Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Jul 22 - St Mary Magdalene, (2)The first evangelist
Controversy
The pseudo-historical 'Da Vinci Code' has stirred up a new interest in Mary Magdalene, but it seems obsessed with an imagined sexual relationship between her and Jesus.
Fr John Murray PP takes this as his starting point, but goes on to highlight the more 'authentic' tradition about the saint.
The novel, 'The Da Vinci Code', has stirred up a good deal of controversy, with its theories about the lost cup of the Last Supper and the identity of the 'beloved apostle'. The book claims that Mary Magdalene was this anonymous disciple, and that the Church has kept this secret from mankind in its efforts to maintain its power and control over people's lives.
Authentic Sources
Yes, it all sounds a bit fanciful, doesn't it? Yet, lots of people are currently buying into the fiction. Perhaps we need to look at the Scriptures to get a clearer picture of the real Mary Magdalene and her true message for today.
The sources I will suggest are not the various Gnostic texts which abounded in the early centuries, but the four gospels which were accepted by the Church as authentic, virtually from the beginning. These are the texts which were accepted by saints and theologians like Ignatius of Antioch, who died in Rome in 108, and Irenaeus of Lyons, who was bishop from 180-203. There were other 'gospels', but in time they were rejected, because they weren't consistent and authentic to the real Jesus, who had revealed himself as God and man in Palestine in the early years of the first century.
Various Marys
There are various Marys mentioned in the New Testament. None receives as much attention as Mary, the Mother of Jesus, but close behind her is Mary of Magdala. The Catholic Church, in its latest edition of the Calendar of Saints, distinguishes between Mary of Magdala, Mary the sister of Lazarus, and the sinful woman who weeps over the feet of Jesus (Lk 7:36-50). Nor is she to be confused with the nameless woman caught in adultery (Jn.8:3-11).
Ministry of Service
Mary of Magdala, I believe, has four messages to give us.
First of all, she is a disciple of Jesus. It was unknown at that time for women to be disciples of rabbis, and yet all four evangelists mention her, while Luke and Matthew specifically state that she and some others looked after Jesus and his closest disciples.
Her message here is one of service, for she considered it an honour to minister to the Lord. This she did to the end, when she came with others to anoint his crucified body as it lay in the tomb.
Throughout the centuries, women have ministered to the Lord, often in quiet and humble ways. Increasingly, that role has been, and will be, extended, as they seek to serve the modern Church in positions of leadership and responsibility. Pastors must have eyes to see and hearts that are open to their many and varied gifts.
A Damaged Person
We are told that Mary had 'seven demons' cast out of her by Jesus. We don't know if these were spirits of a sinful nature, or if they refer to some sickness from which Jesus freed her.
In another passage, Jesus mentions a man who was freed in a similar way, but who later succumbed to seven other demons. Mary, once freed, never fell prey again to the power of her former problems, and followed Jesus resolutely, even to the foot of the cross on the hill of Calvary. You could say she was a fragile person, but what a beautiful lesson for us to know that Jesus can use us even when we are damaged and have known sin or distress or sickness.
A Greater Love
As a result of books like The Da Vinci Code, there is much unhealthy speculation these days about the supposed relationship of Mary with Jesus. Did the Church keep hidden a 'terrible secret' that their relationship was more than platonic? We know there is no foundation for such speculation, which sometimes says more about the authors than the matter they write about.
The Church today is increasingly highlighting the beauty and sanctity of marriage. How sad it is, then, that the world cannot recognise the dignity and beauty of chastity. Twenty-five years ago, the lyrics of Mary Magdalene's song in the pop musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, gave a revealing insight into this beautiful relationship: 'I don't know how to love him / What to do, how to move him. / I've been changed, yes, really changed. / In these past few days, when I've seen myself / I seem like someone else'.
In meeting Jesus, Magdalene discovered a love greater and deeper than she had ever known before. How exciting and wonderful it is for anyone - woman or man - to fall in love with the truly Great Lover! The world needs to hear that message. Maybe that's the real reason why the figure of Mary Magdalene is so prominent today.
