Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Sep 27 - St Vincent de Paul, priest (1581-1660)
Summary: St Vincent de Paul, Priest. Born in Gascony (France) in 1581; died in Paris on this day in 1660. A parish priest who worked for the apostolic renewal of the clergy, founding the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians or Lazarists) for missionary work in rural areas and for the formation of clergy. Committed above all to the oppressed and disadvantaged, he founded the Daughters of Charity with Louise de Marillac and the Congregation of the Mission Vincentian Fathers to work with the needy.
Vincent de Paul
During the French Revolution, when rioting mobs broke into the Pantheon in Paris, they smashed all the religious statues but one - that of St Vincent de Paul. He had spoken so movingly about the preciousness of the ordinary person and his image of kindness to the poor was so strong that they could not bring themselves to throw him out with the rest. Founder of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian Fathers) and of the Daughters of Charity, he remains today an icon of charity.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Early Life
A peasant by birth, Vincent later came to associate with both the upper and the lower classes of society. Educated by the Franciscans at Dax in the south-west of France, he was ordained when he was only nineteen and four years later (1604) graduated in theology from the University of Toulouse. The story that he was captured by pirates and escaped may be apocryphal. He may have gone to Rome and for some years led the life of an ambitious court chaplain. But around 1608, influenced by the spiritual guidance of Pierre de Berulle, he had a conversion experience.
PP and chaplain to the Gondi family
De Berulle had him made parish priest at Clichy near Paris. The following year he became tutor to the children of the de Gondi family, who were Florentine bankers introduced to France by Catherine de Medici. He began giving missions to the peasant workers on the Gondi estates. For a while - to distance himself somewhat from the Gondis - he went as parish priest to Chatillon-les-Dombes near Lyons, where he converted several Protestants to Catholicism and founded the first conference of charity for the assistance of the poor.
Recalled by the de Gondi in 1617, he resumed his missions for the peasant workers. Several Paris priests joined in this. After each mission, a conference of charity was founded for the relief of the poor, in many places like Joigny, Châlons and Mâcon, where they lasted until the Revolution.
"Ladies o
f Charity" and Daughters of Charity
From this time, Vincent recruited some "Ladies of Charity" to help in the care of the poor. Many of these ladies were not able, or felt it was beneath them, to carry out some of the more repulsive tasks. So Vincent recruited young humble country women with the energy and attitude to deal with people weighed down by destitution and providentially a friend, to whom he was a spiritual guide, Louise de Marillac, undertook to train them. This was the start of the Daughters of Charity (1633).
Care for Prisoners working on the Galleys
Vincent also directed his concern towards the convicts in the galleys. M. de Gondi was general of the galleys of France so Vincent was able to gain access to the prisons where they were kept before they were convoyed to the galleys. Vincent performed caring services and spoke with kindness to them and tried to relieve their atrocious conditions. In this way he won their hearts. He also interested others to come and visit them. He bought a house in which he set up a hospital. In 1619 Louis XIII appointed him royal almoner of the galleys, and Vincent used this title to visit the galleys of Marseilles and Bourdeaux where he preached successful missions.
Congregation of the Mission
Around 1625, Vincent saw that the success achieved by the missions in rural areas could not last unless there were priests to maintain it. Encouraged by Mme de Gondi, he decided to found a religious institute of priests who would devote their energies to the evangelisation of country people - the Congregation of the Mission. The Congregation acquired a location in the Collège des Bons Enfants in Paris and, with St Vincent de Paul at its head, was recognised by Rome in 1632. At that same time Vincent acquired the priory of St Lazarus (formerly a refuge for lepers) in Paris, whence the name Lazarite or Lazarist Fathers, by which they were then first known.
Training Priests and establishing seminaries
But priests were very few and there was a huge need for training. This need led to another Vincentian initiative. The Council of Trent (1545-63) had ordered the setting up of seminaries for the education of the clergy but the wars of religion had hindered the initiatives taken. Every Tuesday at Saint-Lazare Vincent began giving spiritual conferences for priests. Soon the Bishop of Beauvais asked him to give ascetical conferences for priests lasting ten days. These gradually became extended in time until eventually, with Vincent spearheading the movement, a whole range of seminaries was established all over France, staffed mainly by priests of the Congregation of the Mission.
