Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Apr 19 - Pope St Leo IX (1002-54)
Summary: St Leo IX (born Bruno of Toul), deacon, pope. He strengthened the papacy by bringing forward a reform agenda against simony, clerical marriage and lay investiture that was continued later by Pope St Gregory VII (1073-85).
Patrick Duffy outlines his life.
From Toul in Alsace
Bruno was born in 1002 at Toul on the River Moselle in Alsace. He became a deacon of the local diocese and he was given command of troops provided by the bishop to put down a Lombard rebellion, which he accomplished with success. While he was away, the bishop died and Bruno was chosen as his successor. He ruled the diocese for twenty years encouraging reform, discouraging clerical marriage, simony and nepotism.
Chosen as Pope
That he was a distant relative of the emperor Henry III was a factor in the choice of Bruno by an assembly at Worms to succeed Pope Damasus II when he died in 1048. But Bruno insisted on going to Rome as a pilgrim and was acclaimed by the Roman clergy and people. His choice of the name Leo was probably meant to evoke the memory of Pope St Leo the Great (440-461).
Travels and Reform
Once acclaimed, Leo determined to take the papacy out beyond Rome through Italy, Germany and France. He held reforming synods at Pavia, Cologne, Aachen, Mainz and Reims working with and through the kings to do away with simony and clerical marriage. At Reims he made a purge of bishops who had gained their sees by simony. Those who confessed were restored; others were excommunicated or deposed. He also enforced orthodox doctrine condemning Berengarius of Tours (999-1088) for heretical teaching on the Eucharist.
Assistants and Advisors
Pope Leo gathered round him an international body of experts and activists that included St Peter Damian (See 21st February), Humbert of Moyenmoutier, later cardinal and his delegate to Constantinople, Abbot Hugh of Cluny (See 29th April) and the energetic Roman monk Hildebrand of Savona, later to become Pope St Gregory VII (1073-85) (See 25th May).
Struggle with the Normans
However, he was less successful in dealing with the Normans who had invaded southern Italy. In fact although he had an army of German and Italian volunteers, he was defeated and captured by the Normans in June 1053 at Civitella and detained in captivity at Benevento during the winter of 1053-4.
Dispute with Patriarch Michael Cerularius of Constantinople
Because on his intervention in the south of Italy where the Byzantine East had many churches, Leo IX came under attack from Michael Cerularius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who accused Rome of heresy, especially because of its use of unleavened bread for the Eucharist. Leo replied, citing the Donation of Constantine claiming that the Pope had both an earthly and a heavenly authority. The Patriarch rejected the claims of papal primacy, and subsequently the Catholic Church was split in two in the Great East-West Schism of 1054 that lasts till today.
Leo's Death and Influence
But Leo did not live to see the full outcome of that conflict. The campaign against the Normans took its toll on him. He returned to Rome a sick man and died piously on April 9, 1054. Many miraculous cures were attributed to him and he was acclaimed a saint. His military involvement was criticised by St Peter Damian, but he did set in train a programme to end simony, clerical marriage and lay investiture that was later brought forward by Pope St Gregory VII.
Patrick Duffy outlines his life.
From Toul in Alsace
Bruno was born in 1002 at Toul on the River Moselle in Alsace. He became a deacon of the local diocese and he was given command of troops provided by the bishop to put down a Lombard rebellion, which he accomplished with success. While he was away, the bishop died and Bruno was chosen as his successor. He ruled the diocese for twenty years encouraging reform, discouraging clerical marriage, simony and nepotism.Chosen as Pope
That he was a distant relative of the emperor Henry III was a factor in the choice of Bruno by an assembly at Worms to succeed Pope Damasus II when he died in 1048. But Bruno insisted on going to Rome as a pilgrim and was acclaimed by the Roman clergy and people. His choice of the name Leo was probably meant to evoke the memory of Pope St Leo the Great (440-461).
