Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Dec 13 - St Lucy (283-304) consecrated to Christ alone, martyr
Summary : St Lucy, martyr, Lucy died at Syracuse in Sicily, probably in the persecution of the emperor Diocletian in 304. Widely venerated from the earliest times, her memorial has long been kept on this day. Probably because her name is suggestive of light, her intercession has been sought for eyesight problems. Named in Eucharistic Prayer I (The Roman Canon) and remembered as a youth, radiant with Christian faith and courage.
Overview
Fr John Murray PP writes:
"Our modern age may look at the short life of Lucy and the path she chose as somewhat bizarre. The idea of the sacrifices she embraced - and especially the sacrifice of chastity - seem alien."
Some years ago I was teaching church history as part of a course for A-level studies. The period we covered was the early Church and part of that interesting era was the story of the persecutions. The 'three S's' was one way of helping the students remember that particular series of events: 'Short, sharp and sporadic,' I would tell them.
Throughout those first three hundred years of the history of the Church, persecution was in isolated pockets throughout the Mediterranean area (sporadic); it could often be bloody with much loss of life (severe); but most persecutions never seemed to last too long (short). That was until the 'Great Persecution' during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. And this happened during the years 303-312.
It was during this persecution that the St Lucy we remember this month gave her life for the Lord. How many countless little girls in Christian history have borne the beautiful name of Lucy! The story of the saint is a story of historical facts mixed with lots of legends.
St Lucy Herself
What we know about her is that she was of Greek lineage living in the large island of Sicily in the fourth century. Christians were still very much in the minority at that time and so when marriage was mentioned - and the girl was still in her early teens - it was thought natural that she would marry one of the local pagan noblemen. Lucy even then had other thoughts but kept them to herself. However when her mother Eutychia was healed through the intercession of St Agatha, a martyr of the previous Decian persecution (249-251) she expressed gratitude to God for this healing by allowing her daughter to devote herself to the service of the poor.
Lucy had by this time made known her intentions to her mother, and these did not include marriage. Already within the early Church there was growing up a desire among young men and women to give their lives to Christ in virginity.
Stories of Martyrdom
The third century had been relatively quiet in terms of persecution and so, when martyrdom was not an option - Christians grew up with the stories of the great martyrs and heroes and heroines of an earlier Church - the desire to consecrate one's life in chastity became a real desire for many. Such was the choice of Lucy. One of her more prominent suitors was very unhappy about this and when he was unable to marry her, he denounced her to Paschasius, the governor of Sicily, as a Christian.
Lucy remained Spiritually Free
Lucy was defiant: 'No one's body is polluted so as to endanger the soul if it has not pleased the mind. If now, against my will, you cause me to be polluted, a twofold purity will be gloriously imputed to me. You cannot bend my will to your purpose.'
When the soldiers came to remove her they found she was so full of the Holy Spirit that they could not move her, even when they tied her to a team of oxen. Then they proceeded to stab her in the throat and finally when that failed, they gouged out her eyes.
Lucy's Eyes
In paintings and statues, Lucy is often seen holding her eyes on a golden plate. In one translation of Dante's Purgatorio, it is noted that Lucy was admired by
an undesirable suitor for her beautiful eyes. In order to stay chaste she chose to pluck out her eyes, and in another legend, sent them to the gentleman in question. Legend also has it that God rewarded her sacrifice by restoring her eyes. One cannot but think here of the words of Jesus: 'If your eye should cause you to sin pluck it out; it is better to enter into heaven with one eye than to go to Hell with two' (Mt. 5:29).
Our modern age may look at the short life of Lucy and the path she chose as somewhat bizarre. The age in which we live so encourages us in the words of a pop anthem made famous by Queen: 'I want it all and I want it now.' The idea of sacrifice - and especially the sacrifice of chastity - seems alien. And yet one dares to hope that the Holy Spirit continues to inspire young men and women to make sacrifices for the sake of others - and above all, for the sake of Christ. To fall in love with Jesus, to be excited and enthralled by Him - it is still possible.
