Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Aug 25 - St Louis of France (1214-70) king
Summary: St Louis of France, confessor. Born at Poissy (France) in 1214; died near Tunis (Tunisia) on this day in 1270. Regarded as a model Christian king at a time of high cultural achievement, but led two disastrous crusades, on the second of which he died of typhoid. He was noted for his impartial justice, for his care of the poor and the sick, and for honouring his word.
Patrick Duffy sketches his life.
King St Louis IX of France is the only canonised king of France. He helped the Church against the Albigensian heresy and went on two Crusades.
He had a reputation for personal holiness, gave patronage to the arts and was balanced in disputes with other powers.
Early Life
Louis was born in 1214 at Poissy, near Paris, the son of King Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile. When he was twelve years old (1226), his father died. He was then crowned king at Reims Cathedral, while his mother ruled France as regent till he was about twenty. She remained his advisor until her death in 1252. In 1234 Louis married Margaret of Provence (1221–1295), whose sister Eleanor was the wife of Henry III of England.
Benevolent Monarch
During Louis's boyhood, there had been a crusade in the south of France against the Albigensians and toward the end Louis had some involvement. After this he worked to unify France but he showed a willingness to negotiate and yield where necessary to English and Spanish claims. Louis had a benevolent personality and his reign was regarded as a golden era when the kingdom of France was at its height in Europe, both politically and economically. With his reputation for saintliness and fairness, he was regarded as the first among the kings and rulers of Europe and often was called to mediate in their disputes.
Friend of Thomas Aquinas
Louis founded a hospital for the poor, sick, and blind, known as the Quinze-Vingts (15 x 20)- originally for 300 inmates). Robert de Sorbon, the founder of the Sorbonne (University of Paris) was his confessor and his personal friend, and Thomas Aquinas was a frequent guest at his table. Once, it is said, Thomas dropped out of the conversation, lost in thought, and then suddenly struck the table with his fist and exclaimed, "That is a decisive argument against the Manichees!" Louis at once called for writing materials, so that Thomas could record the argument before he had a chance to forget it.
Patron of the Arts
Louis's reign coincided with the great era of building of Gothic cathedrals in France. Louis's patronage of the arts helped the development of Gothic art and architecture. He built the Sainte-Chapelle in the centre of Paris within the royal palace complex (now the Paris Hall of Justice), on the Île de la Cité.
Eight Crusade (1248-54)
Louis fought in two Crusades, both of which were total failures. To finance the first he ordered the expulsion of all Jews engaged in usury and the confiscation of their property, for use in his crusade. He also ordered at the urging of Pope Gregory IX, the burning of many manuscripts of the Talmud and other Jewish books. In 1248 he led an army to Cyprus, where he was joined by 200 English knights. In 1249 they went on to Egypt and took the city of Damietta, but discipline broke down and Louis was unable to keep the soldiers from looting.
Little Achieved
In 1250 Louis lost the Battle of Fariskur and was captured by the Egyptians. His release was eventually negotiated in return for a high ransom and the surrender of the city of Damietta. He sailed to Palestine, visited the few Holy Places that were accessible. He spent four years in the Crusader kingdoms of Acre, Caesarea, and Jaffa. He used his wealth to help the Crusaders rebuild their defences and in diplomacy with the Islamic powers of Syria and Egypt. When he left the Middle East to return to France in 1254, there was a garrison in the city of Acre for its defence against Islamic attacks.
The 9th Crusade (1270)
In 1270 Louis joined another crusade, which landed in Tunis, where he immediately caught typhoid fever and died on 25th August.
Rex Christianissimus ("the most Christian king")
Louis IX is best understood if we see him as trying to fulfill the duty of France, which was seen as "the eldest daughter of the Church" (la fille aînée de l'Église), a tradition of protector of the Church going back to the Franks and Charlemagne, who had been crowned by the Pope in Rome in 800. Indeed, the Latin title of the kings of France was Rex Francorum, "king of the Franks" and Rex Christianissimus ("the most Christian king"). The relationship between France and the papacy was at its peak in the 12th and 13th centuries, and most of the crusades were actually called by the popes from French soil. Eventually, in 1309, Pope Clement V even left Rome and relocated to the French city of Avignon.
