Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Sep 9 - St Ciaran of Clonmacnoise (6th century) abbot
Summary: St Ciarán of Clonmacnoise's, supposedly born Ciarán mac an tSaeir, was one of the 'Twelve Apostles of Ireland' and the first abbot of Clonmacnoise. He is sometimes called Ciarán the Younger to distinguish him from the 5th-century Saint Ciarán the Elder who was bishop of Osraig
Clonmacnoise was founded by St. Ciarán, who was born around 512. His father was a travelling carpenter called Beoit and his mother was called Darerca. His father was a carpenter and chariot maker. Ciarán was born and reared in an area that is in the present-day Roscommon. He had a number of brothers and sisters. Some of them also entered the religious life.
Patrick Duffy takes up Ciarán's story.
Training with Enda and Senan
As a young boy, Ciarán helped his family herd cattle and studied his lessons while out in the fields. When he was older, he went to study with St. Finian at Clonard, which is in modern-day Meath. He later studied on Aran with St. Enda, and later to Senan of Scattery Island where he was ordained a priest. After spending time in various monasteries, Ciarán eventually founded his monastery at Clonmacnoise in January of 544.
Foundation at Clonmacnois
Here he made his foundation with ten companions on the Shannon River but died at the age of 33 but while it was still being built. He became very ill with a plague and died, - a young man in his early thirties. His feast day is September 9, the date on which he died. Despite the young age at which he died, he had managed to found a monastic school whose fame would endure down the centuries. Clonmacnois that became famous throughout Europe.
Mac an tSaoir
The son of a carpenter or wheelwright, mac an tsaoir, Ciarán, is often called "the younger" to distinguish him from Ciarán of Saighir, called Sean Chiarán, or Ciarán the Senior.
Ciarán's Cow
This Ciarán was from Connaught and went to study under Finian of Clonard, taking with him his favourite cow, which his family donated for his education. The monastery could profit from milk and butter, calves, meat or from the hide that would be turned into parchment. The skin of Ciarán's cow was preserved in his memory and was noted for miracles - it had the reputation that every man who died resting on it would get eternal life. And later, the book written on this famous cow-skin, Leabhar na hUidhre, became one of Ireland's most important manuscripts. This is the book which preserves the legend of the Táin Bó Cuailnge.
Influence
Clonmacnois later became one of the most influential monasteries in Europe. Alcuin of York (735-804), the most renowned of Saxon scholars who became an advisor at the court of Charlemagne, studied here under Colcu the wise in the eighth century. He wrote letters to him and sent presents from himself and the emperor. The monastery survived the Viking raids and the Norman wars up until 1552.
A place of Pilgrimage
Clonmacnois is still an impressive site and a place of pilgrimage, especially for the Catholic group, Youth 2000. Pope John Paul II stopped off here on his way to Galway during his visit to Ireland in 1979.
~ St Columcille of Iona ~
Clonmacnoise was founded by St. Ciarán, who was born around 512. His father was a travelling carpenter called Beoit and his mother was called Darerca. His father was a carpenter and chariot maker. Ciarán was born and reared in an area that is in the present-day Roscommon. He had a number of brothers and sisters. Some of them also entered the religious life.
Patrick Duffy takes up Ciarán's story.
Training with Enda and Senan
As a young boy, Ciarán helped his family herd cattle and studied his lessons while out in the fields. When he was older, he went to study with St. Finian at Clonard, which is in modern-day Meath. He later studied on Aran with St. Enda, and later to Senan of Scattery Island where he was ordained a priest. After spending time in various monasteries, Ciarán eventually founded his monastery at Clonmacnoise in January of 544.
Foundation at Clonmacnois
Here he made his foundation with ten companions on the Shannon River but died at the age of 33 but while it was still being built. He became very ill with a plague and died, - a young man in his early thirties. His feast day is September 9, the date on which he died. Despite the young age at which he died, he had managed to found a monastic school whose fame would endure down the centuries. Clonmacnois that became famous throughout Europe.