Lucy's Story
The story of Lucy and her witness in martyrdom touched a new generation of Christians in the fourth century - just as the story of Agatha had inspired Lucy - and soon veneration to her sprang up in the Church. Her name is one of seven female saints who came to be venerated in the first Eucharistic prayer which became known as the 'Roman Canon'. Her feastday is the 13 December in the Roman calendar.
Overview
Fr John Murray PP writes:
"Our modern age may look at the short life of Lucy and the path she chose as somewhat bizarre. The idea of the sacrifices she embraced - and especially the sacrifice of chastity - seem alien."
Some years ago I was teaching church history as part of a course for A-level studies. The period we covered was the early Church and part of that interesting era was the story of the persecutions. The 'three S's' was one way of helping the students remember that particular series of events: 'Short, sharp and sporadic,' I would tell them.
Throughout those first three hundred years of the history of the Church, persecution was in isolated pockets throughout the Mediterranean area (sporadic); it could often be bloody with much loss of life (severe); but most persecutions never seemed to last too long (short). That was until the 'Great Persecution' during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. And this happened during the years 303-312.
It was during this persecution that the St Lucy we remember this month gave her life for the Lord. How many countless little girls in Christian history have borne the beautiful name of Lucy! The story of the saint is a story of historical facts mixed with lots of legends.
St Lucy Herself
What we know about her is that she was of Greek lineage living in the large island of Sicily in the fourth century. Christians were still very much in the minority at that time and so when marriage was mentioned - and the girl was still in her early teens - it was thought natural that she would marry one of the local pagan noblemen. Lucy even then had other thoughts but kept them to herself. However when her mother Eutychia was healed through the intercession of St Agatha, a martyr of the previous Decian persecution (249-251) she expressed gratitude to God for this healing by allowing her daughter to devote herself to the service of the poor.Lucy had by this time made known her intentions to her mother, and these did not include marriage. Already within the early Church there was growing up a desire among young men and women to give their lives to Christ in virginity.
Stories of Martyrdom
The third century had been relatively quiet in terms of persecution and so, when martyrdom was not an option - Christians grew up with the stories of the great martyrs and heroes and heroines of an earlier Church - the desire to consecrate one's life in chastity became a real desire for many. Such was the choice of Lucy. One of her more prominent suitors was very unhappy about this and when he was unable to marry her, he denounced her to Paschasius, the governor of Sicily, as a Christian.
Lucy remained Spiritually Free
Lucy was defiant: 'No one's body is polluted so as to endanger the soul if it has not pleased the mind. If now, against my will, you cause me to be polluted, a twofold purity will be gloriously imputed to me. You cannot bend my will to your purpose.'When the soldiers came to remove her they found she was so full of the Holy Spirit that they could not move her, even when they tied her to a team of oxen. Then they proceeded to stab her in the throat and finally when that failed, they gouged out her eyes.
Lucy's Eyes
In paintings and statues, Lucy is often seen holding her eyes on a golden plate. In one translation of Dante's Purgatorio, it is noted that Lucy was admired by
an undesirable suitor for her beautiful eyes. In order to stay chaste she chose to pluck out her eyes, and in another legend, sent them to the gentleman in question. Legend also has it that God rewarded her sacrifice by restoring her eyes. One cannot but think here of the words of Jesus: 'If your eye should cause you to sin pluck it out; it is better to enter into heaven with one eye than to go to Hell with two' (Mt. 5:29).Our modern age may look at the short life of Lucy and the path she chose as somewhat bizarre. The age in which we live so encourages us in the words of a pop anthem made famous by Queen: 'I want it all and I want it now.' The idea of sacrifice - and especially the sacrifice of chastity - seems alien. And yet one dares to hope that the Holy Spirit continues to inspire young men and women to make sacrifices for the sake of others - and above all, for the sake of Christ. To fall in love with Jesus, to be excited and enthralled by Him - it is still possible.
