Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Nov 20 - St Edmund martyr, king, (841-870)
Summary: St Edmund became King of East Anglia at the age of fifteen and fought against the Danes who had invaded England. Defeated, he was captured and refusing to deny his Christian faith, he was tortured and put to death.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Christian King of East Anglia
Edmund was born of Saxon stock and was brought up a Christian. Though only about fifteen years old when crowned on Christmas Day 855, Edmund showed himself a model ruler from the first, treating all his people with equal justice, and known as refusing to listen to flatterers and informers. In his eagerness for prayer he retired for a year to his royal tower at Hunstanton in Norfolk where he learned the whole Psalter by heart, so he could afterwards recite it regularly.
Resisting the Vikings
In 870 two Danish chiefs Hinguar and Hubba invaded his kingdom and at first he drove them back. They withdrew to Northumbria but soon returned with greater numbers, and pressed terms upon him which as a Christian he felt bound to refuse. In his desire to avert a fruitless massacre, he disbanded his troops and retired towards Framlingham in Suffolk. The conditions of surrender the Vikings offered involved the betrayal of his people and the rejection of his Christian faith, so he refused.
Martyrdom at Hoxne in Suffolk
Edmund was tied to a tree and whipped at Hoxne in Suffolk. He bore this torture patiently, calling on the name of Jesus. At last worn out by his constancy, the Vikings began to shoot arrows at him until his body looked like that of a 'hedgehog'. At this stage, Hinguar commanded his head to be cut off. Edmund was 29 years old. From his first burial-place at Hoxne his relics were taken in the tenth century to Beodricsworth, since called Bury St. Edmunds, where a shrine and abbey were erected in his honour.
Patron Saint of England?
Devotion to St. Edmund the martyr became very popular in England. Many churches were dedicated in his honour. He was regarded as patron saint of England until during the reign of Henry II (1154-89), he was partly eclipsed by St Edward the Confessor (1003-66). The cult of St George came to England with knights returning from the Crusades at the end of the twelfth century and it was during the reign of King Edward III (1327-77) who dedicated a chapel at Windsor Castle to the soldier that George came to be recognised as the patron saint of the English monarchy. Currently there is a campaign to have St Edmund reinstated as England's patron.
~ Saint Augustine ~
Patrick Duffy tells his story.Christian King of East Anglia
Edmund was born of Saxon stock and was brought up a Christian. Though only about fifteen years old when crowned on Christmas Day 855, Edmund showed himself a model ruler from the first, treating all his people with equal justice, and known as refusing to listen to flatterers and informers. In his eagerness for prayer he retired for a year to his royal tower at Hunstanton in Norfolk where he learned the whole Psalter by heart, so he could afterwards recite it regularly.
Resisting the Vikings
In 870 two Danish chiefs Hinguar and Hubba invaded his kingdom and at first he drove them back. They withdrew to Northumbria but soon returned with greater numbers, and pressed terms upon him which as a Christian he felt bound to refuse. In his desire to avert a fruitless massacre, he disbanded his troops and retired towards Framlingham in Suffolk. The conditions of surrender the Vikings offered involved the betrayal of his people and the rejection of his Christian faith, so he refused.
Martyrdom at Hoxne in SuffolkEdmund was tied to a tree and whipped at Hoxne in Suffolk. He bore this torture patiently, calling on the name of Jesus. At last worn out by his constancy, the Vikings began to shoot arrows at him until his body looked like that of a 'hedgehog'. At this stage, Hinguar commanded his head to be cut off. Edmund was 29 years old. From his first burial-place at Hoxne his relics were taken in the tenth century to Beodricsworth, since called Bury St. Edmunds, where a shrine and abbey were erected in his honour.
Patron Saint of England?
Devotion to St. Edmund the martyr became very popular in England. Many churches were dedicated in his honour. He was regarded as patron saint of England until during the reign of Henry II (1154-89), he was partly eclipsed by St Edward the Confessor (1003-66). The cult of St George came to England with knights returning from the Crusades at the end of the twelfth century and it was during the reign of King Edward III (1327-77) who dedicated a chapel at Windsor Castle to the soldier that George came to be recognised as the patron saint of the English monarchy. Currently there is a campaign to have St Edmund reinstated as England's patron.