Mac an tSaoir
The son of a carpenter or wheelwright, mac an tsaoir, Ciarán, is often called "the younger" to distinguish him from Ciarán of Saighir, called Sean Chiarán, or Ciarán the Senior.
Ciarán's Cow
This Ciarán was from Connaught and went to study under Finian of Clonard, taking with him his favourite cow, which his family donated for his education. The monastery could profit from milk and butter, calves, meat or from the hide that would be turned into parchment. The skin of Ciarán's cow was preserved in his memory and was noted for miracles - it had the reputation that every man who died resting on it would get eternal life. And later, the book written on this famous cow-skin, Leabhar na hUidhre, became one of Ireland's most important manuscripts. This is the book which preserves the legend of the Táin Bó Cuailnge.
Influence
Clonmacnois later became one of the most influential monasteries in Europe. Alcuin of York (735-804), the most renowned of Saxon scholars who became an advisor at the court of Charlemagne, studied here under Colcu the wise in the eighth century. He wrote letters to him and sent presents from himself and the emperor. The monastery survived the Viking raids and the Norman wars up until 1552.
A place of Pilgrimage
Clonmacnois is still an impressive site and a place of pilgrimage, especially for the Catholic group, Youth 2000. Pope John Paul II stopped off here on his way to Galway during his visit to Ireland in 1979.
The Late Pope St. John Paul II at Clonmacnois 1979
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Memorable Proverb for Today
“Ciaran was a lamp, blazing with the light of wisdom."
~ St Columcille of Iona ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 9th September, 2026
Wednesday of the Twenty Third Week of Ordinary Time, Year 2
Saint of the Day: Sep 9: - 2. St Ciaran, abbot
C/f A short look at this saint’s life can be found below today's Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 7:25-31
If you are tied to a wife, do not look for freedom; if you are free of a wife, then do not look for one.
About remaining celibate, I have no directions from the Lord but give my own opinion as one who, by the Lord's mercy, has stayed faithful. Well then, I believe that in these present times of stress this is right: that it is good for a man to stay as he is.If you are tied to a wife, do not look for freedom;
if you are free of a wife, then do not look for one.
But if you marry, it is no sin, and it is not a sin for a young girl to get married. They will have their troubles, though, in their married life, and I should like to spare you that. Brothers, this is what I mean: our time is growing short.
Those who have wives should live as though they had none,
and those who mourn should live as though they had nothing to mourn for;
those who are enjoying life should live as though there were nothing to laugh about;
those whose life is buying things should live as though they had nothing of their own;
and those who have to deal with the world should not become engrossed in it.
I say this because the world as we know it is passing away.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 44: 11-12. 14-17. R/ v11
Response Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words.
1. Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words: forget your own people and your father's house.
So will the king desire your beauty: He is your lord, pay homage to him. Response
2. The daughter of the king is clothed with splendour, her robes embroidered with pearls set in gold.
She is led to the king with her maiden companions. Response
3. They are escorted amid gladness and joy; they pass within the palace of the king.
Sons shall be yours in place of your fathers; you will make them princes over all the earth. Response
Gospel Acclamation 1 Jn 2: 5
Alleluia, alleluia!
When anyone obeys what Christ has said, God's love comes to perfection in him.
Alleluia !
or Lk 6: 23
Alleluia, alleluia!
Rejoice and be glad: your reward will be great in heaven.
Alleluia !
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 6:20-26 Glory to you, O Lord
'How happy are you who are poor. But alas for you who are rich.
Fixing his eyes on his disciples Jesus said:
'How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.
Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you,
denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.
'But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.
Alas for you when the world speaks well of you!