Patrick Duffy sketches his life.
King St Louis IX of France is the only canonised king of France. He helped the Church against the Albigensian heresy and went on two Crusades. He had a reputation for personal holiness, gave patronage to the arts and was balanced in disputes with other powers.
Early Life
Louis was born in 1214 at Poissy, near Paris, the son of King Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile. When he was twelve years old (1226), his father died. He was then crowned king at Reims Cathedral, while his mother ruled France as regent till he was about twenty. She remained his advisor until her death in 1252. In 1234 Louis married Margaret of Provence (1221–1295), whose sister Eleanor was the wife of Henry III of England.
Benevolent Monarch
During Louis's boyhood, there had been a crusade in the south of France against the Albigensians and toward the end Louis had some involvement. After this he worked to unify France but he showed a willingness to negotiate and yield where necessary to English and Spanish claims. Louis had a benevolent personality and his reign was regarded as a golden era when the kingdom of France was at its height in Europe, both politically and economically. With his reputation for saintliness and fairness, he was regarded as the first among the kings and rulers of Europe and often was called to mediate in their disputes.
Friend of Thomas Aquinas
Louis founded a hospital for the poor, sick, and blind, known as the Quinze-Vingts (15 x 20)- originally for 300 inmates). Robert de Sorbon, the founder of the Sorbonne (University of Paris) was his confessor and his personal friend, and Thomas Aquinas was a frequent guest at his table. Once, it is said, Thomas dropped out of the conversation, lost in thought, and then suddenly struck the table with his fist and exclaimed, "That is a decisive argument against the Manichees!" Louis at once called for writing materials, so that Thomas could record the argument before he had a chance to forget it.
Patron of the Arts
Louis's reign coincided with the great era of building of Gothic cathedrals in France. Louis's patronage of the arts helped the development of Gothic art and architecture. He built the Sainte-Chapelle in the centre of Paris within the royal palace complex (now the Paris Hall of Justice), on the Île de la Cité.
Eight Crusade (1248-54)
Louis fought in two Crusades, both of which were total failures. To finance the first he ordered the expulsion of all Jews engaged in usury and the confiscation of their property, for use in his crusade. He also ordered at the urging of Pope Gregory IX, the burning of many manuscripts of the Talmud and other Jewish books. In 1248 he led an army to Cyprus, where he was joined by 200 English knights. In 1249 they went on to Egypt and took the city of Damietta, but discipline broke down and Louis was unable to keep the soldiers from looting.Little Achieved
In 1250 Louis lost the Battle of Fariskur and was captured by the Egyptians. His release was eventually negotiated in return for a high ransom and the surrender of the city of Damietta. He sailed to Palestine, visited the few Holy Places that were accessible. He spent four years in the Crusader kingdoms of Acre, Caesarea, and Jaffa. He used his wealth to help the Crusaders rebuild their defences and in diplomacy with the Islamic powers of Syria and Egypt. When he left the Middle East to return to France in 1254, there was a garrison in the city of Acre for its defence against Islamic attacks.
The 9th Crusade (1270)
In 1270 Louis joined another crusade, which landed in Tunis, where he immediately caught typhoid fever and died on 25th August.
Rex Christianissimus ("the most Christian king")
Louis IX is best understood if we see him as trying to fulfill the duty of France, which was seen as "the eldest daughter of the Church" (la fille aînée de l'Église), a tradition of protector of the Church going back to the Franks and Charlemagne, who had been crowned by the Pope in Rome in 800. Indeed, the Latin title of the kings of France was Rex Francorum, "king of the Franks" and Rex Christianissimus ("the most Christian king"). The relationship between France and the papacy was at its peak in the 12th and 13th centuries, and most of the crusades were actually called by the popes from French soil. Eventually, in 1309, Pope Clement V even left Rome and relocated to the French city of Avignon.
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Memorable Proverb for Today
I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians.
You Christians are so unlike your Christ.