Lucy's Story
The story of Lucy and her witness in martyrdom touched a new generation of Christians in the fourth century - just as the story of Agatha had inspired Lucy - and soon veneration to her sprang up in the Church. Her name is one of seven female saints who came to be venerated in the first Eucharistic prayer which became known as the 'Roman Canon'. Her feastday is the 13 December in the Roman calendar.
The incorrupt relics of St. Lucy, in the church of San Geremia, Venice
Prayer to St Lucy
St. Lucy, intercede for all those suffering from blindness or loss of sight. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill our minds and our imaginations with a zeal for heaven, that we may not compromise ourselves for the sake of security here on earth and that we may lose our lives in order to find them. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
___________________________________
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Memorable Sayings for Today
Nothing is more beautiful in the eyes of God
than a soul that loves to hear his Word.
~ Martin Luther ~
Always pray to have eyes that see the best,
a heart that forgives the worst,
a mind that forgets the bad
and a soul that never looses faith.
Unknown author
******************************
Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 13th December, 2025
Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
Old & New Testament prophets, Elijah and John the Baptist, both bear witness to Jesus as the Christ.
Saint of the Day: December 13; St Lucy, consecrated to Christ, martyred in 304 in Sicily during the Diocletian persecution
c/f short history of today’s saint can be found below today’s Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus (Ben Sirach) 48:1-4. 9-11
Elijah will come again.
The prophet Elijah arose like a fire,
his word flaring like a torch.It was he who brought famine on them, and who decimated them in his zeal.
By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens, he also, three times, brought down fire.
How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah!
Has anyone reason to boast as you have? - taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses; designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God's wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob, Happy shall they be who see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 79:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 Rv v4
Response God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
1. O shepherd of Israel, hear us, shine forth from your cherubim throne.
Lord, rouse up your might, O Lord, come to our help. Response
2. God of hosts, turn again, we implore, look down from heaven and see.
Visit this vine and protect it, the vine your right hand has planted. Response
3. May your hand be on the man you have chosen, the man you have given your strength.
And we shall never forsake you again: give us life that we may call upon your name. Response
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
The day of the Lord is near. Look he comes to save us.
Alleluia
Or Lk 3:4.6
Alleluia, alleluia!
Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.
And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 17:10-13 Glory to you , O lord
Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him.
As they came down the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus,
'Why do the scribes say then that Elijah has to come first?'
'True;' he replied 'Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be;
however, I tell you that Elijah has come already
and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased;
and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.'
The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
*****************************
Gospel Reflection Saturday Second Week of Advent Matthew 17:10-13
At the time of Jesus there was an ancient Jewish tradition that just before the coming of the Messiah God would send the prophet Elijah back to earth to prepare people for the Messiah’s coming. ‘I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of parents towards their children and of children towards their parents…’ (Malachi 4:5-6). That tradition is behind the question of the disciples to Jesus in today’s gospel reading, ‘Why do the scribes say then that Elijah must come first?’
Jesus identifies John the Baptist as the promised Elijah, and, by implication, he is identifying himself as the Messiah.
Yet, as Jesus goes on to say, ‘they treated him (John the Baptist) as they pleased’. John had been beheaded by Herod Antipas. Jesus then announces that he will suffer the same hostile fate as John the Baptist, ‘the Son of Man will suffer similarly’. Jesus announces that his contemporaries have already rejected God’s messenger sent to announce the coming of the Lord and they are soon to reject the Lord himself. We can all fail to recognize God’s messengers. We can even fail to recognize the Lord himself when he comes to us.
Advent is a time when we pray the prayer, ‘Come, Lord Jesus’. We might also need to pray the prayer, ‘Lord, help me to recognize you when you come’.