This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophets.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
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Gospel Reflection Wednesday Twenty Third Week in Ordinary Time, Luke 6:20-26
In the gospel reading, Jesus speaks a word of consolation to those who are struggling the most, the poor, the hungry, all who weep, those experiencing rejection because of their loyalty to him. He declares that God is working to transform their situation for the better. The day will come when they will be satisfied, when they will laugh, when the kingdom of God will be theirs. Jesus is revealing God to be one who is not only present to us in our most vulnerable situations but who is actively working on our behalf to bring a change for the better to our lives. This is the God whom Jesus revealed by his deeds and his words. He invited the poor to his table, he fed the hungry in the wilderness, he brought the joy of God’s kingdom to those who were weeping, such as the widow at Nain.
Jesus wants his disciples, all of us, to reveal this same God by our deeds and our words. The risen Lord wants to work through us to bring something of that fullness of life which characterizes the kingdom of God to those who are poor, hungry and weeping today. We are aware of some people who are bringing hunger, poverty and sadness to others by their actions or even complacent indifference. It is this group that Jesus addresses in the second half of the gospel, declaring that God will hold them to account for the suffering they are inflicting on others, very often growing rich in the process. There are forces around that are death dealing and in the face of such forces the Lord needs us all the more to be instruments of his life-giving work in the world.
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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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Saint of the Day: Sep 9: – 2. St Ciaran, abbot
St Ciarán of Clonmacnoise's, supposedly born Ciarán mac an tSaeir, was one of the 'Twelve Apostles of Ireland' and the first abbot of Clonmacnoise.
Clonmacnoise was founded by St. Ciarán, who was born around 512. His father was a travelling carpenter called Beoit and his mother was called Darerca. His father was a carpenter and chariot maker. Ciarán was born and reared in an area that is in the present-day Roscommon. He had a number of brothers and sisters. Some of them also entered the religious life.
Patrick Duffy takes up Ciarán's story.
Training with Enda and Senan
As a young boy, Ciarán helped his family herd cattle and studied his lessons while out in the fields. When he was older, he went to study with St. Finian at Clonard, which is in modern-day Meath. He later studied on Aran with St. Enda, and later to Senan of Scattery Island where he was ordained a priest. After spending time in various monasteries, Ciarán eventually began founding his own monastery at Clonmacnoise in January of 544.
Foundation at Clonmacnois
Here he made his foundation with ten companions on the Shannon River but died at the age of 33 but while it was still being built. He became very ill with a plague and died, - a young man in his early thirties. His feast day is September 9, the date on which he died. Despite the young age at which he died, he had managed to found a monastic school whose fame would endure down the centuries, Clonmacnois. It became famous throughout Europe.
The son of a carpenter or wheelwright, mac an tsaoir, Ciarán, is often called "the younger" to distinguish him from Ciarán of Saighir, called Sean Chiarán, or Ciarán the Senior.
Ciarán's Cow
This Ciarán was from Connaught and went to study under Finian of Clonard, taking with him his favourite cow, which his family donated for his education. The monastery could profit from milk and butter, calves, meat or from the hide that would be turned into parchment. The skin of Ciarán's cow was preserved in his memory and was noted for miracles - it had the reputation that every man who died resting on it would get eternal life. And later, the book written on this famous cow-skin, Leabhar na hUidhre, became one of Ireland's most important manuscripts. This is the book which preserves the legend of the Táin Bó Cuailnge.
Influence
Clonmacnois later became one of the most influential monasteries in Europe. Alcuin of York (735-804), the most renowned of Saxon scholars who became an advisor at the court of Charlemagne, studied here under Colcu the wise in the eighth century. He wrote letters to him and sent presents from himself and the emperor. The monastery survived the Viking raids and the Norman wars up until 1552.
Clonmacnois is still an impressive site and a place of pilgrimage, especially for the Catholic group, Youth 2000. Pope John Paul II stopped off here on his way to Galway during his visit to Ireland in 1979.
The Late Pope St. John Paul II at Clonmacnois 1979
____________________
******************************
Memorable Proverb for Today
“Ciaran was a lamp, blazing with the light of wisdom."
