Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Photo by Hilary Musgrave
Jun 24 - The Nativity of St John the Baptist
Summary: the Feast of the Birth of John the Baptist: This feast was observed on this date in the fourth century. It celebrates the birth of "the greatest of all the prophets, " the one who leapt for joy in his mother's womb, who prepared the way for, announced his presence of, and baptised Jesus in the Jordan River - And how we in Ireland, commemorate it!
As the feast of Christmas christianised the celebration of the winter solstice with the theme of the "unconquered sun", so it would seem does the feast of the birth of John the Baptist - six months earlier - christianise the summer solstice celebration from traditional religions. Celtic folklore associated the themes of fire and water with this feast.
Patrick Duffy explains the origins and later Irish connections.
Emergence of the feast in the early 5th century
Three factors seem to have influenced the emergence of this feast in the early fifth century. The first is probably the emergence in the early fourth century of the feast of Christmas. The second is the verse of Luke gospel where the angel tells Mary at the annunciation that her “kinswoman Elizabeth already in her old age and considered barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37). The third is that three authorities from the 5th and 6th centuries – St Augustine (354-430), the Martyrology of Jerome and the Calendar of Carthage - all emphasise that this feast celebrates John's earthly birthday, and not (as was customary with martyrs) the day of their death, or their birthday into heaven (dies natalis). It is one of very few feasts left in the Roman Calendar that have a vigil liturgy.
St John's fire; summer solstice in Irish folklore
There are many indications in Irish folklore that this feast, Féile Naomh Eoin, was until recently the occasion for a wide range of ritual practices and merrymaking beginning on the previous evening - St John's Eve. This was Oíche an Tine Chnáimh, "bonfire night", or Tine Féile Eoin, "St John's fire". A similar feast with similar summer solstice themes called the Ivan Kupala Day is celebrated in Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine.
In Ireland the tradition was that all the people of the locality - from the smallest children to the oldest men and women - would gather around the fire which was prepared from weeds in the fields. As the sun set, an elder would light the fire with the traditional prayer: "In the honor of God and St. John, to the fruitfulness and profit of our planting and our work, in the the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
People would throw more weeds into the fire to ensure they would not grow in the fields, and ashes from the fire would be scattered on crops the following day to ensure fertility. Women prayed for good weather and God’s blessing on the crops of the fields. Neglect in this respect might lead to a bad harvest or poor fishing. Later there would be music and dancing.
Jumping Through the Flames
When the musicians struck up, young men asked their partners to dance. In-between sets, songs were sung, stories told, and soloists - musician or dancer - demonstrated their talents.
When the fire would be well ablaze, people would leap through the flames for luck in a new venture, for marriage, when trying for a baby, for good health and for self-purification. In many places, a young woman and man would join hands and jump together. Often, this was nothing more than a mere flirtation, but onlookers surmised at intentions of marriage between the couple. Some would hazard a prediction on the outcome of such a union by the way the flames flickered as they jumped!
Rationalisation and Additional Customs
People rationalised the fire ritual by claiming St John the Baptist was burnt alive, but in fact the Gospels tell us that King Herod had him beheaded.
Another custom at this time was to gather the herb known as St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) used for a wide range of medicinal purposes and popular today for the relief of depression and stress-related illnesses.
There were also many holy wells dedicated to St John around the country at which pilgrimages and "patterns" would be held on his feast day and which were believed to bring cures. Swimming in rivers and the sea began around this time.
Readings at Mass
The Gospel reading of the Vigil Mass records the angel’s appearance to Zechariah to foretell John's extraordinary birth, Zechariah’s unbelief and being struck dumb (Lk 1:5-17). The Gospel of the Feast tells of the delight of Elizabeth’s giving birth, the child’s circumcision and Zechariah’s amazing recovery of speech when he confirmed by writing on tablets: "his name is John" (Lk 1:57-66. 80).
As the feast of Christmas christianised the celebration of the winter solstice with the theme of the "unconquered sun", so it would seem does the feast of the birth of John the Baptist - six months earlier - christianise the summer solstice celebration from traditional religions. Celtic folklore associated the themes of fire and water with this feast.Patrick Duffy explains the origins and later Irish connections.