Resurrection
Finally, there is the role of Mary Magdalene as the 'first announcer of the Resurrection'. Even when the other disciples doubt her word, she is faithful in proclaiming the message that he is risen. Did Jesus choose a woman for this role because of the inherent fidelity of a woman's heart? Despite the apostles' incredulity, she stuck to her guns. In Zeffirelli's film, Jesus of Nazareth, Mary is given the line, 'He told me to tell you, and I have done so!' That really sums up her courage and fidelity.
Today, in a world of faithlessness, we also are called to proclaim the truth of his resurrection, even when others do not believe, or give in to doubt. Mary Magdalene knew that Christ had died. Was she not one of the few beneath the cross at that terrible moment? Yet she was unwavering in her belief that he was risen.
No one was going to stop her telling that Good News to everyone she met. As she came away from the tomb on that first Easter morning, she already knew in her heart what St. Paul would say to the Corinthians a couple of decades later: 'If Christ has not been raised, your faith is pointless, and you have not been released from your sins... In fact, however, Christ has been raised from the dead as the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep' (1 Cor. 15:17.20). Mary Magdalene was the first to grasp this astonishing truth, and to proclaim it to the world.
P.S Pope Francis has established that from now on the celebration of St Mary Magdalene be inscribed in the General Roman Calendar as a Feastday for the whole church.
This article first appeared in The Messenger (April 2005), a publication of the Irish Jesuits.c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Memorable Saying for Today
A woman of Faith in hard times, she learned three things-
She was stronger than she ever imagined.
Jesus was closer than she ever realized.
And
She was loved more than she ever knew.
~ anonymous ~
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22-7 St Mary Magdalene, disciple of Jesus
Saint of the Day: July 22;07-St Mary Magdalene, disciple of the Lord, 1st witness of Jesus' resurrection.
C/f A short life of this saint can be found below today's Readings and Reflection.
READING
A reading from the Song of Songs 3:1-4
I found him whom my heart loves.
The bride said this: On my bed, at night, I sought him whom my heart loves.
I sought but did not find him. So I will rise and go through the City; in the streets and the squares I will seek him whom my heart loves. I sought but did not find him.The watchmen came upon me on their rounds in the City: 'Have you seen him whom my heart loves?'
Scarcely had I passed them than I found him whom my heart loves.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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Alternative FIRST READING
A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 5:14-17
Even if we did once know Christ in the flesh, that is not how we know him now.
The love of Christ overwhelms us when we reflect that if one man has died for all, then all men should be dead; and the reason he died for all was so that living men should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life for them.From now onwards, therefore, we do not judge anyone by the standards of the flesh. Even if we did once know Christ in the flesh, that is not how we know him now.
And for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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Responsorial Psalm Ps 62: : 1-6, R/v 1.
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
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Tell us, Mary: say what thou didst see upon the way.
The tomb the living did enclose; I saw Christ's glory as he rose
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to John 20:1-2. 11-18 Glory to you, O Lord.
Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?
It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
Mary stayed outside near the tomb, weeping. Then, still weeping, she stooped to look inside, and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet.
They said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’
‘They have taken my Lord away’ she replied ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’
As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not recognise him.
Jesus said, ‘Woman why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?’
Supposing him to be the gardener, she said,
‘Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him.’
Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him then and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbuni!’ — which means Master.
Jesus said to her,
‘Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to my Father. But go and find the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’
So Mary of Magdala went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things to her.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Reflection 22/7 Saint Mary Magdalene John 20:1-2, 11-18
The first reading from the Song of Songs is a striking commentary on the state of mind and heart of Mary Magdalene, as she is portrayed in the gospel reading, ‘I will seek him whom my heart loves. I sought but did not find him’. Mary Magdalene, according to the gospel of John, was one of the women who stood by the cross as Jesus was dying. She belonged in that little community of faithful disciples at the foot of the cross, consisting of herself, Jesus’ mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas and the beloved disciple.
In this gospel, the true disciple is one who has welcomed the faithful love of Jesus, his greater love unto death, and who has responded by loving him faithfully and loving others in the way that he has loved all. It is Mary Magdalene, the faithful disciple, whom we encounter in today’s gospel reading. Having witnessed his death, she now comes to the tomb, as the loved ones of those who have died often do. She seeks the body of Jesus but cannot find it, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb but we don’t know where they have put him’. Little does she realize that the body of Jesus is nowhere to be found, because something more wonderful is waiting to be found, the Lord himself in all his risen glory.