In art
St Edmund's is represented in Christian art with sword and arrow, the instruments of his torture.
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Memorable Sayings for Today
Venerate the martyrs,
praise, love, proclaim, honour them.
But worship the God of the martyrs.
~ Saint Augustine ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 20th November, 2025
Thursday of the Thirty Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1
Jesus weeps over the unfaithful city that does not recognise his message of peace
FIRST READING
A reading from the first book of Maccabees 2:15-29
We will follow the covenant of our ancestors.
The commissioners of King Antiochus who were enforcing the apostasy came to the town of Modein to make them sacrifice. Many Israelites gathered round them, but Mattathias and his sons drew apart. The king's commissioners then addressed Mattathias as follows,'You are a respected leader, a great man in this town; you have sons and brothers to support you. Be the first to step forward and conform to the king's decree, as all the nations have done, and the leaders of Judah and the survivors in Jerusalem;
you and your sons shall be reckoned among the Friends of the King,
you and your sons shall be honoured with gold and silver and many presents.'
Raising his voice, Mattathias retorted,
'Even if every nation living in the king's dominions obeys him,
each forsaking its ancestral religion to conform to his decrees,
I, my sons, and my brothers will still follow the covenant of our ancestors.
Heaven preserve us from forsaking the Law and its observances.
As for the king's orders, we will not follow them: we will not swerve from our own religion either to right or to left.'
As he finished speaking, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein as the royal edict required.
When Mattathias saw this, he was fired with zeal; stirred to the depth of his being, he gave vent to his legitimate anger, threw himself on the man and slaughtered him on the altar.
At the same time he killed the king's commissioner who was there to enforce the sacrifice, and tore down the altar. In his zeal for the Law he acted as Phinehas did against Zimri, son of Salu.
Then Mattathias went through the town, shouting at the top of his voice,
'Let everyone who has a fervour for the Law and takes his stand on the covenant come out and follow me.'
Then he fled with his sons into the hills, leaving all their possessions behind in the town.
At this many who were concerned for virtue and justice went down to the desert and stayed there.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 49
Response I will show God's salvation to the upright.
1. The God of gods, the Lord, has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion's perfect beauty he shines. Response
2. 'Summon before me my people who made covenant with me by sacrifice:
The heavens proclaim his justice, for he, God, is the judge. Response
3. 'Pay your sacrifice of thanksgiving to God and render him your vote offerings.
Call on me in the day of distress. I will free you and you shall honour me.' Response
Gospel Acclamation Ps 118: 135
Alleluia, alleluia!
Let your face shine on your servant, and teach me your decrees.
Alleluia!
or Ps 94: 8
Alleluia, alleluia!
Harden not your hearts today but listen to the voice of the Lord.
Alleluia
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 19:41-44 Glory to you, O Lord.
If you had only understood the message of peace!
As Jesus drew near and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said,
'If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace!
But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes!
Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you,
when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side;
they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground;
they will leave not one stone standing on another within you
-and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Thursday, Thirty Third Week in Ordinary Time Luke 19:41-44
There are two places in the four gospels where Jesus is portrayed as weeping, at the tomb of his friend Lazarus in the gospel of John
and just before the enters the city of Jerusalem for the last time in the gospel of Luke, today’s gospel reading.
His tears at the tomb of Lazarus express his sorrow at the death of a beloved friend and the devastating impact of Lazarus’ death on his sisters, Martha and Mary, who were also friends of Jesus. The tears of Jesus in today’s gospel reading express his sadness over the failure of a city to welcome him as the bringer of God’s peace. Both set of tears spring from love.
We weep over those we love and care about. Jesus had a deep love for the city of Jerusalem and its inhabitants. Earlier in Luke’s gospel he had exclaimed, ‘How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!’
This is a very emotional, motherly, image that Jesus uses of himself.