Emergence of the feast in the early 5th century
Three factors seem to have influenced the emergence of this feast in the early fifth century. The first is probably the emergence in the early fourth century of the feast of Christmas. The second is the verse of Luke gospel where the angel tells Mary at the annunciation that her “kinswoman Elizabeth already in her old age and considered barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37). The third is that three authorities from the 5th and 6th centuries – St Augustine (354-430), the Martyrology of Jerome and the Calendar of Carthage - all emphasise that this feast celebrates John's earthly birthday, and not (as was customary with martyrs) the day of their death, or their birthday into heaven (dies natalis). It is one of very few feasts left in the Roman Calendar that have a vigil liturgy.
St John's fire; summer solstice in Irish folkloreThere are many indications in Irish folklore that this feast, Féile Naomh Eoin, was until recently the occasion for a wide range of ritual practices and merrymaking beginning on the previous evening - St John's Eve. This was Oíche an Tine Chnáimh, "bonfire night", or Tine Féile Eoin, "St John's fire". A similar feast with similar summer solstice themes called the Ivan Kupala Day is celebrated in Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine.
In Ireland the tradition was that all the people of the locality - from the smallest children to the oldest men and women - would gather around the fire which was prepared from weeds in the fields. As the sun set, an elder would light the fire with the traditional prayer: "In the honor of God and St. John, to the fruitfulness and profit of our planting and our work, in the the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
People would throw more weeds into the fire to ensure they would not grow in the fields, and ashes from the fire would be scattered on crops the following day to ensure fertility. Women prayed for good weather and God’s blessing on the crops of the fields. Neglect in this respect might lead to a bad harvest or poor fishing. Later there would be music and dancing.
Jumping Through the Flames
When the musicians struck up, young men asked their partners to dance. In-between sets, songs were sung, stories told, and soloists - musician or dancer - demonstrated their talents.When the fire would be well ablaze, people would leap through the flames for luck in a new venture, for marriage, when trying for a baby, for good health and for self-purification. In many places, a young woman and man would join hands and jump together. Often, this was nothing more than a mere flirtation, but onlookers surmised at intentions of marriage between the couple. Some would hazard a prediction on the outcome of such a union by the way the flames flickered as they jumped!
Rationalisation and Additional Customs
People rationalised the fire ritual by claiming St John the Baptist was burnt alive, but in fact the Gospels tell us that King Herod had him beheaded.
Another custom at this time was to gather the herb known as St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) used for a wide range of medicinal purposes and popular today for the relief of depression and stress-related illnesses.
There were also many holy wells dedicated to St John around the country at which pilgrimages and "patterns" would be held on his feast day and which were believed to bring cures. Swimming in rivers and the sea began around this time.
Readings at Mass
The Gospel reading of the Vigil Mass records the angel’s appearance to Zechariah to foretell John's extraordinary birth, Zechariah’s unbelief and being struck dumb (Lk 1:5-17). The Gospel of the Feast tells of the delight of Elizabeth’s giving birth, the child’s circumcision and Zechariah’s amazing recovery of speech when he confirmed by writing on tablets: "his name is John" (Lk 1:57-66. 80).
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Memorable Sayings for Today
Jesus is accepted both as the ultimate prophet and
the fulfillment of all previous prophecy.
John the baptist foretold this when he pointed to Jesus and said
“Behold the Lamb of God, the one who takes away the sins of the world.”
~ John 1:29 ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 24th June, 2026
24/6, The Nativity of St John the Baptist, SolemnityJohn was a man of self-denial and integrity and a uncompromising prophetic voice.
Feast of the Day: 24 June; Nativity of St John the Baptist
C/f A short life of this saint can be found below todays' Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the first book of the Prophet Isaiah 49:1-6
I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
'Islands, listen to me, pay attention, remotest peoples. The Lord called me before I was born, from my mother's womb he pronounced my name.
He made my mouth a sharp sword, and hid me in the shadow of his hand.He made me into a sharpened arrow, and concealed me in his quiver.
He said to me, 'You are my servant (Israel) in whom I shall be glorified.'
while I was thinking, 'I have toiled in vain, I have exhausted myself for nothing.'