~ St Columcille of Iona ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 9th September, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Coirintigh 7:25-31
Má tá tú scaoilte ó bhean, ná bí ag iarraidh bean a phósadh.
A bhráithre, maidir le maighdeana, níl aon ordú agam ón Tiarna; tá mo thuairim féin agam le tabhairt daoibh, áfach, mar dhuine atá iontaofa de bharr thrócaire an Tiarna. Is é is dóigh liomsa, mar gheall ar strus na huaire, go mb’fhearr do dhuine fanacht mar atá sé. Má tá tú ceangailte le bean, ná bí ag lorg do scaoilte; má tá tú scaoilte ó bhean, ná bí ag iarraidh bean a phósadh. Má phósann tú, áfach, ní aon pheaca duit é agus má phósann cailín óg ní aon pheaca dise é. Beidh anró an tsaoil ar a leithéidí áfach agus ba mhaith liom sibh a shábháil air sin. Is é atáim a rá libh, a bhráithre, go bhfuil an uain dulta I ngiorracht; dá chionn sin, iad seo a bhfuil bean acu, bídís ar chuma daoine nach mbeadh aon bhean acu; bíodh lucht an ghoil faoi mar nach mbeidís ag gol, agus bíodh lucht na lúcháire faoi mar nach mbeidís ag déanamh lúcháire. Iad sin a bhíonn ag ceannach, bídís ar chuma daoine nach mbeadh dada ina seilbh acu; agus iad siúd a bhíonn ag gabháil do ghnóthaí an tsaoil ná bídís gafa iontu, mar tá dreach an tsaoil seo ag síothlú.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le freagra Sm 44; 11-12. 14-17. R/ v11
Freagra Claon chugam do chluas, a iníon, agus éist liom.
1. Claon chugam do chluas, a iníon, agus éist liom;
cuir cuimhne do mhuintire féin uait agus teaghlach d’athar.
Óir tabharfaidh an rí grá is taitneamh do d’áilleacht;
eisean do Thiarna, agus umhlaigh thú féin dó. Freagra
2. Tá iníon an rí gléasta le róbaí órmhaisithe,
agus seoltar chun an rí í faoi éadaí ildathacha.
Seoltar dá héis chuige a maighdeana coimhdeachta. Freagra
3. Déantar a dtionlacan le háthas is gairdeas
nuair a ghabhann siad isteach in áras an rí.
In ionad do shinsear beidh clann mhac de do chuid féin agat;
ceapfaidh tú ina bhflatha iad ar fud chríocha na cruinne. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 6:20-26 Glóir duit, a Thiarna
Is méanar daoibhse atá bocht. Ach is mairg daoibhse atá saibhir.
San am sin d’ardaigh Íosa a shúile I dtreo a dheisceabail agus dúirt
“Is méanar daoibhse atá bocht, óir is libh ríocht Dé.
“Is méanar daoibhse a bhfuil ocras oraibh anois, óir sásófar sibh.
“Is méanar daoibhse atá ag gol anois, óir déanfaidh sibh gáire.
"Is méanar daoibh nuair is fuath le daoine sibh agus nuair a scarfaidh siad amach sibh agus bhur n-ainm a aithisiú agus a fhógairt mar dhrochainm, mar gheall ar Mhac an Duine. Bígí lúcháireach an lá sin, bígí ag léimneach le háthas, óir féach, is mór é bhur dtuarastal ar neamh. Óir is sa chaoi chéanna a dhéanadh a n-aithreacha leis na fáithe.
“Ach is mairg daoibhse atá saibhir, óir tá bhur sólás faighte agaibh cheana.
“Is mairg daoibhse atá sách anois, óir beidh ocras oraibh.
“Is mairg daoibhse a dhéanann gáire anois, óir déanfaidh sibh brón agus gol.
“Is mairg daoibh nuair a bheidh cách ag labhairt go maith oraibh.
Óir is sa chaoichéanna a dhéanadh a n-aithreacha leis na fáithe bréagacha.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 13th September, 2026
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus ) 27:30-28:7
Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.