However, it is the Lord who seeks out and finds Mary Magdalene, calling her by her name, ‘Mary’. Having lifted her out of her grief, he sends her to proclaim the Easter gospel, the first person to do so in this gospel. The portrayal of Mary Magdalen in the gospel reading reminds us that the Lord whom we are seeking is always seeking us first. Even if our seeking him seems to be leading nowhere, the Lord’s seeking love will always find us, if we are open to his coming. Having found us, having allowed ourselves to be found by him, he will empower us, as he did Mary Magdalene, to become messengers of Easter hope and joy to all whom we meet.
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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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Saint of the Day: 07-22; St Mary Magdalene, 'disciple, apostle of Jesus
Mary Magdalene,'' is a faithful disciple of Christ. She ministered to his needs after having seven devils cast out from her. Sicknesses, in those days, were thought to be caused by evil spirits (- a bit like how viruses are experienced today !) She helped Jesus in his work, witnessed his crucifixion, was present at his burial, and was the first to see him as the risen Lord. She was commissioned by Christ to proclaim the good news of his resurrection to the apostles (c/f/John 20:17-18). Referred in the East as the "Apostle to the Apostles the 'Patroness of preachers'.
Most Christian traditions assume that Mary was from the place called Magdala near Tiberias on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus landed (Mt 15:39, cf. Mk 8:10), even though there is no information to indicate whether this was her home, her birthplace, or whether she had some other connection with the place.
Patrick Duffy tells her story.
Mary Magdalene in The New Testament
Mary Magdalene is first mentioned in Luke's gospel as one of the group of women disciples of Jesus, "who provided for them out of their resources" and she is the one "from whom seven demons had gone out" (Luke 8:2-3).She is also among the women who were present at the crucifixion of Jesus when the male disciples, with the exception of John, abandoned him. She stood with his mother Mary "near the cross" (Jn 19:25), "watching from a distance" (Mk 15:40) and saw the tomb and how his body was laid out (Mk 15:47; Lk 23:55; Mt 27:61).
Mary is among the women who very early in the morning on the first day of the week went with spices to the tomb to anoint the body (Mk 16:2+; Mt 28:1+), but found the tomb empty. She went to tell Simon and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved (Jn 20:1-2).
She is the first to whom Jesus shows himself after the resurrection, though at first she doesn't recognise him until he called her name. Then she cried 'Rabbuni.'
He said "Do not cling to me, for I have not ascended to my Father. but go and find the brothers and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God" (Jn 20:11-18).
The Fathers of the Church
For the first five centuries Mary was highly regarded. Ambrose and Augustine both associate her with the New Eve who faithfully clings to Christ the new Adam, reversing the sin of the first Eve.
However, at the end of the sixth century an influential sermon of Pope St Gregory the Great (540-604) used the word peccatrix ("a sinful woman") of Mary Magdalene. He also 'wrongly' identified her with Mary of Bethany, sister of Lazarus and Martha (Jn 12:1-8), on the one hand, and, on the other, with the woman who was a sinner (Lk 7:36-50), both of whom had brought precious oil to anoint the feet of Jesus. He also 'mistakingly' identified her with the woman taken in adultery (Jn 8:1-11).
Good Mary/Bad Mary
These confusions have persisted into the tradition about Mary Magdalene - it's a short step from peccatrix (sinner) to meretrix (prostitute). Because of this, the complexity of the "Marys" in the New Testament she became reduced to a simple dualism: 'Good' Mary: the ever virgin mother Mary,/and 'Bad Mary': the repentant sinner. Far from lessening Magdalene's role in popular devotion, this reduction only served to feed a fascination about her. Artistic depictions fuelled it even more.
Eastern Tradition
The tradition in the East was that Magdalene went with the Blessed Virgin and John the Apostle to Ephesus, where she died and was buried. The English bishop Willibald is said to have seen her tomb when he visited there in the 8th century.