And all the while my cause was with the Lord, my reward was with my God.
I was honoured in the eyes of the Lord, my God was my strength.
And now the Lord has spoken, he who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, to gather Israel to him:
'It is not enough for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel; I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 138
Response I thank you for the wonder of my being.
1. O Lord, you search me and you know me, you know my resting and my rising,
you discern my purpose from afar.
You mark when I walk or lie down, all my ways lie open to you. Response
2. For it was you who created my being, knit me together in my mother's womb.
I thank you for the wonder of my being, for the wonders of all your creation. Response
3. Already you knew my soul, my body held no secret from you
when I was being fashioned in secret and moulded in the depths of the earth. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 13:22-26
Jesus whose coming was heralded by John.
Paul said: 'God made David their king, of whom he approved in these words,
"I have selected David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will carry out my whole purpose."
To keep his promise, God has raised up for Israel one of David's descendants, Jesus, as Saviour, whose coming was heralded by John when he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the whole people of Israel.
Before John ended his career he said, "I am not the one you imagine me to be; that one is coming after me and I am not fit to undo his sandal." 'My brothers, sons of Abraham's race, and all you who fear God, this message of salvation is meant for you.'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Lk 1: 76
Alleluia, alleluia!
As for you, little child, you shall be called Prophet of the Most High.
You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare the way for him..
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 1:57-66. 80 Glory to you, O Lord.
His name is John.
The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.
Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child;
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. 'No,' she said 'he is to be called John.'
They said to her, 'But no one in your family has that name', and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called.
The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, 'His name is John.'
And they were all astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts.
'What will this child turn out to be?' they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.
Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit matured. And he lived out in the wilderness until the day he appeared openly to Israel.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection 24/6 The Nativity of John the Baptist Luke 1:57-66, 80
Who gets to name a new born child? Today we would presume it was the child’s parents who made that decision. In the time and place of Jesus, the naming of a child was more of a decision of the wider family and community, rather than a decision just for the parents. In today’s gospel reading, the neighbours and relations seem to have decided that Elizabeth’s child would be called Zechariah after his father.
However, the child’s mother stood up against this consensus, declaring that he would be called John, after the name given to him by the angel Gabriel at the annunciation of the child’s birth to Zechariah. The wider family and community were stunned, ‘no one in your family has that name’. Zechariah, who had been rendered dumb for doubting the promise made by Gabriel, confirmed in writing that his child would be called John.
A new beginning in God’s dealings with his people called for a new name, a name that conveyed the nature of this new beginning. Many Hebrew names have a religious meaning and the name ‘John’ means ‘God is gracious’. The child of Elizabeth and Zechariah would announce the coming of someone who would reveal God’s gracious love in a powerfully new way. According to the gospel reading, people were asking, ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ He turned out to be the adult that God wanted him to be, the one who witnessed to the arrival of God’s special messenger to humanity and who prepared people to welcome this messenger by calling on them to be baptized. John would lead people to Jesus, God’s gracious gift to all. On this feast of his birthday, we might give thanks for all those people in our lives who have led us to Jesus and have helped us to see him more clearly.
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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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Feast of the Day: June 24: The Birth of John the Baptist
This feast was observed on this date from the fourth century. It celebrates the birth of "the greatest of all the prophets, " the one who leapt for joy in his mother's womb, who prepared the way for, announced his presence of, and baptised Jesus in the Jordan River - And how we in Ireland, commemorate it!
As the feast of Christmas christianised the celebration of the winter solstice with the theme of the "unconquered sun", so it would seem does the feast of the birth of John the Baptist - six months earlier - Christianise the summer solstice celebration from traditional religions. Celtic folklore associated the themes of fire and water with this feast.Patrick Duffy explains the origins and later Irish connections.
Emergence of the feast in the early 5th century
Three factors seem to have influenced the emergence of this feast in the early fifth century.
The first is probably the emergence in the early fourth century of the feast of Christmas.
The second is the verse of Luke gospel where the angel tells Mary at the annunciation that "her kinswoman Elizabeth already in her old age and considered barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37).