~Mahatma Gandhi ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Tuesday, 25th August, 2026
Tuesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Saints of the day; Aug 25th ; 1.St Louis of France, king, father of 11 children, died in the Second Crusade in Tunisia 1270
2. St Joseph Calasanz, priest, founder of Piarists who ran free schools for the poor. Patron of Catholic schools
C/f A short life of these saints can be found below today’s Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians 2:1-3. 14-17
Keep the traditions that we taught you.
To turn now, brothers, to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we shall all be gathered round him: please do not get excited too soon or alarmed by any prediction or rumour or any letter claiming to come from us, implying that the Day of the Lord has already arrived. Never let anyone deceive you in this way. Through the Good News that we brought he called you to this so that you should share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Stand firm, then, brothers, and keep the traditions that we taught you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who has given us his love and, through his grace, such inexhaustible comfort and such sure hope, comfort you and strengthen you in everything good that you do or say.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 95: 10-13. R/v 13
Response The Lord comes to rule the earth.
1. Proclaim to the nations: 'God is king: The world he made firm in its place;
he will judge the peoples in fairness. Response
2. Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad, let the sea and all within it thunder praise,
let the land and all it bears rejoice, all the trees of the wood shout for joy
at the presence of the Lord for he comes, he comes to rule the earth. Response
3. With justice he will rule the world, he will judge the peoples with his truth. Response
Gospel Acclamation Acts 16: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son.
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 Matthew 23:23-26 Glory to you, O Lord
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Alas for you who pay your tithe of mint and dill and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law.
Jesus said,
'Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who pay your tithe of mint and dill and cummin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law - justice, mercy, good faith! These you should have practised, without neglecting the others. You blind guides! Straining out gnats and swallowing camels!
'Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who clean the outside of cup and dish and leave the inside full of extortion and intemperance.
Blind Pharisee! Clean the inside of cup and dish first so that the outside may become clean as well.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Tuesday Twenty First Week in Ordinary Time Matthew 23:23-26
Jesus often uses humorous images to illustrate his teaching, such as his reference to those who try to take a splinter out of someone’s eye while not noticing the plank in their own eye. We have another such humorous image in today’s gospel reading. He addresses the scribes and Pharisees as blind guides, ‘straining out gnats and swallowing camels’. They pay excessive attention to what Jesus considers to be minor matters of the Jewish Law, such as tithes to be paid on various herbs, while, at the same time, neglecting the weightier matters of the law, ‘justice, mercy and faith’ or ‘faithfulness. Justice consists in rendering to others what is their due, as human beings made in God’s image.
Mercy goes beyond justice in graciously bestowing on others even more than their due. The father in the parable of the prodigal son was merciful in that sense. Faith could refer to either dealing faithfully with others or entrusting oneself in faith to God. Faith in that second sense, a faithful relationship with God, is the source and inspiration of the more social virtues of justice and mercy. In that way, the three qualities of justice, mercy and faith would be closely aligned to the inseparable twin commandments to love God with all our being and our neighbour as ourselves.
In the gospel reading, Jesus was calling on his critics to keep going back to the essential core of their religious tradition. It is a call we all need to keep hearing. We can get so preoccupied with what is relatively peripheral to our faith that we undermine what is essential there. We need to always keep in view the essential trinity that Jesus refers in the gospel reading, justice, mercy and faithfulness.
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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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Saints of the Day: Aug 25th : 1. St Louis of France, king,
Saints of the Day: Aug 25th : 2. St Joseph Calasanz, priest, founder of Piarists who ran free schools for the poor. Patron of Catholic schools
1. : St Louis of France, confessor. Born at Poissy (France) in 1214; died near Tunis (Tunisia) on this day in 1270. Regarded as a model Christian king at a time of high cultural achievement, but led two disastrous crusades, on the second of which he died of typhoid. He was noted for his impartial justice, for his care of the poor and the sick, and for honouring his word.
Patrick Duffy sketches his life.