Relics
The town of Vézelay in Burgundy had from the 11th century claimed relics of Mary Magdalene, which, it was said, a monk Baudillon brought from St Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in Provence. The legend was that she, her brother Lazarus and her sister Martha had all evangelised Provence. The Cluniac Benedictines of Vézelay and the Dominicans of Saint-Maximin for the next few centuries competitively reported miracles in support of their respective claims.
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Memorable Saying for Today
A strong woman knows that she has the potential to shine in this world.
Her true strength (as a saint) lies in her ability to lay down her life so that God can shine through her.
~ Darlene Schacht ~
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Sliocht as Leabhar Laoi na Laoithe 3:1-4
Deir an Bhrídeog;
Ar mo leaba dom i gcoim oíche a loirg mé grá m’anma,a loirg mé agus ní bhfuair.
Éireoidh mé, cuardóidh mé, tríd an mbaile, trí na sráideanna, lorgfaidh mé grá mo chroí. – Má loirg, ní bhfuair.
Theagmhaigh liom na gardaí ar a gcuairteanna tríd an mbaile:
“An bhfaca sibh grá mo chroí?” Ní fada a ghabh mé tharstu gur theagmhaigh grá mo chroí liom.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Psalm le Freagra Sm 62: 1-6, R/v 1.
Freagra A Dhia, mo Dhia thú, tá íota tharta ar m’anam chugat.
A Dhia, mo Dhia thú, is tú a iarraim, tá íota tharta ar m’anam chugat.
Ní théann lagadh ar mo cholainn ach ag tnúth leat amhail talamh túr tirim gan uisce. Freagra
Is mar sin a bhínn ag amharc ort san ionad naofa d’fhonn go bhfeicfinn do ghlóir is do chumhacht.
De bhrí gur fearr ná an bheatha féin do bhuanghrá, canfaidh mo bheola do mholadh. Freagra
Ar an ábhar sin beannóidh mé le mo bheo thú agus ardóidh mé mo lámha i d’ainmse.
Líonfar m’anam mar a líonfaí le fleá é, agus molfaidh mo bhéal le ríméad thú. Freagra
Óir ráinig tú i do chúntóir agam, agus gairdím faoi scáth do sciathán.
Tá m’anam ag cloí go dlúth leat, agus coinníonn do dheaslámh suas mé. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 20:1-2. 11-18 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Cén fáth a bhfuil tú ag gol, a bhean?”
An chéad lá den tseachtain tháinig Máire Mhaigdiléana go moch, agus an dorchadas fós ann, chun an tuama agus chonaic sí an líog aistrithe ón tuama. Rith sí ansin agus tháinig sí go dtí Síomón Peadar agus go dtí an deisceabal úd eile ab ionúin le Íosa. “Thog siad an Tiarna as an tuama,” ar sí leo, “agus níl a fhios againn cár chuir siad é.”Bhí Máire ina seasamh lasmuigh in aice an tuama agus í ag gol. Sa ghol di chrom sí síos agus d’fhéach isteach sa tuama, agus chonaic an dá aingeal in éidí geala ina suí mar ar luigh corp Íosa, aingeal acu ag an gceann agus an t-aingeal eile ag na cosa. Cén fáth a bhfuil tú ag gol, a bhean,” ar siad léi.
“Mar gur thóg siad mo Thiarna,” ar sí leo, “agus nach eol dom cár chuir siad é.”
Arna rá sin di, d’iompaigh sí thart agus chonaic sí Íosa ina sheasamh ansiúd ach nár aithin sí gurbh é Íosa é.
Dúirt Íosa léi: “A bhean, cén fáth a bhfuil tú ag gol? Cé atá uait?”
Mheas sí gurbh é an garraíodóir é agus dúirt leis:
“A dhuine uasail, más tusa a thóg é, inis dom cár chuir tú é agus tabharfaidh mé liom é.”
“A Mháire,” arsa Íosa léi.
D’iompaigh sise agus dúirt as Eabhrais: “Rabúnaí,” is é sin le rá: “A Mháistir!”
“Scaoil liom!” arsa Íosa léi, “óir ní dheachaigh mé suas chun an Athar fós; ach imigh chun mo bhráithre agus abair leo:
‘Táim ag dul suas chun m’Atharsa agus chun bhur nAtharsa, chun mo Dhé-se agus chun bhur nDé-se.’”