The third is that three authorities from the 5th and 6th centuries – St Augustine (354-430), the Martyrology of Jerome and the Calendar of Carthage - all emphasise that this feast celebrates John's earthly birthday, and not (as was customary with martyrs) the day of their death,(or their birthday into heaven : dies natalis). It is one of very few feasts left in the Roman Calendar that have a vigil liturgy.
St John's fire; summer solstice in Irish folkloreThere are many indications in Irish folklore that this feast, Féile Naomh Eoin, was until recently the occasion for a wide range of ritual practices and merrymaking beginning on the previous evening - St John's Eve. This was Oíche an Tine Chnáimh, "bonfire night", or Tine Féile Eoin, "St John's fire". A similar feast with similar summer solstice themes called the 'Ivan' Kupala Day is celebrated in Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine.
In Ireland the tradition was that all the people of the locality - from the smallest children to the oldest men and women - would gather around the fire which was prepared from weeds in the fields. As the sun set, an elder would light the fire with the traditional prayer: "In the honour of God and St. John, to the fruitfulness and profit of our planting and our work, in the the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
People would throw more weeds into the fire to ensure they would not grow in the fields, and ashes from the fire would be scattered on crops the following day to ensure fertility. Women prayed for good weather and God’s blessing on the crops of the fields. Neglect in this respect might lead to a bad harvest or poor fishing! Later there would be music and dancing.
Jumping Through the Flames
When the musicians struck up, young men asked their partners to dance. In-between sets, songs were sung, stories told, and soloists - musician or dancer - demonstrated their talents.When the fire would be well ablaze, people would leap through the flames for luck in a new venture, for marriage, when trying for a baby, for good health and for self-purification. In many places, a young woman and man would join hands and jump together. Often, this was nothing more than a mere flirtation, but onlookers surmised at intentions of marriage between the couple. Some would hazard a prediction on the outcome of such a union by the way the flames flickered as they jumped! (We do not recommend these practises nowadays: health and safety issues!)
Rationalisation and Additional Customs
*People rationalised the fire ritual by claiming St John the Baptist was burnt alive, but in fact the Gospels tell us that King Herod had him beheaded.
*Another custom at this time was to gather the herb known as St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) used for a wide range of medicinal purposes and popular today for the relief of depression and stress-related illnesses.
*There were also many holy wells dedicated to St John around the country at which pilgrimages and "patterns" would be held on his feast day and which were believed to bring many cures.
******************************
Memorable Sayings for Today
John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and said
“Behold the Lamb of God, the One who takes away the sins of the world.”
~c/f John 1:29 ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 24th June, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as Leabhar Íseáia, Fáidh 49:1-6
Ceapfaidh mé thú i do sholas do na ciníocha, chun go dté mo shlánú go críocha na cruinne.
A insí na farraige, éistigí liomsa; tugaigí aire, a chiníocha i gcéin!Ghairm an Tiarna mé sa bhroinn dom, agus mé i gcoim mo mháthar luaigh sé m’ainm. Sé claíomh faobhrach de mo bhéal, chuir sé i bhfolach mé faoi scáth a láimhe. Saighead líofa a rinne sé díom,
Dúirt sé liom: “Is tú mo ghiolla Iosrael trína saothróidh mé glóir dom féin.”
Agus bhí mise á rá liom féin:
“Tá mo shaothar in aisce agam, tá mo neart caite agam gan éifeacht.”
Ach bhí mo cheart le fáil agam i bhfochair mo Thiarna, agus mo chúiteamh i bhfochair mo Dhé.
Bhí maise orm i súile an Tiarna, ba é mo Dhia mo neart.
Agus anois tá an Tiarna tar éis labhairt, an té a dhealbhaigh mé ón mbroinn i leith i mo ghiolla dó, le go mbailínn Iacób ar ais chuige, le go gcruinnínn Iosrael le chéile dó:
“Is fánach an mhaise duit a bheith i do ghiolla agam
chun treibheanna Iacóib amháin a thabhairt chucu féin, chun ar slánaíodh d’Iosrael a thabhairt ar ais. Ceapfaidh mé thú i do sholas do na ciníocha, chun go dté mo shlánú go críocha na cruinne.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Responsorial Psalm Sm 138
Freagra Molaim thú toisc go ndearnadh ar chuma chomh hiontach mé.