The Lord can come to us in ways that we had not expected. He can come to us even in and through those circumstances of our lives that seem to suggest the Lord is absent. He can come to us through people whom we might not associate with the Lord. The Lord is always coming in a whole variety of guises. He is often most powerfully present at those moments when we sense his absence. We pray this Advent for eyes to recognize his various comings to us.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/ The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from Fr Martin Hogan's book Reflections on the Weekday Readings : The Word is Near to You, on your lips and in your heart published by Messenger Publications c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Saint of the Day: 13th Dec. St Lucy, martyr
Lucy died at Syracuse in Sicily, probably in the persecution of the emperor Diocletian in 304. Widely venerated from the earliest times, her memorial has long been kept on this day. Probably because her name is suggestive of light, her intercession has been sought for eyesight problems. Named in Eucharistic Prayer I (The Roman Canon) and remembered as a youth, radiant with Christian faith and courage.
Fr John Murray PP writes:
"Our modern age may look at the short life of Lucy and the path she chose as somewhat bizarre. The idea of the sacrifices she embraced - and especially the sacrifice of chastity - seem alien." Some years ago I was teaching church history as part of a course for A-level studies. The period we covered was the early Church and part of that interesting era was the story of the persecutions. The 'four S's' was one way of helping the students remember that particular series of events: 'Short, Sharp, Severe and Sporadic,' I would tell them.
Throughout those first three hundred years of the history of the Church, persecution was in isolated pockets throughout the Mediterranean area (sporadic); it could often be bloody with much loss of life (severe); but most persecutions never seemed to last too long (short). That was until the 'Great Persecution' during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. And this happened during the years 303-312.
It was during this persecution that the St Lucy we remember this month gave her life for the Lord. How many countless little girls in Christian history have borne the beautiful name of Lucy! The story of the saint is a story of historical facts mixed with lots of legends.
St Lucy Herself
What we know about her is that she was of Greek lineage living in the large island of Sicily in the fourth century. Christians were still very much in the minority at that time and so when marriage was mentioned - and the girl was still in her early teens - it was thought natural that she would marry one of the local pagan noblemen. Lucy even then had other thoughts but kept them to herself. However when her mother Eutychia was healed through the intercession of St Agatha, a martyr of the previous Decian persecution (249-251) she expressed gratitude to God for this healing by allowing her daughter to devote herself to the service of the poor.Lucy had by this time made known her intentions to her mother, and these did not include marriage. Already within the early Church there was growing up a desire among young men and women to give their lives to Christ in virginity.
Stories of Martyrdom
The third century had been relatively quiet in terms of persecution and so, when martyrdom was not an option - Christians grew up with the stories of the great martyrs and heroes and heroines of an earlier Church - the desire to consecrate one's life in chastity became a real desire for many. Such was the choice of Lucy. One of her more prominent suitors was very unhappy about this and when he was unable to marry her, he denounced her to Paschasius, the governor of Sicily, as a Christian.
Lucy remained Spiritually Free
Lucy was defiant: 'No one's body is polluted so as to endanger the soul if it has not pleased the mind. If now, against my will, you cause me to be polluted, a twofold purity will be gloriously imputed to me. You cannot bend my will to your purpose.'
When the soldiers came to remove her they found she was so full of the Holy Spirit that they could not move her, even when they tied her to a team of oxen. Then they proceeded to stab her in the throat and finally when that failed, they gouged out her eyes.
Lucy's Eyes
In paintings and statues, Lucy is often seen holding her eyes on a plate. In one translation of Dante's Purgatorio, it is noted that Lucy was admired by
an undesirable suitor for her beautiful eyes. In order to stay chaste she chose to pluck out her eyes. In another legend, sent them to the gentleman in question. Legend also has it that God rewarded her sacrifice by restoring her eyes. One cannot but think here of the words of Jesus: 'If your eye should cause you to sin pluck it out; it is better to enter into heaven with one eye than to go to Hell with two' (Mt. 5:29).Our modern age may look at the short life of Lucy and the path she chose as somewhat bizarre. The age in which we live so encourages us in the words of a pop anthem made famous by Queen: 'I want it all and I want it now.' The idea of sacrifice - and especially the sacrifice of chastity - seems alien. And yet one dares to hope that the Holy Spirit continues to inspire young men and women to make sacrifices for the sake of others - and above all, for the sake of Christ. To fall in love with Jesus, to be excited and enthralled by Him - it is still possible.