Death and Influence
Vincent died in 1660. The missions and conferences he conducted and the seminaries he set up instilled a new Christian spirit and confidence into French priests and lay people. Ever the practical man, his gift was that he was able throughout his life to use his influence among the rich and fashionable to organise the resources needed for works of charity among the poor and oppressed. He is patron of all charitable works.
O Glorious Saint Vincent de Paul,
The mention of your name, suggests a litany of your virtues: humility, zeal, mercy, self-sacrifice. It also recalls your many foundations, works of mercy, congregations, and societies. The Church gratefully remembers, your promotion of the priesthood.
Inspire all Charitable Workers, especially those who minister, to both the spiritually and the materially poor.
O Lord, give us the grace, that You bestowed upon, your servant St. Vincent de Paul, to relinquish the temptation, of material things, in our holy effort, to minister to the poor. Amen.
Vincent de Paul
During the French Revolution, when rioting mobs broke into the Pantheon in Paris, they smashed all the religious statues but one - that of St Vincent de Paul. He had spoken so movingly about the preciousness of the ordinary person and his image of kindness to the poor was so strong that they could not bring themselves to throw him out with the rest. Founder of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian Fathers) and of the Daughters of Charity, he remains today an icon of charity.Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Early Life
A peasant by birth, Vincent later came to associate with both the upper and the lower classes of society. Educated by the Franciscans at Dax in the south-west of France, he was ordained when he was only nineteen and four years later (1604) graduated in theology from the University of Toulouse. The story that he was captured by pirates and escaped may be apocryphal. He may have gone to Rome and for some years led the life of an ambitious court chaplain. But around 1608, influenced by the spiritual guidance of Pierre de Berulle, he had a conversion experience.
PP and chaplain to the Gondi familyDe Berulle had him made parish priest at Clichy near Paris. The following year he became tutor to the children of the de Gondi family, who were Florentine bankers introduced to France by Catherine de Medici. He began giving missions to the peasant workers on the Gondi estates. For a while - to distance himself somewhat from the Gondis - he went as parish priest to Chatillon-les-Dombes near Lyons, where he converted several Protestants to Catholicism and founded the first conference of charity for the assistance of the poor.
Recalled by the de Gondi in 1617, he resumed his missions for the peasant workers. Several Paris priests joined in this. After each mission, a conference of charity was founded for the relief of the poor, in many places like Joigny, Châlons and Mâcon, where they lasted until the Revolution.
"Ladies o
f Charity" and Daughters of CharityFrom this time, Vincent recruited some "Ladies of Charity" to help in the care of the poor. Many of these ladies were not able, or felt it was beneath them, to carry out some of the more repulsive tasks. So Vincent recruited young humble country women with the energy and attitude to deal with people weighed down by destitution and providentially a friend, to whom he was a spiritual guide, Louise de Marillac, undertook to train them. This was the start of the Daughters of Charity (1633).
Care for Prisoners working on the Galleys
Vincent also directed his concern towards the convicts in the galleys. M. de Gondi was general of the galleys of France so Vincent was able to gain access to the prisons where they were kept before they were convoyed to the galleys. Vincent performed caring services and spoke with kindness to them and tried to relieve their atrocious conditions. In this way he won their hearts. He also interested others to come and visit them. He bought a house in which he set up a hospital. In 1619 Louis XIII appointed him royal almoner of the galleys, and Vincent used this title to visit the galleys of Marseilles and Bourdeaux where he preached successful missions.
Congregation of the Mission
Around 1625, Vincent saw that the success achieved by the missions in rural areas could not last unless there were priests to maintain it. Encouraged by Mme de Gondi, he decided to found a religious institute of priests who would devote their energies to the evangelisation of country people - the Congregation of the Mission. The Congregation acquired a location in the Collège des Bons Enfants in Paris and, with St Vincent de Paul at its head, was recognised by Rome in 1632. At that same time Vincent acquired the priory of St Lazarus (formerly a refuge for lepers) in Paris, whence the name Lazarite or Lazarist Fathers, by which they were then first known.
Training Priests and establishing seminaries
But priests were very few and there was a huge need for training. This need led to another Vincentian initiative. The Council of Trent (1545-63) had ordered the setting up of seminaries for the education of the clergy but the wars of religion had hindered the initiatives taken. Every Tuesday at Saint-Lazare Vincent began giving spiritual conferences for priests. Soon the Bishop of Beauvais asked him to give ascetical conferences for priests lasting ten days. These gradually became extended in time until eventually, with Vincent spearheading the movement, a whole range of seminaries was established all over France, staffed mainly by priests of the Congregation of the Mission.