Tháinig Máire Mhaigdiléana leis an scéala do na deisceabail: “Chonaic mé an Tiarna,” agus go ndúirt sé na nithe sin léi.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
- Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
FIRST READING
A reading from the First Book of Kings 3:5. 7-12
You have asked for a discerning judgement for yourself, here and now I do what you ask.
At Gibeon the Lord appeared in a dream to Solomon during the night. God said,'Ask what you would like me to give you'.
Solomon replied,
Lord my God, you have made your servant king in succession to David my father. But I am a very young man, unskilled in leadership. Your servant finds himself in the midst of this people of yours that you have chosen, a people so many its number cannot be counted or reckoned.
Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil, for who could govern this people of yours that is so great?'
It pleased the Lord that Solomon should have asked for this.
'Since you have asked for this' the Lord said 'and not asked for long life for yourself or riches or the lives of your enemies, but have asked for a discerning judgement for yourself, here and now I do what you ask.
I give you a heart wise and shrewd as none before you has had and none will have after you.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 118: 57. 72. 76-77. 127-130 R/ v 97
Response Lord how I love your law!
1. My part, I have resolved, O Lord, is to obey your word.
The law from your mouth means more to me. than silver and gold. Response
2. Let your love be ready to console me by your promise to your servant.
Let your love come to me and I shall live for your law is my delight. Response
3. That is why I love your commands more than finest gold.
That is why I rule my life by your precepts: I hate false ways. Response
4. Your will is wonderful indeed; therefore I obey it.
The unfolding of your word gives light and teaches the simple. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to Romans 8:28-30
God intends us to become true images of his Son.
We know that by turning everything to their good God co-operates with all those who love him, with all those that he has called according to his purpose. They are the ones he chose specially long ago and intended to become true images of his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers. He called those he intended for this; those he called he justified, and with those he justified he shared his glory.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 15: 15
Alleluia, alleluia!
I call you friends, says the Lord,
because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father.
Alleluia!
Or Mt 11:25
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 13:44-52 Glory to you, O Lord
He sells everything he owns and buys it.
Jesus spoke to the crowds:
'The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.'Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.
'Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use. This is how it will be at the end of time: the angels will appear and separate the wicked from the just to throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
'Have you understood all this?'
They said, 'Yes'.
And he said to them, 'Well then, every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom things both new and old'.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Shorter form of the Gospel
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 13:44-52 Glory to you, O Lord
He sells everything he owns and buys it.
Jesus spoke to the crowds:
'The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.
'Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.
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/
The scripture readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers.
Sliocht as an Chéad Leabhar na Rithe 3:5. 7-12
An rud a d’iarr tú ach thú a bheith in ann breith thuisceanach a thabhairt.
I nGibeón nocht an Tiarna é féin i mbrionglóid oíche do Sholamh.Dúirt Dia: “Cibé rud is mian leat a fháil uaim, iarr orm é.”
Agus anois, a Thiarna, a Dhia liom, tá rí déanta agat díomsa, do shearbhónta, mar chomharba ar Dháiví, m’athair. Ach níl ionam ach ógfhear gan oiliúint mar threoraí. Tá do shearbhónta i measc an phobail seo atá tofa agat, pobal atá chomh hiomadúil sin nach féidir a líon a áireamh ná a mheas. Tabhair do do shearbhónta croí tuisceanach le do phobal a rialú, chun an mhaith a aithint thar an olc; óir cé a d’fhéadfadh a bheith i gceannas ar an bpobal seo agat atá chomh líonmhar sin?” Ábhar sásaimh ab ea é don Tiarna gur iarr Solamh a leithéid seo.
Dúirt an Tiarna leis:
“Dé bhrí gurb é seo an rud a d’iarr tú agus nach fad saoil duit féin a d’iarr tú, ná saibhreas, ná bás do naimhde, ach thú a bheith in ann breith thuisceanach a thabhairt, déanaim duit ar an toirt mar a d’iarr tú. Bronnaim ort croí ciallmhar tuisceanach, i dtreo nach raibh do leithéid riamh romhat agus nach mbeidh do leithéid i do dhiaidh."