King St Louis IX of France is the only canonised king of France. He helped the Church against the Albigensian heresy and went on two Crusades. He had a reputation for personal holiness, gave patronage to the arts and was balanced in disputes with other powers.Early Life
Louis was born in 1214 at Poissy, near Paris, the son of King Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile. When he was twelve years old (1226), his father died. He was then crowned king at Reims Cathedral, while his mother ruled France as regent till he was about twenty. She remained his advisor until her death in 1252. In 1234 Louis married Margaret of Provence (1221–1295), whose sister Eleanor was the wife of Henry III of England.
Benevolent Monarch
During Louis's boyhood, there had been a crusade in the south of France against the Albigensians and toward the end Louis had some involvement. After this he worked to unify France but he showed a willingness to negotiate and yield where necessary to English and Spanish claims. Louis had a benevolent personality and his reign was regarded as a golden era when the kingdom of France was at its height in Europe, both politically and economically. With his reputation for saintliness and fairness, he was regarded as the first among the kings and rulers of Europe and was often called to mediate in their disputes.
Friend of St. Thomas Aquinas
Louis founded a hospital for the poor, sick, and blind, known as the Quinze-Vingts (15 x 20)- originally for 300 inmates). Robert de Sorbon, the founder of the Sorbonne (University of Paris) was his confessor and his personal friend, and Thomas Aquinas was a frequent guest at his table. Once, it is said, St Thomas dropped out of the conversation, lost in thought, and then suddenly struck the table with his fist and exclaimed, "That is a decisive argument against the Manichees!" Louis at once called for writing materials, so that Thomas could record the argument before he had a chance to forget it.
Patron of the Arts
Louis's reign coincided with the great era of building of Gothic cathedrals in France. Louis's patronage of the arts helped the development of Gothic art and architecture. He built the Sainte-Chapelle in the centre of Paris within the royal palace complex (now the Paris Hall of Justice), on the Île de la Cité.
Eighth Crusade (1248-54)
Louis fought in two Crusades, both of which were total failures. To finance the first he ordered the expulsion of all Jews engaged in usury and the confiscation of their property, for use in his crusade. He also ordered at the urging of Pope Gregory IX, the burning of many manuscripts of the Talmud and other Jewish books. In 1248 he led an army to Cyprus, where he was joined by 200 English knights. In 1249 they went on to Egypt and took the city of Damietta, but discipline broke down and Louis was unable to keep the soldiers from looting.
Little Achieved
In 1250 Louis lost the Battle of Fariskur and was captured by the Egyptians. His release was eventually negotiated in return for a high ransom and the surrender of the city of Damietta. He sailed to Palestine, visited the few Holy Places that were accessible. He spent four years in the Crusader kingdoms of Acre, Caesarea, and Jaffa. He used his wealth to help the Crusaders rebuild their defences and in diplomacy with the Islamic powers of Syria and Egypt. When he left the Middle East to return to France in 1254, there was a garrison in the city of Acre for its defence against Islamic attacks.
The 9th Crusade (1270)
In 1270 Louis joined another crusade, which landed in Tunis, where he immediately caught typhoid fever and died on 25th August.
Rex Christianissimus ("the most Christian king")
Louis IX is best understood if we see him as trying to fulfill the duty of France, which was seen as "the eldest daughter of the Church" (la fille aînée de l'Église), a tradition of protector of the Church going back to the Franks and Charlemagne, who had been crowned by the Pope in Rome in 800. Indeed, the Latin title of the kings of France was Rex Francorum, (king of the Franks) and Rex Christianissimus ("the most Christian king"). The relationship between France and the papacy was at its peak in the 12th and 13th centuries, and most of the crusades were actually called by the popes from French soil. Eventually, in 1309, Pope Clement V even left Rome and relocated to the French city of Avignon.
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Memorable Proverb for Today
I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians.
You Christians are so unlike your Christ.
~Mahatma Gandhi ~
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Saint of the Day: Aug 25th Saint 2. : St Joseph Calasanz, priest
St Joseph, priest, religious. lawyer, theologian, gave away much of his family fortune and devoted himself to providing free education for poor children in Rome. Founded the Clerks Regular of the Christian Schools (Piarists) and suffered many trials in later life at the hands of jealous colleagues and Church authorities. Noted especially for his patience in the midst of suffering. Patron of Catholic Schools
Joseph of Calasanz, (Calasanctius) was a Spanish priest, born in Aragon (Spain) in 1557; who went to Rome at the end of the sixteenth century and started schools for homeless children. He also started a congregation to service these schools which is today spread over the whole world. He died in Rome on this day in 1648.Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Early Life
Joseph was well educated in philosophy, law and theology. His father wanted him to marry and continue the family, but on recovery from an illness which brought him close to death, he decided to become a priest. For ten years after he was ordained he held various posts as a secretary, administrator and theologian in the diocese of Albarracín in Spain.
