lord God caused to spring up from the soil every kind of tree, enticing to look at and good to eat, with the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the middle of the garden.
The serpent was the most subtle of all the wild beasts that the Lord God had made. It asked the woman,'Did God really say you were not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?' The woman answered the serpent, 'We may eat he fruit of the trees in the garden. But of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden God said, "You must not eat it, nor touch it, under pain of death".'
Then the serpent said to the woman,
'No! You will not die! God knows in fact that on the day you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil.'
The woman saw that the tree was good to eat and pleasing to the eye, and that it was desirable for the knowledge that it could give. So she took some of its fruit and ate it. She gave some also to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they realised that they were naked. So they sewed fig-leaves together to make themselves loin-cloths.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 50: 3-6, 2-12-13, 14, 17
Response Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have sinned.
1. Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offence.
O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. Response
2. My offences truly I know them; my sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned: what is evil in your sight I have done. Response
3. A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your holy spirit. Response
4. Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervour sustain me.
O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to Romans 5:12-19
However great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater.
Sin entered the world through one man, and through sin death, and thus death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned. Sin existed in the world long before the Law was given. There was no law and so no one could be accused of the sin of 'law-breaking', yet death reigned over all from Adam to Moses, even though their sin, unlike that of Adam, was not a matter of breaking a law.
Adam prefigured the One to come, but the gift itself considerably outweighed the fall. If it is certain that through one man's fall so many died, it is even more certain that divine grace, coming through the one man, Jesus Christ, came to so many as an abundant free gift. The results of the gift also outweigh the results of one man's sin: for after one single fall came judgement with a verdict of condemnation, now after many falls comes grace with its verdict of acquittal. If it is certain that death reigned over everyone as the consequence of one man's fall, it is even more certain that one man, Jesus Christ, will cause everyone to reign in life who receives the free gift that he does not deserve, of being made righteous. Again, as one man's fall brought condemnation on everyone, so the good act of one man brings everyone life and makes them justified. As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience many will be made righteous.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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Shorter form of the Second reading
A reading from the letter of St Paul to Romans 5:12. 17-19
Sin entered the world through one man, and through sin death, and thus death
has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned. If it is certain that death reigned over everyone as the consequence of one man's fall, it is even more certain that one man, Jesus Christ, will cause everyone to reign in life who receives the free gift that he does not deserve, of being made righteous. Again, as one man's fall brought condemnation on everyone, so the good act of one man brings everyone life and makes them justified. As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience many will be made righteous.The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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Gospel Acclamation Mt 4:4
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory!
Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 4:1-11 Glory to you, O Lord
Jesus fasts for forty days and is tempted.
Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was very hungry, and the tempter came and said to him,
'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves'.
But he replied, 'Scripture says:
'Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'.
The devil then took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple.
'If you are the Son of God' he said 'throw yourself down; for scripture says:
'He will put you in his angels' charge, and they will support you on their hands in case you hurt your foot against a stone'.
Jesus said to him, 'Scripture also says: 'You must not put the Lord your God to the test'.
Next, taking him to a very high mountain, the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 'I will give you all these' he said, 'if you fall at my feet and worship me.'
Then Jesus replied,
'Be off, Satan! For scripture says: 'You must worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.'
Then the devil left him, and angels appeared and looked after 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, 22nd February, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an Leabhar Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7
Cruthtú agus peaca an tsinsir.
Chum an Tiarna Dia an duine de chré na talún agus shéid anáil na beatha ina pholláirí; ar an gcaoi sin rinne neach beo den duine. Phlandaigh an Tiarna Dia parthas in Éidin san oirthear agus chuir sé ann an duine a chum sé. Chuir an Tiarna Dia ag fás aníos as an talamh gach uile chineál crainn is geal leis an tsúil agus is maith le hithe, crann na beatha mar an gcéanna i lár an ghairdín agus crann fhios na maitheasa agus an oilc.
Ba ghlice an nathair nimhe ná aon ainmhí allta dá ndearna an Tiarna Dia agus dúirt sí leis an mbean:
“An ndúirt Dia libh gan ithe de thoradh aon chrainn sa ghairdín?”
Dúirt an bhean leis an nathair nimhe:
“Ní miste dúinn toradh na gcrann sa ghairdín a ithe: ach toradh an chrainn atá i lár an ghairdín, dúirt Dia faoi: ‘ná hithigí é agus na bainigí leis le heagla go bhfaigheadh sibh bás’.”
Agus dúirt an nathair nimhe leis an mbean:
“Ní bhfaighidh sibh bás, ní bhfaighidh sin! Óir is eol do Dhia an lá a íosfaidh sibh dá thoradh sin, go n-osclófar bhur súile agus go mbeidh sibh cosúil le déithe agus fios na maitheasa agus an oilc agaibh.”
Chonaic an bhean gur mhaith le hithe toradh an chrainn, agus gur gheal leis an tsúil é agus gur dhíol dúile é ar son an fheasa a thug sé. Thóg sí, más ea, cuid dá thoradh agus d’ith é; thug sí cuid de chomh maith dá fear a bhí ina teannta, agus d’ith sé é. Osclaíodh a súile araon agus chonaiceadar go rabhadar nocht agus d’fhíodar duilleoga fige lena chéile agus rinneadar brait íochtair dóibh féin.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 50: 3-6, 2-12-13, 14, 17
Freagra Déan trócaire orainn, a Dhia, mar gur pheacaíomar.
I. Déan trócaire orm, a Dhia, de réir do bhuanghrá; de réir do mhórthruamhéile scrios amach mo chionta.
Nigh m'urchóid díom go hiomlán agus glan díom mo pheaca. Freagra
2. Óir aithním mo chionta go maith agus tá mo pheaca os mo chomhair i gcónaí.