The tears of Jesus in today’s gospel reading are like the tears of a mother who has been rejected by her children. Jesus’ statement, ‘you were not willing’, reminds us that the Lord’s tremendous love for us needs some response from us. At some level, our will needs to be brought into line with his will, our desire needs to correspond in some way to his desire for us. The good news is that, even the smallest of openings, faith the size of a mustard seed, as Jesus once said, is all he needs for his loving purpose for our lives to come to pass.
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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 Reflections on the Weekday Readings : Your word is a lamp for my feet and light for my path by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications , c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 20th November, 2025
AN CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an chéad leabhar Macabéach 2:15-29
Leanfaidh mise agus mo chlann mhac agus mo dheartháireacha de chonradh ár sinsear.
Tháinig coimisinéirí an rí a bhí ag iarraidh séanadh an chreidimh a chur i bhfeidhm go cathair Mhóidín, le go ndéanfaidís íobairt. Chruinnigh go leor de na hIosraelaigh ina dtimpeall agus bhí Mataitias agus a chlann mhac i láthair. Ansin labhair coimisinéirí an rí le Mataitias mar leanas:“Tá meas ort mar cheannaire; is duine mór le rá sa chathair seo thú; tá do chlann mhac agus do dheartháireacha agat mar thaca. Bí ar an gcéad duine le teacht chun tosaigh agus déanamh de réir ordú an rí, mar atá déanta ag na ciníocha go léir agus ag taoisigh Iúdá agus ag fuíoll an áir in Iarúsailéim. Ansin áireofar thú féin agus do chlann mhac i measc chairde an rí; agus mórfar thú féin agus do chlann mhac le hór agus le hairgead agus le go leor bronntanas.”
D’ardaigh Mataitias a ghlór agus d’fhreagair:
“Fiú má ghéilleann gach náisiún atá faoi cheannas an rí dó agus má thréigeann gach ceann acu creideamh a shinsear d’fhonn géilleadh dá reachtanna, leanfaidh mise agus mo chlann mhac agus mo dheartháireacha de chonradh ár sinsear. Nár lige Dia go dtréigfimis an dlí agus a reachtanna. Ní leanfaimidne ordú an rí; ní chlaonfaimidne ar dheis ná ar chlé ónár gcreideamh féin.”
Nuair a bhí deireadh ráite aige tháinig Giúdach chun tosaigh os comhair an tslua go léir le híobairt a ofráil ar an altóir i Móidín, de réir mar a d’ordaigh fógra an rí. Nuair a chonaic Mataitias é sin bhuail díograis é. Tháinig corraí as cuimse air agus racht feirge fíréin.
Theilg sé é féin ar an bhfear agus mharaigh é ar an altóir. San am céanna mharaigh sé coimisinéir an rí a bhí a chur d’iallach orthu íobairt a dhéanamh, agus réab sé an altóir as a chéile. Bhí an oiread sin dúthrachta chun an dlí ann go ndearna sé mar a rinne Píneachás in aghaidh Zimrí mac Shálú. Ansin d’imigh Mataitias ar fud na cathrach agus é ag scairteadh in arda chinn:
“Gach duine atá dúthrachtach ar son an dlí agus a sheasann leis an gconradh, tagadh sé amach agus leanadh sé mé.”
Theith sé ansin lena chlann mhac chun na gcnoc agus d’fhág siad a raibh acu sa chathair ina ndiaidh.
A lán daoine ansin a raibh an fhíréantacht agus an chóir á dtóraíocht acu, chuaigh siad síos chun an fhásaigh agus d’fhanadar ansin.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le freagra Sm 49
Freagra Taispeánfaidh mé slánú Dé.” don té a mhaireann gan cháim
1. Labhair an Tiarna – is é Dia na ndéithe é – agus ghair sé chuige an chruinne.As Síón a shoilsigh Dia le barr scéimhe. Freagra
2. “Cruinnigí mo phobal naofa i mo láthair a cheangail mo chonradh le híobairt.”
Foilsíonn na flaithis a fhíréantacht óir is é Dia é féin is breitheamh. Freagra
3. Toirbhir íobairt an bhuíochais do Dhia díol do mhóideanna leis an Té is Airde.
Glaoigh orm ansin in am na hanacra; saorfaidh mé thú agus tabharfaidh tú urraim dom.” Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Lúcás 19:41-44 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Dá mbeadh a fhios agatsa na nithe atá de dhíth chun síochána!