Death and Influence
Vincent died in 1660. The missions and conferences he conducted and the seminaries he set up instilled a new Christian spirit and confidence into French priests and lay people. Ever the practical man, his gift was that he was able throughout his life to use his influence among the rich and fashionable to organise the resources needed for works of charity among the poor and oppressed. He is patron of all charitable works.
Prayer to St Vincent de Paul
O Glorious Saint Vincent de Paul,
The mention of your name, suggests a litany of your virtues: humility, zeal, mercy, self-sacrifice. It also recalls your many foundations, works of mercy, congregations, and societies. The Church gratefully remembers, your promotion of the priesthood.
Inspire all Charitable Workers, especially those who minister, to both the spiritually and the materially poor.
O Lord, give us the grace, that You bestowed upon, your servant St. Vincent de Paul, to relinquish the temptation, of material things, in our holy effort, to minister to the poor. Amen.
____________________________________
******************************
Memorable Sayings for Today
The smallest act of kindness is worth more
than the grandest intention.
~ Oscar Wilde ~
No one is useless who lightens the burdens of another.
~ Charles Dickens~
******************************
Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 28th September, 2026
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
A Day of Prayer for Life
God gives us the gift of repentance. In the gospel parable of the two sons, Jesus holds up the example of the public sinners in his time being converted while the establishment figures refuse to listen to his message. Ezekiel reminds us that repentance is always possible, for the Lord remembers his mercy.
*************************************
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of Ezekiel 18:25-28
When the sinner renounces sin, he shall certainly live.
The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows:You object, "What the Lord does is unjust".
Listen, you House of Israel: is what I do unjust?
Is it not what you do that is unjust? When the upright man renounces his integrity to commit sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he himself has committed.
When the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest, he deserves to live. He has chosen to renounce all his previous sins; he shall certainly live; he shall not die.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 24; 4-9 R/v 6
Response Remember your mercy, Lord.
1. Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth, and teach me: for you are God my saviour. Response
2. Remember your mercy, Lord, and the love you have shown from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth.
In your love remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. Response
3. The Lord is good and upright. He shows the path to those who stray,
he guides the humble in the right path; he teaches his way to the poor. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians 2:1-11
In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus.
If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind. That is the one thing which would make me completely happy. There must be no competition among you, no conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, So that nobody thinks of his own interests first but everybody thinks of other people's interests instead. In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus:
His state was divine,
yet he did not cling to his equality with God
but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave,
and became as men are; and being as all men are,
he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.
But God raised him high and gave him the name
which is above all other names so that all beings
in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
_______________________________________________________
Alternative shorter
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter to the Philippians 2:1-5
In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus.
If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind. That is the one thing which would make me completely happy.
There must be no competition among you, no conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, So that nobody thinks of his own interests first but everybody thinks of other people's interests instead. In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
________________________________________________________
Gospel Acclamation Jn 14: 23
Alleluia, alleluia!
If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him.
Alleluia!
or Jn 10: 27
Alleluia, alleluia!
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord,
I know them and they follow me.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 21:28-32 Glory to you, O Lord
Afterwards he thought better of it and went. Tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
'What is your opinion?
A man had two sons. He went and said to the first,
"My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today".
He answered, "I will not go", but afterwards
thought better of it and went.
The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, "Certainly, sir", but did not go.
Which of the two did the father's will?'
'The first' they said.
Jesus said to them,
'I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him'.
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: Monday, 28th September, 2026
CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as leabhar Ezícéal 18:25-28
Má thréigeann an drochdhuine a pheaca, mairfidh sé go deimhin.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
“Deir tusa:
‘Ní cóir iad gníomhartha an Tiarna.’
Éistigí liom, a mhuintir Iosrael; nach cóir iad mo ghníomhartha?
Nach iad bhur ngníomhartha féin atá míchóir? Má thréigeann an fíréan a fhíréantacht agus peacú, éagfaidh sé dá bharr; éagfaidh sé de bharr an oilc atá déanta aige. Arís, má thréigeann an drochdhuine a pheacaí agus déanamh mar is ceart agus mar is cóir, tabharfaidh sé a bheatha slán.