I. Scrúdaíonn tú mé , a Thiarna, is is eol duit mé . is eol duit mo shu’i agus m'éirí.
Tuigeann tú mo smaointe i bhfad uait.
Ag siúl dom agus i mo luí dom, feiceann tú mé; tugann tú faoi deara mo shlite go léir. Freagra
2. Óir is tusa a chruthaigh mé ar fad;d'fhigh tú mé i mbroinn mo mháthar.
Molaim thú toisc go ndearnadh ar chuma chomhhiontach mé , toisc gurb éachtach iad d'oibreacha. Freagra
3. B'eol duit m'anam go hiomlán; níor ceileadh mo chreatlach ort
nuair a cumadh os íseal mé , nuair a fíodh i ndoimhní na talún mé . Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 13:22-26
Roimh theacht d’Iosa sheanmóir Eoin faoi.
Sna laetanta sin dúirt Pól
“D’ardaigh rí dóibh, Dáiví, an fear ar dhearbhaigh sé ina thaobh á rá:
‘Is é m’aithne ar Dháiví mac Ieise, gur fear de réir mo chroí féin é, fear a dhéanfaidh gach ní is toil liom.’
Is dá shliocht siúd a thóg Dia slánaitheoir d’Iosrael de réir mar a bhí geallta aige – is é sin Íosa. Roimh theacht dó sin bhí Eoin tar éis baisteadh chun aithrí a fhógairt do phobal uile Iosrael, agus nuair a bhí Eoin ag teacht go deireadh a chúrsa, is é a dúirt sé:
‘Ní mise an té is dóigh libhse is mé, mar tá duine le teacht i mo dhiaidhse agus ní fiú mise go scaoilfinn a bhróga.’
A bhráithre liom, a shliocht Abrahám agus a mhuintir in bhur measc a bhfuil ómós agaibh do Dhia, is chugainne a cuireadh an teachtaireacht shlánaitheach seo.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Lc 1: 76
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Agus tusa, a leanbh, glaofar ortsa fáidh an Té is Airde, óir gluaisfid h tú roimh an Tiarna ag ullmhú a bhóthair.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 1:57-66. 80 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Is é Eoin is ainm dó
Tháinig a hionú d’Eiliosaibeit agus rug sí mac. Agus chuala a comharsana agus a gaolta go ndearna Dia a thrócaire go hiomarcúil uirthi, agus rinne siad comhghairdeas léi.
Agus ar an ochtú lá, tháinig siad chun an leanbh a thimpeall ghearradh, agus bhí siad ag tabhairt ainm a athar air, Zachairias.
Ach labhair a mháthair agus dúirt: “Ní hea, ach glaofar Eoin air.”
Agus dúirt siad léi: “Níl aon duine ar do chine a bhfuil an t-ainm sin air.”
Ach d’fhiafraigh siad le comharthaí sóirt dá athair cad ab áil leis a thabhairt air.
Agus d’iarr seisean cláirín agus scríobh sé air: “Is é Eoin is ainm dó.”
Agus rinne siad uile ionadh de. Bogadh a bhéal agus a theanga láithreach, agus labhair sé ag moladh Dé. Agus tháinig uamhan ar a gcomharsana uile; agus sa cheantar go léir ar fud na gcnoc in Iúdáia, bhítí ag iomrá ar na nithe seo uile, agus gach ar chuala trácht orthu, chuir siad chucu ina gcroí iad, agus deiridís: “Cad is dán don leanbh seo, mar sin?”