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 118:: 57. 72. 76-77. 127-130 R/ v 97
Freagra : Á, nach aoibhinn liom do dhlí, a Thiarna.
1. Dúirt mé, a Thiarna: 'Gurbh í mo chuid do bhriathra a choimeád.'
Is fearr liom go mór fada dlí do bhéilsé ná ór agus airgead. Freagra
2. Bíodh do bhuanghrá láimh liom, do m'fhortacht de réir do ghealltanais do do ghiolla.
Bíodh trua agat dom agus mairfidh mé, óir is aoibhinn liom do dhlí. Freagra
3. Uime sin is ansa liom d'aitheanta ná an t-ór is glaine.
Is uimé a chloígh mé le do phroiceapta uile toisc gur fuath liom an tslí bhréagach. Freagra
4. Is iontach iad go dearfa d'fhorálacha: uime sin comhlíonann m'anam iad.
Túgann foilsiú do bhriathair solas dúinn agus teagasc do lucht aineolais. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 8:28-30
Cheap Dia sinn a bheith inár macasamhía dá Mhac
A bhráithre,tá a fhios againn chomh maith go gcomhoibríonn Dia san uile ní leo siúd a bhfuil grá acu dó agus a bhfuil glaoite aige orthu de réir a chomhairle. Mar na daoine a thogh sé roimh ré, cheap sé ó thús iad le bheith ina macasamhla dá Mhac féin sa tslí go mbeadh seisean ina chéadghin ar mhórán bráithre. Agus na daoine a bhí ceaptha ó thus aige is iad sin a ghlaoigh sé; agus na daoine a bhí glaoite aige is iad sin a d’fhíréanaigh sé, agus na daoine a bhí fíréanaithe aige, is iad sin a ghlóirigh sé.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 15: 15
Alleluia, alleluia!
Sibhse mo chairde, a deir an Tiarna, óir gach a gcuala ó m’Athair, chuir mé in iúl daoibh é.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 13:44-52
Dhíol a raibh aige gur cheannaigh sé é.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:
“Is cosúil ríocht na bhflaitheas le stór a bhí i bhfolach i ngort, agus an fear a d’aimsigh é d’fholaigh, gur imigh le barr áthais ag díol a raibh aige gur cheannaigh an gort sin.
“Nó fós, is cosúil ríocht na bhflaitheas le ceannaí a bhí ag lorg péarlaí breátha. Tharla aon phéarla amháin leis a bhí róluachmhar, agus d’imigh agus dhíol a raibh aige gur cheannaigh sé é.
“Nó fós, is cosúil ríocht na bhflaitheas le heangach a cuireadh san fharraige agus a ghabh gach uile shórt. Ar bheith lán di, tharraing siad aníos ar an gcladach í, shuigh siad síos ansin ag cnuasach gach tairbhe i soithí agus ag caitheamh na dramhaíola uathu. Sin mar a bheidh i ndeireadh an tsaoil: rachaidh na haingil amach agus scarfaidh siad na drochdhaoine ó na fíréin agus teilgfidh siad san fhoirnéis tine iad. Is ann a bheidh gol agus díoscán fiacla.
“Ar thuig sibh na nithe sin uile?”
“Thuigeamar,” ar siad leis.
Dúirt sé leo:
“Sin an fáth, gach scríobhaí a bhíonn ina dheisceabal de ríocht na bhflaitheas, gur cosúil é le fear tí a thógann amach as a stór nithe nua agus sean.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
________________
Soiscéal gearr
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 13:44-52
Dhíol a raibh aige gur cheannaigh sé é.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:“Is cosúil ríocht na bhflaitheas le stór a bhí i bhfolach i ngort, agus an fear a d’aimsigh é d’fholaigh, gur imigh le barr áthais ag díol a raibh aige gur cheannaigh an gort sin.
“Nó fós, is cosúil ríocht na bhflaitheas le ceannaí a bhí ag lorg péarlaí breátha. Tharla aon phéarla amháin leis a bhí róluachmhar, agus d’imigh agus dhíol a raibh aige gur cheannaigh sé é.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