Travels and ReformOnce acclaimed, Leo determined to take the papacy out beyond Rome through Italy, Germany and France. He held reforming synods at Pavia, Cologne, Aachen, Mainz and Reims working with and through the kings to do away with simony and clerical marriage. At Reims he made a purge of bishops who had gained their sees by simony. Those who confessed were restored; others were excommunicated or deposed. He also enforced orthodox doctrine condemning Berengarius of Tours (999-1088) for heretical teaching on the Eucharist.
Assistants and Advisors
Pope Leo gathered round him an international body of experts and activists that included St Peter Damian (See 21st February), Humbert of Moyenmoutier, later cardinal and his delegate to Constantinople, Abbot Hugh of Cluny (See 29th April) and the energetic Roman monk Hildebrand of Savona, later to become Pope St Gregory VII (1073-85) (See 25th May).
Struggle with the Normans
However, he was less successful in dealing with the Normans who had invaded southern Italy. In fact although he had an army of German and Italian volunteers, he was defeated and captured by the Normans in June 1053 at Civitella and detained in captivity at Benevento during the winter of 1053-4.
Dispute with Patriarch Michael Cerularius of Constantinople
Because on his intervention in the south of Italy where the Byzantine East had many churches, Leo IX came under attack from Michael Cerularius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who accused Rome of heresy, especially because of its use of unleavened bread for the Eucharist. Leo replied, citing the Donation of Constantine claiming that the Pope had both an earthly and a heavenly authority. The Patriarch rejected the claims of papal primacy, and subsequently the Catholic Church was split in two in the Great East-West Schism of 1054 that lasts till today.
Leo's Death and Influence
But Leo did not live to see the full outcome of that conflict. The campaign against the Normans took its toll on him. He returned to Rome a sick man and died piously on April 9, 1054. Many miraculous cures were attributed to him and he was acclaimed a saint. His military involvement was criticised by St Peter Damian, but he did set in train a programme to end simony, clerical marriage and lay investiture that was later brought forward by Pope St Gregory VII.
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Memorable Sayings for Today
"We cannot understand Christ without his Church,
just as we cannot understand the Church
without her spouse, Christ Jesus, who gave his life out of love,
and who makes us see that it is worth the price.”
~ Pope Francis ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 19th April, 2026
Third Sunday of Easter, Year A
Jesus, after walking and sharing his reflections is fully recognised in his breaking and sharing the bread and wine of the Eucharist as a celebration of his Risen Lordship.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:14, 22-33
It was impossible for him to be held in its power of Hades.
On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed them in a loud voice:
'Men of Judaea, and all you who live in Jerusalem, make no mistake about this, but listen carefully to what I say. Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know. This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention and foreknowledge of God, you took and had crucified by men outside the Law. You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades; for it was impossible for him to be held in its power since, as David says of him:
"I saw the Lord before me always,
for with him at my right hand nothing can shake me.
So my heart was glad and my tongue cried out with joy;
my body, too, will rest in the hope that you will not abandon my soul to Hades
nor allow your holy one to experience corruption.
You have made known the way of life to me, you will fill me with gladness through your presence."
'Brothers, no one can deny that the patriarch David himself is dead and buried: his tomb is still with us. But since he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn him an oath to make one of his descendants succeed him on the throne, 'what he foresaw and spoke about was the resurrection of the Christ: he is the one who was not abandoned to Hades, and whose body did not experience corruption. God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to that. Now raised to the heights by God's right hand, he has received from the Father the Holy Spirit, who was promised, and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 15:1-211. 5. 7-11. R/v 11
Response Show us, Lord, the path of life.
or Alleluia!
1. Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord: 'You are my God.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.' Response
2. I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm. Response
3. And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay. Response
4. You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Peter 1:17-21
Your ransom was paid in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ.
If you are acknowledging as your Father one who has no favourites and judges everyone according to what he has done, you must be scrupulously careful as long as you are living away from your home. Remember, the ransom that was paid to free you from the useless way of life your ancestors handed down was not paid in anything corruptible, neither in silver nor gold, but in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ; who, though known since before the world was made, has been revealed only in our time, the end of the ages, for your sake.
Through him you now have faith in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory for that very reason - so that you would have faith and hope in God.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Lk 24:32
Alleluia, alleluia!
Lord Jesus, explain the scriptures to us.
Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 24:13-35 Glory to you O Lord
They recognised him at the breaking of bread.
Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. He said to them, 'What matters are you discussing as you walk along?' They stopped short, their faces downcast.
Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him,
'You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days'.
'What things?' he asked.
'All about Jesus of Nazareth' they answered 'who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.'
Then he said to them, 'You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?'
Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.
When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. 'It is nearly evening' they said 'and the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them.
Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight.Then they said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?'
They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem.
There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, 'Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.'
Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.
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, 19th April, 2026
An Tríú Domhnach den Cháisc, Blian A
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 2:14, 22-33
Níorbh fhéidir go gcoinneodh an bás faoina smacht é.
Lá Cincise d’éirigh Peadar ina sheasamh i gcuideachta an Aon Duine Dhéag agus labhair leo de ghuth ard:
“A fheara Iosrael, éistigí leis na briathra seo: Fear ab ea Íosa Nazórach ar thug Dia féin teastas daoibh air leis na míorúiltí agus na héachtaí agus na fearta a rinne Dia tríd fad a bhí sé in bhur measc, mar is eol daoibh féin. Nuair a tugadh suas daoibh é de réir chomhairle cinnte agus réamheolas Dé, chuir sibh chun báis é, á thairneáil ar an gcrois trí lámha mallaitheoirí. Ach thóg Dia ó na mairbh é agus d’fhuascail ó arraingeacha an bháis é, mar níorbh fhéidir go gcoinneodh an bás faoina smacht é. Mar is é a deir Dáiví faoi:
“Choinnigh mé mo shúile ar an Tiarna de shíor.Tá sé ar mo dheasláimh, i dtreo nach suaithfear mé.
Tá gliondar ar mo chroí dá chionn agus tá meidhir ar mo theanga.
Tá mo cholainn féin faoi shuaimhneas le dóchas,
mar ní fhágfaidh tú mé i riocht na marbh
ná ní ligfidh tú do do neach naofa an meathlú a fhulaingt.
Thaispeáin tú dom bóthar na beatha agus líonfaidh tú mé le háthas i do láthair.
“Ní miste a rá libh go neamhbhalbh, a bhráithre, go bhfuair ár n-ardathair Dáiví bás, gur adhlacadh é agus go bhfuil a thuama anseo againn go dtí an lá inniu.Ach ó tharla gurbh fháidh é agus a fhios aige gur mhionnaigh Dia dó go gcuirfeadh sé duine dá shliocht ar a ríchathaoir,is ag cur síos a bhí sé, as a réamheolas, ar aiséirí Chríost mar ‘níor fágadh I riocht na marbh é agus níor fhulaing a cholainn an meathlú’. Thóg Dia an Íosa seo ó mhairbh, rud a bhfuilimidne go léir inár bhfinnéithe air. Agus tar éis a ardaithe ar dheis Dé, fuair sé óna Athair an Spiorad a bhí geallta agus dhoirt amach orainne é agus is é sin atá á fheiceáil agus á chloisteáil agaibhse.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 15:1-211. 5. 7-11. R/v 11
Freagra Taispeáin dúinn slí na beatha, a Thiarna.
Malairt freagra Alleluia
1. Caomhnaigh mé, a Thiarna, is ortsa a thriallaim. Deirim leis an Tiarna: 'Is tú mo Dhia.
Is é an Tiarna is rogha liom: mo chuid de réir oidhreachta, agus cuid mo chailíse; is ort atá mo sheasamh!' Freagra
2. Beannaím an Tiarna as ucht comhairle a thabhairt dom,agus teagasc a thabhairt do mo chroí san oíche.
Coimeádaim an Tiarna de shíor os mo choinne:agus é ar mo dheasláimh ní chorrófar me choíche. Freagra
3. Tá gairdeas ar mo chroí agus áthas ar m'anam, agus mairfidh mo cholainn faoi shuaimhneas freisin.
Óir ní fhágfaidh tú m'anam i measc na marbh, ná ní ligfidh tú do do mhuirneach truailliú a fheiceáil Freagra
4. Taispeáin tú slí na beatha dom, agus iomlán lúcháire i d'fhianaise,
agus aoibhneas ar do dheasláimh go brách. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Peadar 1:17-21
Óir is feasach sibh le fuil luachmhar Chríost, amhail fuil uain gan mháchail gan cháim.
