Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Jul 2 - St Swithun (d. 862) bishop
Summary: St Swithun (or Swithin) was an English bishop of Winchester, best known from the popular belief that if it rains on St Swithun's day, 15th July, it will rain for 40 days and 40 nights.
Patrick Duffy traces St Swithin's life.
Torrential rain
(The image left< is of a statue at Stavanger Cathedral, the oldest in Norway.)
Friend and educator of kings
Egbert, king of Wessex (802-839), chose Swithin as his chaplain and as educator of his son Ethelwulf. Ethelwulf then chose Swithun as bishop of Winchester (852-862) where he helped build the Church and the kingdom of Wessex. He probably also was involved in the early education of the young Alfred: he died when Alfred was 13.
At Swithin's request, Ethelwulf gave a tenth of his royal lands to the Church. Swithun made his diocesan journeys on foot; and when he gave a banquet he invited the poor and not the rich.
His death
On his deathbed, Swithin requested that he be buried outside the Old Minster (Cathedral) at Winchester, where "passers by might tread on his grave and where the rain from the eaves might fall on it." And this was done. St Swithun died on 2nd July 862. He was buried, at his own request, out of doors.
His Translation
But on 15th July 971, Bishop Ethelwold of Winchester had Swithin's remains dug up and moved to a new shrine inside Stavanger Cathedral. Two contradictory outcomes are traditionally associated with this event. There were so many miraculous cures that Swithin's feast day became the date of the removal of his remains, and not his death day. But, unfortunately, the removal was also accompanied by ferocious and violent rain storms that lasted 40 days and 40 nights. These are said to indicate the saint's displeasure at being moved and may be the origin of the legend that if it rains on Saint Swithin's feast day, the rain will continue for 40 more days.
Patrick Duffy traces St Swithin's life.
Torrential rain
(The image left< is of a statue at Stavanger Cathedral, the oldest in Norway.)Builder and Restorer of Churches
St Swithun was born in Wessex and spent his youth at the old abbey at Winchester in AD 852. After being ordained, the chroniclers say he was a diligent builder of churches in places where there were none before and a repairer of those that had been destroyed or ruined.
"And if any church fell down, or was in decay, St Swithin would amend it at his own cost. Or if any church were not hallowed, he would go thither afoot and hallow it. For he loved not pride, said 'ne to riding on gay horses, and ne to being praised and flattered by the people'..." The Golden Legend, a medieval book of saints' stories.
Friend and educator of kings
Egbert, king of Wessex (802-839), chose Swithin as his chaplain and as educator of his son Ethelwulf. Ethelwulf then chose Swithun as bishop of Winchester (852-862) where he helped build the Church and the kingdom of Wessex. He probably also was involved in the early education of the young Alfred: he died when Alfred was 13.
At Swithin's request, Ethelwulf gave a tenth of his royal lands to the Church. Swithun made his diocesan journeys on foot; and when he gave a banquet he invited the poor and not the rich.
Helper of the poor
One day when Swithin was watching workmen building a church on the east side of the city, he saw that an old lady selling a basket of eggs had her eggs smashed by workmen. Swithin picked up the broken eggs and, it is said, they miraculously became whole again.
His death
On his deathbed, Swithin requested that he be buried outside the Old Minster (Cathedral) at Winchester, where "passers by might tread on his grave and where the rain from the eaves might fall on it." And this was done. St Swithun died on 2nd July 862. He was buried, at his own request, out of doors.
His Translation
But on 15th July 971, Bishop Ethelwold of Winchester had Swithin's remains dug up and moved to a new shrine inside Stavanger Cathedral. Two contradictory outcomes are traditionally associated with this event. There were so many miraculous cures that Swithin's feast day became the date of the removal of his remains, and not his death day. But, unfortunately, the removal was also accompanied by ferocious and violent rain storms that lasted 40 days and 40 nights. These are said to indicate the saint's displeasure at being moved and may be the origin of the legend that if it rains on Saint Swithin's feast day, the rain will continue for 40 more days.
St Swithun's day, if thou dost rain,
For forty days it will remain.
St Swithun's day, if thou be fair,
For forty days 'twill rain nae mair.
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Memorable Sayings for Today
The tragedy of life is not death
but what we let die inside of us while we live.
~ Norman Cousins ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 2nd July, 2026
Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2
They praised God for giving such power to men.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Amos 7:10-17.
Go, prophesy to my people.
Amaziah the priest of Bethel then sent word to Jeroboam king of Israel as follows.