De bhrí gur mhachnaigh sé agus gur thréig sé a pheacaí go léir mairfidh sé go deimhin; ní bhfaighidh sé bás.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 24: 4-9 R/v 6
Freagra Cuimhnigh ar do thrócaire, a Thiarna.
I. Taispeáin do shlite dom, a Thiarna, agus teagasc dom do rianta.
Treoraigh mé i d'fhírinne agus teagasc mé, móir is tusa, a Dhia, mo Shlánaitheoir. Freagra
2. Ortsa a bhím ag feitheamh ar feadh an lae, mar gheall ar dó chineáltas, a Thiarna.
Cuimhnigh ar do thrócaire, a Thiarna, agus ar do bhuanghrá atá ann ó na cianta.
Ná cuimhnigh ar chionta m'óige, ach amháin ar do bhuanghrá féin. Freagra
3. Is maith is is díreach é an Tiarna. Uime sin múineann sé an tslí do na peacaigh.
Díríonn sé an fear umhal san fhíréantacht; múineann sé a shlí don fhear umhal Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht litir N.Pól chuig na Filipigh 2:1-11
Bígí ar aon mheon le hÍosa Críost.
A bhráithre, más fiú aon ní an sólás a fhaigheann sibh i gCríost, más fiú aon ní an spreagadh a thagann ón ngrá, más fiú aon ní bhur gcumann leis an Spiorad, má tá cion nó trua ar bith ionaibh, cuirigí barr ar mo chuid áthais trí bheith ar aon aigne le chéile, ar aon ghrá, ar aon toil agus ar aon aigne. Ná déanaigí aon ní le teann iomaíochta ná le teann gaisce, ach sibh á mheas go huiríseal gur fearr daoine eile ná sibh féin. Ná bíodh aon duine agaibh ag cuimhneamh ar a leas féin amháin ach ar leas na gcomharsana chomh maith. Bígí ar aon mheon le hÍosa Críost:
An té úd a bhí i riocht Dé ó dhúchas,
níorbh éadáil leis bheith ar chomhchéim le Dia,
Ach lom sé é féin. Agus chuir áir riocht an sclábha
agus tháinig chun bheith ina dhuine mar chách eile.
Agus ar theacht ann dó i gcló daonna, d’ísligh sé é féin
agus bhí umhal go bás – go bás na croise féin.
Sin é an fáth ar ardaigh Dia thar na bearta é
agus bhronn air an t-ainm úd atá os cionn gach ainm,
i dtreo nuair a luafaí ainm Íosa go gcromfadh glúin gach neach dá bhfuil ar neamh agus ar talamh agus in ifreann
agus go ndearbhódh gach teanga, in ómós do Dhia an tAthair, gurb é Íosa Críost an Tiarna.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
___________________
Malairt DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht litir N.Pól chuig na Filipigh 2:1-5
Bígí ar aon mheon le hÍosa Críost.
A bhráithre, más fiú aon ní an sólás a fhaigheann sibh i gCríost, más fiú aon ní an spreagadh a thagann ón ngrá, más fiú aon ní bhur gcumann leis an Spiorad, má tá cion nó trua ar bith ionaibh, cuirigí barr ar mo chuid áthais trí bheith ar aon aigne le chéile, ar aon ghrá, ar aon toil agus ar aon aigne. Ná déanaigí aon ní le teann iomaíochta ná le teann gaisce, ach sibh á mheas go huiríseal gur fearr daoine eile ná sibh féin. Ná bíodh aon duine agaibh ag cuimhneamh ar a leas féin amháin ach ar leas na gcomharsana chomh maith. Bígí ar aon mheon le hÍosa Críost.
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
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 21:28-32 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tháinig aiféala air agus chuaigh se. tá tosach ag na poibleacánaigh agus ag na striapacha oraibhse isteach i ríocht Dé.
San am sin dúirt Íosa le huachtaráin ne sagart agus le seanóir an phobail:
“Bhur mbarúil air seo: Bhí beirt mhac ag duine.
D’agaill sé duine acu ar dtús:
‘A mhic,’ ar seisean, ‘téighse inniu ag obair san fhíonghort.’
D’fhreagair sé é: ‘Tá go maith, a dhuine uasail,’ ar seisean; ach ní dheachaigh.
D’agaill sé an dara duine ar an gcuma chéanna, agus b’é a fhreagra seo:
‘Ní dhéanfaidh mé,’ ar seisean; ach ina dhiaidh sin tháinig aiféala air agus chuaigh.