Lucy's Story
The story of Lucy and her witness in martyrdom touched a new generation of Christians in the fourth century - just as the story of Agatha had inspired Lucy - and soon veneration to her sprang up in the Church. Her name is one of seven female saints who came to be venerated in the first Eucharistic prayer which became known as the 'Roman Canon'.
The incorrupt relics of St. Lucy, in the church of San Geremia, Venice
Prayer to St Lucy
St. Lucy, intercede for all those suffering from blindness or loss of sight.
Ask the Holy Spirit to fill our minds and our imaginations with a zeal for heaven,
that we may not compromise ourselves for the sake of security here on earth
and that we may lose our lives in order to find them.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
******************************
Memorable Sayings for Today
Nothing is more beautiful in the eyes of God than a soul that loves to hear his Word.
~ Martin Luther ~
Always pray
to have eyes that see the best, a heart that forgives the worst,
a mind that forgets the bad and a soul that never looses faith.
Unknown author
******************************
Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 13th December, 2025
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as leabhar Sírach 48:1-4. 9-11
Tiocfaidh Éilias arís.
Ansin tháinig an fáidh Éilias ar nós tine, agus a bhriathar ag bladhmadh amach mar lóchrann.
Thug seisean gorta orthuagus le teann díograise laghdaigh sé a líon.
Le briathar an Tiarna dhún sé suas na spéartha, agus tharraing sé tine anuas orthu faoi thrí chomh maith.
Nach glórmhar a bhí tú, a Éilias, de bharr na nithe iontacha a rinne tú!An bhfuil ábhar maíte ag aon duine eile mar atá agatsa?
Tógadh suas ar neamh thú le tine ghuairneáin, i gcarbad a bhí á tharraingt ag capaill tintrí. Ainmníodh thú sna bagarthaí brátha le teacht chun fearg an Tiarna a mhaolú roimh an rabharta,
chun croíthe na n-aithreacha a iompú i leith a gclainne,agus chun treibheanna Iacóib a athbhunú.
Is méanar dóibh siúd a fheicfidh thú,
agus iad siúd a chuaigh chun suain sa ghrá, óir mairfimidne beo chomh maith.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 79:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 Rv v4
Freagra Cuir ar ais sinn, a Dhia.
Taispeáin dúinn d'aghaidh ghrianmhar agus slánaigh sinn, a Thiarna.
1. Éist linn, a aoire Isráél. Tusa atá i do shuí ar na Ceiribíní, soilsigh amach.
Corraigh do chumhacht, a Thiarna, agus tar chugainn dár sábháil. Freagra
2. Cas ar ais, a Dhia na Slua. Breathnaigh anuas ó neamh agus féach.
Tabhair cuairt ar an bhfíniúin a chuir tú féin. Caomhnaigh an stoc a phlandaigh do dheaslámh féin. Freagra
3. Go raibh do lámh ar an bhfear a roghnaigh tú, ar mhac an duine a neartaigh tú duit féin.
Ní thréigfimid thú go brách ansin: tabhair dúinn an bheatha agus mórfaimid d'ainm. Freagra
Alleluia Lc 3:4, 6
Alleluia, alleluia!
Ullmhaigí bóthar an Tiarna, déanaigi díreach a chosáin.
Agus feicfidh an uile cholainn shánú Dé.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha 17:10-13 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tá Éilias tagtha cheana agus níor aithin siad é
Ar an slí anuas dóibh, chuir a dheisceabail ceist air:
“Cad é seo a deir na scríobhaithe, más ea, go gcaithfidh Éilias teacht ar dtús?”Ba é freagra a thug Íosa:
“Sea, tá Éilias le teacht agus an uile ní a chur ina cheart arís.