To Rome
In 1592 Joseph went to Rome, where he became a theologian in the service of Cardinal Marcoantonio Colonna and a tutor to his nephew. He worked alongside St. Camillus de Lellis during the plague that hit Rome at the time and helped carry the bodies of the dead on his own shoulders to burial.
The Congregation of the Pious SchoolsJoseph worked with the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and soon he opened a school for homeless children himself. Within ten years he had rented a house at Sant' Andrea della Valle and started a community for teaching poor children, which later were called the 'Piarists'. Popes Clement VIII (Aldobrandini 1592-1605) and Paul V (Borghese 1605-21) both gave him financial help and soon he had a thousand children in his charge. In 1612, the school moved to San Pantaleo, near Piazza Navona, and this became the motherhouse of what came to be called the Pious Schools.
In September 1616 the first public and free school in Frascati was started up on his initiative. A year later, Pope Paul V approved the "Congregation of the Pious Schools," the first religious institute dedicated to teaching. During the following years Joseph was able to set up ' Pious' Schools in various parts of Europe.
Great Moral Courage
Joseph was a man of great moral courage. He accepted Jewish children into his schools and made sure they were treated equally. Although Latin was the accepted language of the time, he defended and had textbooks in vernacular languages. He advanced the study of mathematics and science. He was a friend of the scientist Galileo Galilei, and sent some of his Piarists to study with him. He shared and defended Galileo's heliocentric view of the cosmos and even after Galileo was condemned and became blind, he stood by him. This caused opposition towards him and his congregation in influential quarters and he was removed from his post as superior general of the Piarists, but he remained patient and humble in the face of these trials.
Death and Influence
Joseph died in 1648, at the age of 90 and was buried in the church of San Pantaleo. Eight years after his death, Pope Alexander VII (Fabio Chigi 1655-67) cleared his name and that of the Pious Schools so the Piarist congregation continued to spread throughout Europe. It had considerable success in education of physically and mentally disabled persons.Famous Pupils of the Piarist schools.
Among those taught in Piarist schools were:
Francisco Goya, Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Gregor Mendel, and Victor Hugo.
A beautiful painting of him by Francisco de Goya entitled The Last Communion of St Jose de Calasanz (1819) hangs in the Church of the Escuelas Pias de San Antón, Madrid, Spain. (image right>
The Congregation Today
Joseph was beatified in 1748 by Pope Benedict XIV and canonised by Pope Clement XIII in 1767.
In 1948, Pope Pius XII declared Joseph the patron of Christian popular schools. Today the congregation has 1421 members in 32 countries on four continents (Europe, Asia, Africa and America).
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Memorable Proverb for Today
If you make the world better for children, You make it better for everyone.
~ Aulo Aileyne ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Tuesday, 25th August, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an dara Litir Naomh Pól chuig naTeasalónaigh 2:1-3, 14-17
Coinnigí an teagasc a d’fhoghlaim sibh uainne.
Maidir le téarnamh ár dTiarna Íosa Críost agus lenár mbailiú le chéile ina airicis, impímid oraibh, a bhráithre, gan bheith suaite go héasca in bhur n-aigne ná scéin a ghlacadh ó spiorad nó ó scéal nó litir a cuireadh síos domsa, mar dhea go bhfuil lá an Tiarna tagtha cheana féin. Ná mealladh aon duine sibh ar aon tsli. Is é fáth ar ghlaoigh sé oraibh tríd an dea-scéal seo againne, chun go mbainfeadh sibh amach daoibh féin glóir ár dTiarna Íosa Críost . Seasaigí an fód go daingean dá bhrí sin, a bhráithre, agus coinnigí an teagasc a d’fhoghlaim sibh uainne le briathar béil nó trí bhíthin litreach. Agus go gcuire Íosa Críost féin ár dTiarna agus Dia ár nAthair, a thug grá dúinn agus a bhronn orainn in aisce sólás síoraí agus dóchas daingean, go gcuire siad sólás croí oraibh agus go dtreisí siad libh i ngach gníomh agus briathar fónta.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 95: 10-13. R/v 13
Freagra Tá an Tiarna ag teacht a rialú na cruinne.