A clann ionúin, má thugann sibh Athair ar an té sin a thugann breith gan leathchuma ar gach duine de réir a bhirt, ní foláir daoibh sibh féin a iompar go heaglach le linn bhur ndeoraíochta. Óir is feasach sibh nach le nithe sothruaillithe mar ór nó airgead a fuasclaíodh sibh ó bhur n-iompar baoth a fuair sibh mar oidhreacht ó bhur n-aithreacha, ach le fuil luachmhar Chríost, amhail fuil uain gan mháchail gan cháim. Bhí aithne air cheana féin roimh chruthú an domhain, ach foilsíodh é i ndeireadh ré ar bhur sonsa a chreideann trídsean i nDia, a thóg ó mhairbh é, agus a thug glóir dó, le go mbeadh creideamh agus dóchas agaibhse i nDia.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Lc 24: 32
Alleluia, alleluia!
A Thiaina Íosa, nocht na scrioptúir dúinn;
cuir ár gcroí ar Iasadh ionainn Ie linn duit bheith ag labhairt linn.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 24:13-35
Thóg Íosa an t-arán agus bheannaigh, bhris sé ansin agus thug dóibh é. Osclaíodh a súile agus d’aithin siad é.
An lá sin féin, bhí beirt de na deisceabail ag dul go dtí baile darbh ainm Eamáus a bhí céad staid seascad ó Iarúsailéim, agus bhí siad ag comhrá le chéile faoi na nithe seo uile a bhí tar éis titim amach. Agus sa chomhrá dóibh agus sa chur trí chéile, dhruid Íosa féin leo agus shiúil lena gcois; ach bhí a súile coinnithe chun nach n-aithneoidís é. Dúirt sé leo: “Cad iad na scéala iad seo atá sibh a reic le chéile sa tslí?” Agus stad siad suas agus iad go gruama.
Dúirt duine acu leis á fhreagairt – Cleopas ab ainm dó: “An tusa an t-aon duine amháin atá ag cur fút in Iarúsailéim atá in ainbhios ar na nithe a tharla ann sna laethanta seo?”
Dúirt sé leo: “Cad iad na nithe?”
Dúirt siad leis: “Mar gheall ar Íosa – Nazairéanach, duine a bhí ina fháidh éifeachtach ó ghníomh agus ó bhriathar i bhfianaise Dé agus an phobail uile; mar a thug ár n-ardsagairt agus ár gcinn urra ar láimh é lena dhaoradh chun báis, agus mar a chéas siad é. Agus sinne ag súil leis gurbh eisean a bhí chun Iosrael a fhuascailt! Ach chomh maith leis an méid sin uile, tá an treas lá inniu ann ó thit na nithe sin amach. Agus go deimhin, tá mná dár muintir tar éis alltacht a chur orainn. Ar dhul go dtí an tuama dóibh go moch ar maidin, nuair nach raibh a chorp le fáil acu ann, tháinig siad agus scéala acu, fiú amháin, gur thaispeáin aingil iad féin dóibh a dúirt go bhfuil sé beo. Chuaigh cuid dár gcompánaigh go dtí an tuama ansin, agus fuair gurbh amhlaidh a bhí mar a dúirt na mná, ach ní fhaca siad é féin.”
Ansin dúirt sé féin leo:
“A dhaoine gan tuiscint atá dúr ó chroí chun a bhfuil ráite ag na fáithe a chreidiúint! Nárbh fholáir go bhfulaingeodh an Críost na nithe úd chun go dtiocfadh sé isteach ina ghlóir?”
Agus ag tosú dó ó Mhaois agus ó na fáithe uile, mhínigh sé dóibh na nithe a bhí sna scrioptúir uile mar gheall air féin.
Nuair a bhí siad I ngar don bhaile ar a raibh a dtriall, bhí de chuma air féin go raibh sé ag dul níos faide, agus rinne siad tathant air á rá:
“Fan againn, óir tá sé i mbéal tráthnóna agus an lá siar síos cheana féin.”