Ach deirim libh: tá Éilias tagtha cheana agus níor aithin siad é, ach a dtoil féin a imirt air.
Agus ní taise do Mhac an Duine é, a mbeidh le fulaingt aige sin uathu freisin.”
Thuig na deisceabail ansin go raibh sé ag caint faoi Eoin Baiste.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 14th December, 2025
- 14 December 2025 -
Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday! - Rejoicing Sunday!
This week the joy of the kingdom is anticipated. The signs of the kingdom are given to the messengers of John the Baptist, and they are very familiar with the prophecies of Isaiah. 'Patient waiting' There should be no complaining, no giving up or losing heart. Joy, prayer and thanksgiving should characterise us as a 'waiting' Christian community.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 35:1-6. 10
God himself is coming to save you.
Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom,
let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy.
The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon;
they shall see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of our God.
Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling knees
and say to all faint hearts,
'Courage! Do not be afraid.
'Look, your God is coming, vengeance is coming,
the retribution of God; he is coming to save you.'
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, then the lame shall leap like a deer and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy; for those the Lord has ransomed shall return.
They will come to Zion shouting for joy, everlasting joy on their faces; joy and gladness will go with them and sorrow and lament be ended.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 145: 6-7, 8-9,10 R/v Is35:4
Response Come, Lord, and save us
or Alleluia!
1. It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever, who is just to those who are oppressed.
It is he who gives bread to the hungry, the Lord, who sets prisoners free. Response
2. It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind, who raises up those who are bowed down,
the Lord, who protects the stranger and upholds the widow and orphan. Response
3. It is the Lord who loves the just but thwarts the path of the wicked.
The Lord will reign for ever, Zion's God, from age to age. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St James 5:7-10
Do not lose heart: the Lord’s coming will be soon.
Now be patient, brothers, until the Lord's coming. Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains!You too have to be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord's coming will be soon. Do not make complaints against one another, brothers, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves; the Judge is already to be seen waiting at the gates. For your example, brothers, in submitting with patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation Is 61:1
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 11:2-11 Glory to you, O Lord
Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?
John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him,'Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?'
Jesus answered,
'Go back and tell John what you hear and see;
the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear,
and the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed and
happy is the man who does not lose faith in me'.
As the messengers were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John:
'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze?
No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes?
Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces.
Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
'Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way before you.'
'I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.’
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. http //dltbooks.com/
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 14th December, 2025
-14 - 12- 2025-
AN TRÍÚ DOMNACH DEN AIDBHINT
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as Leabhar Íseáia, Fáidh 35:1-6. 10
Is é Dia féin atá ag teacht do bhur slánú.
Déanadh an díthreabh agus tír an triomaigh lúcháir, bíodh gairdeas ar an ngaineamhlach agus é faoi bhláth;
tagadh bláthanna air chomh tiubh leis an gcróch, déanadh sé gairdeas le gártha agus le ceol.
Maise na Liobáine tugtar dó, scéimh Chairmell agus Sheárón lena chois sin;
beidh maise an Tiarna le feiceáil acu seo agus scéimh an Dé seo againne.
Déanaigí láidir na lámha atá faonlag agus cuirigí téagar sna glúine atá ag lúbadh;
abraigí le lucht an chroí mhearaithe:
“Músclaígí bhur misneach; ná bíodh eagla oraibh.
Breathnaígí! Is é bhur nDia atá ann, tá sé chugaibh leis an díoltas atá ag dul daoibh;
Dia atá ann ag agairt a chúitimh, agus é ag teacht do bhur slánú.”
Déanfar a súile do na daill an uair sin agus réiteofar cluasa na mbodhar; beidh an bacach ag léimneach mar a bheadh fia ann agus teanga an bhalbháin ag gabháil ceoil le lúcháir,
agus an dream atá saortha ag an Tiarna, leanfaidh siad abhaile é.