1. Fógraígí do na ciníocha: “Tá an Tiarna ina Rí.”
shocraigh sé an domhan go daingean dochorraithe;
tabharfaidh sé breith chóir chothrom ar na náisiúin. Freagra
2. Bíodh áthas ar neamh agus ar talamh; tugadh an mhuir agus a bhfuil inti a nglór.
Bíodh lúcháir ar an machaire agus a bhfuil ann; tógadh crainn uile na coille gártha áthais
i bhfianaise an Tiarna atá ag teacht. Freagra
3. Tá sé ag teacht a rialú na cruinne. Rialóidh sé an domhan go cothrom,
agus tabharfaidh sé fíorbhreith ar na daoine. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Mhatha 23:23-26 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Déan an taobh istigh den chupa a ghlanadh ar dtús, chun go ndéanfaí an taobh amuigh de glan freisin.
San am sin dúairt Íosa:“Is mairg daoibh, a scríobhaithe agus a Fhairisíneacha bréagchráifeacha, mar go n-íocann sibh deachú ar an miontas agus ar an lus mór agus ar an gcoimín, agus go ndearna sibh faillí sna nithe ar mó a luíonn an dlí orthu, an ceart agus an trócaire agus an dílseacht. Nithe iad seo nárbh fholáir a dhéanamh agus gan iad siúd a ligean i bhfaillí. A ghiollaí dalla, a dhéanann an corrmhíol a shíothlú amach agus an camall a shlogadh siar.
“Is mairg daoibh, a scríobhaithe agus a Fhairisíneacha bréagchráifeacha, mar go nglanann sibh an taobh amuigh den chupa agus den mhias agus iad lán suas istigh de shlad agus d’ainmheasarthacht.
A Fhairisínigh dhaill, déan an taobh istigh den chupa a ghlanadh ar dtús, chun go ndéanfaí an taobh amuigh de glan freisin.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 30th August, 2026
Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year A
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah 20:7-9
The word of the Lord has meant insult for me.
You have seduced me, Lord, and I have let myself be seduced;you have overpowered me: you were the stronger.
I am a daily laughing-stock, everybody's butt.
Each time I speak the word, I have to howl and proclaim:
'Violence and ruin!'
The word of the Lord has meant for me insult, derision, all day long. I used to say, 'I will not think about him, I will not speak in his name any more.
Then there seemed to be a fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones. The effort to restrain it wearied me, I could not bear it.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 62: 2-6. 8-9. R/v 2
Response For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God.
1. O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water. Response
2. So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. For your love is better than life,
my lips will speak your praise. Response
3. So I will bless you all my life, in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,
my mouth shall praise you with joy. Response
4. For you have been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 12:1-2
Offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice.
Think of God's mercy, my brothers, and worship him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God.
Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation Eph 1: 17.18
Alleluia, alleluia!
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind,
so that we can see what hope his call holds for us.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 16:21-27 Glory to you, O Lord
'If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself
Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him.'Heaven preserve you, Lord;' he said 'this must not happen to you'.
But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God's way but man's.'
Then Jesus said to his disciples,
'If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?
'For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.
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, 30th August, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an dara Leabhar Ezícéal, Fáidh 20:7-9
Tá briathar an Tiarna tar éis éirí ina mhasla domsa.
Mheall tú mé, a Thiarna, agus cheadaigh mé mo mhealladh;
rug tú bua orm; ba thú ba threise.
Níl lá nach mbíonn siad ag gáire fúm, is ceap magaidh mé ag gach aon duine.