Resentment and anger, these are foul things, and both are found with the sinner. He who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord, who keeps strict account of sin. Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.If a man nurses anger against another, can he then demand compassion from the Lord? Showing no pity for a man like himself, can he then plead for his own sins? Mere creature of flesh, he cherishes resentment; who will forgive him his sins?
Remember the last things, and stop hating,
remember dissolution and death, and live by the commandments.
Remember the commandments, and do not bear your neighbour ill-will;
remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook the offence.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 102: 1-4. 9-12. R/ v 8
Response The Lord is compassion and love,
slow to anger and rich in mercy.
1. My soul, give thanks to the Lord, all my being, bless his holy name.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings. Response
2. It is he who forgives all your guilt, who heals everyone of your ills,
who redeems your life from the grave, who crowns you with love and compassion. Response
3. His wrath will come to an end; he will not be angry for ever.
He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults. Response
4. For as the heavens are high above the earth so strong is his love for those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west so far does he remove our sins. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 14:7-9
Alive or dead we belong to the Lord.
The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord;
and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord.
This explains why Christ both died and came to life, it was so that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation 1 Sam 3:9
Alleluia, alleluia!
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life.
Alleluia!
Or Jn 13: 34
Alleluia, alleluia!
I give you a new commandment: love one another,
just as I have loved you, says the Lord.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 18:21-35
I tell you, not seven, but seventy-seven times.
Peter went up to Jesus and said,
'Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?'
Jesus answered, 'Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.
'And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master's feet. "Give me time" he said "and I will pay the whole sum."
And the servant's master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt.
Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him.
"Pay what you owe me" he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, "Give me time and I will pay you". But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt.
His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him.
"You wicked servant," he said "I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?" And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt.
And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless
you each forgive your brother from your heart.'
The Gospel of the Lord Glory to you, O Lord
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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, 13th September, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an Leabhar Shíorach 27:30-28:7
Maith do do chomharsa an éagóir a dhéanann sé, agus nuair a dhéanfaidh tú guí, maithfear do pheacaí duit.
Fearg agus fraoch, is duáilcí déistineacha iad sin,
agus gheofar iad i seilbh an pheacaigh.
An té a imríonn díoltas, imreoidh an Tiarna díoltas air,
mar coinníonn sé cuntas cruinn ar a pheacaí.
Maith do do chomharsa an éagóir a dhéanann sé,
agus nuair a dhéanfaidh tú guí, maithfear do pheacaí duit.
Má choimeádann duine olc istigh do dhuine eile,
conas is féidir leis leigheas a lorg ar an Tiarna?
Mura ndéanann sé trócaire ar dhuine cosúil leis féin,
conas is féidir leis maithiúnas a iarraidh ina pheacaí féin?
Níl ann féin ach feoil agus cothaíonn sé fuath; cé a mhaithfidh a pheacaí dó?
Cuimhnigh ar do chríoch dheireanach, agus scoir den fhuath;
cuimhnigh ar an scrios agus an bás, agus mair de réir na n-aitheanta.
Cuimhnigh ar na haitheanta agus ná bíodh olc agat do do chomharsa;
cuimhnigh ar chonradh an Té is Airde, agus ná tóg ceann den aineolas.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 102: 1-4. 9-12. R/ v 8
Freagra Is grámhar trócaireach é an Tiarna,
foighneach agus lán dé cheansacht.
1. Gabh buíochas leis an Tiarna, a anam liom, beannaíodh a bhfuil istigh ionam a ainm naofa.
Gabh buíochas leis an Tiarna, a an am liom, is ná déan dearmad da thíolací go léir. Freagra
2. Eisean a mhaitheann do chionta go léir, a shlánaíonn d'easláintí go léir,
a fhuasclaíonn do bheatha on mbás, a chorónaíonn thú le grá is le trua. Freagra
3. Ní bheidh sé go míchéata i gcónaí, ní bheidh sé i bhfeirg de shíor.
Ní de réir ár bpeacaí a roinneann sé linn: ní de réir ár gcionta a chúitíonn sé sinn. Freagra
4. Óir ní airdé neamh os cionn talún ná méid a bhuanghrá do lucht a eaglaithe;
ní faide an t-oirthear ón iarthar ná an fad a chuireann sé ár gcionta uainn[. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 14:7-9
Má mhairimid beo nó más bás a fhaighimid is don Tiarna a fhaighimid bás chomh maith.