Chuaigh sé isteach dá réir sin chun fanacht acu. Agus ansin, nuair a bhí sé ag bord in éineacht leo, thóg sé an t-arán agus bheannaigh, bhris sé ansin agus thug dóibh é. Osclaíodh a súile agus d’aithin siad é; ach chuaigh sé ar neamhní uathu. Agus dúirt siad le chéile: “Nach raibh ár gcroí ar lasadh ionainn le linn dó bheith ag labhairt linn feadh na slí, agus é ag nochtadh na scrioptúr dúinn?”
Chuir siad chun bóthair an uair sin féin agus chuaigh ar ais go Iarúsailéim. Fuair siad an t-aon duine déag agus a gcompánaigh bailithe le chéile agus é de scéal acu: “Tá an Tiarna éirithe go deimhin agus chonacthas do Shíomón é.” Agus rinne siad féin ar tharla sa tslí a aithris, agus mar a d’aithin siad é i mbriseadh an aráin.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 26th April, 2026
Fourth Sunday of Easter
This is Good Shepherd Sunday
A Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious life, Married and Single life.
It is a call to a life of service in the Church and a call to live the Gospel mission as a representative of Jesus wherever and whenever we are.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:14. 36-41
God has made him both Lord and Christ.
On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed them in a loud voice:
'The whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.'
Hearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles,
'What must we do, brothers?'
'You must repent,' Peter answered 'and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself.'
He spoke to them for a long time using many arguments, and he urged them,
'Save yourselves from this perverse generation'.
They were convinced by his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptised. That very day about three thousand were added to their number.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 22: 1-6. R/v1
Response The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or Alleluia!
1. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. Response
2. He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort. Response
3. You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. Response
4. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.
In the Lord's own house shall I dwell for ever and ever. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Peter 2:20-25
You have come back to the shepherd of your souls.
The merit, in the sight of God, is in bearing it patiently when you are punished after doing your duty. This, in fact, is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow the way he took. He had not done anything wrong, and there had been no perjury in his mouth. He was insulted and did not retaliate with insults; when he was tortured he made no threats but he put his trust in the righteous judge. He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross, so that we might die to our faults and live for holiness; through his wounds you have been healed. You had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation Jn 10: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to John 10:1-10 Glory to you, O Lord
I am the gate of the sheepfold
Jesus said:
'I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers.'
Jesus told them this parable but they failed to understand what he meant by telling it to them.
So Jesus spoke to them again:
'I tell you most solemnly, I am the gate of the sheepfold.
All others who have come are thieves and brigands;
but the sheep took no notice of them
I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.
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/
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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, 26th April, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as Gníomhartha na nAspal 2:14. 36-41
Rinne Dia Tiarna agus Meisias den Íosa seo.
Lá Cincise d’éirigh Peadar ina sheasamh i gcuideachta an Aon Duine Dhéag agus labhair leo de ghuth ard:“Bíodh a fhios go dearfa ag teaghlach Iosrael ar fad go ndearna Dia Tiarna agus Meisias den Íosa seo a chéas sibhseá ar chrois.”
Chuaigh an chaint sin go dtí an croí iontu agus dúirt siad le Peadar agus leis na haspail eile: “Cad atá le déanamh againn, a bhráithre?”
Agus d’fhreagair Peadar iad:
“Déanaigí aithrí,” ar seisean, “déantar gach duine agaibh a bhaisteadh in ainm Íosa Críost chun maithiúnas na bpeacaí agus glacfaidh sibh tabhartas an Spioraid Naoimh; mar is daoibhse agus do bhur gclann atá an gealltanas úd agus dóibh siúd freisin atá i bhfad ar shiúl – don uile dhuine dá nglaofaidh ár nDia chuige.”
Rinne sé mórán eile cainte ag áiteamh leo agus ag tathant orthu: “Sabháiligí sibh féin,” ar seisean leo, “ón nglúin chlaon seo.” An méid díobh a ghlac lena theachtaireacht, baisteadh iad agus cuireadh tuairim is trí mhíle duine lena líon an lá sin.