Níl uair dá labhraim an briathar nach mbíonn orm
a fhógairt in ard mo chinn: “Éigean agus díobháil!”
Tá briathar an Tiarna tar éis éirí ina mhasla domsa
agus ina ábhar magaidh ar feadh an lae.
Deirinn: “Ní smaoineoidh mé air, ní labhróidh mise níos mó ina ainm.” Ansin chonacthas dom go raibh tine loiscneach i mo chroí, í dúnta istigh i mo chnámha.
Tá mé tuirseach ó bheith ag iarraidh í a chosc. Ní fhéadaim é a fhulaingt.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 62: 2-6. 8-9. R/v 2
Freagra Tá iotá tarta ar m'anam chugat, a Thiarna, a Dhia liom.
1. A Dhia, mo Dhia thú; iarraim thú go dícheallach.
Tá íota tarta ar m'anam chugat, santaíonn mo cholainn
amhail tálamh atá tirim is spalptha cheal uisce. Freagra
2. Is mar sin a bhím ag breathnú ort sa sanctóir
chun go bhfeicfinn do chumhacht is do ghlóir.
Óir is fearr do bhuanghái ná an bheatha.
Fógróidh mo bheola do mholadh. Freagra
3. Mar sin a bheannóidh mé thú le mo bheo;
i d'ainmsé a thógfaidh mé mo lámha.
Líonfar m'anam mar le fleá,
is molfaidh mo bhéal thú le beola lúcháireacha. Freagra
4. Óir tháinig tú i gcabhair orm, agus gairdím faoi scáth do sciathán.
Tá m'anam ag cloí leat go dlúth, coinníonn do dheaslámh suas mé. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 12:1-2
Déinaigí, bhur gcoirp a thoirbhirt ina n-íobairt bheo .
A bhráithre, táim á iarraidh oraibh as ucht trócaire Dé, bhur gcoirp a thoirbhirt ina n-íobairt bheo naofa thaitneamhach do Dhia; sin é bhur n-adhradh spioradálta. Ná leanaigí patrún an tsaoil seo ach cuirigí malairt meoin oraibh féin trí athnuachan aigne ar shlí go n-aithneodh sibh cad é is toil le Dia, cad é atá maith agus taitneamhach agus foirfe.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 10: 27
Alleluia, alleluia!
Éisteann mo chaoirigh le mo ghlór, a deir the Tiarna
agus aithním iad, agus leanann siad mé.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 16:21-27
Más áil le haon duine bheith ar mo bhuíon, séanadh sé é féin
San am sin amach, thosaigh Íosa á thaispeáint dá dheisceabail nárbh fholáir dó dul go Iarúsailéim agus mórán a fhulaingt ó na seanóirí agus ó uachtaráin na sagart agus ó na scríobhaithe, agus a chur chun báis, agus éirí an treas lá. Ach thug Peadar ar fhód ar leith é agus thosaigh ag tabhairt casaoide dó: “Go bhfóire Dia ort, a Thiarna,” ar seisean, “agus i bhfad uait sin!” Ach d’iompaigh Íosa thairis agus dúirt le Peadar:
“Siar i mo dhiaidh leat, a Shátain! is ceap tuisle dom thú, mar ní hiad smaointe Dé atá i d’aigne ach smaointe daoine.”
Ansin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:
“Más áil le haon duine bheith ar mo bhuíon, séanadh sé é féin, tógadh suas a chros agus leanadh mé. Óir cibé arb áil leis a anam a shaoradh, caillfidh sé é; ach cibé a chaillfidh a anam mar gheall ormsa, gheobhaidh sé é. Óir cá fearrde duine go ngnóthódh sé an domhan go léir dá ligfeadh sé a anam féin ar ceal? Nó cad a d’fhéadfadh duine a thabhairt mar mhalairt ar a anam?
Óir tá Mac an Duine le teacht faoi ghlóir a Athar lena chuid aingeal, agus ansin cúiteoidh sé le gach duine de réir mar a rinne. Deirim libh go fírinneach, tá daoine anseo i láthair nach mblaisfidh an bás nó go mbeidh Mac an Duine feicthe acu ag teacht ina ríocht.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