I do choinnese amháin a pheacaigh mé,agus an ní is olc i d'fhianaise is é a rinne mé. Freagra
3. Cruthaigh croí glan dom, a Dhia, agus cuir isteach ionam spiorad daingean.
Ná teilg ó do radharc mé,agus do spiorad naofa ná bain díom. Freagra
4. Tabhair ar ais dom áthas do shlánaithe agus tabhair spiorad na díograise dom mar thaca.
A Thiarna, oscail mo bheola agus foilseoidh mo bhéal do mholadh. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig Rómhánaigh 5:12-19
An áit ar mhéadaigh ar an bpeaca is mó Fós a mhéadaigh ar an ngrásta.
A bhráithre, tháinig an peaca isteach sa saol trí aon duine amháin agus an bás isteach tríd an bpeaca, sa tslí sin leath an bás i measc cách uile de bhrí go ndearna cách uile an peaca. Bhí an peaca ar an saol, ar ndóigh, sular tugadh an dlí ach ní chuirtear an peaca sa chuntas mura mbíonn dlí ann. Mar sin féin bhí an bás i réim ó Ádhamh anuas go Maois fiú amháin dóibh siúd nach raibh ciontach i mbriseadh reachta ar nós Ádhaimh. Agus bhí Ádhamh ina shamhail ar an té úd a bhí le teacht.:
Ach ní hé an dála céanna ag an tabhartas agus ag an gcoir é. Mar, má fuair mórán bás de bharr choir an aon duine amháin, is fairsinge go mór do mhórán a bhí grásta Dé agus an tabhartas a dáileadh de dheonú an aon duine amháin, Íosa Críost.
Agus ní hé an dála céanna ag an tabhartas agus ag an toradh a bhí ar pheaca an duine aonair é: tháinig breithiúnas an daortha as coir aonair, ach is as coireanna iomadúla a tháinig tabhartas an tsaortha. Más trí choir an aon duine amháin a tháinig an bás i réim tríd an aon duine amháin, is mó go mór ná sin a bheidh réimeas na beatha tríd an aon duine amháin Íosa Críost, acu siúd a fhaigheann flúirse den ghrásta agus de thabhartas na fíréantachta.
Dá réir sin, faoi mar tugadh daorbhreith ar chách uile de dheasca choir an aon duine amháin, ar an gcuma chéanna tugadh saorbhreith na beatha ar chách uile de bharr dhea-ghníomh an aon duine amháin. Faoi mar a rinneadh peacaigh de mhórán trí easumhlaíocht an aon duine amháin, ar an gcuma chéanná déanfar fíréin de mhórán trí umhlaíocht an aon duine amháin.
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DARA LÉACHT (sliocht gearr)
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig Rómhánaigh 5:12-19
An áit ar mhéadaigh ar an bpeaca is mó Fós a mhéadaigh ar an ngrásta.
A bhráithre, tháinig an peaca isteach sa saol trí aon duine amháin agus an bás isteach tríd an bpeaca, sa tslí sin leath an bás i measc cách uile de bhrí go ndearna cách uile an peaca.
Ach ní hé an dála céanna ag an tabhartas agus ag an gcoir é. Mar, má fuair mórán bás de bharr choir an aon duine amháin, is fairsinge go mór do mhórán a bhí grásta Dé agus an tabhartas a dáileadh de dheonú an aon duine amháin, Íosa Críost. Dá réir sin, faoi mar tugadh daorbhreith ar chách uile de dheasca choir an aon duine amháin, ar an gcuma chéanna tugadh saorbhreith na beatha ar chách uile de bharr dhea-ghníomh an aon duine amháin. Faoi mar a rinneadh peacaigh de mhórán trí easumhlaíocht an aon duine amháin, ar an gcuma chéanná déanfar fíréin de mhórán trí umhlaíocht an aon duine amháin.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
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Véarsa Mth4: 4
Ní ar arán amháin a mhairfidh an duine, ach ar an uile fhocal a thagann as béal Dé.
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 4: 1-11 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Déanann Iosa troscadh ar feadh daichead lá agus cuirtear cathú air.
San am sin, seoladh Íosa isteach san fhásach ag an Spiorad le promhadh ag an diabhal. Rinne sé troscadh ar feadh daichead lá agus daichead oíche, agus ina dhiaidh sin bhí ocras air. Tháinig an cathaitheoir ina aice agus dúirt:
“Más tú Mac Dé, abair arán a dhéanamh de na clocha seo.”
Dúirt sé á fhreagairt:
“Tá sé scríofa: ‘Ní ar arán amháin a mhairfidh an duine, ach ar an uile fhocal a thagann as béal Dé.’”
Rug an diabhal leis ansin é isteach sa chathair naofa agus chuir sé ar bhinn an Teampaill é agus dúirt leis:
“Más tú Mac Dé, caith thú féin síos: óir tá sé scríofa: ‘Tabharfaidh sé ordú dá aingil i do thaobh agus iompróidh siad thú lena lámha, sula mbuailfeá do chos in aghaidh cloiche.’”
Dúirt Íosa leis: “Tá sé scríofa freisin: ‘Ní bhainfidh tú triail as an Tiarna do Dhia.’”
Rug an diabhal leis arís é faoi shliabh a bhí an-ard, thaispeáin dó ríochtaí uile an domhain agus a nglóir agus dúirt leis: “Tabharfaidh mé iad sin uile duit ach go n-umhlóidh tú síos do m’adhradh.”
Dúirt Íosa leis ansin:“Imigh leat, a Shátain! óir tá sé scríofa: ‘Adharfaidh tú an Tiarna do Dhia, agus is dó amháin a bheidh tú ag seirbhís.’”
Ansin d’fhág an diabhal é, agus tháinig na haingil chuige agus bhí siad ag freastal air.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