A bhráithre, ní dó féin a mhaireann aon duine againn ná ní dó féin a fhaigheann sé bás. Má mhairimid beo is don Tiarna a mhairimid, agus más bás a fhaighimid is don Tiarna a fhaighimid bás chomh maith. Cibé acu beo nó marbh dúinn, mar sin, is leis an Tiarna sinn. Mar is chuige seo a fuair Críost bás agus a d’éirigh beo: chun go mbeadh tiarnas ar bheo agus ar mhairbh araon aige.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa 1Sam3:9, Eo 6:68
Alleluia, alleluia!
Labhair, a Thiarna, tá do sheirbhíseach ag éisteacht.
Is agatsa atá briathra na beatha síoraí.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 18:21-35
Ní go dtí seacht n-uaire a deirimse leat ach go dtí seacht n-uaire seachtód.
Tháinig Peadar chuig Íosa ansin agus dúirt leis:
“A Thiarna, cé mhéad uair ba cheart dom pardún a thabhairt do mo bhráthair nuair a chiontaíonn i m’aghaidh? Go dtí seacht n-uaire?”
Dúirt Íosa leis: “Ní go dtí seacht n-uaire a deirimse leat ach go dtí seacht n-uaire seachtód.
“Agus dá réir sin is iad dála ríocht na bhflaitheas mar a bhí ag rí arbh áil leis cuntais a réiteach lena chuid seirbhíseach. Agus i dtosach an réitigh dó, tugadh chuige duine a raibh deich míle tallann amuigh air. Agus ó tharla gan an t-íoc a bheith aige, d’ordaigh an maistir é a dhíol, agus a bhean agus a chlann agus a raibh aige, agus an t-íoc a dhéanamh. Mar sin, chaith an seirbhíseach é féin ar lár, agus ag umhlú dó dúirt: ‘Bíodh foighne agat liom a mháistir, agus íocfaidh mé an t-iomlán leat.’
Agus le barr trua, scaoil máistir an tseirbhísigh sin uaidh é agus mhaith na fiacha dó. Ag dul amach don seirbhíseach sin, casadh air duine dá chomhsheirbhísigh a raibh céad déanar aige féin air, agus rug sé greim scóige air ag rá: ‘Íoc a bhfuil amuigh ort!’ Mar sin, chaith a chomhsheirbhíseach é féin ar lár ag achainí air: ‘Bíodh foighne agat liom,’ ar seisean, ‘agus íocfaidh mé leat é.’ Ach níorbh áil leis siúd é gan dul agus é theilgean i bpríosún nó go n-íocfadh sé na fiacha.
Nuair a chonaic a chomhsheirbhísigh an méid sin, ghabh buaireamh mór iad, agus chuaigh siad ag insint an scéil ar fad dá máistir. Chuir an máistir fios air: ‘A sheirbhísigh mhallaithe,’ ar seisean, ‘mhaith mé féin duitse na fiacha úd ar fad mar go ndearna tú achainí orm. Nár cheart go ndéanfása mar an gcéanna trócaire ar do chomhsheirbhíseach faoi mar a rinne mise trócaire ort?’
Agus le barr feirge thug a mháistir suas do na céastúnaigh é nó go n-íocfadh sé na fiacha leis go hiomlán.
Sin é freisin mar a dhéanfaidh m’Athair neamhaí libhse ach mura maitheannm gach duine agaibh dá bhráthair féin ó chroí.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