Briathar Dé. Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 22:1-6 , Rv.1.
Freagra Is é an Tiarna m'aoire; ní bheidh aon ní de dhíth orm.
Malairt Freagra Alleluia!
1. Is é an Tiarna m'aoire; ní bheidh aon ní de dhíth orm.
Cuireann sé i mo luí mé i móinear féaruaithne.
Seolann sé ar imeall an uisce mé, mar a bhfaighim suaimhneas. Freagra
2. Seolann sé mé ar rianta díreacha mar gheall ar a ainm.
Fiú dá siúlfainn i ngleann an dorchadais, níor bhaol liom an t-olc
agus tú faram le do shlat is do bhachall chun só1ás a thabhairt dom. Freagra
3. Cóiríonn tú bord chun béile dom i bhfianaise mo naimhde.
Ungann tú mo cheann le hola.;tá mo chupán ag cur thar maoil. Freagra
4. Leanfaidh cineáltas is fabhar mégach uile lá de mo shaol.
I dteach an Tiarna a mhairfidh mé go brách na breithe. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Peader 2:20-25
Tá fillte ar ais agaibh ar aoire agus ar chaomhnóir bhur n-anama.
A clann ionúin, má dhéanann sibh an mhaith agus go bhfulaingíonn sibh dá bharr le foighne, tuilleann sin gnaoi Dé.
Óir is chuige seo a gairmeadh sibh, mar gur fhulaing Críost féin ar bhur son, agus gur fhág sé sampla agaibh le go leanfadh sibh a lorg. Ní dhearna seisean aon pheaca, ná ní bhfuarthas aon chealg ina bhéal. Nuair a caitheadh achasán leis níor chaith sé achasán ar ais; nuair a bhí sé ag fulaingt ní dhearna sé bagairt, ach d’fhág sé a chúis faoin té a thugann breith go cóir. D’iompair sé ár bpeacaí ina cholainn féin ar an gcrann d’fhonn go bhfaighimis bás dár bpeacaí ach go mairfimis don fhíréantacht. Trína chréachtaí a cneasaíodh sibh. Bhí sibh mar chaoirigh ar seachrán, ach tá fillte ar ais agaibh ar aoire agus ar chaomhnóir bhur n-anama.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 10: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Is mise an t-aoire maith,'a deir an Tiarna.
AithnÍm mo chaoirigh féin, agus aithníonn mo chaoirigh féin mé'
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 10:1-10
Mise doras na gcaorach.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
“Amen, Amen, a deirim libh, an té nach dtéann an doras isteach i gcró na gcaorach, ach a théann a mhalairt de bhealach isteach, is bithiúnach é sin agus robálaí. An té a thagann an doras isteach, sin é aoire na gcaorach. Osclaíonn an doirseoir dó seo agus éisteann na caoirigh lena ghuth, agus glaonn sé ar a chaoirigh féin as a n-ainm, agus seolann amach iad. Nuair a bhíonn a chaoirigh uile seolta amach aige, téann sé rompu agus leanann a chaoirigh é, mar aithníonn siad a ghuth. Ní baol go leanfadh siad coimhthíoch, ach teithfidh siad uaidh mar nach n-aithníonn siad guth na gcoimhthíoch.”
Labhair Íosa an tsolaoid sin leo, ach níor thuig siadsan cad a bhí á rá aige leo. Ansin dúirt Íosa leo arís:
“Amen, Amen, a deirim libh, Mise doras na gcaorach. Gach ar tháinig romham, bithiúnaigh a ba ea iad agus robálaithe,agus níor éist na caoirigh leo.
Mise an doras. Más tríomsa a rachaidh duine isteach, slánófar é. Rachaidh sé isteach is rachaidh sé amach agus gheobhaidh sé féarach.
Ní thagann an bithiúnach ach chun bheith ag goid, ag marú agus ag milleadh. Tháinig mise chun go mbeadh an bheatha acu agus go mbeadh sí acu go fial."
Soiscéal Dé. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