San am sin nuair a tháinig Íosa i ngar don chathair agus radharc aige uirthi, ghoil sé mar gheall uirthi, ag rá:
“Dá mbeadh a fhios agatsa freisin, sa lá seo, na nithe atá de dhíth chun síochána! ach is amhlaidh atá siad i bhfolach ó do shúile.
Óir béarfaidh na laethanta ort nuair a chuirfidh do naimhde páil léigir umat, nuair a thimpeallóidh siad tú agus cúngrach a dhéanamh ort ó gach taobh; nuair a bhascfaidh siad ar lár thú féin agus do chlann atá ionat, gan cloch ar mhuin cloiche a fhagáil ionat, de bhrí nár aithin tú aimsir d’fhiosraithe.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 23rd November, 2025
Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King, Solemnity
- The 34th (and Final Sunday) in Ordinary time, Year C
We celebrate Jesus Christ as a true shepherd king who leads his people to peace and Eternal Life.
FIRST READING
A reading from the second book of the Prophet Samuel 5:1-3
They anointed David King of Israel.
All the tribes of Israel then came to David at Hebron.
'Look' they said 'we are your own flesh and blood. In days past when Saul was our king, it was you who led Israel in all their exploits; and the Lord said to you,
"You are the man who shall be shepherd of my people Israel,
you shall be the leader of Israel".'
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a pact with them at Hebron in the presence of the Lord, and they anointed David, king of Israel.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 121: 1-5, R/v 2
Response I rejoiced when I heard them say: 'Let us go to God's house.'
1. I rejoiced when I heard them say: 'Let us go to God's house.'And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Response
2. Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. Response
3. For Israel's law it is, there to praise the Lord's name.
There were set the thrones of judgement of the house of David. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Colossians 1:12-20
He has created a place for us in the kingdom of the Son that he loves.
We give thanks to the Father who has made it possible for you to join the saints and with them to inherit the light. Because that is what he has done: he has taken us out of the power of darkness and created a place for us in the kingdom of the Son that he loves, and in him we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins.
He is the image of the unseen God and the first-born of all creation,
for in him were created all things in heaven and on earth:
everything visible and everything invisible,
Thrones, Dominations, Sovereignties, Powers –
all things were created through him and for him.
Before anything was created, he existed, and he holds all things in unity. Now the Church is his body, he is its head.
As he is the Beginning, he was first to be born from the dead, so that he should be first in every way; because God wanted all perfection to be found in him and all things to be reconciled through him and for him, everything in heaven and everything on earth, when he made peace by his death on the cross.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Mt 24:42
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessings on the coming kingdom of our father David!
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 23:35-43 Glory to you, O Lord
Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom.
The people stayed there watching him. As for the leaders, they jeered at him.'He saved others,' they said 'let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.'
The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar they said,
'If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself'.
Above him there was an inscription: 'This is the King of the Jews'.
One of the criminals hanging there abused him.
'Are you not the Christ?' he said. 'Save yourself and us as well.'
But the other spoke up and rebuked him. 'Have you no fear of God at all?' he said. 'You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.
Jesus,' he said 'remember me when you come into your kingdom.'
'Indeed, I promise you,' he replied 'today you will be with me in paradise.'
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 23rd November, 2025
(AN DOMHNACH SAOR DEIREANACH)
SOLLUNTAS CHRIOST RI NA nUILE
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an dara leabhar Samuél 5:1-3
Rinne siad DáivI a ungadh ma rI ar Isráél.
Tháinig treibheanna Iosrael go léir chuig Dáiví ansin i Heabrón.
“Féach,” ar siad, “sinne do mhuintir ó dhúchas feola agus smeara. San am atá thart nuair a bhí Sól ina rí orainn, is tusa a bhí mar thaoiseach ar Iosrael ina gcuid eachtraí go léir;
agus dúirt an Tiarna leat:
‘Is tusa a bheidh i d’aoire ar mo phobal Iosrael, is tusa a bheidh mar thaoiseach ar Iosrael.’”