'Amos is plotting against you in the heart of the House of Israel; the country can no longer tolerate what he keeps saying. For this is what he says, "Jeroboam is going to die by the sword, and Israel go into exile far from its country. "'
To Amos, Amaziah said,
'Go away, seer; get back to the land of Judah; earn your bread there, do your prophesying there.
We want no more prophesying in Bethel; this is the royal sanctuary, the national temple.'
Amos replied to Amaziah
'I was no prophet, neither did I belong to any of the brotherhoods of prophets,' 'I was a shepherd, and looked after sycamores: but it was the Lord who took me from herding the flock, and the Lord who said, "Go, prophesy to my people Israel."
So listen to the word of the Lord.
You say: "Do not prophesy against Israel, utter no oracles against the House of Isaac." 'Very well, this is what the Lord says,
"Your wife will be forced to go on the streets, your sons and daughters will fall by the sword, your land be parcelled out by measuring line, and you yourself die on unclean soil and Israel will go into exile far distant from its own land." '
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 18: 8-11 R/v 10
Response The decrees of the Lord are truth and all of them just.
1. The law of the Lord is perfect, it revives the soul.
The rule of the Lord is to be trusted, it gives wisdom to the simple. Response
2. The precepts of the Lord are right; they gladden the heart.
The command of the Lord is clear, it gives light to the eyes. Response
3. The fear of the Lord is holy, abiding for ever.
The decrees of the Lord are truth and all of them just. Response
4. They are more to be desired than gold, than the purest of gold
and sweeter are they than honey, than honey from the comb. Response
Gospel Acclamation Mt 11: 25
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children .
Alleluia!
Or 2 Cor 5: 19
Alleluia, alleluia!
God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself,
and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 9:1-8 Glory to you, O Lord
They praised God for giving such power to men.
Jesus got back in the boat, crossed the water and came to his own
town. Then some people appeared, bringing him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, 'Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven.' And at this some scribes said to themselves, 'This man is blaspheming.'Knowing what was in their minds Jesus said, 'Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? Now, which of these is easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven", or to say, "Get up and walk"? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,' - he said to the paralytic - 'get up, and pick up your bed and go off home.'
And the man got up and went home.
A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for giving such power to men.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Thursday Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Matthew 9:1-8
When people bring a paralytic on a stretcher to Jesus, what they are hoping for is that Jesus would heal the man’s paralysis. However, Jesus immediately goes to a deeper issue, assuring the paralytic that his sins are forgiven. There is no suggestion in the text that his physical paralysis was an outward expression of his sin. He is no greater a sinner than anyone else. All need assurance that God’s forgiveness is abundantly available through Jesus, whose very name, according to Matthew, means ‘He will save his people from their sins’ (Mt 1:21) and who, at the Last Supper, declares that ‘this (cup of wine) is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’ (Mt 26:28). Some scribes declare Jesus to be blaspheming for making a declaration that pertains to God alone. However, Matthew has already referred to Jesus as Emmanuel, ‘God is with us’ (Mt 1:23). God’s power of forgiveness is present on earth through Jesus.
Jesus then heals the man of his paralysis to demonstrate this deeper truth. We may not all be physically paralyzed but we are all equally in need of God’s forgiveness. The gospel reading assures us that God’s forgiveness is personally present to each one of us in a very complete way through Jesus, now risen Lord. Elsewhere in Matthew’s gospel we hear that this free gift of God’s abundant mercy requires us to forgive others as we have been forgiven (Mt 18:21-35).
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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: Thursday, 2nd July, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Leabhar Amós , Fáidh 7:10-17
Téigh agus tairngir do mo phobal.
Chuir Amaisiá, sagart Bhéit Éil, scéal ansin chuig Iarobám, rí Iosrael, á rá: “Tá Amós ag beartú comhcheilge i d’aghaidh i lár theach Iosrael; ní féidir leis an tír a bhriathra uile a fhulaingt níos mó. Óir is mar seo a deir sé: ‘Tá sé i ndán do Iarobám bás a fháil leis an gclaíomh, agus do Iosrael dul ar deoraíocht i bhfad ó bhaile.’”
DúirtAmaisiá le hAmós:
“Imigh leat a fhísí, fill ar thír Iúdá; saothraigh do chuid aráin ansin, déan do chuid tairngreachta ansin. Níl do thairngreacht uainn anseo i mBéit Éil mar is ann atá sanctóir an rí, teampall ríoga.”