Cé acu den bheirt a rinne toil a athar?”
“An dara duine,” ar siad.
Dúirt Íosa leo:
“Deirim libh go fírinneach, tá tosach ag na poibleacánaigh agus ag na striapacha oraibhse isteach i ríocht Dé. Óir tháinig Eoin chugaibh ar shlí na fíréantachta agus níor chreid sibh ann; na poibleacánaigh, áfach, agus na striapacha, chreid siad ann; agus cé go bhfaca sibhse é sin,
níor bhuail an t aiféala mall féin sibh chun go gcreidfeadh sibh ann.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 4th October, 2026
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
A Day of Prayer for Life
God gives us the gift of repentance. In the gospel parable of the two sons, Jesus holds up the example of the public sinners in his time being converted while the establishment figures refuse to listen to his message. Ezekiel reminds us that repentance is always possible, for the Lord remembers his mercy.
*************************************
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of Ezekiel 18:25-28
When the sinner renounces sin, he shall certainly live.
The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows:You object, "What the Lord does is unjust".
Listen, you House of Israel: is what I do unjust?
Is it not what you do that is unjust? When the upright man renounces his integrity to commit sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he himself has committed.
When the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest, he deserves to live. He has chosen to renounce all his previous sins; he shall certainly live; he shall not die.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 24; 4-9 R/v 6
Response Remember your mercy, Lord.
1. Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth, and teach me: for you are God my saviour. Response
2. Remember your mercy, Lord, and the love you have shown from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth.
In your love remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. Response
3. The Lord is good and upright. He shows the path to those who stray,
he guides the humble in the right path; he teaches his way to the poor. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians 2:1-11
In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus.
If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind. That is the one thing which would make me completely happy. There must be no competition among you, no conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, So that nobody thinks of his own interests first but everybody thinks of other people's interests instead. In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus:
His state was divine,
yet he did not cling to his equality with God
but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave,
and became as men are; and being as all men are,
he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.
But God raised him high and gave him the name
which is above all other names so that all beings
in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
_______________________________________________________
Alternative shorter
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter to the Philippians 2:1-5
In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus.
If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind. That is the one thing which would make me completely happy.
There must be no competition among you, no conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, So that nobody thinks of his own interests first but everybody thinks of other people's interests instead. In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
________________________________________________________
Gospel Acclamation Jn 14: 23
Alleluia, alleluia!
If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him.
Alleluia!
or Jn 10: 27
Alleluia, alleluia!
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord,
I know them and they follow me.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 21:28-32 Glory to you, O Lord
Afterwards he thought better of it and went. Tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
'What is your opinion?
A man had two sons. He went and said to the first,
"My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today".
He answered, "I will not go", but afterwards
thought better of it and went.
The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, "Certainly, sir", but did not go.
Which of the two did the father's will?'
'The first' they said.
Jesus said to them,
'I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him'.
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, 4th October, 2026
CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as leabhar Ezícéal 18:25-28
Má thréigeann an drochdhuine a pheaca, mairfidh sé go deimhin.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
“Deir tusa:
‘Ní cóir iad gníomhartha an Tiarna.’
Éistigí liom, a mhuintir Iosrael; nach cóir iad mo ghníomhartha?
Nach iad bhur ngníomhartha féin atá míchóir? Má thréigeann an fíréan a fhíréantacht agus peacú, éagfaidh sé dá bharr; éagfaidh sé de bharr an oilc atá déanta aige. Arís, má thréigeann an drochdhuine a pheacaí agus déanamh mar is ceart agus mar is cóir, tabharfaidh sé a bheatha slán.
De bhrí gur mhachnaigh sé agus gur thréig sé a pheacaí go léir mairfidh sé go deimhin; ní bhfaighidh sé bás.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 24: 4-9 R/v 6
Freagra Cuimhnigh ar do thrócaire, a Thiarna.
I. Taispeáin do shlite dom, a Thiarna, agus teagasc dom do rianta.
Treoraigh mé i d'fhírinne agus teagasc mé, móir is tusa, a Dhia, mo Shlánaitheoir. Freagra
2. Ortsa a bhím ag feitheamh ar feadh an lae, mar gheall ar dó chineáltas, a Thiarna.
Cuimhnigh ar do thrócaire, a Thiarna, agus ar do bhuanghrá atá ann ó na cianta.