Tháinig seanóirí Iosrael go léir chuig an rí ag Heabrón, agus rinne Dáiví rí conradh leo ag Heabrón i bhfianaise an Tiarna agus rinne siad Dáiví a ungadh ina rí ar Iosrael.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 121: 1-5, R/v 2
Freagra Rinne mé gairdeas nuair a dúradh liom: 'Téimis i dteach an Tiarna.'
I. Rinne mé gairdeas nuair a dúradh liom: 'Téimis i dteach an Tiarna.'
Tá ár gcosa ina seasamh cheana féin i do dhoirse, a Iarúsailéim. Freagra
2. Rinneadh cathair larúsailéim a thógáil go dlúth is go daingean.
Is chuici a ghabhann na treibheanna suas, treibheanna an Tiarna. Freagra
3. D'fhonn buíochas a ghabháil le hainm an Tiarna de réir dhlí chlann Israáél.
Is ansiúd atá cathaoir bhreithiúnais theaghlach Dháiví. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as litir Naomh Pól chuig Colosaigh 1:12-20
Chruthaigh Sé áit dúinn i ríocht a mhic mhuirnigh.
A bhráithre, gabhaimid buíochais go lúcháireach leis an Athair a dheonaigh daoibh a bheith páirteach in oidhreacht an phobail naofa sa solas agus a d’fhuascail sinn ó chumhacht an dorchadais agus chruthaigh Sé áit dúinn i ríocht a mhic mhuirnigh. Is tríd an Mac sin atá ár bhfuascailt le fáil, is é sin, maithiúnas na bpeacaí.
Is íomhá den Dia dofheicthe é agus céadghin gach dúile cruthaithe
mar is trídsean a cruthaíodh a bhfuil ar neamh agus ar
bídís sofheicthe nó dofheicthe, idir Thróin agus Thiarnais
idir Phrionsachtaí agus Chumhachtaí.
Is trídsean agus dósan a cruthaíodh an t-iomlán.
Tá tosach aige orthu uile agus is ann a choinnítear ar bun iad.
Is é ceann an choirp é, ceann na hEaglaise.
Is é an tús é, an chéadghin ó mhairbh i dtreo go mbeadh an tosach aige ar gach slí.
Mar is ann ab áil le lánmhaireacht iomlán Dé a bheith ina cónaí,
agus is trídsean ab áil leis gach a bhfuil ar neamh agus ar talamh
a thabhairt chun athmhuintearais leis féin,agus síocháin a dhéanamh leo trí fhuil a chroise.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Mc 11: 10
Alleluia, alleluia!
Is beannaithe an té atá ag teacht in ainm an Tiarna!
Is beannaithe ag teacht í, Ríocht ár nAthar, Daivi!
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 23:35-43
A Thiarna, cuimhnigh ormsa nuair a thiocfaidh tú faoi réim do riochta.
San am sin d’fhan an pobal ansiúd ag breathnú ar Íosa. Bhí na cinn urra féin ag dranngháire:
“Shaor sé daoine eile,” deiridís, “saoradh sé é féin, más é Críost Dé, an té atá tofa.”
Agus rinne na saighdiúirí freisin fonóid faoi; ag teacht ag tabhairt fínéagair chuige deiridís: “Más tú Rí na nGiúdach, saor thú féin!”
Agus fós, bhí scríbhinn os a chionn i nGréigis, i Laidin, agus in Eabhrais: “Rí na nGiúdach é seo.”
Duine de na coirpigh a bhí arna gcrochadh, bhí sé á dhiamhaslú á rá:
“Nach tú an Críost? Saor tú féin agus sinne.”
Ach thug an duine eile casaoid dó agus dúirt:
“An ea nach bhfuil eagla Dé ort, agus tusa faoin daorbhreith chéanna? Agus maidir linne, is le ceart é: tá díol ár mbeart féin á thabhairt orainn ach ní dhearna sé seo rud ar bith as an tslí.”
Agus dúirt: “A Íosa, cuimhnigh ormsa nuair a thiocfaidh tú faoi réim do ríochta!”
Agus dúirt seisean leis: “Deirim leat go fírinneach, beidh tú in éineacht liom inniu i bparthas.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