Tiocfaidh siad go Síón, ag liúireach le gairdeas, agus aoibhneas síoraí ina choróin ar a gceann;
tiocfaidh áthas agus aoibhneas ag triall ina gcuideachta, agus beidh casaoid agus crá bailithe leo ar shiúl.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 145: 6-7, 8-9,10 R/v Is35:4
Freagra Tar, a Thiarna, dár slanú.
Malairt Freagra Alleluia!
I. An té a sheasann lena bhriathar de shíor, agus a dhéanann ceart don drong atá faoi chois,
is é a thugann bia don ocrach: is é an Tiarna a scaoileann na braighdeanaigh. Freagra
2. Osclaíonn sé súile na ndall, tógann sé suas an dream atá crom.
Cumhdaíonn an Tiarna an coimhthfoch, déanann tacaíocht don dílleachta is don bhaintreach. Freagra
3. Tugann an Tiarna grá don fhíréan, ach cuireann sé slí na bpeacach trí chéile.
Beidh an Tiarna i réim go brách, ina Dhia, a Síón, ó ghlúin go glúin. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Séamus 5:7-10
Ná biodh drochmhisneach oraibh; is gearr go dtaga an Tiarna.
Bíodh foighne agaibh dá bhrí sin a bhráithre go dtí teacht an Tiarna. Féach an feirmeoir agus é ag feitheamh le fómhar luachmhar na hithreach, agus foighne aige leis nó go bhfaighe sé an fhearthainn luath agus dhéanach. Bíodh foighne agaibhse chomh maith. Bíodh misneach agaibh in bhur gcroí mar tá teacht an Tiarna lámh linn. Ná déanaigí casaoid ar a chéile ionas nach dtabharfar breith oraibh; féach, tá an breitheamh cheana féin i mbéal an dorais. A bhráithre, bíodh na fáithe a labhair in ainm an Tiarna mar shampla agaibh den fhulaingt agus den fhoighne.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Vérsa Is 61:1
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Tá Spiorad an Tiarna orm. Chuir sé uaidh mé ag tabhairt an dea-scéil do na bocht.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 11:2-11 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
An tú an té atá le teacht no an ceart damn bheith ag súil le duine eile?
San am sin chuala Eoin, agus é i bpríosún, iomrá faoi oibreacha Chríost, agus chuir sé scéala chuige trína dheisceabail féin, á rá leis: “An tú an té atá le teacht nó an ceart dúinn bheith ag súil le duine eile?”
Dúirt Íosa leo á bhfreagairt:
“Imígí agus insígí d’Eoin a bhfuil á chloisteáil agus a fheiceáil agaibh:
tá radharc ag daill, tá siúl ag bacaigh, glantar lobhair agus tá éisteacht ag bodhráin,
éiríonn na mairbh agus fógraítear an dea-scéal do bhoicht.
Is méanar don té nach ceap tuisle dó mise.”
Le linn dóibh seo bheith ag imeacht, thosaigh Íosa ag caint leis na sluaite faoi Eoin:
“Cad a chuaigh sibh amach faoin bhfásach a fheiceáil? Giolcach á suaitheadh ag an ngaoth?
Ach cad a chuaigh sibh amach a fheiceáil? Duine a bhí cóirithe go mín?
Iad seo a mbíonn éadaí míne orthu, is i dtithe na ríthe atá siad.
Ach cad a thug amach sibh? Chun fáidh a fheiceáil?
Sea, deirim libh, agus duine ba mhó ná fáidh. Is é seo an té a bhfuil scríofa mar gheall air:
‘Féach, cuirim mo theachtaire romhat a réiteoidh do bhóthar faoi do chomhair.’
“Deirim libh go fírinneach, níor éirigh ar shliocht na mban duine ba mhó ná Eoin Baiste;
ach an té is lú i ríocht na bhflaitheas, is mó é ná eisean.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