Óir go deimhin bhí lámh an Tiarna leis. Agus d’fhás an leanbh agus neartaigh sa spiorad, agus chónaigh sna fásaigh go dtí an lá ar fhoilsigh é féin d’Iosrael.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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Machtnamh ar Bhriathar Dé
Áthas ar lá breithe Eoin Bhaiste
Is féidir an spiorad áthais ar lá breithe'Eoin' a cheangailt le brí a ainm san Eabhrais. Ciallaíonn "Yeho-hanan," "tá an Tiarna geanmhar" agus mar a léiríonn cuntas Lúcás, trí Eoin Bhaiste, taispeáin Dia a ghrá, ní hamháin don lánúin gan leanbh, an sagart Zechariah agus a bhean-chéile Eilís, ach leis an chine daonna ar fad. Mar a léirigh an Baiste an bealach ceart dá mhuintir féin, is féidir le gach duine againn an sórt freastail chéanna a dhéanamh ar bhealaí ciúin do dhaoine eile inár saol. Is féidir linn cabhrú lenár gcomharsana a insint mar gheall ar ghrá agus ar mhaithe le Dia. Ciallaíonn an t-ainm Eoin go bhfuil Dia ghrámhar nó léiríonn Dia fabhar. Tá ainm suntasach againn freisin, mar gheall ar a bheith Críostaithe. Ciallaíonn sé go bhfuil muid páirteach le Chríost, ag roinnt i misean Íosa. Is féidir linn a bheith beannaigh le grásta Dé, chun ár misean a chomhlíonadh chomh maith agus a rinne Eoin féin dá chuid.
Pádraig Ó Rúairí, cp,
Sliabh Argus, Átha Cliath.
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AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 28th June, 2026
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
FIRST READING
A reading from the Second Book of Kings 4:8-11. 14-16
The man who is constantly passing our way must be a holy man of God.
One day as Elisha was on his way to Shunem, a woman of rank who lived there
presse
d him to stay and eat there. After this he always broke his journey for a meal when he passed that way. She said to her husband,'Look, I am sure the man who is constantly passing our way must be a holy man of God. Let us build him a small room on the roof, and put a bed in it, and a table and chair and lamp; whenever he comes to us he can rest there.'
One day when he came, he retired to the upper room and lay down.
'What can be done for her then?' he asked.
Gehazi answered, 'Well, she has no son and her husband is old'.
Elisha said, 'Call her'. The servant called her and she stood at the door.
'This time next year,' he said 'you will hold a son in your arms.'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 88: 2-3. 16-19. R/v 2
Response I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
1. I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever, that your truth is firmly established as the heavens. Response
2. Happy the people who acclaim such a king, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
who find their joy every day in your name, who make your justice the source of their bliss. Response
3. For it is you, O Lord, who are the glory of their strength; it is by your favour that our might is exalted:
for our ruler is in the keeping of the Lord; our king in the keeping of the Holy One of lsrael. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Romans 6: 3-4. 8-11
When we were baptised we went into the tomb with Christ, so that we too might live a new life.
You have been taught that when we were baptised in Christ Jesus we were baptised in his death; in other words, when we were baptised we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father's glory, we too might live a new life.But we believe that having died with Christ we shall return to life with him: Christ, as we know, having been raised from the dead will never die again. Death has no power over him any more. When he died, he died, once for all, to sin, so his life now is life with God; and in that way, you too must consider yourselves to be dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Acts 16: 10
Alleluia, alleluia!
Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son.
Alleluia!
Or 1 Peter 2:9
Alleluia, alleluia!
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people set apart, to sing
the praises of God who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 10:37-42
Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me.
Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me.
Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows :
'Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me.
Anyone who prefers son or
daughter to me is not worthy of me.Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me.
Anyone who finds his life will lose it;
anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.
Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me;
and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me.
Anyone who welcomes a prophet will have a prophet's reward;
and anyone who welcomes a holy man will have a holy man's reward.
'If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple,
then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.'
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, 28th June, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an dara Leabhar Ríthe 4:8-11. 14-16
Féach, táim cinnte gur fear naofa le Dia an fear seo.
Lá dá raibh Eilíseá ar a bhealach go Siúnaem, chuir bean uasal a bhí ina cónaí ann tathant air
agus tráth bia a bheith aige ann. As sin amach dhéanadh sé moill I gcónaí le haghaidh béile nuair a thagadh sé an bealach sin. Dúirt sí lena fear céile:“Féach, táim cinnte gur fear naofa le Dia an fear seo a bhíonn ag síorthaisteal an bealach seo againne. Tógaimis seomra beag ar an díon dó agus cuirimis leaba ann faoina choinne agus bord agus cathaoir agus lampa; uair ar bith dá dtagann sé chugainn, is féidir leis a scíste a dhéanamh ann.”