Dúirt Amós le hAmaiziá á fhreagairt:
“Ní fáidh mé ná mac fáidh, ach aoire agus coimeádaí seiceamar; ach ba é an Tiarna a thóg mé ón mbuachailleacht agus ba é a dúirt liom: ‘Téigh agus tairngir do mo phobal Iosrael.’”
Mar sin éist le briathar an Tiarna:
Deir tusa: “Ná tairngir i n-aghaidh Iosrael, ná bí ag seanmóireacht in aghaidh theach Íosác.”
Maith go leor, seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
“Rachaidh do bhean le striapachas sa chathair, titfidh do mhic agus do iníonacha leis an gclaíomh,roinnfear d’fhearann leis an dorú, gheobhaidh tú féin bás ar thalamh truaillithe, agus rachaidh Iosrael ar deoraíocht i bhfad i gcéin óna thír dhúchais.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
SALM LE FREAGRA. Sm 18: 8-11 R/v 10
Freagra Tá breitheanna an Tiarna go fíor is tá siad uile go cóir.
I. Tá dlí an Tiarna go foirfe, tugann sé fortacht don anam;
ta foráil an Tiarna go daingea tugann sí teagase do na haineolaigh. Freagra
2. Tá proiceapta an Tiarna go díreach, cuireann siad áthas ar an gcroí;
tá aithne an Tiarna go glan, tugann sí solas don tsúil. Freagra
3. Tá eagla an Tiarna go híon ag maireachtáil de shíor;
Tá breitheanna an Tiarna go fíor is tá siad uile go cóir. Freagra
4. Is so-mhianaithe iad ná an t-ór, fiú na mórán mínóir;
is is milse iad na mil, is ná sileadh an chriathair mheala. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha 9:1-8 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Thug siad glóir do Dhia a thug a leithéid sin d’údarás do dhaoine.
San am sin ar dhul ar bord, chuaigh Íosa trasna agus tháinig isteach ina chathair féin. Tugadh pairiliseach chuige ina luí ar leaba. Nuair a chonaic Íosa an creideamh a bhí acu, dúirt sé leis an bpairiliseach:
“Bíodh misneach agat, a mhic! tá do pheacaí maite.”
Leis sin, dúirt cuid de na scríobhaithe leo féin: “Sin diamhasla dó.”
Ach bhí a fhios ag Íosa cad a bhí ina gcroí agus dúirt:
“Cén fáth a bhfuil na smaointe mallaithe seo in bhur gcroí? Cé acu is fusa a rá, más ea: ‘Tá do pheacaí maite’; nó a rá: ‘Éirigh agus siúil’? Ach chun go mbeadh a fhios agaibh go bhfuil údarás ag Mac an Duine ar an talamh chun peacaí a mhaitheamh”
– dúirt sé ansin leis an bpairiliseach:
“Éirigh, tóg leat do leaba agus gabh abhaile.”
D’éirigh seisean agus chuaigh abhaile. Nuair a chonaic na sluaite é, tháinig uamhan orthu agus thug siad glóir do Dhia a thug a leithéid sin d’údarás do dhaoine.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 5th July, 2026
Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Zechariah 9:9-10
See now, your king comes humbly to you
The Lord says this:
Rejoice heart and soul, daughter of Zion! Shout with gladness, daughter of Jerusalem!See now, your king comes to you; he is victorious, he is triumphant, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
He will banish chariots from Ephraim and horses from Jerusalem; the bow of war will be banished. He will proclaim peace for the nations.
His empire shall stretch from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.
The Word of the Lord. And with your spirit.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 144: 1-2. 8-11. 13-14. R/v 1
Response I will bless your name for ever, O God my King
1. I will give you glory, O God my King, I will bless your name for ever.
I will bless you day after day and praise your name for ever. Response
2. The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures. Response
3. All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and your friends shall repeat their blessing.
They shall speak of the glory of your reign and declare your might, O God. Response
4. The Lord is faithful in all his words and loving in all his deeds.
The Lord supports all who fall and raises all who are bowed down. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Romans 8:9. 11-13
If by the Spirit you put an end to the misdeeds of the body you will live.
Your interests, however, are not in the unspiritual, but in the spiritual, since the Spirit of God has made his home in you.In fact, unless you possessed the Spirit of Christ you would not belong to him. and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you.
My brothers, there is no necessity for us to obey our unspiritual selves or to live unspiritual lives. If you do live in that way, you are doomed to die; but if by the Spirit you put an end to the misdeeds of the body you will live.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation Mt 11: 25
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 11:25-30 Glory to you, O Lord
I am gentle and humble in heart.