Ná cuimhnigh ar chionta m'óige, ach amháin ar do bhuanghrá féin. Freagra
3. Is maith is is díreach é an Tiarna. Uime sin múineann sé an tslí do na peacaigh.
Díríonn sé an fear umhal san fhíréantacht; múineann sé a shlí don fhear umhal Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht litir N.Pól chuig na Filipigh 2:1-11
Bígí ar aon mheon le hÍosa Críost.
A bhráithre, más fiú aon ní an sólás a fhaigheann sibh i gCríost, más fiú aon ní an spreagadh a thagann ón ngrá, más fiú aon ní bhur gcumann leis an Spiorad, má tá cion nó trua ar bith ionaibh, cuirigí barr ar mo chuid áthais trí bheith ar aon aigne le chéile, ar aon ghrá, ar aon toil agus ar aon aigne. Ná déanaigí aon ní le teann iomaíochta ná le teann gaisce, ach sibh á mheas go huiríseal gur fearr daoine eile ná sibh féin. Ná bíodh aon duine agaibh ag cuimhneamh ar a leas féin amháin ach ar leas na gcomharsana chomh maith. Bígí ar aon mheon le hÍosa Críost:
An té úd a bhí i riocht Dé ó dhúchas,
níorbh éadáil leis bheith ar chomhchéim le Dia,
Ach lom sé é féin. Agus chuir áir riocht an sclábha
agus tháinig chun bheith ina dhuine mar chách eile.
Agus ar theacht ann dó i gcló daonna, d’ísligh sé é féin
agus bhí umhal go bás – go bás na croise féin.
Sin é an fáth ar ardaigh Dia thar na bearta é
agus bhronn air an t-ainm úd atá os cionn gach ainm,
i dtreo nuair a luafaí ainm Íosa go gcromfadh glúin gach neach dá bhfuil ar neamh agus ar talamh agus in ifreann
agus go ndearbhódh gach teanga, in ómós do Dhia an tAthair, gurb é Íosa Críost an Tiarna.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
___________________
Malairt DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht litir N.Pól chuig na Filipigh 2:1-5
Bígí ar aon mheon le hÍosa Críost.
A bhráithre, más fiú aon ní an sólás a fhaigheann sibh i gCríost, más fiú aon ní an spreagadh a thagann ón ngrá, más fiú aon ní bhur gcumann leis an Spiorad, má tá cion nó trua ar bith ionaibh, cuirigí barr ar mo chuid áthais trí bheith ar aon aigne le chéile, ar aon ghrá, ar aon toil agus ar aon aigne. Ná déanaigí aon ní le teann iomaíochta ná le teann gaisce, ach sibh á mheas go huiríseal gur fearr daoine eile ná sibh féin. Ná bíodh aon duine agaibh ag cuimhneamh ar a leas féin amháin ach ar leas na gcomharsana chomh maith. Bígí ar aon mheon le hÍosa Críost.
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
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 21:28-32 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tháinig aiféala air agus chuaigh se. tá tosach ag na poibleacánaigh agus ag na striapacha oraibhse isteach i ríocht Dé.
San am sin dúirt Íosa le huachtaráin ne sagart agus le seanóir an phobail:
“Bhur mbarúil air seo: Bhí beirt mhac ag duine.
D’agaill sé duine acu ar dtús:
‘A mhic,’ ar seisean, ‘téighse inniu ag obair san fhíonghort.’
D’fhreagair sé é: ‘Tá go maith, a dhuine uasail,’ ar seisean; ach ní dheachaigh.
D’agaill sé an dara duine ar an gcuma chéanna, agus b’é a fhreagra seo:
‘Ní dhéanfaidh mé,’ ar seisean; ach ina dhiaidh sin tháinig aiféala air agus chuaigh.
Cé acu den bheirt a rinne toil a athar?”
“An dara duine,” ar siad.
Dúirt Íosa leo:
“Deirim libh go fírinneach, tá tosach ag na poibleacánaigh agus ag na striapacha oraibhse isteach i ríocht Dé. Óir tháinig Eoin chugaibh ar shlí na fíréantachta agus níor chreid sibh ann; na poibleacánaigh, áfach, agus na striapacha, chreid siad ann; agus cé go bhfaca sibhse é sin,
níor bhuail an t aiféala mall féin sibh chun go gcreidfeadh sibh ann.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