Lá dá dtáinig sé, isteach leis sa seomra in airde agus chuaigh sé a luí.
“Cad is féidir a dhéanamh ar a son seo, más ea?” a d’fhiafraigh sé.
D’freagair Géichizí: “Leoga, níl mac ar bith aici, agus tá a fear céile aosta.”
Dúirt Eilíseá: “Cuir fios uirthi.”
Ghlaoigh an searbhónta uirthi agus sheas sí ag an doras.
“Bliain ón am seo,” ar seisean, “beidh mac i do bhaclainn agat.” “Cuir uait, a thiarna, a ghiolla Dé; ná hinis bréag do d’ionailt.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 88: 2-3. 16-19. R/v 2
Freagra Canfaidh mé de shíor faoi do bhuanghrá, a Thiarna.
1. Canfaidh mé de shíor faoi do bhuanghrá, a Thiarna; fógróidh mé do dhílseacht ó glúin go ghlúin.
óir daingníodh do bhuanghrá go síoraí agus tá do dhílseacht chomh buan leis na flaithis. Freagra
2. Is aoibhinn don phobal arb eol dóibh thu a mholadh, a shiúlann faoi sholas do ghnúise, a Thiarna,
a dhéanann lúcháir i d'ainm de shíor, a ardaítear le d'fhíréantacht. Freagra
3. Óir is tusa glóir a gcumhachta,agus trí d'fhabhar ardáitear ár neart.
Óir is leis an Tiarna ár sciath,agus is Ie Neach Naofa Isráél ár rí. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 6:3-4. 8-11
Gach duine againn a baisteadh in Íosa Críost creidimid go mbeimid beo mar aon leis chomh maith.
A bhráithre, an é nach dtuigeann sibh, gach duine againn a baisteadh in Íosa Críost, gur ina bhás a baisteadh é. Go deimhin comhadhlacadh sinn sa bhás leis tríd an mbaisteadh i dtreo go siúlóimisne freisin i mbeatha úrnua, faoi mar a tógadh Críost ó mhairbh trí ghlóir an Athar.Ach má fuaireamar bás mar aon le Críost, creidimid go mbeimid beo mar aon leis chomh maith. Tá a fhios againn ó tógadh Críost ó mhairbh nach bhfaighidh sé bás níos mó. Níl aon cheannas ag an mbás air feasta, mar an bás a fuair sé, ba bhás mar leis an bpeaca é, don aon uair amháin go deo, ach is beatha do Dhia a bheatha feasta. Ar an gcuma chéanná ní mór daoibhse a mheas gur daoine sibh chomh maith atá marbh don pheaca agus beo do Dhia in Íosa Críost.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia.
Alleluia Véarsa Gniom 16: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Oscail ár gcroí, A Thiarna,
Cun aird a thabhairt ar bhraithra do Mhic
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha, 10:37-42 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
An té nach nglacann a chros agus mise a leanúint, níl sé diongbhála dom. An té a ghlacann sibhse, glacann sé mise.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena aspail
“An té arb ansa leis athair nó máthair ná mé, níl sé diongbhála dom, agus an té arb ansa leis mac iníon ná mé, níl sé diongbhála dom; agus an té nach nglacann a chros agus mise a leanúint, níl sé diongbhála dom.
An té a fhaigheann a anam, caillfidh sé é; ach an té a chaillfidh a anam mar gheall ormsa, gheobhaidh sé é.“An té a ghlacann sibhse, glacann sé mise; agus an té a ghlacann mise, glacann sé an té a chuir uaidh mé. An té a ghlacann fáidh as ucht gur fáidh é, is tuarastal fáidh a gheobhaidh; agus an té a ghlacfaidh fíréan as ucht gur fíréan é, is tuarastal fíréin a gheobhaidh.
“Agus má thugann duine ar bith oiread is an cupán d’fhíoruisce do dhuine den mhuintir bheag seo, as ucht gur deisceabal é, ní bheidh sé gan a thuarastal a fháil.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