Jesus exclaimed, 'I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.'Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.'
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.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 5th July, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an dara Leabhar Zachária Fáidh 9:9-10
Féach, tá do rí ag teacht chugat.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
Déan gairdeas go spleodrach, a iníon Shíón; tóg gártha áthais, a iníon Iarúsailéim.Féach, tá do rí ag teacht chugat, é go caithréimeach slán,
agus go ceansa, agus ag marcaíocht ar asal, ar bhromaichín, ar shearrach asail. Scuabfaidh sé an carbad chun siúil as Eafráim agus an capall catha as Iarúsailéim; agus brisfear an bogha cogaidh.
Labhróidh sé leis na náisiúin faoin tsíocháin, agus beidh sé i réim ó mhuir go muir agus ón Abhainn go himill na cruinne.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 144: 1-2. 8-11. 13-14. R/v 1
Freagra Beannóidh mé d'ainm de shíor, a Dhia liom, is a Rí.
1. Tabharíaidh mé glóir duit, a Dhia liom, is a Rí; beannóidh mé d'ainm de shíor.
Beannóidh mé thú gach uile lá agus molfaidh mé thú de shíor. Freagra
2. Is ceansa trócaireach é an Tiarna, mall chun feirge agus lán de chineáltas.
Is maith é an Tiarna don uile ní, is is trócaireach é dá oibreacha uile. Freagra
3. Ceiliúriaidh d'oibreacha thú, a Thiarna, agus beannóidh do dhaoine naofa thú.
Canfaidh siad glóir do ríochta, agus foilséoidh siad do chumhacht. Freagra
4. Is dílis an Tiarna ina bhriathra uile, agus is naofa é ina oibreacha go léir.
Coinníonn an Tiarna gach duine a bhíonn ag titim agus
tógann sé suas gach duine a bhíonn ar lár. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 8:9. 11-13
Má bhásaíonn sibh gníomhartha na colainne le cúnamh an Spioraid, mairfidh sibh beo.
A bhráithre, ní faoi réir na colainne atá sibhse, áfach, ach faoi réir an Spioraid más rud é go bhfuil Spiorad Dé lonnaithe ionaibh. Má tá duine gan Spiorad Chríost aige ní le Críost é. Ach má tá Críost ionaibh, más marbh féin bhur gcorp de bharr an pheaca, is beo bhur spiorad de bharr na fíréantachta. Go deimhin má bhíonn Spiorad an té a thóg Críost ó mhairbh lonnaithe ionaibh, déanfaidh an té sin a thóg Críost ó mhairbh bhur gcorp básmhar a bheoú trína Spiorad atá lonnaithe ionaibh.Ar an ábhar sin, a bhráithre, níl aon cheangal ag an gcolainn orainn go mairfimis dá réir. Más faoi réir na colainne a mhaireann sibh tá an bás i ndán daoibh; ach má bhásaíonn sibh gníomhartha na colainne le cúnamh an Spioraid, mairfidh sibh beo.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Mt 11:25
Alleluia, alleluia!
Tugaim buíochas duit, a Athair, a Thiarna neimhe agus talún,
de chionn mar a cheil tú na nithe seo ar lucht eagna agus éirime agus
mar a d’fhoilsigh tú do naíonáin iad.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha, 11:25-30 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Táim ceansa uiríseal ó chroí
San am sin labhair Íosa agus dúirt:
“Tugaim buíochas duit, a Athair, a Thiarna neimhe agus talún, de chionn mar a cheil tú na nithe seo ar lucht eagna agus éirime agus mar a d’fhoilsigh tú do naíonáin iad. Sea, a Athair, óir is amhlaidh sin ba mhaith leat é. Tá gach aon ní tugtha domsa ag m’Athair. Agus níl aithne ag aon neach ar an Mac ach amháin ag an Athair, ná níl aithne ag aon neach ar an Athair ach amháin ag an Mac agus an té ar toil leis an Mac a fhoilsiú dó.“Tagaigí chugam, sibhse uile a bhfuil saothar agus tromualach oraibh, agus tabharfaidh mé faoiseamh daoibh. Tógaigí oraibh mo chuing agus tagaigí ar scoil chugamsa, mar táim ceansa uiríseal ó chroí, agus gheobhaidh sibh faoiseamh do bhur n-anamacha; óir tá mo chuing so-iompair agus m’ualach éadrom.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
